Abstract: An amplifying pneumatic switch which is responsive to low pressure signals includes a first chamber for receiving an input signal from a first pneumatic pressure source at a first pressure. The first chamber includes a wall formed by a movable, highly resilient diaphragm. A diaphragm plate is disposed generally coextensive with the diaphragm and is responsive to diaphragm movement. A nozzle is coupled to a second source of pneumatic pressure and is sealable for generating a pneumatic output signal at a second pressure. A sealing mechanism including a lever and a plunger coact between the diaphragm and the nozzle for sealing the nozzle in response to the input signal. A spring is provided for biasing the diaphragm plate to a quiescent position in the absence of an input signal.

Abstract: A storage battery, particularly adapted for automotive applications, includes unique cover, venting and terminal constructions which, in their various embodiments, can accommodate virtually any automobile cable arrangement. Each of the several embodiments utilizes an identical container, electrode construction, intercell assembly and venting arrangement. Various types of exterior battery terminals, accommodating both conventional pressure clamps and threaded connectors, are connected to the battery electrodes through an intermediate primary cover. An outer secondary cover encloses the entire top of the battery, except for direct access to the exterior terminals, and the venting assembly is totally enclosed between the primary and secondary covers.

Abstract: An x-ray probe carrier for the inspection of circumferential welds in cylindrical pipes includes a carriage supported on omnidirectional ball transfers for movement along the bottom of a pipe section. A centrally mounted adjustable probe holder is preset to coincide with the centerline of the pipe for single exposure x-ray examination of a full circumferential weld. The probe is maintained centered during travel along the pipe and is automatically recentered after travel through a horizontal bend. The probe holder is easily adjustable for use in a wide range of pipe sizes.

Abstract: A lead-acid storage battery paste containing an inorganic glass fiber extender or bulking agent up to 6.5% by weight of leady oxide. The extended negative active mass helps to reduce its lead content by about 14 weight % without affecting the lead-acid battery performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding composite articles from two materials includes a rotary mold block carrying a two material mold half between a first material mold half and a second material mold half; the rotary block providing, in sequence, a first material mold cavity and a composite material mold cavity in which latter cavity the second material is injected over, and preferably in positive engagement with, the first material. Core pins are carried in the rotary block which includes means to index the pins for providing core areas in the first material and subsequently retracting the pins so that the second material can flow into the core areas for positive engagement of the composite molded materials.

Abstract: An electrolyte reservoir in fluid communication with the cell of a storage battery is intermittently pressurized with a pulse of compressed gas to cause a flow of electrolyte from the reservoir to the upper region of less dense electrolyte in the cell. Upon termination of the pressure pulse, more dense electrolyte is forced into the reservoir from the lower region of the cell by the differential pressure head between the cell and reservoir electrolyte levels. The compressed gas pulse is controlled to prevent the entry of gas from the reservoir into the cell.

Abstract: A printed circuit contact of the type for attachment to a control device such as a rotary switch and a method for forming the printed circuit contact, the printed circuit contact comprising an elongated rigid tail resistant to bending and an integrally connected spring clip comprised of a pair of resilient jaws, the jaws being formed from material having a thickness less than the thickness of the tail and wherein the jaws and the tail are formed from a single piece of material. The method of forming the printed circuit contact includes milling a longitudinal groove in one surface of a strip of sheet stock so that a portion of the sheet stock is substantially thinner than the remainder. The sheet stock is then stamped and subjected to bending operations such that the thinner milled portion of the sheet stock is employed to form the jaws of the clip and the thicker portion of the stock forms the tail.

Abstract: A lead alloy particularly suited for use in lead-acid type storage batteries having the following composition by weight:______________________________________ Strontium 0.01%- 2.0% Tin 0.1%- 5.0% Aluminum 0.005%- 0.1% Copper 0- 0.

Abstract: Feed-through capacitor of the type for use in filters and the like and including discoidal ceramic capacitors arranged in stacked relationship and electrically connected in series. Series arrangement of the discoidal capacitors prevents shorting through the feed-through capacitor in the event of failure of one of the discoidal capacitors therein and results in substantially improved insertion loss characteristics when compared to feedthrough capacitors having a single discoidal capacitor.

Abstract: A rotary switch for use with electrical circuits and including a housing having a cavity therein for receiving a rotatable disc. The housing supports a plurality of spaced apart electrical terminals each independently connected to an electric circuit and also supports a plurality of opposed resilient contacts selectively engagable with the electrical terminals. The rotor includes opposed planar surfaces, one of the surfaces parallel to and adjacent the resilient contacts, the rotor surface supporting a plurality of cams projecting from the surface and functional upon rotation of the rotor to force selected ones of the resilient contacts into engagement with the terminals to provide an electrical bridge between pairs of the electrical terminals. The rotary switch rotor can include cam members on both of its opposite surfaces and the housings are constructed such that they can be stacked.

