Abstract: Contacts of a multipin connector may be soldered to leads of a board of the like by forming coatings of magnetic materials on each contact and locating the contacts between poles defined by an air gap of the magnetic core, each pole having a separate pair of opposed pole pieces disposed adjacent a pair of contacts whereby upon application of a constant a.c. current to a coil wound about the core the magnetic material is heated to a temperature approaching its Curie temperature whereby temperature regulation occurs.

Abstract: A material capable of self-amalgamation without adjunct heating and use as a wraparound tape at substantially the full range of ambient terrestrial temperatures composed of a rubber component, a polyisobutylene tackifier, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 polyolefin and filler is provided.

Abstract: A flexible circuit which may be a strap or a board or the like has a plurality of conductors exposed on one surface in a predetermined array and a heater disposed on the opposed surface so as to heat the exposed conductors. The exposed conductors may have solder or the heat activated conductive bonding material applied thereto so that the flexible circuit may be directly connected to a component, a printed circuit board, a connector or the like. If a reusable bonding material, such as solder, is employed the heater may be utilized to both connect and disconnect the flexible circuit.

Abstract: An air ride suspension system having very high (height) carrying and/or lift capabilities includes a pair of stacked, expandable airbags connected to the frame of a wheeled vehicle such that there is a lower beam for supporting the stack and an intermediate beam with plate member for stabilizing the connection between the stacked airbags. The frame of the vehicle can serve as the upper support for the stack, or optionally, a separate third beam may be used therefor. There is provided in a further embodiment on the lower beam a unique caster adjusting feature comprised of an adjustable radius rod, and a pivot pin connection, attached to the axle in such a way that adjustment of the radius rod pivots the axle orientation about the pivot pin, thus adjusting caster.

Abstract: There is provided a luminaire primarily for use with exit signs and other emergency-type lighting comprising a series string of low-voltage, extremely long-life filaments positioned within a sealed enclosure for protection and electrically connected to a standard base whereby luminaires having lives of 10 to 30 years may replace standard bulbs without the requirement of retrofitting.

Abstract: An integrated hydroponic system including subsystems for support and movement of plants, controlling the atmosphere around the plants and nutrient distribution. The support and movement subsystem features diverging trough-in-trough construction where the interior trough is formed by discrete autoclavable plastic troughs which are slidably removable for sanitation purposes from supporting exterior troughs which in turn support nutrient distribution tubing and a rotatable variable pitch drive screw for moving individual plant holders along the troughs in graduated increments. The atmospheric control system features supply and exhaust ducts under the troughs which establish a blanket of air in the zone proximate to the trough where the temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide concentration are regulated. The nutrient distribution system involves recycling the thermally and component regulated dilute nutrient fluids from a reservoir to the plants and back into the reservoir.

Abstract: The beam splitter comprises an optical, parallel sided, plate having partially reflecting coatings applied on each half side in alternate halves and having opposite alternate uncoated half sides covered by respective matching transparent wedge plates which are optically adhered to the parallel sided plate and arranged thereon in respective opposite directions. A spectrometer for analysing vacuum ultra-violet light comprises a vacuum tank containing the beam splitter and a pair of cat's eye retroreflectors which limit and define the optical paths of the rays of light reflected and transmitted by the beam splitter, one of which retroreflectors is translated along the respective paths at constant velocity during the course of each measurement. A laser beam of different wavelength to that being examined is reflected into separate and parallel paths and the recombined laser beam is detected, the signal therefrom providing a precise representation of the velocity of the translated retroreflector.

Abstract: A weigher is provided for weighing drums, barrels and the like in which a point around the periphery of the bottom edge of the drum is rested on a low-level, weighing capsule, the diametrically opposite point remaining on the floor. The capsule is a disc with a central blind bore open downwardly, the blind upper end being spanned by a diaphragm which sustains the load to be weighed and has a pattern of electrical strain gauges on its underside. A sloping back-stop ensures proper location of the drum to be weighed on the weighing capsule.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for a vehicle having a beam type suspension system is disclosed. The beam-to-axle connection includes an axle connection, a beam connection and a resilient member located therebetween. The resilient member forms a continuous path between the axle connection and the beam connection such that the axle connection and the beam connection do not directly interface at any point. The axle connection includes a saddle plate, which retains the axle, and a pair of extension plates which are connectable to the saddle plate and extend down along both sides of the beam. The resilient member is of a non-uniform shape and thickness and includes a continuum of loci which is designed and shaped so that each locus assumes its fair share, but not more, of the torsional, vertical and horizontal forces exerted on the resilient member during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dump truck body capable of dumping to either the right or left side or to the rear of the truck. The truck further includes a sand, salt or gravel spreader fed by a longitudinal auger running longitudinally from the front to rear of the truck body on either the left or right-hand side. The auger is fed by the side tilting of the dump body. The overall height of the truck is maintained at a minimum while in operation through the utilization of side-tilted spreading, as opposed to rearward-tilted spreading.

