Abstract: A circuit for charging a battery by selecting among two available power sources while providing overcharging and temperature protection to the battery and managing a charging current is described. A power pass and sense circuit is arranged to provide charge voltage from either power source based on control voltages from a current/voltage control circuit, which receives control signals from a logic control and timer circuit, a sensed voltage from a current setting circuit and reference and temperature voltages from a voltage reference and thermo-sense circuit. Differential amplifiers controlling power pass transistors are turned on and off depending on a power source availability and selection. A power supply circuit provides global supply voltages to all subcircuits preventing reverse current to power sources and stable supply independent of a power source availability. A pair of transistors arranged to operate as body-switcher protect power pass and sense transistors against reverse bias current.

Abstract: A new and improved process for manufacturing a cylindrical container is disclosed herein. A drawing and ironing process is used to produce a more efficient container. This process eliminates the need for a part, thereby making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Abstract: A filter assembly including a filter housing having a standpipe extending upwardly therethrough, in which is located a spring-biased flow element, and about which is received a replaceable filter element. A screw threaded cover is removably attached to the housing. The filter element includes an upper endcap, a center tube, a lower endcap and cylindrical filter media around the center tube. The lower endcap includes a central opening which receives upwardly therethrough the standpipe in sealed relation. A separate actuator with a projection formed to extend therefrom is located in the center tube, either fixedly or movably, below the upper endcap. When the filter element is placed over the standpipe, and the cover attached to the housing, the projection on the actuator pushes down against the spring-biased flow element, putting cavities formed in the flow element and openings formed in the standpipe in fluid communication.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic injection molded filter housing has a first end and a second open end. An injection molded end plate member includes a circumferential annular flange, and an inward annular projection. Opposing, one-piece plastic upper and lower end caps include spaced flanges to receive the respective ends of a filter media therebetween. The upper end cap also includes an upper annular projection. The upper end cap is mechanically, removably connected to the end plate member via corresponding threads or a protuberance/recess interference fit combination. The end plate member is fixedly connected to the housing via a rib that fits into a recess on the housing via an interference fit, or by spin welding. The method for manufacturing the filter includes the following steps: connecting a plastic upper end cap to the media to form a media element; removably, mechanically connecting the upper end cap to the end plate member; and fixedly connecting the end plate member to the second end of the housing.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic injection molded filter housing having first and second open ends, the first end being threaded to receive a separate water collection bowl, and the second end including an external annular recess. An injection molded end plate member includes a circumferential annular flange with an interior annular rib formed thereon, and an inward annular projection with an external thread formed thereon. Opposing, one-piece plastic upper and lower end caps include spaced flanges to receive the respective ends of a filter media therebetween. The upper end cap also includes an upper annular projection that has an internal thread. A hollow plastic molded center tube is used inside a cylindrical paper media. The upper end cap is screwed into the end plate member via the corresponding threads. The rib has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of the second end of the housing.

Abstract: An automatic alignment mechanism for use in a reciprocal tracking laser communicator. A cylindrical transceiver unit having oppositely disposed laser transmitter and detector sections is mounted within an outer cylinder. The outer cylinder has an open end and a closed end with a spherical, mirrored inner surface. Means for mounting the cylindrical transceiver positions the detector facing the mirrored inner surface and constrains the detector to movement in the focal sphere of the mirror. Electromechanical means, responsive to received optical energy reflected by the mirror and focussed onto the detector, rotates the transceiver in accordance with the location of the blur circle of said energy on said detector so that the transceiver is aligned with the source of the optical transmission.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic range containment system for e in an electric/optical or electromagnetic active "radar" type sensor to discriminate against background obstructions within a sensor field of view. The system comprises an intrusion timer initiated by a signal received from a target sensor; a containment interval timer initiated by a turn-on pulse; a transmitter oscillator in combination with a clock generating pulses; a range containment timer initiated by the pulses; a range set-back timer in combination with a range gate and a gate; a range counter for counting and totalling a signal passed through the gate; and a digital-to-analog converter converting the signal from the range counter to the range containment timer providing a range control causing the system to reduce operational range if the background obstructions appear within the sensor's field of view.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for modulating, demodulating, and ordering independent signals transmitted over a single link provides mux-demux capability by asymmetric average interpulse spacing so that the information will be received only by the proper listening station despite interruptions or errors in transmission. In the two signal embodiment, a master oscillator provides an asymmetric carrier pulse train to a pair of ramp generators, one leading pulse edge triggered and the other trailing edge triggered. The ramps pulse position modulate the signals by means of a pair of comparators. The modulated outputs of the comparators are applied to an OR gate which combines the pulses to provide a time division multiplexed stream of modulated data having an asymmetric average interpulse spacing.

Abstract: Inspection is effected by clamping cans between a holder and a photosensitive device which holders and devices are disposed in opposed relationship in a plurality of sets, illuminating exterior of the cans to project light through any opening in the can to the photosensitive device, sensing such light and sending electrical signals to an electronic memory to sort good cans from leakers; the photosensitive device includes an array of directional photodarlingtons one group of which detects openings in can flanges and another group detects openings in can bodies.

Abstract: A realistic laser weapon simulator is disclosed which utilizes a laser transmitter in combination with a rifle for teaching marksmanship by firing laser "bullets" at an infrared detector equipped target. The laser weapon includes a piezoelectric crystal coupled to a laser in a housing for mounting axially to a rifle barrel. The rifle may develope a mechanical force by firing a blank cartridge which generates a shock wave and vibrates the piezoelectric device. A mechanical force may also be applied directly to the piezoelectric device by the rifle's hammer.

Abstract: A laser transmitter system is disclosed which utilizes mechanical energy for generating an output pulse. The laser system includes a current developing device such as a piezoelectric crystal which charges a storage device such as a capacitor in response to a mechanical input signal. The capacitor is coupled to a switching device, such as a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). The switching device is coupled to a laser transmitter such as a GaAs laser diode, which provides an output signal in response to the capacitor being discharged.