Abstract: A combined smoke and gas detector utilizes a conventional smoke detector IC (44) which is operable to drive a piezo element (46) and an LED (94) to provide indication of a smoke or gas detection. An ionization chamber (58) is operable to detect smoke and a gas detector (98) is operable to detect gas. A comparator (104) detects the output of the gas detector (98) for input to the logic circuitry of the IC (44). The LED (94) is modulated to provide a distinction between gas detection and smoke detection in addition to the tone output from the piezo element (46).

Abstract: A thermoelectric unit is disclosed having superposed PN semiconductor thermoelectric stages (10, 12) thermally and electrically connected together by a planar ceramic coupler (14) therebetween. The PN semiconductor blocks (16, 18) of each stage are connected by metallic bridging elements (20), which bridging elements are soldered to isolated metallized areas (40) on each face surface of the ceramic coupler (14) to thereby form a thermal path between the stages. Each stage further includes power source tabs (22,24; 26,28), the tabs (26,28) of one stage receiving power from the other stage through electrically conductive metallized edge paths (42, 44) on the ceramic coupler (14). This forms an interstage connection for connecting the PN semiconductor blocks of the one stage to the PN semiconductor blocks of the other stage.

Abstract: A compact plotter is disclosed, having a small area in which a plurality of print heads (10) are laterally scanned to print impressions on the paper (14), and the paper (14) is incrementally advanced by an indexer (42) past the print heads (10). A paper travel encoder (36) measures the paper advancement. A computer 22 and a processor 26 are provided to coordinate the printing of pattern data stored in a data base (24) both with the movement of the print heads (10) and the advancement of the paper (14). The computer (22) allocates data from the data base (24) to be printed according to the amount of paper advancement. If the paper (14) is advanced more than a predefined amount, more data is allocated for printing than is actually printed. If the paper (14) is advanced less than the predefined amount, less data is allocated to be printed than is actually printed.

Abstract: A workstation (10) for interfacing with a video conferencing network comprises a display (12) which has an internal camera (32) associated therewith. The camera (32) and various auxiliary devices such as a VCR (28) are input to a video switch (52) for selecting a video output. The video output is input to either a monitor (12) and/or to the network through an interface circuit (51). In addition, video can be received from a local processor (42). The monitor (12) operates at two video rates and can be switched therebetween by a CPU (48). The local processor (42) operates at a separate rate from the NTSC video of the monitor (12). A viewfinder (14) having a viewing surface smaller than the monitor (12) is provided as another output on the video switch (52) such that two displays can be received by the user at a given time. A microphone (34) and a speaker (64) are provided and controlled by an audio switch (54 ). This allows a full duplex audio path to exist between the network and the workstation (10).

Abstract: A multi-conduit tubular having fluid conduits (30) and electrical conduits (108), with associated surface fluid (182) and electrical (186) commutators, and downhole sensors (18, 20, 290) for providing surface monitors (22) with instantaneous formation data. Each tubular (50) includes a plurality of uniform linear conduits (30) therethrough, with a gasketed seal plate (86) interposed between joined tubulars for assuring a high pressure seal between joined conduits. The seal plate (86) includes an intermediate electrical connector (126) for connecting electrical conduit connectors (116) of one tubular to another. A coupling collar (84) with uniform diameter internal coarse and fine threads (92, 94) joins the tubular ends having similar threads by differential thread action without respective tubular rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing an additive (70) into a stream (14) of well proppant includes a sealed housing (42), (44), (52) containing a first chamber (102), a second chamber (104), and an additive dispenser (64), (72) operably connected to a motor (92). The upper chamber (102) is adapted to contain the additive (70), and the lower chamber (104) communicated with the pressurized well proppant stream (14). The additive dispensing means (64), (72) is disposed between the upper chamber (102) and the lower chamber (104). A pressure equalizing tube (98) within said housing (42), (44), (52) extends from the upper chamber (102) through the additive dispenser (64), (72) to the lower chamber (104) to equalize the fluid pressure existing in the lower chamber (104) with the fluid pressure existing in the upper chamber (102) during the dispensing of the additive (70) from the upper chamber (102) to the lower chamber (104).

