Abstract: A system for rapidly substituting one source of AC power for another. A solid-state gated electronic valve is coupled in circuit with a principal power source or "line" and the current through the valve is monitored. Line voltage is also monitored and a timing signal produced to keep the system in synchronism with the principal power source. When the source voltage decreases or changes abruptly, or if its phase drifts unacceptably, the difference detected between the source and a reference effects the termination of valve gating signals, and allows the application of synchronous enabling signals to a standby power source. If the solid-state valve is non-conducting the standby source starts immediately in synchronism with the previously-supplied load voltage. If current is flowing in the valve, however, a commutating signal is produced which overrides the synchronous standby enabling signal to energize the standby power source with the proper polarity to extinguish current through the valve.

Abstract: A system for providing a signal suitable for transmission by telephone equipment to indicate the duration of pulses produced by a heart pacer. The system includes a pickup for detecting pacer pulses and a switched circuit responsive to pulse duration for applying charge to a first capacitor. During the inter-pulse period a second or reference capacitor is charged to a level corresponding to that of the first capacitor though a timed switching circuit, after which another timed switching circuit discharges the first capacitor to prepare it for receiving a subsequent charge. The potential accumulated upon the second capacitor is then used to operate an output stage pulse generator which controls the duration of an audio-frequency tone burst.

Abstract: A light fixture of the type enclosing a plurality of standard dry cells. An outer, support member forms an outer housing to be affixed to a wall, ceiling or other fixed object. The outer housing receives an inner housing comprising a unitary battery enclosure, reflector and lamp socket receptacle. A sheet of resilient foam material disposed between the outer and inner housings is compressed upon assembly of the two members and urges them apart to aid in separating the members when latches are released. A dome-shaped lens attaches to the inner housing to protect the lamp and to diffuse the light which it produces.The enclosures for the batteries which are formed by the inner housing are provided with partitions separating the batteries, and upstanding bosses about certain of the contacts therefor, to prevent completion of an electrical circuit should any of the cells be reversed during installation.

Abstract: An alkaline battery having a divalent silver oxide (AgO) positive active material (cathode) in which a sulfide additive is incorporated into the alkaline electrolyte on the positive side of the battery separator or barrier or is added to the positive active material is provided. The sulfide additive improves the stability of the divalent silver oxide (AgO) active material in the aqueous alkaline electrolyte without adversely affecting the electrochemical reaction during the discharge of the battery. The additive consists of a sulfide of cadmium, calcium, mercury, tin, tungsten, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The mouth of a tubular cell envelope is closed by compressing into it an end cap formed of a resilient plastic exhibiting a low creep characteristic. An elongate terminal is inserted through the end cap and into the cell interior, and a vent passage is formed in the cap at a location between the electrode and the cap edge. In one embodiment a plug is placed in the passageway before assembly of the end cap into the envelope such that the radial compression of the end cap by the surrounding envelope clenches the plug more tightly in the passageway. In a preferred embodiment, the plug is formed with a hollow core and the outer end of the passageway is counterbored or chamfered to allow the plug to be blown clear of the passageway by undesirably high pressure generated within the cell.

Abstract: A cardiac pacer having an improved oscillator circuit therein which provides rate runaway protection in the event of circuit malfunction. The oscillator establishes the normal operating rate of the pacer and limits the pacer operating rate to a predetermined rate which, while above the normal pacer operating rate, is still considered to be a safe pacer operating rate.

Abstract: A vent system for an electric storage battery designed to remove the electrolyte which is entrained in the gases that are vented from the particular battery cell to the atmosphere through the vent plug assembly. The liquid gas separation feature has a primary inlet on the sidewall of the vent plug at its uppermost position that still remains in the battery cell, a drain opening in the lowermost portion of the vent plug, and baffles arranged inside the vent plug assembly such that the fluid entering the primary inlet flows in a horizontal direction and is scrubbed to remove the electrolyte. The electrolyte is then collected and returns to the cell through the drain opening while the scrubbed gases eventually reach the atmosphere. The liquid gas separation system can be used in a vent plug having a low profile for use on maintenance free batteries as well as on non-maintenance free batteries.

Abstract: A process is described for repairing secondary batteries which have defective seals. The process of repair can be performed safely while the battery is in operation.

Abstract: An improved battery having an electrolyte permeable porous inherently sealable separator and intercell connector both extending beyond the periphery of the cell electrodes. A polymeric film material separator seals the intercell connector. The separators may extend beyond the intercell connectors and are sealed to adjacent separators.

