Abstract: A voltage monitoring and indicating circuit for producing an output pulse at an output terminal in response to the loss of a positive dc input voltage at an input terminal. A capacitor is charged during the presence of an input voltage at the input terminal, and a transistor coupled to the capacitor and to the output terminal operates in a non-conducting state so that no voltage pulse is produced by the transistor at the output terminal. In the event of a subsequent loss of the input voltage, the capacitor discharges into the transistor and causes the transistor to operate in a conducting state and a discharge path to be provided through the transistor for the capacitor. As the discharge takes place, an exponentially-decaying pulse is produced by the transistor at the output terminal.

Abstract: A metal current collector substrate adapted to be inserted into an elongated cylindrical housing of a primary electrochemical cell. The metal current collector substrate is employed together with porous carbon and fiberglass separator elements to form a carbon current collector electrode/separator assembly for use in the electrochemical cell.The metal current collector substrate in accordance with the invention comprises a thin, circular, metal disc (e.g., of nickel) having a plurality of curved notches around its periphery. The notches are equally-spaced about the periphery of the disc (e.g., at 45.degree. intervals) and define a plurality of deflective, resilient arcuate portions intermediate to the notches. Prior to insertion into the housing of the cell, the disc is flat and has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the housing.

Abstract: A method for assembling a primary electrochemical cell including a carbon cathode structure. The carbon cathode structure is assembled by arranging a selected number of individual annular-shaped porous carbon elements, each having an opening extending therethrough, together with an elongated, hollow, cylindrical metal current collector tube so that the carbon elements are in a stacked array and the tube is loosely disposed within and along the openings in the array of carbon elements. The current collector tube is an expandable member and is initially in a non-expanded state and loosely surrounded by the stacked array of carbon elements. A porous separator and an anode structure are then placed around the aforementioned assembly of the carbon elements and the current collector tube, and the resultant assembly, representing a battery stack, is placed within an elongated housing of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A method for assembling a primary electrochemical cell. The method in accordance with the invention includes the initial step of arranging a plurality of cell components, each having an opening extending therethrough, relative to an elongated, slotted, expandable metal tube so that the tube is loosely disposed within and along the openings in the cell components and the cell components loosely surround the tube in a stacked array. The cell components employed in this step include a plurality of anode structures each having a plurality of resilient, deflective portions facing in the direction of the terminal member and lying within a flat, common plane. Each of the deflective portions further has a contact edge facing in the direction of the terminal member. An expanding member in the form of a solid metal rod is inserted into and progressively advanced along the expandable tube.

Abstract: Apparatus for a signalling system. The signalling system includes a remote control unit arranged to communicate with a centralized communications center. The remote control unit operates at or following a specified time of day to initiate a self-check call and to communicate data to the communications center. The communications center includes a disc unit which stores therein self-check timing data specifying the time of day at which the remote control unit is scheduled to initiate a self-check call. A computer at the communications center receives data from the remote control unit and operates in response thereto to update the self-check timing data in the disc unit to specify the time of day at which the next self-check call is to be initiated by the remote control unit. In the absence of data from the remote control unit, there is no updating of the self-check timing data.

Abstract: A telephone status monitor apparatus for determining the on/hook and off/hook conditions of a telephone connected across tip and ring terminals across which a ringing voltage may be present and superimposed on normal on/hook and off/hook voltages. The ringing voltage typically has an "on" time of two seconds and an "off" time of four seconds. The apparatus in accordance with the invention includes status circuitry operative under microprocessor control to repetitively sample the voltage across the tip and ring terminals on the minute and on the minute plus three seconds, the latter three second interval being intermediate to the two second "off" time and four second "on" time of the ringing voltage. Each sampled voltage is compared with a reference voltage as a result of which an output signal is produced by the status circuitry having either a first value representative of an apparent on/hook condition or a second value representative of an apparent off/hook condition.

