Abstract: Improved binders for energetic compositions include high molecular weight polyester polyol binder polymers and energetic plasticizers wherein the plasticizer to polymer ratio is 1.6:1 or less.

Abstract: A two-piece charge hopper assembly for a concrete transit mixing vehicle of the rear-discharge type is disclosed in which a lower, movable portion including the hopper discharge lip is enabled to swing out of the way of discharging concrete while the upper body of the charge hopper remains in a fixed position which is accomplished by the use of a simple pivot mechanism.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a packing control system for a rear loading, rear discharge refuse packing body that enables adjustability in the overall weight distribution of the packed refuse. The packing density control system involves controlling the resistance of the packing/ejection panel against which refuse is packed in a rear loading refuse collection truck-body so that the force necessary to cause the panel to retreat toward the front of the truck as refuse is packed in front of it can be varied in accordance with the desired density profile of the load as it is packed.

Abstract: A mechanized device for externally grabbing and rotating the operating capstan of a railroad car bottom discharge gate is disclosed which utilizes a pair of spaced converging, opposed normally open gripper fingers operable between a closed and an open position, operated between a closed and an open position by a reciprocating fluid cylinder and a motor for rotating the gripper mechanism relative to the cylinder to thereby rotate the capstan to operate the gate.

Abstract: A reliable, self-contained iontophoretic drug delivery system is disclosed which enjoys a long stable shelf life and which is easy for the user to activate and employ. This system includes a wearable iontophoretic device that is prepackaged as a complete self-contained unit which includes the active species or drug to be administered and counter ions. The system includes a provision for isolating moisture sources from the electrodes and from the power source during storage and provides a simple, user-friendly mechanism to connect the drug to be administered and counter ion reservoirs to the electrodes and the device to the skin of a user in order to activate the device circuit. All elements of the device are contained in a single outer package.

Abstract: A tile cutter includes a base having a support surface upon which tiles to be cut may be supported, a pair of guide rails mounted upon the base, the guide rails being parallel to one another and being spaced from the support surface to enable a tile to be located between the guide rails and the support surface. A cutter assembly is provided, mounted on a carriage, which, in turn, is movably mounted on the pair of rails so as to guide the cutter assembly along a rectilinear path across the support surface. The carriage includes a first rotary bearing assembly in rotary contact with one rail and a second rotary bearing assembly in rotary contact with the other rail.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device includes a dual chamber pacemaker, especially designed for treating congestive heart failure by pacing a plurality of sites. The device incorporates a program microcontroller which is operative to adjust the pacing mode and inter-site delay of the pacemaker so as to achieve optimum hemodynamic performance. Atrial cycle lengths measured during transient (immediate) time intervals following a change in the mode inter-site delay are signal processed and a determination can then be made as to which particular configuration yields the optimum performance. Performance is optimized when the patient is at rest and when the patient exercises so that a rate-adapted dynamic value of the optimum performance can be applied.

Abstract: A medical lead for tissue stimulation and sensing is provided, the lead having an electrode with an active fixation mechanism. The active fixation mechanism using a conductive spring element or wave washer to maintain electrical contact after extension of the active fixation mechanism. The active fixation mechanism is engaged by rotating a piston within the electrode housing which advances the fixation mechanism distally.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for laminating a layered structure (1), consisting of at least two plastic strips in sections, comprising successive panels with designs, for producing plastic cards along a conveyor path. Said device comprises heating and cooling devices (8, 9, 10, 11) which are positioned one behind the other and consist of individual compression elements, located on a common support (14), whose temperature can be controlled and which accommodate a whole number of panels and a drive unit which displaces opposing compression belts (2, 3) which can be driven intermittently in a direction of transport and between which the plastic strips can be displaced in sections through the heating and cooling devices. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which permits the production of plastic cards with a higher laminate quality.

Abstract: A tailgate lock-open system is provided in the form of a locking system for each tailgate opening cylinder of a rear discharging refuse collection truck body with a top hinged pivoting tailgate and having fluid-operated cylinders connected between the refuse collection body and the tailgate in which extension of the cylinder rods swings open the tailgate. The locking system includes a locking collar that can be advanced to a locking position in which it fits over a portion of a cylinder rod and has a length that determines a minimum rod extension distance. An operating assembly is provided for advancing and withdrawing the locking collar from the corresponding cylinder rod.

