Abstract: An improved heat exchanger is shown for indirect heat exchange between two fluid media. The heat exchanger has thin metallic walls and a multitude of convoluted or tortuous shaped internal flow passages to increase the effective contact time during which heat is transferred between the media. The heat exchanger is particularly suitable for heat exchange between fluids having low differential temperatures or specific heats, due to the thin wall structure, the elongated tortuous internal flow path created by the core structure and the absence of welds, soldering or other thick areas which tend to inhibit heat transfer due to their relatively greater mass. The heat exchanger is produced by a novel technique. A support matrix is assembled from a plurality of low melting point forms, each of which has angled internal passages. The passages of each form are positioned in register with the passages of adjacent forms.

Abstract: Plastic portions of a container rim and mating lid are fused together by an electrical conductor wire loop positioned therebetween when electromagnetically coupled to an induction heating coil. The wire forms a tab extending outside the closed container which may be manually manipulated to remove a lid fused in place to close the container. This container may be hermetically sealed with sanitized foodstuff or the like by concurrently sterilizing with microwave energy while fusing the lid in place.

Abstract: A desk top CRT visual display system for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The system includes a CRT 18 having a viewing plane 30. The CRT 18 is oriented with respect to a nomimal eyepoint 22 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle of between 70.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 22. The system is supported by a desk top 26 which also typically supports keyboard 28 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18. The system also includes a light obstructing top shield 16 having a front edge 44 and a light absorbing under surface 46. The front edge 44 of light obstructing shield 16, and the display angle of the viewing plane 30 of CRT 18 are selected such that a light path extending from the eyepoint 22 to any point on the viewing plane 30 is reflected into the light absorbing surface 46 of light obstructing top shield 16.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for use in the processing of transverse fish body sections includes a support frame and a video camera for providing a video image of a transverse fish body section to be processed when aimed at the fish body section along a preselected line of sight. A fish section support is provided for supporting the transverse fish section substantially over its area. The support can be invisible on the video photo image and preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart beams which are of a small dimensional width so that they do not appear on the video photo image that contains the fish body sections. A fluid jetting knife is movable with respect to the transverse fish body section for cutting the section with a pressurized fluid stream and positioned to traverse both the fish section and the support means during the cutting operation.

Abstract: An automated butchering method and system for separating the edible loin portions of transverse tuna slices. Each transverse slice of the principal loin bearing section of a tuna is viewed or scanned to produce electrical signals representative of the boundary between the edible loin portions and the contiguous waste meat portions. Control signals can be derived from these electrical signals for government of cutting apparatus for precise separation of the edible loin portions along the detected boundary.

Abstract: A two stroke spark ignition engine requiring a minimum of one pair of cylinders is constructable in multiple cylinder pairs. Each cylinder contains two oppositely working pistons. Four pistons drive, without rocking couples, opposite sides of a single crankshaft having three crankpins. Two paired cylinders are interconnected through and share a common precombustion chamber insuring cylinder pressure equalization and require only one fuel injector and one spark plug. The valveless engine has piston controlled intake and exhaust ports and crank phasing insures that exhaust ports are opened and closed prior to the respective opening and closing of the intake ports rendering the uniflow scavenged cylinders superchargeable. The precombustion chamber is optionally made variable in volume to simultaneously provide a variable compression ratio to both cylinders without affecting piston geometry or stroke.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is composed of plurality of substantially identical interlinked modules each of which is of integral plastic molded construction. Each module includes a body of plate-like planar configuration and first and second link ends outwardly extending from respective opposite edges of the body, the link ends being mateable with corresponding link ends of adjacent modules. The upper surface of the body and contiguous surfaces of the link ends define a flat conveying surface such that a conveyor belt composed of assembled modules provides an effectively continuous flat top conveyor for carriage of products. Each module includes an array of sprocket teeth across the width of the module and midway between the link ends, which are arranged in operative pairs coacting with corresponding portions of a sprocket wheel for positive belt drive.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger is shown for indirect heat exchange between two fluid media. The heat exchanger has thin metallic walls and a multitude of convoluted shaped internal flow passages, increasing the effective contact time during which heat is transferred between the media. The heat exchanger is particularly suitable for heat exchange between fluids having low differential temperatures or specific heats, due to the thin wall structure, the elongated internal flow path created by the convoluted core structure and the absence of welds, soldering, or other thick areas which tend to inhibit heat transfer due to their relatively greater mass. The heat exchanger may be produced by a novel technique. A support matrix is assembled from a plurality of low melting point forms, each of which has angled internal passages. The passages of each form are positioned in register with the passages of adjacent forms.

Abstract: Apparatus, such as a compass, for determining the positional relationship between two structures having limited motion therebetween is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photoelectric array spaced from an illuminating or light source. The array and light source are mounted to a first structure or member, such as for example, a compass housing. A second member suitable for limited motion such as a rotating disc having a mask mounted thereon is located between the array and the light source so as to substantially block light transmitted from the source being received by the array. The mask, however, includes light transmission areas of selected shapes, such as for example, a spiral, or three lines. These light transmissive areas result in the illumination of unique, random patterns of individual elements of the array for each specific relative position between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: This invention provides in a compact roll film type camera a data processing system for recording at least one line of information along the edge of a picture, to present variable and manually entered data relating to the picture. It contains entirely within the camera cover the keyboard and film recording equipment. The line of information is recorded by programming stored data for synchronous presentation along the edge of a frame when it is being moved to frame another picture. Only seven keyboard keys are needed to give a full range of alphanumeric data entry with each entry requiring two successive keystrokes.

