Abstract: A multi-wire telephone system which facilitates voice and data communication between any two telephones connected to each other with one of a plurality of standard shielded twisted-pair cables. The telephones, which are battery-powered, feature standard telephone operation without a central switching and control station or PBX. Each telephone is provided with a microprocessor which can generate and decode all signals necessary to establish communication with any other telephone in the system. Since a PBX is not required, a break in any phone line will result in two systems operating independently of each other although somewhat degraded performance can be expected, depending upon the nature of the break. Whenever communication is established between two stations in the system, a direct current bias is impressed on the cable interconnecting those stations such that all other stations in the system can determine that that particular cable is in use and can select another cable for communication.

Abstract: An improved lithium iodine battery, depolarizer therefor and method of making same in which the depolarizer comprises a pelletized particulate mixture of iodine, an organic polymer of either poly-2-vinylpyridine or poly-2-vinylquinoline and a charge transfer complex consisting of the selected organic polymer and iodine wherein the mixture contains from 3 to 30 parts of iodine for each part of total organic.

Abstract: A thermal battery comprising at least one cell, and preferably a plurality of stacked cells wherein each cell comprises an anode of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and alloys thereof. Positioned against each cell anode is a homogeneous mixture, preferably in wafer form, of the electrolyte, depolarizer, and binder. The active depolarizer species of the present invention comprises iron pyrite (FeS.sub.2) which provides a lower internal resistance to the battery and improves start times over conventional depolarizers used in thermal batteries.

Abstract: A thermal battery having improved performance under spin comprises an aligned stack of annular cell elements, including a combustible composition that forms a conductive ash on burning, forming a toroidal cell stack. A sheet of nonporous electrical insulating material such as mica tightly engages the outer peripheral surface of the cell stack and the central hole of the stack is filled with electrical insulating fuze material.

Abstract: Improved thermal batteries operating at elevated temperatures include a molten metal anode in which a foraminous substrate is filled with the anode metal and contained in a housing having an impervious metal portion and a porous refractory fiber portion, the porous portion being in sealing engagement against the metal portion.