Abstract: An electrical timing circuit for controlling the activation and deactivation of an electrical load by setting a predetermined time period for which the load will be on and for providing one or more short warning periods wherein the load is deactivated prior to the expiration of the predetermined time period. The invention may be used as a switch for a light whereby the light may be actuated to remain on for an hour, but just prior to the expiration of hour period the light will momentarily go off for one or more warning periods prior to the light being turned completely off so that the switch may be reactuated to start another timing period. Momentary switches (12) control a set-reset circuit (16) which sends a signal to a NAND gate (18). A timing circuit (20) is responsive to the momentary switches (12) to provide a plurality of time spaced-signals.

Abstract: A method of treating an integral piece of thermosensitive material which undergoes thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation in response to heat to pass from a martensitic phase when at a temperature below a phase transformation temperature range and capable of a first high level of recoverable strain to a parent austenitic phase and memory shape when at a temperature above the phase transformation temperature range and capable of a second lower level of recoverable strain. The method is characterized by first cold working the material to a cold worked state comprising a disordered combination of martensitic and austenitic structures and then memory annealing a first portion of the integral piece of material to establish the martensitic and austenitic phases and the memory shape in the austenitic phase while retaining a second portion of the integral piece of material in the cold worked state and incapable of shape memory response.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit for a speaker 12. The circuit includes an operational amplifier 16 connected to a supply rail 24 and a supply rail 26 through a regulator 28 and a regulator 30. The circuit is characterized by a P channel MOS-FET 32 having a source 34 connected to the rail 24 and a drain 36 connected to the speaker 12 and a gate 38, and an N channel MOS-FET 40 having a source 42 connected to the rail 26 and a drain 44 connected to the speaker 12 and a gate 46. A NPN stage 48 is responsive to the output 56 of the amplifier 16 for establishing a voltage differential between the gate 38 of the MOS-FET 32 and the rail 24 to drive the MOS-FET 32 into conduction. A PNP stage 50 is responsive to the output 56 of the amplifier 16 for establishing a voltage differential between the gate 46 of the MOS-FET 40 and the rail 26 to drive the MOS-FET 40 into conduction. The stages 48, 50 are connected to ground 52.

Abstract: A power control circuit (22) for selectively supplying power from a constantly available power source (20) to an amplified speaker (12) by sensing the existence of an audio signal in a differential stage by determining the differential potential signal between leads (16, 18) to produce a ground reference signal which is amplified by a transistor (28) and thereafter rectified (52) to provide a direct current signal which operates a relay driver transistor (42) which, in turn, operates a relay switch (46) to supply power to the speaker amplifier (14). The discontinuance of power to the speaker amplifier is delayed for a period of time after the discontinuance of the audio signal to the differential stage (24) by placing a capacitor (58) between the rectifier and the relay driver transistor (42) to power the relay driver transistor for a period of time after the audio signal is no longer being provided.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring the condition in a vehicle wheel mounted tire. The system includes first and second LC circuits disposed within the tire and interconnected by a diode multiplier in series with a pressure switch. An exciter establishes an energetic electromagnetic field of a first frequency such that a first LC circuit is resonant at the same first frequency. This first frequency is converted into energy of a second frequency by a harmonic multiplier diode and is impressed upon a second LC circuit which is resonant at the second frequency, the second frequency being either an even or odd harmonic of the first (exciting) frequency. A receiver tuned to the second frequency interrogates the second LC circuit for presence of harmonic energy at the second frequency.

Abstract: A method and assembly for monitoring respiration and detecting apnea. The assembly includes an oscillator for generating an electromagnetic field having an output frequency in the radio frequency range and a high Q passively tuned LC circuit which has a resonant frequency variable in the radio frequency range generated by the oscillator. The LC circuit responds to the electromagnetic field by absorbing electromagnetic energy from the field when the resonant frequency matches the output frequency of the oscillator. A band is positioned about the subject's chest or abdominal cavity to vary the resonant frequency of the LC circuit in response to the expansion and contraction of the subject's chest or abdominal cavity. A detecting means is also provided for detecting when the LC circuit is responsive to the electromagnetic field established by the oscillator.

Abstract: A tire condition monitor converter including a plurality of wires extending about a tire rim and defining a first coil electrically connected to a first capacitor to define a first LC circuit and a second coil electrically connected to a second capacitor to define a second LC circuit. A mounting ring of electrically insulating material extends about the rim and has grooves therein in which the wires are disposed. A yieldable material is disposed between the ring and the rim for allowing radial expansion and contraction of the ring and rim while maintaining the circumferential length of the wires constant. A connecting block is disposed between the terminal ends of the mounting ring and the wires are connected to the block to place the wires in tension. The block includes circuit means for electrically interconnecting the ends of the respective wires and also supports the capacitors. A pressure switch is disposed in the circuit and is responsive to tire pressure.

Abstract: A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported by a housing for rotation about a central axis. A pair of upper and lower cams are fixed to the housing and cam followers react with the respective cams. Each cam transmits forces through a pair of hydraulic pistons. One of the pistons is connected to a movable plate to which one end of the wires are connected whereby a stress is applied to the wires to strain the wires during a first phase and whereby the cam responds to the unstraining of the wires during a second phase.

