Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy from ambient energy such as the energy of ambient motion and acoustic vibrations. The system has at least two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from lower frequency ambient motion and converting the energy to higher frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy. A multiaxial system having a plurality of systems for generating electrical energy from ambient motion each oriented to be responsive to motion along a different axis. An embodiment of a system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion for which the resonating electrical generator is at least part of a driving mass of the kinetic energy conversion system.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion that comprises two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The different stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from low frequency ambient motion and converting it to high frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy from ambient energy such as the energy of ambient motion and acoustic vibrations. The system has at least two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from lower frequency ambient motion and converting the energy to higher frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy. A multiaxial system having a plurality of systems for generating electrical energy from ambient motion each oriented to be responsive to motion along a different axis. An embodiment of a system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion for which the resonating electrical generator is at least part of a driving mass of the kinetic energy conversion system.

Abstract: A system for generating electrical energy from ambient motion that comprises two stages, a resonating electrical generator and a kinetic energy conversion system. The different stages have differing resonant frequencies to enable harvesting energy from low frequency ambient motion and converting it to high frequency resonant oscillation for efficiently generating electrical energy.

Abstract: A mechanical system closes and latches one or more drawers in a multiple-drawer cabinet. Drawers which are slightly ajar are grasped by the latching mechanism, pulled fully closed, and locked shut. A latch finger engages a catch connected to the drawer and pulls the drawer closed. The finger is actuated by a crankshaft which, as it rotates, first lowers the latch finger to capture the catch, and then retracts the latch finger and with it the captured drawer. The crankshaft rotates to a position where any pull forces on the finger are nearly in line with the axis of the crankshaft and have little tendency to cause reverse rotation. The crankshaft is then retained in this position, effectively locking the drawer closed. Thus, any drawer which is left slightly ajar, and which may falsely appear to be latched, is subsequently closed and securely locked. The latching mechanism may be motorized or manually operated.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tracking a vehicle is provided. The vehicle tracking system may include an inertial measurement unit for providing inertial vehicle state characteristics of the vehicle. The inertial measurement unit may include at least one gyro and at least one accelerometer. The vehicle tracking system additionally includes an inertial converter for generating vehicle state information from the inertial vehicle state characteristics. Clinometers are utilized within the vehicle tracking system to initialize the gyros and may additionally provide acceleration information. The vehicle tracking system may additionally include one or more redundant sensors for providing redundant state information. The redundant sensors can include an odometer/tachometer, Global Positioning System receiver, tag receiver, and a map matching system. A Kalman filter may be utilized to reduce error within the vehicle tracking system and improve the accuracy thereof.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: A mechanical system opens a selected drawer in a multiple-drawer cabinet. The drawers are arranged in rows and columns. A selected drawer is unlatched by moving a rod which has protruding fingers, only one of which is positioned to engage a latch in a column of drawers. When the rod moves longitudinally, the selected drawer becomes unlatched. The unlatched drawer can open only to a distance determined by a cable which unwinds from a drum and passes around a pulley attached to the drawer. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the drum, the system can be programmed to open the drawer only to a distance which exposes the first non-empty compartment in the drawer. A computer controls the selection and opening of the drawers. The computer keeps a record of which compartments of each drawer have been emptied. Each time a drawer is opened, it is opened to the next non-empty compartment, allowing access to one and only one compartment in the drawer.

Abstract: A book binding apparatus and method secures pages of a document in a U-shaped channel. The apparatus automatically adjusts the binding jaws of the apparatus to the current size of the channel prior to the binding force being applied to the channel. The operating forces generated by the apparatus in deforming the channel are limited by generating small amounts of deformation in the channel for each pull of an operating handle, and by using multiple pulls of the handle to completely secure the pages into the channel. A debinding apparatus and method, using the same mechanism as the binding apparatus, debinds the pages from the channel.

Abstract: A bindery system captures pages of a bound or unbound book in a hard or soft cover case by crimping a metal U-shaped channel which is bonded to the inside spine surface of the hard or soft covers.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with a new device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention a new butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has new heat exchange devices comprising same for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A fluid control valve and method of making same are provided wherein such valve comprises a valve body structure having a fluid flow passage therethrough and a first sealing surface and a closure structure for controlling fluid flow through the passage with the closure structure having a second sealing surface adapted to engage the first sealing surface to shut off fluid flow through the valve and wherein such valves comprises a substantially annular heat exchange device comprising at least one of the structures and being disposed immediately adjacent the sealing surface thereof for controlling the temperature of at least one of the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid-containing tank and method of making same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a flow passage therethrough and such flow passage has a central rectilinear flow axis and an inlet and an outlet which have central axes common with such axis. the valve assembly has a device which is operable from the bottom of its tank and is movable between open and closed positions thereof and once moved to its open position enables substantially free unobstructed flow of fluid through the valve assembly parallel to the axis and with minimum pressure drop to thereby enable a maximum rate of fluid transfer through such valve assembly, and the inlet is adapted to provide complete drainage of fluid within the tank.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with a new device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention a new butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has new heat exchange devices comprising same for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A manually actuated fluid flow control valve assembly and method of making same are provided wherein the valve assembly has an associated support structure and has a manually operated handle operatively connected to a closure device for the valve assembly and the handle is manually movable between an open and closed position thereof which define corresponding open and closed positions of the closure device and wherein the valve assembly has a manually releasable means which includes automatic lock means for automatically locking the handle once the handle and its closure device are in a closed position. In accordance with another embodiment of this invention an improved manually operated handle is provided for such valve assembly, and such handle has a weakened portion which assures easy shearing thereof under certain conditions.

Abstract: A fluid control valve and method of making same are provided wherein such valve comprises a valve body structure having a fluid flow passage therethrough and a first sealing surface and a closure structure for controlling fluid flow through the passage with the closure structure having a second sealing surface adapted to engage the first sealing surface to shut off fluid flow through the valve and wherein such valve comprises a substantially annular heat exchange device comprising at least one of the structures and being disposed immediately adjacent the sealing surface thereof for controlling the temperature of at least one of the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly and method of making the same are provided wherein such valve assembly has a valve body structure and a closure structure and is provided with an improved device for locking, in its closed position, a shaft assembly which is used to operate the closure structure. In accordance with another feature of the invention an improved butterfly valve and method of making same are provided wherein such butterfly valve has improved heat exchange means disposed in the outer periphery of its valve body structure for controlling the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid-containing tank and method of making same are provided wherein such valve assembly is mounted on a saddle fixed to a bottom portion of the tank and such valve assembly comprises a housing structure having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet defined therein, means for mounting the housing structure against the saddle and within the confines of the tank, and a bottom operable valve member carried by the housing structure and adapted to shut off fluid flow between the inlet and outlet, and wherein the inlet and outlet are defined in the housing structure on a common rectilinear flow axis and the valve member has an opening therethrough which is adapted to be aligned between the inlet and outlet to define the open position of the valve assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a controlled member, as for example a valve, to a predetermined position in response to temperature conditions includes a bearing member which overcomes a force exerted by an energy storage device within a predetermined temperature range. The bearing member includes a fusible material which melts in another predetermined temperature range to enable the force exerted by the energy storage device to overcome the bearing member and to move the controlled member to a fail-safe position.