Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

Abstract: A mount for a powertrain component of a motor vehicle comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. An orifice track is in fluid communication between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, and a compliant element is disposed in the primary chamber.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus in a printing device having a printhead displaceable along a record carrier. The record carrier is supported beneath the printhead by a platen. The improved apparatus includes a mechanism for spacing the printing distance between the printhead and the record carrier. The spacing mechanism is positioned to bear upon the record carrier in advance of the printhead. A mechanism urges the platen away from the printhead and the spacing mechanism so as to permit a ribbon mechanism to be inserted between the printhead and the platen.

Abstract: In a hydraulic mount the use of multiple primary orifices with unequal area reduces the effects of rapid transitions in dynamic rigidity and the amplitude of impulsive vibration generated thereby. This invention's reduced impulsive vibration has lead to the substantial elimination of mode transition related noise in associated vehicle structures in the 200 Hz to 500 Hz range.

Abstract: A hydraulic-elastomeric mount is disclosed having a hydraulic damping decoupler with a flexible membrane mounted for reciprocal movement in a reciprocal partition in response to alternating pressure buildup in two orifice connected chambers separated by the partition and decoupler so as to effect cyclic volume change in the chambers by limited travel of both the partition and decoupler and flexing of the membrane without forcing liquid through the orifice and thus without hydraulic damping thereby.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a line on a document which illumination, when reflected and focused via a lens on a sensor (or image plane), has substantially uniform light intensity along the length of the line. The illumination system includes means for compensation for lens cosine to the fourth power fall-off and an illumination cosine fall-off phenomenon, which has classically been treated as proportional to cosine to the fourth power but in the example of lamps made of coiled tungsten filaments located along the axis of the foci, is more nearly cosine to the 2.8th power. The compensation apparatus includes a cylindrical ellipse for focusing light from two lamps located on an axis which is one foci of the ellipse and the line on the document is located at the other foci of the ellipse. Reflected light from the line on the document is then reflected and focus via a lens onto a sensor. At the sensor, the image is captured for analysis or other uses, e.g.

Abstract: An electrode for a high temperature secondary electrical storage cell including an alkali metal negative electrode, a molten salt electrolyte, and a transition metal sulfide as the positive electrode, formed by mechanically loading a precut form or graphite felt or foam with FeS.sub.x powder, coating or impregnating the precut form with a high carbon yield resin, curing the resin at an intermediate temperature, and carbonizing the resin at a temperature below 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: A sulfur electrode for a sodium-sulfur secondary battery comprises a carbonized chopped graphite fiber-resin composite structure impregnated with sulfur.

Abstract: A rechargeable electrical energy storage device including a lithium-containing negative electrode, a lithium ion electrolyte, and a positive electrode containing iron sulfide formed in situ by the reaction of a predeposited solid iron salt and hydrogen sulfide within a porous carbon structural body.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a rechargeable electrical energy storage device containing a lithium or lithium-aluminum negative electrode, an electrolyte with lithium ions, and a positive electrode formed by impregnating a molded iron sulfide compact with a pitch or thermosetting resin, and subsequently carbonizing the pitch or resin to form an in situ carbon structure, to serve as the foundation for the electrode.

Abstract: Graphite composite, prepared by heating a material which forms a graphitizable carbon to mesophase, adding carbon fiber composite and carbonizing and graphitizing the shaped composite.