Abstract: The monitor for uncommanded braking controls uncommanded brake application on one or more wheels during takeoff of an aircraft. Brake pedal application is determined, brake pressure is measured, and brake pressure is compared with a selected threshold brake pressure. A brake pressure applied signal is generated when the brake pressure exceeds the threshold brake pressure. The pedal application signal and brake pressure applied signal are received by a fault latch logic circuit that generates a fault latch output signal when uncommanded braking has occurred. A test inhibit signal is also generated when weight is not applied on the wheel. The test inhibit signal is also input to the fault latch logic circuit so that uncommanded braking can occur when the aircraft is in the air and weight is off the wheel. The monitor disables or latches off the shutoff valve when pressure is detected without pedal application.

Abstract: A fiberoptic velocity transducer for use in determining the rotational speed of an object and comprising a magneto-optic material coated with a dielectric material that operates to selectively pass light energy having a first range of wavelengths, and to reflect light energy having a second range of wavelengths, so as to make the light energy with the second range of wavelengths available as a reference signal, the magneto-optic material functioning to cause a Faraday rotation in the light energy having the first range of wavelengths that is characteristic of the speed of the rotating object.

Abstract: The monitor for uncommanded braking controls uncommanded brake application on one or more wheels during takeoff of an aircraft. Brake pedal application is determined, brake pressure is measured, and brake pressure is compared with a selected threshold brake pressure. A brake pressure applied signal is generated when the brake pressure exceeds the threshold brake pressure. The pedal application signal and brake pressure applied signal are received by a fault latch logic circuit that generates a fault latch output signal when uncommanded braking has occurred. A test inhibit signal is also generated when weight is not applied on the wheel. The test inhibit signal is also input to the fault latch logic circuit so that uncommanded braking can occur when the aircraft is in the air and weight is off the wheel. The monitor disables or latches off the shutoff valve when pressure is detected without pedal application.

Abstract: A multiple product merchandising machine having a cylindrical drum mounted within a cabinet and having a plurality of compartments of varying size which pass by at least one access door. The access door is mounted in the cabinet for sliding movement to allow access to a compartment aligned with the access door. The door is motorized so that it will open and close automatically once activated by slight movement of its handle. The size of the compartment aligned with the door when it is opened is known by the control circuit and the motor moves the door only far enough to allow access by a customer to that compartment.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: A fiberoptic velocity transducer for use in determining the rotational speed of an object and comprising a magneto-optic material coated with a dielectric material that operates to selectively pass light energy having a first range of wavelengths, and to reflect light energy having a second range of wavelengths, so as to make the light energy with the second range of wavelengths available as a reference signal, the magneto-optic material functioning to cause a Faraday rotation in the light energy having the first range of wavelengths that is characteristic of the speed of the rotating object.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: The brake energy balancing system balances brake torque of braking wheels of a vehicle having a plurality of cars carried by trucks, for applying and controlling the brakes of each group of braking wheels of the trucks of the vehicle. Brake torque is measured, a command brake torque signal is generated that is limited by a reference torque signal, and the command brake torque signal is compared with the measured brake torque to generate brake torque difference signals. An energy balancing brake application control signal is provided to the brakes in response to the brake torque difference signals.

Abstract: A station assembly for use with a patient chair is disclosed. The station assembly includes a mounting bracket which can be attached to the patient chair. A first station arm and a second station arm are pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket such that they have nested translational paths when pivoted. Instrument stations are mounted to the station arms such that either station can be brought to either side of the patient chair by pivoting the station arms.

Abstract: A security thread detector for verifying the authenticity of banknotes. In the preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a housing with a passage through which banknotes can be passed, wherein the housing also comprises a waveguide, a microwave oscillator for generating microwaves and two resonating slots on a wall of the waveguide, and a microwave detector. After a banknote is inserted through the passageway, the microwave diode produces an analog signal that is proportional to the microwave strength. The diode and the slots are arranged such that the radiated power from each slot is one hundred eighty degrees out-of-phase. If a banknote has no security thread, then the detector receives a balanced signal. If the banknote contains a security thread, the thread interferes with one of the radiating slots. This interference causes an imbalance condition and a corresponding signal is sent from the detector diode. The resulting signal is then sent to a microprocessor which activates an appropriate indicator.

