Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include neutral fault test simulation.

Abstract: A modular electrical component for electrical wiring systems is provided. The modular electrical component includes a removable electrical device, a base unit that fits within a junction box in the electrical wiring system and a mounting strap used to secure the base unit to the junction box. Typically, the removable electrical device has a plurality of power contacts that extend from a rear cover of the device, and the base unit has a plurality of terminal connections. The power contacts electrically connect to the terminal connections, when the replaceable electrical device is mated with the base unit. The removable electrical device may be, for example, a receptacle or switch. Preferably, the removable electrical device is a circuit interrupting device, such as a ground fault circuit interrupting device.

Abstract: A modular electrical component for electrical wiring systems is provided. The modular electrical component includes a removable electrical device, a base unit that fits within a junction box in the electrical wiring system and a mounting strap used to secure the base unit to the junction box. Typically, the removable electrical device has a plurality of power contacts that extend from a rear cover of the device, and the base unit has a plurality of terminal connections. The power contacts electrically connect to the terminal connections, when the replaceable electrical device is mated with the base unit. The removable electrical device may be, for example, a receptacle or switch. Preferably, the removable electrical device is a circuit interrupting device, such as a ground fault circuit interrupting device.

Abstract: A combination tool provides for removing a steering wheel from its press fit on a steering wheel shaft in a vehicle, or for compressing the locking disc disposed beneath the steering wheel hub for removal of its retaining ring and of the disc after the steering wheel has been removed. The tool is also useful in reinstalling the locking disc for reassembly after maintenance. The present tool includes a plate having a central threaded passage larger than the diameter of the threaded steering wheel shaft with which the tool is to be used. Two opposed, radially disposed steering wheel puller slots are provided, one to either side of the central passage, and two opposed threaded locking disc compression bolt holes are also provided through the plate. The device may be used for removal of the steering wheel from its press fit on the steering wheel shaft (after removal of overlying components, such as the air bag, horn actuation assembly, etc.

Abstract: Lampholders to be used with cold cathode fluorescent lamps of the type that do not require heated internal filaments. A lamp pin contact to engage one of the two lamp pins at each end of the lamp provides the electrical circuit between a high voltage ballast and the gas within the lamp. A lamp retainer device engages one of the lamp pins and cooperates with one lamp pin contact to support the lamp. The device may take the form of one or more cantilever mounted insulating or conductive arms, a flat or spring wire form or may be made of compressible material. A further form of lampholder uses a spring loaded contact to engage the lamp pins of a fluorescent lamp and to make contact with a single power conductor.

Abstract: A method of determining whether an electrolytic capacitor is properly connected or reversed in an electronic assembly. In a first embodiment, a non-contacting probe is placed near but not touching the body of the device under test (DUT). One terminal of the DUT is driven by a stimulus (voltage source or current source) while the other terminal is connected to a reference voltage. A voltage is measured at the probe relative to the reference voltage and the device is properly oriented if the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a second embodiment, current through the probe is measured instead of voltage at the probe. In a third embodiment, a non-contacting probe is placed near but not touching both leads of the DUT. Each DUT lead is alternately driven by a stimulus and alternately connected to a reference voltage. For each of the two lead test configurations, a voltage at each DUT lead is measured and current through the non-contacting probe is measured.

Abstract: A dilute ethylene stream, e.g., one produced by steam cracking, is oxonated to yield propanal, without the need to separate other lower hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A full color active matrix electroluminescent display includes an active matrix of pixel electrodes, a broad spectrum electroluminescent phosphor stack placed atop the active matrix of pixel electrodes and a transparent electrode placed atop the electroluminescent phosphor stack. A liquid crystal color shutter device is placed atop the transparent electrode for selectively filtering light from the electroluminescent phosphor stack selectively permitting the transmission of red, green or blue colored light in response to commands from a synchronizing circuit that synchronizes the operation of the shutter with the illumination of selected pixels in the active matrix display. Performance is further enhanced by the use of a double notch filter for the white light emitting broad spectrum electroluminescent phosphor so as to provide it with a uniform response at all waves lengths of interest.

Abstract: An active matrix electroluminescent device that includes a plurality of layers. A rearwardly disposed support layer supports the plurality of layers and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is electrically connected to row and column drivers by a plurality of first electrical lines. The drivers are electrically connected to the plurality of layers so as to enable pixels within the electroluminescent device to be selected. An interface controller is remotely located from the support layer and is electrically connected to the interface circuit by at least one second electrical line so as to indicate which pixels within the device to illuminate. The number of first electrical lines is greater than the number of the at least one second electrical line. In another embodiment of the present invention, the number of lines required to interconnect a passive thin film electroluminescent device with an interface controller can in a similar manner be reduced by including an interface circuit.

Abstract: A crystalline blue emitting thiogallate phosphor of the formula RGa.sub.2 S.sub.4 :Ce.sub.x where R is selected from the group consisting of calcium, strontium, barium and zinc, and x is from about 1 to 10 atomic percent, the phosphor characterized as having a crystalline microstructure on the size order of from about 100 .ANG. to about 10,000 .ANG. is provided together with a process of preparing a crystalline blue emitting thiogallate phosphor by depositing on a substrate by CVD and resultant thin film electroluminescent devices including a layer of such deposited phosphor on an ordinary glass substrate.

