Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.

Abstract: Reductions in energy consumption and maintenance requirements for operating a wastewater treatment plant are achieved by controlling the operation of pumps at pump stations along a force main in a systematic fashion. The operation of the pumps is controlled to manage the flow of wastewater along the force main to minimize energy consumption, to eliminate sediment, to manage peak pressures encountered by smaller pumps and to avoid septic conditions.

Abstract: A drinking-water level alarm lamp for being placed in a water feeder includes a watertight casing including therein a lamp, a rolling ball tilt switch, a battery and a weight. When the water feeder contains drinking water, the drinking-water level alarm lamp half floats above the water by virtue of the inner space of the watertight casing and the weight. When the water feeder contains no drinking water, the drinking-water level alarm lamp lies at a bottom of the water feeder. The drinking-water level alarm lamp uses the presence and absence of the drinking water in and from the water feeder to change a position of the drinking-water level alarm lamp, so that the rolling ball tilt switch in the drinking-water level alarm lamp is accordingly switched to turn on or off the lamp.

Abstract: An inexpensive and simple-to-operate ice safety device is provided for deployment in a body of water. Once deployed, the ice safety device can be activated to check whether ice has formed to a predetermined thickness around the ice safety device. If ice has not formed to the predetermined thickness, the ice safety device indicates an unsafe condition. The ice safety device can be moored to a fixed location.

Abstract: A sensor circuit for remotely commanding the operation of a remote device includes a motion sensor circuit for detecting motion relative thereto and having an output conditioned upon motion detection. Additionally, a photocell sensor circuit for detecting a low ambient illumination level has an output command conditioned upon the detection of a predetermined illumination level that is electrically coupled to a control circuit having a plurality of inputs. The invention further includes a data output comprising a remote device operation command and a transmitter circuit coupled to the data output of said control circuit for transmitting said operation command to a remote device.

Abstract: An oil level detecting device for detecting an oil level in an oil storing chamber formed in a crankcase of an engine includes a fan, a power generator and an oil level determination unit. The fan is rotated by an oil flow produced by dipping up oil for lubricating the engine. In response to rotation of the fan, the generator generates a corresponding amount of electric power on the basis of which the oil level determination unit determines the oil level.

Abstract: An interactive clothing system includes a control unit having a processor and an antenna, and an item of clothing having a controller and a antenna. The antenna at the item of clothing communicates signals to the antenna at the control unit, the signals containing information about the item of clothing.

Abstract: A drinking-water level alarm lamp for being placed in a water feeder is disclosed. The drinking-water level alarm lamp includes a watertight casing including therein a lamp, a rolling ball tilt switch, a battery and a weight. When the water feeder contains drinking water, the drinking-water level alarm lamp half floats above the water in virtue of inner space of the watertight casing and the weight. When the water feeder contains no drinking water, the drinking-water level alarm lamp lies at a bottom of the water feeder. The drinking-water level alarm lamp uses presence and absence of the drinking water in and from the water feeder to change a position of the drinking-water level alarm lamp, so that the rolling ball tilt switch in the drinking-water level alarm lamp is accordingly switched to turn on or off the lamp.

Abstract: System for controlling a lamp as a function of at least one of occupancy and ambient lighting level.

Abstract: A device, having a container for holding a fluid moving therein and a conductance probe installed therein for providing a conductance signal indicating whether it is in contact with the fluid, features a jiggler arrangement having a jiggler arranged on the conductance probe so as to form a mechanical self-cleaning conductance probe, which responds to movement of the fluid, for wiping the conductance probe to keep deposits from building up on the conductance probe. The jiggler arrangement may include one or more grooves thereon so that the jiggler can be loosely fitted on the tip between one or more retaining rings arranged in the one or more grooves. The jiggler arrangement may include one or more retaining rings snap-fit on the tip for loosely arranging and retaining the jiggler on the tip.

Abstract: A detection and signaling apparatus is mountable in a fire hydrant to detect a parameter, such as unauthorized movement of a discharge nozzle cap relative to the fire hydrant. A housing carrying a sensor, such as a motion detector, is mounted inside of the cap. The sensor has an output connected to a transmitter. Movement of the cap relative to the fire hydrant activates the motion detector which generates an output signal causing the transmitter to remotely transmit a tamper detection signal and, also, a fire hydrant location identification code. A pressure sensor can also be coupled to the transmitter to sense water supply main pressure and water flow through the fire hydrant.

