Abstract: A monitoring and display system for enunciating warning signals on the vehicle's master display system when the master ignition switch is off. Operational-type signals and warning-type signals are generated by respective sensors throughout the vehicle. A warning controller, responsive to receiving the warning signals and sensing that the ignition switch is off, actuates an alternate path for supplying power to the master display system and controller, which process and display the warning signals under normal processing protocol. However, the warning controller also deactuates the portion of the master display system and controller that normally would display operational signals. In this manner safety related warning signals, and not the normal operating signals, will be displayed to the driver on the master display system of the vehicle even when the ignition switch is off.

Abstract: A low voltage detection circuit includes bandgap and differential comparator circuits for generating a first signal proportional to the level of the supply voltage when it exceeds a predetermined range, and an output driver responsive to the first signal for generating an output indication representative of a low or failure condition of the supply voltage.A supplemental current source provides a bias current to the output driver in opposition to and much smaller than the first signal in order to proactively switch the output driver into the low or failure condition when the supply voltage, and the first signal representative thereof, fall below a predetermined minimum range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the level of a liquid within a storage tank, including a target for being buoyantly supported near the surface of the liquid and an acoustic sensor for measuring the distance between a tank reference point and the target. The motion of the target induced by any change in level of the liquid is restrained along a known path so that the target distance is representative of the level of the liquid within the tank.

Abstract: A modular twin tower distributorless ignition coil assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of ignition coil subassemblies having a molded housing, a primary winding, a secondary winding, a laminated steel-plated armature, primary winding connectors and two high voltage towers for delivering the high voltage impulse induced by the secondary coil to respective engine spark plugs. Multiple ignition coil subassemblies can be coupled together through the use of integrally molded receptacle and plug connectors contained on the housing which ultimately co-operate with an engine control module to fire two, four, six or eight cylinder engines. Each modular ignition coil subassembly is substantially identical in its overall configuration and only minor modifications to the ignition coil subassembly are required to tailor an individual ignition coil assembly to fit into its position in a series of modules.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a wide range of variable brightness levels for a vacuum fluorescent (VF) display by changing the duty cycle of the driving signal beyond the limits of normal driving techniques by varying the frequency as well as the on-time of the driving signal. The driving signal is multiplexed by a programmed driver microcomputer to drive a plurality of grids. Consequently, by varying the frequency, the multiplex period is also varied. The driver microcomputer communicates with a host microcomputer as well as drivers and grids of the VF display to control the VF display. In addition, the driver microcomputer samples a VF filament signal to synchronize the VF display multiplex frequency with the frequency of the VF filament signal to reduce flicker at low display brightness levels. The method and system achieve a continuously variable appearance of the VF display from full bright to barely discernable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-marking label to be applied to an article for identification. The label is formed from a thin microsized plate of generally transparent material which includes a marking indicia thereon. The indicia is divided into a plurality of digital areas each of which are homogeneously marked in either a first or second optical condition so as to identify a digital bit of data. The label is placed upon a surface of the article to be identified and sealed thereto by a layer of sealant which is substantially larger than the microsized label. An apparatus for depositing the label is also included.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a set of safety jumper cables for use with placing one battery parallel with another battery in order to increase the amount of electrical energy available. The apparatus includes a pair of cable conductors having at each end thereof disengageable connectors for coupling with the terminals of the primary and secondary batteries. A contactor is coupled in series with one of the cable conductors for selectively enabling the flow of electrical power therethrough. Various comparators are included for comparing the battery voltage polarities on either side of the contactor and enabling the contactor only when the polarities are the same. A first manual switch is provided for initially energizing and closing the contactor. Various other comparators are provided for preventing the closure of the contactor when the voltage of one of the batteries does not exceed a predetermined minimum and when the voltage across both batteries is substantially the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for being used in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The apparatus includes a first circuit operatively coupled to a source of electrical energy for generating a squarewave output signal. At least two pads are provided for being placed in operative communication with the skin adjacent to the body sections of the patient to be treated. A second circuit is provided having an input operatively coupled to the first circuit and having outputs operably coupled to the pads. The second circuit amplifies the squarewave signal from the first circuit so as to deliver at the outputs thereof a predetermined constant current squarewave output signal representative of the input signal. In this manner the area of the body operably interposed between the pads will be treated by the squarewave signal having a predetermined constant current level which is independent of the operative resistance of the body section between the pads.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic lighting control system which employs a photosensitive detector in one leg of a bridge circuit for sensing the total effective level of both the natural and artificial illumination within an interior space. The unbalanced output of the bridge is fed into a pair of differential comparators for deriving a digital error signal representative of the level of illumination falling outside an acceptable range. A digital error signal is loaded into an intermediate shift register responsive to a clock signal. If an error signal of the type requiring a change in illumination is present, then a subsequent clock pulse will command a shift register to add or interrupt power to one or more lighting modules which supply artificial illumination to the interior space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collector which includes a housing which has two solar absorption panels on the exterior surface thereof and an energy collection chamber therein. A motor is coupled to the housing for moving the solar absorption panels between a first position, characterized as being illuminated with solar radiaton, and a second position, characterized as being in thermal communication with a heat transfer fluid contained within the energy collection chamber of the housing. A heat transfer device is immersed in the primary fluid within the energy collection chamber for removing thermal energy therefrom. A control system is coupled to the motor for moving the solar absorption panels between the first and second positions in a transient unsteady mode.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retrofit system for automatically selecting and continuously controlling the rotational speed of a typical machine tool. A plurality of sensors are provided adjacent to the storage receptacles for each of the tools or tool holders. When a tool is removed from the storage location, a pre-set speed reference signal is generated responsive thereto for controlling the rotational speed of the machine tool. A rotational speed sensor may also be included for continuously correcting the rotational speed of the machine tool for speed variations due to loading, voltage variations, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable utility extension handle for a small electrically powered handtool. An elongated support pole is provided having a first handle coupled to a lower end thereof for being grasped by the operator to provide a first manual support point. A second handle is movably mounted along the pole for providing a second manual support point. The first handle includes a power regulating device which is interposed along an electrical conductor which supplies electrical power to the power handtool, thereby allowing the operator at the lower end of the elongated support pole to regulate the speed of the power handtool.A tool coupler is removably attached to the power handtool. The tool coupler includes an actuator for engaging and fully actuating any electrical power control which regulates the operation of the power handtool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foot-actuated press assembly adapted to hold and operate upon an automotive gear reduction starter drive assembly having a housing with a gear reduction shaft rotatable between two bore bushings therein. The foot-actuated press assembly includes a frame and a support plate coupled to the frame. A pair of alignment dows are coupled to the support plate for engaging bolt holes located in the starter drive housing for locating a rotational axis of the gear reduction shaft in known registration with the frame. A locking device is coupled to the support plate for being movably juxtaposed adjacent to the support plate for locking the starter drive housing therebetween.A plunger rod is movably coupled to the frame in registration with the alignment dows for operatively coupling with and exerting an axial pressure on the gear reduction shaft in a direction toward the support plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the resistance value of an elongated resistance film of typically inconsistent density which has been deposited on an insulative substrate. The resistance incremental of this film is measured between a start point and a wiper point. This resistance is then compared with a specified resistance, and an error signal is generated responsive to any error between the measured resistance and the specified resistance. The error signal is used to regulate the relative motion between a laser beam and the resistance film, with the motion being generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the resistance film. This motion causes the finely focused laser beam to burn an insulative separation path in the resistance film, thereby regulating the effective width of the resistance film. This regulation of the effective width progresses in a continuous manner over the entire length of the active portion of the resistive element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alternating inflatable support for the human body. The invention includes a flexible pillow having a plurality of fluid impervious pockets therein which are substantially flat when deflated, but which support an adjacent section of the human body when inflated with a fluid under pressure. The pockets are interspersed and grouped into an operably coupled first set of pockets and an operably coupled second set of pockets. A pump is provided which includes at least one pumping chamber for receiving and expelling fluid under pressure. A solenoid is operably coupled to the pumping chambers for compressing and expanding the pumping chambers. A valve is operably coupled between the pump and the flexible pillow for alternately inflating and exhausting the fluid through the first set of pockets and the second set of pockets, thereby alternately supporting the interspersed sections of the body adjacent to the first set of the pockets and the second set of pockets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for making cuts along the circumferential surface of a can. The apparatus includes a frame and a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to the frame for receiving and movably supporting the circumferential surface of the can. A cutter is provided for cutting along the circumferential surface of the can. A guide is coupled to the cutter and to the frame in known registration with the rollers for movably guiding the cutter along the desired cutting path over the circumferential surface of the can.In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention the rollers are arranged so as to allow the can to rotate about its central cylindrical axis. The rollers are elongated and cylindrical in form and each has an axis of rotation generally parallel with the central cylindrical axis of the can.

