Abstract: An integrated throttle position validation sensor includes electrically independent throttle position and position validation components responsive to a single mechanical input applied to a protective sensor housing. By suitable mounting to the throttle control device, the mechanical input corresponds to accelerator pedal position. Within the sensor housing a potentiometer moves with the mechanical input whereby a variable voltage throttle position signal is generated. Also, within the housing a separate validation switch responsive to the mechanical input provides an independent representation of throttle control device position in the form of, for example, a bi-state validation signal. The sensor integrates previous separate throttle control position and position validation functions into a single environmentally secure housing which requires no calibration. The integrated sensor is more reliable and less costly than previously available separate throttle control and idle validation functions.

Abstract: Torsional oscillations of the drillstring will lead to frequency modulation (FM) of the signal from a vibratory source (e.g., the bit). This results, in the frequency domain, in sidebands being present around a detected excitation frequency. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that these sidebands may be used in advantageous methods for optimizing drillstring and drilling performance. In a first embodiment of this invention, these sidebands are used to discriminate between downhole and surface vibrational sources. Once the location of the drillstring vibration is determined, appropriate action may be taken to optimize drilling and drillstring performance. In a second embodiment of this invention, the sidebands are used to determine the rotary speed of BHA (bottom hole assembly) components.

Abstract: The method comprises using a transmitting unit and at least two receiving units (8,10) arranged in two different places along well equipment (2). Each receiving unit forms an image or signature of wall portions which pass it. The signatures of wall portions formed by the lower receiving unit (8) when the well equipment is being lowered into the well are stored and the upper receiving unit (10) stores signatures coming from the wall portions which were previously stored by the lower receiving unit. A comparison (for example a correlation) of the signatures respectively coming from the two receiving units allows a common wall portion which has produced two substantially identical compared signatures to be identified. The time interval between the formation of the two substantially identical signatures is measured and the rate of penetration is calculated. As application of the invention is for the measurement of the true rate of penetration of a well tool or of a measuring sonde.

Abstract: In a method of correcting temperature characteristics of a flow velocity sensor, the flow velocity sensor having a heater and a pair of temperature-measuring sensors arranged on both sides thereof is set such that the temperature-measuring sensors are located at upper and lower vertical positions along the flow of a target gas to be measured. A difference in self-heat amount is set between one of the temperature-measuring sensors, located on an upstream side of the flow of the gas, and the other temperature-measuring sensor located on a downstream side of the flow of the gas.

Abstract: An autosampling device for use in sampling air with canisters and analyzing the contents of said canisters for the presence of pollutants which allows random access of the contents of the canisters and controlled direction of the canister contents to a cryogenic concentrator. The device is a cart having shelf members for holding a plurality of canisters. Sample lines are mounted on the cart to be connectable to a canister at one end of said lines and to an inlet port of an electrically actuated multiposition valve at the other end. To protect against sample disruption, a heated zone around the valve controls valve temperature. An outlet sample line enclosed in a heated zone extends from an outlet port on the valve and is connectable to an inlet of the cryogenic concentrator.

Abstract: A magnetostriction type torque sensor has a magnetostrictive film formed on an outer peripheral surface of a rotary shaft, a coil having a coil centerline extending in a radial direction of the rotary shaft, and a signal processor responsive to coil impedance. Since the coil includes a coil centerline extending in a radial direction of the rotary shaft, magnetic fluxes are formed mainly in a radial direction of the rotary shaft. Accordingly, the magnetic fluxes intruding deep into the rotary shaft are decreased, and the rate of the magnetic fluxes passing through the magnetostrictive film is increased. As a result, the magnetostriction type torque sensor comes to have high sensitivity even when the rotary shaft has high magnetic permeability or high electric conductivity.

