Abstract: A portable communication device capable of operating in a telephony mode and in a dispatch mode is disclosed. The device includes a proximity sensor and a first speaker mounted on a front panel and a second speaker mounted on a rear panel. The operation of the speakers is controlled in accordance with the operational state of the device as well as the output of the proximity sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for opening circuit breakers in a circuit are disclosed. The apparatus includes input terminals adapted to be connected to the circuit, a switch and a load. When the apparatus is connected to the circuit and the switch is closed, a current is created in the circuit which overloads the circuit breaker. The apparatus also includes a fuse to protect the device and a LED to indicate when the device is in use. The apparatus can also include multiple loads to be able to create the overload in different circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for attaching gutters to structures such as houses are disclosed. The apparatus includes a bracket having a push nut which is either an integral part of the bracket or an external component that is attached to the bracket. A spike is driven through the part of the gutter that normally holds the spike, through the push nut section of the bracket and into the house. The bracket is attached to the house via fastening devices such as screws. The apparatus provides a convenient means of repairing loosened gutters and for a superior way to install new gutters.

Abstract: A staple gun having a rotating lower housing is disclosed. The staple gun has top and lower housings that include a cylindrical section. A cylindrical driver mechanism is housed in the cylindrical sections of the top and lower housings. The lower housing preferably includes a staple magazine. When using the staple gun, the lower housing, the staples in the staple magazine and the driver mechanism rotate together allowing the operation of the staple gun at a plurality of angles.

Abstract: A multiple access communications system reuses a set of N carrier frequencies in adjacent communications sites to provide more than N minimally cross-correlated frequency-hopping communications channels. A first set of communications channels is associated with a first of the communications sites. No two of the channels in the first set employ the same frequency at the same time. A second set of communications channels is associated with a second of the adjacent communications sites. No two of the channels in the second set of channels employ the same one of the N carrier frequencies at the same time. One or more sets of the minimally cross-correlated channels are further defined so that none of the channels in such sets employ the same frequency at the same time as more than a predetermined number of the channels in another of the sets of the minimally cross-correlated frequency-hopping communications channels.

Abstract: An automated health benefit processing system. The system includes a database and three processors. The database includes, for each geographic area and for each medical procedures for which a benefit is payable, the benefit payable to an insured if the procedure is prescribed and performed, a list of providers available to perform the designated procedure, and each provider's charge for performing the designated procedure. The first processor generates a treatment plan concerning the insured that specifies the identity of the insured and the medical procedures to be performed on the insured. The first processor also accesses the database to retrieve the information stored in the database under the medical procedures to be performed and to append this information to the treatment plan. The second processor generates a treatment record specifying the medical procedures actually performed by a provider and the provider's actual charge therefor.

Abstract: A vehicle alarm for preventing injury to persons near the vehicle. Persons under and around a vehicle such as a school bus are detected by establishing an energy field and monitoring for disturbances therein. At least one transmitter establishes the energy field in areas of high risk. One or more receivers detect a signal resulting from the energy field. These signals are monitored by a processor unit for amplitude variations therein. The processor unit preferably stores the amplitude of the received signal when no persons are present and establishes one or more thresholds preferably in accordance with the stored amplitude. The received signal is subsequently monitored for variations that result in a threshold crossing indicating the unwanted presence of a person in a danger zone. When a threshold crossing is detected an alarm is activated.

Abstract: A three terminal replacement circuit for a Unijunction Transistor. The circuit simulates the characteristics and parameters of any UJT with appropriate selection of components. The circuit includes a first node having a voltage in accordance with a biasing circuit, a current conducting circuit for relating the voltage at the first node to a voltage at a second node and for conducting current from a terminal B2 to a terminal B1 through the second node in accordance with a resistor provided in that path, a first switching circuit which turns on when a voltage at a terminal E exceeds the voltage at the second node and a second switching circuit which turns on when the first switching circuit faces. The second switching circuit allows current to flow from the terminal E to the terminal B1 when turned on and changes the biasing circuit to lower the voltages at the first node, the second node and the terminal E.

Abstract: A power inverter having a neutral clamping circuit which is controlled for low harmonic output. The power inverter includes power transistors, a current sensor at the inverter output and a neutral clamping circuit connected between the inverter output and a neutral point in a DC power source which supplies the inverter. A controller circuit is connected to the current sensor, to the power transistors and to the neutral clamping circuit to selectively enable and disable the power transistors in the neutral clamping circuit in accordance with the inverter operation and current direction at the inverter output to minimize current transients at the load.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrically interconnecting in and supporting the rectifier components a rotating rectifier assembly. An exciter rotor and the rectifier assembly are disposed about a generator shaft. In an embodiment providing full wave rectification, the rectifier assembly has a substrate having rectifiers mounted in a rectifying circuit on two exposed conductive areas. An ac lead extends from each of the ac windings in the exciter rotor to the rotating rectifier assembly. A bus bar has a bar section secured to adjacent rectifiers. The bus bar further has a tab section adapted to receive one ac lead extending from the bar section. A support ring is disposed about the generator shaft and secured to the recifier substrate, as well as the exciter rotor. The tab section from each of the bus bars is wrapped around the inner sleeve of the ring so that the centrifical forces exerted on the bus bars during the rotation of the shaft are opposed by the inner sleeve of the ring.

Abstract: A system for providing control signals for raster scan displays includes a horizontal timing random access memory and a vertical state random access memory arranged in a presettable counter configuration containing multiple levels of information. This approach allows the generation of the control signals in a sychronized relationship using a common counter arrangement so as to obviate the need for repetitive circuitry and without compromising performance.

Abstract: Apparatus to lubricate generator bearings with an oil-air mist is disclosed. A screw pump, preferably an assembly of components comprising a ring, a teflon seal, a pump rotor and a hub is secured onto a rotor shaft of a generator for rotation therewith. The rotor shaft has at least one passageway extending radially from an axial bore therein through which oil is transferred. The screw pump has a first orifice coincident with the rotor shaft passageway, a second orifice, a passageway extending from the first orifice to the second orifice through which the oil is directed into a cavity in the generator housing where it mixes with air to form a mist to lubricate the bearing, a circumferential surface fitting within an opening in the generator housing, and a helical groove in the circumferential surface through which the oil-air mist is evacuated during rotation of the generator rotor shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for dissipating heat in a generator. A rotor having support wedges between each of its poles is mounted on a bored shaft in which a bored spindle having helical grooves along its outer diameter is fixed. A cooling medium is circulated through the bored shaft upon rotation of the shaft. The shaft has at least one outlet and one inlet through which the cooling medium can radially exit and return, respectively. Each of the support wedges has an inlet and an outlet between which a bore extends. In a preferred embodiment, a manifold is disposed about the bored shaft and mated to each of the support wedges so as to circulate the cooling medium from the bored shaft to the support wedges and back to the bored shaft, thereby dissipating heat from the generator rotor. In alternate embodiments more than one manifold is used to circulate the cooling medium through the support wedges.

Abstract: A drive mechanism which couples a generator shaft to a gear box or other source of mechanical power is disclosed. The drive mechanism is an assembly of a drive shaft, a rod, a bar shaped nut and a compression spring. The rod is inserted into a bore in the drive shaft with the compression spring about the rod. The bar is secured to a portion of the rod which extends from the drive shaft. The rod is adapted so that it may be depressed and rotated within the bore in the drive shaft such that the compression spring exerts a force on a head in the rod opposing the depression. A retaining mechanism is inserted the generator shaft for receiving the bar shaped nut such that the drive mechanism is retained within the generator shaft.