Abstract: Utility power is wheeled to distributed hydrogen energy storage systems during off peak periods where it is used in an electrolyzer to disassociate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen at least is stored for use in a fuel cell or combustion engine driven generator to produce locally generated electricity during peak periods or power interruptions. Efficient electrolysis and gas storage are obtained by operating the electrolyzer at high pressures through two flow loops in which the hydrogen and oxygen produced in the electrolyzer pass to separate gas-water columns and force water into the electrolyzer. When the desired high pressure is reached, the gases are bled off into a series of storage tanks.

Abstract: A computer controlled signal router has a graphical user interface which pictorially represents the source channels and destination channels as intersecting, perpendicular sets of stripes with the intersections representing the switches of a cross-point switching matrix. Multiple signal channels are arranged in logical planes which may be displayed singly or in composite views. Links between source channels and destination channels which are effected by the cross-point switch are displayed by a visual indicator at the intersection of the selected source and destination stripes in the single plane view. In the multi-plane view, closed switches in their respective planes are represented by color coded segments of the visual indicator. Sources and destinations are linked and unlinked by selecting on the display the appropriate cross-point, or by designating a source and destination through selection of icons at the ends of the source and destination channel lines.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing strings of lights and accessories includes a container with a side wall having an upwardly and inwardly extending outer surface, between upper and lower radial flanges, on which the strings of light are wrapped, and subsequently unwrapped, as the container rotates about a vertical pivot mounted on a base. The container has an internal cavity accessible through a central lid covered opening in which accessories, such as ornaments and the like, are supported on circumferentially spaced, radially inwardly directed hangers alternately secured at staggered heights to the container side wall. Below the hangers are compartments for other accessories, especially fragile ornaments, which extend around a vertical post supporting a large tree topping ornament. A hood can extend down over the side wall to protect the strings of lights. A handle or hook for lifting and hanging the apparatus can project through an opening in the hood.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for storing a razor comprises a cap such as for a shaving cream container having a wall section in which are integrally molded two spaced apart arms that are pivotable about integral living hinges out of the wall section to form a yoke in which the razor is suspended. The two spaced apart arms can have separate base sections with separate living hinges or a common base section with a common living hinge. Where the cap has a cylindrical side wall and a generally flat end wall, the two spaced apart arms can extend from a living hinge in the side wall along the side wall and into the end wall so that terminal sections of the arms form an angle with the base sections. Alternatively, the arms can be formed entirely in the side wall, and if desired, have the terminal sections project toward one another to form a reentrant opening for retaining the razor.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for depositing multiple implants carrying radioactive isotopes, pharmalogical agents or transgenes, in soft tissue including tumors and organs with precise, selectable spacing between implants includes an introducer in the form of a tube which is inserted into the soft tissue and an obturator for pushing implants out of the introducer one at a time. An operating mechanism incrementally withdraws the introducer while the obturator remains stationary thereby depositing a single implant. The obturator is then coupled to the introducer for the remainder of the stroke to provide the spacing. In a preferred embodiment, the introducer is resequenced to lay down parallel rows of implants. An indicator records the total number of implants deposited. The distal end of the introducer is configured to retain the implants and allow them to be discharged into the soft tissue singly.

Abstract: A sucking jet pump has a tubular casing 1, in which two flow channels 10, 24 are formed. The first flow channel 10 is the sucking jet pump and the second flow channel 24 is a bypass. The first flow channel 10 is formed by a tube 9 which is integrally formed in one piece onto an air branching piece 8. The tube 9 is in air flow connection with the second air supply nipple 14 via a lateral orifice 13. The two flow channels 10, 24 are flow-uncoupled from the first air supply nipple 6 in one direction by means of a nonreturn valve 26, the second flow channel 24 which forms the bypass being additionally closed relative to the air branching piece 8 by means of a second nonreturn valve 25.

Abstract: A container for dispensing two flowable products in desired proportions includes a multichamber squeeze tube with a pair of nested tubes and a dispensing neck on it that are integrally molded with a transverse wall as a single piece. Apertures in the end wall provide dispensing openings for a first chamber inside the inner tube, and for a second chamber between the two tubes. The transverse wall has an annular stepped wall portion in it between the two tubes that is generally parallel with the outer surface of the dispensing neck and has a dispensing opening through the stepped wall portion. The openings through the stepped wall are formed by parting line contact between the mold surfaces of the mold used to form the squeeze tube. The single piece, two chamber squeeze tube is molded in a straight draw mold with a split mold piece only required to release external threads formed on the neck. A cap with internal threads screws onto the threaded neck.

Abstract: A vacuum die-casting machine has a sprue cavity with sufficient depth facing the shot cylinder that the shot cylinder piston can easily crush with a pressure of less than 1000 psi the thin cylindrical shell of solidified metal which develops into the biscuit, and continue to advance after the die cavity becomes fried with molten metal to inject additional molten metal into the die cavity to make up for shrinkage porosity as the cast part cools. The runner through which the molten metal passes from the sprue cavity into the die cavity has generally spherical reservoirs adjacent circular gates to further assure the supply of the additional molten metal to make up for shrinkage in the part. In addition, the piston can be oil cooled steel to delay formation of the biscuit.

Abstract: Steel tooling for die-casting low iron content aluminum alloys is surface treated with a layer of CrN applied to a thickness of at least 4 microns, and preferably 5-10 microns, by physical vapor deposition (PVD), and preferably a steered are evaporation PVD process. The CrN protects the steel tooling from dissolution and erosion by the highly active molten aluminum.

