Abstract: A hierarchical control system including a central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the central receiver to at least one controller; and a controller operably connected to the central receiver by the first communications medium. The system also includes a sensor for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; and a transmitter for transmitting the sensed conditions from the sensor to the central receiver via the second communications medium. The central receiver also includes receiver for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and a transmitter for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium.

Abstract: A mold for the continuous casting of steel defines a casting passage having an inlet end for molten steel, an outlet end for a continuously cast steel strand, an upstream portion extending from the inlet end approximately halfway towards the outlet end, and a downstream portion extending from the upstream portion to the outlet end. The upstream portion is formed with a plurality of radially outwardly directed protuberances which are arranged side-by-side circumferentially of the casting passage. The size of the protuberances decreases from the inlet end towards the outlet end in such a manner that the strand is shaped during travel through the upstream portion of the casting passage.

Abstract: Apparatus for classifying tobacco includes a plurality of vertical lift, single-pass, closed loop apparatus projecting a stream of mixed tobacco components across a classifying chamber of each module, and a portion thereof directly into the infeed apparatus of the next downstream module. A common porous conveyor extending through the modules of the closed loop air stream removes tobacco heavies. A second lower reversible conveyor removes overflow and dust or other particles falling out of suspension and deposits same in the heavier discharge or in another collection point. The modules as well as the infeed apparatus are interchangeable.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the capacity of a centrifugal chiller compressor. The compressor is driven by an electric motor and has variable inlet guide vanes that control the flow of refrigerant to the compressor. The controller establishes a dimensionless plot of possible points of compressor operation relating the pressure coefficient and the capacity coefficient of the compressor. The current operating point of the centrifugal compressor is located on the plot and a dynamic surge boundary control curve is positioned proximate a region of actual surge. Control is exercised responsive to the variations of the region of actual surge and the surge boundary control curve for controlling compressor capacity by varying the opening of the inlet guide vanes and varying the speed of the compressor to move the operating point of the compressor proximate the surge boundary control curve.

Abstract: A device for measuring the deformation of a structural component comprises a sensor installed at a first end of a hollow bore in the structural component, the sensor having a measuring surface and producing an electrical signal indicative of a deformation in the measuring surface, and a transmission element which passes through the hollow bore. The transmission element has a first end which is supported by the structural component, and a second end which bears upon the measuring surface of the sensor, so that a deformation which occurs in the structural component will be transmitted to the measuring surface by the transmission element.

Abstract: A weatherstrip for attachment to the body of a vehicle having a flange edge, such as a door, is located at an interface between the flange edge and a movable window. The weatherstrip consists of a longitudinally extending molding formed by an injection molding process which has in cross-section a first and second leg joined together by a web to define a U-shaped and a first channel between the first and second legs. At least one retainer clip may be integrally formed with the molding to define a second channel which is smaller than the first channel for accepting the flange edge.

Abstract: A molding for attachment to a vehicle includes a support member and a first colored layer secured to the support member. A second colored layer is abutted to the first colored layer at one edge thereof, and secured to the support member. The first and second colored layers are of similar colors presenting a color matched molding.

Abstract: A trim strip for attachment to a substrate such as a vehicle includes a metallic core member and a one-piece outer layer which includes injection molded plastic inserts. In addition, a method of making the trim strip includes the steps of bonding an outer layer to the core member wherein the outer layer extends beyond the longitudinal ends of the core member, injection molding plastic inserts which bond to the outer layer, and forming the outer layer over the ends of the core member, thereby forming end caps over the metallic core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring oil charge loss for use with a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system has a compressor for compressing a refrigerant gas, an oil/gas separator for separating compressed refrigerant from lubricating oil, a condenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant gas, an oil cooler for cooling oil separated from the refrigerant, the refrigerant and oil both having known and differing coefficients of heat transfer, and an injection system for injecting the cooled oil into the compressor.

Abstract: A DC-AC converter for igniting and supplying a gas discharge lamp comprises a converter control circuit including a starter circuit containing first, second and third switching elements; a load circuit including at least one gas discharge lamp; and an igniting circuit including a fourth switching element, wherein the converter control circuit controls a current through the lamp via a current sensor resistor during a pre-heating stage; the igniting circuit disenables the third switching element and thereby isolates the converter control circuit during an igniting stage; and the converter control circuit controls the current through the lamp via the current sensor resistor during normal operation.

Abstract: A hierarchical control system including a central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the central receiver to at least one controller; and a controller operably connected to the central receiver by the first communications medium. The system also includes a sensor for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; and a transmitter for transmitting the sensed conditions from the sensor to the central receiver via the second communications medium. The central receiver also includes receiver for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and a transmitter for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium.