Abstract: The improved pet feeding apparatus is comprised of a pair of container portions adapted to receive food or water which are connected by a living hinge for folding the pet feeding apparatus into a compact package for travel. The container portions are threaded on their inner upper edge to accept a lid which seals the container portion when installed. The container portions includes a bowl shaped section with a skirt extending downwardly and outwardly to a lower rim which is below the lowest extent of the container portion. These lower rims provide a stable base for the container portions. The lower rims are connected by the living hinge which facilitates folding the container portions for transport and allows the lower rims of the container portions to lie flat on the floor when the pet is using the pet feeding apparatus. The lower rims also include a handle positioned opposite the living hinge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for installing face seamed stretched carpet, wherein the carpet seam is adhesively bonded to the floor or other substrate after stretching to eliminate peaking and profiling. A flexible, tear resistant release liner is used to isolate the adhesive used for bonding the seam to the floor, to prevent bonding prior to stretching of the seamed carpet. Once seaming is complete, the carpet can be stretched and anchored, and the release liner can be easily pulled out from underneath the stretched carpet to expose the adhesive, and the seam can be bonded to the floor simply by applying pressure to the top surface of the seam area along the entire length of the seam.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an active matrix EL device (AMEL) to provide a gray scale display. The device comprises a first electrode layer comprising an active matrix of individually adjustable pixel electrodes, a second electrode layer, and a thin film EL laminate stack including at least an EL phosphor layer and a dielectric layer, and the stack being disposed between the first and second electrode layers. The gray scale display is illuminated by the steps of, energizing a first set of selected ones of the pixel electrodes with data signals during a first subframe time period. Selected pixels are illuminated by driving the second electrode layer during the first subframe time period a first illuminating signal having predetermined characteristics including frequency, amplitude, wave shape and time duration. Thereafter, a second set of selected ones of the pixel electrodes are energized with data signals during a next subframe time period.

Abstract: A TFEL structure is disclosed that includes first and second electrode layers sandwiching a TFEL stack including at least one insulator layer and a novel three layer laminate structure. The three-layer laminate structure includes an alkaline earth thiogallate phosphor layer, a nucleating layer and an injection layer. The nucleating layer lies between the phosphor layer and the injection layer. The injection layer provides a charge injection function through the nucleating layer for the thiogallate phosphor layer which is of high crystallinity at its interface with the nucleating layer. A preferred injection layer includes indium, for example as the metal or as indium tin oxide. The best material for the nucleating layer is zinc sulfide.

Abstract: A pipeline treating apparatus (600) is disclosed which has a pair of pivotally mounted housing sections (604,608) and a pair of separately pivotal nozzle frames (610, 612). A nozzle plate is mounted on each of the nozzle frames and carries a plurality of nozzles (622). A drive mechanism on the nozzle frames oscillates the nozzle plate a predetermined arcuate distance around the circumference of the pipeline so that the nozzles treat the entire outer surface of the pipeline. The housing sections and nozzle frames are separately pivotal from a removal position, to allow removal of an installation of the apparatus on the pipeline, to a operational position concentric about the pipeline for performing the treating operation.

Abstract: An algorithm selects probe locations for both test signal probes and ground probes in a short-wire board test fixture. The board test fixture connects a test system to a circuit board under test. The algorithm minimizes ground bounce. The algorithm envisions first superimposing an imaginary grid of squares over the circuit board. Then, ground probe locations are derived so that no more than five test signal probes for each ground probe reside within each of the imaginary squares and so that each critical test signal probe is associated within a preselected distance of a ground probe. In the preferred embodiment, the imaginary square measure 1.4 inches on a side, and the preselected distance is approximately one inch.

Abstract: A box for containing goods during storing, delivering, mailing, or shipping. The box has at least one end panel secured to a body panel by a locking tab and slot assembly so that the end panel cannot be unsecured without providing visible evidence of tampering. The leading edge of the locking tab has at least a partially tapered profile when the tab is folded for insertion through the slot. The slot may be curved to provide additional abutment between the associated locking tab and slot assembly. The container may have decorative motifs printed on the exterior surface to resemble a gift-wrapped box or a box having a unique or characteristic graphic design.

Abstract: A photographic light diffuser includes a tubular body which is adapted to be mounted on a photographic light source and when so mounted is self-supporting without an internal or external supporting frame or without removably connected rigidly panels, the tubular body has pairs of opposed wall panels, at least one pair of which has fold lines therein along which the wall panels may be folded to collapse the tubular body into a flattened, compost form for portability. A light diffuser panel is mounted on the outer end of the tubular body and the inner end of the tubular body has mounting means for mounting the light diffuser on a light source.

Abstract: An AC TFEL device includes a front electrode set deposited on a transparent substrate and a rear electrode set, the electrode sets enclosing a thin film laminate which includes a pair of insulating layers sandwiching an alkaline earth thiogallate thin film phosphor doped with a rare earth activator. The thiogallate phosphor layer is capable of producing blue light of sufficient intensity to create a full color TFEL panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, using a computer, for the efficient generation of a wiring map of the connectivity between two sets of terminals at different locations which have established communication links between respective terminals at the two locations. A signal at a first location uniquely identifies each of the terminals, by code, frequency, sequence of connection or the like, and is transmitted to a respective terminal at the second location via a respective communication link. The terminals at the second location are sampled and the presence of the transmitted signal correlated to the identity of the first terminal. The correlation may be direct, as by unique terminal identifier, or by a comparison of data bases stored by computers. The computer-based correlation is used to generate a map of the limited terminals.