Abstract: A detergent dispenser that is coupled to a source of fluid and which has a chemical source in solid cast form. A spray generator is designed to generate a fluid spray bearing on the chemical source, the fluid spray generating a concentrated solution of the chemical. The concentrated solution of the chemical is discharged through a discharge conduit. A single valve controls a flow of fluid from the source of fluid. The valve has an inlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the source of fluid, an outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the spray generator, and an outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the discharge conduit. A metering device for selectively metering portions of the flow of fluid to the spray generator and to the discharge conduit is disposed within the valve and selectively fluidly couples the inlet to the outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the spray generator and to the outlet that is operably fluidly coupled to the discharge conduit.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor has groups of adjacent poles of the same polarity. A starting magnet is fitted to one side of one or more of the poles in one or more of the groups. The polarity of the magnet can be the same as that of its host pole. The starting magnet influences the rest position of the rotor when it is not being driven so that the rotor will not be in an orientation such that it will not start when the stator poles are energized.

Abstract: An improved portable platform for the performing arts for providing a generally covered performing stage and being shiftable from a stowed configuration to a performing configuration wherein an upper and a lower roof assembly from a canopy over the stage having a rain exclusion means for preventing the passage of rain through the canopy and for preventing the entry of rain into the platform when in the stowed configuration. The portable platform includes hydraulic actuation means having at least two hydraulic loops, the first of such loops including a hydraulic ram, the ram extending and supporting the roof assembly, the two hydraulic loops being connected by an interrupter adapted to hydraulically isolate the two loops, thereby hydraulically locking the ram to support the roof assembly in the event of a loss of hydraulic pressure in the second hydraulic loop.

Abstract: A control system for and method of controlling a switched reluctance generator to maintain stable control of the generator in the continuous current mode. This is achieved by sensing the load on the generator, the speed of the rotor and the position of the rotor with respect to each phase winding in order to derive switching command signals to maintain the volt-seconds applied to the winding in each phase period so as to inhibit progressive flux growth in the phase windings by actuation of the controller switches.

Abstract: A system for self-typing of individual essences recognizes that particular characteristic archetypes of individuals resonate with particular characteristic types of sensory stimuli and tests for responses to a set of sensory stimuli in a way in which the individual is unaware of any relationship between each of the sensory stimuli and the particular characteristic archetype associated with that sensory stimuli. Because the relation between each sensory stimuli and its characteristic archetype is unknown to the individual, the self-test system removes the subjective ego of the individual from the evaluation. As a result, even though the self-test system is relatively simple to administer, the accuracy of the self-test system is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: A silicone paint brush artist's tool includes a handle and a novel painting tip. The painting tip is made of a resilient silicone having a generally three-dimensional paint contacting working surface that has a maximum cross-sectional diameter no larger than a maximum cross-sectional diameter of the handle. The tip is preferably attached to the handle using a ferrule and expansively locking the tip into a cavity of the ferrule by insertion of an insert. The insert may be a common screw or a barbed, fluted extension of the handle. The tips may include an insert cavity and have various shapes and hardnesses and may be optionally color coded. A formation method for the tool is disclosed with simultaneous insert insertion and joining of ferrules to handles. The ferrules also may be reversibly attached to the handle, in which case a kit comprising multiple interchangeable painting tips may be provided.

Abstract: A deployment spreader with two arms and an elbow member arrangement, optionally and preferably having a locking mechanism involving an overcenter arrangement of certain pivots, for deployment or retraction of a folding hay rake which is towable by a tractor. The hayrake rake has a primary towable frame with right and left secondary frames pivotally attached adjacent the rear of the primary frame. The deployment spreader assembly is pivotally attached to the primary and secondary frames for pivoting the secondary frame relative to the primary frame.

Abstract: The present invention uses the chronaxie, a characteristic time that enters into heart defibrillation. The present invention defines a figure of merit for physiologically effective current for characterizing and evaluating a defibrillation pulse. Using this figure of merit then, the present invention compares defibrillation-pulse options and to determine optima for capacitance, tilt, and pulse duration. The combined abilities of optima determination and quantitative comparison of options provides for shorter pulses and lower capacitance values than have been in common use in the prior art. The overall result of the present invention is the specifying of smaller, more efficient implantable defibrillator designs.

Abstract: A rotor position encoder for an electric motor includes a discate member mounted to rotate with the rotor shaft. The encoder has a set of radially extending features formed with angularly evenly spaced leading edges and unevenly spaced trailing edges. The leading edges induce a signal in a sensor that corresponds to the relative timing of power switches for each motor phase. The trailing edges define a cyclical code by which motor controlling circuitry is able to determine the phase of rotation of the rotor and thus establish the correct power switch actuation sequence. An electric motor control system and methods of starting electric motors are also shown.

Abstract: A micromechanical structure or microactuator based upon the piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and electrostrictive properties of ferroelectric thin film ceramic materials such as PZT with a thickness between 0.1 and 10 micrometers. The thin film ceramic material is sandwiched between first and second electrodes and may contain an intermediate electrically insulating thin film. This structure with electrodes is formed on a deformable or movable structure integral to a semiconductor or bulk ceramic substrate. Electrical connection is established between the upper and lower electrodes. A potential difference or voltage is established between the electrical interconnection points to produce a force, movement, or mechanical deformation. The invention also relates to a method for making such micromechanical structures or microactuators.

