Abstract: A cadmium electrode for use in a rechargeable cell employing an alkaline electrolyte is disclosed. The electrode includes an electrically conductive substrate supporting an electrochemically active cadmium material. In addition, an effective amount of a nonionic, water soluble glycoside-based surfactant is added to retard cadmium agglomeration during operation of the electrode. Finally, a process for making such an electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A loading apparatus for slidably loading a plurality of circumjacent, radially arranged crimping members into the crimping member holders provided in the head of a crimping apparatus.

Abstract: An inflatable packer includes an elastomeric tubular body adapted for radial expansion and having a longitudinal axis. An elastic outer cover surrounds the tubular body, and coupling members are disposed on each end of the tubular body. A plurality of reinforcing elements are sandwiched between the cover and the body and have end portions terminating at the coupling members. The reinforcement elements include spirally wound members extending the length of said body between the coupling members. The reinforcement elements are wrapped about the tubular body in a manner to continuously decrease the lay angle thereof relative to the longitudinal axis of the body from each coupling member toward the center portion of the tubular body.

Abstract: Crimping apparatus includes a pair of coaxial rings, at least one of which is axially moveable toward and away from the other ring. Each ring is provided with a single pair of force reactive adjoining steep and shallow concave frustoconical surfaces which face each other. A plurality of circumjacent, radially arranged crimping members are positioned intermediate the rings. Each crimping member has two pairs of steep and shallow force reactive convex frustoconical surfaces that slidably engage with the concave force reactive surfaces of the rings to radially move the crimping members to and from the ring axis between an open position and a crimping position. The radial movement of the crimping members is in response to axial movement of at least one of the rings.

Abstract: A molded elastomer having high and low temperature resistance in dynamic applications. The elastomer includes the reaction product of an amine or hydroxy terminated polyol having an unsaturated level of less than about 0.06 milliequivalents per gram polyol, an hydroxyl or amine terminated chain extender, and a polyisocyanate-containing prepolymer capable of rapid reaction times with said chain extender when admixed together in a mold.

Abstract: A support assembly, including an end plate, for use in metal gas cells. The support assembly inhibits a plate stack which is positioned within a pressure vessel from impinging the walls of the pressure vessel. The support assembly comprises a first and a second weld ring and a first and a second end plate, each of the end plates being attached to a different end of the plate stack. The first and second weld rings mate with the first and second end plates, respectively, and cooperate to support the plate stack. The end plate comprises two plates secured together. A raised portion on one of the plates forming the end plate has a radially extending embossment formed therein to increase the rigidity thereof. The pressure vessel is constructed of generally cylindrical container defining two circumferentially extending lips, each of which is secured to an end portion.

Abstract: An inflatable packer is disclosed and includes an elastomeric tubular body adapted for radial expansion and having a longitudinal axis. The packer includes an elastic outer cover surrounding said tubular body, and coupling members disposed on each end of the tubular body. A plurality of substantially concentric reinforcing layers are stacked atop each other and sandwiched between the body and the cover. Each layer includes spirally wound reinforcing members extending the length of the body between the coupling members. The reinforcing members and each of layers has a uniform lay angle at any circumferential position along the length of the body, with a lay angle of the members in one of the layers differing from the lay angles of the remaining layers at the same circumferential position along the length of the body.

Abstract: A nonwoven fibrous flexible material includes a needled web having a front outer surface and a non-glazed back surface disposed opposite thereof. The web includes interengaged first fibers and second thermoplastic fibers with the outer surface being substantially free of the second thermoplastic fibers. The web also has a plurality of weld joints between the second thermoplastic fibers and at least a portion of the first fibers proximate the back surface.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable electrochemical cell including an electrically conductive substrate, a layer of an electrochemically active material attached to the substrate, the active material comprising a reducible species of a metal, at least one conductive contact area formed of a metallic form of said metal attached to said substrate, said metallic contact area comprising said reducible species in a converted form. A positive electrode is further provided wherein said active material is nickel hydroxide and said metallic form of said metal is nickel metal. The invention further comprises the method for manufacturing electrodes as described above, featuring use of reducing gas to effect conversion.

