Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes at least two piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level, and for generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. The system can include two separate transmitter and receiver crystals, or in a preferred embodiment two transmitter-receiver paris of crystals.

Abstract: An ice bank control system for a beverage dispenser having a mechanical refrigeration system including an inexpensive solid state sensor, preferably a thermistor, located in the ice water bath adjacent to the evaporator coil and connected to a control circuit including a microprocessor which not only controls the ice bank, but also protects the compressor motor. The resistance of the thermistor is measured and then compared to a reference value previously stored in the microprocessor memory.

Abstract: An automatic ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes at least two piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level, and for generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. The system can include two separate transmitter and receiver crystals, or in a preferred embodiment two transmitter-receiver pairs of crystals.

Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage container which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a housing, a front and a rear pair of separate transmitter and receiver crystals mounted in the housing with a lens on the lower surface of each crystal. Each crystal is located within a separate non-ferrous metal tube. Polyurethane foam fills the space within the housing and the tubes.

Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes at least two piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level, and for generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. The system can include two separate transmitter and receiver crystals, or in a preferred embodiment two transmitter-receiver pairs of crystals.

Abstract: A method for automatically filling beverage containers from a pair of adjacent beverage dispensing valves including transmitting ultrasonic energy down from each valve and receiving reflected ultrasonic energy to detect a container, filling the detected container, and operating each valve separated in time by synchronizing their operation to different half cycles of an a.c. power supply, to prevent interference therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes at least two piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level, and for generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. The system can include two separate transmitter and receiver crystals, or in a preferred embodiment two transmitter-receiver pairs of crystals.

Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. Adjacent valve assemblies are operated so as to prevent interference therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry.

Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring and visually displaying skin temperature of a body, human or animal, at each of two bilateral locations along a linear path of travel. Two separate temperature probes provide analog temperature-responsive signals that are digitized to drive separate digital displays directly indicating the measured skin temperature at each bilateral location. A movement-responsive device provides signals corresponding to movement of the instrument along the longitudinal path, and those motion signals can be correlated with the sensed temperatures at bilaterally-spaced locations along that path.

Abstract: An imaging sonar system is disclosed comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a rotatable transducer coupled with the transmitter and receiver for generating sound waves and for detecting echoes therefrom. Drive means are provided for rotating the rotatable transducer. Transducer position sensing means are provided for sensing the rotary position of the transducer. Analog to digital converter means are coupled with the receiver for converting receiver emitted signals into digital form. Serial access memory means are provided entering into storage receiver emitted signal data in digital form at a preselected rate and for withdrawing from storage receiver emitted signal data at a rate different than the predetermined rate. Write and read control means are also provided for respectively entering digital data into and recalling digital data from the memory.