Abstract: A riflescope having an internal light source for superimposing an illuminated aiming point on the target field of view. A battery compartment at an eyepiece end of the riflescope is enclosed by a cover and switch assembly to be sheltered from moisture and dust. The switch is easily actuated even when the hunter is wearing heavy gloves, and the cover and switch assembly is in releasable engagement with the battery compartment to enable battery replacement without use of tools.

Abstract: An adjustable sight element in a sight system for a rifle and the like may comprise an aperture disc for a peep sight or an adjustable sight structure for a telescope sight. The adjustable sight element is adjustably mounted for movement about vertical axis and a horizontal axis in a stationary housing attached to the rifle. The magnitude or degree of the vertical and horizontal displacement of the adjustable sight element is indicated by a capacitance or optronic measuring device and is displayed digitally in electronic digital fields. The electronic component is located in a casing which is removably attached to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-locking-and-measuring, straight-edge apparatus designed to allow one to very accurately draw spaced parallel lines, particulary horizontal ones, the straight-edge being especially designed for ruling computer-printout forms. The apparatus comprises a scaled guide bar that is affixed perpendicularly to a drafting table, or the like, on which a straight-edge assembly is slidably and adjustably mounted, so as to move longitudinally along the scaled guide bar. The straight-edge assembly includes a base plate having a spring-biased latch positioned to selectively engage any one of a plurality of scaled notches formed along the longitudinal edges of the scaled guide bar. A straight edge is adjustably attached to the base plate.

Abstract: A gauge in the nature of a hand tool determines the radius of a rounded corner disposed between two flat side surfaces on a workpiece. As the gauge is placed in a position to straddle the workpiece, a pair of spaced, perpendicular stops on the gauge engage the flat surfaces of the workpiece to align the latter relative to the gauge. The device also includes a bar which is shiftable along a line bisecting the angle between the flat stops, and an axially shiftable arm is pivotally mounted on one end of the bar. A dial indicator having a work contactor is secured to one end of the arm, and as the work contactor is moved to slidingly traverse the convex surface of the workpiece, the indicator reveals whether the pivotal axis of the work contactor coincides with the center of curvature of the convex surface. Both the arm and the bar are shifted until the pivotal axis coincides with the center of curvature, whereupon the radius of the convex surface may be readily measured by means of a depth micrometer.

Abstract: A multi-segment seal ring for rotary equipment of the type involving a relatively large-diameter rotary cylinder supported with its axis horizontal by one or more fixed housings, seals being employed between the cylinder and at least one of the housings. One problem in equipment of this type is the practical impossibility of manufacturing and maintaining the cylinder as a perfect cylinder and special sealing structures are typically employed to accommodate out-of-round conditions of the cylinder, an example of which forms the subject matter of copending U.S. application, Ser. No. 618,984, filed June 8, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,702. The present invention provides improvements in the configuration and sealing of the gaps that occur at the overlapping, radial interfaces between neighboring segments, particularly to the end of increasing the efficiency of the equipment by eliminating or at least minimizing packing of treated material in the gaps.

Abstract: A slipper including an upper defining a cover for substantially encompassing a foot which is formed at least partially of elastomeric material, and a sole divided into discrete, spaced fore and aft sections secured to a base portion of the cover.

Abstract: A method of collecting peat from peat field by loosening peat from a peat field in layers, characterized in that the peat to be picked up is loosened from its bed by fastening it to a filter surface by means of negative pressure and the peat is removed from the filter surface after the displacement of uplifting of said surface. A method wherein peat is removed from the filter surface by means of positive pressure. A method wherein the peat layer that is fastened to the filter surface and in which the top and bottom layers are not mixed with each other is sheared into a top and a bottom layer and the bottom layer is allowed to drop back on the field. An apparatus for collecting peat from a peat field wherein the apparatus comprises a body supported by wheels and/or rollers, and loosening means for loosening a peat layer from a peat field, wherein the loosening means comprises a drum coated with a filter material which is provided with perforations and has a negative pressure chamber therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing control over both a transmission of a vehicle and an implement (e.g. a snow plow) mounted to that vehicle is disclosed. Specifically, this apparatus is comprised of both a lever, illustratively a shift lever, for choosing a pre-defined one of a plurality of gears in the transmission, and a selector mounted on the lever for causing the implement (snow plow) to perform a desired function (e.g. move in a desired direction). One end of the lever is adapted to be grasped by a driver of the vehicle. The selector is situated in sufficient proximity to this end so that the driver is not required to substantially release his grasp of this end of the lever in order to actuate the selector and evoke the desired function. As a result, the driver advantageously saves considerable time and effort in using a vehicular mounted implement and thus experiences far less fatigue than in the past.

