Abstract: A method for reducing the barriers between creative designs and complete drawings and databases by generating complex engineering drawings, such as lighting systems from lines and/or other simple shapes automatically, eliminates the tedious, time-consuming tasks of drawing, placing and annotating elements of structure, such as mounting trusses, fixtures, lighting patterns (often referred to as “gobos”), projectors and any other lighting, sound, video, plumbing, HVAC, street layouts or other graphical representations.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for handling the large load currents which occur with overloads, short circuits, and momentary overcurrents such as in starting motors or cold incandescent lamp filaments. The method involves turning the load current off when an overcurrent is detected, and then back on again before the end of the half-cycle in which the overcurrent occurred. This allows more current to flow during the half-cycle without the need to increase the peak current capability of the power-handling components. With an incandescent lamp load, this results in more rapid lamp brightening without the need for larger, more expensive components. Several embodiments are disclosed which respond to different features of the power line voltage cycle, including a very low-cost microprocessor circuit and power supply.

Abstract: A super-tough polymeric composition comprising an engineering thermoplastic and a modified radial polymer. The engineering thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, polyphenylene ether resins, polyarylene sulfide resins, polysulfone and the like. The modified radial polymer is modified by grafting a compound containing a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative group. The modified, radial polymer has from about 3 to about 50 arms, as determined using light scattering techniques and the arms will be olefin polymers. The polymer compositions will yield shaped articles which fail ductilely when tested using ASTM procedure D-256 at room temperature and some at -20.degree. F.

Abstract: An improved phase-controlled power control apparatus includes a semiconductor switching element for varying the effective power delivered to a load from the power lines. The conduction angle of the semiconductor power switch element is varied from a nominal angle to compensate for changes in power line voltage and for changes in load current. The amount of load current flow is continuously compared to the power line voltage to detect any overcurrent condition, even very close to the zero-crossing of the power line voltage. The shape of the transition from load current on to load current off (or vice versa) in controlled to minimize audible noise from the load. The load current can be shared between a plurality of compatible power control sections.

Abstract: A super-tough polymeric composition comprising an engineering thermoplastic and a modified radial polymer. The engineering thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, polyphenylene ether resins, polyarylene sulfide resins, polysulfone and the like. The modified radial polymer is modified by grafting a compound containing a carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative group. The modified, radial polymer has from about 3 to about 50 arms, as determined using light scattering techniques and the arms will be olefin polymers. The polymer compositions will yield shaped articles which fail ductilely when tested using ASTM procedure D-256 at room temperature and some at -20.degree. F.

Abstract: A lighting control circuit is provided for controlling illumination and dimming of at least one light in a lighting circuit for operation at a selectable one of a plurality of applied voltages. The lighting control circuit includes a power supply circuit for receiving an AC line voltage input and for converting the AC line voltage to selectable rectified AC and DC power for delivery to the lighting control circuit. A timing generator circuit is also coupled with the power supply circuit and is responsive to a rectified AC sample from the power supply for generating and shaping an electrical timing signal. A timing comparator circuit is responsive to the electrical timing signal for generating a variable duty cycle output signal. A switching control circuit is coupled with the lighting circuit for gating current therethrough in accordance with the variable duty cycle output control signal.

Abstract: A process for incorporating carboxy and/or carboxyl derivative functionality into a hydrocarbon polymer which is substantially free of ethylenic unsaturation. The functionalization is accomplished by contacting the functionalizing agent or agents with the polymer in the presence of a free radical initiator in a blending apparatus capable of imparting high mechanical energy into the reaction medium. The blending apparatus is preferably an extruder and most preferably a non-intermeshing twin screw extruder. The amount of degradation resulting from the presence of a free radical initiator and the high mechanical shear at the elevated temperatures employed during the contacting is reduced by effecting the contacting in a suitable diluent. Similarly, the amount of polymer crosslinking and/or coupling is reduced through the use of a suitable diluent. The polymer is maintained in the molten phase during the reaction.

Abstract: Alkoxy silane compounds such as vinyl-triethoxy-silane are more readily grafted to block copolymers in the presence of an amount of zinc oxide between about 0.15% and 1.5% by weight of the block copolymer. The silane modified block copolymer prepared with zinc oxide exhibits greater resistance to gel formation than silane-modified block copolymer prepared without the zinc oxide.

Abstract: Particulate solids are separated from their admixture with gases or vaporized liquids by passage through a specially designed cyclone separator wherein the solids are passed down the separator to a plate modified with a circumferential groove leading to a solids outlet, the plate also having a centrally located vertical member designed to minimize turbulent flow of the solids/vapor mixture and fouling of the apparatus.

Abstract: a process is provided for the formation of block copolymer particles having a reduced tendency to agglomerate which comprises extruding the block copolymer into a water bath in the presence of water-dispersible polyvalent metal salts of higher fatty acids and/or water-dispersible surfactants and forming nibs, pellets or strands in the bath. Suitable water soluble surfactants include anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants. Especially contemplated is the use of zinc stearate as the surfactant.

Abstract: A process to produce a free flowing fine polymer powder is provided. The process comprises the steps of: providing a polymer cement comprising a polymer either melt or dissolved in a solvent to form a polymer cement; dispersing an antiblocking agent within a stream consisting of steam to form atomization steam; atomizing the polymer cement; contacting the atomized polymer cement with the atomization steam; and recovering polymeric particles. Polymeric particles so prepared have an average particle size of between 100 and 1000 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers produced are rubbery polymers which are free flowing.