Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable active anode material, a cathode current colletor including a layer of a catalyst material for reducing the liquid cathode material, and an electrolytic solution comprising a liquid cathode material and an electrolyte solute dissolved therein. The catalyst material comprises a carbon black having a surface area of 250 square meters per gram or greater and a dibutyl phthalate absorption number of 125 cubic centimeters per 100 grams of carbon black or greater.

Abstract: Band gap voltage regulator employing a self-balancing bridge circuit for controlling current flow through two parallel branches. Voltage points in each branch are alternately sampled and applied to one input of a comparator in a delta modulator circuit. The output of the delta modulator circuit is applied to the other input of the comparator. The output of the comparator is applied to a control circuit which controls a current source in each of the two branches. The voltages at each voltage point are alternately compared with the voltage at the other input of the comparator, and the result is employed to control the current sources so that the voltages at both points are equalized despite any offset voltage in the comparator.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable active anode material, a cathode current collector, and an electrolytic solution comprising a liquid cathode material and an electrolyte solute dissolved therein. The cathode current collector includes a catalytic material comprising a mixture of carbon and a polymer which is the product of the reaction of a transition metal salt such as ferric acetylacetonate or colbaltic acetylacetonate with tetracyanoethylene.

Abstract: Waveform generating apparatus for synthesizing a non-linear waveform by sampling voltage levels along a series string of resistances. The series string of resistances is a linear resistance fabricated in a monolithic integrated circuit structure and includes a series of contiguous resistance elements of approximately the same physical configuration and of approximately equal resistance value. Each resistance element has a projection or nub. Particular ones of the nubs serve as source regions for MOS switching transistors at the sampling point. The intervening nubs are unconnected. The symmetry of the structure compensates for errors otherwise introduced by the presence of source region nubs at sampling points spaced in a non-linear relationship.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell capable of selective operation at one of several possible discharge rates. The electrochemical cell in accordance with the present invention includes a pair of battery stacks positioned one above the other in a housing of the cell in a spaced-apart relationship. One of the battery stacks includes a first plurality of anode structures of first thicknesses and a first plurality of carbon electrode structures of first thicknesses arranged in alternation with the first plurality of anode structures. Similarly, the other battery stack includes a second plurality of anode structures of second thicknesses and a second plurality of carbon electrode structures of second thicknesses arranged in alternation with the second plurality of anode structures.

Abstract: A reserve battery of electrochemical cells employing several housing sections of conductive material stacked in a series arrangement with insulation at the points of connection. Each two adjacent housing sections form a chamber. Each chamber contains anode members in contact with one of the housing sections forming the chamber and cathode members in contact with the other of the housing sections forming the chamber. A central conduit through the stack of housing sections is formed by inner walls of the housing sections. Holes in these walls provide passageways from the conduit into the chambers. To activate the cells an electrolytic solution stored in a reservoir is forced into the conduit and through the passageways into each chamber. A series of one-way valves along the conduit physically and electrically seal off the solution in each chamber from that in every other chamber. Thus, each chamber contains an activated electrochemical cell with the cells connected in series to provide a battery.

Abstract: An MOS FET inverter driver circuit. A first FET of the depletion type, a resistance formed by a depletion type FET having its gate connected to its drain, and a second FET of the enhancement type are connected in series between a positive voltage source and ground. Third and fourth FET's both of the enhancement type are also connected in series between the voltage source and ground. The gates of the first, second, and fourth FET's are connected directly to an input terminal. The gate of the third FET is connected to the juncture of the resistance FET and the second FET. A capacitance is connected between the juncture of the resistance FET and the first FET and the juncture of the third and fourth FET's, an output terminal is also connected to this juncture. The circuit obtains bootstrap action by virtue of the capacitance to provide high voltage drive to turn the third FET, the output pull-up transistor, on.

Abstract: A non-tracking elongated evacuated tube solar energy collector employing compound parabolic reflectors. An energy absorber is positioned at the focal points of the parabolas and is supported by one or more support members along its length. Each support member is a length of resilient wire in the form of a coil encircling the energy absorber with arms extending from each side of the coil. Each arm bears against the inner walls of the evacuated tube at two spaced-apart contact regions.

Abstract: A metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) field effect transistor (FET) regenerative differential comparator circuit particularly suited for use in sigma-delta modulation apparatus. The circuit includes two differential amplifier stages followed by a latching amplifier stage. A regenerative latching section of two cross-connected latching FET's is connected to the latching amplifier stage. Each of the latching FET's is connected in series with a separate switching FET. A strobe pulse turns on the two switching FET's enabling the latching FET's. Depending on the relative polarity of the differential voltage produced by the latching amplifier stage, regenerative action drives one of the two latching FET's into heavy conduction thereby producing an appropriate digital output. The first two differential amplifier stages remain enabled during the regenerative action permitting high speed operation.