Abstract: A defibrillation electrode apparatus which provides defibrillating, pacing, and sensing functions with the use of fewer conductors. Conductor requirements are minimized by solid-state multiplexing that is accomplished at the distal end of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises:a. a body structure;b. a number "X", wherein X is at least 3, of electrode members disposed on the body structure for electrical communication with the exterior environment;c. a number "X-Y", wherein Y is a number between 1 and X-2, of conductive lead members, each lead member being communicatively connected to at least one electrode member and extending therefrom to a predetermined point on the body structure, and wherein each electrode member is connected to one lead member and at least one lead member is connected to more than one electrode member; andd. a rectifier connected between at least one lead member and at least one electrode member.

Abstract: An implantable defibrillator having programmable shock waveforms and paths where each successive waveform may be of a different shape and form, and delivered to and through an area of the human heart in a desired sequence. The shock waveforms can be delivered independently through certain areas of the heart or through different areas of the heart to the can electrode or to a patch electrode at a computed common time. Alternatively, a first shock waveform or set of shock waveforms can be delivered through one or more areas of the heart followed by a delivery of time sequenced delayed shock waveform or forms through specific areas of the heart to the can electrode or patch electrode.

Abstract: A method for rapidly and accurately determining defibrillation thresholds. The method comprises the steps of delivering an initial shock series to a patient, the shock series comprising at least two shocks of differing energy levels, determining an estimated shock level adjustment based on the initial shock series, and delivering at least one adjusted shock of a predetermined energy level based on the estimated shock level adjustment. The technique uses optimized search criteria as opposed to the conventional step-wise decrease and increase techniques. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrode system for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The electrode system includes a conductive structure which is physically and electrically connected to the housing or can of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator and is used as an electrode in combination with an existing implantable cardioverter defibrillator electrode or electrodes. The electrode system provides a therapeutically significant increase in the effective surface area of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator's electrodes without requiring an additional header connection, feedthru, or cable.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor controller derives an error signal from the difference between a phase winding current reference and the phase winding current. The error signal is applied to a pair of hysteresis circuits which define adjacent hysteresis bands above and below the reference current. The outputs of the hysteresis circuits are received by control logic which permits current to be applied to the phase winding when the current is below the hysteresis bands, removes current from the phase winding when the current is above the hysteresis bands and allows the phase winding current to freewheel when the current is between the upper and lower hysteresis limits.

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) system employs polymer film capacitor technology for the capacitor system. Unlike existing ICD systems which utilize electrolytic capacitors, the ICD system of the present invention utilizes polymer thin film capacitors to deliver an electrical countershock having an effective pulse duration of greater than the chronaxie duration of the human heart from a maximum stored energy of less than about 35 joules when charged to a maximum charging voltage of at least about 800 volts. Preferably, the polymer thin film capacitors having a dielectric thickness of between about 1,000 nm and 10,000 nm and an effective capacitance of the less than about 80 .mu.F with a maximum charging voltage of less than about 1500 volts or a maximum peak current of less than about 30 amperes.

Abstract: A rehearsal room especially adapted to produce the auralization effect of different acoustical environments. The rehearsal room broadly includes a performance space defined by a plurality of walls, each of the walls including a plurality of acoustical absorption panels, a floor and a ceiling, a plurality of microphones operably coupled to the ceiling at predetermined locations, a plurality of acoustical speakers operably coupled to the ceiling at predetermined locations relative to the position of the microphones and speakers; and an electroacoustic system connected to the microphones and speakers for recording, broadcasting and simulating sound.

Abstract: Adjacent backdrop panels and a suspended canopy comprising a stage shell, wherein the backdrop panels include angular alignment devices for readily and accurately aligning adjacent panels to present a pleasing, uniform appearance and tilt aligning devices to readily align the angle of tilt of the backdrop panels. The suspended canopy formed of individual canopy panels having rotatable hinge devices for storing the canopy panels in a substantially vertical position and having a readily engageable stay assembly for accurately fixing the relative angle of the canopy panels when deployed in a performance position above the backdrop panels.

Abstract: An integrated portable phone and personal computing device has a hand-held body structure that allows the device to be comfortably held as a telephone receiver, yet is configured in such a way as not to decrease the computing capabilities of the device. The body structure provides for a display screen and input unit on a front surface of the device with a speaker and a microphone located on a side surface of the device. The arrangement for the body structure increases the useable surface area for both the display screen and input unit by providing for a combined display screen and input unit on the front surface. An activation key on the side of the unit inhibits data entry on the input unit when the device is being held as a telephone receiver without the need for a cover over the input unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for progressive recruitment of cardiac fibrillation uses an implantable defibrillator to deliver a multiple, discontinuous pulse waveform that is comprised of a series of smaller recruitment pulses delivered prior to delivery of a larger defibrillating pulse. Instead of using multiple identical pulses to accomplish defibrillation, the present invention decreases the overall energy required for effective defibrillation with a single, larger defibrillation pulse by using multiple, smaller recruitment pulses to recruit or capture as many heart cells as possible into a primary one of the many activation wavefronts in a fibrillating heart. By synchronizing the heart cells recruited in this manner, the effectiveness of the single, larger defibrillation pulse is increased, thereby decreasing the maximum stored energy required for defibrillation.