Abstract: A coupling device for attaching an external heat source to a high-throughput steam cooker enables the steam cooker to be used with a wide variety of heat sources and fuels. The coupling device includes a heat flow chamber that provides efficient, effective heat transfer from the heat source to a heat sink in thermal communication with the steam cooker, thereby facilitating steam generation in a steam cooker assembly. The heat source may be a liquid-fueled heat source to facilitate transport and storage of fuel to remote locations.

Abstract: A coupling device for attaching an external heat source to a high-throughput steam cooker enables the steam cooker to be used with a wide variety of heat sources and fuels. The coupling device includes a heat flow chamber that provides efficient, effective heat transfer from the heat source to a heat sink in thermal communication with the steam cooker, thereby facilitating steam generation in a steam cooker assembly. The heat source may be a liquid-fueled heat source to facilitate transport and storage of fuel to remote locations.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus facilitates efficient, consistent cooking of superior food products, while also being modular and flexible for use in a wide variety of kitchen arrangements and cooking scenarios. The cooking apparatus may include a variety of features and enhancements to further these goals, including: a steam barrier which prevents the escape of steam from the cooking surfaces during cooking; adjustable cooking surface spacers that ensure desired spacing between the cooking surfaces; a vertically adjustable upper platen that facilitates efficient use and placement of the cooking apparatus; and discrete lower platen cooking surfaces which facilitate multiple cooking processes depending on the needs of the user.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for providing an electrical signal corresponding to pressure in a cylinder of an automotive engine has a rigid load-spreading element rigidly secured to a first surface of a ceramic piezoelectric body by a rigid bonding material precisely conformed to the first surface to be in substantially uniform load-transferring relation to all parts of the first body surface, has a rigid support member rigidly secured to a parallel, opposite surface of the ceramic piezoelectric body by a rigid bonding material precisely conformed to the opposite surface to be in substantially uniform load-transferring relation to all parts of the opposite body surface to form a piezoelectric unit, and has a peripheral part of the rigid support member precisely mounted with an interference fit in a bore in a metal component of a mounting structure so that the body of piezoelectric material and the load-spreading element extend in cantilever relation at a precisely determined location to be engaged by force applied throu

Abstract: A movable condition-responsive member such as a snap-acting dished metal member is mounted in a condition-responsive device to move between spaced dispositions such as between the original and inverted dished configurations of a dished metal member in response to occurrence of selected pressure, force or temperature conditions. The member is arranged to engage and move the device control elements during such movement to perform control functions. A series of artifacts such as laser-melted portions of the metal materials embodied in the member are provided in the surface of the member, typically after the member is assembled in the control device. Each artifact establishes a local pattern of stresses in the member at variance with a pattern of stresses in the member adjacent to the artifacts, and the artifacts cooperate to precisely determine the condition which results in the snap-acting member movement.

Abstract: A motor winding system having a main winding and a start winding circuit with a start winding and a PTC resistor in series therewith wherein the resistor is electrically removed from the circuit at a predetermined time after motor starting and remains in this state until motor shut off. The start winding circuit also includes a bimetallic switch in series with the resistor and a series circuit of a capacitor and an electromagnet in parallel with the resistor and switch. At motor start up, current from the main power source is applied across the main winding and the start winding circuit heats up the resistor and causes an increase in the resistance thereof. Also, current through the switch and PTC heat causes the bimetallic element to snap or move when it has reached a predetermined temperature to open the start winding circuit.

Abstract: A presure sensor for providing an electrical signal corresponding to pressure in a cylinder of an automotive engine has a rigid load-spreading element rigidly secured to a first surface of a ceramic piezoelectric body by a rigid bonding material precisely conformed to the first surface to be in substantially uniform load-transferring relation to all parts of the first body surface, has a rigid support member rigidly secured to a parallel, opposite surface of the ceramic piezoelectric body by a rigid bonding material precisely conformed to the opposite surface to be in substantially uniform load-transferring relation to all parts of the opposite body surface to form a piezoelectric unit and has a peripheral part of the rigid support member precisely mounted with an interference fit in a bore in a metal component of a mounting structure so that the body of a piezoelectric material and the load-spreading element extend in a cantilever relation at a precisely determined location to be engaged by force applied thr

Abstract: A dual condition responsive switch is shown including first and second discs each having convex-concave surface configurations on opposite sides thereof adapted to invert its configuration upon being subjected to selected conditions. A motion transfer member extends from the second disc to an electric switch. At a first range of conditions the first disc prevents actuation of the switch, at a second range of conditions the curvature of the first disc has inverted allowing actuation of the switch while at a third range of conditions the curvature of the second disc has inverted resulting in deactuation of the switch.

Abstract: A non-contacting position sensor has an exciting coil in a plane and has a sensing coil in an intersecting plane so sensing coil portions are symmetrical around an exciting coil portion in mutually inductive relation to that portion of the exciting coil portions. A ferrite member magnetically shields those sensing coil portions from other portions of the exciting coil and a housing mount the sensor for relative movement with respect to magnetically permeable or electrically conductive inductance-modifier on an object whose position is to be monitored. Movement of the inductance-modifier as the object moves modifies mutual inductance between the respective sensing coil portions and the exciting coil portion so that, when the exciting coil is driven, the sensing coil provides a signal representative of the object position. If desired, an additional sensing coil is disposed in a third plane to provide X-Y position sensing.

Abstract: A non-contacting position sensor has an exciting coil disposed in a plane and has a sensing coil located in an intersecting plane so that portions of the sensing coil are disposed symmetrically around a portion of the exciting coil in mutually inductive relation to that portion of the exciting coil. Ferrite means magnetically shield those sensing coil portions from other portions of the exciting coil and housing means are provided to mount the sensor so that those coil portions are conveniently positioned for relative movement with respect to magnetically permeable or electrically conductive inductance-modifying means on an object whose position is to be monitored. Movement of the inductance-modifying means as the object moves then modifies the mutual inductance between the respective sensing coil portions and the exciting coil portion so that, when the exciting coil is driven, the sensing coil provides a signal which is accurately and reliably representative of the object position.

Abstract: A control for modulating the duty cycle of diesel engine glow plugs has two heat sensitive, normally closed switches each thermally coupled to a respective positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity heater in turn thermally coupled to a common heat sink. The heat sensitive switches are serially connected to each other, to an ignition switch and to a glow plug relay. The PTC heaters are connected to a point between the heat sensitive switches and the relay and to ground. A third PTC heater is disposed on the heat sink intermediate the first and second heaters and thermally coupled to the heat sink. The third heater is connected to an alternator and serves to cut off power to the glow plugs after a selected after glow stage. The two heat sensitive switches can be selected to open at approximately the same temperature for a random operating mode or at slightly different temperatures for a sequential operating mode.