Abstract: A control unit for operating an auxiliary vehicle heater at cold temperature. The unit can be preprogrammed or manually actuated and includes a plurality of sensors and control outputs for operating the auxiliary heater. The time of operation is based upon sensed ambient temperature. A compartment fan is operated automatically by the control unit to warm the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A position sensing device including two spaced conductive coils constituting a primary and secondary winding of a transformer. A coupling member is mounted to a moveable object such as an automobile steering mechanism and moves relative the primary and secondary windings. This movement adjusts or alters the transformer coupling between the primary and the secondary and produces a variable output signal which can be correlated through use of appropriate circuitry to the position of the moveable member. Two alternate designs are disclosed. In a first design, the transformer primary and secondary are disposed side-by-side and the coupling member slips over the primary and secondary for relative linear movement. In a second design, the primary and secondary are disposed one within the other and the coupling member fits within a gap between the primary and secondary.

Abstract: A laser catheter having a flexible body and a distally positioned translucent end cap coupled to the flexible body by a metal coupler. Multiple fiber optic light pipes extend through the body and direct light through the end cap at oblique angles. The light passing through the catheter originates from a visible light pulsed dye laser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a fluid treatment apparatus that includes a resin tank containing an ion exchange media. A control valve controls the regeneration cycle and includes a regeneration control turbine operatively connected to a regeneration control disk forming part of a servo system. During regeneration, a meter flow of fluid emitted by a regeneration control nozzle produces rotation in the turbine to effect a regeneration sequence. Regeneration is initiated by a regeneration initiating nozzle which emits a stream of fluid at the turbine for a predetermined time interval in order to initiate a regeneration cycle. A control system includes a sensor for monitoring the fluid quality level of the source fluid or the treated fluid and initiates regeneration. When the control system is used with the disclosed control valve, the control system communicates presssurized fluid to the regeneration initiating nozzle upon sensing a predetermined quality level.

Abstract: An ECG system is disclosed having amplification circuitry which, while effectively blocking electrical transients resulting from undesirable low frequency electrical artifacts, nevertheless maximizes the continuity of receipt of desirable heart activity indicating information. The ECG system employs a DC coupled amplifier including an integrating circuit for effectively reducing the DC gain of the amplifier to substantially zero and for providing a pass band gain of about 1,000 at frequencies above about 0.05 Hz. A fast acting saturation sensing circuit is also incorporated. The saturation sensing circuit resets the integrating circuit to offset any artifact produced signal and to thereby minimize loss of the desired ECG hear activity indicating information.

Abstract: A manhole cover support is shown. It is used for raising the effective grade of an existing manhole cover-receiving structure having an upwardly projecting keeper with a rim at its top. The cover support comprises: a peripheral flange that at least substantially completely covers the rim, the thickness of the flange providing the raise in the grade, the flange including a bottom for resting on the rim, a seat for a manhole cover, and a cover keeper that rises from the outer periphery of the seat; and the flange anchored to a fixed part of the existing manhole structure.

Abstract: In a truck, trailer and/or cargo carrying container having a rectangular door frame and a door pivoted at one edge to an upright side of the frame which are subject to racking during use, a follower and cam member secured to the door and frame, respectively. The follower and cam are generally located midway between the pivoted edge of an opposite edge of the door, whereby the follower engages the cam member during and after closing of the door.

Abstract: A digital scan projection radiography system is disclosed which is particularly adapted for the rigors of portable deployment. The system scans by gravity. A cam mechanism is employed which raises the pivot of a pivotally suspended scanner assembly including source, detector and other components to render gravitational potential energy of the scanner assembly approximately linear with respect to angular scanning displacement. This feature enables limiting scanning angular velocity to an approximately constant value with the aid of only a friction brake. The feature also causes the detector scanning path to more closely approximate a linear path than an arcuate path which would result from simple pivotal pendulum scanning.

Abstract: A system and method using television for x-ray radiographic imaging is disclosed. The disclosure is directed to circuitry and technique whereby digital information for defining blanking time and active time for a given television scan format is stored in read only memory circuitry. In operation, the system blanks unwanted data, producing for active display only a circular image of predetermined size and location. Additional read only memory is used as lookup tables to scale the circular image size, or to alter its shape symmetrically about a center line.

