Abstract: A spark plug wire harness (20) for use with an ignition system (50) of an internal combustion engine (52) includes a substantially rigid body (22), plug wire mounting posts (24) coupled to an input end (30) of the rigid body (22), and terminals (26) coupled to an output end (32) of the rigid body (22). Conductors (34) are embedded in the substantially rigid body (22). Each of the conductors (34) has a first end (36) in electrical communication with one of the plug wire mounting posts (24) and a second end (38) in electrical communication with one of the terminals (26). The spark plug wire harness (20) to conveys igniting voltage received at the posts (24) from spark plug wires (56) to the terminals (26). The terminals (26) are in electrical contact with spark plugs (44) of the ignition system (50) so that the spark plugs (44) fire in sequence.

Abstract: A static RAM memory cell (30) uses cross-coupled enhancement mode, N-channel MOS drive transistors (36) to form a bistable flip-flop. A load circuit (34) couples between I/O ports (40) of the drive transistors (36) and Vcc. For each drive transistor (36), the load circuit includes a depletion mode, N-channel MOS load transistor (54) and a forward biased tunnel diode (32). The drain and gate of the load transistor (54) couple across the anode and cathode of the tunnel diode (32) so that the forward voltage (Vf) of the tunnel diode (32) controls the Vgs transfer curve (56) of the load transistor. The tunnel diode (32) may be formed at a junction between a mono-crystalline silicon layer (88) at a region (98, 100) which also serves as a source or drain of a transistor (36, 54) and a poly-crystalline silicon layer (106). The poly-crystalline silicon layer (106) also serves as a non-metallic, conductive interconnection (55) to save space.

Abstract: A monolithic inductor (20, 20′) is formed over a silicon or other substrate (22). The inductor (20, 20′) includes at least one coil (62, 78) arranged so that its axis (58) is parallel to the substrate (22). Other inductive features, such as other coils (64, 70, 72) or planar spirals (74, 76) are arranged in series with the coil (62, 78) to guide magnetic flux lines away from the substrate (22). In one embodiment, a common thin film coil core (60) made from a magnetic material is provided for two coils (62, 64). The coil core (60) provides a continuous magnetic material flux path through the two coils (62, 64). In another embodiment, an axis (58) of the coil (78) is located between the plane in which two spirals (74, 76) are located and the substrate (22) to guide magnetic flux lines (82) away from the substrate (22).

Abstract: A cushion (20) includes a flexible body (28) and a zipper (42). The flexible body (28) is formed from a moisture repellent shell (30) and a lining (32) that can be folded and retained by closure of the zipper (42) to form the cushion (20). A handle (23) is attached to the cushion (20) for easy conveyance. The flexible body (28) also includes an opening (88) releasably sealable by a zipper (90) and a hood (96) stowed in a pocket (92). When the flexible body (28) is unfolded, the cushion is convertible to a poncho configuration (26) by placing the head of the individual (100) through the opening (88). In addition, the hood (96) may be removed from the pocket (92) and worn by the individual.

Abstract: A portable automatic misting device (20) uses a misting device assembly (38) to automatically disperses a mist (36). The misting assembly (38) includes a hollow cylinder (40) that forms a liquid reservoir (50) that is in fluid communication with a one-way valve (76,102) that permits liquid flow into the reservoir (50). The reservoir (50) has fluid communication with a misting nozzle (34) through a hollow plunger rod (28). A plunger (42), a spring (48) and a portion of the hollow plunger rod (28) are located inside the hollow cylinder (40). The spring (48) is biased to move the plunger (42) and the hollow plunger rod (28) to automatically shrink the liquid reservoir (50). In another embodiment, the plunger rod (28) is solid and the reservoir (50) has fluid communication with the misting nozzle (34) through a second one-way valve (106) that permits liquid flow out of the reservoir (50).

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort range, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space and having an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner.

Abstract: Electrodes for stimulating living tissue such as penile, scrotal, anal, vaginal, and clitoral tissue are shown. Electrical stimulation to such areas is intended to induce penile erection, or to induce excitation and orgasm in either males or females, particularly where impotence or frigidity is a problem. Four embodiments of the electrode apparatus include a flexible base and an electrode removably coupled to the base. The electrode is formed from elastomeric material and can be optionally formed into a loop for use around penile or scrotal tissue and against vaginal or anal issue. In addition, two embodiments include a penile sheath for secure placement and retention of the electrode on the penis. An electrical contact at one end of the electrode allows the electrode to be connected to an electrical source.