Abstract: A source of ultraviolet radiation including an electrodeless lamp containing a metal iodide or iodine. When the contents of the electrodeless lamp are excited by high frequency power, excited iodine atoms emit ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent light source including an electrodeless lamp containing a metal iodide or iodine. A fluorescing material is disposed between the electrodeless lamp and an outer envelope. When the contents of the electrodeless lamp are excited by high frequency power, excited iodine atoms emit ultraviolet radiation. The ultraviolet radiation impinges on the fluorescing material causing it to emit visible light. The fluorescing material may be a solid phosphor material on the outer surface of the electrodeless lamp, a solid phosphor material on the inner surface of the outer envelope, a gaseous phosphor material in the space between the electrodeless lamp and the outer envelope, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A source of visible light including an electrodeless lamp containing a mercury halide, iodine, and nitrogen. When the contents of the electrodeless lamp are excited by high frequency power, visible light is emitted.

Abstract: An electromagnetic discharge apparatus including an electrodeless lamp containing a fill material which emits light when subjected to a high frequency electric field. The lamp envelope is generally cylindrical. Power is coupled to the contents of the lamp by electrodes which encircle each end of the envelope and are spaced apart in the central region of the envelope to provide a capacitive gap between them. An inner coaxial conductor is connected to one of the electrodes and an outer conductor is connected to the other electrode by way of a conductive shielding member which encircles the lamp and the electrodes. A heating arrangement may be provided to maintain the temperature and thus the pressure of the fill material within the envelope constant.

Abstract: An electromagnetic discharge apparatus including an electrodeless lamp containing a fill material which emit light when subjected to a high frequency electric field. Power is coupled to the contents of the lamp by a coupling fixture having an outer conductor of conductive mesh and an inner conductor. The electrodeless lamp is mounted between two electrodes, one from the inner conductor and one from the outer conductor which terminate closely adjacent to opposite outer surfaces of the electrodeless lamp.

Abstract: A source of visible light including an electrodeless lamp containing a mercury halide. When the contents of the electrodeless lamp are excited by high frequency power, excited mercury (I) halide molecules emit visible light.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the fault current in the ground conductor of a polyphase AC electrical power system. When the fault current exceeds a predetermined level, the magnetic field produced causes a magnetic reed switch to close and open at twice the AC frequency. Pulse producing circuitry connected to the reed switch responds to the switch action to produce pulses at the same frequency. The pulses are counted by logic circuitry, and when a predetermined number of pulses have been counted, an output signal triggers circuitry which trips circuit breaker apparatus in the power system. The delay period between first detecting the fault current and tripping of the circuit breaker apparatus can be adjusted by changing the number of pulses to be counted by the logic circuitry before it produces an output signal.

Abstract: An electrical wiring box arrangement comprises a non-metallic wiring box having a channel running a portion of the length of each end wall for slideably receiving a gripping member. The gripping member has two opposed body members each having a sloping face for interacting with sloping wall portions of the box wall channel, each body member further having a curved face for engaging the mounting screw of a wiring device. The mounting screw of a wiring device passes into the box wall channel and is engaged between the body portions of the gripping member. As the mounting screw is turned, the gripping member is drawn up into the box wall channel, the sloping walls of which urge the two halves of the gripping member toward one another, increasingly binding the body members down on the mounting screw.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical wiring device attachable to a power cord, formed of two pieces, and having a dead-front supporting contact elements of the male or female type. One of the pieces comprises the dead-front and the contact elements that it supports, integrally hinged to a first sidewall member. The dead-front in an outwardly swung position exposes the contact element terminals in a manner to facilitate connection of the power cord conductors to the terminals. When the connection is made, the dead-front is swung inwardly to a position in which the conductor lies upon the first sidewall member. A second sidewall member or cover, forming the other piece, is then slidably interengaged with the inwardly swung dead-front responsive to movement of the cover into a position overlying the first sidewall member.

Abstract: Electrical wiring box arrangements include a wiring box, and a cable clamp device which mounts rotatably in a wall of the box adjacent to a knockout region. The cable clamp device provides a cable engaging surface which moves toward the cable as the clamp device is rotated. A non-metallic sheathed cable passing through a knockout opening in one wall of the wiring box is clamped between the edge of the knockout opening and the cable engaging surface of the clamp device mounted in a second wall of the box forming an angle with the wall having the knockout opening.

Abstract: A button-type primary electrochemical cell operative to provide a warning indication toward the end of discharge of the cell signalling an approaching end-of-life of the cell. The cell includes a pair of spaced-apart, flat, porous carbon cathode elements, each in the form of a disc, disposed within a small, generally-flat metal housing of the cell, and a generally-flat anode structure disposed between the pair of carbon cathode elements.The anode structure includes first and second electrochemically active elements, for example, lithium and calcium, having different oxidation potentials within the cell and consumable by electrochemical action within the cell during discharge of the cell. The consumption of the active elements during discharge of the cell results in the establishment of different and distinguishable operating voltages for the cell. The active elements are arranged with respect to each other such that the active element of higher oxidation potential (i.e.