Abstract: A two degree of freedom gyroscope having a drive motor (20), with a permanent magnet rotor (22), which comprises a sensing coil (32) looped around the permanent magnet rotor (22) and disposed in a plane orthogonal to a null spin axis, a torquer coil looped around the permanent magnet rotor (22) and disposed in a plane orthogonal to the null spin axis, and torque drive elements (62, 64, 65) responsive to the signal induced in the sensing coil (32) when the actual rotor (22) spin axis is displaced from the null spin axis (28) for providing current to said torquer coil (34) to urge the axes to coincide. Demodulators (70, 72) can be provided for providing output information in an X-Y coordinate format which is indicative of the actual input angular rates about corresponding axes.

Abstract: A cranking arrangement has a rotor, an output shaft driven by a rotor, a pinion carried by the output shaft for driving a toothed ring of an internal combustion engine, the output shaft being supported so that it can be displaced axially for engagement and disengagement of the pinion, and a brake surface. The output shaft acts upon the rotor in a disengaged position axially in such a way that the rotor meets the brake surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus producing oscillatory motion output from a rotary input using balls to interact between input and output cams. Preferred embodiment features a speed reduction stage and an oscillation stage. Dwell periods can be provided as well as indexing to a specific location.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an integratable capacitative pressure sensor includes the following steps, starting from a semiconductor substrate (1): application of a guard film (2), precipitation of a polycrystalline semiconductor film (4), doping the polycrystalline semiconductor film (4) and removal of the guard film (2) by etching; then insulating the semiconductor zone (7) from the semiconductor substrate (1), and applying an insulator film (8) on the insulated semiconductor zone (7). The pressure sensor product, which is compatible with CMOS circuits and has increased sensor accuracy, includes a semiconductor zone (7) insulated from the semiconductor substrate (1) and an insulator film (8) applied on the insulated semiconductor zone (7), the polycrystalline semiconductor film (4) being located on the insulator film (8) above the insulated semiconductor zone (7).

Abstract: A sensor measures the flow velocity and/or the volumetric flow rate of a fluid flowing in a pipe and in a measuring tube mounted therein, and includes a bluff body disposed in the conduit of the measuring tube, said bluff body being designed to generate Karman vortices and having a blind hole which is in communication with the conduit via passages formed in the bluff body, a vortex sensor inserted into the blind hole and having an electrodynamic transducer responsive to the vortexinduced pressure fluctuations, said electrodynamic transducer supporting a first oscillating body being a sensor sleeve which is deflectable by the pressure fluctuations, has a first cavity sealed from the fluid, and supports a permanent magnet within the cavity, and a second oscillating body movably disposed within the cavity so as to be isolated from the pressure fluctuations and supporting at least one coil located opposite the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A Coriolis effect mass flowmeter for measuring mass material flow in a conduit. Elements of the meter are clamped directly onto an existing pipe or other conduit without diversion of the flow. The meter comprises a driver, such as a magnetostrictive driver, to oscillate a section of pipe between two supports. The driver is mounted on the pipe section at or near an anti-node of the second harmonic mode of the natural frequency of the pipe section. A sensor, such as an accelerometer, is mounted onto the pipe section at the node point of the second harmonic mode of the natural frequency of the pipe section during zero flow, (zero flow node point). The second sensor measures the amplitude of displacement of the zero flow node point due to the Coriolis effect forces from the mass of the material flowing through the oscillating pipe. This measurement is indicative of the mass flow rate of the material flowing through the pipe.

Abstract: A method of correcting measurement errors of an instrument for measuring the flow of a gas, the instrument having a selected measuring range and being constructed to produce a reading indicating the value of a gas flow in the selected measuring range, by the steps of: selecting a limited number of gas flow values which are spaced apart across the measuring range; determining the readings produced by the instrument when the instrument is measuring gas flows at the selected values; measuring the flow of the gas with the instrument to produce a reading indicating the value of the gas flow; and producing a corrected reading by calculating a function of the reading produced in the measuring step and the readings produced in the determining step.

Abstract: A manual transmission shift control apparatus wherein dual cables lead from a floor-mounted shift control lever assembly directly, i.e., without bending, to dual select and shift shafts operatively connected to the transmission. The dual shafts are rotatably mounted and operated in a housing on top of the transmission. A selector mechanism bearing a shift finger is rotatably and slidably mounted on a shaft in the housing, such that, through suitable linkage, the shift finger is selectively rotated by the rotated select shaft into 1/2, 3/4, or 5/R shift positions, and then slid by the rotated shift shaft into the 1, 3 or 5 shift ratios in one direction, or the 2, 4 or R shift ratios in the other direction.

