Abstract: An electrosurgical blade having a silicon nitride ceramic substrate having a beveled working edge with first and second conductive metal traces adhered to opposed side surfaces of the substrate along the working edge so as to be closely spaced relative to one another across the thickness dimension of the beveled working edge. Further conductive traces are formed on opposed sides of the substrate along the other edge of the substrate. In use, when a high RF voltage is applied between the traces extending along the working edge and the surgical blade is brought into contact with tissue, the relatively high current density causes relatively high heating to take place, bursting the cells and creating an incision. When a high RF voltage is applied between the traces separated by the width dimension of the substrate, the current density therebetween is significantly lower but sufficient to create enough heat to dehydrate tissue and blood cells whereby coagulation is achieved.

Abstract: An add-on wheel/axle assembly for truck-type vehicles for reducing the effective axle load of the vehicle allowing the carrying of greater payloads without violating Governmentally imposed road restrictions. The assembly includes a hydraulically actuatable articulated arm assembly where one end of a first arm link is pivotally joined to opposed sides of the truck frame proximate its rear end and with wheels mounted on stub axles affixed to the other ends of said arm assemblies. A cross-member offset by a predetermined distance from the stub axles joins the arm assemblies together and a hydraulic cylinder is operatively coupled between the truck frame and the articulated arms for extending and retracting the wheels between a ground-engaging disposition and an elevated disposition. Further hydraulic cylinders also cooperate with the articulated arms to draw the wheels in a straddling disposition relative to the truck frame when the wheels are in their elevated disposition.

Abstract: A signal responsive circuit especially adapted for use in a water treatment system for signaling the need for regeneration of an ion exchange resin bed or the replacement of a particulate filter medium. A series of three electrodes are disposed in the water treatment medium in longitudinally spaced relation along the direction of flow and an alternating current signal drives the center-most electrode. The two outer electrodes are coupled as inputs to first and second operational amplifiers having asymmetrical gain characteristics. When the effective resistance between the center electrode and the two outer electrodes are equal, which is the condition prior to the movement of the hardness front or contamination front to the location of the electrodes, a first signal output condition exists.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for advancing an optical fiber in a laser enhanced transluminal angioplasty catheter, and for controlling the introduction of laser energy into the fiber. The device includes a catheter and a fiber advance housing. The optical fiber runs through the catheter and housing, and is optically connected to a source of laser energy. A fiber advance assembly, mounted in the housing, reciprocates to advance and retract the fiber relative to the catheter and housing. An actuator member is provided inside the housing to slide independently of the fiber advance assembly. A switching means, provided in the housing, is closed to enable introduction of laser energy into the optical fiber whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed forwardly of a select position relative to the actuator member. The switching means is open, thereby preventing introduction of laser energy into the fiber, whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed rearwardly of the select position.

Abstract: A Y-connector for attachment to the proximal end of a guide catheter which includes an arm projecting from the side of the Y-connector, the arm including a clamp for securing a catheter guidewire against movement relative to the guide catheter.

Abstract: A steerable catheter guide comprised of an outer tube and an inner member surrounded by and rotatable with respect to said outer tube is disclosed. The steerable catheter guide also includes a formable member bonded to said inner member and said outer tube in the area of their respective distal ends. This design causes any rotation of the inner member with respect to the outer member to impart a torque directly to the distal end of the guide making steering much easier and less erratic.

Abstract: A switch device for one-time use in conducting very high currents comprising a silicon substrate on which is deposited a amorphous silicon or polysilicon strip extending as a bridge between first and second spaced-apart metal contacts deposited on the silicon substrate. Also deposited on the same substrate on opposite sides of the bridge and spaced from it are a set of high voltage contacts. When a high voltage is applied across the contacts, no current flows until a trigger current is made to flow through the bridge, the trigger current being sufficiently large to vaporize the bridge creating a plasma cloud. The plasma, being highly conductive, allows a very large current to flow between the high voltage contacts. The device of the present invention finds special application as part of a detonation system for high explosive ammunitions. This specification discloses various modifications to the above structure to achieve desired performance characteristics.

Abstract: A wood surface treatment system comprising a tandemly arranged endless abrasive cross-belt and flexible rotary abrading surface treating apparatus wherein the abrasive cross-belt portion of the system which includes a platen assembly arranged to move in an oscillatory or epicyclic pattern relative to the work surface and wherein the flexible rotary abrading portion of the apparatus includes a pair of angularly disposed rotary abraders, such as cylindrical brushes. The axis of each individual flexible rotary abrader is disposed at an acute angle, preferably 45 degrees, to the axis of the conveyor, with the individual axes being preferably disposed at 90 degrees, one to the other. The cross-belt portion of the apparatus preferably includes means for drivably oscillating the platen.

Abstract: A side-launch transition for efficiently joining a coaxial transmission line or coaxial connector to a microstrip transmission line for operation at millimeter wave frequencies. The microstrip transmission line comprises a conductive microstrip pattern on one side of a dielectric substrate and a ground plane on the other. The conductive microstrip pattern includes a rectangular terminal pad area of a predetermined length designed to be approximately equal to the wavelength of the signal being transmitted. This pad area is integrally joined to the microstrip line. A circular iris or aperture, is formed through the ground plane and is in a centered alignment with the terminal pad on the opposite side of the substrate. A small hole extends through the center of the iris and penetrates the substrate as well as the conductive pad area.

