Abstract: A battery, a battery electrode structure, and methods to make the same. The product and method comprise applying a layer of lead-tin containing alloy to substrates for anodes or cathodes for lead-acid batteries, in which the substrates are porous or reticulated.

Abstract: Adaptive modification of surface properties such as color, temperature and reflective properties by adjustably varying the temperature of a surface perceived by an observer, utilizing Peltier devices at the surface for temperature adjustment.

Abstract: Reduction of moisture in harvested crop particles. Waste heat from an internal engine carried by a harvester is applied to the crop during the harvesting process. Microwave energy is applied to the crop, concurrently with application of the heat, or separately from it. The objective is to reduce the moisture to a level acceptable to a storage facility, or at least to reduce the cost of further reduction.

Abstract: Reduction of moisture in harvested crop particles such as corn and soy beans. Waste heat from an internal engine carried by a harvester is applied to the crop during the harvesting process. Microwave energy is optionally applied to the crop, concurrently with application of the heat, or separately from it. The objective is to reduce the moisture to a level acceptable to a storage facility, or at least to reduce the cost of further reduction.

Abstract: Described is a self-cleaning filter for a liquid stream confined in a pipe 20. The filter includes a porous ceramic filter body 30 having a power source 35 attached thereto. Upstream from the filter body a helical rib 50 and a sump drain tube 42 are provided. In operation, as the filter becomes clogged, an electrical current is applied causing the ceramic body to exhibit ultrasonic transducer properties which dislodge particulates from its upstream face 31. At the same time, a sump valve 41 is opened to remove the particulate-rich liquid. The helical rib imparts a rotary motion which creates a rotary flow component across the upstream face of the filter.

Abstract: A cable to translate a magnetic field from one end to the other end of the cable. The cable includes a plurality of axially-extending strands of magnetic core, individually surrounded by non-magnetic claddings, the strands being parallel and coherently arranged. The cable can usefully be placed in a passage through a barrier in structural and fluid sealing relationships with its wall to translate the image of a magnetic field from one side of the wall to the other.

Abstract: A battery plate and a battery including the plate, the plate being a rigid reticulated conductive metal structure comprised of rigid elongated tendrils many of which meet in continuous intersections (apexes) of the tendrils to form dodecahedrons which form a conductive structure with pores and volumes to receive electrolyte. If desired a coating of battery materials can be adhered to the structure, still leaving open pores and volumes.

Abstract: An implantable electric pump for assisting blood flow in a patient in need thereof comprises a non-rotating pump housing and an electric motor enclosed within the housing, all motor components being disposed within the housing in a manner that does not substantially block blood flow through the central axial flow path. The motor comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator is fixedly mounted within the housing and contains a first set of electromagnetically interactive torque-generating components. The rotor is coaxially and rotatably disposed within the stator and has a rotor vane extending outwardly from a central longitudinal axis of the rotor towards the stator, and a second set of electromagnetically interacting torque-generating components disposed on the vane for rotation therewithin. The second set interacts with the first set to cause rotation of the rotor relative to the stator when a rotating electrical current is passed through the first set.

Abstract: Joinder of two adjacent segments of steel pipe having an outer diameter of at least 12 inches, by a bridging sleeve, the sleeve being joined to both pipe segments by magnetic forming. Apparatus enabling the process includes a segmented ring-shaped coil brought together around the joinder, to form a complete coil circuit for magnetic forming.

Abstract: A bio-operated implant system for implantation inside a human body. A piezoelectric generator in the form of a flexible sheet of poled polyvinylidene fluoride structurally that is attached in surface-to-surface contiguity with a skeletal number, which flexes with negligible elongation of its surface, is connected in circuit with a power consuming device such as a pacemaker, to a rectifier, and to a power storage device such as a condenser or battery. The generator generates in alternating voltage, which is rectified to direct current, which is supplied to the power consuming device on demand.

Abstract: A diamond deposition system and process for producing diamond semiconductor devices. A multiple gun plasma arc deposition system allows controlled deposition of diamond-like materials on a substrate. Deposition is controlled by controlling the time duration of pulses to a main gun, an acceptor gun and donor gun in a vacuum chamber that may contain a small amount of hydrogen. The deposition process is also enhanced with microwave temperature control and substrate dithering with a transducer.

