Abstract: A flow-through rotary damper assembly providing highly efficient, essentially laminar fluid flow therethrough is provided. The rotary damper assembly includes a cylindrical outer body and a cylindrical inner body that are rotatable in relation to one another. The outer body defines apertures in relation to one another to allow fluid flow without requiring fluid direction change. The inner body defines a flow passage having inlet and outlet apertures that may be aligned with the apertures of the outer body to allow fluid flow therethrough, or may be rotated out of alignment to block fluid flow. The outer body includes an aperture on one end to allow fluid flow to a third compartment. The inner body also includes an end aperture that may be aligned therewith. The damper provides selectable fluid flow between each of the compartments depending on the relative position of the cylindrical inner body member.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a mixing valve, an automatic temperature regulating mixing valve, and a method of providing automatic temperature regulation for a fluid mixing valve are provided. The adapter includes an inlet adapted to attach to an outlet of a mixing valve, and at least one temperature sensing switch positioned to sense the temperature of fluid flowing through the adapter. The thermal sensing switch activates at a predetermined temperature to close its internal contacts. This contacts are wired between the line inputs of the electrically controlled valves governing the flow of fluid into each of the hot and cold fluid inlets of the mixing valve. Both or either a high and low temperature switch may be used. The adapter may also include a flow control element.

Abstract: A program timer for use with commercial or consumer appliances provides a single user knob interface that allows the desired selection of a programmed cycle and a push-to-start function. To preclude inadvertent program operation and enhance the life of the program timer, a snap-action switch is utilized to provide the push-to-start functionality. As such, actuation of the start switch provides a positional hysteresis that prevents teasing of the switch. The rapid snap-action opening and closing of the switch contacts precludes or minimizes the arc sustained between the contacts so as to greatly increase the life of the start switch. In one embodiment an actuation wheel larger in diameter than the program cam stack of the timer is utilized to pivot a lever to actuate the snap-action switch.

Abstract: A programmer/timer having a cam disk that includes concentric cam tracks having multiple working heights formed on one face thereof. The programmer/timer further includes a plate assembly that includes multiple cam followers for engaging cam disk and a plurality of single pole double throw switches configured for multiple working heights disposed for actuation by cam followers.

Abstract: A programmer/timer having a cam disk that includes concentric cam tracks having multiple working heights formed on one face thereof The programmer/timer further includes a plate assembly that includes multiple cam followers for engaging cam disk and a plurality of single pole double throw switches configured for multiple working heights disposed for actuation by cam followers.

Abstract: An appliance controller and its control shaft as well as a method for attaching a control knob to a control shaft are presented. The controller includes a control shaft body having a central bore and including at its forward end two cantilevers having outwardly facing detents. These detents are adapted to engage an engagement slot of a control knob. The control shaft body also includes at its rearward end two slots forming rear cantilevers having positioning detents. A locking rod is positioned within the bore of the control shaft body. It has a forward end adapted to prevent inward deflection of the forward cantilevers when it is in a locked position. This forward end is further adapted to preclude outward deflection of these cantilevers during insertion. The rearward end of the locking rod includes radially extending tabs which prevent the locking rod from being removed from the housing of the controller.

Abstract: A muffler for an internal combustion engine comprises: a plurality of chambers formed by a single partitioning wall inside an outer shell to be communicated with each other at the entrance and at the exit of the muffler; and a flapper-valve is provided in a communicating passage at the entrance, and a opening in the partitioning wall provide communication at the exit.

Abstract: A two stage motorized servo-actuator having a worm driven high reduction gear train providing a rotary output. The motor shaft has a worm and co-axially therewith, a beveled pinion. The motor worm is continuously engaged with a first stage gear. The first stage gear has an input sector gear disposed co-axially and rotatable therewith. The input sector gear intermittently engages an output gear. The output gear has a beveled output sector gear disposed co-axially and rotatably therewith. Upon disengagement of the input sector gear with the output gear, the beveled pinion engages the beveled output sector gear to drive the output gear directly. Once the input sector gear is disengaged from the output gear, a return spring on the output gear can reverse drive the motor through the beveled pinion to return the output gear to a desired position in the event of motor failure in operation.

Abstract: A butterfly water valve for a heater core has a vacuum motor attached to the water valve body with the vacuum motor connected to the butterfly valve crank. The vacuum motor housing has a well formed therein and a solenoid operated valve is quick connected in the well and is ported directly to the vacuum motor pressure chamber. The solenoid valve well communicates with a vacuum connector formed integrally with the vacuum motor housing. The vacuum motor housing is preferably formed of two shells welded together and sealing about the rim of a pressure responsive diaphragm.

Abstract: A butterfly valve having a plastic body with a one-piece valve member formed of thermoplastic elastomer with an integral hub with torque transmitting surfaces which are engaged by lugs on a rigid shaft received in the hub and the shaft is journalled for rotation in the valve body. The valve member has integral thin blade portions extending in opposite directions from the hub with a thickened rim formed about the periphery of the blade with the edge of the rim preferably chamfered. The preferred butterfly member has integral stiffening ribs extending centrally from the hub along the blades to the rim.

Abstract: A valve of the type for controlling engine coolant flow to a heater core having a resilient butterfly valve formed of thermoplastic elastomeric material. The outer periphery is sufficiently resilient to absorb actuator overtravel in the seated condition. The butterfly has formed integrally therewith a central hub with torque-transmitting surfaces molded therein and a pair of oppositely disposed stiffeners extend outwardly from the hub in the central region of the butterfly. Assembly is simplified by placing the butterfly in the body and inserting a winged actuator shaft through journal holes in the body into the butterfly hub such that the wings on the shaft engage the torque-transmitting surfaces in the hub.

Abstract: A quieted motorized servoactuator with a sub-fractional horsepower high rpm, low voltage motor driving a gear train with about 900:1 reduction overall. The motor shaft has a metal worm meshing with a first stage thermoplastic elastomeric material, preferably polyamide polyester, of a hardness not greater than 72 on the Shore "D" scale. The first stage gear has an integral pinion meshed with a second stage gear of harder thermoplastic material, preferably acetal. The second stage gear has an integral pinion meshed with an output sector gear formed of harder thermoplastic material preferably comprising polyamide filled one-third by volume with fine glass particles.

Abstract: A servomotor actuated engine coolant valve with a plastic body and a thin resilient butterfly plate valve member formed of plastic material internally with a shaft hub drum having the motor shaft received therethrough for torque transmission to the butterfly plate. The butterfly plate is configured to have sufficient resiliency to absorb servomotor overtravel in the valve closed position.

Abstract: A laser radar system employs an acousto-optic modulator to sweep an output beam. Comparison of reflected radiation with output radiation permits adaptive control of steering angle and beam width to track a target with efficient use of power.

Abstract: An adaptive optical control system employing a multidither servo control of a deformable mirror includes an aperture that adjusts in diameter in response to changes in the output beam.

Abstract: An output coupler for a high power laser employs the nonlinear effect of the 4-wave mixing process. The coupler adapts so that the coupling efficiency is dependent on the amplitude of the circulating fields within the optical cavity.

Abstract: A relay system maintains an emergency door opening device circuit open so that a door of a structure remains closed as long as an electrically energized ventilation system of the structure is supplied with electrical energy from a commercial power source. When the power fails, the relay system closes the emergency door opening device circuit, which includes its own power source, to operate a door opening device which opens a door to the structure to provide emergency ventilation for the structure.