Abstract: The total disclosure is of a method and assembly for monitoring respiration and detecting apnea. The assembly includes an oscillator for generating an electromagnetic field having an output frequency in the radio frequency range and a high Q passively tuned LC circuit which has a resonant frequency variable in the radio frequency range generated by the oscillator. The LC circuit responds to the electromagnetic field by absorbing electromagnetic energy from the field when the resonant frequency matches the output frequency of the oscillator. A band is positioned about the subject's chest or abdominal cavity to vary the resonant frequency of the LC circuit in response to the expansion and contraction of the subject's chest or abdominal cavity. A detecting means is also provided for detecting when the LC circuit is responsive to the electromagnetic field established by the oscillator.

Abstract: A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported by a housing for rotation about a central axis. A pair of upper and lower cams are fixed to the housing and cam followers react with the respective cams. Each cam transmits forces through a pair of hydraulic pistons. One of the pistons is connected to a movable plate to which one end of the wires are connected whereby a stress is applied to the wires to strain the wires during a first phase and whereby the cam responds to the unstraining of the wires during a second phase.

Abstract: A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported by a housing for rotation about a central axis. A pair of upper and lower cams are fixed to the housing and cam followers react with the respective cams. Each cam transmits forces through a pair of hydraulic pistons. One of the pistons is connected to a movable plate to which one end of the wires are connected whereby a stress is applied to the wires to strain the wires during a first phase and whereby the cam responds to the unstraining of the wires during a second phase.

Abstract: A thermal energy scavenger assembly including a plurality of temperature-sensitive wires made of material which exhibits shape memory due to a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation. The wires are placed in tension between fixed and movable plates which are, in turn, supported by a pair of wheels which are rotatably supported by a housing for rotation about a central axis. A pair of upper and lower cams are fixed to the housing and cam followers react with the respective cams. Each cam transmits forces through a pair of hydraulic pistons. One of the pistons is connected to a movable plate to which one end of the wires are connected whereby a stress is applied to the wires to strain the wires during a first phase and whereby the cam responds to the unstraining of the wires during a second phase.

Abstract: An extensible antenna assembly defined by a strip wound into a coil and extensible out of the coil through a guide for forming the strip into an elongated tubular length. In two embodiments the strip is made of a metal whereby the tubular length establishes the antenna for radiating and receiving radio frequency energy and the coiled or wound coil portion defines a coil integrally coupled and electrically continuous with the tubular portion to define a variable inductive reactance for automatically maintaining the antenna resonant to a predetermined frequency in correlation with and responsive to the extended position of the antenna. An insulating means, comprising a strip in the first embodiment and a conical spindle in the second embodiment, insulates the turns of the strip defining the coil and is configured to change the inductance of the coil non-linearly in response to linear movement of the antenna.

Abstract: An amplified microphone assembly for increasing the intelligibility of transmitted speech and including a microphone element, an audio amplifier, an auxiliary power supply and a push-to-talk switch. The microphone element converts an audio signal to an electrical signal while the audio amplifier amplifies the electrical signal. The auxiliary power supply supplies power to the audio amplifier when the push-to-talk switch is actuated, at which time an audio signal from the amplifier is sent to a radio transceiver. The power supply is chargeable and includes a charging circuit for charging the power supply. A connecting cable connects the microphone assembly to a transceiver and includes an audio lead and two push-to-talk leads which place the transceiver in the transmit mode when the push-to-talk switch is actuated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for igniting the air-fuel mixture within a rotary combustion engine. A primary transformer core half and its primary winding are positioned in the upper cover plate of a Wankel rotary engine. Three spark plugs are electrically connected to their own secondary transformer core halves and secondary windings in a hollow rotor piston. The transformer core halves are arranged so that whenever the rotor is in correct position for ignition to occur (around T.D.C.) the primary transformer core half and one secondary transformer core half are in proper alignment for magnetic flux coupling between the two transformer core halves. When so coupled, high voltage necessary for spark plug firing is induced in the secondary winding whenever the primary winding is excited with an alternating current generated by a gated power oscillator.

Abstract: A power booster assembly for a transceiver including a secondary rechargeable battery which is charged by a charging circuit during the receive mode of the transceiver and is automatically switched into series with a primary power source to power the transceiver during the transmit mode. A switching circuit connects or switches the secondary battery into series with the primary power source. In a first embodiment of the invention a sampling circuit senses the presence of a radio frequency voltage during the transmit mode to accomplish the switching. In a second embodiment of the invention the sensing circuit is responsive to the power load of the transceiver during the transmit mode to accomplish the switching. An adjustable resistor compensates for the power load differentials between the transmit mode and the receiver mode for different transceiver designs in the second embodiment.

Abstract: A thermal energy converting assembly including a support housing rotatably supporting a central hub with a plurality of temperature sensitive metal alloy strips extending radially from the hub for coacting with a cam which sinusoidally strains the strips during one phase and allows the unstraining of the strips during a second phase. The strips are made of a material which undergoes a thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation whereby in a relatively cold condition it takes less energy to strain the strips than is produced from the strips as they become unstrained when subsequently subjected to a hotter condition. In the first embodiment the strips are strained by torsional twisting as a result of a lever arm attached to the ends of the strips and reacting with the cam whereas in the second embodiment the strips are strained by bending as push rods are associated with the distal ends of the strips and have rollers thereon for coacting with the cam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the degradation of oil, particularly crankcase oil. A first sensor includes creep material positioned under constant stress in thermal contact with the oil to act as an analogue computer as it changes its length in response to temperature and the time at that temperature to register the degradation of oil due to the oil's oxidation. In addition, a second sensor registers the contamination of the oil by adding the number of times the oil is heated but not heated to a high enough predetermined temperature to disperse the water, acids and sludge which contaminate the oil. When the combination of these outputs reach a predetermined limit, a signal is provided.