Abstract: Methods for charging batteries comprises applying a charging current to the battery, monitoring the voltages of the positive and negative electrodes during the step of applying the charging current, and determining a point during the process of applying the charging current where the negative electrode is fully charged. Monitoring comprises determining the total battery voltage from the combined voltages of the battery positive and negative electrodes. The slopes along the total battery voltage are measured to obtain a trend line of the change in the slope of the total battery voltage during charging. The trend line is monitored against a logarithm of the applied charging current to determine a point where the negative electrodes are in a state of full charge, at which point the positive electrodes are also fully charged. The charging operation is terminated once such state of fully charge has been determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power control device and method for calibrating the power of a transmitter or receiver in a mobile communication network comprising an antenna array, wherein burst signals are transmitted to, or received by, the antenna array. The calibration of the transmission or receiving power of the transmitter or receiver includes a summing step for summing transmission or reception signals of the antenna array, and a common calibrating step for commonly calibrating the summed signals.

Abstract: A portable multifunction machine tool (PMMT) for performing operations upon a work structure. The PMMT has a movable frame attached to and structured to provide support for a tool carriage that is movably connected to the frame and that comprises at least one machine tool assembly adapted to receive a tool. The PMMT also has a processor communicatively connected to the tool carriage and machine tool assembly and programmed to control the movement of the tool carriage.

Abstract: A carrier sheet comprising a printed paper sheet having an integrated detachable card with a magnetic backing and method of manufacturing same is described. The carrier sheet is comprised of a printed paper sheet having printed matter on at least a front face thereof. The printed matter contains card information printed in a card area. A polyfilm patch is adhered over the card area and over the card information printed thereon. A thin flexible patch of magnet material is adhesively secured on a rear face of the paper sheet and extends over the card area. A die-cut is made in the sheet and delineates the contour of the card area and extends through the polyfilm patch, the paper sheet and partly into the patch of magnet material to form a burstable region along said die-cut to hold the card in the carrier sheet. The die-cut can have any ornamental shape.

Abstract: A switching device is interposed between a conventional physiological information monitor and a plurality of conventional sensors for a particular physiological function. The sensors are located on different parts of the body. Each of the plurality of sensors may be selected through the switching device to give a continuous indication of a particular physiological function in a localized area of the body. The device prevents the loss of information due to interrupted blood flow in a particular part of the body or the failure of a sensor.

Abstract: A carrier sheet comprising a printed paper sheet having an integrated detachable card with a magnetic backing and method of manufacturing same is described. The carrier sheet is comprised of a printed paper sheet having printed matter on at least a front face thereof. The printed matter contains card information printed in a card area. A polyfilm patch is adhered over the card area and over the card information printed thereon. A thin flexible patch of magnet material is adhesively secured on a rear face of the paper sheet and extends over the card area. A die-cut is made in the sheet and delineates the contour of the card area and extends through the polyfilm patch, the paper sheet and partly into the patch of magnet material to form a burstable region along said die-cut to hold the card in the carrier sheet. The die-cut can have any ornamental shape.

Abstract: A switching device is interposed between a conventional oximeter and a plurality of conventional photosensors. The photosensors are located on different extremities of the body. The switching device may be operated in the manual mode or an automatic mode. In the manual mode each different photosensor may be individually selected to provide the input signal to the oximeter. In the automatic mode, the switching device scans the incoming signals from the different photosensors and forwards the best, strongest or least distorted signal to the oximeter. The device prevents the loss of oximetery information due to interrupted blood flow in a particular part of the body or the failure of a sensor.

Abstract: A switching device is interposed between a conventional physiological information monitor and a plurality of conventional sensors for a particular physiological function. The sensors are located on different parts of the body. Each of the plurality of sensors may be selected through the switching device to give a continuous indication of a particular physiological function in a localized area of the body. The device prevents the loss of information due to interrupted blood flow in a particular part of the body or the failure of a sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for the synthesis of combinatorial chemical libraries. The apparatus comprises a plurality of reaction vessels having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first opening, and a second opening. An agitator is contained within each of the reaction vessels for stimulating liquid circulation within the vessels. The apparatus has a common gas line having a plurality of gas outlet ports, where each of the reaction vessels has at least one gas outlet port positioned to feed into the vessel. The apparatus also has a common liquid line having a plurality of liquid outlet ports, where each of the reaction vessels has at least one liquid outlet port positioned to feed into the vessel. Each reaction vessel also has at least one valve coupled to the second opening on the vessel.

Abstract: A fire barrier blanket for a splice portion of an electrical cable or conduit is provided. The blanket includes an elongate center portion having an elongate axis and axially spaced end portions connected to the cable and axially spaced clamp units such as a strap or a clamp urging the end portions in sealing engagement with the cable. The center portion and end portions each has an inner fiberglass layer and a middle silicone rubber foam layer and an outer fiberglass layer. The fiberglass layers each is silicone coated and is cast onto the middle foam layer on each side thereof. Opposite edges of the center portion have hook and loop type fastener strips which are sold under the trademark VELCRO or HOOK AND LOOP. In one embodiment for a relatively large diameter splice portion, each end portion has a pair of flap portions having diagonal edges. Adjacent diagonal edges have coacting hook and loop type fastener strips.

Abstract: Liquid cooled helmet comprising a cap of flexible material adapted to fit the head of a person, cooling panels mounted inside the cap forming passageways for carrying a liquid coolant, the panels being positioned to engage the cranium and neck of a person wearing the helmet, inlet and outlet lines communicating with the passageways, and releasable straps for securing the helmet about the neck of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved cooling and ventilating system for removing metabolic heat, waste gases and water vapor generated by a wearer of an hermetically sealed spacesuit. The cooling system is characterized by a body suit having a first circuit for simultaneously establishing a cooling flow of water through the thorax and head sections of the body suit including circulation patches mounted in the thorax section and head section of the body suit, a second circuit for discharging a flow of gas throughout the spacesuit and a disconnect unit for coupling the circuits with a life support system externally related to the spacesuit.

Abstract: A vibratory-wire strain gage has mounting flanges integral to the instrument for disposition of the wire and its low-profile casing in intimate, substantially coplanar relation to the measuring surface.

Abstract: An improved thermistor holder structure is disclosed which facilitates skin-temperature measurement. The device includes a cylindrical plastic housing with tab extensions that permits the apparatus to be held to a skin surface by suitable elastic members or the like. Ventilation openings are provided in the plastic housing to permit air circulation. An adjustable, resilient metal arm with a thermistor holding cup formed at one end is secured to the interior surface of the plastic housing such that the holding cup is located at the center of the housing. A thermistor temperature sensor is inserted into and held in the cup by interference fit.