Abstract: Permanently magnetized members (24, 26) of a surveillance system label (16) are disposed adjacent a ferromagnetic nonlinear element (30) for biasing the hysteresis loop of the nonlinear element (30) near the knee (40) of the magnetization curve. The nonlinear element (30) includes low permeability sections (32,34) and high permeability section (36). The high permeability section (36) of the nonlinear element (30) is disposed adjacent a radiating dipole (28) for radiating the summation frequency of a pair of frequencies impinging on the nonlinear element (30). A memory magnet (38) with a changeable magnetism is disposed adjacent the high reluctance section (36) of the nonlinear element (30). The magnetism of the memory magnet (38) can be changed to provide either an active or inactive status of the label (16).

Abstract: An athletic field line cutter (10) has a chassis (12) including a plurality of wheels (98-104) for locomotion across the ground. A cutter head assembly (18) is mounted on the chassis (12) and includes a plurality of cutter blades (92) mounted on a rotating axle (30). Axle (30) is mounted parallel to the ground. An engine (14) is connected to axle (30) for supplying power to the axle (30) and the cutter blades (92). An operator station (60) at which an operator (90) directs the apparatus over the ground is in line with the cutter head assembly (18) and the line of travel of the apparatus (10). Rotating axle (30) has a section (126) which is polygonal in shape, and cutter blades (92) have central polygonal holes that closely fit over this polygonal shape. Blades (92) are angularly fixed with respect to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling multi-conduit drill pipes to maintain arcuate registry between connected pipes, and for transferring the drive torque of one drill pipe to the next drill pipe. One end of one drill pipe (50) includes drive lugs (100) matable with corresponding drive recesses (102) in the end of the next drill pipe (52). An index lug (104) in the drill pipe end, different that the drive lugs (100), is matable with a corresponding index recess (106) in another pipe end ot maintain arcuate registry of the coupled pipes and thus longitudinal alignment of the respective conduits (30) throughout the drill string. An internally threaded coupling collar (84) with different thread pitches at each end thereof is threadable onto the joined lug and recess mated drill pipe ends to hold the pipes mated. The joined pipe ends respectively include external threads (88, 90) of pitches corresponding to that of the coupling collar (84) so that a differential thread action draws the pipes together.

Abstract: A thermal wrap (18) includes a outer wrap having an outer side (20) and an inner side (22). Pockets (32), (34) and (36) are disposed on the inner side of the wrap (18). The pockets are operable to receive gel packs (48), (50) and (52). The wrap has a free end (21) and a free end (23). Each of the pockets (32), (34) and (36) have a width of x. The x width is dimensioned such that the outermost pockets are disposed adjacent the medial and lateral sides of a knee of an average adult one wrap thereabout. The free end (21) is designed such that it can fold over itself to prevent overlapping with the inner side of the pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in securing a specimen (S) in a folding specimen holder (58) having an arm blade (12). A spring clip (26) releasably secures the grid (58) to the arm blade (12) so that one or more specimens may be loaded into the holder (58). A slider (22) mounted on the arm blade (12) operates to fold the holder (58) upon itself in order to secure the specimens (S) in the holder (58). The spring clip (26) is thereafter operated to release the holder (58) after the holder (58) has been transferred from a first workstation (48) to a second workstation (62).

Abstract: A container (12) is disclosed for storing and dispensing surgical face masks (14). A divider (24) with an opening (47) is insertable into the container (12) for dividing it into two compartments (26, 28). The face panels of the masks (14) are stacked in one compartment (26), and the tie strings (30) are routed through the divider opening (47) into the other compartment (28). The divider (24) includes a pair of interlocking flaps (56, 58) which are engageable with folding flaps (34, 36) of the container, thereby locking the divider (24) in a desired position within the container (12).

