Abstract: A fabric awning assembly, method of assembling the same from multiple sections of awning frames, and a novel divider bead for spanning the joint between adjacent sections of awning frames. Staple receiving channels in awning frame extrusions at the end of each section face like channels in adjacent sections so as to facilitate the use of only one divider bead between adjacent sections. The divider beads include protrusions for securing awning fabric within the channels and for protection from pooling moisture. The divider beads, when installed between adjacent sections of fabric awning frames, create the aesthetic impression that the adjacent sections are actually one continuous assembly.

Abstract: An improved electronic welding station is disclosed. The welding station provides for an improved arc striking capability by providing a higher arc striking voltage and a large arc striking current and, once the arc is struck, automatically switches over to preselected parameters for conducting the welding operation. Also disclosed are a method for preventing transistor failure due to loads which tend to cause a very large instantaneous current flow and an apparatus for protecting the driver circuit and the remaining output transistors in the event that one of the output transistors should suffer a collector-to-base short. The welding station also describes a method of operating the cooling fan at a speed commensurate with the cooling requirements and periodically reversing the voltage to the cooling fan so as to extend the operating lifetime of the fan brushes.

Abstract: This is a coin sorting and counting apparatus for providing very accurate high throughput processing of heterogeneous coin mixtures. A rotating drum having parallel annular channels, each of which has equally spaced counterbores located around it is rotated within a vacuum plenum. A novel sensor coil constructed as a balanced transformer of four coils having rectangular geometries is used, in conjunction with a dual frequency excitation signal, to detect at least three electronic signatures for each coin, the signatures are detected by separating the frequency components in the output of the sensor coil and obtaining a peak value for the excursion of the high frequency response caused by passage of the coin, and width values corresponding to the time the excursion of the signal was above a predetermined threshold for both the high and low frequency responsive channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating tissue damaged by reperfusion injury. The method includes injecting an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer into the human or animal with the tissue damaged by reperfusion injury an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:HO(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.a (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b Hwherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably approximately 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O) constitutes approximately 50% to 90% by weight of the compound.

Abstract: An autocorrelator for FSK signals. An FSK signal, incoming on a telephone line is filtered by a bandpass filter (13) and sampled by an A/D converter (14). A sample clock (15) provides a fixed sampling frequency, FS. A first interpolating filter (20B) provides selectable delays which are non-integer multiples of 1/FS, and an integer delay (25) provides selectable delays which are integer multiples of 1/FS. The delayed signals are multiplied by a multiplier (26) and then filtered by a low pass filter (27) to provide a filtered autocorrelated signal. A second interpolating filter (20A) provides for reduced jitter in the baud timing by increasing the number of samples provided to the decision logic (23). The decision logic (23) provides the decoded data output.

Abstract: An improved circuit for providing automatic gain control (AGC) for incoming phase shift keyed (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals. An absolute value circuit (193) and a comparator (195) provide a first error signal (197). An integrater (200,202) smoothes the first error signal (197) to provide a second error signal (201) to a variable-threshold threshold detector (204). The threshold (209) is initially set at a low value to allow the AGC circuit to quickly respond. A larger value is then used to reduce susceptibility to noise and provide for proper QAM operation. An error circuit (208,211,213) provides a non-linear response so that the gain variations will be small when the input signal (190) is large. This non-linear response further reduces the effects of noise on the AGC circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a composition and method is provided for extending the plasma of a human or animal. The method comprises injecting an admixture of an effective concentration of a surface-active copolymer and an effective concentration of a plasma extender into an human or animal. Plasma extenders that can be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, dextran, hydroxyethyl starch, hemoglobin and albumin.The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:HO(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.a (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b Hwherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably between approximately 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O) constitutes approximately 50% to 90% by weight of the compound.

Abstract: Endotracheal tube tape, comprising pre-cut split ends, peel-away tabs, and a guide which are pre-assembled and ready for use. The endotracheal tube tape will secure and stabilize an endotracheal tube, which will ease the minds of many health care workers. The design allows the endotracheal tube tape to be applied rapidly without sacrificing its purpose, which will be valued in emergency situations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for detecting and amplifying the level of a received signal in the analog front end of a modem so as to maintain the level of the signal below a predetermined signal clipping level. An incoming signal is amplified by a predetermined amount of gain to provide a received signal. The level of the received signal is compared to a first reference level and a second reference level by a signal level detector. The comparative information regarding the level of the received signal is provided to a signal adjustment controller which provides control signals to the amplifier to maintain the received signal level between the first and second reference levels.

Abstract: A method and transfer vehicle for the elimination of the accumulation of positioning errors of packages in storage places in a computer controlled consecutive store, where the packages are stored consecutively on the base of the rails on which the transfer vehicle travels and where in order to move a package in the center the packages in front or behind must first be removed. The transfer vehicle includes a lifting device which lifts the package off of the base and onto the transfer vehicle for transport. Known store transfer vehicles of this type cause a detrimental accumulation of errors during the positioning of the packages. According to the invention, a package is centered in the direction of the store line relative to the transfer vehicle at least once during the time it is stored on the store line. This takes place most advantageously in connection with each lift via the lifting device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating burns. The method includes injecting an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer into a human or animal with a burn. The surface-active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula:HO(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.a (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.b Hwhere a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably approximately 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O) constitutes approximately 50% to 90% by weight of the compound.

Abstract: A device for tissue sampling by thick needle punctuation including a needle assembly including a hollow first needle and second needle extending through the hollow first needle. The needle assembly is contained in a housing having an opening through which the needles extend. Compressed springs in the housing are caused to expand to urge the needles away from the housing during the sampling of tissue. A rod is provided extending from the housing to simultaneously place the springs in a compressed condition.