Abstract: An analog thermometer of the bimetal coil type has a rotatable hub carrying the bimetal coil. The thermometer is calibrated to indicate exact ambient temperature by rotating the hub to the proper angular position. The hub and the base supporting the hub are designed to allow fabrication as a unitary molded plastic article. A preferred embodiment of this design comprises at least four inwardly projecting tabs carried in an opening in the base and spaced from each other around the periphery of the hole. The hub has at least four outwardly projecting tabs spaced about its periphery. The angles which each of the hub's tabs and the hole's tabs subtend and the tabs' axial positions allow the hub to be rotated to interleave the tabs, restraining the hub in a predetermined axial position and frictionally fixing the hub in the angular position for calibration.

Abstract: A housing for electrical equipment such as an electronic thermostat has a panel in which is a keypad having a number of keys for manual entry of data, and a cover which can be moved into position to cover the keypad. The cover includes a pushrod which passes through a hole in the cover which is aligned with one of the keys while the cover covers the keypad. The pushrod is supported by a support arm assembly mounted on the cover surface at preselected mounting points and having a brace arm arranged to reduce stress on the mounting points and reduce friction and binding during operation. The topology of the pushrod, support arm assembly, cover, and a stop integral with the cover and which limits travel of the pushrod, cooperate to allow the pushrod and support arm assembly to be an integral unit and yet to be assembled to form the complete cover.

Abstract: Damper position of a damper in a heating system is monitored. The damper is movable between end positions in response to movement of a motor shaft. The motor shaft moves in response to a movement request signal. A shaft position signal is received by a position detector and has a value representative of position of the motor shaft. When the damper reaches an end position, it is determined whether the value of the shaft position signal is within a predetermined tolerance. If it is outside of the tolerance, then the system is shut down as unreliable; otherwise, the shaft position signal is recalibrated to maintain accuracy.

Abstract: A compensator which permits the input velocity of a web conveyor system to be varied (reduced to zero if desired) while maintaining a constant output velocity and tension in the web. This is accomplished by a power actuated movable carriage having web rollers connected therewith for controllably varying the length of a multiple run web control path interposed at the input end of a belt conveyor system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying photographic strip material utilizes a multiple chamber dryer having individual temperature and humidity control apparatus with a ducting system for delivering heated air from one chamber to another chamber as determined by the humidity control system.

Abstract: An automatic replenishing system for maintaining the chemical concentration of the liquid in a film processing tank, which automatically energizes a replenishing pump at regular timed intervals (e.g. every 30 seconds) regardless of whether or not the control circuitry indicates a need for replenishment, and which includes an element for sensing the density and velocity of the film and for producing a combined signal which controls the running time of the pump after each energization. The replenishing system also includes a second replenishing pump for maintaining the condition of the liquid in the processing tank, which second pump is energized automatically after a predetermined number of said regular timed intervals, or after a predetermined number of said regular timed intervals in which a zero film density or non-use condition has been detected for a preset running time.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the loose trailing end of a strip of paper passing through a photographic dryer and includes soft, readily yieldable retarding elements mounted in inclined relation to the downward run of the path of the paper strip through the dryer in generally opposed relation to the discharge of hot drying air from a pressurized distribution plenum. In paper processors individual strips of photographic prints are transported therethrough by being attached at their leading ends to a transport belt which carries the strips through a tortuous path including a downward run with the hot drying air being blown against the surface of the paper to be dried. Since only the leading end of the photographic paper is attached to the transport belt, the trailing end is loose and tends to fall down within the downward run portion of the drying chamber.