Abstract: A flexible high speed micro-cable and method of making the same are described. The parallel conductors incorporated in the present cable contribute to the flat cross section of the cable, while the unique combination of materials yield a flexible cable with a low profile. The data transfer rate and transmission losses of a cable, as provided herein, exceed High Speed Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specifications and data transmission is achieved from USB devices. The lower volume and mass of the cable make it ideal for applications needing low mass payload, such as satellites. The flexible nature of the cable allow it to readily conform to a desired structure for mounting or routing. A flexible high speed micro-cable is fabricated from a unique combination of materials and fabrication can be readily automated.

Abstract: A vehicle has an engine and an on-board computer that controls the function of the engine. The on-board computer also provides diagnostic information, including instantaneous vehicle speed. The vehicle has an odometer that is present in the passenger compartment. The invention samples the instantaneous vehicle speed from the on-board computer and determines the distance traveled by the vehicle. The sampling rate can be adjusted depending on the speed of the vehicle. The odometer information can be sent off the vehicle by way of a transceiver.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher includes a bracket, a housing, extinguisher containers and a directing member such as a ramp. The fire extinguisher is designed to be located above a stove and beneath structure, such as microwave oven and vent. Such structure typically has low clearance relative to the stovetop and the burners thereon. The housing and containers are suspended from the bracket. Each container has a fire extinguishing powder and an initiator for breaching a container wall. One of the containers is directly positioned over a burner on the stovetop. The other container is offset laterally from another burner on the stovetop. The ramp is used to direct the fire extinguishing powder of this container onto the burner. The ramp is maintained in a stowed position by a fusible link, which gives way when a fire is present on the second burner causing the ramp to fall to a deployed position before the respective container discharges its powder.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher has a container filled with a fire extinguisher material. One wall of the container has tear-open segments that breach the container when opened and allow the fire extinguisher material to exit the container. An initiator forces open the tear-open segments. The initiator has a cup that is coupled to the container wall. The cup contains combustible material and is closed by a cap. The cap is bonded to the cup to form a strong initiator housing. A fuse exits the initiator to the outside of the container wall.

Abstract: A connector for a weapons test set circuit has a case with an open end and electrical conductors extending from the open end into and through the case. The connector is designed to connect to a rail and has coupling legs for this purpose. Each coupling leg has a base portion located in the case and an extension portion that extends out of the case and diverges from the other extension portion. The base portions can move toward each other or apart from each other along guides and are biased in the apart position. Buttons extend from the base portions out of the case; an operator depresses the buttons to converge the legs to allow insertion or removal of the connector from the rail. Releasing the buttons causes the legs to move to the apart position.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus that has a sensor unit located so as to monitor physical parameters of a stove top and a control unit that is positioned to turn off the stove top heating elements in response to the sensor unit. The sensor unit has an array of sensors such as ultraviolet, infrared, temperature, smoke, and combustion byproduct sensors. The sensor unit also has a microcontroller in the form of a neural network that is able to distinguish between a hazardous fire condition and a non-hazardous fire condition on the stove top. The neural network is trained by exposing the sensor unit to a variety of hazardous conditions and non-hazardous conditions and identifying to the neural network whether these conditions are hazardous or non-hazardous. Once the neural network has been trained, the sensor unit monitors the stove top and if it detects a hazardous condition, it signals the control unit, which turns the heat off on the stove top.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for closing and securing a door in its frame. A movable wedge is supported in a slot in the frame. A closing mechanism is employed for closing the door and a second mechanism is employed for moving the wedge into a slot formed in the edge of the door when the door is closed. A shape memory wire is used in conjunction with the closing mechanism for allowing the closing mechanism to close the door. A second shape memory wire is used in conjunction with the second mechanism for allowing the second mechanism to move the wedge from the frame slot into the door slot when the door is closed for securing the door to the frame.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus for making an accessible connection between a cable and a coupler, wherein electrical wires extend between the cable and the coupler. A removable stop is provided which is adapted to engage the cable and the coupler to hold the cable and the coupler apart to form a gap therebetween wherein the electrical wires extend between the cable and the coupler by way of the gap. A sleeve is provided which is movable between a closed position wherein the sleeve engages the cable and the coupler and surrounds the wires and the stop, and an open position wherein the gap is exposed and the wires are accessible. Also provided is a fastening mechanism for removably fastening the sleeve in the closed position and for allowing the sleeve to be moved from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: The reed employs two spaced apart cylinders with slots in their outer surfaces. The slots extend around the axis of each cylinder a given distance. The slots of each cylinder flare out from each other from one edge to an opposite edge. Dents are supported for movement between the two cylinders and have guides located in the slots of each cylinder. The two cylinders can be rotated together in one direction or in an opposite direction for causing the slots to move the guides and hence the dents apart or together to obtain changes in the width of the fabric along the warp direction. This change in width will cause the warp density to vary along the length of the fabric while maintaining continuous warp yarn. This feature also allows warp strands of different cross-section to be woven.