Abstract: A method of installing a continous moisture proof essentially disposable film liner within a convertional cargo trailer to protect moisture sensitive cargo during shipment. A polyolefin bag is inflated directly into an empty tractor trailer by attaching the bag opening to the outlet of a blower and blowing a gentle stream of air into the bag as suction is applied to the interior of the cargo trailer between the sidewalls of the trailer and the expanding polyolefin bag. In this manner, the bag inflates from the rear of the trailer forward, while the air trapped between the bag and the inside walls of the trailer is removed by suction, thus sealing the bag to the interior of the trailer. Once the bag is properly inflated and in contact with the inside of the trailer, it has been found that it tends to remain in place for sufficient time to load the cargo, even without continued use of the blower.

Abstract: A circuit for automatically removing battery power from a night vision goggle (10) upon its detachment from a headgear (12). A magnet (34) on the headgear (12) is magnetically coupled to a magnetic reed switch (36) fixed to the goggle (10). On detachment of the goggle (10) from the headgear (12), the reed switch (36) switches battery current to a capacitively coupled coil (52) of a bistable latching relay (K1). Relay (K1) contacts (56, 62) are disconnected thus removing power from the image intensifier tube (40). On reattachment of the goggle (10) to the headgear (12), the On-Off switch (18) is cycled to pulse latching Relay K1 coil (64), thereby establishing a current path to the tube (40).

Abstract: A laced shoe (10) having a left quarter (20) and a right quarter (18) has first and second sets of eyelet pairs (38) and (42) mounted respectively on said left and right quarters (20) and (18). The sets (38) and (42) include a set of large eyelets (62) and a set of small eyelets (68). A pair of large eyelets (62) are interposed between pairs of small eyelets (68).

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting headgear-mounted vision equipment with respect to the viewer's eyes. A goggle (14) is mounted to a carriage (20) which is slideable on a frame (10) mounted to the headgear (12). The carriage (20) is slideable on a rail (16) by a tongue and groove arrangement (48), and slideable on a rod (42). The carriage (20) includes a cavity (62) with a coil spring (64) therein encircling the rod (42). In its relaxed state, the coil spring (64) firmly engages the rod (42) and prevents movement of the carriage (20) on the rod (42). The coil spring ends (66, 68) are compressible together to release the engagement of the coil spring (64) about the rod (42). A finger-operated plunger assembly (28) includes a slotted end (118) for engaging one spring end (68). When the plunger button (116) is depressed, the spring ends (66, 68) are pressed together, thereby permitting adjustment of the carriage (20) on the rod (42).

Abstract: An improved universally-sized permanent/retrievable ureteral catheter adapted to be cystoscopically inserted and positioned within a patient and adapted to be removed from the patient without the use of a cytoscopic procedure is disclosed. It includes an elongated, relatively flexible, generally cylindrical member defining a plurality of apertures therein for avoiding catheter blockage during use and having a proximal end defining a single coil, a relatively straight, long intermediate section and a distal end. The coiled proximal end is made of an inert material and is adapted to be straightened so that the catheter may be cytoscopically inserted and positioned within a patient. The coiled proximal end reforms upon insertion and prevents the member from migrating. The elongated, relatively flexible, generally cylindrical member is adapted to be cut along its distal end to fit the needs of a specific patient.

Abstract: A facial exerciser is disclosed, for exercising the musculature of the face, chin and neck. A pair of spreader bar shanks (18, 22) each have fixed at the ends thereof a lip engaging piece (12, 14) and a coupler (20, 24). Each coupler (20, 24) includes an open groove (42, 44) into which the other shank is snapped, thereby connecting the shanks (18, 22) together in parallel, and allowing the shanks to slideably move with respect to each other. Each coupler (20, 24) includes a creased outer edge (46, 48) for holding an elastic band (26) so that the lip engaging pieces (12, 14) are elastically biased apart, thereby offering resistance to the constriction of a person's lips.