Abstract: A lid to be bonded to provide a hermetic seal has bonded thereto a thermally autoregulating heater for activating a heat activated sealing and bonding material to produce the desired seal between the lid and box wherein the temperature is regulated to produce heat in a range that does not change delicate objects that may be heated in the box and wherein the energizing element of the heater may be removed or replaced at will.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic element has current passed through it either by direct electrical connections or by induction. The current through the ferromagnetic element may be far greater than is necessary to heat the element above its effective Curie temperature. As the element is heated and is passing through its effective Curie transition (that is its temperature is rising from below its effective Curie temperature to, or above, its effective Curie temperature) the change in permeability of the element is sensed and the current through the element is cut off. The element then cools. When the temperature falls below the effective Curie temperature, the full current is restored. The heating and cooling process repeats itself indefinitely. The result is that the element is maintained at its effective Curie by a pulsating current fed to the element.

Abstract: A container for medication has four compartments, each of which may store medication. An electrical signaling system emits take-medication signals from time to time, each of which said signals indicates (a) that medication should be taken, (b) from which compartment the medication should be taken, (c) the quantity of medication to be taken from the designated compartment, and instructions for taking the medication. If a designated compartment is not promptly opened and closed, the electrical signaling system will sound an alarm. If each designated compartment is opened and closed, the take-medication signal and the alarm (if operating) are turned off. A "night" switch is associated with each compartment and when manually operated turns off the signaling system for such compartment; however, the signaling system is automatically reactivated the next morning. A reload signal is given once a week, as a reminder to reload the compartments with medication.

Abstract: A device for indicating when medication should be taken has plural compartments, each of which may store medication. An electrical signaling system emits take-medication signals from time to time, each of which said signals indicates (a) that medication should be taken, (b) from which compartment the medication should be taken, (c) the quantity of medication to be taken from the designated compartment, and instructions for taking the medication. If a designated compartment is not promptly opened and closed, the electrical signaling system will sound an alarm. If each designated compartment is opened and closed, the take-medication signal and the alarm (if operating) are turned off. A reload signal is given once a week, as a reminder to reload the compartments with medication. The device has modular construction.

Abstract: A spinal scoliosis fixation implant comprises a plurality of devices which are associated with respective vertebrae and which are interconnected by a single semi-rigid wire, or by a cable with abutment ferrules. Each device may comprise a bone screw or hook with a slotted, externally threaded head into which is inserted the wire or cable and thereon a clamping element which projects slightly from the mouth of the slot, and a nut which is screwed onto the head to press the clamping element onto the wire or cable. The wire or cable can be unclamped, to permit adjustment of the device along the wire or cable, by simply untightening the nut.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for accurate, reproducible analytical solution evaluation eliminating the need for a reference sensor by determining the activity of selected species employing species specific sensors and species combination sensors in conjunction with Nernst-type equations. Also provided are sensor structures for elimination of edge effects to signals thereby yielding accurate, reproducible measurements, and a cartridge structure adapted to incorporate an array of the new sensors for employment of the new method where the cartridge is particularly adapted for miniaturization, maintaining a fixed volume of solution for analysis and providing an anaerobic testing environment. Lastly, a compact instrument embodying miniaturization especially adapted for field use and use of the cartridge is provided herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are a device and a method for determining the spin polarization of an electron beam where the device and method contemplate diffusely backscattering the beam from an electron opaque target, at a kinetic energy less than 10,000 electron volts, collecting the scattered electrons which may be of a preselected energy range and within a predetermined solid angle relative to the target and the collector, and measuring the number of scattered electrons which were collected.

Abstract: An optical measuring system for measuring in situ by means of one or more fiber-optic probes reflection absorption fluorescence, phosphorescence and turbidity of a fluid or (for all but the last measurement) of a fluid-solid interface. High intensity pulsed light is conveyed to the measurement site by a fiber-optic cable and is given a specific direction at the site by means of the geometry of the probe, reaction light resulting from the stimulating light pulse is discriminated by the geometry of the probe, or another probe, and is returned via a further fiber-optic cable to a measurement system which is enabled to sense the returning light only for the duration of the light pulse. The measurement system comprises means for sensing the relative intensity of the stimulating light pulse and for deriving a signal at least representative of the ratio of the magnitude of the quality sensed, by means of the probe, and the relative intensity of the stimulating light pulse.

Abstract: An autoregulating electrically shielded heater employs a structure of two magnetically permeable members of different Curie temperatures and preferably differing resistivities. The two members are in electrical contact with one another; having at their interface a very low resistivity layer or member provided by copper or a like material. A first of the electromagnetic members has the lower Curie temperature and high resistivity while the other of said members has the higher Curie temperature of the two and preferably lower resistivity. A constant current a.c. source is connected to induce currents in the members parallel to their interface. Below the Curie temperature of the first member, current is substantially confined to a narrow region along a surface remote from the interface. Above the Curie temperature, some of the current spreads into the low resistance layer or member and into the second electromagnetic member where it is confined, due to skin effect to a narrow region adjacent the interface.

Abstract: A constant voltage power supply employs a circuit in which the average voltage over a specified period of time is maintained constant by a circuit for charging a voltage storage means with width modulated pulses applied several times during each specified period whereby to charge the storage means above the desired average level and terminating charging until the voltage falls below the specified level. The period of time over which the voltage is averaged is a function of the thermal inertia of a load to be driven. The average voltage is employed as the energizing circuit to a high frequency oscillator, and driver stages supplying the output of the oscillator to an output stage of a power supply whereby the energizing voltage of the stages and thus the dissipation of energy therein does not exceed that required to feed the lead at its then current energy requirements.