Abstract: Gradual starting of an electric motor is provided by increasing the voltage applied to the motor. A reduced voltage starter controls the application of a voltage derived from a line voltage to a motor by using a voltage ramp acceleration control circuit comprising, means for generating a ramp voltage having a predetermined rate of rise, means for controlling the voltage applied to the motor in response to the ramp voltage, means for sensing that the motor is running at substantially full speed, and means responsive to the means for sensing that the motor is running at substantially full speed for increasing the predetermined rate of rise of the ramp voltage, whereby under conditions where the motor is running at substantially full speed before the voltage applied to the motor reaches the line voltage, then the voltage applied to the motor will rise at the increased predetermined rate of rise of the ramp voltage.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat for controlling multiple temperature altering apparatus of an animal enclosure or the like employs a linear sensor comprised of an elongate black body, tubular probe containing a semiconductor active element of a current source which produces a sensor current that varies linearly with changes in temperature. A voltage divider to produce a plurality of temperature sensor signals which are used to produce primary of override actuation signals. The set temperature signal is selectable between two set point limits which are selectively variable to calibrate different scales. A plurality of detectors respectively compare the plurality of sensor signals with a common set temperature reference signal to produce a plurality of detection signals at a plurality of preselected temperatures associated therewith.

Abstract: A urinary output monitor for determining the volume of fluid in a urinary collection bag during the collection process having a weighing apparatus for weighing the contents of a collection bag and means for substantially isolating the end of a drainage tube from applications of significant forces to the collection container. The isolation mechanism is incorporated into the container assembly in the form of a conduit for interconnecting an inlet connector and an outlet connector which has sufficient flexibility to preclude it from conveying any significant force in a direction along its length which would adversely affect the weight measurement. Since varying forces applied to the weighing apparatus by drainage tube connectors of different catheters are eliminated by the isolation mechanism, fluid entered after offset determination for zeroing the weighing apparatus to compensate for bag weight is included in the total measurement.

Abstract: An arterial thrombus detection system (4) measures and displays the elapsed times (ET1, ET2, etc.) for an arterial pulse to travel between selected pairs of locations (A and B, B and C) along the length of a patient's limb (10, 12). The arterial pulse sensors comprise inflatable cuffs (A, B, C) with pressure sensors (A, B, C) that are flexibly secured together to form a sleeve (6, 8) which is wrapped around the limb (10, 12). A pair of start/stop timers (46, 48) are controlled in accordance with arterial detection pulses to measure the elapsed times (ET1, ET2, etc.). Display of elapsed times (ET1, ET2, etc.) which are significantly different signifies a thrombus in the section of the limb associated with the relatively longest elapsed time.

Abstract: A case for encasing a meter movement and its associated pointer comprised of an assembly at least a portion of which is transparent which completely encases the meter movement and pointer, connecting means for providing input signals to the meter movement through the assembly, a rear cover having openings for receiving the connecting means and proportioned to abut the rear of the assembly with the connecting means disposed within those openings, a scale of generally flat dimensions for displaying the parameter to be measured by the meter movement and indicated by the pointer which scale is held fixedly between the rear cover and the assembly in a position allowing a sweeping of the pointer across the face of the scale to indicate the level of the parameter sensed by the meter movement thereby allowing an exchange of the scale for some second scale without any possibility of physically engaging the pointer or the meter movement and causing damage thereto.

Abstract: A current monitoring circuit of a ground fault detector which receives its input from the secondary winding of an annular core transformer through which extends the current carrying leads being monitored. A resistor and capacitor are connected in series between the secondary winding and an AC amplifier to form an RLC band pass filter to minimize the circuits sensitivity to noise outside of the band of frequencies of interest. The sensitivity of the circuit to temperature changes due to fluctuations of the inductance is reduced by choosing an inductance value sufficiently high to ensure that it is not reduced to below a critical level at which sensitivity is effected.

Abstract: An environmental control system utilizing a single moisture and dust impervious temperature probe of a multistage thermostat to both control a fogging system in a hog house or the like and other temperature altering devices such as an adjustable ventilation system, fans, heaters and the like. In a cooling cycle of operation, when the sensed temperature rises to a first preselected level, one of the stages causes actuation of one of the temperature cooling apparatus. If the temperature continues to rise to another excessively higher preselected temperature, another stage causes actuation of the fogging system. When the sensed temperature then drops by a preselected amount, the fogging system is deactuated. The actuation and deactuation temperatures are selectively variable to minimize excessive fogging. In the heating cycle of operation, heating devices are suitably controlled in accordance with temperatures.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat with a mode selection switch for selective application of actuation signals to different output control terminals for connection with control of either cooling or heating apparatus in accordance with sensed temperature. Circuitry is provided to derive A.C. input power to a D.C. power supply from a selected one of the control terminals to eliminate the need for separate A.C. power leads. The mode selection switch also selectively applies cool and heat trigger signals to a shared actuation signal generator. Time delay circuits for delaying the time between generation of a trigger signal and resultant application of an actuation signal share a common circuit element through means of the mode selection switch.

Abstract: An induction motor controller with a scaling convertor for both providing selective alteration of the overload sensitivity characteristic of the controller and converting the input current to a proportional control voltage. The feedback circuit includes a plurality of feedback resistors which are selectively connectable between the output of the current-to-voltage convertor and its input to selectively change its gain and thus the sensitivity of the controller.

