Abstract: An assembly (10) is disclosed for making a cam shaft from a plurality of cam lobes (14) having apertures (16) disposed therethrough and a hollow tubular shaft (12). The assembly (10) comprises a support arrangement (18) for supporting the cam lobes (14) along the hollow shaft (12); a solid or liquid propellant (20) disposed within the shaft; and a deflagrator (22) for deflagrating the propellant to introduce a sudden increase of gas pressure in the hollow tubular shaft (12) to expand the shaft radially and into engagement with the cam lobes (16) thereby securing the cam lobes to the shaft and preventing movement therebetween. The propellant (20) is disposed axially along the length of the shaft (12) to promote even radial expansion of the shaft. The propellant (20) is distributed evenly along the length of a thick plastic tube (24) which is inserted in the shaft (12).

Abstract: An electronic firearm lock (10) includes a housing (18) and a locking plate (28) which are locked together rendering the trigger (12) of a firearm (16) inaccessible. The housing (18) includes a locking lever (36) which engages a sawtooth surface (34) of the locking member (32) of the locking plate (28). The lock is unlocked by entering an input code via keypad (44). The keypad (44) is illuminated prior to the pressing of any button (100) by touching two conductors (62) simultaneously by the same object, i.e., a finger allowing the operator to see the keypad (44) before the needing to begin entering an incorrect code. An alarm transducer (82) signals both when a plurality of incorrect codes are entered, indicating an unauthorized person was attempting to access the firearm (16), and when the voltage level of the battery (74) is low.

Abstract: A printing medium (10) receives and displays images produced by a thermal printer of a standard facsimile machine. The printing medium (10) comprises plain-surfaced printing paper (12) and a cover medium (14) disposed over the printing paper so as to pass through the facsimile machine in combination with the printing paper. The cover medium (14) includes a bottom surface facing toward the printing paper (12) and a top surface facing away from the printing paper. A coating of heat-transferable ink (16) is disposed on the bottom surface, the ink being transferred from the cover medium (14) to predetermined locations on the printing paper (12) as the printing medium passes through the facsimile machine.

Abstract: A local video game (310) including a communicating controller (326). The controller (326) receives local command signals created by a set of player controls (316). The controller (326) also receives remote command signals received through a modem (324) which were created by a remote video game (320) through a similar set of player controls. The controller (326) includes a synchronizer (328) which produces synchronizing codes to be sent to the remote video game (320) to synchronize the games. The synchronizer (328) synchronizes the local and remote command signals such that both are received by a game microprocessor (322) simultaneously. Memory (336) stores the player parameters and are retrieved whenever the synchronization codes of the local (310) and remote (320) video games have not matched for a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: A trolley wheel assembly (10) securely sealed to prevent loss of lubricant therefrom and entrance of contaminants therein. The assembly (10) comprises an inner race (12) disposed about an axis of rotation (14) and an outer race (16) concentrically disposed in a spaced relationship about the inner race (12). A plurality of ball bearings (18) are disposed between the inner race (12) and the outer race (16). An outer sealing ring (20) extends radially inwardly from the outer race (16) toward the inner race (12). An inner sealing ring (22) is rotatably disposed about the inner race (12), extending radially outwardly and contiguous the outer sealing ring (20). A wave washer (24) disposed about the inner race (12) biases the inner sealing ring (22) into constant friction engagement with the outer sealing ring (20). A plurality of backup inner sealing rings (26,27) provide a secondary seal about the inner race (12).

Abstract: The monitoring assembly (10) monitors the location of mobile objects (12), i.e., personnel, within a structure (18). The object (12) carries a transponder (14) which periodically transmits status signals and receives command signals relating to audio control. Transceivers (16) are fixed at locations about the structure (18) for receiving the status signal producing the location signals, and transmitting commands to the transponders. The transmissions and reception occur during prescribed time windows. A controller (20) is connected to each transceiver (16) and monitors the location of transponders (14) and communication therethrough. The transponders (14) have audio capability of producing audio messages directly to the person thereof.