Abstract: A rotary paddle bin monitor for indicating a level of dry bulk material in a bin. In normal operation, a rotary motor rotates a shaft and paddle. A spring mechanism keeps the motor in a first angular position when the paddle is rotating freely. However, when the paddle engages the dry bulk material, the created torque overcomes the spring mechanism and causes the rotary motor to rotate. A first magnetic detector (e.g. a hall effect detector) mounted inside the housing senses a first magnet marker fixed to the rotary motor via the motor support plate to provide an indication when the rotary motor has rotated due to the sufficient presence of dry bulk material. A second magnetic detector mounted inside the housing senses a second magnet marker fixed to the shaft to provide an indication that the shaft is rotating at a proper speed (and indicate the direction of the rotation as well).

Abstract: A system and method for communicating information between a utility metering device, such as a water meter, and a remote location, such as inside a residence or a service provider.

Abstract: An ice chest which incorporates a mechanism for alerting an owner or user that an unauthorized individual is tampering with the ice chest contents or the ice chest itself. Burglar proof ice chest 10 includes a lid 12 and a bottom portion 14 with a spring loaded activation switch. Opening the lid portion generates the audible alarm output.

Abstract: A method of tracking and monitoring the temperature of a food product from point of origin until it is removed from the display case by the consumer for immediate transport to the point of sale. As a plurality of food products are delivered to a store and put into a storage facility, a sensor is associated with a group of food products. The sensor is adapted to simulate the temperatures of the associated products using “learning algorithms”. As the food products are removed from storage to the preparation area, the sensor is also moved to the preparation area. During preparation, the temperature data may be added to the product label. Then, the product is loaded into a display fixture. The display fixture has a network interface that activates a cooling system for the display fixture upon activation by the sensor.

Abstract: A monitor, shutoff control, and alarm for use with an inlet water supply obtained from a municipal water supply to prevent excessive usage of water due to leakage or human error, that includes a measuring means and shutoff valve connected to the inlet supply, a processor that includes a program for setting threshold values of water volume per unit time anticipated by the particular household, which, when exceeded, will set off an audio alarm or will activate a telephone dialer to call a predetermined number if no one is at home. The system is programmed in volume increments of time, such as hours, days, or weeks, to accommodate systems that include sprinklers which may require some volume of water over a short period of time. The system can be portable. It is easily installed and mounted in conventional water systems for homes, but can be individually adjusted based on the anticipated water usage of a particular household.

Abstract: An alarm and pump control system for automatic chlorinators of the type used with septic treatment systems is disclosed. The present invention includes a switch module that couples alongside an automatic chlorinator that uses dissolvable standard size chlorine tablets in a stack and an activator module that sits on top of the stack of chlorine tablets and descends as the chlorine tablets dissolve. The switch module includes proximity switches that can be coupled to one or more alarms. The activator module includes one or more magnets that interact with the proximity switches to signal the owner that the chlorinator requires refilling or to cut off the pump power.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the flow of water through a pipe. A pipe section is adapted to be located in a water line which includes a metering device having a target displaceable at a rate representative of the rate of flow through the pipe section. A telemetering unit includes a sensor for sensing a target and a receiver for receiving the output of the sensor and transmitting data representative of the flow to a remote receiver. A housing houses the telemetering unit and is releasably secured to the pipe section so that the sensor will sense the metering device target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a full container recognition system (5) for determining when a container (16) having an upwardly facing opening is filled with articles (18) to a predetermined level. The system includes at least one deflectable feeler arm (10) mounted to a support (22) so that an outer end (32) of the feeler arm extends over the opening of the container. As articles (18) are loaded into the container (16), the articles impact the outer end (32) of the feeler arm (10) causing the feeler arm to deflect downwardly from an up position in which the feeler arm is biased. When the article (18) passes downwardly beyond the outer end (32) of the feeler arm (10), the biasing arrangement causes the feeler arm to return to the up position.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon leak detection system has a microprocessor based controller for receiving inputs from transducers and comparing the inputs against stored decision criteria to determine if hydrocarbons are leaking. The controller can receive and distinguish inputs from line pressure probes used for a product line tightness test, compare the line pressure probe inputs against stored decision criteria to determine status, and report the status.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of material in a vessel that includes a probe for placement in the vessel at a position corresponding to a desired height at which material level is to be detected. Electronic circuitry is coupled to the probe, and is responsive to operating characteristics of the probe for sensing a change of such operating characteristics between a first operating characteristic at which material is spaced from the probe, and a second operating characteristic when material is adjacent to the probe. The electronic circuitry is contained within a closed housing mounted on the probe, and is connected to a source of electrical power positioned remotely of the vessel. A pair of status lamps are positioned on the housing, and are coupled to the electronic circuitry for respectively indicating application of electrical power to the circuitry and detection of one or the other of the operating characteristics at the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of fluent materials, such as gasoline in an automobile tank, which comprises an impeller extending vertically through at least a major portion of the vessel in physical contact with material in the vessel. An electric motor is coupled to the impeller and connected to a source of electrical energy for rotating the impeller against drag imparted thereto by the material. Material level is indicated as a continuous function of load applied to the motor by the rotating impeller.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating level of fluent materials, such as gasoline in an automobile tank, which comprises an impeller extending vertically through at least a major portion of the vessel in physical contact with material in the vessel. An electric motor is coupled to the impeller and connected to a source of electrical energy for rotating the impeller against drag imparted thereto by the material. Material level is indicated as a continuous function of load applied to the motor by the rotating impeller.

