Abstract: A method of communicating between two or more radios each capable of transmitting and receiving signals between one another on two or more radio channels wherein the radios hop from channel to channel in a pseudo-random sequence. The method comprises establishing hop synchronization between the radios utilizing a first cycle and operating the radios in a communication mode utilizing a second cycle. The first cycle is shorter than the second cycle so as to facilitate rapid synchronization while preserving the benefits and security obtained through the use of longer cycle length during communication mode.

Abstract: A regenerating system, for the removal of water and potentially harmful organic constituents from a dehydration fluid used to dehydrate natural gas. The system includes a device to assure positive flow of the water and organic constituent vapor out of the regenerator, to, in turn, control back pressure associated with the regenerator during the distillation process.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell having an electrolyte, a first and second electrode and a primer comprised of lithium polysilicate and carbon, applied to at least one of the first and second electrodes, wherein the primer is chemically and electrochemically stable and electronically conductive so as to decrease interfacial resistance in the cell to enhance columbic efficiency.

Abstract: A current collector device for an electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial resistance. A coating of material which includes an etching agent and a primer are both applied to the surface of the aluminum current collector in a single mixture so that actual etching and bonding of the primer to the surface can be accomplished by a single step. It is also contemplated that the primer material act as an electrode material which enables electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An alternative power supply apparatus for use in association with systems having a base unit connected to an external power supply and an associated battery-powered portable unit. The alternative power supply apparatus includes two rechargeable batteries one of which serves to provide electrical power to the portable unit. There are two ports associated with the base unit, each port operably and detachably accepts one of the two rechargeable batteries. The apparatus further includes a voltage regulator which provides regulated voltage to circuitry in the base unit. Two current sources each associated with a respective one of the two ports provides an electrical current to the batteries when they are operably accepted by the ports. The second rechargeable battery, which is interchangeable with the first rechargeable battery, provides a source voltage to the voltage regulator upon failure of the external power supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of raw materials from presorted collected waste, especially scrap electrochemical batteries and accumulators in which the scrap (10)is first mechanically prepared and divided into coarse and fine fractions (15, 16) which are further processed separately. Materials to be recovered are extracted by dissolution in steps by a first and a second solvent in a wet chemical preparation process from the fine fraction and then recovered individually from the two solutions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating signals from within an encased borehole including a wireless communications system for transmitting down-hole environmental data signals between a down-hole tool and a surface receiver. The down-hole tool is disposed within a borehole encased in an electrically conductive casing; the receiver is located at the ground surface. The tool includes a conductive upper and lower tool housing, a plurality of down-hole sensors, and a signal generating device. The sensors and signal generating device are housed within the tool. The generating device receives analog or digital signals of the down-hole environmental conditions from the sensors, converts these signals into a modulation pattern signal which is applied to a carrier signal and conducts a modulated carrier signal into the upper and lower tool housings. An upper contactor or spreader electrically connects the upper housing to a first position on an inside wall of the casing.

Abstract: A regenerating system, for the removal of water and potentially harmful organic constituents from a dehydration fluid used to dehydrate gas. The system includes apparatus for converting all the organic constituents to a gaseous phase, and utilizing the gaseous organic constituents in the separation of the water from the dehydration fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling foaming and flowrate in a beverage dispensing system, such as a draft beer dispensing system. A flow regulating member is positioned within a faucet member, at the delivery end of the beer dispensing system, to balance the dispensing system to, in turn, further prevent the break-up of the beverage into foam.

Abstract: A current collector device for an electrolytic cell and method for manufacturing same. The device includes an aluminum current collector having a substantially reduced oxidation layer relative to its native oxide layer, to, in turn, exhibit a relatively low interfacial resistance. A coating of material which includes an etching agent and a primer are both applied to the surface of the aluminum current collector in a single mixture so that actual etching and bonding of the primer to the surface can be accomplished by a single step. It is also contemplated that the primer material act as an electrode material which enables electrochemical activity with the particular ions in an electrolyte within the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An electrical ground plane apparatus for a circuit board having an analog section and a digital section where the analog section of the circuit board has distributed thereon analog circuitry, and the digital section has distributed thereon digital circuitry. The analog section further has a connector which connects the analog circuitry to circuitry external to the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed within a chassis, which is operably connected to earth ground. The electrical ground plane apparatus includes an analog ground, a digital ground and a coupling circuit. The digital ground is operably connected to the analog ground at a location proximate the power supply connection and the analog ground is operably connected to the chassis through a coupling circuit. The coupling circuit is located proximate the connector so as to substantially minimize the flow of RF energy into the connector and, in turn, into the external circuitry.

Abstract: An adjustable holding device and method for same wherein the device comprises a base having a top surface and a bottom surface and a carriage having an upper surface and a lower surface, adjacently positioned with the base. Two upright members, each having a first end in a channel in the base and a second end extending through guides on the carriage, hold the article in position. Upon rotation of the base relative to the carriage, the upright members positionally alter to compensate for various sized articles to be secured by the adjustable holding device.

Abstract: A hair beading tool has a handle, a spindle joined to the handle, and a string joined to the spindle. A resilient bead is slid over both the spindle and string and other beads follow. A loop is formed in the string through which a lock of hair or clothing is inserted. With the loop drawn tight around the hair, the beads are pushed off of the spindle and string and onto the hair with the resilient bead last to bind the hair and restrain other beads from sliding off.

Abstract: A surgical needle including a cannula, hook-wire and reinforcement member for use in the manual location and marking of a lesion in a mass of soft tissue. The cannula rigidly supports the hook-wire during insertion into the soft tissue, and has a substantially cylindrical, hollow shaft and a cutting point located at an insertion end. The surgical needle further includes an anchor for restrainably locating the hook-wire proximate the lesion which is capable of springedly assuming a substantially acute angle relative to the remainder of the hook-wire. Reinforcement minimizes the potential for breakage of the hook-wire within the mass of soft tissue, after extension of the hook-wire beyond the insertion end of the cannula; in which the hook-wire is substantially D-shaped and closely approximates the diameter of the substantially cylindrical, hollow shaft; maximizing the structural size and integrity of the hook-wire to minimize the occurrence of breakage.

Abstract: A shipping container apparatus is provided which, upon opening, may be converted to a display apparatus for items shipped and contained therewithin the shipping container. The convertible shipping container--display apparatus includes a cover configured for facilitated opening, to permit access to and viewing of the goods shipped and contained therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for the fast-filling of cylinders for natural gas powered vehicles, employing a simplified physical arrangement and an improved control method to obtain maximum safe filling of the cylinders, which takes into account the presence of residual gas in the cylinders.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, having cavitands associated with a metal ion source-electrode and an electrolyte. The cavitands, which are anchored to the electrode by a polymer leash, are capable of releasably attracting particular ions, such as lithium ions, which are migrating from the electrolyte, toward the surface of the electrode during electrodeposition. The polymer leash serves to continuously maintain the cavitands at a predetermined distance away from the surface of the electrode, regardless of surface area fluctuations, typically caused during deposition and dissolution of the particular ions. Accordingly, the cavitands facilitate substantially uniform electrodeposition of the particular ions, which, in turn, substantially suppresses and/or controls the formation and growth of a passive film or layer, on the electrode surface, which may otherwise promote the formation of dendrites.