Abstract: An inflatable packer includes an elastomeric tubular body and an outer cover surrounding the body. An end member is also provided having a capped portion threadably engageable with an annular ring member, the ring member being secured to the end portion of the outer cover. A plurality of reinforcing elements are sandwiched between the cover and the body and have end portions terminating beneath the ring member. Finally, there is a mechanism for wedging the end portion of the reinforcing elements against the inner surface of the ring member in response to increased threaded engagement between the capped portion and the ring member to retain the elements in position beneath the ring member.

Abstract: A lead-acid cell in which insert molded lead terminal connectors are provided with a surface layer of an elastic adhesive material bonded to the connector and making sealing contact with the enshrouding plastic molding. Electrolyte creepage and corrosion is suppressed.

Abstract: A battery powered energy-using device is disclosed which operably distinguishes between batteries having standard and non-standard terminal configurations. The battery compartment in the device is provided with a terminal having first and second insulated contacts, one contact configured to make contact with a battery of standard terminal configuration and the second contact adapted to make contact with a second terminal. In one embodiment the device is associated with charging circuitry which is adapted to recharge a rechargeable battery having the special non-standard terminal configuration, while permitting discharge but not recharge of a primary battery having a standard terminal configuration.

Abstract: A tensioner with a pulley rotatably mounted to a pivot arm that is biased with a spring means, the pivot arm includes a leg extension for inhibiting movement of the arm with a damping means.

Abstract: A sealed rechargeable nickel electrode containing electrochemical cell has a pasted negative electrode having paste layers adhered to a nonforaminous conductive substrate, which retards growth (swelling) of the nickel electrode on cycling.

Abstract: A method for tensioning a synchronous toothed belt with the tensioner so as to substantially inhibit movements of the pivot arm as attributed to dynamic tension variations in a belt drive system while damping movements of the arm. A method for tensioning a synchronous belt drive with the tensioner by biasing a moveable pulley against the belt with a force sufficient to limit the amplitudes of resonance tension variations and damping the biasing of the pulley to prevent substantially most cyclic movements of the pivot arm while simultaneously accommodating thermal changes in drive length.

Abstract: A resilient, low modulus, semirigid shell for use as a component of an article of luggage. The shell comprises a first nonwoven batt of thermoplastic resin fibers and an exterior material attached to the first nonwoven batt. The first batt and exterior material are thermally formed to a predetermined shape. The shell may also include one or more additional component layers selected from a second nonwoven, fibrous batt, a layer of backing material, a water impermeable film, and a lining material. In manufacturing the shell, the exterior material is attached to a first portion of a substrate material which is comprised of the nonwoven batt of thermoplastic resin fibers. A second portion of the substrate material is secured to an apparatus for thermal forming and the exterior material and substrate material are thermally formed to a resilient, low modulus, semirigid shell having a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A power tansmission belt having a body portion comprising at least one strip of belt body material helically wound at an incline with respect to the surfaces of the finished belt. The belt material is wound against itself to form generally inclined and successive plies of body material. Tensile material or load carrying cord is helically wound between the successive plies of the body material. The method and apparatus for simultaneously winding the belt body material and the load carrying cord is disclosed.

Abstract: A binary lead-tin alloy substrate for support of the electrochemically active material in lead-acid cells is disclosed having a tin concentration from about 0.3 to about 0.9 weight percent, the balance being lead. The tin impedes the formation of a passivation layer at the interface between the grid material and the active material improving cell recovery from deep discharge and improving cold cranking amperes performance.

Abstract: A high and low temperature resistant endless belt is disclosed. The belt includes a main belt body portion prepared from elastomeric material and a tensile member disposed in the body portion. A sheave contact portion is formed integral with the main body portion. The elastomeric material has high and low temperature resistant properties. The elastomeric material is formed from the reaction product of an amine or hydroxy terminated polyol, an hydroxl or amine terminated chain extender, and a polyisocyanate-containing composition adapted for rapid reaction with the extender when admixed therewith in a mold to retain flexibility and resiliency over heat age of the belt.

Abstract: A sealed rechargeable nickel electrode containing electrochemical cell has a pasted negative electrode having paste layers adhered to a nonforaminous conductive substrate, which retards growth (swelling) of the nickel electrode on cycling.