Abstract: Contained within a splash water impervious housing and secured to a shock-mounted equipment support plate are an internal combustion engine, a water pump and a generator, each with a vertically-oriented shaft. Also disposed on the support plate immediately adjacent the engine's exhaust manifold is a water-cooled muffler. Combustion air for the engine and cooling air for the generator is drawn into the housing through a labyrinthian passage, which is effective to block the entry of splash water into the enclosure defined by the housing. The water pump and generator are driven by the engine with the water pump delivering cooling water to the engine's oil pan and cylinder block as well as to the muffler. The heated water is then discharged with the engine's exhaust through the muffler.

Abstract: An improved cap valving means for hot air load-carrying balloons which is designed to be opened and/or closed rapidly so as to assist in control of the balloon. The valve and/or vent includes a disc which may be opened by applying a force to a pull cord, and wherein the applied force is provided with an improved mechanical advantage so as to unseat the disc and thereby open the interior of the balloon envelope to the ambient. In addition to the pull cord, the control cord includes a number of disc cords which are spaced at substantially equally arcuately spaced points around the circumference of the disc, to assist in guiding the disc in its opening and closing motion.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating that a motor vehicle's headlamps are in their high beam condition. Rather than mounting a light source on the dashboard as conventional, the indicator light is mounted in the top center portion of the vehicle's steering wheel with the wiring therefore routed through the rim and spokes of the steering wheel to the steering column.

Abstract: An improved row crop cultivator for use in minimum tillage applications is described. A plurality of ganged cultivating units are mounted on a tool bar adapted to be towed behind a tractor vehicle. Each cultivating unit comprises a frame which is supported on a pair of spaced-apart gauge wheels. Also mounted on the frame for rotation within the gap between the gauge wheels is a disk-shaped coulter blade which is configured to cut through crop residue and weed debris as the material being cut is held against the ground surface by the gauge wheels. This arrangement tends to prevent improper cutting known as "hair-pinning". Trailing directly behind the coulter blade is a middleworker comprising a narrow width shank depending from the frame and having a weld point on its lower leading edge and wing-like share blades flaring rearwardly and outwardly at a predetermined angle from the lower end of the shank.

Abstract: A convertible carrier for infants and small children is adjustable to alternative stroller and car seat configurations. The rear wheels of the carrier are mounted on levers which pivot relative to a frame supporting a contoured shell of the carrier. A telescoping handle, mounted pivotally to the levers at points spaced apart from the rear wheels, can be pushed or pulled to pivot the levers, to position the rear wheels in respective operative and storage (car seat) positions. The forward wheels of the carrier can be rotatably mounted directly to the frame. Alternatively, the front wheels can be mounted to the frame through forward levers which pivot on the frame, and are associated with the rearward levers through linking rods, whereby pivoting of the rearward levers causes a corresponding pivoting of the forward levers between operative and storage positions.

Abstract: An explosive detonator consisting of an integrated circuit chip having a silicon substrate on which is formed an amorphous or polysilicon bridge, the bridge extending between two metal wire-bonding pads also on the substrate. The integrated circuit chip is disposed in close proximity to a primary charge such that when the bridge is energized by an electric current, it heats to the point where the charge is ignited. By back-etching the silicon substrate under the bridge, parasitic heat conduction is avoided. Further, by bonding a pyrex tube to the chip with the tube's bore surrounding the bridge, it is possible to pack the bore with an explosive train in fabricating the detonator assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically welding sheet metal panels to form part of a revolving drum for concrete transit mixers. The apparatus includes a fixture having an annular central core, linear and generally longitudinal ribs extended away from the core, and circumferential ribs extended radially outwardly of the core. The ribs intersect to define compartments in the fixture which are closed when the sheet metal panels are placed on the fixture. The compartments are then evacuated, creating a pressure differential to fix the panels on the fixture. A welding carriage is slidably supported on a rail above the fixture. The fixture can be tilted to selectively align panels along the rail for welding linear seams. Circumferential seams are welded by rotation of the fixture while the carriage is held stationary. To more positively maintain the panels in place during welding, compartments along the interfacing edges of adjacent panels are subjected to a higher vacuum.

Abstract: A manually operable touch pad for generating steering signals and enable signals for manipulating an image on a CRT display or for controlling the operation of plural motors whereby the image or object being driven can be positioned using appropriate hand/eye coordination. The touch pad comprises a box-like mounting base supporting a rectangular printed circuit board on which are mounted four opto-switches centered on the respective edges thereof. The printed circuit board also supports other circuit components and the necessary interconnecting conductors. Overlaying the base in covering relation with respect to the printed circuit board is a molded plastic top having a center post which depends downwardly from the underside thereof, passing through an apertrue in the printed circuit card and adaptive to be secured to the center of the base by a flexible coupling.

Abstract: This invention relates to covers for plants used to protect the plants from meteorological elements, insects, birds and other small animals. More particularly, it relates to a plant protector for protecting young bushes, shrubs, vegetable plants or flowers from wind, rain, snow, frost and sudden temperature changes as well as from infestation by bugs, rabbits and birds which can damage young plants. The invention also promotes growth in that it extends the length of the growing season.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically operating the transmission of a small internal combustion engine includes an elongate actuator rod pivotally attached at one end to a pivotally mounted gear shift lever. The other end of the rod is contained in a housing, and attached to a diaphragm reciprocable in the housing and dividing the housing into two fluid chambers. Separate fluid conduits join each chamber with the air intake passage of the engine, and are normally open to maintain a relative vacuum in each chamber. A microprocessor receives electrical input signals corresponding to engine RPM, vehicle velocity, throttle setting and other vehicle operating parameters, and generates output signals for momentarily and selectively closing the fluid conduit to one of the chambers, and simultaneously opening the selected chamber to a source of atmospheric pressure.