Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by an AC source controls a lifting magnet. Two bridges allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, relatively high voltage is applied to the lifting magnet until it reaches its cold current. Then voltage is lowered. After a desired interval, once the magnet has had time to build its electromagnetic field, voltage is further reduced to prevent the magnet from overheating. The magnet lifting forced is maintained due to the magnetic circuit hysteresis. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the line source. A logic controller controls current and voltage of the magnet and calculates the magnet's temperature. In one embodiment, a “Sweep” switch is provided to allow reduction of the magnet power to prevent attraction to the bottom or walls of magnetic rail cars or containers.

Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by an AC source controls a lifting magnet. Two bridges allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, relatively high voltage is applied to the lifting magnet until it reaches its cold current. Then voltage is lowered. After a desired interval, once the magnet has had time to build its electromagnetic field, voltage is further reduced to prevent the magnet from overheating. The magnet lifting forced is maintained due to the magnetic circuit hysteresis. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the line source. A logic controller controls current and voltage of the magnet and calculates the magnet's temperature. In one embodiment, a “Sweep” switch is provided to allow reduction of the magnet power to prevent attraction to the bottom or walls of magnetic rail cars or containers.

Abstract: A safety can includes a receptacle and a valve mechanism connected thereto. The valve mechanism can include a body, a fill cover assembly, a pour valve assembly, and a trigger assembly. The body can include a fill port and a separate pour port. The fill cover assembly can be adapted to selectively move between a closed position to cover the fill port and an open position to allow the receptacle to be filled. The pour valve assembly can be adapted to selectively move between a closed position to cover the pour port and an open position to allow fluid to be poured from the receptacle through the pour port. The trigger assembly can be operated to move the pour valve assembly. The pour valve and the pour port can be disposed along a longitudinal pour axis. The fill port can be disposed in offset relationship to the longitudinal pour axis.

Abstract: A model 1911 semiautomatic pistol thumb safety or decocking lever adapted to be coupled to a model 1911 receiver. The thumb safety has a selector pivotally coupled about an axis of rotation to a side of the model 1911 receiver the selector having a flat surface portion offset from the axis of rotation and contacting the side. The selector has a raised surface portion offset from the axis of rotation and facing the side. The safety is adapted to be selectable from a first position to a second position. The flat surface portion covers a swept area when the safety is rotated from the first position to the second position. The swept area is covered by the raised surface portion in either the first position or the second position.

Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by a DC generator controls a lifting magnet. Four transistors, forming an H bridge, allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, full voltage is applied to the lifting magnet. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the DC generator. A transient voltage suppressor protects against voltage spike generated when current reverses in the generator.

Abstract: A heater for heating air passing through a conduit to an aircraft cabin includes a first support ring in the conduit, defining an air passage there through. A plurality of serpentine heating elements is provided, with each heating element extending across the air passage and being supported at both sides of the air passage by the support ring. The serpentine heating elements are generally parallel to each other and evenly spaced in the air passage. A power supply supplies electrical current to the heating elements such that air passing through the air passage is heated by the heating elements. The heating elements may are non-planar, wavy, corrugated in shape, permitting them to be supported only at their side edges.

Abstract: A receptacle for spent smoking material has a modular construction and can include a base, a lid, a neck, and a head. The base and the lid define a chamber for containing the spent smoking material. The lid can be removably connected to the base through the rotative engagement of corresponding lugs on the base and the lid. The neck can be assembled to the lid using a one-way connector mechanism. The head can be assembled to the neck using a one-way connector mechanism. The head portion has an orifice therein for receiving spent smoking materials, which can be directed through the neck to the chamber. A bucket can be provided in the chamber to receive the spent smoking materials.

Abstract: A cleat for a shoe has an annular array of different types of angularly spaced traction elements disposed about and depending from a hub periphery. The array includes plural types of flexible traction elements and plural types inflexible traction elements interleaved within the array. The dynamic elements are longer than the static elements and are of two different lengths. The static elements have two different configurations. The flexible elements are sufficiently close to adjacent inflexible elements to permit grass to be trapped therebetween when the flexible elements are flexed.

Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by an AC source controls a lifting magnet. Two bridges allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, relatively high voltage is applied to the lifting magnet until it reaches its cold current. Then voltage is lowered. After a desired interval, once the magnet has had time to build its electromagnetic field, voltage is further reduced to prevent the magnet from overheating. The magnet lifting forced is maintained due to the magnetic circuit hysteresis. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the line source. A logic controller controls current and voltage of the magnet and calculates the magnet's temperature. In one embodiment, a “Sweep” switch is provided to allow reduction of the magnet power to prevent attraction to the bottom or walls of magnetic rail cars or containers.

Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by an AC source controls a lifting magnet. Two bridges allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, relatively high voltage is applied to the lifting magnet until it reaches its cold current. Then voltage is lowered. After a desired interval, once the magnet has had time to build its electromagnetic field, voltage is further reduced to prevent the magnet from overheating. The magnet lifting forced is maintained due to the magnetic circuit hysteresis. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the line source. A logic controller controls current and voltage of the magnet and calculates the magnet's temperature. In one embodiment, a “Sweep” switch is provided to allow reduction of the magnet power to prevent attraction to the bottom or walls of magnetic rail cars or containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing waste away from an aircraft contemplate a fairing having a first end and a second end; a connection flange mounted on the first end of the fairing; a drain pipe extending through the fairing from the first end to the second end; a heating element in the fairing; a vortex redirector attached to the second end of the fairing; and an air splitter and a vortex generator extending outward from the fairing. The vortex redirector and the vortex generator, along with the air splitter, manage airflow to direct waste away from the aircraft. The method may include separating airflow passing over a drain mast assembly by an air splitter; holding airflow near a surface of a fairing by a pair of vortex generators; and redirecting airflow upwards by a vortex redirector. The redirecting forces airflow into the underside of the air splitter, while increasing velocity of the airflow above the air splitter.

Abstract: A locking system for locking a container to a vehicle includes a locking assembly mounted to a hoist frame and a striker assembly mounted to the vehicle chassis. The locking assembly has at least one hook for hooking over a frame member of the container. The hook has a center of mass that biases the hook to an unlocked position. The striker assembly strikes the hook at a location to move the hook against the bias of the hook's center of mass into a locked position in which the hook is hooked over the frame member of the container. As the hoist frame supporting the container is lowered, the striker assembly contacts the hook and rotates the hook against the bias of the hook's center of mass into the locked position. As the hoist frame is raised, the hook rises as well and loses contact with the striker assembly, thereby falling away from the hoist frame and unlocking the container.

Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by a DC generator controls a lifting magnet. Four transistors, forming an H bridge, allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, full voltage is applied to the lifting magnet. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the DC generator. A transient voltage suppressor protects against voltage spike generated when current reverses in the generator.

Abstract: A wheelchair and an examination table is provided wherein there is provided a connector or connector assembly for connecting the wheelchair to the examination table. Once connected to the examination table, the wheelchair and patient sitting therein can be elevated, after which side frames of the wheelchair can be removed in order to facilitate examination of the patient. In addition, once elevated and the side frames removed, with the aid of a movable back that forms a part of the examination table, the back of the wheelchair can be reclined or positioned in various positions to facilitate examination and procedures.

Abstract: A medical examination table system includes a medical examination table having one or more moveable sections for supporting a patient. One or more supports are secured to the medical examination table and there is provided at least one coupling that is slidably mounted on one of the supports and movable back and forth thereon. The slidably mounted coupling includes a receptor that receives and holds an accessory such that the accessory and the coupling are movable back and forth on the support with respect to the examination table.

Abstract: A magnet controller supplied by an AC source controls a lifting magnet. Two bridges allow DC current to flow in both directions in the lifting magnet. During “Lift”, relatively high voltage is applied to the lifting magnet until it reaches its cold current. Then voltage is lowered. After a desired interval, once the magnet has had time to build its electromagnetic field, voltage is further reduced to prevent the magnet from overheating. The magnet lifting forced is maintained due to the magnetic circuit hysteresis. During “Drop”, reverse voltage is applied briefly to demagnetize the lifting magnet. At the end of the “Lift” and the “Drop”, most of the lifting magnet energy is returned to the line source. A logic controller controls current and voltage of the magnet and calculates the magnet's temperature. In one embodiment, a “Sweep” switch is provided to allow reduction of the magnet power to prevent attraction to the bottom or walls of magnetic rail cars or containers.

Abstract: A wheelchair and an examination table is provided wherein there is provided a connector or connector assembly for connecting the wheelchair to the examination table. Once connected to the examination table, the wheelchair and patient sitting therein can be elevated, after which side frames of the wheelchair can be removed in order to facilitate examination of the patient. In addition, once elevated and the side frames removed, with the aid of a movable back that forms a part of the examination table, the back of the wheelchair can be reclined or positioned in various positions to facilitate examination and procedures.