Abstract: A solid electrolyte containing a polymeric matrix, a salt, a solvent, and a toughening agent, is provided. The toughening agent may include alumina, silica, zeolite, and metal oxides (e.g., calcium oxide and magnesium oxide), and mixtures thereof. The toughening agent acts as a drying agent to remove excess solvent in the electrolyte. The solid electrolyte have improved mechanical strength and adherence to the anode and cathode.

Abstract: The invention provides novel lithium-containing phosphate materials having a high proportion of lithium per formula unit of the material. Upon electrochemical interaction, such material deintercalates lithium ions, and is capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions. The invention provides a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises an electrode formed from the novel lithium-containing phosphates.

Abstract: A wheelchair anchor for use in a vehicle is movable between a retracted position in which it takes up a relatively small amount of floor space within the vehicle and an extended position in which it provides a plurality of anchor points to which one or more wheelchairs may be secured. An elongated track plate is secured to the floor of the vehicle so that it extends transversely to the direction of vehicle motion, and a beam assembly made up of three beams telescopingly engaged with one another is slidable along the track plate between a retracted position adjacent a first end of the track plate and an extended position wherein the beam is slid toward the opposite, second and the track plate. The distal end of the beam assembly is securable to the track plate adjacent the midportion of the track to maintain the beam assembly in the retracted position adjacent the first end of the track, and is alternatively securable to the track adjacent the second end to maintain the beam assembly in the extended position.

Abstract: A striking device handle for use in a variety of applications including ball game sports, or as a construction or demolition device handle used in construction, said device is intended to cool the user's hand and reduce the shock that occurs when a striking device impacts an object, the handle having a handgrip comprised of a central body having concavely curved front and rear surfaces which extend a substantial distance along the handgrip, and an exterior shell dispersed on opposite sides of the central body, covering the front and rear surfaces. The shell has a plurality of ventilation openings formed therein that communicate with two separate ventilation chambers that are formed between each of the front and rear surfaces and the shell. Two air inlets are formed on opposite sides of the handgrip at a head end, each air inlet opening into a respective one of the ventilation chambers at the head end.

Abstract: A damper for use with a hydraulic actuator of the type including a master cylinder and a slave cylinder with a conduit interconnecting the outlet of the master cylinder and the inlet of the slave cylinder. The damper is positioned in the conduit between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder and includes a housing member defining a chamber opening in one face of the housing member and a mounting bracket plate. The mounting bracket plate includes a housing portion corresponding in size and configuration to the one face of the housing member and is positioned against the one face of the housing member to coact with the housing member to seal the chamber. The bracket plate further includes a bracket portion extending outwardly from the housing portion in the form of mounting arms which are utilized to facilitate mounting of the damper to a fixed vehicle structure.

Abstract: An auxiliary power port such as is found in an automotive vehicle passenger compartment has a receptacle connected with the vehicle electrical system and a tubular, removable sleeve which fits inside the receptacle and receives a standard adapter plug of the type intended for use with automotive power ports. The exterior surface of the sleeve is covered with a layer of positive temperature coefficient (positive temperature coefficient) material, and insertion of the sleeve into the receptacle places the positive temperature coefficient layer in contact with the inner surface of the receptacle. The inner surface of the receptacle, the outer surface of the sleeve, and the positive temperature coefficient layer sandwiched therebetween form a positive temperature coefficient circuit overcurrent protection device. A number of interchangeable sleeves having different hold currents are provided for use with different electrical devices.

Abstract: A vessel for an analytic test device of the type including a sample receiving member and one or more other components for conducting an analytical test is disclosed. The vessel comprises a body portion having an interior volume for holding the components for the analytical test, including the sample receiving member. The body portion includes a first opening for communicating a sample to be tested into the body portion, and a second opening to permit visual confirmation of the results of the analytical test. A single cover portion is mateable with the body portion to cover the first opening, the cover portion being further alternatively mateable with the body portion away from the first opening so that the second is still visible.

Abstract: A double booted flexible entry boot provides a fluid-tight fitting between a wall of a fluid containment region and a conduit passing through the wall. An inner seal member is disposed within the containment region, the inner seal member having a substantially planar seal portion and an integral first hollow support sleeve concentric with the seal portion and extending axially into the containment region. A mechanism is provided for rigidifying the seal portion of the inner seal member. A mechanism releasably attaches the first hollow support sleeve to the conduit. An outer seal member is disposed outside of the containment region, the outer seal member having a substantially planar seal portion and an integral second hollow support sleeve concentric with the seal portion and extending axially away from the containment region. A mechanism is provided for rigidifying the seal portion of the outer seal member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an anti-oxidation system for porous ceramics on the basis of SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4. By means of infiltration into the pore inner spaces of a sol containing at least one metal component, conversion of the sol to a gel (sol-gel process) and a subsequent high-temperature treatment, it is possible successfully to provide a crystalline anti-oxidation layer, which is resistant to temperatures of up to at least 1650.degree. C. even under cyclic temperature stresses, and reveals a heat expansion behavior adapted to the SiC or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 over the entire temperature range used.

