Abstract: A surgical system comprising a stapling instrument and a staple cartridge including a plurality of independent circuits powered by the surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for establishing signal and power communication between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate.

Abstract: A sonic echo simulator for simulating sonar signals reflected from underwr targets having a transmitter which broadcasts sonar signals through a given amount of water toward a receiver for readout thereat. Prior to broadcast, various characteristics, such as target length, target aspect, target shadow length, range to sea floor, sea floor reverberation, and target highlights are selectively incorporated into said broadcast sonar signals by combined circuits for the timely generation thereof, respectively.

Abstract: The echo ranging system of the invention comprises circuit means to diffetiate between shadows cast by objects and the period of time prior to the receipt of the first bottom return, as well as the lack of bottom reverberation for other reasons. Additional circuit means determines if the length of the shadow signals in comparison to their range exceeds a predetermined value. Circuit means are also included to produce a first electrical signal when such shadow signals are received. Further circuitry analyzes the shadow signals for which the first electrical signals were provided and produces a second electrical signal when said object shadow signals exceed in number or length a predetermined value. Additional circuit means are provided to convert said first and second electrical signals to suitable audible signals which may be readily distinguished, one from the other.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate.

Abstract: A leak containment storage facility includes a containment vessel with an inner tank surrounded by an outer tank. Upon detection of a leak in the inner tank, the pressure within the outer tank can be increased, usually by flooding the tank, to contain the leak. This facility has special application in a deep basing environment in which a personnel area is powered by hydrogen/chlorine fuel cells. The chlorine is stored as a liquid in the inner tank. Stored water in a reservoir floods the outer tank to apply a pressure on chlorine that leaks from the inner tank and keeps the chlorine from evaporating. Generally the pressure is achieved by the hydrostatic head alone and pumps or compressors are not use.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a receiving vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate. A hydrogen generator reactor includes one or more sliding trays housed within a jacket.

Abstract: Metal particles are introduced to reactor beds in a hydrogen generator without introducing contaminating oxygen or nitrogen to the generator. The particles are protected against oxidation under an inert gas atmosphere, are flooded with water prior to injection into the generator, and are further flooded with hydrogen gas drawn from the generator to replace the water prior to injection. The generator includes a receiving hopper for the metal particles and an injector connected to the hopper. Particles introduced to the receiver are flooded with the inert gas and are transferred to the injector (which is flooded with water) by gravity. The water is displaced with gas from the generator prior to injecting the particles into the generator with a reciprocating piston associated with the injector.

Abstract: Hydrogen gas is generated on demand by reacting hydrochloric acid (haloacid) and a pure metal by flowing the acid upwardly through a bed of metal particles held on a distributor plate within a sliding tray. The tray reciprocates in a retaining vessel. A port in the retaining vessel can be aligned with a drain port in the sliding tray (below the distributor plate) so that the solution in the bed can be shunted directly to an annulus between the retaining vessel and the reactor jacket, thereby eliminating contact of acid and metal and stopping the generation of hydrogen. A coolant may be circulated in the base of the retaining vessel to control the temperature of the acid as it enters the bed, thereby helping to control the reaction rate. A hydrogen generator reactor includes one or more such sliding trays housed within a jacket.

Abstract: By combining the manufacture of sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid, and by using a fuel cell to optimize the energy consumption, the energy efficiency of the manufacture of NaOH and HCl can be improved by at least about 33%. Electrical energy produced in a hydrogen chloride fuel cell is used to assist the electrolysis reaction for making sodium hydroxide, thereby achieving a marked increase in the overall manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: Metal particles are introduced to reactor beds in a hydrogen generator without introducing contaminating oxygen or nitrogen to the generator. The particles are protected against oxidation under an inert gas atmosphere, are flooded with water prior to injection into the generator, and are further flooded with hydrogen gas drawn from the generator to replace the water prior to injection.

Abstract: A digital telephone exchange including a first and second processor in which the second processor contains algorithms selectable by the first processor for operation of functions within the exchange, and in which subscribers' apparatus is connectable to both processors via bus structures and in which signals are passed along the bus structures between connected subscribers under the command of both processors.

Abstract: A heat limiting tubular sleeve extending over only a portion of a tube having a generally uniform outside diameter, the sleeve being open on both ends, having one end thereof larger in diameter than the other end thereof and having a wall thickness which decreases in the same direction as the diameter of the sleeve decreases so that the heat transfer through the sleeve and tube is less adjacent the large diameter end of the sleeve than adjacent the other end thereof.

Abstract: Freight container transport mechanism comprising a pair of jaw-like platfs movable toward one another by a winch-cable means to abut opposite ends of a freight container. As the platforms move toward one another certain upstanding struts on the platforms swing upwardly to raise the freight container from ground level to a transport position supported between the platforms.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting containerized freight, said trailer including ced horizontal rails that can be mechanically spread apart to define a circumscribed space wider than a standard freight container. The trailer can be driven in a reverse direction so that the rails move alongside the freight container. Lift devices on the trailer hoist the container upwardly above the plane of the rails, after which the rails are mechanically shifted toward one another to underlie the container. The container is then lowered onto the rails for transport to another geographical location.

Abstract: An improved cable or chain cutting implement comprises a two piece body pion with sharpened cutting edges on one end thereof. The two pieces of the body portion are configured so as to encompass a towing or sweep cable in gripping relation thereto. A spring retaining member holds the pieces of the body portion in operative relationship to one another and the towing or sweep cable. A plurality of these cutting implements may be attached to a single towed sweep line to comprise an improved, high speed mine sweeping system.