Abstract: A marine vessel steering system having a bus to which an autopilot interface unit (AIU) containing an autopilot function is coupled. The system having at least one steering location at which autopilot function controls are positioned and coupled through a cable (bus) interface unit (CIU) to the bus for communication with the AIU. In the event that more than one steering location seeks access to the bus, priority is established by an arbitration procedure between data frames transmitted from each steering location. A manual steering unit, such as a helm, is positioned at the main steering location and directly coupled to the AIU, wherein a switch selects between autopilot function rudder control and helm rudder control. Miniwheels, which operate in a manner similar to that of a helm, are positioned at steering locations remote to the main steering location which communicate with the AIU to switch between autopilot function control to miniwheel control.

Abstract: An electrical cable connector is disclosed for connecting a plurality of electrical conductors to a printed circuit board. The cable connector includes a cable socket connector having a plurality of female insulation displacement contacts which can be mated with male signal-carrying pins contained in a pin shroud on a printed circuit board. The cable socket connector is comprised of a hood which retains two or more wafers. Each wafer contains a plurality of insulation displacement contacts. The cable socket connector may include a latch for securing the cable socket connector to the pin shroud and shielding to prevent extraneous signals from being transmitted into the circuits on the printed circuit board through the cable connector. The cable connector also includes an arrangement for keying the cable socket connector to the pin shroud to control the location of insertion of the cable socket connector into the pin shroud.

Abstract: A ceramic element is provided which can be injection molded from an electrolyte and a binder. The ceramic element includes a tube support portion and a plurality of tubes extending from the tube support portion. The plurality of tubes are arranged in rows and columns. A plurality of vias extend from one surface of the tube support portion to an opposite surface of the tube support portion. The ceramic element is coated with an electrically conductive coating and a current collector coating. The vias are coated with the electrically conductive coating and plugged. After the coatings are removed in selected areas of the ceramic element, the tubes of the ceramic element form a series-parallel array because tubes in the same column are connected in parallel electrically and tubes in adjacent rows are connected in series electrically. Two ceramic elements are sealed together to form a modular electrochemical device. The electrochemical device can be either an oxygen generator or a fuel cell.

Abstract: A holder for an electrical or electronic component includes a body formed of electrically non-conductive material having a recess to receive a component such as a fuse. At least two laterally spaced electrically conductive contacts are accommodated by the body. Each contact includes at least one aperture engaging section extending beyond a surface of the body to form a solderless low resistance electrical and mechanical connection with a plated through-hole in a printed circuit board or the like and a terminal section to contact a terminal of a component received by the body.

Abstract: A female power contact which is energized only upon insertion of a male plug. The contact includes a plunger which is biased toward a position which blocks accidental finger insertion into the contact. The plunger also contains sharp points on its outer edge to further prevent accidental finger insertion into the contact. However, insertion of the male plug into the female power contact, against the spring bias, causes the plunger to depress the spring in order to produce an electrical connection between the male plug and female contact.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing two gasses, at least one of which contains oxygen, to a desired concentration of oxygen, comprising a mixing plenum, an inlet valve, for admitting one of the two gasses into the mixing plenum, an oxygen sensor for detecting oxygen concentration of mixed gasses in the mixing plenum and in response generating an output signal representative thereof, and a controller for receiving the output signal and a user input representing the desired concentration of oxygen, comparing the oxygen concentration of the mixed gasses represented by the output signal to the desired concentration of oxygen, and in response controlling the inlet valve to regulate flow of respective ones of the two gasses into the mixing plenum and thereby maintain the desired concentration of oxygen.

Abstract: An electrical terminal block for a high wattage high intensity projection lamp, and use thereof. The electrical terminal block is connected to an electrical power supply and has an orifice for plug-in of cable that forms part of such a lamp. The terminal block reduces premature lamp failure.

