Abstract: A radiant heating system is provided that includes a first manifold, a second manifold, a heat source, and a circulator. The first manifold includes, an outlet port, a first heat distribution port receiving a heat transfer medium from the heat distribution system, and a supply port. The second manifold includes an inlet port, a second heat distribution port supplying a heat transfer medium to a heat distribution system, and a return port. The heat source transfers heat to the heat transfer medium and includes an intake port and an outtake port. The intake port is operably coupleable with the return port to receive the heat transfer medium from the second manifold. The outtake port is operably coupleable with the supply port to supply the heat transfer medium to the first manifold. The circulator is adapted to force the heat transfer medium from the first manifold to the second manifold and includes a first circulator port and a second circulator port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of an injection mold passes pressurized air contained in an air supply tube through an orifice into an exhaust channel, wherein the pressure of the air in the exhaust channel is lower than the pressure of the air in the air supply tube. As the pressurized air is released through the orifice, cooling is produced that can be applied to a portion of an injection mold where cooling is desired, in order to control the temperature of that portion of the injection mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature indicating method and device. The device embodies a sealed tube containing a liquid and a float. The tube has markings on the exterior indicating temperature zones or, in the alternative, temperature gradients. The method disclosed includes inverting the tube such that the indicator drops to the bottom of the tube and freezing the device at the appropriate temperature level. In use, the device is placed right side up in a container along with other items for which the highest temperature level arrived at is desired to be known. Upon warming, the liquid in the tube melts and the float drops through the liquid to the freezing level of the liquid. By removing the device from the container and comparing the float level in the tube to the markings on the exterior of the tube, the highest temperature or temperature zone that the contents of the container were subjected can be determined.

Abstract: A valve is formed to resist snap-action closure forces and provides a smooth closing action to minimize or eliminate water hammer. The valve is opened and closed by modulating the relative air pressures above and below a piston in the valve. Because the air pressures above and below the piston produce partially offsetting forces on the piston, the net closure force on the valve plunger is limited, and the rate of valve closure is reduced enough to achieve the effect of minimizing water hammer. A separate vent port volume may vent to atmosphere to further limit valve closure speed, and to further reduce water hammer. The valve can provide the capability to control the flow of fluids over a wide temperature range over a long service life while reducing or eliminating water hammer. The valve is well suited for use in injection mold temperature control systems.

Abstract: A valve is formed to resist snap-action closure forces and provides a smooth closing action to minimize or eliminate water hammer. The valve is opened and closed by modulating the relative air pressures above and below a piston in the valve. Because the air pressures above and below the piston produce partially offsetting forces on the piston, the net closure force on the valve plunger is limited, and the rate of valve closure is reduced enough to achieve the effect of minimizing water hammer. A separate vent port volume may vent to atmosphere to further limit valve closure speed, and to further reduce water hammer. The valve can provide the capability to control the flow of fluids over a wide temperature range over a long service life while reducing or eliminating water hammer. The valve is well suited for use in injection mold temperature control systems.

Abstract: A valve is formed to resist snap-action closure forces and provides a smooth closing action to minimize or eliminate water hammer. The valve is opened and closed by modulating the relative air pressures above and below a piston in the valve. Because the air pressures above and below the piston produce partially offsetting forces on the piston, the net closure force on the valve plunger is limited, and the rate of valve closure is reduced enough to achieve the effect of minimizing water hammer. A separate vent port volume may vent to atmosphere to further limit valve closure speed, and to further reduce water hammer. The valve can provide the capability to control the flow of fluids over a wide temperature range over a long service life while reducing or eliminating water hammer. The valve is well suited for use in injection mold temperature control systems.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the temperature of a fluid cooled high temperature injection mold having fluid channels formed therein. A high temperature injection mold has an operating temperature above the boiling point of water. A flow of either elevated pressure or low pressure cooling water is passed through the fluid channels in the high temperature injection mold for a limited duration during the molding cycle to thereby reduce the temperature of the injection mold to a desired level. Elevated pressure cooling water is elevated to a pressure level such that the cooling water will remain in a liquid state while passing through the fluid channels. Low pressure cooling water is at a pressure level such that the cooling water enters the fluid channels in a liquid state and transitions to a vapor state within the fluid channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved flow sensor turbine assembly for fluid flow measurement. The flow sensor turbine is connected in fluid communication with a conduit through which a fluid whose flow rate is to be measured flows. The flow sensor turbine assembly includes a turbine, rotatably mounted on a turbine shaft, including turbine blades which rotate in response to the flow of fluid through the turbine assembly. Synthetic sapphire ball thrust bearings are provided adjacent to one or both ends of the turbine shaft to provide a low and consistent friction level and a high wear resistant bearing for the rotating turbine. Rotation of the turbine in the turbine assembly may be detected using an infrared rotation detector. Alternatively, a metallic insert may be positioned in one or more of the turbine blades. In such a case, rotation of the turbine may be detected using an inductive pick-up.