Abstract: A pragmatic trellis-code modulated digital communications system (20) is provided, in which a demodulator (24) is configured to demodulate a quadrature input signal (62) into an estimation (64) of digital data (54) conveyed thereby. The demodulator (24) includes a branch-metrics generator (74) incorporating a soft-decision generator (82), a delay circuit (86), and a likelihood generator (88); a convolutional encoding circuit; and a hard-decision estimator (78) incorporating a hard-decision generator (98), a selection circuit (104), and an encoding circuit (106). The soft-decision generator (82) generates encoded-bit estimates (ŝ0, ŝ1) from the input signal (62). The delay circuit (86) delays one estimate (ŝ1) relative to the other (ŝ0). The likelihood generator (88) generates likelihoods ({circumflex over (m)}00, {circumflex over (m)}01, {circumflex over (m)}10, {circumflex over (m)}11) thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort level, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space, having a baffle that restricts airflow to the air conditioner and an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner in response to ambient conditions of the external environment and the operating efficiencies of the evaporative cooler and the air conditioner.

Abstract: A dual-fluid heat-exchanging system (20) incorporating a primary heat exchanger (22) and a secondary heat exchanger (24) is provided. The primary heat exchanger (22) incorporates a core (40) configured to extract heat (32) from a primary fluid (34). An input tank (30) and an output tank (28) are coupled to the primary-exchanger core (40) and function as reservoirs of the primary fluid (34) and as manifolds routing the primary fluid (34) through the core (40). The secondary heat exchanger (24) incorporates an extruded metal core (26) coupled to the primary-exchanger input tank (30) or the primary-exchanger output tank (28) and configured to transfer heat (32) from a secondary fluid (52) into the primary fluid (34) within the primary-exchanger input tank (30) or output tank (28). An input manifold (62) and an output manifold (64) are coupled to the secondary-exchanger core (26) and route the secondary fluid (52) through the core (26).

Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a transmitter (20) having programmable signals (46, 58, 60, 80) which can be used to adjust transmitter-caused quadrature-phase signal imbalances. A receiver (18) of the system (10) is remotely located from the transmitter (20) and generates a signal quality statistic (102, 112) that is monitored in a slow-tracking feedback loop to formulate commands which indicate how to program the programmable signals (46, 58, 60, 80). This receiver (18) performs its signal quality statistic monitoring while a data stream (36) is being extracted from a received communication signal.

Abstract: An exhaust muffler (20) for an internal combustion engine (25) includes a tapered tube (28) and an outer tube (40) axially aligned with and surrounding the tapered tube (28) so that an annular passage (42) is formed between the tapered tube (28) and the outer tube (40). The tapered tube (28) has an exhaust inlet end (30) for receiving exhaust gases (76) from the engine (25) and an exhaust outlet end (34). The outer tube (40) has an air inlet end (50) for receiving air (49) external to the engine and an air outlet end (52). The external air (49) flows in the annular passage (42) toward the air outlet end (52). The flow of the external air (49) creates a low pressure region (54) downstream of the exhaust outlet end (34) to accelerate the receipt of exhaust gases (76) from the engine, and elliptical holes (62) in the tapered tube (28) allow the smooth flow of exhaust gases (76) from tapered tube (28) to mix with the external air (49) to achieve effective noise attenuation.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) operable as both a vestment (22) and a litter (24) is provided. The apparatus (20) has a flexible back panel (26) serving as a back (28) for the vestment (22) and as a bed (30) for the litter (24). A front (40) of the vestment (22) is made up of a flexible left front panel (42), a flexible right front panel (44), and a fastener (46). The apparatus (20) includes a pair of sectioned support poles (54). When the apparatus (20) is configured as a litter (24), a cross member (58) is removably coupled between the support poles (54), and a support device (112) supports the bed (30) of the litter (24) from the support poles (54). A safety strap (60) secures a victim (124) to the bed (30) for transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining an enclosed space proximate a selected comfort level, and for conserving utilities, the apparatus comprising a housing in communicating relation with the enclosed space and the external environment and having an evaporative cooler for cooling the enclosed space and having a predetermined operating efficiency, and a spaced apart air conditioner for either selectively cooling or heating the enclosed space, having a baffle that restricts airflow to the air conditioner and an operating efficiency different from the evaporative cooler, and a control mechanism for automatically and selectively switching back and forth from operation of the evaporative cooler to the air conditioner in response to ambient conditions of the external environment and the operating efficiencies of the evaporative cooler and the air conditioner.

Abstract: A protective device for minimizing fire danger in the use of electrical circuits comprises a unit having a mechanically biased conductive element in series with the circuit, and maintained in position under tension by a fusible material such as a Cerro alloy having a yield point at a selected temperature threshold. When overheating at some other point in the circuit results rise of temperature at the protective device, the yielding of the fusible material allows the conductive element to spring free, opening the circuit and cutting off the current. This arrangement is useful in an male plug integral to or separate from an extension cord, in conjunction with circuit breaker systems, in a in-circuit device, and in electrical appliances and devices.