Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having a carbon current collector cathode structure of improved design. The electrochemical cell includes an elongated housing containing an electrolytic solution and a battery stack in contact with the electrolytic solution. The battery stack includes a concentric arrangement of an anode, a porous separator, and a carbon current collector cathode structure. The carbon current collector cathode structure in accordance with the invention includes an elongated cylindrical porous carbon element having a guide opening therein, and a unitary, tapered, generally V-shaped metal current collector element embedded within the porous carbon element. The current collector element includes first and second spaced-apart, elongated, tapered, generally arcuate, resilient spring members joined together at first ends thereby to define a tapered, conical opening therebetween for the receipt therein of electrolytic solution.

Abstract: Apparatus for a signalling system. The signalling system includes a remote control unit arranged to communicate with a centralized communications center. The remote control unit operates at or following a specified time of day to initiate a self-check call and to communicate data to the communications center. The communications center includes a disc unit which stores therein self-check timing data specifying the time of day at which the remote control unit is scheduled to initiate a self-check call. A computer at the communications center receives data from the remote control unit and operates in response thereto to update the self-check timing data in the disc unit to specify the time of day at which the next self-check call is to be initiated by the remote control unit. In the absence of data from the remote control unit, there is no updating of the self-check timing data.

Abstract: A telephone status monitor apparatus for determining the on/hook and off/hook conditions of a telephone connected across tip and ring terminals across which a ringing voltage may be present and superimposed on normal on/hook and off/hook voltages. The ringing voltage typically has an "on" time of two seconds and an "off" time of four seconds. The apparatus in accordance with the invention includes status circuitry operative under microprocessor control to repetitively sample the voltage across the tip and ring terminals on the minute and on the minute plus three seconds, the latter three second interval being intermediate to the two second "off" time and four second "on" time of the ringing voltage. Each sampled voltage is compared with a reference voltage as a result of which an output signal is produced by the status circuitry having either a first value representative of an apparent on/hook condition or a second value representative of an apparent off/hook condition.

Abstract: A chemical scrubber unit for containing and neutralizing toxic, corrosive thionyl chloride and sulfur dioxide acid fluids vented by a primary electrochemical cell. The scrubber unit includes an inlet tube coupled to the electrochemical cell by which thionyl chloride and sulfur dioxide vented by the cell is conveyed to an elongated, generally rectangular distribution trap disposed within a housing of the scrubber unit. The distribution trap contains sodium carbonate or sodium bi-carbonate for reacting chemically with and neutralizing thionyl chloride vented by the cell and received within the trap and is itself surrounded within the housing by soda lime for chemically reacting with and neutralizing both sulfur dioxide and thionyl chloride vented by the cell and received within the trap.

Abstract: A variable timing system including a remote control unit employed in the residence of an individual and interconnected with a centralized communication system by a telephone network. The remote control unit includes a plurality of storage devices arranged to store count data for use by the remote control unit in the performance of its operations and representing particular periods of time. The centralized communications center includes a disc storage unit which is also arranged to store count data therein representing particular periods of time. An operator-controlled unit at the communications center may be used in conjunction with a computer to selectively vary the value of any one or more of the count data stored in the disc unit thereby to correspond to increased or decreased periods of time. Under prescribed conditions the remote control unit operates to establish communication with the communications center for the purpose of transmitting specified data to the communications center.

Abstract: Apparatus for a monitoring and signalling system such as a home health car system includes a first sensor operative to monitor the entry and exit of an individual from a room (such as a bathroom), and other sensors operative to monitor usage of appliances such as lamps, televisions, refrigerators and telephones. Each sensor, upon monitoring an associated activity, produces and applies a signal to a microprocessor and causes an activity timer in the microprocessor to be set to either a first time period of about 1-2 hours (for an entry into the room) or a second time period of about 8-10 hours (for an exit from the room or for use of an appliance). The activity timer cycles through its associated time period and initiates an alarm sequence at the expiration of the time period for indicating a lack of activity. Thus, if an individual who has entered the room does not exit within the 1-2 hour period, or an appliance is not used for a period of 8-10 hours, an alarm sequence is initiated.

Abstract: An integrated electrode/insulator structure for use as part of an electrochemical system of an electrochemical cell. The electrode/insulator structure includes an electrode and an adherent porous layer of an electrically-nonconductive material deposited on the electrode and physically integrated with the electrode. The material of the adherent porous layer is selected so as to be chemically stable with the electrode and with any other components of the electrochemical system of the electrochemical cell in which the integrated electrode/insulator structure is to be used.