Abstract: A chemical scrubber unit for containing and neutralizing toxic, corrosive thionyl chloride and sulfur dioxide acid fluids vented by a primary electrochemical cell. The scrubber unit includes an inlet tube coupled to the electrochemical cell by which thionyl chloride and sulfur dioxide vented by the cell is conveyed to an elongated, generally rectangular distribution trap disposed within a housing of the scrubber unit. The distribution trap contains sodium carbonate or sodium bi-carbonate for reacting chemically with and neutralizing thionyl chloride vented by the cell and received within the trap and is itself surrounded within the housing by soda lime for chemically reacting with and neutralizing both sulfur dioxide and thionyl chloride vented by the cell and received within the trap.

Abstract: A method for treating carbon-containing cathodes of a primary electrochemical cell for the purpose of reducing the gas pressure in the cell during open circuit and during discharge of the cell. The method of the invention includes purging the carbon-containing cathodes of the cell with sulfur dioxide or thionyl chloride gas to displace water and insoluble gases (oxygen and nitrogen, and argon or helium) entrapped within the carbon of the carbon-containing cathodes. The purge gas is soluble in an electrolytic solution including liquid thionyl chloride as is employed to activate the cell for use in discharge.

Abstract: Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health care system. The monitoring and signalling system includes apparatus operative to monitor routine activities performed by an individual in his or her residence and to monitor operation of a user-actuated signalling device in an accident, disability or emergency situation. In the event the monitored activities of the individual are not performed over a prolonged period of time, or the individual actuates the signalling device, an alarm sequence is initiated. This alarm sequence, in a typical implementation, commences with a pre-alarm period (e.g., 1 minute) during which simultaneous steady audible and visual alarm indications are produced and during which the entire alarm sequence can be aborted by the individual.

Abstract: A variable timing system including a remote control unit employed in the residence of an individual and interconnected with a centralized communication system by a telephone network. The remote control unit includes a plurality of storage devices arranged to store count data for use by the remote control unit in the performance of its operations and representing particular periods of time. The centralized communications center includes a disc storage unit which is also arranged to store count data therein representing particular periods of time. An operator-controlled unit at the communications center may be used in conjunction with a computer to selectively vary the value of any one or more of the count data stored in the disc unit thereby to correspond to increased or decreased periods of time. Under prescribed conditions the remote control unit operates to establish communication with the communications center for the purpose of transmitting specified data to the communications center.

Abstract: A thin, integrated carbon/insulator structure, and a method for fabricating same, for use in a primary electrochemical cell. A quantity of a wet carbon slurry material including a mixture of carbon black, water and/or isopropyl alcohol, and a binder such as finely-divided "Teflon" in suspension, is deposited onto a porous fiberglass substrate and rolled to a prescribed thickness. The rolling operation causes a portion of the slurry material to diffuse into the surface of the porous fiberglass substrate and permanently adhere to and unite with a surface portion of the fiberglass substrate in an integrated, interlocking fashion.The fiberglass substrate having the layer of carbon slurry material integrated therewith is then dried to cause the layer of carbon slurry material to dry and shrink to the form of a layer of carbon plaque having a network of cracks produced therethrough in a random pattern as a result of the shrinkage during drying.

Abstract: Apparatus for a signalling system, includes a microprocessor operative to process data words and command words within first and second message intervals. During the first message interval, the microprocessor operates to generate and apply data words in succession to an output terminal and to receive and test command words received in succession at an input terminal. During the second message interval, the microprocessor operates to receive and test data words received in succession at the input terminal and to generate and apply command words in succession to the output terminal. Each command word includes flag data specifying the word as a command word and command data representing either a "send" command or a "retransmit" command. Each data word includes flag data specifying the word as a data word.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for receiving and processing coded words each word including, in succession, a reference bit, a start bit, data or command bits, a flag bit, a stop bit and a parity bit. The various bits are encoded within a corresponding number of bit periods by eighteen cycles of a 900 hertz signal. The start bit is reversed in phase with respect to the phase of the reference bit to represent a logic "0" and each of the additional bits is either reversed in phase or not reversed in phase with respect to the preceding bit thereby to represent a logic "0" or logic "1", respectively.The data processing apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a microprocessor which performs multiple sampling and frequency comparison operations on each coded word to detect and lock onto the reference bit and then to detect the phase reversed start bit.