Abstract: A temperature, pulse and respiration probe having a mouthpiece which fits over the patient's teeth and carries a thermistor for sensing the patient's temperature and a reflective photodetector for sensing both the patient's pulse and the patient's respiration. The reflective photodetector is mounted adjacent to a part of the interior surface of the patient's mouth which relatively rapidly, periodically changes its reflectivity due to the patient's pulse and which also relatively slowly, periodically changes its reflectivity due to the patient's respiration. The photodetector produces a single signal representative of both the relatively rapid and the relatively slower changes in the reflectivity corresponding to the patient's pulse and respiration rate, respectively. In one embodiment, all of these sensors are mounted to a portion of the mouthpiece adjacent the patient's inner gum. In another embodiment the sensors are mounted to a portion of the mouthpiece which underlies the patient's tongue.

Abstract: A motor controller receives a signal proportional to motor current, integrates that signal during the high currents associated with starting, and holds a level during normal operation at speed within a maximum current limit. When an overload causes the motor to trip and there is a loss of power to the controller, a memory holds the level for a predetermined time to prevent an immediate restart of the motor.

Abstract: A memory package containing a nonvolatile electronic memory element and associated interface circuitry within a housing releasably connectable with a data entry panel of a controller to store program data from, and transmit program data to, the controller memory in the event of loss of program storage in the controller memory. The memory package is protectively mounted within the data entry panel and conveniently resides therein even when not being used.

Abstract: A watt/var transducer utilizing the pulse width-pulse height modulation type of multiplying scheme wherein a stable squarewave is generated by switching from one reference voltage to another reference voltage, the output thereof is integrated to produce a stable triangular wave output, the gain of which can be simply adjusted by shorting the output of amplifying means to various points in a resistive means contained in feedback means from the output to the input of said amplifying means. The frequency of the triangular wave output is high relative to any alternating signal which may pass upon the power line to be monitored by the transducer such that those portions of said alternating signal sampled by the multiplier portion of the transducer appear to be non-alternating signals thereby rendering the transducer capable of multiplying alternating signals as well as non-alternating signals.

Abstract: A method of determining the pressure applied to a limb by an inflatable garment by placing a flexible pressurizable cuff between the garment and the limb to receive the compressive garment forces and then determining the pressure in the cuff due to those compressive forces alone. The cuff pressure component due to compression of the garment is determined by extrapolating from a plot of cuff pressure versus bias pressure. The bias pressure is required to obtain an accurate reading of cuff pressure and is eliminated as a component in determining the garment pressure by means of the extrapolation. A preferred transducer for converting cuff pressure to electrical signals employs a manometer tube extending between two plates of a capacitor.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for applying compressive pressures from a compressor against a patient's limb through means of a flexible, pressurizable sleeve which encloses the limb having an overpressure circuit which causes venting of the pressurizable sleeve and termination of power to the compressor in the event of the pressure assuming an excessive value. The sleeve has a ventilation chamber and a controller which generates electrical signals to actuate a solenoid controlled valve to periodically connect the compressor to the ventilation chamber during cooling cycles.

Abstract: A surgical drape for cystoscopic procedures having a fenestration for access to the site of the medical procedure and a foldable pocket located in the path of fluid runoff from the fenestration. A malleable frame holds the pocket open to receive the fluid runoff. The pocket has an upper portion with pleated side walls which assist in keeping the pocket open and a lower funnel-like portion ending in a drain hole. A coupler is provided for connection of the drain hole with an elongate house for conducting the fluid to a remote receptacle. A removable filter element is releasibly mounted between the upper portion of the pocket and the drain hole for filtering out solids from the fluid.

Abstract: An abdominal restraint system for protecting a patient from the strain of a cough or the like in which an abdominal belt is tightened around the patient in response to physiological conditions of the patient associated with onset of a cough or the like. Detection of cough onset is achieved by means of pressure sensors, body movement sensors or both. Controlled restraint is achieved by selective inflation or mechanical tightening of the belt.

Abstract: An explosion resistant battery cell incorporating safety features adapted to counter the effects of the build-up of high internal pressures. The external metallic casing for the cell has a non-cylindrical cross-section which may be square, rectangular or other geometric configuration other than cylindrical to allow bulging of the outer walls which may result from internal pressure build-up. A thermal venting mechanism is provided in the nature of a low melting point metal plug inserted in the end of an associated electrolyte fill tube, the metal plug providing a hermetic seal but having a melting point considerably below the temperature at which explosion of the battery cell might occur depending on the electrolyte being used.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for applying compressive pressures from a compressor against a patient's limb through means of a flexible, pressurizable sleeve which encloses the limb having an overpressure circuit which causes venting of the pressurizable sleeve and termination of power to the compressor in the event of the pressure assuming an excessive value. The sleeve has a ventilation chamber and a controller which generates electrical signals to actuate a solenoid controlled valve to periodically connect the compressor to the ventilation chamber during cooling cycles.

Abstract: An interfacing apparatus for a programmable controller having input modules of limited input compatibility and an input signal adjusting circuit for adjusting the input signals to make them compatible with the input modules.