Abstract: A throttle control for connection to an engine throttle control wire broadly includes a shifter and a case, with the shifter including a rim which engages a corresponding bearing wall within the case to define a circular shift path and which enables the throttle control to be converted for either a positive-action or negative-action mode. The case includes a first portion and a second portion, with at least one of the portions preferably including an inner wall spaced radially inwardly toward a pivot axis of the shifter and away from the bearing wall. The inner wall preferably includes one or more recesses thereon for engagement with a follower on the shifter whereby the shifter may be releasably held by the recess at a preselected position along the shift path.

Abstract: A pad for a pedal such as a brake pedal on an automotive vehicle is formed of two components, namely a body of a moldable, relatively soft material, and an insert of a relatively hard material having raised lettering on one surface. The body is molded about the insert in a manner such that the insert is completely encased in the body except for the tips of the lettering which project through and are visible at the surface of the body. The body and insert are formed of compatible materials, preferably including polypropylene, causing them to adhere and bond to one another after being molded together.

Abstract: A nail holder which includes at least one nail holding plate respectively and pivotably received in a rectangular casing, each nail holding plate having two rows of nail holes disposed along two opposite long sides thereof in different diameters for holding different nails, and rents respectively and outwardly extended from the nail holes to the border through which the respective nail holding plate can be removed from the nail been driven in the workpiece.

Abstract: A fluorescent tube can be installed or removed from a high installation position by a device have four firm, rubber like cups which gently grip the tube; a dual set of horizontal elongated crossbars, which support the cups with the front crossbar being non stationary and the back cross bar being stationary; a pair of alignment spacer bars and a center support assembly which aid in stability and maintain the proximity of the cross bars; a hand operated rope to apply pressure through a combination of two pulleys to initiate spring action for separating the cups allowing them to either grip or release the fluorescent tube.

Abstract: A power transmission tool for the installation and removal of a spanner nut (15) on a threaded end of a drive shaft (27) comprises a torque reactor plate (32) with a central threaded aperture (35,37) for threaded engagement with a wrench shaft (39). The pitch of the wrench and reactor plate threads (37,39) is the same as the pitch of the drive shaft and spanner nut threads. The reactor plate (32) is fastened (60,63,65) to a drive flange (20), the flange being mounted on an end of the drive shaft and having splines to prevent relative movement therebetween. An aperture (73) is formed in the torque reactor plate for receiving a bar which is used to react the torque applied to the drive shaft/flange combination by the wrench via the nut, thereby preventing rotation of the flange and shaft combination when torque is applied to the wrench.

Abstract: An automatic screwdriver is capable of generating an impact force on a screw that is being tightened or loosened. An action rod is disposed eccentrically in conjunction with a short helical spring. The eccentric position of the action rod is corrected by engagement with an annular flange within the main body of the handle upon rearward movement thereof which causes movement of the action rod into a slot in an impact rod resulting in an impact force which is imparted to a head tip.

Abstract: A material holding and guiding device of automatic lathe has a base with one end provided with an arm frame and another end provided with a reciprocating set. A receiving and retaining set is mounted pivotally on the arm frame in a manner that the bottom of the receiving and retaining set is coupled with the reciprocating set. The receiving and retaining set has an inner annular body and an outer annular body. The inner annular body is axially provided with a through hole which is used to accommodate therein the material to be lathed and which is provided at each of two ends thereof with a ring sleeve. The motion of the reciprocating set causes the receiving and retaining set to make a swing of a predetermined angle so as to force the ring sleeves located at both ends of the through hole of the inner annular body to hold the material stably in a manner that the material is capable of turning synchronously with the inner annular body.

