Abstract: An adjustable utility light for suspension from an object has a nominal width and lateral edges, and both an elongate hollow member with opposing open ends and an axis. A pair of generally elongate gripping members is also present, each with a free gripping end and a hollow member engaging end. The gripping members are slidably and rotatably mounted with regard to associated open ends of the hollow member so as to be able to change the axial distance between the gripping members. An elongate biasing member extends through the hollow member and is attached at opposite ends to the gripping member. The biasing member is generally under tension so as to urge the gripping members towards each other, minimizing the distance between them. It is stretchable upon separation along the axis of the gripping members against its own biasing forces. An elongate lamp is provided with an axial length generally equal to the nominal width of the hollow member.

Abstract: An adjustable utility light for suspension from an object has a nominal width and lateral edges, and both an elongate hollow member with opposing open ends and an axis. A pair of generally elongate gripping members is also present, each with a free gripping end and a hollow member engaging end. The gripping members are slidably and rotatably mounted with regard to associated open ends of the hollow member so as to be able to change the axial distance between the gripping members. An elongate biasing member extends through the hollow member and is attached at opposite ends to the gripping member. The biasing member is generally under tension so as to urge the gripping members towards each other, minimizing the distance between them. It is stretchable upon separation along the axis of the gripping members against its own biasing forces. An elongate lamp is provided with an axial length generally equal to the nominal width of the hollow member.

Abstract: A supplementary heating system particularly suitable for an automotive vehicle comprises a step down transformer coupled to the stator windings of the vehicle's alternator and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity heater electrically connected intermediate the stator windings and the transformer in parallel with the transformer. Due to the presence of the transformer the voltage regulator causes the alternator to operate at a higher than customary voltage to provide the conventional 14.4 volts for the vehicle's normal electrical loads with the high voltage used to energize the heater. The heater can be in the form of a so-called "honeycomb" having a plurality of parallely extending passages or cells disposed in the air stream going from the main heater into the passenger compartment and can be either a multiphase, single phase or direct current type.

Abstract: A transducer arrangement comprising a magnetoresistive transducer including a magnetoresistive element responsive to magnetic flux passing therethrough in a predetermined direction to change its electrical resistance as a function of the intensity of the magnetic flux in the predetermined direction and a magnet to provide said magnetic flux. The transducer can include a permanent magnet having a planar surface with a magnetoresistive element offset from the axis of the magnet and optionally at an angle to the planar surface. The transducer can also include a concave surfaced magnet with the magnetoresistive element at an acute angle to the parallel flux lines emanating from the concave surface. As a further embodiment, the magnetoresistive element can be tilted on the magnet surface in two directions to provide a bias field and calibration.

Abstract: A supplementary heating system particularly suitable for an automotive vehicle comprises a step down transformer coupled to the stator windings of the vehicle's alternator and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity heater electrically connected intermediate the stator windings and the transformer in parallel with the transformer. Due to the presence of the transformer the voltage regulator causes the alternator to operate at a higher than customary voltage to provide the conventional 14.4 volts for the vehicle's normal electrical loads with the high voltage used to energize the heater. The heater can be in the form of a so-called "honeycomb" having a plurality of parallely extending passages or cells disposed in the air stream going from the main heater into the passenger compartment and can be either a multiphase, single phase or direct current type.

Abstract: A cover for an automotive vapor canister has a heat-spreading member heated by a self-regulating electrical resistance heater of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity for heating air which is periodically introduced into the canister for purging the canister. The cover has a first cover of thermally insulating material defining a thin inner air flow path section to pass air being introduced into the canister over the heat-spreading member for transferring heat to the air and to receive additional heat within the first cover and has a second cover of thermally insulating material defining a thin outer air flow path section overlying and connected with the inner air flow path section to pass the air over the first cover prior to being advanced into the inner flow path section for withdrawing said additional heat from the first cover to preheat the air and improve air heating efficiency.

Abstract: A cover for an automotive vapor canister has a heat-spreading member heated by a self-regulating electrical resistance heater of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity for heating air which is periodically introduced into the canister for purging the canister. The cover has a first cover means of thermally insulating material defining a thin inner air flow path section to pass air being introduced into the canister over the heat-spreading member for transferring heat to the air and to receive additional heat within the first cover means and has a second cover means of thermally insulating material defining a thin outer air flow path section overlying and connected with the inner air flow path section to pass the air over the first cover means prior to being advanced into the inner flow path section for withdrawing said additional heat from the first cover means to preheat the air and improve air heating efficiency.

Abstract: A supplementary heating system particularly suitable for an automotive vehicle comprises a step down transformer coupled to the stator windings of the vehicle's alternator and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity heater electrically connected intermediate the stator windings and the transformer in parallel with the transformer. Due to the presence of the transformer the voltage regulator causes the alternator to operate at a higher than customary voltage to provide the conventional 14.4 volts for the vehicle's normal electrical loads with the high voltage used to energize the heater. The heater can be in the form of a so-called "honeycomb" having a plurality of parallely extending passages or cells disposed in the air stream going from the main heater into the passenger compartment and can be either a multiphase, single phase or direct current type.