Abstract: A heated revolving ironing cylinder is affixed with a flexible ironing bed drawn taut against the polished revolving cylinder surface functioning to efficiently iron and dry laundry work pieces in a single pass through the ironer. The ironer is comprised of a feed conveyor system delivering laundry work pieces to the top of the revolving ironing cylinder. The flexible ironing bed features holes and anti-friction and anti-static materials to provide a dry, highly polished, static-free laundry work piece. Further ironing efficiency is gained by reduced roller maintenance by means of a roller and air cylinder cooling system.

Abstract: A copy holder adapted to foster the efficient comparison of two sets of data, one of which is visible on a display associated with a computer, and the other being visible on a sheet of flexible material, e.g., a sheet of paper. The comparison is fostered by reducing the necessary eye travel as an operator switches his attention back and forth between the data on the flexible sheet and the data on the display. A structural housing having a thin profile supports the display device in front of a computer operator, such that an operator may still see the data that appears on the display screen. The housing has a frontal opening through which the sheet of flexible material may be manipulated by the operator; and it has a rear opening through which a surplus quantity of the flexible sheet may be pushed.

Abstract: A face frame for a flexible sign panel the frame having four side members arranged in a generally rectangular shape, each side member having outer walls forming a partial enclosure, channel walls located within the enclosure provided by the outer walls defining a channel having an axis directed with a vector lying from the rear to the front of said frame and a channel opening, a bearing wall adjacent the channel opening, tensioning clamps to grip the edge of the flexible panel, the tensioning clamps fitting within the channel walls so that the clamps may be slid into and out of the channel walls, and, adjustment screws extending from the bearing wall to engage portions of the tensioning clamps for forcing the clamps into the channel to tension the flexible sign panel.

Abstract: A reel seat for a fishing reel of the type having a reel foot is comprised of, a bar seat with its bottom surface shaped to conform to the contour of the fishing rod having two arched flanges at its two ends and an intermediate recessed arch surface for thread-wrapping. A hood member for receiving one end of the reel foot is integrally formed with one end of the bar seat. Toothed members are provided on the upper side of the seat for positioning a securing device which is slidably mounted on the bar seat. The securing device includes, a casing having a socket for receiving the other end of the reel foot, a pawl pivotedly mounted in the casing and normally biassed by a spring to engage the toothed members and a presser for depression to move the pawl away from the tooth members.

Abstract: A special fishing hook and bait system, wherein one or more barbed hooks are incorporated on a shank, and wherein the preferred embodiment employs on the shank spaced from the hook barb a removably mounted prepared fish food package forming the bait, that is made in the form of a tube having therein separate bait compartments which are used sequentially as needed by a fisherman, by puncturing the package end nearest the hook barb.

Abstract: A bait container is provided in the form of an upwardly opening bucket including a hollow domed cover removably stationarily engagingly supported from and closing the upper end of the bucket. A pivoted bail-type handle is supported from the bucket and swingable between an upstanding position disposed over the upper portion of the domed cover and a generally horizontal position disposed to one side of the cover. The cover is readily removable from the upper end of the bucket when the handle is in the horizontal position and the handle and domed cover include coacting structure for releasably latching the handle in the upstanding position. The handle, when in the upstanding position, serves to latch the cover to the bucket against removal therefrom. One side portion of the domed cover includes an access opening formed therein provided with an openable closure therefor and the interior of the domed cover includes a flotation ring supported therefrom and extending about the access opening.

Abstract: A tunnel trap comprising an elongated tubular housing, a rear cover closing the housing rear end and a door pivotally mounted adjacent the front end of the housing. The door is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position permitting access to the housing interior and a closed position closing access to the housing interior from the front end. Springs bias the door towards the closed position. Latches releasably engage the door to maintain the door in an open position against the bias of the springs or in a closed position for locking the door. A trigger mechanism is coupled to the latch maintaining the door open to release such latch permitting movement of the door towards its closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting crayfish in a shallow aquatic bed as disclosed. A plurality of one way traps are aligned in a linear array and supported by a frame that extends above the water level. The traps are lowered into the water for a set time of 5 to 120 minutes, and then raised to discharge the collected crayfish into a collection hopper. While the traps are out of the water, the linear array is advanced 3 to 12 meters along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the array. The crayfish are conveyed from the collection hoppers to a single storage tanks by a water sluice conveyor. The trap set and the discharge cycle is repeated until the harvester has traversed the aquatic bed.

