Abstract: A method of performing a soft hand-off between a first and second satellite traveling on first and second orbiting paths with an one-dimensional active electronically scanned array includes tracking and communicating with a first satellite orbiting in a first orbiting path. A scan plane of the array is then mechanically positioned and aligned so that the scan plane intersects both the first and second orbiting paths of the first and second satellites. The array continues to track and communicate with the first satellite until the first satellite is nearing a predetermined scan limit of the active electronically scanned array. The array is then operated to scan and acquire the second satellite, and establish communications therewith. Tracking and communications with the first satellite is then discontinued.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.

Abstract: A flow control device for mounting on a plural component spray gun for controlling the fan spray pattern of mixed components sprayed from the spray gun. A plurality of circular holes are formed in a single row in the flow control device at angles with respect to each other, so as to precisely control the flow of mixed material sprayed from the spray gun, without atomizing such material to thereby reduce harmful emissions.

Abstract: A series of flow control mixing devices used in a mixing chamber in a spray gun, or the like, to more thoroughly mix multi-components in a mixing chamber, consists of three different types of cylindrical mixing elements sealingly held in the chamber. Each of the mixing elements contains a pair of inlets, a central chamber and an outlet, connected together so as to mix entering components therein, and passing these mixed components to the outlet. Two of the types of mixing elements include a mixing reservoir or chamber formed on a top surface thereof. A plurality of second mixing elements are secured over a first or downstream mixing element, and a final or third mixing element is provided upstream of the other elements. The first element includes a spacing member on the lower surface, and all the mixing elements include O-ring seals held in grooves formed on the outer periphery thereof.

Abstract: A flow control device for mounting on a plural component spray gun for controlling the flow of short segments of fiberglass, liquid or powder, into a fan spray pattern of mixed components ejected from a nozzle of the spray gun. An internal passage in the flow control device is provided with a pair of resilient, rectangular plate members movable between open and throttling positions, so as to precisely control the flow of material into the fan spray pattern emitted by the spray gun. The pair of resilient plates are movable by adjusting screws passing through threaded openings formed in opposed side walls of the flow control device.

Abstract: A convertible vacuum cleaner operable in both on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations is shown. Depending upon the location of the handle which is pivotally supported by the vacuum foot, a conversion valve interconnected to the handle automatically converts the vacuum between on-the-floor and above-the-floor cleaning operations. The conversion valve includes a flapper valve member which is actuated between a first position blocking fluid communication between the vacuum motor and the brush roll chamber and a second position blocking fluid communication between the vacuum motor and the accessory hose. The valve member is actuated between these two positions by a pin and actuator arm provided on the pivotally mounted valve member. The pin is received in a contoured groove formed on the motor housing and the motor housing is securely mounted to the handle and pivotally mounted with respect to the foot and valve member.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a motor and fan unit to a support chassis within a vacuum cleaner housing includes a support structure defining an opening for receiving a first mounting portion on a back end of the motor and fan unit, a support member having a recessed portion for receiving a second mounting portion on a front end of the motor and fan unit and a flexible locking tab having an opening and being movable between engaging and disengaging positions relative to the motor and fan unit for receiving in the opening of the locking tab the second mounting portion on the front end of the motor and fan unit when the locking tab is in the engaging position. The mounting arrangement also includes a retaining structure which is movable between assembled and disassembled condition relative to the locking tab.

Abstract: Slurry and spray dried azide-based gas generant intermediates are made having a hydrazoic acid content of less than about 3.times.10 EXP(-3) M/L, a pH of greater than 8.0 up to about 12.5, and impurity metal ions Ca, Mg, Pb, Fe, Mn and Cu, each below about 25 ppm. These intermediates are made by slurrying powdered ingredients of the azide and oxidizer/reactant in water, wet grinding the slurry and spray drying to form a particulate material which is molded into pellets or tablets which are useful as the gas generant in vehicle crash bags or inflators. The basicity of the water is adjusted to a pH of greater than 8.0 up to about 12.5, preferably about 10, by the addition of a base, such as NaOH, followed by the addition of such solid ingredients as S, MoS.sub.2 and NaN.sub.3, and preferably the NaN.sub.3 is added last, whereby hydrazoic acid production is minimized. The contaminant Ca and Mg ions are minimized by softening the water supplied.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically balancing a combined assembly of a drive shaft and axle input shaft for use in a vehicle drive train system. The apparatus includes a drive head adapted to be connected to one end of the drive shaft and a support head for supporting the axle. The support head includes a cradle plate extending upwardly from a base plate mounted on the apparatus. The cradle plate has an arcuate recess formed in the upper surface thereof which is adapted to receive and support a housing of the axle. A pair of support arms are also secured to the base plate, extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The support arms are adapted to be secured outwardly extending portions of the housing of the axle. The apparatus further includes first and second intermediate heads which are adapted to engage and support other portions of the drive train system.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner convertible between a hand-held vacuum and a stick-type vacuum including a housing having a rondure first end and narrowing to a generally oblate, low profile nozzle at a second end, defining an opening in fluid communication with an interior of the housing. A releasably extensible dirt cup is slidably disposed within the opening in the second end and adapted to move between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position from said housing. The free end of the dirt cup is adapted to detachably retain a floor cleaning tool having a pivoting cleaning head for use on floors or other surfaces to be cleaned. The housing contains means for drawing high velocity air into the elongate dirt cup through the floor cleaning tool and/or free end of the elongate dirt cup so as to entrain dirt and debris and capture it within the dirt cup.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for freezing drops of liquid reagent solution in a cryogenic liquid. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises means for dispensing uniform, precisely measured drops of a liquid reagent and a rotatable carousel positioned below the dispensing means. The upper surface of the carousel has a plurality of trays each containing a cryogenic liquid, typically liquid nitrogen, for receiving the drops of liquid reagent. An alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises a tank comprising a cryogenic liquid for receiving the drops of liquid reagent. The tank has a heat source for slightly heating a portion of the cryogenic liquid such that a convection current in the cryogenic liquid is created. The convection currents in the cryogenic liquid provide mild agitation of the liquid and prevent aggregation of the frozen drops.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reference electrode probe for employment in monitoring electrochemical potentials. The inventive electrode probe comprises an elongate alumina tube having a closed distal end and a flanged open proximal end, there being at least one hole, and preferably two holes, penetrating through said tube at its closed distal end. An elongate silver electrode coated with silver chloride is housed atactilely within said alumina tube. Zirconia cloth is disposed in the closed distal end of said alumina tube and covers the hole in said alumina tube, and extended up to and may be spaced-apart from said silver electrode. A silver connector is housed atactilely within said alumina tube to its opening, and has a recess at its distal end into which said coated silver electrode is fitted and a threaded recess at its proximal end at the alumina tube opening. An insulated silver alloy rod having a distal end is threaded into the proximal recess of said silver connector.