Abstract: A control system for energizing a direct current (DC) motor with alternating current (AC) power includes a first voltage sensor for a peak voltage of AC power; a second voltage sensor for a counter electromotive force (EMF) of the motor; a current sensor for an armature current of the motor; a digital processor having a first current controller responding to sensed armature current and a current reference, a cooperating second current controller responding to sensed peak voltage, sensed counter EMF and the current reference signal, and a gating circuit responding to the controllers; and a thyristor converter circuit sequentially gating portions of half cycles of AC power to the motor in response to firing signals from the gating circuit. The controllers may control a gate angle of the firing signals, the control system may include a third voltage sensor for a terminal voltage of the motor, and the armature current may have discontinuous and continuous waveforms.

Abstract: The fill chamber bore of a die-casting machine is lubricated and prepared for casting by inserting an elongated member into the die-end of the bore while spraying with lubricant. During withdrawal of the elongated member, a conical spray of gas directed toward the die-end drys the lubricant and sweeps vapor and flash, or solder, out of the die-end. The elongated member is preferably a flexible carrier which is guided between the bore and a path between the open die halves lateral to the bore. The lateral path is perferably defined by a tubular member supported by a vertical carriage mounted on a vertical mast for alignment of the flexible carrier with the fill chamber bore when the dies are open. The vertical mast can be mounted on a horizontal carriage moveable along a horizontal bore to preclude interference with normal operation of the die-casting machine.

Abstract: A conventional STOP/SLOW traffic control sign mounted on a pole is supported and remotely operated by a portable stand having a tubular support mounted on a foldable frame which also carries a remotely controlled drive assembly so that the sign can be operated at a safe distance even by a person with disabilities.

Abstract: A process for electrowinning metal in a low temperature melt is disclosed. The process utilizes an inert anode for the production of metal such as aluminum using low surface area anodes at high current densities.

Abstract: The surface or internal structure of diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials is imaged by measuring, preferably with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, perturbations to an applied magnetic field resulting from variations in magnetic susceptibility at an array of locations across the object. The array of perturbation measurements is processed to generate a map of local susceptiblities. For implementation of susceptibility tomography, multiple arrays of perturbation signals for a plurality of relative orientations between the object, the field, and the measurement locations are processed to generate values for local susceptibility at selected sites within the object, such as along a selected sectional plane.

Abstract: Improvements in portion dispensing caps in which pre-measured portions of materials, such as particulate matter, can be dispensed from a container. The portion dispensing caps include a closure and a sliding member. The sliding member is biased in a loading position by a resilient arcuate projection. The sliding member can also include a portion which engages into and seals an opening in the closure. The sliding member may have a hingedly connected wall which is unattached when molded by an injection molding process but which is attached to other walls of the sliding member when the sliding member is disposed in the closure.

Abstract: A one-piece closure for dispensing product from a container has a cap secured to the container and a lid connected to the cap by a support arm through an integrally molded hinge. The support arm is pivoted by the hinge between a pair of upstanding projections on the end wall of the cap. Ribs projecting laterally from the support arm engage the projections to maintain the lid opened when the container is inverted to dispense product. When the lid is pushed closed, the ribs deform to allow the support arm to pass between the projections. In one embodiment, side edges of the ribs engage upwardly facing cylindrical camming surfaces on the projections. In another embodiment, the outer surfaces of the ribs engage confronting flat surfaces on the two projections. In the closed position of the lid, the ribs in both embodiments are received in recesses in the projections so that they do not become permanently deformed and loose their effectiveness over time.

Abstract: A general purpose acting intelligent system includes a pattern association central subsystem which modifies actions taken by an output subsystem through a statistical valuation of the positive or negative effects of associations based upon the proximity in time between perception patterns developed from responses by sensors in an input subsystem, and actions previously taken by the output subsystem in response to such perception patterns. The pattern association central subsystem also modifies output actions taken based upon statistical associations between perception patterns perceived by the input subsection and positive or negative results detected by the input subsection to speed up the response of the system.

Abstract: The flow rate of molten aluminum through a trough is measured by damming off the trough and diverting the flow through the measuring tube of a magnetic flow meter having a diameter, and located at a level in the trough to create a head of molten aluminum sufficient to produce a flow through the tube which is within the operating range of the meter. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart dam members forming a cavity therebetween which is transversed by the measuring tube. The magnet of the flow meter is located in the cavity preferably in a housing through which cooling air is circulated. The electrodes are made of an electrically conductive material which is resistant to corrosion by the molten aluminum, preferably, titanium diboride. Spring biased tapered connections seal the measuring tube with the dam members which have peripheral seals to keep molten aluminum out of the cavity.

Abstract: A process for electrowinning metal in a low temperature melt is disclosed. The process utilizes an inert anode for the production of metal such as aluminum using low surface area anodes at high current densities.

Abstract: A knee brace has an adjustable rigid posterior strut with an arcuate member which extends through the popliteal space behind the knee joint and is made of two halves which can be extended or retracted axially or rotated with respect to one another. Terminal portions of the strut, to which supports secured to the leg and thigh are hinged, are adjustably secured by ball and socket connections to mounting members which in turn are adjustably attached to the arcuate member by stems which telescope into and rotate within bores in the ends of the two halves of the arcuate member. With these adjustments the components of the posterior strut can be locked in a myriad of configurations to accommodate for various sizes and deformities of protected joints.