Abstract: An electrical switch that can be used in corrosive and explosive environments as well as under water. The switch is constructed of reed switches mounted on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit is connected with a power cable and the entire board and elements are encased in a tough, non-corrosive insulating medium. A control shaft mounting a permanent magnet extends through the casing with the magnet mounted on the outside of the casing adjacent the controlled reed switch.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) having a structural organization that permits it to operate as either a galvanic or polarographic cell. The structural organization includes an electrolyte reservoir (E) comprised of a solid-like material such as a gel to releasably hold a liquid electrolyte therein. The cathode electrode (K) is defined to be surrounded by a porous material (16) to convey the electrolyte to the cathode electrode (K) to provide the necessary wetting action with the evaporation through the liquid impermeable, gas permeable membrane (M) for the cell (10). The electrolyte reservoir is spaced below the membrane (M) and is solely conveyed by capillary action to the cathode electrode. A venting element (V) is defined for the cell container (11) to prevent internal pressure variations while preventing loss of electrolyte therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding a high density linear bar code of the type of the Universal Product Code (UPC) symbol and derivatives thereof. The method comprehends unambiguously decoding the encoded characters of the symbol by the use of primary ratios representative of the ratios of the sum of the widths of selected coding modules and secondary decoding ratios. The secondary ratios are selected in the event of any out-of-tolerance printing of the symbol for permitting the secondary ratios to be utilized with the primary ratios for resolving any possible ambiguities. The method and apparatus is applicable to scanning the UPC symbol by means of a hand-held wand as well as laser beam scanning. The apparatus contemplates the measuring of the widths of the coding modules and storing the width measurements in a memory without decoding.

Abstract: A push-button panel assembly including an individually lighted push-button switch assembly constructed to be damage resistant and having a long life. The panel assembly utilizes the outer shell as the main structural member and mounts the push-button assemblies and a printed circuit board switching system in precise alignment. The push-button switch assemblies are individually illuminated or edge lighted and permit front relamping of the individually lighted switch. The push-button switch assembly coacts with a precision constructed moisture sealed snap disk system on a printed circuit board for closing a circuit in response to the actuation of the push-button.

Abstract: An electronic terminal for electronically collecting opinion data from customers of a service organization as to the satisfaction with the services rendered. The electronic terminal has a keyboard that displays the inquiries with multiple choice responses for each inquiry. A response is associated with each key whereby the operation of the key records the associated response. The response representative of each operated key are collected under the electronic control of a microprocessor controller and visually displaying to the customer each of his selections. A tally of each answer is permanently recorded in the terminal. The electronic control for the terminal includes stored parameters for programming certain operations. The terminal includes a porable data collection terminal for receiving the collected data and permitting it to be transmitted to a remote point by conventional telephone lines to a host processor.

Abstract: A well blowout preventer packer that is assembled by means of modularly constructed and defined elements. The modular elements are assembled and interlocked individually without resorting to cementing them together whereby individual elements may be replaced when they deteriorate. The modular packer elements can be molded individually so that the elastomeric materials can be better controlled.

Abstract: An arrangement of bistable data latches useful with a digital to analog converter for controlling the light output of a lamp. The data latches are provided with individual touch sensitive selection elements for controlling the pattern of binary signals generated at the output of the latches to define the voltage available for energizing the lamp or load. The selection elements may be operated in sequence or at random to select the desired output.

Abstract: A flanged plate for insertion between the carburetor and manifold bores for an internal combustion engine to intercept the fuel-air mixture immediately after it leaves the carburetor around the throttle valve therefor. The plate comprises a plurality of flanged areas constructed and defined to intercept the fuel and air mixture while minimizing the restriction of the flow. The flanged areas are defined over 180 degrees of the carburetor bore to generate a multiplicity of small vortices that interfere with and reduce the large vortex that is generally produced immediately below the carburetor's throttle valve. The interaction of the vortices causes a reduction in back pressure, improved mixing of the fuel and air and increased volume of flow of the fuel and air mixture into the engine leading to more complete combustion and increased miles per gallon of fuel with a cleaner exhaust stream.

Abstract: A jet diffuser ejector constructed and defined for maximizing thrust augmentation with minimal length. The ejector is provided with primary injection nozzles arranged in a preselected spaced relationship with the inlet section of the ejector and at a preselected angle with respect to the normal to the thrust axis of the ejector. The ejector may include a diffusing section having upstream and downstream diffusing sections with a diffuser jet arranged intermediate the diffusing sections.

Abstract: An audio data transmission device for transmitting binary coded audio tones over a telephone system. The audio data transmission device is adapted to be utilized with a hand-held, data collection terminal provided with a speaker emitting binary coded audio tones. The transmission device consists of a muff for receiving the microphone portion of a conventional telephone handpiece and a solid transmission element. The transmission element is adapted to be mechanically connected to the housing for the terminal for channeling the data tones to the telephone handset without dampening. The transmission element is defined to be mechanically tuned to the characteristics of the telephone microphone to minimize the generation of second harmonics of the desired audio tones.

Abstract: A fluid operated pump for concrete and similar materials comprising a pair of piston-cylinder units connected to a concrete housing having a single valve for controlling the charging and discharging of the material. The valve control element and the concrete housing are defined in a mating relationship for minimizing flow restrictions of the material moved through the housing. Other efficiencies in the fluid circuit structures and arrangements are provided.

Abstract: A combination lighter constructed of a conventional, flame producing lighter integrated with a solar lighting device as a single unit or lighter. The solar lighter may include a tubular structure having a solar lens for focusing the solar rays onto an object to be lit that is positioned within the tubular structure. The tubular structure may include an aperture for viewing the position of the object so as to permit positioning it at the focal point of the lens and for ventilation purposes.

Abstract: A garbage disposal drain protector adapted to be readily secured, in a few seconds, to all commercially available garbage disposal units. The disposal drain protector is mounted adjacent the open end of the disposal to catch silverware or the like that may inadvertently enter the disposal to prevent these objects from being subjected to the cutting blades of the disposal and permits them to be manually retrieved, intact, from the drain protector. The general function is the same as that provided by the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,474.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the luminous flux generated by a lamp with the degeneration of the voltage from a power source such as a battery. The regulating circuit maintains a constant luminous flux output from a lamp over a substantial range of voltages by switching the voltage to the lamp on and off at a preselected and controlled duty cycle. The principal advantage of this regulation is that only the minimum energy necessary to produce a required minimum luminous flux is used from the power sources irrespective of its voltage value within the operative range. The power pulses applied to the lamp are of a voltage that varies directly as the voltage variations of the power source and widths that vary as the inverse square of the voltage from the power source for maintaining a constant RMS voltage on the lamp and thereby constant light output flux.