Abstract: A crab trap is provided and consists of a plurality of collapsible doors. Each collapsible door is pivotally coupled to one side of a wire mesh bottom panel and slideably coupled to supports for coupling a wire mesh top panel to the bottom panel. A flexible hoist line is connected at each end to each collapsible door. When the crab trap is submerged within water the collapsible doors will collapse opening the crab trap allowing a crab to enter. When the crab trap is pulled up by the hoist line the collapsible doors will slide up closing the crab trap entrapping the crab within.

Abstract: A cover for selectively protecting a plant reproductive organ from pollination. Design features of the invention make it particularly useful in the hybridization of corn plants. The cover slips over the shoot of the corn plant when it is in the early stages of development and is left in place until the shoot is ready for pollination. The manner of construction imparts a bias to the cover towards drawing inward, assuring that it will remain in place during high winds, and allowing for expansion as the shoot increases in size. The cover is transparent to enable workers to observe developmental stages. The cover material is vapor permeable to prevent unwanted condensation from destroying transparency and to discourage the growth of mildew, fungus and bacteria.

Abstract: A sun blind for motor vehicles including a plurality of horizontally extending slats (2) supported by "ladder" assemblies (4) including rigid side pieces (6) and cross-pieces supporting and locating the slats. An electric motor (10) is connected between the ladder assemblies and a fixed mounting point in such a way that rotation of the motor causes the angle of the slats to be varied. An automatic control circuit opens the blind whenever the ignition of the vehicle is switched on and closes it at a predetermined time after the ignition is switched off.

Abstract: The device comprises two arms 1, 2 arranged in an X-configuration inside the door 3 of the vehicle and supporting the window glass 4. One arm, 1, is a driving arm and the other arm, 2, a driven arm and the driving arm 1 is fixed adjacent one end to a support 5 capable of being driven in rotation by a motor-speed reducer unit 6 controlled by a button 7. The latter is connected to the driving arm 1 in such manner as to be kinematically related to the latter and is slidable in a slot 12 formed in the inner panel 13 of the door 3. In this way the driver can accompany the movement of the glass 4 by exerting a thrust on the button 7 in a travel of the order of a decimeter so that he is able to adjust the position of the glass 4 with precision.

Abstract: Sealed, molded fiberglass doors and the framing members which surround them, such as used on utility trucks and other purposes, are in the present invention molded in a single piece. The door panel, originally formed recessed inwardly from the framing member, is bounded by an outward facing V-groove whose outer wall slopes toward the framing member. The integral molded part is then severed to divide the sloping outer wall into a framing member flange and the outer margin of a V-flange which bounds the door. On fitting the cut edge of this V-flange with a heavily cushioned channel gasket, and presenting the door against the flange of the framing member, a secure seal is effected without any tendency to pull the gasket off the door edge, even when frozen. Forming the parts integrally not only saves mold costs and material costs, but also assures perfect fit.

Abstract: The invention is a coated abrasive grinding disk for mounting in the chuck of a drill or the like wherein the grinding pad is of a thermoplastic material having a layer of abrasive material bonded thereto with a layer of thermosetting plastics material.

Abstract: Ceiling construction for clean rooms in which beneath a main ceiling (3) a lower ceiling (18) is mounted which is formed by a light and air permeable capillary structure (19), so that, with a high light transmission factor in respect of optimal and simultaneously dazzle free illumination of the clean room a turbulence-free laminar air flow is possible in the clean room.

Abstract: A base isolation system for a structure for protecting against earthquakes. The superstructure is supported on a first and second discs, one above the other. Between the discs, and between the lower disc and the foundation there are elastomeric or similar support means which provide restoring forces if the structure is displaced by oscillations of the ground. Means are provided so that one set of elastomeric or similar support means is subjected only to horizontal oscillations. The other support means is subjected to vertical oscillations and, if desired, rotations, but not horizontal oscillations. Connecting means also may be provided to allow slow vertical displacements of the second support means but to prevent rapid vertical displacements until a predetermined vertical force is supplied. These means disconnect if rapid oscillations occur with strong forces; when these means disconnect, the structure can oscillate through greater vertical displacements, by means of the elastomeric support means.

