Abstract: An automated management system for managing data, outage repair, load switching, job workflow and crew dispatching, crew workflow, installation, maintenance and restoration of utility services by integrating geographic information systems (GIS) data with many other data sources so as to gather, transform, manipulate, analyze, and produce desired information for continuously supplying utility and relevant services. The data sources include customer information systems (CIS) and billing data, interactive voice recognition (IVR) call management data, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), mobile crew management (MCM) data, automatic meter reading (AMR) data, automated vehicle location (AVL) data, engineering analysis data supported by 3rd party software packages (such as load monitoring and balancing), etc. In particular, the system allows an on-site engineer to retrieve data (ex. field maps, work orders, codes) or enter, via a portable device, inspection data (ex.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radiolucent aiming guide for locating and drilling through the holes in the distal end of an implanted intramedullary nail. The aiming guide comprises an elongate handle constructed substantially of a radiolucent material, which does not cast a strong image on a monitor when exposed to radiation. The radiolucent handle is used in conjunction with a protection sleeve, trocar, drill sleeve, and drill bit, which are used to locate and drill through the hole in the nail. Radiopaque components in the distal end of the protection sleeve, trocar, and drill bit are used to align the drill over the nail hole. A pair of radiopaque pins, located within the handle and lying parallel to its longitudinal axis, aid in ensuring the proper rotational alignment of the aiming guide over the nail hole. The aiming guide may also include a structure to facilitate its alignment over a second hole in the distal end of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radiolucent aiming guide for locating and drilling through the holes in the distal end of an implanted intramedullary nail. The aiming guide comprises an elongate handle constructed substantially of a radiolucent material, which does not cast a strong image on a monitor when exposed to radiation. The radiolucent handle is used in conjunction with a protection sleeve, trocar, drill sleeve, and drill bit, which are used to locate and drill through the hole in the nail. Radiopaque components in the distal end of the protection sleeve, trocar, and drill bit are used to align the drill over the nail hole. A pair of radiopaque pins, located within the handle and lying parallel to its longitudinal axis, aid in ensuring the proper rotational alignment of the aiming guide over the nail hole. The aiming guide may also include a structure to facilitate its alignment over a second hole in the distal end of the intramedullary nail.

Abstract: Orthopedic implant insertion instruments for precision guiding of a fracture fixation implant into fractured bone to promote healing are disclosed. The implant insertion instruments comprise an insertion handle for implantation of a first fixation implant, an aiming arm for precise guiding of a second fixation implant into bone, a guide sleeve for protection of soft tissue and for translational and rotational control of the second fixation implant, and a drive shaft with coupling screw for attachment to the second fixation implant and for driving the second fixation element through the aiming arm and guide sleeve into the fractured bone. The implant insertion instruments also include a soft tissue clearance device to aid the surgeon in inserting the first fixation implant into the fractured bone. Also disclosed is a measuring device that reduces measuring errors made by a user and a measuring device that determines implant length, diameter, and angle of insertion.

Abstract: A heating element comprises a ceramic body having a helical heating wire embedded therein. A short quartz tube closely surrounds the hearing wirs along part of its length, and a thermocouple has its junction embedded in the body substantially in direct contact with the outside of the tube.

Abstract: An airline baggage cart includes a wheeled chassis, a mounting assembly, and a cart body. The mounting assembly includes angle brackets for attachment to the chassis and to dampened runner members. The cart body includes a base frame and four corner posts secured to the base frame, roof supports secured to the corner posts, and corrugated metal wall panels secured to the posts. A roof panel formed from a single sheet of metal is secured to the roof supports, and a floor panel formed from a single sheet of metal is secured to the base frame. The runners may be raised by the angle brackets above the chassis frame by a sufficient distance to allow a forklift fork to enter between the chassis frame and the runners for lifting the baggage cart with improved stability and decreased likelihood of damage to the cart.

Abstract: The machine has a holding pot containing molten magnesium in which a pumping chamber is submerged, a filling port is provided through a bottom wall of the pumping chamber, defined at least in part by a cylindrical wall surface, and an axially moveable control rod with a cylindrical shut-off part is moved between a position at which it is within the confines of the cylindrical wall surface and a position at which it is free of that wall surface. The clearance of the cylindrical wall surface and the cylindrical shut-off part of the control rod is such as to permit free movement of the rod part through the port, but, by virtue of the wetting of the surfaces by the molten magnesium, to seal the port against the pressures applied to it.