Abstract: A holder (10) has a top housing (12) and a bottom housing (14) which encloses a numismatic item (24) for protection and display. The top housing (12) has an interior surface (28), an exterior surface (30), and edges (32, 34, 36, 38). The bottom housing (14) has an interior surface (46), an exterior surface (48), and edges (50, 52, 54, 56). Each of the edges (32, 34, 36, 38) of the top housing (12) has an underlapping finger (40) that extends from the interior surface (28) and that interlocks with an overlapping finger (58) that extends from the interior surface (46) of the edges (50, 52, 54, 56) of the bottom housing (14) when the housings (12, 14) are pressed together. The fingers (40, 58) have respective barbs (42, 60) which engage with one another when the housings (12, 24) are pressed together to seal and confine the numismatic item ( 24) in a chamber (86) formed between a first coin window (16) located in the top housing (12) and a second coin window (18) located in the bottom housing (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is disclosed which provides automatic control of the temperature of a fluid cooled plastic mold (12) during successive injections of liquid plastic into the mold. The temperature of the mold (12) is sensed by a probe (18) which provides a signal indicative of the temperature of the mold. The signal from the probe (12) is compared by the apparatus with a selected control temperature signal indicative of the proper operating temperature of the mold. When the sensed temperature is above the control temperature, a solenoid operated control valve (50) is activated so that cooling fluid, such as ordinary tap water, is passed through cooling channels (13) in the mold. Flow of cooling fluid is shut off when the sensed temperature drops below the selected operating temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is disclosed which provides automatic control of the temperature of a fluid cooled plastic mold (12) during successive injections of liquid plastic into the mold. The temperature of the mold (12) is sensed by a probe (18) which provides a signal indicative of the temperature of the mold. The signal from the probe (12) is compared by the apparatus with a selected control temperature signal indicative of the proper operating temperature of the mold. When the sensed temperature is above the control temperature, a solenoid operated control valve (50) is activated so that cooling fluid, such as ordinary tap water, is passed through cooling channels (13) in the mold. Flow of cooling fluid is shut off when the sensed temperature drops below the selected operating temperature.

Abstract: A combustion product detector comprises two ionization chambers with a radioactive source in each chamber. One chamber is vented to the ambient atmosphere and the other serves as a reference. A communicating passage is provided between the chambers. An adjustable target is provided in the reference chamber.Test means to determine status of the device comprises a member having a conductive end which is normally in conductive relation with the vented electrode of the chamber. It may be manually depressed into the vented chamber against a biasing force to disconnect it.Two radioactive sources are mounted in a holder which provides a window for each of the sources. In different embodiments the windows may be varied in size to vary the amount of radiation provided to each of the chambers independently without changing the parameters of the sources themselves.

Abstract: A combustion product detector contains a single ionization chamber having a radioactive source therein. It is provided with means to test the function of the device. The means includes an electrically non-conductive member which may be introduced in the ionization chamber to simulate (in effect) the presence of smoke in the chamber. Housing for the chamber is constructed and mounted to shield the components contained therein. An FET and resistors are closely coupled to a radioactive source holder and to a printed circuit board on which the housing is mounted. A metal coil spring electrically connects the non-conductive test member and the housing to discharge static. The test member may be removed readily to permit inspection and cleaning of the radioactive source surface.

Abstract: Grip member for elastic cord used for exercising contains two parallel cylindrical bores with slightly greater diameter than the cable, to slidingly receive the cable and prevent sliding of the cable through the grip member and permit adjusting of the active length of the cable used in any specific exercise. A tubular member receives one of the hand grip members in each end and may serve to simulate a bar used to lift weights, a golf club handle, a tennis racket handle, a baseball bat, a canoe paddle, a hockey stick, or the like. A device is provided to attach the cable at the juncture of a door and door frame.

Abstract: Hand operated device for transversely severing polymeric synthetic resinous tubular members comprises resilient plastic housing members which snap together and a finger operated sliding member which carries a portion of a razor blade mounted in a described manner.