Abstract: A dehumidifying system and method for reducing humidity in ambient air is disclosed. The system includes a circulation unit, a refrigeration unit, a condensate receptacle for receiving condensate generated by the refrigeration unit, a controller to control both the circulation and refrigeration units, and wherein the controller receives input from one or more ambient sensors configured to sense ambient conditions, and a user interface configured to receive input from a user. The system implements variable speed control within the circulation and/or refrigeration unit to maximize efficiency or capacity under a current threshold, and enables the system to delay the need for defrost cycling during low temperature operation.

Abstract: A dehumidifying system and method for reducing humidity in ambient air is disclosed. The system includes a circulation unit, a refrigeration unit, a condensate receptacle for receiving condensate generated by the refrigeration unit, a controller to control both the circulation and refrigeration units, and wherein the controller receives input from one or more ambient sensors configured to sense ambient conditions, and a user interface configured to receive input from a user. The system implements variable speed control within the circulation and/or refrigeration unit to maximize efficiency or capacity under a current threshold, and enables the system to delay the need for defrost cycling during low temperature operation.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of a damper mounted in a housing includes a shaft rotatably secured to the damper for pivoting the damper between an open position and a closed position. A lever arm is mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and a spring is connected between the housing and the lever arm for normally urging the damper towards the open position. A motor is mounted on the housing and is actuable to overcome the force of the spring to move the damper to the closed position. A force translation arrangement is disposed between the motor and the lever arm for translating the driving force of the motor when the motor is energized to move the damper to the closed position, and for gradually braking the motor when the motor is de-energized and the spring returns the damper to the open position.

Abstract: A pressure sensor package and method for producing the same. The package includes a pressure sensor base, a pressure sensor diaphragm positioned over the pressure sensor base, and a pressure sensor cap positioned over the pressure sensor diaphragm and secured relative to the pressure sensor base such that a portion of the pressure sensor diaphragm is deformed between the pressure sensor cap and the pressure sensor base. The deformation can occur along a line of deformation, preferably to form a closed path adjacent a periphery of the pressure sensor diaphragm. In one embodiment, the pressure sensor diaphragm is deformed between an inner surface of the pressure sensor cap and an outer surface of the pressure sensor base along the line of deformation, and the inner surface and the outer surface diverge from each other when moving away from the line of deformation.

Abstract: A pressure sensor package and a method of producing the same. The package includes a pressure sensor base, a pressure sensor diaphragm positioned over the base, and a sealing ring positioned over the pressure sensor diaphragm and creating an interference fit with the pressure sensor base. The sealing ring forms a mechanical interference with the pressure sensor base by either positioning the ring within an under cut in a sidewall of the base or deforming a portion of the base over the top of the ring. The pressure sensor base includes a recess having a bottom surface and a groove in the bottom surface, and the sealing ring and/or the pressure sensor diaphragm is positioned within the groove. The package further includes external threads for securing the package to a threaded orifice, the external threads being positioned on the output side of the package, as defined by the diaphragm.

Abstract: A locking device is provided for securing a first cabinet panel member having an opening therein to a second cabinet panel member having an opening therein. The locking device includes a base flange, an upper body portion, and a lower body portion. The lower body portion is inserted into the opening in the second cabinet panel member and a plurality of spring legs engage the second cabinet panel member to lock the two together. The first cabinet panel member is moved toward the upper portion of the locking device until the upper portion of the locking device is within the opening in the first cabinet panel member. A catch pawl retentively engages the first cabinet panel member in that position. The base flange of the locking device separates the upper and lower body members from one another and isolates the first cabinet panel member from the second cabinet panel member.

Abstract: An electric fan motor of a domestic clothes dryer is directly mounted to an associated plastic fan housing through an interlocking connection between a composite mounting ring of the motor and a cylindrical socket integrally formed with the housing to provide a precise alignment between the motor and the housing.

Abstract: A securing and locking device for transporting bicycles is presented which may be easily and universally attached to the front rail of a truck bed. The device has an outer inverted L-shaped bracket which is secured to the front rail of a truck bed by means of an inner L-shaped tightening mechanism. Nuts attached to the vertical and horizontal legs of the tightening mechanism tighten the entire device to the front rail of a truck by means of horizontal and vertical normal forces exerted against the truck rail and outer bracket. A quick-attach skewer device is provided on the horizontal leg of the outer L-shaped bracket so that the front fork of the bicycle may be quickly and securedly attached to the bracket which is attached to the truck bed rail. A securing cable may be placed around the bicycle frame and through a slot in the outer bracket and locked. Due to the configuration of the cable slot and the location of the lock when in place, it is virtually impossible to loosen the tightening nuts.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally connecting a closure lid to the cabinet of a top loading clothes washing machine and maintaining the lid in a releasable self-sustaining open position and out of contact with the knobs of the machine control panel. The assembly includes an integrally formed first hinge portion for attachment to the cabinet and provided with a base, a curved bearing surface terminating in a landing and a pivotal hub, and a second hinge portion for attachment to the closure lid and provided with a pivot pin disposable within a passageway formed in the hub. A pair of the assemblies are used to secure a closure lid provided with a radiused bearing section to the cabinet.