Abstract: A thick-film circuit module including a monolithic ceramic cross-over device, wherein the thick-film circuit includes a first conductive path and a second conductive path, transverse to the first conductive path and having spaced apart ends, and wherein the monolithic ceramic cross-over device is used in the second electrically conductive path as an electrically conductive device and for providing an insulative barrier between the first and second electrically conductive paths. The monolithic cross-over device comprises a ceramic chip including a plurality of stacked generally planar layers of ceramic material and electrically conductive metalized paths sandwiched between the respective layers of ceramic material, the ceramic chip having each of its opposite ends supporting an electrically conductive termination end cap, and the opposite ends of each of the electrically conductive metalized paths being connected to the respective termination end caps.

Abstract: A device for use in supporting lead-acid batteries in vertically spaced apart stacked relation and particularly for use with limited maintenance batteries of the type which include a pair of upwardly extending battery posts projecting through the battery cover and of the type not having vent caps or other devices extending above the surface of the top cover. The invention includes a spacer which is intended to be positioned between two vertically stacked batteries and to provide support for the upper battery. The battery stacking spacer is adjustable so that it can be used in connection with batteries having various sizes and different dimensions between the battery terminal posts.

Abstract: A rechargeable portable lead-acid battery for use in providing electrical power to portable devices such as lanterns and the like, the battery particularly including an improved container and cover, an improved battery post construction and an improved electrical assembly.

Abstract: A ladle gate for use with casting apparatus including a mold of the kind used in casting battery plate grids and including a ladle of the type used in holding a supply of molten lead alloy and being pivotable into a pouring position wherein a quantity of the molten lead alloy can be poured into the mold. The ladle gate is positioned adjacent the ladle spouts and functions to permit flow of molten lead alloy through the ladle spouts when the ladle is in a pour position, and to interrupt the flow of molten lead alloy through the spouts at the completion of the pour, when the ladle pivots to its rest position, to thereby prevent the formation of solidified drippage at the spouts.

Abstract: A battery and battery container having air-flow passages therethrough. The container includes partitions separating the cells of the battery, the partitions each being comprised of a pair of spaced apart parallel partition walls defining a narrow generally planar air flow passage between the cells of the battery. The spaced apart partition walls are integrally joined together at a location adjacent a central portion which includes an aperture to permit intercell welding of adjacent cells.

Abstract: A deferred action battery including a plurality of stacked electrode plates functional to produce an electrical potential when immersed in seawater, the battery having a bottom port cover including an opening for admitting seawater into the battery and a cavity in communication with the opening and intended to facilitate migration of precipitate waste material from the battery during its operation.

Abstract: A position or mode indicator for a slider mechanism and particularly a slider forming a part of a push button switch. A button type housing is externally fitted to a push button switch and encloses a rotatable member which is secured in the housing in back of a clear lens. Mode indicating means are carried by the rotatable member and actuator means are supported from the body of the push button switch. The actuator means is interconnected with the rotatable member and movement of the button housing effects movement of the rotatable member by means of the actuator means.

Abstract: A membrane switch in which a membrane layer is supported in a spaced relation from at least one contact of one or more pairs of electrically conductive switch contacts. The contacts are mounted on an insulated substrate. The membrane surface adjacent the contacts has an electrically conductive bridging surface supported thereon such that depression of the membrane will bridge the contacts to complete a circuit. The membrane is mounted on the substrate and is held in a normally spaced relationship with the contacts by a plurality of projections formed on the membrane surface adjacent the substrate or one or more of the contact surfaces. The projections may be integrally formed by puncturing the membrane surface with a sharp object or projections may be formed by permanently deforming the membrane without rupturing the membrane itself. Additionally, the projections may be formed by applying individual spacer elements to the membrane surface.

Abstract: A secondary storage battery and process involves combining folded positive and negative battery plates and separators to form battery elements, placing the elements within a battery container having partitions defining a plurality of battery cells, joining adjacent battery elements by an intercell connection through the partition walls by welding a positive and a negative terminal through the battery case into contact with positive and negative battery plate lugs respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus for enveloping battery plates within porous separators and for feeding a separator sheet to form a fold at the approximate midpoint of the separator, simultaneously positioning a battery plate with an edge adjacent to the fold line, passing the plate and separator through rollers to press the separator against both sides of the battery plate, and passing the folded separator and enclosed battery plate through an ultrasonic sealing unit for sealing opposite edges of the separator to form an envelope. The apparatus includes a separator sheet dispenser for dispensing individual separator sheets into an elongated passageway. The end of the passageway is blocked so that a separator reaching the stopping point buckles to form a fold at the approximate midpoint of the separator.