Abstract: A loading dock seal with an adjustable top seal for providing a weather-tight seal between a loading access opening of a loading dock and vehicles of various heights which includes a compressible pad means surrounding at least the vertical sides of the opening and made of a durable yet resilient material to provide a weather-tight seal on opposite vertical sides between the pad and the vehicle being unloaded. A curtain means, attached at its upper edge above the loading access opening and at its lower edge to a tubular top seal, is of sufficient width to cover the opening. The top seal is vertically adjustable from a storage position above the opening to a sealing position upon the roof of the vehicle thereby combining with the curtain to provide a weather-tight seal between the building and the vehicle.

Abstract: There is provided a novel adhesive-backed tile panel protected by a release sheet. The prefabricated tile panel comprises a substrate sheet composed of a core fabric and a heat-softening-adherent asphalt composition applied to the both surfaces of the fabric; an adhesive layer having convex and concave portions such as stripes of an adhesive not flowable but sticky at an ambient temperature; and tiles arranged regularly and secured to the asphalt composition layer of the substrate sheet. The convex portions and concave portions of the adhesive layer constitute the gaps through which air present between the tile panels and a substrate board can be purged upon installation of the tile panels.

Abstract: A thermally insulating window having two spaced parallel removable sashes in side by side relation, closely spaced apart meeting rails on the sashes and an intermediate rail member sealing the space between the meeting rails.

Abstract: A cellular decking unit, for field-assembly or factory-assembly, useful in the construction of a wire distributing floor structure. The cellular decking unit is assembled from upper and lower metal sheets arranged so as to provide laterally open channels. The channels are adapted to receive and to be closed by side portions of the adjacent fluted decking units thereby to form lateral enclosed raceways.

Abstract: A boot guard which is fitted onto the end of a sewer pipe for abutting engagement with the flexible seal between the sewer pipe and manhole side wall opening for protecting the flexibility of the joint seal and permitting easier removal of the sewer pipe for repair or replacement. The boot guard includes a generally half-circle, annular base portion having an undercut rectangular peripheral groove therein. A flexible securing band is fitted into the undercut groove and wrapped around the upper periphery of the sewer pipe for holding the base portion in place prior to concrete being poured into the bottom of the manhole construction. When concrete is poured into the bottom of the manhole construction, the boot guard prevents contact between the concrete and the flexible seal and also prevents contact between the concrete and the end of the sewer conduit.

Abstract: A captive nut plate for engagement by a screw useful when attaching corrugated composite or plastic sheets together includes a semi-cylindrical body shaped to match the curvature of a corrugated sheet. A pair of upstanding irregular pentagon-shaped piercing prongs are centrally positioned along curved edges of the body and are aligned with a central hole therethrough, for receiving the screw. The captive nut plate is installed by positioning it in a convex pocket on a semi-cylindrical tool in proper alignment with a concave edge corrugation of a first sheet. A soft mallet is then used to drive the corrugated material down onto the nut plate so that the upstanding prongs pierce through the sheet. The irregular pentagon-shape of the prongs assures that the prongs extend through the sheet beyond their widest portion. The prongs are then peened over to provide a permanent installation on the first sheet.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing the operation between a filling unit for filling desired contents into bottles and a capping unit for capping the thus filled bottles in a bottle handling line is provided. The present synchronized driving system includes separate driving motors for separately driving the filling and capping units. The timing of operation of each of the filling and capping units is detected and its information is supplied to a micro-computer which then, after carrying out predetermined calculations, controls the operating conditions of the driving motors to keep the filling and capping units synchronized.

Abstract: Improved method and device for feeding a specific length of wrapping paper to a packaging section in a coin packaging machine are disclosed, wherein the improvement consists in that every cycle of wrapping paper feeding is carried out by way of the steps of forwarding a certain length of wrapping paper to the packaging section by means of wrapping paper feeding rollers until the leading end part of the forwarded wrapping paper is brought to the position located at the side of one of wrapping rollers, firmly holding the wrapping paper against the guide wall of a guide passage, displacing a movable guide away from the latter, carrying out an additional feeding in dependence on the selected diameter of coins to be packaged and cutting off the wrapping paper to the specific length by thrusting it against a cutting knife while it is stretched.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package bag binding apparatus for binding openings of package bags filled with packages. A binding device is vertically movably mounted on a frame above a conveyor which conveys filled package bags to a position below the binding device. A detector detects the filling level of the package bags and moves the binding device to the proper vertical level for binding the openings of the bags so that fillings are not sandwiched in the bound place. In one embodiment, the binding device is initially raised to a lifted position and is lowered to a binding position detected by the detector.

