Abstract: In an animatronic system, recording and playing performances of individual axes of character movement involves, during recording, continually commanding speeds and rotational directions of a stepping axis motor in response to manual movement of a joystick. The joystick commands are modified by means of a feedback motor electrically coupled to the axis motor to mechanically interact with the joystick.

Abstract: In an animatronic system, recording and playing performances of individual axes of character movement involves, during recording, continually commanding speeds and rotational directions of a stepping axis motor in response to manual movement of a joystick. The joystick commands are modified by means of a feedback motor electrically coupled to the axis motor to mechanically interact with the joystick.

Abstract: A simplified system using a computer to control the speed and direction of multiple stepper motors, so that a script for a sequence of operations of the motors can be prepared and edited, using ASCII characters, on the computer monitor. This script is then stored on disc, and can be played back through the parallel port to control the motors to perform the sequence of operations. Each letter of the alphabet can identify a different motor speed, and each line of the script contains one letter for each motor being controlled. On commencing play back, the first line is scanned and the required motor speeds set and activated. After about {fraction (1/20)} of a second the next line is similarly scanned and the motor speeds are again adjusted to the current script requirements. Playback then proceeds in the same manner line by line through the script. The system can also be applied to CNC (computer numerical control) of machine tools and production processes.

Abstract: A simplified system using a computer to control the operation (e.g., speed) of multiple controllable devices (e.g., electric motors) so that a script for a sequence of operations of the controllable devices can be prepared and edited, using ASCII characters, on the computer monitor. This script is stored on the computer disc drive and can be played back through the computer's printer port to control the controllable devices to perform the sequence of operations. Each letter of the alphabet identifies a different control parameter of a controllable device, and each line of the script contains one letter for each device being controlled. On playback, the first line is scanned and the written control parameters are set and activated. After about 1/20 of a second the next line is similarly scanned and the control parameters are again adjusted to the current script requirements. Playback then proceeds in the same manner, line by line, through the script.

Abstract: A refrigeration system provides a supply of purified ice pieces by freezing flowing water on an icemaking plate and melting some of the ice pieces to provide a supply of purified water. The system is combined with a household refrigerator to utilize a common compressor and condenser. Alternative arrangements are provided for a single speed compressor or a two speed compressor to adapt to varying load requirements. The ice storage bin may be disposed in the refrigerator section where ice melting takes place continually, or in the freezer section where ice only melts on demand from a sensing of purified water quantity.

Abstract: A refrigeration system provides a supply of purified ice pieces by freezing flowing water on an icemaking plate and melting some of the ice pieces to provide a supply of purified water. The system is combined with a household refrigerator to utilize a common compressor, evaporator and condenser. Alternative arrangements are provided for defrost of the evaporator by hot gas bypass, or by electrical heating elements. Individual ice pieces can be formed separately by spacing of the contact points where the evaporator piping meets the ice-forming surface, or by dividing the ice forming surface into separate ice forming cavities, with a plastic mask.

Abstract: A refrigeration system is employed alternatively as an automatic ice-maker, and a device to automatically produce a supply of purified water by melting a portion of the ice produced in the ice-making operation. Separate sections of the condenser of the refrigeration system are selectively employed to provide heat to melt ice when the purified water supply is low and, alternatively, to reject heat when the purified water supply is sufficient but ice production is required.

Abstract: A refrigeration system employed as an icemaker, in which part of the ice so produced is stored in a bin, and in which, part of the ice is then melted to provide a supply of purified water in a container. In one embodiment convection flow of air conveys heat from the ambient room environment to the bottom of the ice bin to achieve this melting. In a second embodiment a convection flow of water is employed for this purpose. Controls are provided to automatically control melting, to maintain a predetermined level in the purified water container.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having two alternatively actuable condensers operating at different condensing temperatures and pressures includes a compensatory metering arrangement for preventing significant changes of refrigerant fluid flow rate to the system evaporator when the system switches from one condenser to the other. Compensation is effected by changing the size of the metering orifice as necessary to accommodate the different condenser operating pressures. In one embodiment a thermostatic expansion valve is modified to include a damping factor preventing rapid changes in the valve position. Damping is achieved with a liquid-filled damping chamber having a damping diaphragm as one wall secured to the valve actuator rod. Opening of the valve requires the damping diaphragm to compress the liquid which is permitted to leak from the damping chamber at a controlled rate to slow the valve actuation rate.

