Abstract: A relay is designed to be used in a circuit where the voltage levels are high in comparison to the spacing between the contacts when open. Contact closure arcing is suppressed by actuating a MOSFET that shorts the contacts together while they open. The same MOSFET can momentarily short the contacts together just before they first begin to close, allowing a test current to be passed through the MOSFET and through the terminals connecting to both relay contacts, to insure that arc suppression will be successful; and if this test fails, then the relay can be disabled by a switch in series with the relay coil to prevent arcing and a possible fire hazard. Relay deactuation can be sensed to trigger arc suppression, and relay actuation can be sensed to initiate fail-safe testing by a circuit that responds no matter which way the relay coil is connected into the external circuit that drives it.

Abstract: A relay is designed to be used in a circuit where the voltage levels are high in comparison to the spacing between the contacts when open. Contact closure arcing is suppressed by actuating a MOSFET that shorts the contacts together while they open. The same MOSFET can momentarily short the contacts together just before they first begin to close, allowing a test current to be passed through the MOSFET and through the terminals connecting to both relay contacts, to insure that arc suppression will be successful; and if this test fails, then the relay can be disabled by a switch in series with the relay coil to prevent arcing and a possible fire hazard. Relay deactuation can be sensed to trigger arc suppression, and relay actuation can be sensed to initiate fail-safe testing by a circuit that responds no matter which way the relay coil is connected into the external circuit that drives it.

Abstract: An occupant sensing and crash behavior system for a motor vehicle determines the presence and location of an occupant to then control the deployment of supplemental restraint systems such as air bags or inflatable seat/shoulder belts. Crash anticipation and crash severity sensors provide additional inputs to the system to determine the behavior of the crash and the occupants therein. An infrared sensor emits a plurality of beams to determine the location and position of the occupant as does a proximity sensor located on the air bag door or the occupant seat. Occupant weight plus the presence and orientation of a child seat are considered. Seat belt control is provided to control the length of the seat belt during an impact or crash.

Abstract: A fluid control valve including a housing with a chamber therein, a hollow barrel, an elongated trigger, a seal and spring. The chamber communicates with a source of fluid, and also has one end of the barrel, which is axially slideably mounted in the housing with the other end outside the housing. The barrel's normal position is furthest into said housing and, its activated position is axially outward therefrom. The trigger is substantially perpendicular to the barrel and is positioned on the barrel and engages the barrel adjacent to the housing with the barrel passing through an opening at one end of the trigger. The seal is movable in the chamber and normally closes one of the communication. The spring is in the chamber urging the seal and barrel into their normal position. Activation of the trigger engages the barrel, moving it axially against the spring permitting the seal to open the communication.

Abstract: Surgical suction apparatus for applying suction to surgical debris to clear a surgical wound and including structure for clearing any surgical debris lodged in the entrance aperture of the apparatus and which structure may also be used to vary the effective size of the entrance aperture to vary the suction applied to the surgical debris.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive assembly mountable as unit and responsive to predetermined ambient temperature conditions above normal room temperature for activating a device for protection against heat or fire, comprising thin metal plates soldered face to face with eutectic solder, with large surface area and small mass and minimum contact with the elements to which they are connected. Also an alarm assembly comprising a supporting housing, an acoustic device, a coupler assembly supported by said housing and connecting said acoustic device and said container, a thermally responsive assembly mounted on said coupler assembly. Means on said coupler assembly conducting gas from said container to said acoustic device. A valve is opened on activation of said thermally responsive assembly to cause actuation of said acoustic device. A visual signal is given by swinging down of a guard member if the container contents leak. A container can be snapped into its place in the coupler assembly.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive assembly mountable as unit and responsive to predetermined ambient terperature conditions above normal room temperature for activating a device for protection against heat or fire, comprising thin metal plates soldered face to face with eutectic solder, with large surface area and small mass and minimum contact with the elements to which they are connected. Also an alarm assembly having a supporting housing, an acoustic device, a coupler assembly supported by said housing and connecting said acoustic device and said container, a thermally responsive assembly mounted on said coupler assembly. A flexible tube on said coupler assembly conducting gas from said container to said acoustic device. A valve is opened on activation of said thermally responsive assembly to cause actuation of said acoustic device. A visual signal is given by swinging down of a guard member if the container contents leak. A container can be snapped into its place in the coupler assembly.

Abstract: A solvent extraction process for separating polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons. The solvent-rich extract phase is introduced into a stripping column through two separated loci; the bottoms from the stripping column, a polar hydrocarbon-containing, solvent-rich stream, is introduced into an upper portion of the solvent recovery column. Polar hydrocarbons in concentrated form are recovered as an overhead stream, a lean solvent stream, virtually free from hydrocarbons, is withdrawn as a bottoms product and recycled in part to the extraction zone, and admixed in part with that portion of the extract phase introduced into the upper of the two separated loci. An internally prepared vaporous stripping medium is introduced into the lower portion of the solvent recovery column.

Abstract: Detergent-grade alkylate is produced by the HF-acid catalyzed reaction of aromatic hydrocarbons and an olefinic hydrocarbon. The process utilizes a unique fractionation facility for the recovery and use of an aromatic concentrate, and ultimate recovery of the detergent alkylate product. Integrated within the process is a combination stripping/fractionation column having a contact-condenser disposed therein.