Abstract: Elongate extruded sections of vinyl siding, having a top edge portion, which is intended to be hidden in use behind the bottom edge of an immediately higher section of siding, wherein the top edge portion is slit crosswise at a plurality of spaced apart locations, permitting freer expansion and contraction of the exposed portion of the siding with changes in temperature.

Abstract: A pellet mill includes a conditioning section which mixes dry material, moisture in the form of water, and heat provided by a hot air system for the creation of a mash suitable for pelleting without the use of steam. The hot air section inputs heat by utilizing a blower which pressurizes air across a heat exchanger and into a plenum which interconnects an air duct with the conditioner. Moisture is input to the conditioner with a hot water system which modulates the flow of water and temperature of the water as it is sprayed onto the dry material. An automatic controller controls the process in accordance with temperature measurements made at various points in the pellet mill to select a desired operating temperature or in accordance with other control parameters previously developed.

Abstract: An automatic control for an extruder has a temperature sensor which monitors the exit temperature of the extrudate and several pressure transducers which monitor the pressure within the extruder to control the cooking of the mash inside the extruder to ensure production of high quality extrudate. The controller monitors and controls the temperature and moisture content of the mash in the extruder by controlling the input of various ingredients and also the cooling or heating of the mash near the exit of the extruder through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An offset current which is 180.degree. out of phase with the leakage current for a motorized bed circuit is created through the use of an additional transformer winding and series resistor which is connected between the neutral conductor and ground conductor. As the circuit is connected in the reverse polarity condition for testing to UL standards, the offset current is injected into the ground conductor which cancels out a portion of the leakage current from the motors to thereby bring it within testing standards. In the normal connection condition, the injected offset current is additive to the leakage current, although the normal leakage current is much less than the reverse polarity connection leakage current so that the overall leakage current in the normal connection condition remains within test standards.

Abstract: An automatic control for an extruder has a temperature sensor which monitors the exit temperature of the extrudate and several pressure transducers which monitor the pressure within the extruder to control the cooking of the mash inside the extruder to ensure production of high quality extrudate. The controller monitors and controls the temperature and moisture content of the mash in the extruder by controlling the input of various ingredients and also the cooling or heating of the mash near the exit of the extruder through a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A non-contacting infrared temperature sensor is utilized in a control system for a pelleting apparatus to sense the temperature of the rotating die within the pellet mill and is used to control the moisture addition to control the pelleting process. A moisture meter automatically adjusts the desired die temperature in response to the moisture content of finished pellets.

Abstract: A pellet mill controller includes a plurality of temperature sensors to sense the temperature of material as it traverses the pellet mill, and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the die to determine when it reaches the approximate nominal boiling point of water. As the die reaches the approximate nominal boiling point of water, the differential is measured between two of the temperature sensors and stored in the pellet mill to control the pellet mill in accordance with temperature differential control modes previously patented.

Abstract: A non-contacting infrared temperature sensor is utilized in a control system for a pelleting apparatus to sense the temperature of the rotating die within the pellet mill and is used to control the moisture addition to control the pelleting process. A moisture meter is mounted to the cooler and automatically adjusts the desired die temperature in response to the moisture content of finished pellets.

Abstract: A fat injection process for a pellet mill includes a plurality of nozzles mounted within the pelleting chamber and adjacent the die and rollers with a steam and fat line connected to each nozzle for mixing fat with steam and spraying the mixture onto the pellets immediately as they are formed.

Abstract: A non-contacting infrared temperature sensor is utilized in a control system for a pelleting apparatus to sense the temperature of the rotating die within the pellet mill and is used in connection with other temperature measurements to control the pelleting process.

Abstract: An ultrasonic speed sensor produces a linear voltage directly proportional to the speed of material falling through a chute and contacting a plate. A transducer coupled to the plate produces a second linear voltage which is directly proportional to the force applied to the plate by the material as it impacts the plate. An electronic dual slope integrator circuit combines these two linear DC voltages to produce a digital pulse output whose frequency is directly proportional to the flow rate of the material. The digital pulse output may be used to drive a totalizer which totals the amount of material flowing through the chute, and an indication meter to provide an instantaneous readout of the flow rate.

Abstract: An automatic pellet mill controller controls a vapor steam generator for use with the pellet mill, the vapor steam generator having the capability of producing steam at a constant pressure but with a variable temperature to suit the particular ambient conditions, or formulation of feed being pelleted, or temperature at any point in the pellet mill. After the steam temperature is selected, the control can operate in any one of the various control modes which control the automatic pelleting of the pellet mill for the particular feed formulation.

Abstract: A fat injection system for a pellet mill includes a plurality of nozzles mounted within the pelleting chamber and adjacent the die and rollers with a steam and fat line connected to each nozzle for mixing fat with steam and spraying the mixture onto the pellets immediately as they are formed.

Abstract: A system for adding heat to dry material as it is conditioned in preparation for pelleting in a pellet mill includes a plurality of groups of microwave magnetrons and a control system to control the energization of those magnetrons in response to the throughput of the dry material and the temperature or temperature change of the material.

Abstract: A linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electromagnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.

Abstract: A linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electromagnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.

Abstract: An impulse momentum dry flow sensor includes a plate for mounting in a "dead-end" turn of a granular material carrying conduit, a leaf spring suspension to limit its movement to substantially a horizontal plane, and a linear force transducer to measure the force applied to the plate by granular material negotiating the turn. The linear force transducer includes an inclined plate mounted in a chute to be impacted by a flow of granular material, the plate being supported by one or more leaf springs from the chute. An actuator rod is mounted to the plate and extends to a servo mechanism which generates a force to resist deflection of the plate, the actuator rod being supported by a pair of spaced leaf springs. The servo mechanism includes an electro-magnetic force generator to apply a force to the actuator rod, with an electronic circuit to produce an electrical current in response to a force applied to the inclined plate to energize the electromagnetic force generator.

Abstract: A remote control circuit for a hard wired remote control controlling multiple functions in a multiple motor device has a reduced number of wires extending between the hand held control and the motor control circuit. The circuit includes a rectifier for generating a positive control voltage and a negative control voltage which are separately supplied along individual wires to the hand held control, and a single wire extending between the hand held control and the control circuit for each function, the voltage appearing along the wire designating the direction of movement of the function. A pair of parallel connected LEDs sense the polarity of the voltage and energize a triac corresponding to the polarity of the voltage appearing along the control wire to energize the proper winding of a reversible motor.

Abstract: Independently operable head and foot adjusting mechanisms are provided in an adjustable motorized hospital bed in order to facilitate independent height adjustment of the head and foot ends of the bed's movable frame, on which is mounted a mattress supporting structure. Logic circuitry controls the actuation of the adjusting mechanisms to manipulate the movable frame to any level or tilted position desired. When the frame is to be lowered to its lowermost level, a latching system may be latched in a down operating mode, merely by momentarily actuating a switch, to cause the head and foot adjusting mechanisms to lower each end of the movable frame directly to its lowermost limit regardless of the frame's position, and even though the frame may be tilted, at the time the switch is actuated. With such direct and immediate access to the lowermost level position, considerable time can be saved by the nurse or attendant.

Abstract: A pistachio huller is provided wherein a means having projections pushes unhulled nuts between the surface of the means having projections and a surface of a means having slots, the slots being narrower than the pistachio nuts to be hulled. The projections protrude into the slots and the hulls are ruptured and abraded through contact between the surface of the means with projection and the surface of the strips forming the means having slots whereby the nuts are hulled.