Abstract: A continuously tunable wideband optical communications receiver exhibits optimum performance across multiple octaves of received signal bandwidth. The receiver's transimpedance preamplifier input stage includes a variable transconductance field effect transistor, whose transconductance exhibits a very steep non-linear variation with drain current over the operational bandwidth of the transimpedance amplifier. As a result, the bandwidth of the transimpedance amplifier and therefore the receiver can be tuned to accommodate the detected data rate. The data rate of the received signal (known either a priori, or extracted by a clock recovery circuit) is used to adjust drain current and thereby tune the operational bandwidth of the receiver.

Abstract: Sizing screen apparatus is provided with mechanism for enabling the extent of spacings, longitudinally of an elongate sizing screen between transversely extending, individual rows of spacing members, to be adjusted individually. Each transversely extending row of sizing members is mounted on a rotatable shaft journaled at its opposite ends in the lower end portions of a pair of mounting arms that are pivoted at their upper end portions to opposite longitudinal side members of a supporting frame and hang downwardly for back and forth space adjusting movement. The mounting arms of the pair are pivotally interconnected adjacent their lower ends with an elongate connection member of an operating device that is manually or power operated.

Abstract: A low cost, flexible lighting apparatus and method is provided. A light source and at least one extruded optical fiber having a first end and a second end are provided. The first end is arranged so that light from the light source enters the first end and is transmitted through the optical fiber so that it exits the second end. The second end is arranged so as to illuminate an indicator with light transmitted from the light source via the extruded optical fiber. This arrangement is advantageously used in an appliance such as a refrigerator to illuminate the control panel dials with the optical fibers in a high quality, cost effective method.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. A baffle is positioned within the air passage and is positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage. A motor drives a cam which is coupled to the baffle such that rotation of the cam operates to selectively move the baffle to the open or closed position. A thermostat senses temperature within the fresh food compartment. First and second switches selectively energize the motor such that the baffle may be opened when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment requires cooling and closed when the thermostat indicates the fresh food compartment does not require cooling, respectively.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet defining a first compartment and a second compartment separated from each other by a divider wall wherein the divider wall has an air passage for communicating between the first and second compartments. The refrigerator further includes an evaporator disposed in the first compartment, a compressor fluidly connected with the evaporator for moving refrigerant therethrough, and an evaporator fan for moving air over the evaporator. A first thermostat senses temperature within the first compartment and a second thermostat senses temperature within the second compartment. An evaporator fan and baffle control system is provided including a baffle disposed within the air passage and being positionable in an open or closed position for selectively opening and closing the air passage.

Abstract: Plaques are formed on the sidewalls of the liner in a refrigerator to reduce thermally induced bowing of the cabinet. The plaques may consist of indentations in the liner, which in a preferred form are rectangular, or arrays of multiplanar indentations. The plaques provide increased surface area in the liner to permit thermal expansion without bowing, and also increase the structural rigidity of the liner to resist bowing. Thermal bowing is encountered where there are long unsupported wall surfaces and high temperature gradients across the wall. Therefore the plaques are very effective in the freezer compartment of a side-by-side refrigerator, where bowing can be severe in the absence of the disclosed corrective measure.

Abstract: A mullion assembly includes a mullion rail and hot gas tube for preventing condensation on the mullion of a refrigerator/freezer. The mullion rail is rollformed of steel and includes complementary channels for retaining refrigerator and freezer liners. One of the channels includes an additional formed portion to accept and positively retain a hot gas tube in surface contact with a rear surface of a front wall of the mullion rail to provide acceptable heat transfer from the tube to the steel along the entire length of the mullion rail.

Abstract: At least one aspect is directed to a transfer switch including a first input to couple a first multiphase low voltage electrical supply to the transfer switch, and a second input to couple a second multiphase low voltage electrical supply to the transfer switch. The transfer switch also includes a first set of switches in electrical communication with the first input and a second set of switches in electrical communication with the second input. A control module monitors and controls operation of both the first set of switches and the second set of switches to detect a malfunction of any switches included in at least one of the first set of switches and the second set of switches and prevent the first input from being placed in electrical communication with the second input.