Abstract: A video game communicator (100) is electrically connected between the ports (A, B) of a local video game (12) and one set of player controls (20) of the local video game (12). The video game communicator (100) receives command signals from the player controls (20) and sends them to the local video game (12). The video game communicator (100) also converts the command signals into communication signals to be sent over telephone lines to be received by another video game communicator (100) connected to a remote video game (30). A transit time circuit (126) delays all command signals coming from the player controls (20) to the local video game (12) an amount of time it determines to be the time needed for the command signals to be sent to the remote video game (30). The video game communicator (100) receives communication signals over the telephone lines (110) and converts these signals into command signals representing the command signals of the remotely located competitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for making cam shafts wherein a plurality of cam lobes (12) are positioned along a hollow tubular shaft (18) and are subsequently secured thereto by expanding the shaft (18) outward, into engagement with the cam lobes (12). The shaft (18) is expanded by deflagrating a propellant (64) to generate a sudden increase of gas pressure which is introducing within the shaft (18).

Abstract: A method for making cam shafts wherein a plurality of cam lobes (12) are positioned along a hollow tubular shaft (18) and are subsequently secured thereto by expanding the shaft (18) outward, into engagement with the cam lobes (12). The shaft (18) is expanded by deflagrating a propellant (64) to generate a sudden increase of gas pressure which is introducing within the shaft (18).

Abstract: The invention is a timer assembly (10, 100) to be interposed between a battery (12) and an electrical load (14) having a device switch (16). A timing cycle is initiated upon detection of closure of the device switch (16). The timer (10, 100) will terminate the current flow after the timing cycle. The timer assembly (10, 100) includes a first embodiment (10) to be connected in parallel with the battery (12) and electrical device (14), and a second embodiment (10, 100) connected in series with the battery (12) and the electrical load. Upon closure of the device switch (16), a detector (42, 44, 46) produces a pulse initiating the timing cycle. The timing cycle may be realized by discharging a storage capacitor (38, 40) or by a timer chip (36) controlling an electronic switch (26, 28, 30, 32) within the timer assembly (10, 100) to connect and disconnect the battery (12) to the load (14).

Abstract: A battery disconnect circuit (10) is shown for disconnecting a battery (12) from an electrical load (14). A voltage measuring circuit (32) constantly measures the voltage of the battery (12). When the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage, proportional to the stored electrochemical energy sufficient to start a vehicle one time, a circuit breaker (24) disconnects the battery (12). An inhibitor (53) senses the operation of the engine (31) through an electret microphone (94) and inhibits the circuit breaker (24) from opening. An alarm disabler (58) senses the state of the circuit breaker (24), i.e., whether the circuit breaker (24) is open or closed, and disables the alarm (42) if the circuit breaker (24) is closed. A trigger (41) through a sensor (R1) sensing a drop in voltage due to an operator trying to activate the starting subsystem (30), activates the alarm (42) to notify the operator that the battery (12) has been disconnected.

Abstract: An RF oscillator induces eddy currents to be measured in an object. An eddy current probe senses alterations, such as teeth on a disc, for example, in the object which are represented as eddy current signals sensed by an eddy current probe. The present invention separates alteration current signals from offset currents in the eddy current signal to aid in discriminating levels in the alteration current signals. The alteration currents are separated from the offset currents by AC coupling with a high pass filter or separated by a microprocessor as part of a data processing detection routine.

Abstract: A multiplexor system includes a transmitter (11) and receiver (13) with a communication link (12) interconnecting therebetween. One embodiment includes at least two communication links (12) transmitting identical information therealong producing a redundant system being tolerant of shorting to a positive or negative supply or discontinuance of any of the communication links (12). The transmitter (11) selects (22) the digital data to be transmitted which is encoded and serially transmitted along the communication links (12). The receiver decodes (52) the serial signals producing the digital data. A detector (44, 45) interconnects the communication links (12) and the decoder (52). If no pulses are detected (44, 45), the respective link (12) will be electrically disconnected (46). The remaining links (12) will be OR'ed (50) and sent to the decoder (52).

Abstract: A battery powered nebulizer (10) includes a portable housing (58) containing a battery power supply (13), pump-motor combination (14), air compressor (16) and control circuitry (20). The control circuitry (20) includes a pulse width modulator (24) for switching power to the motor (14) to conserve battery charge and regulate the pump-motor combination (14) to a predetermined volume output. The nebulizer (10) includes a charger (40) for charging the battery (13) and an adapter (34) to be connected to an external battery supply. A monitor (46) monitors the charge on the battery (13) to audibly and visually indicate low battery charge.

