Abstract: This self tuned ultrasonic generator system for driving a piezoelectric transducer has a phase lock loop circuit for automatically finding and maintaining optimum drive of the transducer over a frequency range of at least 25% of a specified center frequency, regardless of variations of load, temperature, and configurations of the transducer. The loop circuit employs a voltage controlled oscillator driving a switching amplifier which powers the transducer. The signal from the oscillator is fed to a digital phase detector which receives as another input a sample of the current driving the transducer such that a phase comparison voltage from the detector is 15 applied to and controls the voltage of the oscillator. Another current sample is applied to a power supply to control the power supplied to the switching amplifier.

Abstract: This capacitor has a monolithic dielectric block in which are laterally spaced electrode plates electrically connected to respective external terminal layers. On one or both sides of the block are conductive stripes of the same or different sizes which may be connected by jumper elements to the terminal layers. Electrodes in the block are closely spaced by thin dielectric spacers from the conductive stripes. Selective ones of the stripes may be connected to the terminal layers for adjusting the capacitance of the capacitor to different predetermined magnitudes.

Abstract: This dispenser for a viscous fluid comprises a cylindrical barrel having a nozzle at one end thereof for passing a fluid to fill the barrel and to discharge the fluid from the barrel. A flexible cylindrical piston head fits frictionally in the barrel to seal the fluid therein. The piston head is moved axially to discharge the fluid from the barrel. A multiplicity of short passages are defined by ridges or formed by narrow grooves on or in the inside wall of the barrel near the nozzle. The passages are only slightly longer than the axial length of the piston head to pass air entrapped between the piston head and fluid, axially of the barrel passed the piston head. The fluid fills the barrel and abuts the piston head, so that no air bubbles are discharged with the fluid from the nozzle. The hardness of the piston head is such that the sides of the head do not enter the passages which remain unobstructed.

Abstract: This torque limiting clutch has a motor driven hub carrying two concentric cup-shaped rings with a cylindrical permanent magnet therebetween. Keeper plates are pivotally secured to the hub and overlay coplanar edges of the rings to which the keepers are magnetically attracted. The hub has an extension on which freely rotates a power output disk provided with projecting fingers that engage the keepers when they are in radial positions with respect to the hub. When an overload is applied to the output disk, the fingers turn the keepers until they are disengaged from the disk. The power output disk and hub are thus released to turn freely independently of each other, without generating frictional heat therebetween.

Abstract: This system generates signals which vary randomly in frequency. The system includes a digital pulse generator generating multibit digital numbers varying randomly according to an encoded statistical distribution pattern. A first source of digital signals is connected to the pulse generator which perturbates the signals in frequency and applies them to an adder. Another source of digital signals connected to the adder combines with the perturbated first signal. A digital integrator connected to the pulse generator triggers release of the perturbated first signals and converts the combined perturbated signals to multibit outputs which may be applied to digital-to-analog converters, and in turn to frequency modulators to produce analog signals perturbated in accordance with the statistical distribution pattern.

Abstract: A ventilator system which incorporates a pneumatic circuit having a breathing assistor and positive end expiratory pressure module assembly for assisting, controlling and monitoring a patient's breathing. Settings of the operating points of a breathing assistor sensor and a positive end expiratory pressure sensor are coordinated in the module assembly and track at a selected pressure differential. The system also includes a circuit for instantly dumping breathing gas without retard or throttling when gas pressure rises to a predetermined maximum value.

Abstract: This container assembly is closed by removable cover and includes a base formed by two transparent nested cup shaped inner and outer members spaced to define a closed thermal insulation chamber therebetween. The inner member has a diametral partition structure dividing this member into two compartments. The cover has two spaced nipples to which may be connected respectively to an aspiration tube and a needle assembly for discharging fluids or a wash from a follicle or another similar site, into the chambers when the cover is rotated to either one of two positions on the base. The cover may be replaced by a transparent, imperforate cover for reviewing the contents of the compartments by a microscope to detect the presence of an oocyte.

