Abstract: A joint fitting to position about the intersection of at least two gasket strips is disclosed. The fitting includes a first rigid member and second elastic member to cover the intersection of two or more gasket strips. The second elastic member is positioned over the intersection of the two or more gasket strips. The first rigid member is positioned over the second elastic member at the intersection of the two or more gasket strips. A mechanism to secure the first and second members onto the two or more gasket strips is coupled with the first and second members such that the first rigid member exerts force upon the second elastic member and two or more gasket strips to effectively seal the intersection of the two or more gasket strips.

Abstract: A currency stacker-sorter having a movable receiver which receives a bill from a currency validator and carries the bill laterally to a position opposite the inlet of a selected one of a plurality of storage boxes, whereupon a ram mechanism is activated to place the bill into the selected storage box. The currency stacker includes a closed-loop position control system for selectively positioning the receiver mechanism at a desired location, the position control system including an optical encoder for sensing the position of the receiver mechanism relative to the inlets of the storage boxes. The ram mechanism also includes an optical encoder which allows that mechanism to complete a ram sequence in response to a single trigger pulse from the currency validator. Each storage box of the stacker-sorter includes a spring-loaded pressure plate connected to a rear portion of the box through a scissors linkage. Each compartment also includes a compartment FULL switch.

Abstract: An integrated electronic control arrangement is disclosed in the illustrative environment of burner such as in a gas-fired furnace. The control incorporates a self-test feature which shuts down the furnace in the event of any one of a number of possible sensed faults. Self-testing occurs automatically before an attempt at ignition and during furnace operation. Proper functioning of the sensor which senses for induced air flow through the burner combustion chamber is tested prior to enabling a fan which causes that induced air flow. Air flow is confirmed by sending to and receiving back from the sensor a sequence of pulses. Should air flow not be sensed during a combustion period, combustion is terminated. A flame sensor is provided for determining the presence of a flame in the combustion chamber. During times when a flame should be present, pulse sequences are sent to and received back from the flame sensor to confirm that a flame is present.

Abstract: An electronically operated mixing valve is disclosed wherein a combination of a control module which houses the electronics for electrically operating a valve module having one or more valves for mixing, shut-off and distribution of mixed water which is in contact with at least one temperature sensor, and an electromechanical motor module which is electrically connected to the valve module for automatically operating the one or more valves.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating an organic material from a composition comprising said organic material intermixed with particulate solids, the process comprising advancing a light hydrocarbon fluid through said particulate solids at an effective rate to drive at least some of said organic material from said particulate solids, adding water to said composition containing particulate solids and residual organic material to produce a second composition, and adding an oxidizing agent to said second composition in an amount sufficient to remove substantially all of the residual organic material.

Abstract: Disclosed is ammoxidation of C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 acyclic alkanes with NH.sub.3 and O.sub.2 using (1) a mole ratio of alkane:NH.sub.3 in the range from 2 to 16 and a mole ratio of alkane:O.sub.2 in the range 1 to 10 and (2) a mixture of particulate catalyst compositions, the first being especially effective to promote formation of an unsaturated nitrile and an olefin from the paraffin, and the second catalyst composition being especially effective to promote the conversion of the olefin to the unsaturated mononitrile. Catalyst compositions useful in the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible hose comprises a flexible helically convoluted plastics material tube 12 wound helically with a reinforcing profile strip 14. The strip 14 is of such a cross-section as to support the tube wall and limit the maximum radius of curvature R2 at maximum flexion to a value less than that which is obtain with an equivalent standard hose FIG. 5). Preferably the profiled strip has a cross-section which is non-circular and comprises two components, one 18 being substantially axially of the tube, and the other 20 being substantially radially of the tube. The axial component provides support for the tube wall and the radial component serves to improve resistance to radial forces and limits the radius of curvature of the adjacent convolution.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for selectively determining the resonant frequency of a gas compressor including a compressor drive motor and a muffler in a generally spaced relationship, and an apparatus mechanically linking the compressor drive motor and the muffler. The apparatus as disclosed in one embodiment includes two conical frustums as wedge members, each having an axial bore accommodating a single non-resilient shaft for joining the conical frustums such that the shaft may be adjusted to force the wedge members closer together, biasing the muffler with respect to the compressor drive motor, and thereby adjusting the resonant frequency of the compressor structure to a determined resonant frequency.

Abstract: An electronically commutated, collectorless direct-current motor is disclosed whose stator has a drum winding and an external magnetic yoke surrounding same, and whose rotor consists of a shaft, a multipolar, permanent-magnet body, and an internal magnetic yoke. To reduce the moment of inertia, the internal magnetic yoke has kidney-shaped apertures. The direct-current motor exhibits a good dynamic behavior and is used in data processing equipment.

Abstract: In an island type refrigeration display cabinet, a top aperture containing two oppositely disposed louvers for discharging oppositely directed coplanar air curtain sections, to form a single air curtain of multiple section in the top aperture of the display cabinet. Preferably, the cabinet also includes means for withdrawing air from the interior display space of the cabinet and forcing the air through a bifurcated conduit. Each bifurcation of the conduit is flowably connected to one of the respective louvers in the top opening of the display cabinet. Each bifurcation of the conduit also includes means for refrigerating the air flowing through the conduit to the louvers.