Abstract: A cutting board assembly for cutting and/or trimming paper sheets, the assembly including a cutting board, a rail assembly pivotally mounted on said cutting board for movement between operative and inoperative positions, a carriage assembly mounted on the rail assembly for movement across the cutting board, a circular cutting blade mounted in the carriage assembly which is biased to an inoperative position on the rail assembly, a self-healing pad mounted on the cutting board in the path of travel of the cutting blade whereby the carriage assembly is pushed downward on the rail assembly to move the cutting blade to an operative position with respect to the self-healing pad for trimming or cutting the paper sheets.

Abstract: A tube launched rocket system which uses a plurality of small propellant charges located within the tube to propel the rocket. The charges form part of the outer wall of a traveling propulsion chamber. The rest of the chamber is substantially defined by a propulsion housing, which includes a forward plate that abuts the projectile, and an aft nozzle for venting gases from the interior of the chamber. Alternative embodiments also contain baffles for directing the flow of combustion gases, and may employ an electronic ignition system for igniting the propellant charges in sequence. As charges adjoining the propulsion chamber are ignited, the resulting combustion gases thrust into the interior of the chamber, forcing the housing forward as they flow aftward through the nozzle. As the propulsion housing travels through the tube, additional propellant charges are ignited as they effectively become part of the outer wall of the propulsion chamber. The housing pushes the projectile ahead of it through the tube.

Abstract: A system of modular electrohydraulic servovalves is centrally controlled may be used to control the operation of critical hydraulic actuators. A programmable controller operates a group of modular servovalves which each deliver a portion of the total actuator fluid requirements. The flow rate, valve position, and valve pressure of each servovalve is monitored by the controller and compared to expected values in memory to determine whether a servovalve malfunction exists. If so, the controller maintains the required flow rate to the actuator by closing the malfunctioning valve and either activating a spare or proportionally increasing the flow rates of the remaining servovalves to compensate for the loss.

Abstract: A telescoping fluid actuator assembly including a housing having a plurality of concentrically disposed fluid actuators disposed therein. Each fluid actuator includes a cylindrical housing enclosing a piston and piston rod. Fluid passage means is provided for alternately directing fluid pressure to the front and back piston faces of each piston to effect forward and rearward movement of the pistons and the associated piston rod. The innermost concentric fluid actuator has a piston rod extending from the housing for engaging a workpiece for movement thereof. All of the concentrically mounted fluid actuators, except the innermost fluid actuator, is provided with a hollow piston rod which forms the cylinder housing for adjacent concentric fluid actuators.

Abstract: A coffee making apparatus comprises a roaster for roasting dried coffee beans, a tank having a meshed case for temporarily storing roasted coffee beans, a blower which sends air to the roasted coffee beans in the meshed case to cool the roasted coffee beans, a milling/extracting unit receiving the cooled roasted coffee beans from the tank for milling the roasted coffee beans and thereafter extracting a coffee solution therefrom by pouring hot water, a coffee server for receiving the coffee solution which has been extracted, and a case in which the roaster, the tank, and the milling/extracting unit are provided.

Abstract: A continuous frying apparatus comprising a primary frying vessel for transferring foodstuff with the stream of oil; a secondary frying vessel for holding and frying the foodstuff below the oil surface with the use of a conveyor including rollers, a running member moving around the rollers and interlocked therewith, and projections arranged on the outer surface of the running member; and a joining section for connecting the primary frying vessel and the secondary frying vessel. According to the present invention, one of the rollers which is arranged nearest the starting side of the secondary frying vessel is positioned so that the intersection with the oil surface of a circular arc defined by the ends of the projections moving around that roller is positioned closer to the ending side of the secondary frying vessel than intersection of the oil stream flowing downward and out of the primary frying vessel meeting with the oil level in the secondary frying vessel.

Abstract: An oven with a box-like housing for efficient use of plant floor space encases a spiral food product carrying conveyor. A process vapor is circulated within the housing by "plug fans" with the inlet drawing vapor from the central axial zone of the spiral conveyor and exhausting into plenums along the periphery of the conveyor. The plenums have nozzles oriented to project the process vapor laterally towards the conveyor.