Abstract: A slip clutch for use in a bin level indicator or the like between a motor operated driving shaft and a driven shaft which rotates paddle means adapted to be impeded or stopped by the rising material in a bin or the like, comprising a hollow end portion on the driven shaft, the driving shaft being rotatably received in an axial bore in such hollow end portion, and a spring loop mounted around the hollow end portion for rotation therewith, such hollow end portion having a cutaway portion forming a recess communicating with such bore, the driving shaft having a flat surface on one side thereof, the spring loop extending into such recess and initially into engagement with such flat surface to transmit torque between the driving and driven shafts, the spring loop being flexible outwardly by the flat surface on the driving shaft to provide for slipping between the driving shaft and the driven shaft when the torque being transmitted by the slip clutch exceeds a predetermined value, the spring loop preferably being

Abstract: A grain storage bin having a content stirring machine therein, has a temperature sensor adjacent the stirring tool. The sensor is translated through the material in the bin by the stirring machine. A readout device outside the bin is coupled to the sensor wirelessly, or through slip ring contactors, there being appropriate circuitry associated with the sensor and readout device for the necessary information handling and processing. Possibilities for temperature and humidity determinations in the environment as well as in bin contents, and drier control, as needed, are disclosed.

Abstract: A freely oscillating moving element (12-14-16), according to a radial axis with respect to the furnace wall (1) and having an inner appendix (12) deviated from the axis and with an outer counter-weight (16), can oscillate between two angular positions defined by pawls, towards the first of such positions said moving element is cyclically moved during the moving element lowering trajectory with the rotation of the furnace while towards the second angular position said moving element is cyclically moved during the moving element raising trajectory with the furnace rotation; said moving element can reach said second position only when the inner appendix (12) emerges from the material contained in the furnace.

Abstract: A shaft with a spiral blade is supported in a receptacle for receiving a developer removed from the surface of a photosensitive drum. The developer is conveyed toward a collection box during the rotation and movement of the shaft. When an excess load is applied to a screw shaft due to an overflow or blockage of the developer, the shaft is moved in a direction opposite to that in which the developer is conveyed, causing it to abut against a sensor to permit the sensor to be rendered ON.

Abstract: A level detector is disclosed for detection of whether or not the level of the contents in a container, such as powder, grains, or liquid, attains a predetermined one. Said detector includes a coil and a vibrating plate consisting of a magnetic material or having a magnetic portion which plate is disposed in such a manner that the surface of said vibrating plate is nearly flush with that of the inner wall surface of said container. Said vibrating plate is vibrated by a coil disposed oppositely to said vibration plate and a drive unit to supply a pulse current to said coil. A mechanical vibrating-electric converter which is mounted on said vibrating plate converts the vibrations of said plate caused by said pulse currents into electric signals, and a sensor detects any differences in the amplitude between said electric signals detected when said contents are in contact with said vibrating plate or when said contents are not in contact with said vibrating plate.