Abstract: A magnetic lifter device having a housing with a work piece engagement face. A support structure comprises two clevis-shaped members having, respectively, legs whose terminal ends are hinged to opposite, exterior side faces of the housing at respective fulcrums located close to the engagement face and the clevis-shaped members straddle the housing across a width thereof. The relative positions of the fulcrums and the length of the legs are selected such that at least one of the clevis-shaped members may be rotated away from a first operational position of the lifter device, in which both clevis-shaped members converge to form a common hoop for insertion of a coupling member, into a second operational position, in which the work piece engagement face has been rotated by about 90 degrees from its orientation in the first operational position and its head portion remains clear of the housing during said rotation.

Abstract: A sound reproducing device. The sound reproducing device for receiving a frequency-hopping signal having an instantaneous frequency within a hopping bandwidth. The sound reproducing device comprises a first antenna having a bandwidth including the hopping bandwidth for producing a first received signal and a second antenna tunable to frequencies within the hopping bandwidth responsive to an instantaneous hopping frequency. The second antenna produces a second received signal. The device further comprises a module for processing one or both of the first and second received signals to produce a signal for driving the sound reproducing device.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at a method of providing wettability to polyester fibers or filaments, to woven or nonwoven fabrics made therefrom and to resultant articles of manufacture. The method comprises melt extruding a mixture comprising a polyester and one or more alkyl metal sulfonates where the metal is Na, Li or K and the alkyl is straight or branched chain alkyl of 12 to 15 carbon atoms, or is straight or branched chain alkenyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms. The alkyl metal sulfonates are present from about 2% to about 5% by weight based on the weight of the polyester. A post treatment step such as an alkaline treatment step is not included. The melt extrusion mixtures do not include certain additives such as polyoxyalkylene compounds, alkylmonoethonolamide compounds, alkyldiethanolamine compounds and polyetheramide compounds.

Abstract: A digital camera module includes an image capture device, a lens unit, a housing for receiving the lens unit and positioning the lens unit with respect to the image capture device, and a focus mechanism disposed on the outside of the housing and operative to move the lens unit along an axis when the lens unit is rotated about the axis. In one embodiment, the focus mechanism includes a ramp formed on the housing and a complementary ramp formed on the lens unit. In another embodiment, the focus mechanism includes a thread set formed on the outside of the housing for engaging a complementary thread set on a sleeve of the lens unit. In still another embodiment, the focus mechanism includes an inclined groove and a groove follower. The external adjustment mechanism prevents the image capture device from being contaminated by particulates generated during focusing.

Abstract: A sound reproducing device. The sound reproducing device for receiving a frequency-hopping signal having an instantaneous frequency within a hopping bandwidth. The sound reproducing device comprises a first antenna having a bandwidth including the hopping bandwidth for producing a first received signal and a second antenna tunable to frequencies within the hopping bandwidth responsive to an instantaneous hopping frequency. The second antenna produces a second received signal. The device further comprises a module for processing one or both of the first and second received signals to produce a signal for driving the sound reproducing device.

Abstract: A camera module includes an integral motor for rotating a lens unit of the camera module within a housing of the camera module. The housing includes a plurality of electromagnetic coils that function as a stator of the motor. The lens unit includes a plurality of ferrite elements and functions as a rotor of the motor. Rotation of the lens unit within the housing causes focal adjustment, such that the motor can be used as a component of an auto-focus system. A method for assembling the camera module is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lasing apparatus includes a laser medium and a pump source. The laser medium includes one of a Holmium-doped fluoride crystal or a Holmium-doped fluorozirconate ZBLAN glass fiber. The pump source generates pulses that resonantly pump the laser medium such that the laser medium produces an output from the 5I5 level to the 5I7 level of Holmium. The pump source produces pulses having a duration that is at least as long as a storage time of the 5I5 level of the laser medium. The pump source pumps the laser medium with signals having a wavelength shorter than 1.67 ?m, with the laser medium producing an output having a wavelength of about 1.67 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at a method of providing wettability to polyester fibers or filaments, to woven or nonwoven fabrics made therefrom and to resultant articles of manufacture. The method comprises melt extruding a mixture comprising a polyester and one or more alkyl metal sulfonates where the metal is Na, Li or K and the alkyl is straight or branched chain alkyl of 12 to 15 carbon atoms, or is straight or branched chain alkenyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms. The alkyl metal sulfonates are present from about 2% to about 5% by weight based on the weight of the polyester. A post treatment step such as an alkaline treatment step is not included. The melt extrusion mixtures do not include certain additives such as polyoxyalkylene compounds, alkylmonoethonolamide compounds, alkyldiethanolamine compounds and polyetheramide compounds.

Abstract: This invention aims to suppress the occurrence of smoke, for example, during a light load operation of a gas turbine, by adopting an air blast method for a pilot nozzle in a dual fuel combustion low NOx combustor. A gas turbine combustor of the present invention is that in a gas turbine furnished with a dual fuel combustion low NOx combustor having a pilot nozzle capable of injecting a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel simultaneously or selectively, and a plurality of main nozzles disposed around the pilot nozzle and being capable of injecting a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel simultaneously or selectively, wherein the pilot nozzle has a gas nozzle portion for injecting the gaseous fuel, and a liquid nozzle portion for injecting the liquid fuel, adopts an air blast method for the liquid nozzle portion, uses combustion air as air for an air blast, and throws the combustion air at a liquid film formed in the liquid nozzle portion to atomize the liquid fuel by use of a velocity difference.