Abstract: A device for bundling newspapers and the like comprises a pair of upright walls each having an upwardly open substantially V-shaped notch formed by elements of the walls that converge downwardly and that define an interior angle of about 90.degree., the notches being in parallel alignment. In a preferred embodiment, the walls are longitudinal side walls of a box having upright end walls and having sloping top walls extending between corresponding notch-defining elements of the side walls. Newspapers are stacked on one of the top walls, with an edge thereof engaging the other top wall, and with portions extending beyond the side walls. Cords are tied around those portions to bundle the newspapers. The end walls have openings forming hand holds by which the box is lifted and which provide access to the interior of the box. The box has a shelf therein and contains a supply of cord, a cord cutter being provided along an edge of one opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for metered infeeding, compacting as required, and pumping coarse material of little fluidity such as raw feathers includes infeed metering transferring compacting and pumping mechanisms. The infeed metering mechanism intermittently infeeds a slug of material being at original uncompressed bulk density and approximately equal to an amount of material required for each cycle of operation of the apparatus. The transferring mechanism has a rotatable screw conveyor operable for rapidly receiving and transferring the slug and a wiper arm mounted to a discharge end of the screw conveyor to rotate therewith and create a plane of cleavage in the material being discharged therefrom. The compacting mechanism has an elongated chute with an offset located adjacent the discharge end of the screw conveyor and a compactor reciprocally movable in the chute between retracted and extended positions. The chute is disposed in transverse relation to the screw conveyor for receiving the slug of material therefrom.

Abstract: A squeegee device for applying a substance to a web of material, comprising lateral boundary plates for the squeegee slidably guided in a direction normal to the web, the boundary plates being provided with inserts of magnetizable material, which can be attracted by a magnet arranged beneath the web of material.

Abstract: A pressure cylinder is accommodated in a printing assembly and provided with electrostatically assisted ink transfer. Its shaft is mounted in the framework of a printing press. It has a semiconductive jacket that is mounted over a steel surface and can be electrically charged. The shaft is electrically connected to the surface of the cylinder and electrically insulated from the framework. An electric potential can be applied to the shaft in order to charge the semiconductive jacket.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning the lateral edge of sheets fed to a printing press. The lateral position of a sheet is detected. A slidable suction device beneath the sheet is operated to pull the sheet toward a lateral abutment at a constant speed, the suction being applied at an individual time for each sheet in accordance with the detected position. Suction pressure is released when the sheet reaches the side lay, such that suction pressure is only applied for the time necessary to place the sheet in proper registration.

Abstract: A device for actuating a clamping device on at least one paper-guiding cylinder in a rotary printing press, including a positioning unit having a device for applying a pressure medium thereto, a lever mechanism cooperatively engageable with the positioning unit, a device for remotely controlling a clamping device on a respective paper-guiding cylinder through the intermediary of the lever mechanism, the clamping device having a clamping bar and a device for actuating the clamping bar into a clamping mode and into a nonclamping mode, the actuating device being cooperatively engageable with the positioning unit, and spring devices for maintaining the clamping bar in the clamping mode wherein a cylinder covering is clamped thereby on the respective cylinder.

Abstract: A printing plate registration device, system, and method of the type for replaceably holding a printing plate in proper registration on a plate cylinder for use in an offset printing pres. The registration device includes tapered registration pins affixed to the plate cylinder in registration alignment. The tapered pins have a base which is sized for interference fit with registration holes formed in the replaceable printing plate. A clamp is attached for replaceably holding the printing plate into rigid interference fit around the base of each of the tapered registration pins.