Abstract: A filtration system utilizing a helical cartridge wherein the differential in pressure between the pressure inside and the pressure outside of the helix is effective in controlling the spacing between the coils of the helix. Each coil of the helix is provided with radial grooves of predetermined size corresponding to the smallest particle size to be trapped by the cartridge and prevented from entering the interior of the helix. The coils are maintained closed during the filtering cycle and are opened during the backwash cycle.

Abstract: A device for removing air from the steam chamber of an autoclave includes a sealable sterilization chamber for receiving items to be sterilized. The chamber is sealed and the pressure and temperature therein monitored by sensors. Vapor for sterilizing items is generated in the chamber by a heater. Air is removed from the chamber through a relatively large vent and a selectively activated valve for opening and closing the vent. A digital controller receives the monitored temperature and pressure of the chamber as inputs, compares these empirical values with standard values and, on the basis of the comparison, generates a control signal to selectively open or close the valve. The vapor used in steam and the standard values are a set of coordinates, which when plotted on a pressure/temperature graph, would yield a curve characteristic of saturated steam. The standard values are stored in a memory accessible to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A reclining chair has a seat back and a seat bottom which are pivotally attached to opposite ends of a rocking cradle or support frame, which itself is pivotally mounted to a base. The seat back and the seat bottom are interconnected such that an end of the seat bottom proximate to the seat back is raised as the seat back is lowered. Conversely, as the end of the seat bottom proximate to the seat back is lowered, the seat back is raised. The opposite or remote end of the seat bottom is maintained at substantially the same elevation as the end of the seat bottom proximate the seat back, whereby the seat bottom is maintained in a substantially constant orientation relative to the horizontal as it is raised and lowered.

Abstract: There is disclosed an autoclave system incorporating a sterilization chamber and a reservoir. The reservoir is coupled to the sterilization chamber by means of a selectively operated valve. A microcontroller in conjunction with timing means computes a time necessary to place a predetermined amount of water into the sterilization chamber to assure that a proper sterilization cycle will be implemented. The apparatus determines the amount of time required to operate the valve based on the water level in the reservoir. The system is initilized with a full reservoir of water and bases all successive computations for valve operation from this point. Thus the valve is operated according to a given time duration, which time duration is computed according to the number of sterilization cycles previously performed by the autoclave system.

Abstract: A conversion backhoe-to-crane type system, including preferably a box type, 50' boom and two, hydraulically driven cable or line winches, the hoist one of which is mounted directly on the crane-like boom. The winches have "true free fall" characteristics, by using a high torque, radial piston hydraulic motor directly driving the drum, which motor cn be put into a "neutral" disposition, exerting no significant drag on the cable winch drum when it unwinds under the force of the suspended load and/or work implement falling under the force of gravity. Additionally, a supplemental braking system, e.g. a disc brake carried on the winch drum shaft, is added. Thus, the winch drum becomes truly free wheeling, when the hydraulic winch is put in "neutral," but can still be controlled, when desired, by the supplemental disc brake sub-system. A second, spring apply, disc brake is included for emergency back-up. For exemplary purposes, the backhoe conversion is illustrated in a dragline configuration (FIG.

Abstract: The brake valve control system for an aircraft wheel bracking system includes primary and backup brake valve control subsystems and isolates and switches between subsystems. Certain portions of the entire braking system are shared, and those portions which are not shared are isolated but interconnected for switching from a primary brake control mode to a backup subsystem upon failure of the primary subsystem. A unique metering spool valve, and the linking of metering spool valves and servocontrol valves with either a tandem selector valve or interlinked primary and secondary selector valves allows for significant reduction in weight and complexity for the backup or override system.

Abstract: A method for continuously neutralizing quantities of acidic and alkaline waste materials is disclosed. Acidic and alkaline quantities are successively passed through the same weak ion exchanger. The passage of each of the quantities effectively neutralizes that quantity in the ion exchanger while, at the same time, effectively regenerates the exchanger for use in neutralizing the next successive quantity of waste material passed therethrough. Relatively highly acidic and highly alkaline waste materials are first neutralized in a holding vessel before being passed into the ion exchanger.