Abstract: A fishing lure of the type coupled to a fishing line and the shank section of a barbed fishing hook. The fishing lure includes an elongated housing which defines therein a housing void for receiving the shank section of the fishing hook. A small bore communicates through the front end of the housing into the housing void for allowing the fishing line to pass therethrough, thereby allowing the housing to move in a forward direction along the fishing line away from the fishing hook after the barbed fishing hook has been struck by a fish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination fishing apparatus and toy vessel for controllably towing a section of fishing line intermediate a baited end and the angler. The apparatus includes a floating body and a receiver having an antenna coupled thereto. The receiver is adapted for receiving radio control signals from a distant command transmitter. The radio receiver includes a first demodulator for reconstructing a first signal from the radio control signals. A propulsion system is operably coupled to the radio receiver for propelling the floating body either in the forward or reverse direction over the surface of the body of water responsive to the first signal. A line release device is coupled to the antenna adjacent a distended end thereof for receiving therethrough and controllably releasing an intermediate section of the fishing line responsive to the tension on the fishing line exceeding a predetermined limit.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in an audio-visual teaching apparatus of the type having an audio signal recorded on a magnetic strip attached to an opaque information card. When the card is transported past a playback system, the audio signal from the magnetic strip is decoded and reproduced in the form of an audible signal. The improvement includes the use of patterned alphanumeric apertures through the information card for storing the visual information thereon. A source of illumination is positioned behind the path of the information card for illuminating the alphanumeric apertures within the information card as the audio information is decoded and reproduced from the magnetic strip. A plurality of filters are interposed between the source of illumination and the viewer for controlling the color of the illumination passing between, whereby the viewer may select the color in which the visual information is to be displayed in order to improve the learning process.