Abstract: A method and system for radio communications between mobile units and base stations geographically distributed through a substantial geographic area described. The system automatically finds and engages broadcast frequency for each geographic region. The engagement is confirmed at both the mobile unit and network so that both can begin data transmission and reception between each other as well as keep track of the status of one another. The system also verifies the correct base station has been engaged as well as automatically terminates communications once the mobile unit passes out of coverage for that base station.

Abstract: An improved trephine instrument for use in bone surgery comprises a tubular casing, an annular cutting face disposed on one end of the casing, and a cannulated piston mounted on a spring in the housing. The cutting face comprises a plurality of prongs spaced from each other, with thickened cutting edges at their tips. The head of the piston exends beyond the cutting face in the forward position. A flange is formed at the head of the piston. In use, a Kirschner wire is attached to the bone and inserted into the cannulation in the piston. The trephine instrument is then rotated and pressed foward to cut a bone plug.

Abstract: A packing hood handle adapter for providing an increased manual torque producing leverage to an elongated tool stem. The handle adapter includes an elongated body for providing the increased torque. The diameter or thickness of the elongated body is provided such that it can include an interior chamber defined by the body side wall which is large enough to receive the oppositely extending transverse handle or cross-member of the "T-shaped" handle. A longitudinal opening in the body side wall is in communication with the interior chamber and is wider and longer than the T-shaped handle to permit the cross-member to move into and out of the interior chamber. A transverse opening is provided to accomodate and seat the stem when the cross-member or oppositely extending transverse handle is in the interior chamber. The transverse opening is intermediate the ends of both the interior chamber and the longitudinal member, and in the case of the standard packing hook handle adapter, is at right angles thereto.

Abstract: A method of suppressing lead dust generated in the manufacture of pasted lead acid storage battery plates by coating the surface of a pasted battery plate with a solution or a suspension comprising ammonium sulfate, copolymer and water. The resultant water insoluble film is made porous by the simultaneous evolution of ammonia gas produced during the coating process. The porous water insoluble film on the battery plate results in an electric storage battery with a lower internal resistance, than previously disclosed coatings and produces a battery with performance characteristics less inhibited than those made with previously disclosed coatings.

Abstract: A child proof safety container and closure is provided in which only a minimal portion of the top of the closure element, of the plug type, is exposed, and removal is effected by upward pressure against the plug only when cooperating release means in the closure and the container are in alignment.

Abstract: A sealed lead acid cell is disclosed which has electrodes comprising metallic supports which minimize the evolution of hydrogen and resist deformation under their own weight, and which are separated by at least one layer of separator material, the capacity of the negative electrodes is arranged to be at least as great as the capacity of the positive electrodes, the thickness of the electrodes is less than 3mm, the thickness of the separator is in the range of 10% to 200% of the thickness of the electrodes, and the volume, E, of electrolyte in the cell in relation to the sum of the pore volume of the separators, X, and the pore volume of the positive and negative active materials, Y, is not greater than 2X + Y.

Abstract: A static RAM cell, including two vertical, multiple-Schottky-collector switching transistors wherein a first collector of each is coupled to first and second sources of read/write data, respectively, and wherein a second collector of each transistor is cross-coupled with the base of the other transistor. The cell is implemented with I.sup.2 L technology, and also includes a complementary inverted multiple-collector NPN load transistor having its base electrically common with the emitters of the switching transistors, a first collector merged with the base of one switching transistor, and a second collector merged with the base of the other switching transistor.

Abstract: A sealed lead acid cell is disclosed which has electrodes comprising metallic supports which minimize the evolution of hydrogen and resist deformation under their own weight, and which are separated by at least one layer of separator material, the capacity of the negative electrodes is arranged to be at least as great as the capacity of the positive electrodes, the thickness of the electrodes is less than 3mm, the thickness of the separator is in the range of 10 to 200% of the thickness of the electrodes, and the volume, E, of electrolyte in the cell in relation to the sum of the pore volume of the separators, X, and the pore volume of the positive and negative active materials, Y, is not greater than 2X + Y.