Abstract: A high pressure fitting for filling a cylinder with a pressurized gas. The fitting comprises a fill port adaptor in combination with a flow controller system. The fill port adaptor has a movable injection port, a cradle and a locking clamp. The flow controller system has an inlet cooperatively adapted to receive the movable injection port. The flow controller and the fill port adaptor are open for flow of gas when the injection port is received in the inlet and closed for flow of gas when not so received. The locking clamp is adapted to lock the flow controller system in said cradle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flat, composite ("pancake") slip ring is described. An assembly of slip rings of conductive material are formed by photo etching or the like into a plurality of annular, concentric conductive rings, the inner and outer diameters of the rings being connected by alignment tabs. A surface of the rings may be masked prior to plating a precious metal on the opposing surface. The slip ring assembly is aligned with the base and bonded to it prior to removing the alignment tabs.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to electrical wire connectors and more specifically to multi-pin screw-on or twist-on electrical contacts. An electrical set of male and female contacts is provided which can each connect one or more wires without tools. The contacts of the present invention can be installed into their respective plug and receptacle housing bodies for the purpose of creating an electrical connector which can be mated and unmated many times to hook up or remove from service any electrical device or circuit.

Abstract: A ceramic oxygen generator is described which is capable of modular construction to permit the oxygen generation capacity to be expanded. An ionically conducted ceramic electrolyte is formed into a series of rows and columns of tubes on a tube support member and like electrolyte bodies can be connected together to form a manifold therebetween for oxygen produced in the interiors of the rubes. An electrical connection between tubes is formed such that the anodes and cathodes of tubes in a column are connected in parallel while the tubes in the row are, respectively, connected anode to cathode to form a series connection.

Abstract: A stationary pick-up element for use with a rotary connector having a wire rotary element within a housing. The pick-up element comprises an insulated holder for insertion into a slot in the housing, a plurality of conductive fingers incorporated into the holder and disposed so as to contact the rotary element through an exposed portion of the slot, and end connector incorporated into the holder for connection to a plurality of external wires, and a plurality of conductive traces on the insulated holder for connecting the conductive fingers to the end connector.

Abstract: A coaxial connector is disclosed having a selectively plated plastic body and a metallic centre contact which is press fit into an unplated portion of the dielectric body. The dielectric body achieves electrical isolation between the plated ground plane formed by the body and the centre conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing oxygen-enriched air at a first pressure and at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The apparatus comprises, in combination, a pressure swing adsorption system and a pressure intensifier. The pressure swing adsorption system for enriching the oxygen content of air has a pressure of at least the first pressure. The pressure swing adsorption system is adapted to provide oxygen-enriched air to a first outlet at the first pressure and to provide oxygen-enriched air to a pressure intensifier at the first pressure. The pressure intensifier pressurizes the oxygen-enriched air and provides the oxygen-enriched air to a second outlet at the second pressure.

Abstract: A method of controlling an oxygen concentrator having a first sieve bed operated over successive control periods according to a duty cycle for alternately pressurizing and flushing the first sieve bed and a second sieve bed operated over the successive control periods according to a reciprocal of the duty cycle is disclosed. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during every second one of the successive control periods to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the first sieve bed and to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the second sieve bed, for reducing concentration of oxygen produced. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during remaining control periods to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the first sieve bed and to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the second sieve bed, such that water vapor is purged from the first and second sieve beds after pressurizing thereof.

Abstract: A cover for a fill port of a flow controller of a high pressure fitting for filling a cylinder with a pressurized gas. The cover has a slidable cover plate having elongated flexible members attached thereto, such member having a locking projection that cooperatively fits into a locking recess on the cover plate. The cover plate is movable from a first position covering the fill port to a second position away therefrom. Elastomeric means bias the cover plate towards the first position. A fill port adaptor is used to fill the cylinder through the fill port, and may have a cover that prevents operation when the cover is in place. Both covers are adapted to open when the flow controller is properly placed in a cradle that forms part of the fill port adaptor.

Abstract: This invention provides a low friction linear clearance seal for use in closed cycle cryogenic coolers. The clearance seal comprises a cylinder, a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocating movement and a self lubricating polymer liner bonded to the piston which forms an effective seal around the piston. The clearance seal improves the sealing capability between the piston and the cylinder and reduces heat generated by the motion of the piston along the cylinder wall. The clearance seal also improves the performance and reliability of the cryogenic cooler.