Abstract: A multiple axis joystick employs positionable and fixed electrode assemblies having mutually orthogonal sets of spaced apart electrodes. The electrode spacings depend on the rotational and translational movements of the positional electrodes relative to the fixed electrodes. A signal generator applies an electromagnetic signal to one set of the electrodes. The signal is coupled to the closest associated electrodes of the other set of electrodes to a degree dependent on the rotation- and translation-induced spacings. A controller sequentially detects and processes each coupled signal voltage to determine a degree of deflection in the X-, Y-, Z-, roll-, pitch-, and yaw-axis directions of one set of the electrodes relative to the other set of electrodes.

Abstract: A capacitively coupled, six axis joystick (320) employs a sensor electrode (310) having a perpendicular pair of slots (312, 314) and a fixed electrode assembly (300) having capacitor electrodes (C.sub.S) formed on three mutually orthogonal surfaces of planar circuit boards (302, 304, 306) that are complementarily nested within the slots of the sensor electrode. When nested together, the capacitor electrodes are separated from faces of the sensor electrode by spacings that depend on the rotational and translational movements of the sensor electrode relative to the electrode assembly. A signal generator (352) and address decoder (354) sequentially apply an alternating signal to the capacitor electrodes. The alternating signal is coupled to the closest associated faces of the sensor electrode to a degree dependent on the rotation- and translation-induced spacings.

Abstract: A method of visually indicating the number of chemicals and particulates processed by a filter element through which a fluid stream has flowed includes providing a volume meter to indicate when a volume of fluid has passed therethrough to indicate the ability of the filter element to reduce chemicals in the fluid stream, providing a flow rate meter to remove particulates, and positioning the volume meter upstream of the flow rate meter so that the volume meter delivers fluid to the flow rate meter which provides a visual indication as to whether the filter element is losing chemical reduction capacity or is clogged.

Abstract: A readily serviceable ancillary fluid filtration system has a fluid flow diverter with a quick-release fluid hose fitting (132). A manifold (200) is releasably securable to the cartridge filter (198) that includes a filter element (204) enclosed in a housing (202) covered by an end cap (208) having an inlet tube (210) and an outlet tube (212) that are matable with a push-in fitting (226) in at least one of the outlet and inlet of the manifold. A lever mechanism (230) pivotally mounted to the manifold pushes against the push-in fitting in response to a force applied to the lever by a user to separate the housing from the manifold.

Abstract: A readily serviceable ancillary fluid filtration system has a fluid flow diverter with a quick-release fluid hose fitting (132). The quick-release fitting attaches to and receives fluid flowing from a manually actuatable diverter body (130) that is attachable to a faucet waterspout (104). The fitting carries a pivotally mounted lever arm (168) that functions as a manually actuatable push tab-release mechanism. A user squeezes the free end (182) of the lever arm to release a hooked end (166) thereof from a flange (158) extending from the body and either inserts tubes (174, 176) into or withdraws the tubes from the diverter conduits (152, 154).

Abstract: A readily serviceable ancillary fluid filtration system has a filter element enclosed in a container with a hose storage system. The container has a hose storage compartment for storing any unneeded length of hose. A hose management guide structure is located within the hose storage compartment to facilitate adjustment of the lengths of the hoses and storage of any unneeded length of hose after fluid filter assembly installation. The hose management guide structure includes multiple spaced-apart pegs placed within the hose storage compartment so that the hoses travel along a serpentine path within the hose storage compartment as they are fed lengthwise therein.

Abstract: A six axis joystick (110) employs a 13 pole E-core (112) that includes a center pole (114) and four triads of outer poles (116, 118, 120, 122) that protrude from four orthogonally separated arms (124, 126, 128, 130) of the E-core. A drive winding (132) is wound around the center pole of the E-core, and sense windings (134, 136, 138, 140) are wound around each outer pole in each triad of outer poles. A compression spring (144) suspends a ferromagnetic swash plate (142) at substantially equal distances from the center pole and each of the outer poles. A user employs an actuator handle (148) to axially and rotationally deflect the swash plate to assume varying distances from the center pole and each of the outer poles. A varying magnetic flux induced by the center pole is conducted through the swash plate to each of the outer poles to a degree dependent on the spacing between each outer pole and a bottom surface (146) or a periphery (147) of the swash plate.

Abstract: A readily serviceable ancillary fluid filtration system has a visual flow rate meter (10) and a quick-release fluid hose fitting (132). The flow rate meter includes a torsionally resistant element such as a bifilar wire (56) that operatively connects an impeller (24) to a housing (14) to bias the impeller to resist its angular displacement at a position that is indicative of the incoming fluid flow rate. The impeller has a surface with angularly spaced color-coded regions (72, 74, 76) that change their positions relative to a window (12) in the housing. An observer can view through the window the color of the impeller and thereby ascertain the incoming fluid flow rate. The quick-release fitting attaches to and receives fluid flowing from a manually actuatable diverter body (130) that is attachable to a faucet waterspout (104). The fitting carries a pivotally mounted lever arm (168) that functions as a manually actuatable push tab-release mechanism.