Abstract: A method of presenting information for evaluating the condition of chronically impaired cardiac patients based on long-term assessment of activity trends, using a memoried implanted cardiac rhythm management device having a plurality of programmable parameters and one or more sensors for sensing one or more parameters related to an activity level of the patient. The method includes acquiring sensor signal data indicative of the activity level of the patient, accumulating sensor signal data in memory and using the accumulated sensor signal data to determine the activity level of the patient during a predetermined period of time, recording the activity level during a plurality of sequential time periods, adding contemporary annotation information to the activity data and producing a data record of the activity level with the annotation information during sequential time periods sufficient to indicate trends in a patient's activity level.

Abstract: The capacity of an electro-chemical power source having an initial amount of an oxidizable material and an initial amount of a reducible material, is adjusted to a target capacity by altering the initial amount of one or both of the oxidizable material and the reducible material available to participate in the source by a technique selected from the group consisting of adding, removing and isolating a known fraction of the initial amount from the power source.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management device capable of automatically detecting intrinsic and evoked response of a patient's heart. The device operates in an automatic capture verification mode, wherein a global accelerometer signal is utilized to identify heart sounds (S1 and S2) of the patient's heart. The presence or absence of one or more of the heart sounds S1 and S2 in the accelerometer signal indicates whether a stimulation pulse evokes a response by the patient's heart. The device may automatically adjust the stimulation output in accordance with a step down stimulation protocol, wherein the presence of a predetermined heart sound indicates capture. Also, the device may suspend the automatic capture verification sequence if the patient's physical activity level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A filter vent system and method for separating entrained airborne particulate matter from the conveying fluid is disclosed, particularly as it relates to filling a storage vessel. The filter system employs a simplified, yet more efficient filter cleaning arrangement, in which the entire clean air plenum on the downstream side of a filter array of one or more filter units is periodically pulsed with a large burst or pulse of relatively high pressure air from a single source which rapidly raises the plenum pressure to, in turn, produce a temporary pulsed flow reversal in the filter units which blasts through the filter pores to displace particulate matter collected on the upstream side of all of the filter units alike thereby cleaning or re-generating the filter surfaces.

Abstract: A portable device for measuring the shear properties of a material specimen under applied dynamic circumferential forces against the specimen perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said specimen. The device may further apply a dynamic force against an end of the specimen. The device includes clamps that hold the specimen at its proximal and distal end, wherein the circumferential force applied to the specimen is affectively applied between the two clamps. The temperature of the specimen may be held constant by controlling the temperature within an environmental chamber through the use of a closed loop PID control system. The force against the specimen is dynamically loaded by a dynamic load reaction frame consisting of a shear load actuator and load reaction structure. A microprocessor-based controller operates the dynamic load reaction frame under closed loop control.

Abstract: A motor driven discharge chute control system for automatically controlling the lateral position of a concrete discharge chute associated with a transit mixer vehicle is disclosed including a reversing motor connected to an output gear normally engaged to rotate with the motor through a gear reducer. A rotating chute swing gear is driven by the output gear and rotates a connected pivot assembly that carries one end of a discharge chute. A manual override system is also provided.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a container handling device on a refuse gathering vehicle accomplishes the mounting in a manner which enables translation of the device between deployed and stowed positions so that the container handling device is protected and out of the way when not in use.

Abstract: A method of determining the cause of upper rate limit behavior in a dual chamber pacemaker incorporating a system for distinguishing Wenckebach episodes from pacemaker mediated tachycardia episodes based on variations in VA intervals is disclosed which provides for adjusting the MTR upward in response to a threshold frequency of incidences of Wenckebach.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, and includes at least the following components. A shell with a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and at least one dispenser opening. A cartridge for location within the hollow interior cavity of the shell, such that the cartridge can be removed and contained within the shell. The cartridge optionally includes a cartridge bell disposed about the cartridge plate, wherein the cartridge belt is capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing. Captured within the advancement slot of the shell is an advancement arm comprising a first end for selective advancement of the objects and a second end to allow for control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects towards the dispensing opening of the shell, and for control of the advancement arm in retracting the advancement arm after dispensing.