Abstract: For adjustment to various formats in accordance with the products to be packaged and the packages used, structural parts, tools and devices of a packaging machine are equipped to be adjustable. In order to be able to effect adjustment as intended and quickly by means of displaceable parts equipped with set screws at the changeover locations, the packaging machine has a mobile drive unit, which can be coupled with the set screws of the various changeover locations. The drive unit is controlled by a control unit which is programmable in accordance with the format, and is used by the operator at a given changeover location as indicated by the control unit.

Abstract: A bottle carrier blank of the wraparound open ended neck through type is fed in a downwardly converging direction to a position such that the apertures in the top wall are disposed in coincidence with a bottle group which is continuously moving along a predetermined path and presser means disposed above the moving bottle group and carrier blank is provided with blank engaging means movable downwardly and forwardly in the direction of movement of the bottle group and carrier blank to engage the blank and force it downwardly so that the apertures therein receive and envelop the necks of the bottles therebelow.

Abstract: A continuously driven endless belt trains about deflection rolls within a frame which surrounds a tunnel for the reception of the package which is to be strapped or tied with a ligature in the form of a plastic strap or band. Connectable with the revolting belt is a carriage which guides the plastic strap or band withdrawn from a supply roll along a prescribed path of travel about the tunnel. After each revolving motion of the plastic strapping band the carriage is again uncoupled from the endless belt at the region of a strap wrapping and connection unit, in order to transfer the starting portion of the strapping band which has been guided around the package to a strap or band closure device and, following the tensioning and cutting of such band, to engage a new starting band portion to accomplish the next strapping of the band about a new package.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power transmission apparatus for a power driven lawn mower. The lawn mower has a housing, an engine mounted on the housing, a moving blade coupled to the engine and wheels which are swingably mounted on the housing. The swinging of the wheels moves the housing towards and way from the ground in order to raise and lower the housing to thereby raise and lower the lawn mower blade. The power transmission apparatus comprises a transmission mechanism and a transmission chamber for housing the transmission mchanism, the chamber including a guide structure. The transmission mechanism includes a drive shaft coupled to the engine and a single reduction gear mechanism coupled to the drive shaft and the wheels for transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft to the wheels.

Abstract: There is disclosed tree trimmer apparatus for installation on a helicopter or the like including a boom hanging vertically downward from the helicopter carrying a plurality of circular saws arranged with their blades nearly adjacent over a length of at least twenty feet on the boom, which is attached to the helicopter in a manner to be constrained against rotation about a vertical axis and to have rotational movement about a horizontal axis at right angles to the normal direction of motion of said helicopter; the blades are preferably powered by a hydraulic motor with groups of five 24-inch blades being driven through belts by one hydraulic motor provided with hydraulic fluid under pressure from a pump in the helicopter. A foot at the bottom of the boom extends to the rear and permits the apparatus to be landed with the bottom of the boom on a landing surface by maneuvering the helicopter backward to lay the boom and saw blades on the ground in front of the helicopter.

Abstract: Changing relative positions of conductor pairs along a telecommunications cable core by passing the pairs, as they approach a core unit forming means, through guides which are held in relative positions in a guide channel. The channel extends in a plurality of directions and has inner and outer channel portions which are preferably arcuate and lie upon arcs of circles. The guides are moved along the channel and from channel portion to channel portion, movement being alternately in each direction. This movement changes the positional relationship of guides in one channel portion to those in the other.

Abstract: A link for a watch band and a bracelet, comprising a plurality of link elements each having a substantially S-shaped configuration and including a face arm facing a face of the link and having a joining portion and a back arm facing a back of the link and having a joining portion, at least one of the link elements being disposed in a direction opposite to that of the other link elements.

Abstract: An emergency power unit method and apparatus with means for inhibiting vibration of the catalyst bed while permitting spring loading thereof, and for automatically compensating for movement of the catalyst bed caused by the spring loading.

