Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting against electrocution hazards that arise when an appliance is electrically connected to a miswired single-phase AC electrical source are described. Protection is provided against miswiring conditions that cause the putative ground line of the electrical source to be either electrically energized or to be electrically open. The apparatus includes one or more sensors that detect if the electrical source is miswired and operate one or more switches which preclude electrical continuity to one or more of the electrical lines of the appliance if a miswiring is detected. The method includes the steps of detecting if the putative ground of the electrical source is electrically energized, and if it is, then precluding electrical continuity between the putative ground of the electrical source and the ground of the appliance.

Abstract: An attachment surface for an implantable device has an irregular pattern formed through a process including masking, chemical or electrochemical etching, blasting and debris removal steps. Surface material is removed from the implant surface without stress on the adjoining material and the process provides fully dimensional fillet radii at the base of the surface irregularities. This irregular surface is adapted to receive the ingrowth of bone material and to provide a strong anchor for that bone material which is resistant to cracking or breaking. The surface is prepared through an etching process which utilizes the random application of a maskant and subsequent etching in areas unprotected by the maskant. This chemical etching process is repeated a number of times as necessitated by the nature of the irregularities required in the surface. The blasting and debris removal steps produce microfeatures on the surface that enhance the ingrowth of bone material.

Abstract: A method of producing powder metal articles includes compacting and sintering powder metal to produce a shaped powder metal preform having at least one exposed surface to be surface densified which extends parallel to an axis of the preform between a free end and a blind end adjacent a transverse portion of the preform. The blind surface is cold worked by forcing a shaped densifying tool axially along the surface in a direction from the free end toward the blind end, and then reversing the direction of the tool toward the free end to densify a layer of the material at the exposed surface. In addition to the blind surface, the article can include one or more additional surfaces that can be densified in the same manner in a simultaneous operation.

Abstract: An etching apparatus for etching semi combustion samples may include one or more variable volume expansion chambers, two or more fixed volume expansion chambers, or combinations thereof in fluid communication with an etching chamber and a source of etching gas, such as xenon difluoride. The apparatus may further include a source of a mixing gas. An etching apparatus may also include a source of etching gas, an etching chamber in fluid communication with the source of etching gas, a flow controller connected between the source of etching gas and the etching chamber, and a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the etching chamber. A source for providing a gas by sublimation from a solid material is also provided, including a vacuum tight container and a mesh mounted in the interior of the vacuum tight container, wherein the mesh is adapted to receive and restrain the solid material.

Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus has a remotely adjustable cable feed control. The drain cleaning apparatus includes a rotatable cable drum that carries a drain cleaning cable. Also included is a cable advancing mechanism. The cable is adapted to pass from the cable drum and through the cable advancing mechanism. The cable is also adapted to rotate about its feed or longitudinal axis when the cable drum is rotated. The cable advancing mechanism includes a plurality of rollers for engaging the cable. The rollers are selectively adjustable among a cable displacing position and a neutral position. A guide conduit assembly is coupled to the cable advancing mechanism. The rollers may be selectively adjusted between the cable displacing and the neutral positions by an operator remotely rotating the guide conduit.

Abstract: A system for detecting, monitoring and reporting physiological information includes a sensor device adapted to be worn on the upper arm that includes at least one of an accelerometer, a GSR sensor and a heat flux sensor and generates data indicative of at least one of activity, galvanic skin response and heat flow. The sensor device may also generate derived data from at least a portion of the data indicative of at least one of activity, galvanic skin response and heat flow. The system includes a central monitoring unit that generates analytical status data from at least one of the data indicative of at least one of activity, galvanic skin response and heat flow, the derived data, and previously generated analytical status data, a means for establishing electronic communication between the sensor device and the central monitoring unit, and a means for transmitting data to a recipient.

Abstract: Means and methods for measuring heat flux between a living body and an ambient atmosphere and for generating information related thereto. Means include a heat pipe configuration comprising at least one heat conduit in thermal communication with a heat flux sensor and a surface of a living body. Methods include employing such a heat pipe configuration. Heat pipe configuration may be used in a device included in a system for detecting, monitoring and reporting human physiological information.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for punching holes at any location along the length of an elongate hollow body comprising an expandable die which is insertable into the elongate hollow body. The elongate hollow body may have any shape and be of any length. In operation, the expandable die cooperates with the punch or punches of an external, conventional punch press. The expandable die self-aligns its die cavity or cavities with the punch or punches of the external punch press. The expandable die can expand to support the elongate hollow body during the punching operation to avoid denting or other damage to the elongate hollow body.

Abstract: A drain cleaning machine includes a housing and a cage member that is axially displaceable along and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the housing. The cage member has an axial bore and is adapted to receive a cable. A plurality of jaw elements are inserted into and displaceable within the cage member. A rotatable cone member surrounds the first end of the cage member and is adapted to engage the jaw elements and displace the jaw elements radially inward within the cage member as it is axially displaced along the longitudinal axis. A motor is coupled to the cone member for rotating the cone member, wherein rotation of the cone member causes rotation of the cage member. The jaw elements are adapted to engage and grip the cable such that rotation of the cage member causes rotation of the cable about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sensor array and computing apparatus are located on the human body while maintaining said sensors and apparatus within a proximity zone of the body such that the mobility and flexibility of the body are not deleteriously affected by the presence of the apparatus. A series of rigid and flexible pods within which the sensors and computing apparatus may be housed are typically comprised of a rigid material having a minimum hardness or rigidity mounted in conjunction with certain more flexible sections to allow relative movement of the rigid material sections with respect to each other. The flexible material is further utilized to conform said rigid sections to certain pre-specified portions of the human body. The system permits the dynamic monitoring of human physiological status data without substantial interference in human motion and flexibility.

Abstract: A drain cleaning apparatus comprises an auger for insertion into a drain pipe or conduit which is adapted to rupture or dislodge debris therein; a motorized drive for causing rotational motion of the auger, which motorized drive is associated with a receptacle for the storage and distribution of the auger therefrom; and a remote power feed device affixed to the motorized drive by a guide tube in which the auger is extended. The remote power feed selectively engages the external surface of the auger and translates the rotational movement of the auger caused by the motorized drive into lateral movement through the interaction of angularly mounted or threaded engagement means. A guide conduit is rotatably mounted within the guide tube, encircling the auger therein. The guide conduit is mounted to the rotatable auger containment receptacle and the motorized drive, but is freely rotatably displaced within the guide tube.

Abstract: A system for securing a rail to a concrete railroad tie employing an improved insulator spacer that improves the resistance of the insulator spacer to the crushing deterioration induced by laterally-directed compressive forces during service. The improved insulator spacer has at least one composite insert located in an area that is subjected to high compressive loads in service. The composite insert or inserts are sufficiently electrically insulating to operably electrically insulate the rail the improved insulator spacer is in contact with from the shoulder insert the improved insulator spacer is also in contact with.