Abstract: An animal watering system, such as a bird bath, incorporating a water reservoir, a means to automatically maintain the level of water in the reservoir by admitting fresh water thereto, an animal access basin positioned above the water reservoir whereby water overflowing the basin enters the reservoir, an air lift pump for transporting water from the reservoir to the basin by way of a fountain head and fountain catch basin, and an air compressor for providing a source of compressed air to operate the air lift pump.

Abstract: A non-contaminating radiant heater for analytical laboratory use with a controller providing a closed-loop, precise regulation of sequencing patterns of energy emission delivered to a sample at a programmed rate preventing hotspots until a preselected temperature is reached for a preselected time interval all. within a programmed schedule. The radiant heater includes a supporting base functioning as a sample platform, a vertical support member secured to the base and sample platform, and an electrically powered radiant heating element is enclosed by a sealed surrounding and supporting fixture fastened to the vertical supporting member providing a uniform radiation footprint.

Abstract: A tension control apparatus for a material winder of the type including a material supply package and a material take-up package, an electric motor for driving the take-up package and a tension responsive dancer arm positioned intermediate the material supply package and the material take-up package for angular movement about an axis proportional to tension variation in the moving material. The tension control apparatus includes a polar magnet mounted for axial rotation about the axis of movement of the dancer arm in fixed relation to the movement of the dancer arm about the axis. A magnetic angular position sensor is positioned in magnetic field sensing relation to the polar magnet for sensing the change in the angular position of the polar magnet responsive to tension variation in the moving material and outputting an electrical signal proportional to the angular position of the polar magnet.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a mechanism for controlling the movements of the plates in a multiple plate mold. The mold is secured to a press in an injection molding system having a support plate and top clamp plate. The mechanism includes a member pivotally mounted to the outside of the mold and an arm attaching the press support plate to the member. In a preferred embodiment, two guides are attached to the press top clamp plate and middle moving plate of a three plate mold. The guides travel in curved channels formed in the member to determine the relative positions of the plates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for treating molten aluminum prior to casting by adding a hydrogen-containing treating gas to the atmosphere over the molten aluminum during melting. A preferred treating gas is finely-atomized water vapor which is added to the fuel-air mixture to be delivered to burners to obtain a disassociation of water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen. The added hydrogen satisfies the affinity of molten aluminum for hydrogen, the addition being controlled to near the saturation point temperature of hydrogen within the molten aluminum. Improved casting properties are obtained in the molded parts which have smaller grain refinement and greater dispersion of shrinkage on cooling to solidification. The treating gas may also consist of hydrogen gas or ammonia gas, the hydrogen being supplied over the molter aluminum when heated to a temperature ranging from about 1200.degree. F. to 1480.degree. F.

Abstract: A continuous cycle peritoneal dialysis system which includes a source (14) of dialysis fluid, and an inflow line (34) and outflow line (35) connected to a catheter (26) implanted in the peritoneal cavity (28). A fill pump (B) pumps dialysis fluid from the source to the catheter during a fill cycle. A drain pump C pumps fluid from the catheter to a drain during a drain cycle. A function of a volume of the dialysis fluid in the peritoneal cavity is detected by a manometer (D). A process controller (A) controls the fill and drain pumps in response to signals from a high fluid level detector (50) and a low fluid level detector (52) on a fluid column tube (48) to pump a calibrated fill volume of fluid into the cavity and a calibrated drain volume of fluid out of the cavity continuously in alternating fill and drain cycles in a manner that the fluid flows through the cavity generally with zero dwell time.

Abstract: Transmission of video pictures containing depth information is achieved by taking video signals from two sources, showing different representations of the same scene, and correlating them to determine a plurality of peak correlation values which correspond to vectors representing depth information. The first video signal is divided into elementary areas and each block is tested, pixel by pixel, with each vector to see which vector gives the best fit in deriving the second video signal from the first. The vectors which give the best fit are then assigned to their respective areas of the picture and constitute difference information. The first video signal and the assigned vectors are then transmitted in parallel. The first video signal can be received as a monoscopic picture, or alternatively the vectors can be used to modify the first signal to form a display containing depth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely adjusting the temperature of a closed environment such as a home or building comprising a means for transmitting a coded up-temperature signal and a down-temperature signal as a modulated radio frequency carrier wave, from a portable, battery-powered command module to a stationary receiver operatively connected to a heating/cooling unit. The received signal, upon decoding, activates the heating/cooling unit until the sensed temperature of the building matches the desired temperature. Additionally, a preset temperature stored in memory may be replaced remotely using the command module with a new preset temperature. The apparatus is designed to replace an existing thermostat and to be easily usable, especially by those who are disabled, bedridden or handicapped, to alter the temperature of their environments to comfortable levels.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with a new device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention a new butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has new heat exchange devices comprising same for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A vertically operable reed type game call for hunters which audibly generates a plurality of game attracting sounds. The game call comprises a rigid, generally tubular barrel shaped body having a lower cylindrical base integral with a mouthpiece segment which terminates in an upper angled surface penetrated by an air admission orifice in fluid flow communication with the hollow interior of the call. A pair of channels integrally disposed on opposite sides of the upper surface of the mouth piece are adapted to confine and slidably receive a reed which is adapted to be vibrated by inrushing air to produce sound. Preferably an annular, encircling groove is disposed between the lower base portion and the mouth piece for securing a tensioned, encircling necklace adapted to be worn by the user to readily facilitate convenient out-of-the way transportation of the call.