Abstract: A rotating brush cleaning system is provided for removing debris, lint and ink from components of printing devices. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a rotating spiral brush cleaner against the component of the printing device and retracts the cleaner from the component of the printing device. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the component of the printing device is such as to loosen dust and lint from the component, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

Abstract: A weapons system with at least one fire control device and a launcher uses a remotely fragmentable projectile for defense against a missile or other movable target. Although the probability of a hit is increased with the use of a remotely fragmentable projectile, the system of the invention increases the success of the defense, which is nevertheless questionable because of the low density of the projectile fragments. The method utilizes a projectile, the fragments of which are concentrated in a ring, which spreads out in the shape of a conical envelope. The projectile is individualized at launch. Tracking of the target continues during the flight of the projectile, because of which the expected location at the pre-calculated time of impact becomes continuously better known. The fragmentation command is transmitted to the projectile as late as possible. It is always possible with a high degree of probability to score a hit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active proximity fuse with polarization-related sensitivity. Radiation which is reflected by particles in the atmosphere towards the receiver of the proximity fuse and which does not originate from reflection at the target has a negative effect on the operation of a proximity fuse. To reduce this effect the proximity fuse according to the invention is provided with elements in the transmitter of the proximity fuse for linearly polarizing the emitted radiation and elements in the receiver from suppressing the received radiation with linear polarization essentially coinciding with the direction of the linear polarization of the emitted radiation. This prevents radiation which is reflected by spherical particles, such as water droplets, with unchanged polarization after reflection, from reaching the detector of the receiver, while radiation reflected by the target is depolarized and a certain part of the radiation can be detected.

Abstract: An igniter (18) provides rapid longitudinal and radial propagation of the ignition reaction. The igniter may comprise a pyrotechnic material and an inorganic binder, such as silica, carried on a carrier web (10) which may be fiber-glass. One or more layers of coated web (10) are disposed to provide an igniter (18) of cylindrical configuration and having a hollow core. The coated layers are permeable to the ignition reaction to facilitate radial propagation of ignition. The hollow core and the continuous nature of the pyrotechnic layers promotes longitudinal propagation of ignition. The igniter may consist mostly or entirely of inorganic materials to reduce or eliminate the formation of carbon monoxide upon ignition, and may be contained within a radially perforated sheath (20) to form a radial ignition device (25).

Abstract: The present invention is included in an operating assembly for lowering into a wellbore on a wireline, tubular conveyance, or the like, or for use in a horizontal application, for initiating or setting off pyrotechnic, explosive, or propellant elements of that operating assembly, and comprises a firing head and an initiation assembly that are arranged for lowering into the wellbore, from a well head. The firing head provides for the extension of a striker plunger therefrom that travels into the initiating assembly to both arm it and to impact a piezoelectric device therein whose deformation generates an electrical current which fires an array of flashbulbs that excite a laser rod.

Abstract: A high performance shaped charge for piercing high strength steel has a symmetry of revolution about an axis; a priming system constituted by a punctiform initiating source for producing a detonation wave in a block of donor explosive, and a cavity positioned between the donor explosive and a receiver explosive, the cavity being shaped in such a way that the detonation wave from the receiver explosive which enters a charging explosive is planar and perpendicular to the axis of the charge.

Abstract: A collapsible portable desk has a plurality of planar leaves that are foldably connected to selectively assume an extended configuration, in which the desk may be used, and a collapsed configuration, in which the desk may be carried by an exposed handle.

Abstract: A collapsible table is provided with one side that is adapted for pivotal attachment to a wall and having two legs extending from the other side that can be readily folded under the table while the table is simultaneously lowered flush against the wall. A locking member is pivotally attached to the underside of the table top that spans between both legs and is rotatable from a first position where it locks both legs vertically underneath the table top, and a second position where the front legs are free to be folded against the underside of the table top. A collapsing line is attached to one front leg, through the midpoint on the locking member, and to the other leg such that when the midsection of the collapsing line is pulled, it pulls the front legs up underneath the table top which allows the table top to be simultaneously lowered to its collapsed position flush with the wall.

Abstract: A service tray for use on a table and received about a projection, such as an umbrella pole, is disclosed. The tray comprises a tray member defining a slot and a closure member for mounting to the tray member and closing the slot to define a central aperture in which an umbrella pole or the like is receivable. The connection of the closure member to the tray member is readily released, allowing the slot of the tray member to be opened to permit insertion around or removal from the umbrella pole or the like. The tray includes a plurality of compartments for receiving items such as vegetables and dips, condiments, etc. Rollers are positioned on the underside of the tray member to facilitate rotation of the tray on a supporting surface.