Abstract: This cover support provides a seat and lateral keeper for a manhole cover. A principal feature is a plurality of straight lateral segments that are joined near their ends and have corner spreaders acting in an essentially horizontal direction that is biased with respect to the longitudinal axes of the lateral segments whose ends they spread or draw in.

Abstract: A stent for reinforcing a vessel wall is constructed from a single elongated wire. The wire is first bent into a series of tight bends. The wire is then further bent into a sequence of loops that are connected by half hitch junctions and interconnections which are either aligned or spiral around a circumference of the stent. The completed stent forms a cylindrical form which can be expanded from a initial diameter to a larger implanted diameter by application of a radially outward force from a balloon catheter or the like.

Abstract: A normally open pilot pressure relief valve wherein the opening pressure can be readily controlled by small amounts of electrical power, which does not employ a spring, has improved pressure versus flow characteristics at both high and low pressures. The solenoid-armature magnetic circuit is so configured that: in the designed range of valve opening movement, the magnetic force-displacement curve of the armature has a slope which increases with increasing amounts of solenoid energization. The relieved fluid flows through a longitudinal passage in the armature creating an opening flow force to compensate for the Bernoulli effect at the valve seat as the valve opens. Adjustment means are provided for accurately positioning the armature in its magnetic circuit to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutter bit assembly of the type for use utilized in excavating machines such as in mining, road scarifying, concrete cutting and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to such assembly including a mounting block member having an axial bore extending therethrough adapted to rotatably receive a cutter bit member, and with a polymeric retainer member for preventing axial dislodgment of the cutter bit member during use thereof.

Abstract: A digital radiography system is disclosed having a multi-element curved detector assembly. The system includes an X-ray tube having a focal spot from which its X-ray energy primarily emanates, and which is spaced from the detector assembly to define a subject examination space. The detector assembly includes a number of individual detector elements each having a radiation sensitive face, the element faces collectively defining a concave curved surface oriented toward the focal spot. The assembly of elements can embody forms including a single curved line of elements, multiple similarly curved lines defining collectively a portion of a cylinder, or a three-dimensional curved array defining a portion of a sphere. Multiple layer stacked arrays can also be used. Each element responds to incident X-rays to produce an electrical charge signal indicative of the radiation.

Abstract: A process for computer-controlled cleaning of particulates from surfaces, in particular those of semiconductor wafers, which are in the volume of an ion-implantation chamber prior to the implantation of electrically active ions into the wafers. The process utilizes the wafer-holding disk, which carries the semiconductor wafers during implantation, to create a strong turbulence of gas within the end station volume of the ion implanter. This loosens particulates from interior surfaces of the end chamber. The airborne particulates are then evacuated from the chamber volume by a vacuum pump. A single sequence, consisting of air agitation followed by flushing and then filling, reduces the particulate count by an incremental amount; a series of such sequences results in the desired asymptotic reduction in particulate contamination.

Abstract: A computed tomography scanner having a brake which is automatically engaged in the event dynamic motor braking fails to stop scanner motion. Within a predetermined range of motion two brake mechanisms are employed. One has a brake shoe to contact a braking surface and stop rotation of the scanner in one direction and a second has a second brake shoe which stops rotation in an opposite direction. The brake shoes are engaged and retracted by a cam surface which as the scanner rotates, moves into contact with one of two bearings connected to associated ones of the brake shoes.

Abstract: A power transistor control circuit for controlling the bias input to the power transducer. During normal operations two switching transistors bias the base input to a power transistor positively and negatively to turn the power transistor on and off. By back biasing a conducting transistor, however, the blocking voltage capability of the transistor is diminished. To maintain blocking voltage at a maximum, the present circuit senses overcurrent conditions indicating a problem condition exists and turns off the power transistor by neutrally biasing a base input. Preferably, both switching transistors used to bias the base input during normal operation of the transistor are rendered nonconductive to accomplish this neutral biasing.

Abstract: A method for treating implants such as biodegradable masses, xenogenic bony implants, allografts and prosthetic devices with soluble bone protein to enhance or stimulate new cartilage and/or bone formation. Substrate immobilization or surface coating techniques retard diffusion of the soluble bone protein away from the implant site so that cartilage and bone growth is initiated.