Abstract: A refresh switching circuit for a dynamic RAM which is capable of easily switching a RAS-only refresh to a CAS-before-RAS refresh, thereby consuming less electric power, easily executing a shift to a self-refresh (suspending), and obtaining comparability with conventional personal computer systems. The dynamic RAM comprises a CPU (101), dynamic RAM arrays (115) and a system logic (110) for use in a microprocessor system, and further comprises a refresh switching circuit (111) for switching the RAS-only refresh to the CAS-before-RAS refresh.

Abstract: A manually operated reciprocating liquid pump employs both a priming valve and a check valve where the priming valve performs the dual functions of priming the pump and sealing the pump to prevent inadvertent leakage of liquid through the pump when it is not in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A breathing monitor for detecting SIDS in infants caused by apnea or the like includes an enclosure which is applied to a baby's torso with a strap. The enclosure is supported by and isolated from the baby's torso in its entirety by a fluid filled bladder coupler such that there is no direct contact between the enclosure and the baby's torso. A detector including a piezoelectric element is connected to the opposite side of the fluid coupler and a battery powered electronic circuit contained within the enclosure flashes an LED as the baby breathes and sounds an alarm should the baby fail to exhale for a predetermined time period. An adjustable strap connector for the strap provides visual indication of the strap being correctly applied and a limited range of permissible motion between the strap and enclosure as the baby breathes.

Abstract: A device which permits the conveyance of a dry fluid substance from one receptacle to another without the release of a significant amount of dust into the surrounding atmosphere is provided. The device is a housing with an interior volume divided into two sections and having an access opening and a discharge opening. A dry fluid substance is introduced into the device and impinges against an orifice wall having a plurality of orifices therethrough, each sized to slow conveyance of the substance through the housing. The contact with the orifice wall causes the separation of fine particulate matter from the substance. The fine particulate matter dispersed from the substance is drawn by a negative pressure applied to the housing from the inner chamber into the filter chamber where the particulate matter is retained on a plurality of fine filter bag assemblies.

Abstract: A device and method for inducing turbulence in the flow of a fluid in the course of a continuous flow process are disclosed. The device comprising a series of chambers extending along an axis. Each chamber is defined by (1) a cylindrical conduit that extends along the axis and between opposite ends and has a constant internal diameter along the axis; (2) a frusto-conical diffuser that has an internal diameter increasing along the axis from a reduced internal diameter at an inlet of the diffuser to an internal diameter substantially equal to that conduit at an outlet of the diffuser; and (3) a frusto-conical confuser that has an internal diameter decreasing along the axis from an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the conduit at an inlet of the confuser to a reduced diameter at an outlet of the confuser. The conduit, diffuser and confuser of each chamber are arranged coaxially and the cylindrical conduit extends from the outlet of the diffuser to the inlet of the confuser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desulfurizing coal is provided. The method involves combining non-pulverized sulfur containing coal with an adsorbent material, such as aluminum oxide, in a vessel, irradiating the coal/adsorbent combination with microwave energy sufficient to subject the coal/adsorbent combination to a temperature of between about 250.degree. F. and about 650.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to cause the release of sulfur from the coal as a gas. A magnetic field may be provided around the vessel to concentrate the microwave energy being introduced into the vessel within the vicinity of the magnetic field to enhance the release of the sulfur from the coal. The adsorbent is admixed with the coal during and after the heating step to adsorb some of the gaseous sulfur liberated from the coal. The apparatus capable of performing this method includes a heating section, a mixing section, a screening section and a gas treatment section.

