Abstract: A temperature sensor which is flush mounted on a wall of a room in which the temperature is sensed. A mounting plate secured to the wall has a cavity in its face which receives an aluminum sensor plate and an insulating block which thermally insulates the sensor plate from the mounting plate. A temperature sensing integrated circuit contacts the back side of the sensor plate and has electrical leads which extend to the back side of a printed circuit board mounted in a pocket on the back side of the mounting plate. The integrated circuit acts as a current source having its output signal enhanced by active solid state circuit components mounted on the back side of the circuit board where their heat is dissipated by conduction through the mounting plate and wall and by convection and radiation into the wall cavity to avoid affecting the sensor plate. The circuitry allows active factory calibration and eliminates adverse effects on the signal caused by background environmental noise.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided by a bridge circuit on a semiconductor diaphragm, with diaphragm deflection being effective to produce an output voltage proportional to the deflecting force. A constant current source is coupled to the energizing terminals of the bridge circuit. By measuring the voltage drop across the semiconductor bridge during operation, an output signal indicative of bridge temperature is obtained. Accordingly two output signals, pressure and temperature, are derived from a single bridge sensor. This produces a compact, accurate transducer assembly for use in an automotive control system, providing two control signals from a single sensor structure.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter characterized by an assemblage of interconnected electrical units including a circuit breaker, a current limiting structure, a contactor, and a motor controller which units are fitted together detachably into a compact unit, in which the controller controls the contactor and the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined current condition, and in which the circuit interrupter includes a single pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: A method for measuring the freezing point of a liquid utilizing non-adiabatic thermodynamics for the chilling chamber. The temperature of the chilling chamber in which the measurement is made is actively altered to reduce net heat flow from the sample portion of the liquid being measured at least during nucleation of the sample portion. By actively altering the chilling-chamber temperature, the thermodynamics of the sample itself more nearly approach a true adiabatic condition during nucleation. Preferably, the freezing-point measurement is made in the sample-handling or pick-up device itself.

Abstract: The bowstring peep sight is inexpensive and durable and can be easily, rapidly and securely connected to the bowstring of a compound or non-compound archery bow without having to serve locking knots on the bowstring as with conventional peep sights. The peep sight is particularly useful with compound archery bows where the close proximity of multiple segments of bowstring to each other renders the serving of knots difficult and time consuming. Serving knots can slip, whereas the present peep sight is positively locked but easily loosenable and/or removable from the bowstring. The peep sight has a body defining a tapered peep and a peripheral string groove. The body may be partly cut away to expose the string groove to one or more movable connector plates which can be screwed thereagainst. Instead, the main body can be split into front and rear plates releasably secured against each other by external or internal screws, or have studs press-fittable into mating openings, trapping the bowstring therebetween.

Abstract: An antenna reflector, for example for a satellite or spacecraft, has ribs urnalled to a central body by a first journal axis. Each rib has a radially inner section tiltable and lockable relative to the central body, and a radially outer section journalled to the inner rib section at a second journal axis for tilting and locking the outer rib section relative to the inner rib section. A motor driven cable drive and respective pulleys are so arranged that the inner rib sections are first partially unfolded before the outer rib sections begin to be unfolded. The outer rib sections then are moved faster than the inner rib sections so that both rib sections reach the fully unfolded state substantially simultaneously. The folding takes place in the reverse order, whereby the outer rib sections are folded first. The reflector netting is stretched out only after the ribs have been locked into the unfolded state.

Abstract: Temperature, or temperature noise, is measured by employing an ultrasonic beam which strikes at least one pair of points (10A, 10B) which are a known distance apart and the time interval between the two points is resolved and related to the distance to give a measure of temperature of the medium between the two points. The point pairs may be naturally occurring, such as the diametrically opposed edges of a fuel element channel in a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor, or specifically provided. The beam may be at glancing incidence on a number of point pairs in line and, in this situation, the beam is wider in the direction transverse to its path than it is along its path.

Abstract: Elements of a radar antenna are provided with one or more electromagnetic actuators capable of moving the elements (scanner or parabolic reflector), independently of the support system in response to electrical signals applied to the coils of the electromagnetic actuators.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the moisture content of soil includes a chamber having a water-swellable material in the chamber, the chamber being sized so that the water-swellable material can swell to its fully swollen state, with the external resistance, if any, against the swelling being substantially constant. The device includes a device for transmitting water to the water-swellable material so that it is in equilibrium with the environment. A sensor responsive to the volume of the water-swellable material is provided to indicate the water content of the environment exterior of the apparatus. The preferred sensor is a magnet moveable by the water-swellable material and a Hall effect sensing device.

Abstract: A sprinker drain and test valve for testing a sprinkler system includes a housing, an inlet and an outlet disposed on either end of the housing, a ball valve disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, the ball valve defining two channels that provide communication between the inlet and the outlet, the first of the channels allowing a flow substantially equivalent to that of one single sprinkler head in the system and the second of the channels allowing a relatively unrestricted flow, a handle for alternatively rotating the ball valve between a first position in which the first channel provides communication between the inlet and outlet and a second position in which the second channel provides communication between the inlet ad outlet, a portion of the ball valve for preventing communication between the inlet and the outlet, and a sight glass disposed downstream of the ball valve.

Abstract: A level gauge for liquid helium comprising a sensing element in the form of a ribbon wire made of superconductive alloys and a tube supporting the sensing element, which tube is inserted into liquid helium upon measurement. The superconductive alloys are represented by a formula Zr.sub.100-x.(Ru.sub.y.Rh.sub.1-y).sub.x in which x represents contents of Ru and/or Rh in atomic % and in a numerical value of 22.5.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.27.5 and y represents a numerical value of 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1. The alloys are made of an amorphous phase obtained by rapid quenching a molten alloy material and have a superconducting transition temperature, Tc, of 4.2.degree. to 4.5.degree. K. When the level gauge is immersed in liquid helium, a portion of the sensing element below the level of the liquid helium has a zero electric resistance because of the superconductivity of the alloy, so that the level of the liquid helium can be detected by a variation in resistance of the sensing element.

