Abstract: Needle and high velocity jet hypodermic injectors employ a tubular liquid chamber, a suitable output port i.e., a needle or a jet port, and corresponding means for applying pressure to collapse the liquid chamber.The needle injector includes a needle sheath which automatically covers the needle after use and inhibits reuse of the needle. The jet injector electronically controls and monitors the system parameters of operation to assure successful injection results.

Abstract: A continuously energized switch having only stationary parts for application to electronic sports equipment is disclosed. The switch connects and disconnects the electronic circuitry of the sports equipment to and from its power supply in response to the application of predetermined non-invasive external influences.

Abstract: A sensing system including a sensing device with cooperating electrical components which move relative to each other in response to a sensed environmental parameter to yield a reactance signal, which is transmitted to a remotely located processor having an oscillator for receiving the transmitted signal and generating a transduced signal whose value corresponds to the value of the environmental parameter.

Abstract: A pressure regulator including high and low pressure chambers separated by a divider having an opening, a closing member biassed to a closing position for closing the opening with a biassing force according to a desired pressure differential between the chambers, and a damping device for damping the resulting force on the closing member. There is also disclosed a fluid drainage system having a suction chamber with a suction regulator, and various arrangements of diaphragms for measuring pressure differentials. An anti-spill device for the draining system is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A micropower electronic motion detector including a sensing element and a source element for measuring the magnitude and direction of the relative motion of the sensing element with respect to the source element. Electronic apparatus for nulling the output signal of the detector and of other electronic sensing apparatus in its initial or static state is also disclosed. The detector may be used in a safety ski binding to measure the forces being exerted on a skier's leg so that a binding release or non-release decision may be made.

Abstract: A pressure regulator including high and low pressure chambers separated by a divider having an opening, a closing member biassed to a closing position for closing the opening with a biassing force according to a desired pressure differential between the chambers, and a damping device for damping the resulting force on the closing member. There is also disclosed a fluid drainage system having a suction chamber with a suction regulator, and various arrangements of diaphragms for measuring pressure differentials. An anti-spill device for the draining system is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A small, inexpensive, but reliable pressure warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors which are disposed between an orthopedic restraining member and an injured portion of a patient's body, and a processor and alarm unit coupled to the pressure sensor and providing a warning when the pressure reaches a danger level (i.e. 30 mm) in which medical assistance is required. If the pressure goes above a critical value (i.e. 35 mm), another warning is provided that immediate medical attention is needed. The processor and alarm unit can be mounted directly on the patient's cast and are disposable, one-use items.

Abstract: Pressure sensor apparatus comprising fluid filled pads which are compressible in response to pressure for deflecting diaphragms to effect electrical signals reflective of the pressure.

Abstract: A fluid drainage system includes a suction chamber and a collection chamber. The suction chamber includes a suction regulator comprised of first and second chambers separated by a divider. An opening in the divider has a biased closing member associated therewith for opening or closing the opening according to the pressure differential between the chambers. A dash pot is connected to the closing member for damping the force on the closing member. The drainage system further includes devices for measuring the patient airflow, patient negativity and imposed suction. Those devices consist of diaphragms having dials connected thereto such that movement of the diaphragm results in movement of the dial and thereby indicating a change in one of the above noted variables. As an alternative, the drainage system includes a venturi meter for measuring airflow. Finally, the system contains an anti-spill device that prevents the spilling of fluids from the collection chamber to other chambers in the device.

Abstract: A pressure regulator including high and low pressure chambers separated by a divider having an opening, a closing member biassed to a closing position for closing the opening with a biassing force according to a desired pressure differential between the chambers, and a damping device for damping the resulting force on the closing member. There is also disclosed a fluid drainage system having a suction chamber with a suction regulator, and various arrangements of diaphragms for measuring pressure differentials. An anti-spill device for the draining system is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A system for electronically monitoring and controlling the drainage of fluids from a body cavity, including transducers for measuring suction, suction air flow, patient air flow, patient negativity and the like, and displays for rendering measured values in legible form. Various valves for regulating pressure and flow rates are electronically controlled according to desired values and direct measurements of the respective parameters.

