Abstract: A refrigerator incorporates a variable speed refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, a variable speed evaporator fan, a variable speed fresh food compartment stirring fan and a variable position damper. Various temperature sensors are provided to sense system parameters which are used by a controller to regulate each of the variable components in order to compensate for temperature changes within at least one refrigerator compartment in a highly effective, energy efficient and synergistic manner.

Abstract: A refrigerator incorporates a variable speed refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, a variable speed evaporator fan, a variable speed fresh food compartment stirring fan and a variable position damper. Various temperature sensors are provided to sense system parameters which are used by a controller to regulate each of the variable components in order to compensate for temperature changes within at least one refrigerator compartment in a highly effective, energy efficient and synergistic manner.

Abstract: A refrigerator, having freezer and fresh food compartments, includes a temperature sensor arranged to sense an average temperature in the fresh food compartment, a multi-position damper interposed in an intake duct leading from the freezer compartment, and a fresh food compartment stirring fan. The stirring fan receives a flow of air from each of the intake duct and a plurality of recirculation ducts exposed to different portions of the fresh food compartment. A control system regulates the stirring fan and the opening of the damper based on the sensed temperature in order to minimize temperature stratification within the fresh food compartment, while maintaining an energy efficient and noise reducing operation.

Abstract: A refrigerator incorporates a variable speed refrigeration system including a variable speed compressor, an evaporator fan, a fresh food compartment stirring fan and a multi-position damper. Various temperature sensors are provided to sense system parameters which are used by a controller to regulate each of the variable components in order to compensate for temperature changes within a refrigerator compartment and, maintain the compartment within a confined temperature band, in a highly effective, energy efficient and synergistic manner.

Abstract: A defrost control system for a refrigerator having freezer and fresh food compartments includes a plurality of temperature sensors, a plurality of door sensors to provide signals indicative of the occurrence of a door opening condition, a memory to store the signals in a plurality of usage blocks, and a CPU or controller to categorize the usage blocks into periods of high and low usage. When a defrost cycle is required, the control system establishes the cycle at an upcoming period designated as one of low usage. Additionally, prior to activating the system, the controller lowers the temperature of at least the freezer compartment to below a set point. The controller establishes the defrost cycle for a period based upon the time duration of previously completed cycles.

Abstract: A method of constructing fitted sheet corners that cause the upper corners of the fitted sheet to draw more closely to the mattress than is designed into the regular plane of the fitted sheet seam. The recessed effect of this invention causes a slight depression in the softer, more pliable area of the mattress corner. The rigid characteristics of the top of the mattress corner act as a deterrent to the fitted sheet movement in an upward direction. A fitted sheet with this invention interacts with the mattress corners as the fitted sheet and mattress are distorted when used in the intended use.

Abstract: An expert system is provided which can be accessed by other application programs operating within any of the available operating environments in a general purpose computer system. In this architecture, an expert system consultation subsystem provides the means for performing expert consultations. Included within the expert system subsystem is a task manager which initiates and manages a plurality of concurrent consultations. Interface programming provides the capability for the expert system consultation subsystem to communicate and pass data and commands between it and other application programs operating within the computer system. Further, means are provided to allow the expert system subsystem to access data stored on database management systems.

Abstract: A light switch extension device for operating by a small child or wheelchair bound individual wherein the extension device employs a drive rod which is connected at one end to the toggle of a light switch by a pivotally mounted cap which slips over one end of the toggle and is pivotally connected at its other end to a cam wheel in the switch extension device which, when operated, moves the drive rod to turn the light switch "ON" or "OFF".

Abstract: A magnetic rotary activator has a permanent magnet mounted for rotation about a fixed axis and a core member having an energizing coil with a current reversing mechanism. The core member has at least three poles arranged to be reversed in polarity by reversing current flow through the coil. The poles are arranged to rotate the permanent magnet through a predetermined angle upon reversal of current flow.

Abstract: One reed of a pair of parallel reeds has a rod extending to opposite sides of the pair. A bimetallic snap disc can be heated to snap against one end of the rod and thus flex the reed to engage a contact on that reed with a contact on the other reed and thus close a circuit to be controlled. A resilient latch holds that reed in its flexed position, even after the disc cools and snaps back to its normal configuration, until a second snap disc is heated and pushes the rod and reed back to its open-contact position. A selectively operable switch serves to provide electric current to a selected one of a pair of resistance heaters, one heater being near each of the snap discs.

Abstract: 1. A solid polyurethane propellant binder composition which comprises a polyurethane composition comprising the reaction product of nitrocellulose plasticized with a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of nitroglycerin and triethyleneglycol dinitrate, an aromatic diisocyanate and a polyol having a molecular weight of about 500 to 3,000 selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acid-polyol-polyesters and polyoxyalkylene ethers, and mixtures thereof, wherein said plasticizer is present in the proportion of about 40 to 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of binder composition, wherein said nitrocellulose contains about 11.0 to 13.0% nitrogen and is present in the proportion of about 0.7 to 1.0 part per part of said polyol, and wherein said diisocyanate is present in an amount to provide an NCO/OH ratio of said diisocyanate to said polyol of about 1.2/1 to 3.0/1.