Abstract: A sewer cleaning machine includes a frame, a drum rotatably supported by the frame, and a motor supported by the frame and coupled to the drum. The drum includes a cable that is selectively extendable out of the drum. The motor is operable to rotate the drum. The drum is configured to engage a surface to facilitate moving the sewer cleaning machine along the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the application of a force to enhance the performance of an electrochemical cell. The force may comprise, in some instances, an anisotropic force with a component normal to an active surface of the anode of the electrochemical cell. In the embodiments described herein, electrochemical cells (e.g., rechargeable batteries) may undergo a charge/discharge cycle involving deposition of metal (e.g., lithium metal) on a surface of the anode upon charging and reaction of the metal on the anode surface, wherein the metal diffuses from the anode surface, upon discharging. The uniformity with which the metal is deposited on the anode may affect cell performance. For example, when lithium metal is redeposited on an anode, it may, in some cases, deposit unevenly forming a rough surface. The roughened surface may increase the amount of lithium metal available for undesired chemical reactions which may result in decreased cycling lifetime and/or poor cell performance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding, cooling and cutting an extrusion using temperature feedback can include an extruder for producing an extrudate which can be fed through appropriate sizing, support and cooling devices, which can include one or more of a vacuum chamber, cooling chamber, and calibrators having internal cooling passages. The apparatus can also include a cutting blade, a programmable temperature controller for controlling the cooling of the extrudate based upon feedback on the temperature of the extrudate sensed near the cutting blade and/or prior to a device which feeds the extrusion through the system. The method can include sensing the temperature of the extrudate, at a point near the cutting blade and/or prior to the feed device, subsequent to extrusion being passed through the sizing, support and/or cooling devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding, cooling and cutting can include an extruder for producing an extrudate which can be fed through appropriate sizing, support and cooling devices, which can include a vacuum chamber, cooling chamber, and calibrators, which can have internal cooling passageways. The apparatus can also include a cutting blade, a programmable temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the extrudate prior to being cut by the cutting blade, and a temperature sensor, which can be positioned near the cutting blade and provide feedback to the temperature controller. The method can include sensing the temperature of the extrudate, at a point near the cutting blade, after it is fed through the sizing, support and cooling devices and before being cut. Such feedback can be used to control the temperature of the extrudate such that the extrudate is maintained within a desired range of temperature as it is cut.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and replacing small batteries in electronic devices such as hearing aids or handling small magnetic parts has a housing in which a reciprocating shaft is placed having a magnet at one end. When the reciprocating shaft is placed in its extended pickup position, the magnet is brought close to the end of the housing, and into contact with the battery or other magnetic object. Once in contact with the object, the apparatus may be used for manipulation. Once the object is placed where it is to be left, the reciprocating shaft may be moved to a retracted position weakening the magnetic field holding the battery to the end of the apparatus. The reciprocating shaft is moved and locked into its extended and retracted positions with a rotating ratchet mechanism operated with a thumb of the hand that holds the apparatus. A shim in separable parts of the housing makes adjustment of the terminal end position of the magnet possible.

Abstract: A transceiver is adapted for communication with another transceiver over a common channel by a technique that allows both transceivers to be identical in manufacture and use. The technique avoids designating one transceiver the "master" and the other the "slave", by relying on random time differences between transmissions during a start-up period that initially establishes communications. The transmissions are typically in multi-bit packets. An example using an optical transceiver having a light emitting diode used for both optical transmission and optical detection is given, wherein the channel is an optical fiber.

Abstract: An energy recovery system includes a source of fluid desired to be cooled which is passed through a heat exchanger which receives input air and passes it through the heat exchanger utilizing a temperature controlled variable volume fan controlled to assure the discharge temperature from the heat exchanger is maintained at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An electronic circuit package (11) includes a substrate (14) with leads (21) extending from at least one edge thereof. The leads (21) have a split end (26) formed by two slits (31, 51). The slits divide the end into a lead stub (29) and a flag end (28). The flag end (28) is formed up in a step of approximately the thickness of the substrate (14). The forming of the flag end (28) foreshortens a flag support (32) to locate a flag (34) in substantial superposition to the lead stub (29). Both the lead stub (29) and the flag (34) are solder bonded to respective bond pads (18) on the upper and lower major surfaces of the substrate (14).