Abstract: An ice maker in which a non-metallic shroud surronds the metal evaporator plate and has a continuous bulbous edge that engulfs the edges of the plate. The shroud further includes a roof disposed above the plate and slopes toward the front of the plate. The water distributor of the ice maker is mounted on the roof of the shroud.

Abstract: A partial discharge (PD) coupler includes at least one high voltage capacitor; potting material surrounding the capacitor; and a fuse physically and electrically connected in series to the capacitor. The capacitor and the fuse are capable of passing high frequency partial discharge with minimal attenuation. The PD coupler can have potting material surrounding both the capacitor and the fuse. The PD coupler can include a housing surrounding the capacitor, the potting material, and the fuse.

Abstract: The electric lock system combines an electric lock with an energy control unit such that when a guest key is used in the lock, the lock communicates with the energy control unit to move from an unsold state to a sold state. Optionally, the guest key has information which tells the lock when the guest will leave and the lock communicates to the energy control unit to move from the sold state to an unsold state. Another option, includes a motion detector and door switch which allows the lock to detect the presence of the guest in the room and allows the lock to further employ an occupied and unoccupied state. The combination of the electric lock system and the energy control unit provides energy savings in the heating and cooling of the room.

Abstract: A storage rack system with tapered storage rack arms and a protective device for covering the exposed outer ends of the storage rack arms. The tapered storage rack arms have tapered lower sides and may have upwardly inclined upper sides. The tapered lower sides allow material to be loaded onto subjacent storage rack arms without scraping or colliding with the lower sides or exposed outer ends of the tapered storage rack arms located above. The protective device utilizes an arcuately shaped member attached to a support member. The support member of the protective device is attached to the exposed outer end of the storage rack arm of the storage rack unit. The protective device prevents collision with the exposed outer ends of the storage rack arms by personnel, customers, equipment and material.

Abstract: A copper-tungsten or copper-molybdenum substrate is plated with a nickel/gold plating by first activating a surface of the substrate. In activating, the surface is contacted to a concentrated alkaline solution at elevated temperature, and then to a concentrated acidic solution. The surface is thereafter plated with a nickel strike layer, plated with a nickel primary layer overlying the nickel strike layer, sintered, re-activated in a concentrated acidic solution, plated with a nickel secondary layer overlying the nickel primary layer, and plated with a gold layer overlying the nickel secondary layer.

Abstract: Expression cassettes for expression of amphipathic (lytic) peptides in mammalian unicellular (e.g., cultured cells) and multicellular organisms are described, as well as transgenic unicellular and multicellular mammalian organisms having such a cassette stably integrated in their genetic material. In one embodiment, the expression cassette comprises a milk-specific promoter, which for example may be the beta casein promoter, linked in reading frame to control the expression of an amphipathic peptide encoding gene. This expression cassette is useful for production of amphipathic peptides in milk-producing cells and tissues. In another embodiment, the expression cassette comprises an interleukin regulatory sequence adjacently linked to control the expression of an amphipathic peptide encoding gene. The interleukin-regulated cassette is useful to produce disease-resistant animals.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a motor component comprises forming a plurality of substantially parallel electrical current conductors and molding magnetic flux conductive material around at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrical current conductors. In one embodiment the motor component comprises a stator, and the step of forming a plurality of slot liners comprises positioning multi-turn wire coils on a mandrel. In another embodiment, the motor component comprises a rotor, and the step of forming the plurality of substantially parallel electrical current conductors comprises fabricating a rotor cage.

Abstract: A refrigerant evaporator has a first heat exchange portion with an uninterrupted surface formed from sheets of conductive material joined together to form passages therebetween. A second heat exchange portion is connected to and adjacent the first portion. The second portion is formed from hollow, serpentine tubes with spine fins. Condensed refrigerant passes through the first portion, which accummulates frost and ice, and then through the second portion. The first portion also includes a labyrinth of passages that define an accumulator for refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchange portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a motor component comprises forming a plurality of substantially parallel electrical current conductors and molding magnetic flux conductive material around at least a portion of each of the plurality of electrical current conductors. In one embodiment the motor component comprises a stator, and the step of forming a plurality of slot liners comprises positioning multi-turn wire coils on a mandrel. In another embodiment, the motor component comprises a rotor, and the step of forming the plurality of substantially parallel electrical current conductors comprises fabricating a rotor cage.