Abstract: Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health car system includes a first sensor operative to monitor the entry and exit of an individual from a room (such as a bathroom), and other sensors operative to monitor usage of appliances such as lamps, televisions, refrigerators and telephones. Each sensor, upon monitoring an associated activity, produces and applies a signal to a microprocessor and causes an activity timer in the microprocessor to be set to either a first time period of about 1-2 hours (for an entry into the room) or a second time period of about 8-10 hours (for an exit from the room or for use of an appliance). The activity timer cycles through its associated time period and initiates an alarm sequence at the expiration of the time period for indicating a lack of activity. Thus, if an individual who has entered the room does not exit within the 1-2 hour period, or an appliance is not used for a period of 8-10 hours, an alarm sequence is initiated.

Abstract: A high-rate, low-temperature, primary electrochemical cell. The cell in accordance with the invention includes an elongated cylindrical metal housing within which a vertical array of battery stack components is disposed and exposed to a cathodelectrolyte solution. Each of the battery stack components has an opening therein through which an elongated metal rod located centrally within the housing passes and serves as an electrical terminal for the cell.The components of the battery stack include a plurality of thin, flat, circular, lithium anode discs secured to the metal rod, and a plurality of carbon current collector cathode/insulator structures arranged in the array in alternation with the lithium anode discs.

Abstract: A monitoring and signalling system including a remote control unit in the residence of an individual and a centralized communication center interconnected with the remote control unit by a telephone network. A plurality of sensors are located within the residence and operate to monitor the occurrence of particular activities performed by the individual and to produce signals in response to monitoring the occurrence of the activities. A microprocessor in the remote control unit receives and processes signals produced by the sensors and accumulates sensor activity data representing a running tally of the number of times each sensor has monitored its associated activity.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell insensitive to physical orientation or position over the rated life span of the cell. The cell includes an elongated metal housing and a battery stack disposed intermediate to the ends of the housing to define first and second electrolyte reservoirs at the ends of the housing. The battery stack includes an electrolyte-conducting opening or channel therethrough in direct communication with the first and second reservoirs and is fixed in position in the housing by means of pedestals within the reservoirs and in abutment with the battery stack. The pedestals have a number of openings therein by which electrolyte solution in the reservoirs can pass unrestrictedly to the battery stack and to the opening through the battery stack. The electrolyte solution is of a type which is consumed by reaction within the cell over the rated life span of the cell leading to a volume loss of the electrolyte solution.

Abstract: An integrated electrode/insulator structure for use as part of an electrochemical system of an electrochemical cell. The electrode/insulator structure includes an electrode and an adherent porous layer of an electrically-nonconductive material deposited on the electrode and physically integrated with the electrode. The material of the adherent porous layer is selected so as to be chemically stable with the electrode and with any other components of the electrochemical system of the electrochemical cell in which the integrated electrode/insulator structure is to be used.

Abstract: An anode structure for a cylindrical primary electrochemical cell. The anode structure in accordance with the invention includes a thin, circular, lithium metal disc having a central opening therein, and a small, thin, resilient, metal (e.g., nickel) contact member secured to the lithium disc. The metal contact member is of a generally circular configuration and has a flat central portion with a circular opening therein aligned with the opening in the lithium disc. The contact member has a plurality of tab portions extending outwardly from, and spaced at regular intervals about, its outer periphery, and a pair of spikes or barbs depending from opposed ends of each tab portion. The spikes are pressed into the soft lithium disc at points spaced from the opening therein for permanently securing the contact member to the disc.