Abstract: A rotatable shuttle transfer unit for transferring a workpiece from a first work station to a second work station along a predetermined path of travel wherein a pair of spaced carriages carry the workpiece along the predetermined path of travel and rotate the workpiece from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation with respect to an axis of rotation. Preferably, the carriages rotate the workpiece while carrying the workpiece along the predetermined path of travel. The carriages are transported along a guiderail which extends between the first and second work stations. A continuous drive belt reciprocally drives the carriages along the guiderail wherein the continuous drive belt extends from one end of the guiderail to the opposite end of the guiderail. A vertical lift portion reciprocally moves the workpiece in a direction substantially normal to the predetermined path of travel. In addition, the carriages provide releasable power clamps for engaging and securing the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling mass produced articles utilizing a rack including a base structure and spaced left and right leaf assemblies. Each leaf assembly includes a plurality of leaf sections positioned in serial relation along the base between the base ends with each leaf section hinged at a lower edge thereof to the base along a lateral hinge axis in generally parallel spaced relation to the hinge axes of adjacent leaf sections. The left and right leaf assemblies are spaced laterally to define a central corridor therebetween extending between the base ends to allow movement of a worker carrying an article down the corridor. The spaced left and right leaf assemblies define a plurality of leaf sets with each set including a leaf section from the left leaf assembly and a corresponding, aligned leaf section from the right leaf assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a new electrode active material and cells and batteries which utilize such active material. The active material is represented by the nominal general formula Li.sub.a M'.sub.(2-b) M".sub.b Si.sub.c P.sub.(3-c) O.sub.12, 0.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.2, 0<c<3. M' and M" are each elements selected from the group consisting of metal and metalloid elements. The value of the variable a depends upon the selection of M' and M" and on the relative proportions designated as b and c.

Abstract: A method is described of managing memory in a microprocessor system comprising two or more processors (40, 42). Each processor (40, 42) has a cache memory (44, 46) and the system has a system memory (48) divided into pages subdivided into blocks. The method is concerned with managing the system memory (48) identifying areas thereof as being "cacheable", "non-cacheable" or "free". Safeguards are provided to ensure that blocks of system memory (48) cannot be cached by two different processors (40, 42) simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting cardiac function of a patient includes an inflatable chamber operably positionable with respect to an aorta of the patient, a percutaneous access device implantable with respect to a hypogastric region of the patient and connectible in fluid communication with the inflatable chamber, and a drive unit connectible through the percutaneous access device for selectively inflating and deflating the inflatable chamber in accordance with a control program stored in memory. The control program controls the drive unit in response to a periodically scheduled patient monitoring routine for measuring values of the physiology of the patient. The control program uses measured values as modified in accordance with the control program and physician programmable parameters for assisting cardiac function of the patient.

Abstract: A portable tank for handling recreational vehicle liquid waste comprising a molded receptacle of synthetic plastic material having wheels, including a caster wheel. The receptacle is provided with an inlet port for receiving liquid waste, and an outlet port defined in a side of the receptacle is opened and closed by a gate valve permitting the receptacle to be easily emptied.

Abstract: A window regulator for use with a horizontally sliding window assembly has a channel-like guide rail, an elongated carrier plate slidingly movable along the guide rail, and a cable drive mechanism for moving the carrier plate along the guide rail. Pane engagement pairs are disposed at opposite ends of the carrier plate, each comprising a male feature and a mating female feature. One of the features of each pair is secured to the carrier plate and the mating feature is secured to the sliding pane adjacent an outboard edge thereof. The male/female engagement between the features allows the sliding pane and the carrier plate to move relative to one another along an axis generally perpendicular to the sliding pane, while the two-point engagement between the pane and the carrier plate serves to stabilize the pane and allow it to slide smoothly even if the guide tracks for the sliding pane and the guide rail are less than perfectly flat and parallel to one another.

Abstract: A plastic moulding includes a rigid support (32) which is joined over at least one surface area (27, 29) to at least one film (5', 5"). The film (5', 5") has a fold at the edge of the plastic moulding which is placed around the plastic support. The manufacture of this plastic moulding (35) takes place such that first of all the film (5', 5") is brought into the final shape including the final fold and that only thereafter is the material of the plastic support (32) applied to the plastic film (5', 5") as a melt and both pressed into the completed fold and also collectively brought into the final shape by a compression moulding process (FIG. 7).