Abstract: In a rotary compressor, a relief valve for providing refrigerant at suction gas pressure to the discharg port when the rotary compressor is operated in the reverse rotation direction. The relief valve includes in the preferred embodiment a passage for providing a source of refrigerant at suction pressure, a pressure responsive relief valve, and a passage for providing refrigerant at suction pressure from the relief valve to the discharge port. When the compressor system is operated in the correct rotation, refrigerant at discharge pressure maintains the relief valve in the closed position, preventing flow from the discharge port to the suction pressure source. When the compressor system is operated in the reverse rotation however, the pressure in the discharge port is reduced to below that of the refrigerant in the suction pressure source, whereupon the releif valve opens permitting flow from the suction pressure source to the discharge port.

Abstract: An improvement in the conversion of high boiling liquid organic materials to low boiling materials, and more particularly, in the process of converting heavy hydrocarbon oil feedstocks to fuel range liquids is described. In its broadest aspects, the invention comprises a process for converting high boiling hydrocarbons to lower boiling materials characterized by an increase in aromatic content and a lower pour point which comprises contacting said high boiling hydrocarbons with water at a temperature of from about 600.degree. F. to about 875.degree. F. at a pressure of at least about 2000 psi in the absence of any externally supplied catalysts, and wherein the weight ratio of water to high boiling hydrocarbons is from about 0.5:1 to about 1:1, and the water and high boiling hydrocarbon form a substantially single phase system under the elevated temperature and pressure conditions utilized.

Abstract: An integrated electroluminescent display (DCEL), in which the DCEL (11) is integrted into the substrate board (10), such as, for example, a printed circuit board, which carries associated electronic components (12), such as, for example, those which would make up a control circuit, the DCEL displaying pertiment information for the control circuit. The bottom electrode (13) for the DCEL can be copper foil, which is etched at the same time as the rest of the foil pattern (13A) used to electrically interconnect the control components (12) of the overall control circuit during the making of the printed circuit board. Thereafter, the phosphor layer (14) is printed onto the associated copper foil segments, and, finally, a glass (15), which has on its inner surface an appropriate pattern of tin oxide (16), is placed on top of the phosphor depositions.

Abstract: The variable opening of a pressure independent supply air valve for a building ventilation system is controlled in response to a standard airflow transducer whose output is modified to emulate a close tolerance transducer. In a calibration mode, a microcomputer based control closes the valve and a summing amplifier reduces the transducer output by an amount equal to a compensation signal provided by the microcomputer. Once the output is reduced to a predetermined desired level, the value of the compensation signal is stored in memory for later use during a run mode. In the run mode, the actual supply airflow rate is determined based upon the transducer output less the compensation signal. And the control adjusts the position of the valve until the actual airflow rate meets a desired airflow rate as determined by a room thermostat.

Abstract: A solenoid valve used as an expansion valve in a refrigeration circuit has an opening that varies as a function of the pulse width of a high frequency PWM (pulse width modulated) control signal. A transistor controls the electrical current delivered to the solenoid valve. The PWM control signal rapidly cycles the transistor on and off at a constant frequency that is sufficiently high to prevent the valve from having enough time within a cycle to move between fully open and closed. As a result, the valve balances at an intermediate position determined by the relative lengths of the on and off periods of each pulse cycle. The relative on-off pulse widths, often referred to as, "duty cycle", is varied in response to a temperature sensor to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit. The duty cycle is also adjusted to compensate for any variations in the supploy voltage applied across the solenoid valve.

Abstract: Divalent ion tolerant aromatic sulfonate suitable for enhanced oil recovery characterized by the formula: ##STR1## wherein x=0 to 4R'=H or CH.sub.3R=CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2)y and y=1 to 15. Preferably, the composition comprises of second compound characterized by the formula ##STR2## wherein R, x, y, and R' are the same as defined in claim 1.

Abstract: A piston assembly is disclosed which reduces the consumption of a lubricating agent circulated to provide lubrication between the outer sidewall of the piston assembly and the interior sidewall of a bore. This is accomplished by providing at least one aperture in at least one compression ring groove. The aperture is disposed in fluid communication with the interior of a hollow skirt portion of the piston for communicating such lubricating agent gathered in the compression ring groove into the interior of the hollow skirt portion of the piston so that the lubricating agent can return to the crankcase of an operating mechanism.

Abstract: A glazing system with an elastomeric glazing gasket, preferably of the lockstrip type, which has sealing wings and is prefabricated to continuously extend around the perimeter of a window opening. The system also includes means for mounting the gasket with the sealing wings in contact with the perimeter of the window opening.

Abstract: A rotary switch, adapted to be secured to a panel, comprises a stator having a bearing flange provided with a cylindrical side wall and an underside; a circumferential groove provided in the side wall and an annular groove provided in the underside; and a rotor extending over the bearing flange and having a cylindrical side wall surrounding the cylindrical side wall of the bearing flange. The rotor is rotatably supported on and relative to the stator. There are further provided a stationary contact mounted in the stator; a movable contact carried by the rotor for displacement relative to the stationary contact upon turning of the rotor; and a first sealing ring received in the circumferential groove and projecting radially outwardly from the cylindrical side wall of the bearing flange. The first sealing ring sealingly and slidably engages the cylindrical side wall of the rotor.