Abstract: This surgical trocar assembly has the needle of a stylet removably disposed inside a first cannula which is inside a second cannula in a concentric array. The needle has a sharp point to pierce a body part to be drained of fluids. A first fitting on the first cannula has a first nipple to engage an aspiration tube when the needle is removed. The fitting has a tenon to engage in a tubular member of a Y-shaped joint structure. The tubular member has a lateral second nipple to engage an end of a wash fluid feed tube. A second fitting on the second cannula engages on the tubular member so that wash water passes through the tubular member between the first and second cannulas. The first cannula has a tapered sharp open end to enter the body part for aspirating fluids therefrom. The second cannula has a tapered end to engage the outside of the first cannula near its tapered open end, and further has lateral openings to discharge wash fluid from the second cannula to the body part.

Abstract: This dot assembly has a three-position rotor carrying dot display means for use as a portion of a matrix of dots in a variable message sign. The assembly has a stator including a support carrying reversely magnetizable separate magnetic cores on which are separate electrically energizable coils. The rotor which is carried by the support has a shaft rotated axially perpendicular to the cores. A permanent magnet on the rotor is adjacent to the cores to interact magnetically with them and rotate the shaft selectively to any one of three rotor positions. A single display disk having a peripheral display edge and two opposite display sides, or a unit of three disks having three exposed display sides, is mounted on the shaft for selective display of said edge or any one of the display sides in a viewing position.

Abstract: This miniature multiplanar acceleration switch has a generally cylindrical electrically conductive mass held by coil spring bias in abutment with one end of a cylindrical chamber in a metal shell. The diameter of the mass is smaller than that of the chamber and is tapered so that the mass can tilt in response to a laterally directed force of acceleration to dispose its axis at an angle to the axis of the chamber. The mass has an inner end formed with a bore into which extends the end of a circuit lead carried by a glass insulator bonded to a header closing the other end of the chamber. When the mass tilts, the lead is contacted by the mass to close an electric circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus in a transceiver for broadcasting priority rated messages on a channel shared by a multiplicity of similar transceivers, converts an analog audio frequency message to compressed digitalized format which is stored, encrypted, and encoded with a priority rating and recipient identity code. A central data processor prevents broadcast of the message while any other message of higher priority rating is being broadcast, or interrupts broadcast of the message when broadcast of another message of higher priority is detected, or interrupts broadcast of any other message of lower priority than that of a message waiting to be broadcast. Received messages bearing the recipient's identity code are stored and played back in order of their priority rating.

Abstract: This apparatus for removing air from a hydraulic system having a master cylinder, a wheel cylinder disposed at a lower level than the master cylinder, with a hydraulic line connecting the cylinders, and an adjustable bleed nipple at the brake cylinder. The method includes the steps of filling a syringe with fluid and injecting it into the wheel cylinder via the open bleed nipple and through the hydraulic line to the master cylinder where air bubbles rise in the fluid therein and are dispersed to ambient air.

Abstract: An improved, versatile, lever bar which may be used as a crowbar, prybar, sledge hammer, pickaxe, wedge, etc. The lever bar has a long handle with a thick base plate chamfered at one end and secured perpendicular to the axis of the handle at one end thereof. A thick foot plate has a sharp end from which diverge edges defining an acute angle for entering under or behind boards to be pried. A massive, flat, triangular or trapezoidal anvil plate is secured to the base plate and handle. The base plate and anvil plate can serve as hammer heads while the tool is used as sledge hammer. The base plate and foot plate can serve as splitting wedges and as heads of a pickaxe.

Abstract: A meter circuit for measuring the effective series resistance (ESR) and Q-Factor of a capacitive device has an operational amplifier with an input to which a source of AC input voltage is applied. A feedback circuit is connected between output and input of the amplifier. A series network is connected between the feedback circuit and ground. This network has an inductor of known Q-Factor in series with a capacitive device whose Q-factor is to be determined. Voltmeters measure the applied input voltage and output voltage of the amplifier. Where the series resistances of the inductor and capacitive device at resonance frequency have a low total magnitude, the meter circuit can be modified by inserting a wideband transformer, having very low output impedance, in the feedback circuit in series with an adjustable gain operational amplifier.