Abstract: A means for adjusting an electrical value within inaccessible electrical circuitry is disclosed including a proximity stimulus means acting upon and within the vicinity of a proximity stimulus response means to produce a response which is converted into an electrical signal by a transducing means. The number of electrical signals produced are accumulated and placed into the appropriate electronic form to adjust the electrical value. The magnitude of the adjustable electrical value and its adjustment may be monitored on an optional monitoring means.

Abstract: A power supply for the release circuitry of an electronic ski binding having a plurality of electrical sources, switches for controlling the connecting of the respective electrical sources to the release circuitry, and comparator circuits for actuating the appropriate switches to connect the electrical source having the highest electrical potential to the release circuitry.

Abstract: A control system and method automatically control a glow discharge apparatus, as for ion nitriding, utilizing operator selected parameters (such as warm-up time, processing time, workpiece operating temperature and chamber pressure). During warm-up the control system provides a profile of the desired workpiece temperature, the desired profile temperature increasing with time at a rate that is reduced as the workpiece approaches its operating temperature. The control system compares the desired profile temperature with the measured workpiece temperature and compares the rate of change of the desired profile temperature with the rate of change of the measured workpiece temperature. It adjusts the level of electrical energy being supplied to the glow discharge in accordance with the comparison results. When the operator selected operating temperature is reached, the control system terminates the profile and operates to maintain that temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a safety ski binding, for the purpose, in hazardous situations, of automatically releasing a ski boot from a ski on which it is held. The forces exerted by the ski on the leg of the skier are continuously integrated with respect to time. The thus formed time integral of the force releases the connection between the ski and boot on reaching a threshold value representing a product of force.times. time which is higher than the integration threshold value corresponding to the holding force of the ski binding. To avoid a summation of pulses, a pulse that has not resulted in actuation is cleared through downward integration.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the stresses in a pipeline for conducting fluid materials, comprising sets of stress-sensing elements electrically connected together at spaced locations along the pipeline, groups of the sets being electrically connected together to form zones, the respective zones being electrically connected to accumulation centers where data from the sets of sensors is accumulated and reduced, and a central control center electrically connected to the accumulation centers for receiving, interpreting and displaying information from the sensing elements.

Abstract: A locking device for an electronic safety ski binding comprises two interengaged locking members of which the locked member is connected to a sole retainer and is movable between its releasing and its retaining position in which it is held by the locking other member which is movable by an electromagnet. To provide a shockproof lock for an electronic safety ski binding with a reliably operative electromagnet, a rotary magnet is provided to move the locking member.

Abstract: A safety ski binding comprises force-pick-ups for generating electric signals in response to forces and/or torques acting on the skier's leg, an electronic integrated circuit for initiating the operation of the releasing mechanism by a tripping signal generated in response to the occurence of dangerous forces or torques, and a rechargeable battery for feeding the circuit. In order to avoid a continuous maintenance of the battery (B) it is supplied with charging current from a generator (8, 10; 21, 22). The generator comprises parts that are movable relative to each other for a generation of electric power and are respectively connected to a member (1) of the ski binding and to the surface of the ski (5).

Abstract: An electronic safety ski binding comprises force sensors for generating electric signals in response to forces and/or torques acting on the skier's leg, and an electronic integrated circuit for processing the electrical signals and initiating the operation of the releasing mechanism of the binding by the generation of a triggering signal generated in response to the detection of the sensors of forces or torques which may endanger the safety of the skier. At least two force sensors are provided, as redundant protection against sensor failure for sensing one of the loads (forces and torques) which typically act on a skier's leg. Each of the two sensors is independently capable of detecting the same load so that the electronic circuit can generate, in response to the detection of a load which may endanger the skier, a triggering signal which initiates the operation of the releasing mechanism of the binding.

Abstract: A control system and method for an apparatus to glow discharge treat (such as ion nitride) a workpiece. The apparatus includes a housing to receive a workpiece and a low pressure atmosphere of ionizable gas (nitrogen and hydrogen for nitriding), and connectors for establishing a glow discharge in the gas with the workpiece connected as the cathode. The control system and method automatically control the apparatus throughout the process, utilizing operator selected parameters (such as warm-up time, processing time, workpiece operating temperature and chamber pressure). The control system divides the selected operating temperature by the selected warm-up time to provide a straight line increase per unit time of the workpiece temperature. Initially the control system accumulates the increases at a rate higher than the straight line increase and then, as the workpiece approaches the selected operating temperature, the control system accumulates the increases at a rate less than the straight line increase.