Abstract: A molded article and the mold for making molded articles are disclosed. The molded article is a sanitary fixture, such as a whirlpool bathtub. The molded article comprises a rigid shell having a finish side and a non-finish side. A rigid material is coated on the rigid shell and integrally forms a leveling base on the bottom side of the rigid shell. Mounting pockets for attaching an apron and mounting areas for attaching a whirlpool motor may also be integrally formed in the rigid material coated on the rigid shell. The mold for manufacturing includes a plurality of cavities for forming leveling runners on the bottom side of the molded article. Additional cavities may be included in the mold for forming mounting areas and mounting pockets on the molded article.

Abstract: Apparatus as disposed internal of a refrigeration screw compressor which, upon compressor shutdown, shuts off the flow of oil injected into the compressor's working chamber and the oil which is directed to the compressor rotor bearings and which at compressor startup opens oil flow to those locations by the use of ambient internal compressor conditions that inherently exist at those respective times. The operation of the apparatus is therefore "fail safe" and the need for external oil flow cutoff valving and the need to monitor and/or prove oil flow within the compressor is eliminated.

Abstract: An improved security document according to the present invention includes a substrate having a surface for carrying indicia. The document has background printed matter, consisting of a pattern of elements of a first size and frequency, printed at a first density on the surface. The document further has a cancellation term, consisting of a pattern of elements of a second size and frequency, printed at a second density on the surface. Elements of one of the first size or the second size are sufficiently small such that they are not reproduced by a color copier at a particular copier setting, and elements of the other of the first size or the second size are sufficiently large such that they are reproduced by the color copier at the particular copier setting. As a result, a copy of the security document made on a color copier displays the cancellation term. At least a portion of the security document surface is divisible into a plurality of bands extending across the surface.

Abstract: A device for optically displaying the pressure of a medium comprises a housing, a piston within the housing which is movable along a longitudinal axis against a restoring force, and an optically transparent element within the housing having a display surface which is visible from outside the housing. An inner wall of the optically transparent element delimits a cavity which is open towards the piston. A surface of a first color, e.g., green, is mounted on the piston and is movable therewith, the colored surface being received within the cavity of the optically transparent element. The optically transparent element includes a circumferential zone of a second color, e.g., red, which colored zone is not directly visible from outside the housing through the display surface.

Abstract: A method of molding and a mold for making bathtubs are disclosed. The mold includes a mold receptor and a deck insert attached to the mold receptor face. The preferred deck insert has at least one projection designed to reduce the cross-sectional area of a portion of a void between the shell's deck and the deck forming face of the insert. Preferably, the distance from the outer edge of the shell's deck to the outer edge of the projection is about 16% of the length of the deck of the sanitary fixture. The mold receptor receives a shell which has a finish side and a non-finish side. The shell is placed in the mold receptor leaving a void between the non-finish side of the shell and the deck insert of the receptor. The insert is attached to the mold receptor to reduce the cross-sectional area of a portion of the space between the shell deck and mold receptor. A male mold engages the finish side of uhe shell, sealably retaining the shell to the mold receptor.

Abstract: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes, a procharging device affixed to one end plate and substantially enclosing the scroll wraps and the second end plate. Preferably, the procharging device includes a cup-shaped drive housing secured to one end plate and enclosing the scroll wraps, and a flexible torque-transmitting member connecting between the enclosure member and the second end plate. Apertures are provided in the enclosure member to permit fluid flow into the space enclosed by the enclosure device, with vanes disposed adjacent the apertures to force fluid into the enclosed space during rotation of the scroll wraps. Fluid thus forced into the enclosed space is precharged prior to entering the scroll wraps, being at higher pressure than fluid exterior the enclosed space, improving the operating efficiency of the scroll apparatus.

Abstract: A scissor frame lift for pivotally moving a dump body hingedly secured to a truck frame comprising upper and lower frame assemblies having the rearward ends thereof pivotally secured together and which are pivotally moved relative to one another by a hydraulic cylinder operatively interconnecting the upper and lower frame assemblies. The lower frame assembly includes a pair of elongated frame members, the forward ends of which are operatively pivotally or rotatably secured to mounts secured to the frame members of the truck frame. The upper frame assembly includes a pair of frame members, the forward ends of which are operatively connected to mounts secured to the runsills of the truck body. The distance between the rearward ends of the frame members of the lower frame assembly is substantially less than the distance between the frame members of the truck frame and is substantially less than the distance between the forward ends of the frame members of the lower frame assembly.