Abstract: A universally rotatable nipple for a brake cable includes a socket device having a hemispherical body and a first tube extending from a periphery portion of the hemispherical body and a rotatable device including a sphere and a second tube extending from a periphery portion of the sphere. The sphere of the rotatable device is rotatably received in the hemispherical body of the socket device with the second tube being in communication with the first tube, thus allowing a brake cable to be guided from the second tube through the first tube. The rotatable nipple responds to the pulling from the brake cable and rotates in an appropriate direction to release the friction between the nipple and the brake cable.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for deploying a wheelchair ramp at the door of a vehicle, especially a bus, the ramp being of the kind which rotates between a stowed position at which it is flush with the vehicle floor and a deployed position in which it slopes downwardly and outwardly from the vehicle. The mechanism provides a "float down" feature which permits the ramp to move downward under gravity without the need for operator control and prevents crushing of obstacles that get in the downward path of the ramp. The mechanism includes a transmission for translating a single hydraulic cylinder stroke into more than 180.degree. of rotation of the ramp.

Abstract: This invention provides a vaccine for the immunization of a vertebrate or invertebrate comprising an avirulent derivative of a pathogenic microbe said derivative being substantially incapable of producing functional adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP receptor protein. The invention also provides a vaccine for the immunization of a vertebrate and invertebrate comprising a virulent derivative of a pathogenic microbe said derivative being substantially incapable of producing functional adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP receptor protein while being capable of expressing a recombinant gene derived from a pathogen of said vertebrate to produce and antigen capable of inducing an immune response in said vertebrate against said pathogen.

Abstract: A checkout lane alert system and method is a live, computer base, in-store system that integrates real time shopper traffic data with computerized statistical analysis to generate accurate short term forecasts of shopper traffic at the checkout lanes of the store. Shopper entry time data from a recognition system is used in the analysis. The system combines real time data with pre-gathered statistical data about the population that shops in a particular type of store and data which characterizes the checkout lane throughput capability for the store to predict checkout lane traffic and staffing requirements.

Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic compositions for the immunization of a vertebrate or invertebrate comprising an avirulent derivative of S. typhi. The derivatives having a mutation of the cya and/or crp and/or cdt genes. The invention also provides immunogenic compositions for the immunization of a vertebrate and invertebrate comprising an avirulent derivative of the above type which is capable of expressing a recombinant gene derived from a pathogen of said vertebrate or invertebrate individual to produce an antigen capable of inducing an immune response against said pathogen. Other embodiments of the invention include methods of preparing immunogenic compositions from these strains, and strains useful in the preparation of the immunogenic compositions, as well as methods of stimulating the immune system to respond to an immunogenic antigen of S. typhi by administration of the immunogenic composition.

Abstract: A low cost trigger sprayer has a housing with a first liquid passage containing a spinner assembly. An elastomeric pump element is positioned generally horizontally such that pulling the trigger retracts the element and releasing the trigger allows the element to extend. The sprayer includes a low cost spinner assembly and low cost valving to control the flow of liquid within the sprayer. In one aspect of the invention, the housing has front and rear sections with the rear section having a saddle portion and being hinged to the front section for pivotal movement from an open position for molding the housing to a closed position for operating the sprayer. In another aspect of the invention, the container has a rear portion which extends upwardly past the neck and defining a saddle recess, with the housing connected to the neck of the container and positioned forwardly of the upwardly extending container portion.

Abstract: An oscillating signal light mechanism producing substantially constant angular velocity oscillation cycles of a single light is comprised of at least one signal light assembly mounted on a base for rotation of the light assembly relative to the base, a source of motive power including an output shaft rotated at a constant velocity in a single direction of rotation, and a mechanism mechanically connecting the output shaft to the signal light assembly for converting the constant velocity single direction rotation of the output shaft to cycling movements of the signal light assembly through arc segment oscillations at substantially constant angular velocity.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube stabilization device includes a length of K-wire having a flattened loop or the like formed on each end thereof for insertion through a slot in a patch of moleskin to thereby secure patches of moleskin at each end thereof. The patches of moleskin may then be applied near the ears of a patient to orient the K-wire about the patient's face and spaced apart therefrom to secure an endotracheal tube thereto and hold it in place.