Abstract: The system disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,099 for deriving purified ice pieces and purified water from tap water is modified by providing a metal or thermally conductive heat flow path from an alternative refrigerant condenser to the ice collection bin. In one embodiment the size/shape of the heat flow path provides sufficient heat flow resistance to maintain a temperature gradient thereacross whereby the bottom of the bin is at approximately 32.degree. F. and the condensing rejection temperature is at least 60.degree. F. In another embodiment the alternative condenser is undersized relative to the primary condenser (used in the non-melting mode). In a further embodiment the second condenser is operated in a partially flooded condition during the ice-melting mode to reduce its effective condensing surface area.

Abstract: The efficiency of the system disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,099, wherein purified ice pieces and purified liquid water are derived from tap water, is improved by transferring heat from the tap water to the collected ice pieces. The transferred heat warms the ice pieces to decrease the energy required to melt the ice pieces and form the purified liquid water. The heat transfer also pre-chills the tap water to assist in forming the ice pieces.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having two alternatively actuable condensers operating at different condensing temperatures and pressures includes a compensatory metering arrangement for preventing significant changes of refrigerant fluid flow rate to the system evaporator when the system switches from one condenser to the other. Compensation is effected by changing the size of the metering orifice as necessary to accommodate the different condenser operating pressures. In one embodiment a thermostatic expansion valve is modified to include a damping factor preventing rapid changes in the valve position. Damping is achieved with a liquid-filled damping chamber having a damping diaphragm as one wall secured to the valve actuator rod. Opening of the valve requires the damping diaphragm to compress the liquid which is permitted to leak from the damping chamber at a controlled rate to slow the valve actuation rate.

Abstract: Purified ice pieces of a size suitable for use in drinks, and purified liquid water, are derived from unpurified liquid water by directing a stream of the unpurified water over areas of at least one freezing surface. As ice forms at the freezing surface, impurities in the water are washed away by the stream which may be collected so that the unpurified water may be recirculated as part of the freezing process. The freezing surface areas are periodically heated to detach the ice, the detached ice being collected in a bin. Ice at the bottom of the bin is melted by selectively heating the bin to provide purified water that is collected in a container. Controls are provided to automatically initiate bin heating and thereby maintain a predetermined amount of purified liquid water in the container.

Abstract: Purified ice pieces of a size suitable for use in drinks, and purified liquid water, are derived from unpurified liquid water by directing a stream of the unpurified water over areas of at least one freezing surface. As ice forms at the freezing surface, impurities in the water are washed away by the stream which may be collected so that the unpurified water may be recirculated as part of the freezing process. The freezing surface areas are periodically heated to detach the ice, the detached ice being collected in a bin. Ice at the bottom of the bin is melted by selectively heating the bin to provide purified water that is collected in a container. Controls are provided to automatically initiate bin heating and thereby maintain a predetermined amount of purified liquid water in the container.

Abstract: A centrifugal gas compressor includes a centrifugal impeller and a diffuser with control vanes which pivot about their leading edges. The radially inward-facing surfaces of the control vanes are curves with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radial spacing of the leading edges from the impeller rotation axis. In the closed vane position, each leading edge is overlaid by a trailing edge of an adjacent vane so that a closed annular wall blocks all outflow. One or more diffuser vanes may be fixedly positioned with respect to each control vane so as to pivot with the control vanes. The diffuser vanes are positioned radially outward from the control vanes and define respective gradually widening paths to diffuse the outflowing gas. As an alternative to diffuser vanes, the control vanes may be extended in length to define the widening paths between adjacent control vanes.

Abstract: A heating and cooling system which uses heat derived from solar collectors to operate a heat engine which provides operating power to drive a heat pump/air conditioning system and including capability to operate either partly or wholly on supplementary energy sources such as an oil or gas furnace or electric power, and employing positive displacement heat engine and compressor units.