Abstract: A mold and process for integrally forming a modular helical shaped device such as a screw conveyor is disclosed. The mold has a center operating axis (26) and includes a first section (20A) which forms a portion of the axial member (33). The first section (20A) also forms one of the helical surfaces (36A) disposed around the center axis (26) which has an amount of rotation no greater than 360 degrees. In a similar manner, a second section (20B) is adapted for reciprocating movement along the center axis (26) between an open and closed position with respect to section (20A). The second section (20B) forms the other one of the helical shaped flight members (41). Thus, the two mold sections define a substantially enclosed cavity having an elongated axial portion and a helical shaped flight portion with a selected cross-section that forms the helical shaped device.

Abstract: A conveyor belt composed of interconnected like modules of integral molded construction. Each of the modules has a flat conveying surface and first and second link ends spaced along the width of the module, each of the link ends including segments having circular bores aligned on a pivot axis across the width of the module and which segments are operative to provide a pivot bearing surface, and to cover a pivot rod on the conveying side of the module, the pivot rod remaining substantially exposed on the bottom side of the module for inspection and cleaning and for more uniform temperature cycling.

Abstract: A position determining system for providing electrical signals representative of the positions of a light source movable within a defined area. The system may be implemented for purposes of data entry or for purposes of object location or surveying. When embodied in a data entry tablet, the invention provides signals representative of the positions of a stylus movable within the area of the tablet and comprising first and second photodetectors spaced along a base line by a predetermined distance, and means associated with each photodetector and operative to provide a movable narrow field of view for each photodetector. Means are provided for monitoring the angular position of each of the fields of view with respect to the base line and for providing a signal indication of the respective angular positions. A stylus having a light emitter at the tip thereof is movable within the area of the tablet and provides light detachable by each of the photodetectors.

Abstract: The number of keys on a keyboard are reduced by employing the decimal point key as a control key when stroked the second time in the entry of a decimal number word. This eliminates the need for a key standard in the computer arts which is either designated as an "enter" key or as an "=" key depending upon the computer arithmetic process. It thereby becomes possible to use only twelve keys on a keyboard to control a modern computer with the order of 133 built-in programs or execution commands. This is done by providing in addition to ten decimal keys 0 to 9 and the decimal point key one additional control or execute key which initiates a two or more sequential key program step select mode in which any of the twelve keys are then stroked to designate a particular execution command. An accompanying graphic display of the various execution choices available makes the keyboard usable without necessity of frequent consultation of an instruction manual.

Abstract: A staircase stringer fabricating apparatus includes a structural machine frame having a carriage moveably mounted with respect to the frame for supporting an elongated stringer work piece. A track mounted upon the structural frame defines a guide for the carriage so that the carriage can move on a controlled path with respect to the frame. Material working stations, such as wood routers, welding torches or the like are spaced upon the machine frame for simultaneously preparing the work piece with selectively spaced apart tread assembly positions that define the horizontal stair step positions (including the spacing and angular positions) upon the stringer during use. The tread positions are preferably formed responsive to the movement of the carriage and work piece upon the track along the controlled path so that the work stations traverse the work piece.

Abstract: A cabinet for use with a visual display for eliminating reflections and glare with respect to an observer having a selected eyepoint is disclosed. The cabinet includes a housing 9 having means mounted to housing 9 for adjustably positioning a visual display having a viewing plane 30. The viewing plane 30 is oriented with respect to a nominal eyepoint 28 of an observer such that the viewing plane 30 is at a selected angle between 65.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to a line of sight extending from the selected nominal eyepoint 28. A support shelf 22 secured to housing 9 supports and locates a keyboard 24 at a viewing position juxtaposed to the visual display CRT 18 such that minimal eye motion is required for an observer to view both visual display 18 and keyboard 24. Also included is an adjustable light obstructing shield 16 having a front edge 26 and a light absorbing inside surface 44.

Abstract: A computer keyboard matrix overlay panel carries indicia indicating the functions of keys and other operating instructions, to replace a significant part of the information formerly set forth in an external instruction manual. Individual panels are coded by incorporated switch parts acting with cooperating computer switch parts to set up a particular operating mode for which the respective key functions are identified when the panel is in place over the computer keyboard keys, the functions being selected by the use of two sequential, non-simultaneous keystrokes involving any of the keys on the keyboard. The panels also serve as software media by incorporation of data strips along panel edges to permit carrying program and data information external to the computer memory which is readable into the computer by corresponding transducers. The panel codes can change the comptuer mode and enter corresponding programs, subroutines, constants, and variable data.

Abstract: A stair having a central stringer and two side stringers adapted for mounting between an upper level and a lower level at a relatively steep angle of inclination. A plurality of tread members are disposed in alternating arrangement on respective sides of the central stringer and each tread member extends laterally from the central stringer to the respective side stringer. The tread members, which are substantially identical in shape, mateably join the central stringer and respective side stringers at tread member ends with a dovetail joint having a recessed mortise defining tread supporting shoulders. Handrails are provided at an angle substantially parallel to the stringers and of a height to support a user while descending the stair. Typically an upper tread member is provided which is even with the upper level. The stair is of a structure which permits disassembled shipment as a relatively compact, lightweight package and ease of assembly at a location of intended use.

Abstract: An improved metering valve, or flush valve, incorporates a rolling diaphragm mechanism of a cylindrical elastomeric material providing a smoothly transitioning flow rate control from the full open to the full close position. The rolling diaphragm sealing means is actuated by a floating cup driven by the differential pressure between the valve fluid inlet and an intermediate actuation control chamber. The valve control is spring biased to the normally closed position and is actuated by dumping all fluid from the control chamber through a poppet mechanism which is triggered mechanically through a sealing diaphragm. Upon dumping fluid from the metering chamber, the actuating cup is compressed by the pressure of the inlet fluids to roll the diaphragm to a substantially open position.