Abstract: Exhaust apparatus for a vehicle engine, having a connecting line which connects a sub-chamber to an engine exhaust line and which is provided with an opening and closing valve connected to a power source responsive to the number of engine revolutions per minute, i.e. speed, and causing the valve to open and close in dependency of the number of such revolutions. The power source is connected to the shaft mounting the valve by elements inserted through the outer walls of an engine cylinder, the exhaust line and a crank case.

Abstract: A vacuum source device of vacuum booster is disclosed. The device includes an air ejector having an air inlet communicated with the atmosphere, an air outlet connected to a vacuum pick-up port opening to the portion of the intake system of an internal combustion engine downstream of a throttle valve, and a pressure reduction chamber connected to a vacuum chamber of the vacuum booster. A by-pass passage connecting between the vacuum pick-up port and the vacuum chamber of the vacuum booster by detouring the diffuser of the air ejector imposes a smaller flow resistance than the diffuser. A first check valve is disposed in the by-pass passage, while a second check valve is disposed between the by-pass passage and the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine, characterized in that it is constituted by a cylinder (1) comprised by two identical portions, assembled together, symmetrical with respect to an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and traversed along this longitudinal axis by an engine shaft (3). Two reciprocating rotating pistons (4) are guided in the cylinder (1) and on the engine shaft (3), and driving the latter in rotation. Two explosion chambers (5) are located each at an end of the cylinder (1), on its periphery, in each of which moves a reciprocating piston (6), and into which empties a carburation injector. A turbocompressor (8) driven mechanically by the engine shaft, has air outlets (9) which are connected to the inlet tubing (10) of each portion of the cylinder (1), and two valve controlled escape orifices (11) are connected each to a tubular outlet (12).

Abstract: Hydraulically operated turbine steam admission valves wherein each valve has its own microcomputer control. In the event the valve gets stuck due to possible contamination in the hydraulic system, the microcomputer control provides an oscillatory control signal to dither the valve. If the valve remains stuck after dithering action it is provided with a control signal of an initial magnitude greater than that normally required to close the valve.

Abstract: An improved seal cooling apparatus is provided for use in a gas turbine engine. In a particular embodiment, this apparatus includes means for deriving conditioning air from air discharged from the compressor diffuser and directing this air onto the seal stator to improve its thermal response. The apparatus also includes means to inject a portion of the conditioning air into a cavity forward of the seal to purge the region and prevent zero airflow conditions during engine operation for the purpose of discouraging overheating of a portion of the compressor rotor. A portion of the conditioning air from the cavity is subsequently directed to flow through and thereby cool the seal.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerating apparatus comprises two pairs of superconductive coils for generating magnetic fields, a tank for receiving helium to be cooled, and a pair of heat absorbers each including a working substance adapted to generate heat when located inside the magnetic field generated by the coils and to absorb heat when located outside the magnetic field. The heat absorbers are alternately transferred between a first position where either of the heat absorbers is located inside the magnetic field and a second position where the heat absorber is located outside the magnetic field so that one of the heat absorbers is in the first position when the other is in the second position, whereby helium is cooled by either of the heat absorbers when the heat absorber is in the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for conveying liquids of which the vapor pressure is above atmospheric at ambient temperatures from a storage container to a delivery point, particularly for dispensing refrigerant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and filtering contaminants from the refrigerant in a refrigeration system does not permit any gaseous refrigerant to escape to the atmosphere during repair of the system. A tank containing a disc of filter material has piercing valves connected to an inlet and an outlet. The tank and filter are connected to the contaminated system by the piercing valves, the contaminated refrigerant passes through the filter and is retained in the tank. Once the system is repaired, the refrigerant passes from the tank and filter into the system, but the tank and filter remain connected thereto while the system is operated. The tank and filter are removed after a time sufficient to clean the refrigerant.

Abstract: A controlled power conversion system for providing power to a thermoelectric heat pump for controlling the temperature of a device, such as a chilled mirror used in a chilled mirror humidity sensor. The system uses means, responsive to a DC input power source and to a control signal representing changes in the temperature of the device, for providing periodic pulses of the DC input power having a duty cycle which is controllable in accordance with the control signal. The input power is time-averaged and an energy storage means, responsive to the periodic pulses of DC input power, is utilized to provide a controllable time averaged DC power output to the heat pump.