Abstract: Deck access box connected to a deck of a ship and to reach rods to operate valves below decks. The deck access box is fixed to the ship's deck. The deck access box includes a spindle connected to the reach rod by a suitable coupling. The top end of the spindle includes a recess used to turn the spindle which in turn operates the valve. The spindle has indicator apparatus coupled to it to show the travel position of the valve. The indicator apparatus includes indicators and a new and improved transmission for regulating the movement of the indicators to provide a uniform, non-intermittent, and continuous position indicator of the valve open-close status. The indicators are adjustable, rotate and travel a circular distance proportionally equal to the travel of the gate or other closing device of the valve, such as a door, gate, plug valve or other device.

Abstract: A compression pressure indicator includes a compression member which is disposed within a termination and is constructed such that when exposed to a pressure above a predetermined pressure a portion of the compression member protrudes from the termination thus indicating that optimum pressure has been applied inside the termination. The compression member includes an indicator portion and a collapsible portion, the collapsible portion being shaped such that when exposed to a pressure above the predetermined pressure, the collapsible portion collapses thus allowing relative movement between the indicator portion and pressure extending member such that the indicator portion protrudes a predetermined distance from an end of the pressure exerting member.

Abstract: A hot air leak sensor for sensing jet engine bleed air leaks in an aircraft. Infrared detectors are combined with thermal re-radiating elements which are installed in air passages adjacent to the bleed air ducts and downstream of the region where a bleed air leak may occur. The elements are approximately 50% transmissive and 50% absorptive to infrared radiation with wavelengths within the range of approximately 4 to 20 micrometers. Incident radiation within the field of view of the detector is both transmitted and absorbed for re-radiation to the detector. If no incident radiation within the sensor field of view is available, the re-radiating element still responds to the increased airstream temperature resulting from the bleed air leak and supplies radiation to the detector to provide detection of the leak.

Abstract: A novel laser beam deflection system and method for temperature measurement of combustion flames of known composition is described which comprises a thin wire for placement at a predetermined location within the flame; a pulsed laser source for directing a pulsed beam onto the wire for heating the wire and immediately surrounding gases of the flame to produce an acoustic pulse in the flame; a pair of probe laser sources for directing parallel probe beams through the flame in predetermined spaced relationship to each other and to the wire, and a pair of detectors and associated electronics for detecting the respective deflections of the probe beams resulting from interactions with the pulse and measuring the time difference between respective deflections of the probe beams to determine the speed of the acoustic pulse through the flame and the temperature of the flame from the speed determination.

Abstract: A differential thermal testing system comprising a first thermal conductive sensing plate whose temperature is maintained at a constant first temperature, and a second thermal conductive sensing plate whose temperature can be altered. The temperature differential between the first thermal conductive sensing plate and second thermal conductive sensing plate is detected.

Abstract: A thermocouple containment chamber for use in conjunction with a high pressure vessel wherein such thermocouples are emplaced within an elongated conduit which receives a plurality of thermocouples for sensing temperatures to determine the temperature or reaction rate within the high pressure vessel in which they are emplaced. The conduit is secured to the vessel through the use of a flanged securement that in turn is welded to a concentric reducer with the thermocouples extending therefrom into a containment chamber of this invention. The containment chamber of this invention incorporates at least one access means in the form of a high pressure flanged cover permitting access to the containment chamber for the thermocouples so that they can be changed and serviced, and incorporates a valve for relieving pressure, as well as a pressure gauge.

Abstract: A device for checking the setting on a sports bow having a bow window and a spring-biased arrow guide button projecting from the bow window includes a measuring sleeve provided with a scale to measure the projection of the arrow guide button from the bow window when being in contact with the arrow guide button. For measuring the spring force acting on the arrow guide button, the sleeve accommodates a spring bolt which is provided with a marking. By screwing a setting nut and a counter nut on the sleeve, the spring bolt is forced against the arrow guide button until the marking appears in a viewing window of the sleeve. The spring force can then be read on another scale displayed on the sleeve.

Abstract: A headlights on reminder apparatus provides a motorist with a convenient arrangement of apparatus to hold his or her ignition key, with or without other vehicle and/or household keys, for convenient temporary storage in his or her pocket or purse, or at a place in his or her office or home. Then when operating his or her vehicle, with the headlights on, a tethered hook of this arrangement of apparatus is placed about a vehicle component, while the tether remains secured to the ignition key holder and the ignition key remains in the ignition switch. Upon leaving the car, the motorist must release the hook, thereby remembering to turn off the headlights. In one embodiment the tether extends directly between the hook and the ignition key holder, and in another embodiment the tether, in extending between the hook and the ignition key holder, forms a changeable size loop, by utilizing a receiving and guiding body. The tether is preferably made of a resilient stretchable retractable material.

Abstract: An indicator which is carried by a participant capable of delivering an offensive blow in a combat sport. The indicator in a preferred embodiment utilizes a hook and loop fastener to maintain its position on the glove or foot of the participant until contact has been made with an opponent. The opponent has a portion of a hook and pile fastening system located on his person which is compatible with the external portion of the indicator when mounted on the participant's equipment. When a blow is struck, a greater amount of retaining force is developed between the indicator and the opponent's hook and loop fastening system then is present between the indicator and the participant's hook and loop fastening system, causing the indicator to be transferred to the opponent at the point of contact. In one embodiment, a small streamer can be attached to the indicator and sandwiched between the indicator substrate and the participant's equipment.