Abstract:
A powered mechanism displaces the toggle, handle or similar operator of a switch such as a circuit breaker, motor contactor or transfer switch. A linear induction motor drives a motor shaft between extended and retracted positions. A pair of S-shaped cam members pivot at one end on an axis, and a sliding pin carried on the end of the motor shaft rides along slots in the cam members. A couple engages over the switch operator and is pivotally attached to links that in turn are pivotally attached to the cam members, The links attach to the cam members at a point closer to the pivot axis of the cam member than the sliding pin in the slots, thus obtaining leverage. The slots have an inclined or curved section joined to a straight section. The straight section provides an idling action in that no force is applied to the operator via the couple as the sliding pin passes through the straight section, allowing the motor to accelerate unopposed. When the sliding pin is in the inclined or curved section, displacement of the motor shaft moves the couple, and therefore the switch operator handle.
Abstract:
A transfer switch mechanism is provided for operating the handles of a pair of circuit interrupters. The transfer switch mechanism has a lever arm movable between advanced and retracted positions, the lever arm having a gripping portion permitting handhold for manual operation. The lever arm turns an axle via a ratchet assembly with pawls that permit the axle to turn in one direction but oppose movement of the axle in the direction counter to that direction. The axle turns a crank, and a pair of connecting rods have proximal ends coupled to the crank. The transfer switch mechanism further includes a pair of handle-engaging heads, each of which has opposed abutment surfaces that removably receive the handle of one or the other circuit interrupters between the opposed abutment surfaces. A base is fixed relative to the circuit interrupters and movably supports the lever arm and the handle-engaging heads. The connecting rods have distal ends respectively coupled to one of the two heads such that operation of the lever arm between the advanced and retracted positions causes the abutment surfaces to drive against the handles and thereby move the handles between operative positions.
Abstract:
Operators of submerged remotely operated vehicles (R.O.V.)'s must typically view the subsea environment by use of a submerged television camera carried by the R.O.V. Often no part of the vehicle is visible to the operator to give him a natural indication of the direction in which the camera is facing with respect to the vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention generates an artificial "crosshair" on his television viewing screen representing a selected reference axis of the vehicle. This not only reduces directional disorientation of the operator but also gives him a line of sight, independent of camera direction, which he can use to establish the azimuth of subsea features with respect to the vehicle's compass.
Abstract:
A surface active agent comprising an arylated methyl ester of a fatty acid, or mixture of fatty acids, derived from biodiesel or a triglyceride source is disclosed. The fatty acid mixture is condensed to methyl esters and alkylated with aromatic substituents under Friedel-Crafts conditions. The alkylated methyl esters may be alkoxylated using a catalyst derived from fatty acids, alkaline earth salts, and strong acids. The resulting nonionic surfactant may also be sulfonated to produce one class of anionic surfactants. The alkylated methyl esters may also be directly sulfonated to produce another class of anionic surfactants.
Abstract:
Methods and compositions are provided for forming ester based compositions. The ester based compositions may be used in consumer products. In one aspect, a method is provided for producing acyl alkylisethionate esters by the esterification of a sulfonate composition having two or more sulfonate isomers with fatty acid(s). In another aspect, a method is provided for forming an ester based composition including a blend of acyl alkylisethionate and acylisethionate esters.
Abstract:
Provided herein are catalysts useful in enabling and promoting the insertion of alkylene oxides into ester linkages. The esters employed as a substrate to be alkoxylated include esters of fatty acids, such as methyl esters of C14 to C22 fatty acids, and mono-, di-, and tri-esters of glycerine, including vegetable oils, animal fats, and plant oils. A catalyst according to the invention includes at least two alkaline earth compounds, which may include any known stable compounds of the alkaline earths, and optionally contains one or more additional materials such as a carboxylic acid or a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight between about 100 and 1500 or a C1-C10 alkyl-capped polyalkylene glycol having molecular weight between about 100 and 1500, which has been acidified with a strong mineral acid. The preferred alkaline earths employed are salts and compounds of magnesium and calcium.
Abstract:
Provided herein are consumer products contained in conventional containers. A consumer product packaged according to the present invention is one which exhibits birefringence, and the packaging used according to the present invention is arranged so that the consumer product is caused to exist between two layers of polarizing film and is thus capable of exhibiting the phenomenon of birefringence to consumers under ambient lighting conditions.