Abstract: A novelty format in which a compressed dry stored material is expanded by addition of water. It is supported by a telescopic array of rods and a sleeve to limit bending of the wetted material. It can be made to simulate various objects such as a stalk or stem, and may carry greetings which rise with the expansion of the material when the material is wetted with water.

Abstract: A separable connector for mounting printed circuit boards which permits easy removal or swiveling for repair or replacement. The connector has a chassis or surface mounting header having a plurality of solder connections to interconnect with main circuits. The header has sockets with latches for receiving mounting pins on a cylindrical connector securely attached to a printed circuit board with rivets and solder connections. The cylindrical connector has wrap-around contacts on a cylindrical shaft mating with concave contacts on the header which maintain electrical contact as the circuit board swivels.

Abstract: A remote access personnel identification system for tracking personnel in, or controlling access to a secured area in which an identification module includes a micro-computer chip is programmed with identifying information. The identification module is worn by personnel for interrogation by a remote field reading unit and includes a transmitter and receiver for two-way transfer of information to the portable hand held field reading unit. The system includes a central processing station in a master control center for programming each idenfication module with specific information regarding the personnel having access to the secured area. Information such as name, identification number, social security number, and descriptive characteristics are programmed into the module. The remote field reader unit allows the identification module to be interrogated at anytime, anywhere with a secured area. A security guard simply points and triggers a handgun to send an infra-red signal to interrogate the module.

Abstract: A proximity detecting and warning system for use in collision avoidance, particularly with aircraft. The system responds to pulsed light sources within a selected frequency band and particularly the frequency of aircraft strobe and rotating beacon light sources while disregarding any other natural steady state light sources as well as man-made light sources such as street lighting and ground lighting sources. The system detects pulsed light sources on aircraft or vehicles within the proximity of the transmitter and provides a visual and audible alarm to a pilot or operator. The alarm occurs when another aircraft is within the detection envelope which typically extends in an elliptical pattern around the transmitter in all directions with a detection range of up to approximately three miles. The circuit is designed to detect the strobe or rotating beacons having frequencies standardized by Federal Regulations which also require that these sources be illuminated at all times during flight.

Abstract: A dental bur whose abrading or cutting surfaces are covered by an adherent layer of a suitable nitride or carbide deposited thereon. The layer is deposited on edge surfaces and adjacent surfaces by vacuum deposition, are deposition, are catheter sputtering to produce a larger of thickness controlled to be insufficiently thick to form an unsuitably dull edge.

Abstract: A system for remote reading of meters such as utility meters comprised of an encoder for generating and storing pulses which can be interrogated as needed to determine usage or for load information. The encoder is comprised of a pulse generator connected to the meter for generating a pulse for each incremental movement of the meter which is then converted to binary coded digital data and stored. A two tone oscillator is provided for reading the stored data over telephone lines. An inhibit circuit inhibits the outputs of the two tone oscillators when the phone line is in use or when there are disturbances on the line.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of water in a fuel tank comprising a fitting mounted at the lower most portion of said tank having a water sensing alloy on said fitting. The fitting positions the water sensing alloy in the tank in the position where water will tend to collect. The fitting also includes an integrally mounted indicating device such as a go/no-go device or a meter to determine the presence of water in the tank. The length by which the fitting extends into the tank can be used to determine the depth of water in the tank and when the amount of water collected at the bottom or sump of the tank exeeds a predetermined depth it will be detected by the indicator connected externally to the water sensing alloy. A useful water sensing alloy is comprised of a composition of lead, tin, and zinc each being present in an amount of between about 20-45% by weight, with the composition also containing small amounts of up to about 0.

Abstract: A thermal responsive valve having a temperature sensitive magnetic material for operating a valve in response to temperature variations. A valve is held closed by magnetic forces from mutually attractive magnetic means. One or more of the magnetic means are formed of materials that have strong magnetic properties producing magnetic forces which vary according to temperature. The magnetic materials are selected to provide a design temperature which when reached abruptly causes the material to lose its magnetic properties (permeability) becoming magnetically inert opening the valve. When the materials cools to the design temperature and below it abruptly retains its magnetic properties and will close the valve.