Abstract: A method for connecting sections of metal conduits extending on opposite sides of a concrete floor in a multi-story building in which the floor is formed by pouring concrete over a form. The method comprises positioning a first section of metal conduit on the form with a first open end against the form and a second open end extending above a height of the concrete to be poured over the form. A removable ring is fitted about the first open end of the first conduit section abutting the form to create an open space circumscribing the first end after pouring of the concrete. A relatively rigid cover is positioned over the second end of the conduit section. A fastener is inserted through the cover and into the form and tightened to compress and hold the conduit section in a fixed position on the form. Concrete is poured onto the form and allowed to harden about the first conduit section. Afterward, the fastener and form are removed to expose the ends of the conduit section.

Abstract: A water ski fin extends through the rear of a water ski. Pivotally connected to a lower portion of the fin is a wing extending substantially perpendicularly from the fin. A linkage is connected to the wing that permits the wing from pivoting until the speed of the fin through the water exceeds a predetermined velocity to pivot and change its angle of attack in response to the speed of the fin through the water exceeding the predetermined velocity.

Abstract: A manual assist apparatus and method for obtaining hemostasis of a wound on luminal tissue, such as a femoral artery puncture, after a cannulated procedure such as angioplasty. This apparatus has a substantially cylindrically shaped handle with a rod extending downward into a sterile disposable disk member. The disk member is placed just above the catheter insertion site with catheter inside a notch of the disk member for proper pressure point for compression of artery, as the catheter is inside of the artery. The catheter is then removed from artery and pressure applied to the handle in downward direction to force the disk member to compress the artery for the purpose of controlling arterial bleeding and to obtain hemostasis. The weight of the cylindrically shaped handle assists the practitioner with above mentioned compression task. The disk member may then be discarded after use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying optical or other thermal energy to tissue using a clamp. The energy is supplied at a frequency which biologically welds or fuses tissue. A material that is transmissive to the energy treatment frequency is embedded in one or more jaws of the clamp and engage the tissue during the tissue fusion process. The transmissive material has a thickness selected to insure that the energy source is spaced at the proper distance from the tissue so that the tissue receives the proper amount of energy for sealing. The transmissive material holds the tissue in the jaw to maintain the edges of the tissue in tight approximation. The energy may be coupled to the clamp by one or more optical fibers. These fibers are recessed in or placed adjacent to the jaw at a specified distance from the surface of the transmissive material and directs treatment energy through the transmissive material to weld the edges of the tissue together.

Abstract: A motor and drive mechanism having a drive hub which positively locks to a core for a ribbon roll, and a drag hub which also positively locks to a core for a ribbon roll. A ribbon roll has a core formed of concentric cylindrical shells separated from one another with a ribbon wound about the outer shell and one or more coding marks are provided on this shell to indicate both the printer control system and, to a visual observer, information specific to the ribbon.

Abstract: A boundary-scan circuit for a system clock input pin of an integrated circuit which prevents the transmission of undesirable pulses into the clock inputs of the core logic circuits during switching to or from the test clock. This is accomplished by synchronizing the signal that controls the switching from or to the system clock to provide such switching during the inactive portion of the system clock cycle. The boundary-scan circuit uses plural switching elements to provide sufficient current drive to prevent degradation of a rise time of any clock pulse transmitted thereby without the use of additional current buffers.

Abstract: An electrically controlled oscillator circuit having multi-phase outputs with programmable frequency. The circuit includes a ring oscillator having a plurality of inverting stages. Each stage has an output which is connected to a switch that can be programmed to select one of a plurality of capacitors with different values to change the frequency range of the oscillator. Controlled current is fed to the stages to vary the frequency of the oscillator within a selected frequency range. Using capacitors to change the frequency range of the oscillator reduces variations of the oscillator output frequency.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating and concentrating breathing-grade oxygen, that is therapeutically equivalent to 100% pure oxygen, from ambient air is provided. The oxygen concentrating process employed in the method of the invention is implemented in a housing having a main chamber. A solid anion conducting membrane is situated in the main chamber so as to divide the chamber into separate first and second reaction chambers. Electrocatalytically active cathodic and anodic electrodes are situated on the respective opposed surfaces of the membrane. A direct current source is coupled between the cathodic and anodic electrodes such that when ambient air is provided to the cathodic electrode, therapeutically pure and moist oxygen is produced at the anodic electrode by electrolytic action of hydroxyl ions passing through the solid membrane.

