Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on microscope slides are provided. Individualized slide temperature control is accomplished by the heating system according to the present invention that has thermal platforms radially mounted to the carousel for heating the slides and sensing the temperature of each. The heating system also permits automated de-waxing if necessary.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive device engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive device engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator device positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle comprising a nozzle body having an elongated range nozzle passageway formed therethrough, a spreader nozzle outlet fed by a pressure reducing chamber disposed below the passageway, and a tertiary nozzle outlet disposed laterally of the passageway and above the spreader nozzle outlet, the tertiary nozzle outlet receiving water from the pressure reducing chamber through a pressure reducing flow port.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle comprising a tubular nozzle housing with a nozzle body mounted therein, the nozzle body defining a nozzle passageway having an outlet orifice and cooperating with the housing to define a chamber between the body and housing with a chamber outlet passage disposed adjacent the outlet orifice. A water bleed opening is formed to communicate between the passageway up-stream of the outlet orifice and the chamber so that water flowing through the passageway is bled into the chamber and aspirated into the stream from the outlet orifice through the outlet passage.

Abstract: A monoflow shock absorber is provided with a blow off valve which provides the principal flow restriction during both extension and compression of the shock absorber. The force biasing the blow off valve closed is controlled by a control piston which is connected to the blow off valve plate by a rigid, solid rod. The piston responds to a pressurized control fluid, the pressure of which is selected by a high speed pressure regulating device such as a servo valve. This system provides high speed adjustment of the damping force of the shock absorber, substantially independently of the stroking speed of the shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a cylinder in which a working piston moves, and the cylinder is closed at one end with an inner cylinder head assembly made up of a body and a cap, which define a manifold therebetween.

Abstract: A monoflow shock absorber is provided with a blow off valve which provides the principal flow restriction during both extension and compression of the shock absorber. The force biasing the blow off valve closed is controlled by a control piston which is connected to the blow off valve plate by a rigid, solid rod. The piston responds to a pressurized control fluid, the pressure of which is selected by a high speed pressure regulating device such as a servo valve. This system provides high speed adjustment of the damping force of the shock absorber, substantially independently of the stroking speed of the shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a cylinder in which a working piston moves, and the cylinder is closed at one end with an inner cylinder head assembly made up of a body and a cap, which define a manifold therebetween.

Abstract: A fog lamp reflector includes a reflector body having a reflector surface made up of a series of paraboloid strips arranged side by side along a lateral direction. Each of the strips defines a respective focus, and all of the focuses coincide at a selected point in space. The strips are aimed at multiple converging directions to laterally disperse reflected light originating at the selected point, and each of the strips defines a respective focal length. The focal lengths of strips progressively farther from the center are progressively greater. The focuses are selected such that adjacent strips are matched in position and the reflector surface is substantially continuous. The reflector surface has a second derivative of lateral displacement with respect to axial displacement which is substantially continuous throughout the reflector surface to provide a visually smooth appearance.

Abstract: An adjustable shock absorber system includes a plurality of shock absorbers, the damping characteristics of which are controlled by a hydraulic control circuit. Each of the shock absorbers includes an adjustable flow restrictor that is controlled by a hydraulic actuator responsive to pressure in the control circuit. By adjusting pressure in the control circuit the damping characteristics of each of the shock absorbers can be adjusted in parallel.

Abstract: A cooking pan includes a handle made up of a tubular stainless steel insert and upper and lower wires. The upper wire wraps around the insert and is welded at each end to the pan body. The lower wire is welded at one end to the pan body and at the other end to the insert. The wires provide three struts connecting the insert and the pan body, and are formed of a configuration and material adapted to minimize heat transfer to the insert. In this way an all-metal handle is provided which does not heat excessively in use. Preferably the insert is inclined upwardly towards the pan at an angle of 25.degree. to increase the comfort of the user.

