Abstract: A material useful as a separator in batteries and a process for making the material is provided. This material is a polyolefin having grafted to it side chains derived from an ethylenically unsaturated ionogenic monomer and cross-linked with sulfur.

Abstract: A pacemaker pulse generator for providing impulses to stimulate living tissue by means of an electrode at the distal end of a conductive catheter. The catheter is coupled to the pacemaker by means of a connector having engaging surfaces formed by a number of helically-extending, tensioned metal strands.

Abstract: A unique alloy comprising lead with small additions of zinc and tin is used to make grids for lead acid cells. The alloy as produced is softer than is desirable. It is hardened by mechanical working. When properly worked, it has a strength and stiffness approaching that of other low alloy lead materials currently in use as storage battery grids.

Abstract: A sealed primary galvanic cell has a barrier and barrier protecting separator. The barrier protecting separator contains the reaction product of an alkaline earth metal salt and unneutralized carboxypolymethylene. The barrier protecting separator is prepared by applying either of the treating materials in the wet state to a supporting sheet, drying and then applying the second treating material also in the wet state.

Abstract: A tape comprised of an atactic polypropylene and a non-conductive filler is described. This tape is useful in a process which enables a secondary battery having a defective seal to be repaired safely while remaining in operation.

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: An improved oil filter is provided which enables oil viscosity index improver and beneficial additives to be metered into the oil throughout its normal useful life. A conventional oil filter is modified by placing in the filter upstream from the filter element an oil-soluble, solid oil viscosity index improver such as a copolymer of ethylene and propylene with up to 10% by weight of 1,4-hexadiene, preferably in sheet form. Other additives can be dispersed in the improver. The improver is in association with means to limit contact of the copolymer with circulating oil. Preferably the contact limiting means is a perforated metal sheet.

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: 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.