Abstract: A modular merchandise display unit comprising an upright, substantially vertical wall having opposite sides and a pair of opposite ends. The substantially vertical wall is normally positioned along a central axis of the merchandise display unit. A base is provided for supporting the upright wall, and this base includes a pair of axially-disposed sockets and a pair of offset sockets. The display unit further includes a plurality of elongated shelves with merchandise receiving surfaces. These shelves are removably connected to and extend outwardly from the opposite sides of the upright wall. Curved shelves are securable to the merchandising display unit at opposite ends of the upright walls. These curved shelves have merchandise receiving surfaces which may or may not merge smoothly with the surfaces of a pair of elongated shelves. Each pair of elongated shelves is disposed on the opposite sides of the upright walls.

Abstract: An adjustable dual worksurface support is provided for electronic data processing equipment and the like, and comprises a freestanding pedestal, and a generally U-shaped first worksurface having a front surface shaped to support a keyboard thereon, and two side surfaces extending rearwardly from opposite sides thereon to define a central open area. A second worksurface is provided to support a display thereon, and has a plan shape similar to that of the central open area of the keyboard worksurface for close reception therein. The keyboard worksurface is vertically adjustable with respect to the floor, preferably between sitting and standing positions, and the display worksurface is vertically adjustable with respect to the keyboard worksurface, preferably to positions both above and below the same to accommodate various users and tasks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a combustion chamber and a method for burning waste material, such as waste oil, hazardous chemicals, and municipal garbage or trash, in a manner which generates very little smoke, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons, or potentially hazardous fumes in the exhaust gases. The combustion chamber is enclosed within an outer wall which provides an inlet for air, fuel, and burnable waste material, and an outlet for exhaust gases. Enclosed within the outer wall is an annular wall, which divides the chamber into a central burning region inside the annular wall, and an annular space between the outer wall and the annular wall. The central burning region contains a primary burning zone, while the annulus space carries a portion of the inlet air along the length of the chamber.

Abstract: A sewing machine of a small size is enabled to deal with a fabric of an increased size to be sewn. A vertical spacing between an upper shaft mechanism and a lower shaft mechanism is adjustable. A need for a special control circuit which is designed for matching rotational positions of an upper and a lower shaft is dispensed with. At this end, a flexible wire 30 is used to connect an upper shaft unit 1 and a lower shaft unit 2 together. A single electric motor 10 is disposed within one of the upper and the lower shaft unit while a speed increasing mechanism 20 (or a speed reducing mechanism) is disposed in the other. An air cylinder 40 enables the vertical position of the upper shaft unit 1 to be adjustable.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed in which an expenditure of lower thread is calculated from an expenditure of an upper thread. The expenditure of the upper thread is determined from the amount of rotation of a rotary tension disc. A pair of Hall elements deliver two phase signals, a phase difference therebetween is utilized to determine the direction of rotation, thus removing the likelihood of an error being caused by a rotation in the reverse direction. When the amount of leftover lower thread reduces below a given value, an alarm is issued. Where a plurality of needles are used, an expenditure of an upper thread is obtained for each tension disc, and the total expenditure is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a remaining amount of a bobbin thread which is wound around a bobbin accommodated in a shuttle of a sewing machine, including a measurement bar which is displaceable along a displacement path from outside the shuttle toward an axis line of the bobbin inside the shuttle, a measurement-bar driver which displaces the measurement bar along the displacement path so that a free end of the measurement bar contacts an outer surface of a roll of the bobbin thread remaining on the bobbin, a displacement-speed control device which controls the measurement-bar driver to displace the measurement bar such that the free end of the measurement bar contacts the outer surface of the roll of the bobbin thread at a speed lower than a highest speed of the displacement of the bar along the displacement path, and a remaining-amount determining device which determines the remaining amount of the bobbin thread on the bobbin, based on an amount of the displacement of the measurement bar along the displacemen