Abstract: A high drain rate, primary alkaline cell comprising a negative electrode, a divalent silver oxide (AgO)/monovalent silver oxide (Ag.sub.2 O) depolarizer blend, a separator between said negative electrode and depolarizer blend, and an alkaline electrolyte consisting essentially of potassium hydroxide. The surface of the depolarizer blend adjacent to the separator is coated with a layer of silver. The reduced surface layer of the depolarizer provides improved stability of the depolarizer blend in the alkaline electrolyte, and it provides the cell with a single voltage plateau during discharge. The cell is characterized by a maximum open circuit voltage of about 1.75 volts. The surface of the depolarizer blend can be reduced to form the silver layer either prior to being placed in the cell container or after the blend is consolidated in the container.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix wherein the mix is treated with a mild reducing solution of a reducing agent such as methanol followed by a treatment with a strong reducing solution of a reducing agent such as hydrazine to form a layer of silver on the surface of the depolarizer mix. The depolarizer mix is specially prepared for use in a primary alkaline cell which is discharged at a single voltage plateau, and the preliminary treatment of the mix with the mild reducing solution permits the incorporation of greater amounts of divalent silver oxide in the mix, thereby increasing the electrochemical capacity while still providing a single voltage plateau discharge. The treatment with the mild reducing solution generally requires soaking the mix in a solution containing a reducing agent for up to about 10 minutes and may be carried out at either room or elevated temperature.

Abstract: Lead-acid storage battery plates damaged during battery manufacture are placed in a trough having an upward slope. The trough is vibrated causing the non-metallic components of the plates to be shaken free from the metallic components of the plates with the non-metallic components being reduced in size during the vibration process. The non-metallic components of the plates are discharged from the trough as a fine powder through suitable openings in the bottom of the trough while the metallic components climb the trough and are discharged at the upper end of the trough.

Abstract: A primary alkaline cell having a stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer mix comprising a negative electrode (anode), a divalent silver oxide (AgO) depolarizer mix, a separator between said negative electrode and depolarizer mix, and an alkaline electrolyte. The surface of the depolarizer mix is treated with a mild reducing solution to form a reduced layer surrounding the mix, and the surface of the reduced layer adjacent to the separator is coated with a layer of silver. The reduced layer surrounding the depolarizer mix in combination with the layer of silver provides improved stability of the depolarizer mix in the alkaline electrolyte and a single voltage plateau during discharge of the cell. The primary alkaline cell is characterized by a maximum open circuit voltage of about 1.75 volts.

Abstract: An annular skirt is provided on a storage battery vent plug to eliminate the formation of current conducting electrolyte paths originating at the interior of the battery and terminating at a point of differing electrical potential on the exterior of the battery.

Abstract: A respirator or gas mask has a check valve having a seat with a raised border. A soft rubber valve is located on the seat and held thereto by a valve retainer. When the valve is not under any pressure, the valve is sealed solely by contact between the rim of the valve and the raised portion of the seat. When back-pressure is placed on the valve, it seats on the entire valve seat area.

Abstract: A secondary battery utilizing a molten sodium negative reactant, mixture of metal halides, sulfur positive reactant melt having a carbon powder dispersed within the melt, a molten sodium haloaluminate electrolyte, and a selectively ionically-conductive separator positioned between the negative and positive reactants.

Abstract: An Electric Distribution system for hospital use includes a plurality of ungrounded remote Power Supplies. Each remote Power Supply is provided with a Line Isolation Monitor. A Master Annunciator and Central Control Unit is connected to the several Line Isolation Monitors. The Master Unit, located at a central point, emits an alarm signal whenever the ground leakage current of any Power Supply exceeds a preselected value. The Master Unit also identifies the faulty Supply. Means are provided to measure the magnitude of the ground leakage. In a check mode, the Master Unit will sequentially read the leakage current of each remote Power Supply. In a test mode, the Master Unit will sequentially place artificial ground faults in each remote Supply so as to check the operation of each remote Monitor. Further circuitry may be provided to give an alarm at the Master Unit in the event that any one of the Monitors becomes inoperative due to power failure or loss of ground connection.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, primary battery having an electrolytic solution consisting essentially of an organic solvent containing an electrolyte salt, a separator, a light metal anode and a blended cathode mix comprising a mixture of silver chromate and a metallic phosphate having a discharge potential in the electrolyte solution higher than silver chromate. The battery preferably has a lithium anode and a non-aqueous electrolyte consisting essentially of methyl formate solvent containing lithium hexafluoroarsenate (LiAsF.sub.6) which provides a single voltage plateau for the discharge of silver. Silver phosphate is the preferred metallic phosphate having a discharge potential in the electrolytic solution higher than silver chromate for the silver cation contributes to the capacity of the cell.

Abstract: A lithium-aluminum negative electrode for an electrochemical cell is prepared by forming a sandwich comprised of lithium and aluminum such that lithium is disposed between the aluminum layers of the sandwich. The sandwich is heat soaked at a temperature below the melting point of lithium while pressure is applied to the sandwich thereby causing the lithium and aluminum to chemically react to form a lithium-aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A line isolation monitor which monitors ground faults on a normally ungrounded AC power line. The monitor uses a low voltage sensing current having a frequency greater than the frequency of the power line. The monitor tests each side of the power line independently. Provision can be made to indicate a double fault to ground. Further refinements include a means to monitor the connection between the monitor device and ground as well as a means for confirming continuity of annunciator lines associated with the line isolation monitor.