Abstract: A biasing system for a CMOS differential comparator includes a unity gain amplifier for developing a reference voltage corresponding to the trip point of an output inverter. The reference voltage is applied to a voltage to current converter for developing a reference current proportional to the reference voltage. The reference current biases the output inverters at their trip points when the input voltages to the differential comparator are at the same potential. The biasing system includes a reference inverter having characteristics substantially identical to the output inverters. The output and input of the reference inverter are connected together so that a reference voltage is established at the inverter output which is always at the switch point of the inverter. A differential transistor stage includes resistive loads matched in process characteristics and sized to each pass one-half the value of the reference current to reduce the load capacitance at the differential stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting full deployment of a vehicle air bag during a rescue operation utilizing a cover which can be tightly fitted and fastened about a vehicle steering wheel so that an activated air bag is confined within the cover and substantially inhibited from deploying into the driver area of the vehicle.

Abstract: Multiple layers of honeycomb or foam core lightweight materials are bonded together side-by-side to increase strength, to customize strength relationships in relation to form for particular structural components and to provide a base for strong connections to honeycomb and foam structures. Increased strength results from utilizing outside layers as skins for some embodiments with an effect of progressive increase of strength of the core with the multiple layers. Connection strength is provided by formation of connection bays in one or more outside layers to which connection members of structural components are bonded in the connection bays. The outside or distal core layers can be higher density and higher strength than inside core layers for dynamic and impact-related use-conditions in addition to providing a thicker and stronger surface to which other structures and other members can be connected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating high density materials from less dense materials suspended in a fluid within a conduit. A pump generates carrier fluid motion which is fed through the conduit. Solids from a placer deposit are mixed with the carrier fluid and induced through a suction hose, then into two positively sloped separating chambers that are arranged in tandem in the conduit. The first separating chamber is cylindrical in shape, and motion of the fluid through the chamber is linear. The second separating chamber's cross section shape is rectangular, with a parabolic flow path. The second stage separator floor is variably banked, with the angle of bank and curvature increasing toward the discharge end. Solids, that are mixed with the carrier fluid, are forced along the flow path by dynamic drag of the fluid. Less dense solids travel up the positive slope at a greater velocity than more dense solids. The larger and slower moving dense solids are trapped in two sumps in the first chamber.

Abstract: An electrolyzer is provided for electrolyzing water into its constituent elements, namely oxygen and hydrogen gas. The electrolyzer includes a vessel in which a sulfonated solid polymer electrolyte is situated. The sulfonated solid polymer electrolyte is selected from a group including sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK), sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES), sulfonated polybenzimidazole (SPBI), sulfonated polyphenylquinoxaline (SPPQ) and sulfonated fluorinated polyimide (SFPI). The electrolyzer also includes anode and cathode electrodes situated on the electrolyte. A direct current (DC) power supply is coupled to said anode and cathode electrodes to drive the reaction. A heater heats the electrolyte and a water supply is connected to one of said cathode and anode electrodes. The resultant oxygen and hydrogen are collected at the respective electrodes. The solid polymer electrolyte desirably operates with relatively high ionic conductivity at high temperatures without loss of structural integrity.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining a cover over a view port in a concrete block comprises a generally T-shaped bracket having a cross-arm and a support arm. The support arm extends generally perpendicularly from about a mid-point of the cross-arm. The cross-arm is generally longer than a width of the view port such that the cross-arm will not pass through the view port when the cross-arm is oriented in an operative position in alignment with the width of the port. A fastening area is formed on at least a portion of the support arm for passing through an aperture in the view port cover. A fastener is adjustably positionable on the fastening area for retaining the cover in compression against the block when the cross-arm is inserted in the view port in the operative position. The fastening area may be threaded for a wing nut or be adapted for receiving a push-nut.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for preventing the runaway of the integral term of a proportional integral differential controller which is usable in a feedback system. An error signal is supplied to the controller by the feedback system. The controller produces a control variable output signal from the error signal. In accordance with the invention, the controller imposes a slew rate limit on the control variable output signal. Also in accordance with the invention, whenever the controller attempts to drive the control variable output signal to exceed the slew rate limit, the integral term associated with the controller is adjusted to a value which forces the control variable output signal to its slew rate limited value. In this manner, runaway of the integral term associated with the controller is desirably avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing and refurbishing trenches having two cutters supported on a frame. During operation of the apparatus, the cutters rotate about an axis to prepare the trench. The distance between the cutters as well as the angle of the cutters are adjustable to change the size and shape of the trench. A cover is placed over the cutters and has a remotely adjustable orientation which can be varied to select the direction of earth being projected over the side of the trench during operation. The cutters are preferably powered by dedicated motors, and include a multiplicity of blades mounted on dual levels to increase efficiency of cutting the trench.

Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing a semiconductor or noble metal material on a selected support material. In accordance with the method, the support is treated with a first solvent to clean and prepare the surface of the support. A powder slurry including fine particles of the semiconductor in a second solvent is then formed. The resultant slurry is applied to surface of the support. Subsequently, the slurry on the surface of the support is dried at room temperature to remove the second solvent to achieve an intermediate type of bonding between the semiconductor and the support surface.