Abstract: The electric lock system operates to block access to the room when a guest key has been used and the guest is detected as being present in the room. The lock blocks access to hotel staff and provides the guest greater privacy in the room. The lock system employs an electronic lock in combination with a motion detector for detecting the presence of the guest in the room.

Abstract: A DNA cassette containing sequences encoding a lytic peptide under the transcriptional control of an immune system regulating sequence is disclosed. The control sequences normally permit expression only when a defined indicator(s) reflective of a disease state is present, and tightly inhibit expression when such indicator(s) is absent. The invention further extends to transgenic unicellular and multicellular organisms having the cassette stably integrated in their genetic material. A preferred embodiment of the cassette has the Shiva-1 lytic peptide under the control of IL-2 (interleukin-2) regulating sequences. In a preferred embodiment of multicellular organisms, the cassette is incorporated into the genomes of the germ cells and the organisms are capable of transmitting it to their offspring.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the index of refraction of a region of a glass body is selectively increased by treating the material with hydrogen and then simultaneously applying heat and actinic radiation to the region. Preferably the body is heated to a temperature in excess of 150.degree. C. and the heat and radiation are simultaneously applied. The result is a substantial and long-lived increase in excess of 5.times.10.sup.-5 in the refractive index of the irradiated region. This process can be used to make and adjust a variety of optical waveguide devices such as photoinduced Bragg gratings.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical communication system comprising at least two optical fibers of dissimilar core sizes, joined by a fusion splice. In one embodiment, the larger-core fiber is a communication fiber, and the smaller-core fiber is an erbium-doped amplifier fiber. A taper region is included adjacent the splice. The diameter of the smaller-core fiber increases within the taper region as the splice is approached along the smaller-core fiber. The taper region is substantially free of constrictions. As a consequence of the taper region, the optical losses associated with the splice are relatively low, even when there is relatively high mismatch between the mode field diameters (at a signal wavelength) in the respective fibers.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, capillary tube and evaporator includes a hot gas bypass defrosting capability provided by a bypass means around the capillary tube. Defrosting is achieved by the use of hot, uncondensed refrigerant, without requiring a reversal of the flow of refrigerant through the system. An exemplary bypass means includes a solenoid valve and associated tubing to form an alternate, low restriction path for the refrigerant to bypass the capillary tube. When the solenoid valve is closed, refrigerant is forced through the capillary tube for normal refrigeration. However, when the solenoid valve is open, condensation of refrigerant in the condenser is inhibited, and hot refrigerant gas is delivered directly to the evaporator for defrosting. The solenoid valve is controlled in response to the total accumulated running time of the compressor for improved control of the defrosting cycles.

Abstract: An ice maker includes an interior volume containing a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment houses an automatic ice making unit, including an ice mold, a water solenoid valve for admitting water into the ice mold, and a first thermistor attached to the ice mold. A second thermistor is disposed in the fresh food compartment. A microprocessor based control unit monitors the first and second thermistors to determine when to initiate ice harvest cycles. Ice harvest cycles are delayed, if necessary, to maintain the fresh food compartment below a setpoint temperature. The control unit also includes sensing means for determining if the water solenoid valve is energized. The solenoid is monitored, and if it remains energized for a prolonged period, then power to the automatic ice making unit is removed to prevent excessive water spillage.

Abstract: A single mode optical fiber is disclosed. The refractive index profile of the fiber comprises a depressed-index or trench region in the cladding region. By suitable adjustment of the position, width and index of the trench region, one or more fiber characteristics can be improved, relative to a similar fiber that does not comprise an index trench.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of building construction as well as the specific components of the building itself wherein a plurality of continuously configured truss-like primary framers are arranged in spaced apart parallel relation to one another and wherein each comprises a roof section, a floor section and oppositely disposed wall sections. The corresponding sections of each primary framer collectively define the roof, floor and wall portions of the resulting building and further wherein secondary framers of somewhat similar structural configuration form the end portions of the building. A characterizing feature of the resulting building is at least one longitudinal side wall having outward extending angularly oriented first and second wall portions which deviate from the conventional vertically oriented external bearing walls found in conventional building construction.