Abstract: Multiple processes and apparatuses for improving the prior system of making gas generant pellets or tablets made of sodium azide, molybdenum disulfide and sulfur wherein powdered ingredients thereof are slurried in water, subjected to wet grinding, spray dried to a powdered material which is molded into pellets or tablets which find use in vehicle crash bags or inflators.The first improvement to the old process and apparatus involves adjusting the basicity of the water to a pH of greater than 8.0 up to about 12.5 via the addition of sodium hydroxide, followed by the addition of sulfur and molybdenum disulfide and finally the sodium azide whereby azide addition is made to a basic mixture of the other ingredients thereby keeping hydrazoic acid concentration levels below about 3.times.10EXP(-3) moles per liter.

Abstract: A hand held self-contained automated pipette for portable operation having an electrically operated digital linear actuator. The actuator preferably includes a stepper motor driving a rotor. A threaded screw is coaxially positioned within the rotor and is connected to an actuator shaft having elongate grooves slidable in a guide for preventing shaft rotation so that precise linear motion is imparted to the shaft. A pipetting displacement assembly having one of various sizes is removably attached for actuation by a common actuator including programmed movement of a displacing piston in a displacement cylinder to optimize air interface volume, neutralize variations in vacuum pipette effects, and provide an accommodated stroke and readout for improved accuracy while pipetting and/or titrating different ranges of volumes. Upon calibration the piston undertakes immediate excursion to an end of travel limit and after motor slippage is retracted to a home position.

Abstract: Multiple processes and apparatuses for improving the prior system of making gas generant pellets or tablets made of sodium azide, molybdenum disulfide and sulfur wherein powdered ingredients thereof are slurried in water, subjected to wet grinding, spray dried to a powdered material which is molded into pellets or tablets which find use in vehicle crash bags or inflators.The first improvement to the old process and apparatus involves adjusting the basicity of the water to a pH of greater than 8.0 up to about 12.5 via the addition of sodium hydroxide, followed by the addition of sulfur and molybdenum disulfide and finally the sodium azide whereby azide addition is made to a basic mixture of the other ingredients thereby keeping hydrazoic acid concentration levels below about 3.times.10EXP(-3) moles per liter.

Abstract: A fluid assist airless spray nozzle for spraying a plural component spray system has a nozzle plate having an airless discharge orifice located therein for spraying a first component of the plural component system as, for instance, a resin component. A first fluid discharge orifice is located on one side of the airless discharge orifice and a second fluid discharge orifice is located on the other. Outboard of the first fluid discharge orifice is a first gas discharge orifice and outboard of the second fluid discharge orifice is a second gas discharge orifice. The first component of the plural component system as, for instance, a resin is supplied to the airless discharge orifice and a second component of the system as, for instance, a catalyst is supplied to the first and second fluid discharge orifices. A gas is supplied to the first and second gas discharge orifices. The resin is discharged from the airless discharge orifice in a resin fan.

Abstract: A hand held self-contained automated pipette for portable operation having an electrically operated digital linear actuator. The actuator preferably includes a stepper motor driving a rotor. A threaded screw is coaxially positioned within the rotor and is connected to an actuator shaft having elongate grooves slidable in a guide for preventing shaft rotation so that precise linear motion is imparted to the shaft. A pipetting displacement assembly having one of various sizes is removably attached for actuation by a common actuator including programmed movement of a displacing piston in a displacement cylinder to optimize air interface volume, neutralize variations in vacuum pipette effects, and provide an accommodated stroke and readout for improved accuracy while pipetting and/or titrating different ranges of volumes. Upon calibration the piston undertakes immediate excursion to an end of travel limit and after motor slippage is retracted to a home position.

Abstract: A system for depassivating a passivated lithium battery in a battery powered microprocessor controlled device by successively and momentarily drawing current from the passivated battery after a turn on of the device while monitoring the power delivery condition of the battery under a load condition until salt crystals on an electrode of the battery are dissipated and the battery is returned to a useful power delivery condition or until a predetermined period of time has elapsed without the battery returning to the useful power delivery condition, whichever is sooner.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomer particulates, oxidizer particulates, fuel particulates, plasticizers and other propellant formulation ingredients are mixed to produce a dry blend. The dry blend is tightly packed into a rocket motor casing or mold. The dry blend is then heated in place, beginning at the bottom and continuing upward, to fuse the thermoplastic elastomer. During fusion, vacuum and mechanical compaction pressure are used to eliminate interstices. Upon cooling, a solid propellant grain is produced.