Abstract: An automatic battery powered video light (10) is supplied power by a d.c. battery (16). A light (20) is connected between a first terminal of the battery (16) and a MOSFET switch (46), which is connected to a second terminal of the battery (16). A control circuit (24) controls the opening and closing of the MOSFET (46) to supply power to the light (20) and disconnect power from the light (20). The control circuit (24) includes a light sensor (36) for sensing ambient light and reflected radiant light from a scene (14) and a pulse modulator (40) for controlling the MOSFET switch (46). The modulator (40) adjusts pulse frequency and therefore closing time of the switch (46) when the sensor (36) senses time low light levels, and vice versa. Also provided is a dual filament light (20') wherein each filament (52, 54) is independently controlled to enhance color balance.

Abstract: A capacitive level gauge for placement in a container (12) determines the level of substance (14) in the container (12). The gauge (10) includes a measurement capacitor (C1) for measuring level and a reference capacitor (C2) for determining dielectric constant of the substance (14). A controller (34) is responsive to the capacitors (C1, C2) for producing a level signal which simultaneously indicated the level and dielectric constant of the material. The level signal includes a frequency which is representative of dielectric constant and a pulse width representative of level. The gauge (10) supports a first pair of parallel conductive members (26, 28) to establish the measurement capacitor (C1) and a second pair of parallel conductive members (28, 32) spaced along the gauge and below the measurement capacitor (C1) to establish the reference capacitor (C2).

Abstract: A liquid sensing assembly (10) senses the level of liquid (18) in a container (12). The assembly (10) includes a reference sensing capacitor (16) for sensing the dielectric constant of the liquid and a level sensing capacitor (14) for sensing the level of the liquid with a dielectric factor. A housing (20) forms one plate of the capacitors (14, 16), and two separate coiled wires form the second plates of the capacitors (14, 16). The capacitors (14, 16) are located within the housing (20) and separated by a seal (46) to prevent liquid from passing therethrough. The reference capacitor (16) is located in the upper end (28) of the housing (20) and receives the liquid directly at an inlet (52) and fills to overflow at an outlet (56) into the container (12). The level capacitor (16) is in the lower section of the housing (20) to sense the level in the container (12).

Abstract: An automatic turn-off assembly (10) for supplying and discontinuing power to a device (12) in response to an audio signal. The audio signal is rectified (22) producing a level signal which is compared by a window comparator (26). When the level signal is within the window, a trigger signal is produced to initiate and reset a timer (30), which in turn produces a control signal for a predetermined time while being powered. If the level signal is below the window, the timer (30) is not reset. If the signal is above the window, a muting circuit (44) is initiated to mute the device (12), which is preferably an audio amplifier. The assembly (10) includes a manual push-button switch (18) for initially supplying power to the device (12) and to the timer (30). A relay (RL1) maintains the supply of power in the presence of the control signal and disconnects power from the device (12) and timer (30) after the predetermined time.

Abstract: A signal sensing circuit (10) receives an electrical signal on an input (18, 20) to connect power to a controlled device in the presence of an electrical signal and disconnect power in the absense of the electrical signal. The electrical signal is capacitively coupled (28) to an amplifier (30) and low pass filter (32) for amplifying the signal and filtering out high frequency components of the signal thereby eliminating the false triggering by transient noise on the inputs. The signal is rectified (34) and compared (38) to a predetermined set point. When the signal exceeds the set point, a timer (44) is triggered. The timer (44) produces a control signal when triggered for a predetermined time, and can be retriggered by subsequent control signals which resets the predetermined time. The presence of the control signal actuates a switch (48) to supply power to the control device, such as an amplifier.

Abstract: A capacitive level gauge for placement in a container (12) determines the level of substance (14) in the container (12). The gauge (10) includes a measurement capacitor (C1) for measuring level and a reference capacitor (C2) for determining dielectric constant of the substance (14). A controller (34) is responsive to the capacitors (C1, C2) for producing a level signal which simultaneously indicated the level and dielectric constant of the material. The level signal includes a frequency which is representative of dielectric constant and a pulse width representative of level. The gauge (10) supports a first pair of parallel conductive members (26, 28) to establish the measurement capacitor (C1) and a second pair of parallel conductive members (28, 32) spaced along the gauge and below the measurement capacitor (C1) to establish the reference capacitor (C2).