Abstract: A method of constructing a fuel cell includes a sintering technique that improves the structure and performance of the fuel cell elements. The method includes furnishing a fuel cell core comprising trilayers of anode, cathode, and interconnect layers, and trilayers of anode, cathode, and electrolyte layers. Each of the layers has a mixture of the respective anode, cathode, or interconnect ceramic material mixed with processing aid materials including a binder and a plasticizer, and, in the case of the interconnect mixture, optionally a flux. This partially fabricated fuel cell core is sintered to form a monolithic structure, the step of sintering being performed by heating the core at a heating rate of greater than about 40.degree. C. per minute to a sintering temperature of from about 1550.degree. to about 1600.degree. C., maintaining the core at the sintering temperature for a time of from about 5 to about 20 minutes, and cooling the sintered structure.

Abstract: A method for preparing an article from a powder includes the step of providing a partially consolidated mixture of a solid powder and an organic binder system. The partially consolidated mixture is contacted with a stiffening solution comprising a stiffening agent that effects at least partial cross-linking of the organic binder system, and a solvent that dissolves the stiffening agent but not the organic binder system. The binder system is thereafter removed, and the article sintered.

Abstract: A cargo drive unit which, as part of an array of several such units, it disposed in the hold of a vehicle to permit cargo to be moved within the hold. The drive unit derives power from an electric motor to first erect a drive a roller into contact with a load and then to move the load. A hysteresis coupling is disposed between the motor and the roller and functions to limit the force of the roller against the load to be driven by adjusting the excitation current thereto. The hysteresis coupling allows the roller to retract when the current to the coupling is removed and limits shock loading to drive gearing and the motor when excessive loads are applied to the roller.

Abstract: A voltage controlled current source with variable compliance produces a load current through a load impedance where the load current value is substantially independent of the value chosen for the load impedance. The value of the current is substantially proportional to the difference between a first and second input voltage, and is substantially inversely proportional to a value of resistance chosen as a sense resistance. The current source comprises two variable gain instrumentation amplifiers and a resistance means connected in series with the load impedance.

Abstract: A circuit for interfacing switches to a component which allows the positions of the switches to be determined by the component. The component includes an input port and an output port. A switch network which is a parallel combination of two or more series combinations of a resistor and a switch is connected between the input and output port. A capacitor is connected between the input port and ground. The component determines switch positions by outputting a voltage on the output port and determining the time for the capacitor to charge to a predetermined value. Since each series combination has a unique resistance, the position of the switches therein can be determined in accordance with the capacitor charging time.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display system utilizes an optical arrangement which is aligned so that ambient light from the direction of an obersver's view is channeled behind the liquid crystal display to provide back illumination therefor. An illuminator is arranged to provide supplementary illumination for the liquid crystal display as may be required. A photodetector determines when ambient light is inadequate for required display brightness and operates through appropriate control circuitry to turn the illuminator on or off as the case may be and to control the contrast of the liquid crystal display.