Abstract: A crane is disclosed for use with a lifting device such as a fork lift. The crane includes a crane base which is adapted to be secured to the forks of the fork lift, and an inclined crane boom which is rigidly secured to the crane base. The upper end of the crane boom defines a guide such as a pulley, and a cable such as a chain is positioned over this guide. One end of the cable is fixedly mounted to the lower end of the mast of the fork lift, and the other end of the cable is secured to a lifting hook. This arrangement provides the important advantage that the separation between the hook and the pulley decreases as the crane is elevated by the fork lift. For this reason, the lifting height capacity of the crane is greater than the lifting height capacity of the fork lift, while the effective length of the cable remains constant. In this way, the cost and complexity of winches is avoided.

Abstract: A device to provide overload protection for a shape memory metal (SMM) wire of an SMM-type actuator and to automatically compensate for cyclic creep and maintain the tension of the SMM wire. During normal operation, a restraining drum, in cooperation with a biasing spring, maintains the position of one end of the SMM wire so that the other end of the SMM wire can move an actuator. Under excessive loads, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move, thereby reducing the tension and preventing damage to the SMM actuator. When the excessive load is removed, the restraining drum permits the first end of the SMM wire to move under the influence of the biasing spring to its original position. By permitting the first end of the SMM wire to move in dependence upon the tension on the SMM wire, the device automatically takes up any slack caused by cyclic creep and maintains proper tension of the SMM wire.

Abstract: A shape memory metal actuator includes an actuator element that is secured at one end to an end fitting which is in turn secured to an overload protection spring. An adjustable screw is mounted to a frame and is positioned such that the overload protection spring biases the end fitting into contact with the adjustment screw. The end fitting lifts off of the adjustment screw when excessive stretching forces are applied to the actuator element. The adjustment screw can be moved to vary the rest position of the end fitting, thereby allowing manual compensation for cyclic creep of the actuator element.

Abstract: A shape memory metal (SMM) actuator includes an SMM actuator element mounted to an end fitting. An end portion of the actuator element adjacent the end fitting is cold formed to a thickness no more than 40% of the original thickness of the actuator element. This cold formed region extends by about 5 times the diameter of the actuator element away from the end fitting. The cold formed end region remains in the austenitic state, and is therefore relatively hard and strong. For this reason, the tendency of the actuator element to break at the end fitting is reduced, even though the end fitting acts as a temperature sink and maintains the cold formed end region below the transition temperature of the SMM actuator element.

Abstract: A lamp such as a fog lamp for a vehicle is provided with a housing which serves to mount an array of parallel louvers. The louvers are controlled by a heat driven actuator. Such as one which incorporates a shape memory metal actuator element. This actuator element is heated either by resistive heating or by direct heat of the light bulb when the lamp is activated. When heated, the actuator serves to pivot the louvers into an open position. Once the lamp is deactivated, heating of the actuator is terminated, and the louvers are automatically closed to protect the lens by a spring as the actuator cools.

Abstract: An improved catalytic converter for the exhaust gases of an automotive engine is disclosed, the converter including a plurality of honeycomb type catalyst carrier elements, annular spacer members and cushioning rings mounted in compressed sandwich fashion within a cylindrical casing section so that the only rigid connection is between the ends of the assembled sandwich and the casing, the cushioning rings being formed of compressed metallic wires and having a triangular cross-sectional configuration which compressively engages within correspondingly shaped annular spaces at the ends of the carrier elements so that the compressive forces of each cushioning ring are transmitted to the associated carrier element with a radially inward component and a longitudinally inward component.

Abstract: An improved catalytic converter and gas purification method for the exhaust gases of an automotive engine is disclosed, the converter including a plurality of honeycomb type catalyst carrier elements, annular spacer members and cushioning rings mounted in compressed sandwich fashion within a cylindrical casing section so that the only rigid connection is between the ends of the assembled sandwich and the casing, the length of the catalyst carrier elements being such that the gases flowing through the passages of each element when the engine is at fast idle will contact the catalyst deposited thereon substantially throughout before changing from its initial turbulent condition to a fully developed laminar condition and the length of the spaces between elements being such as to insure that the flow entering each element is turbulent.