Abstract: A ring opener for opening tab-top cans and capped containers having a lip portion for removing a container tab when engaged with the container tab, and a tooth portion for removing a container cap from the container's mouth when applied to the container cap.

Abstract: A method and system measure the instantaneous volume of blood contained within a chamber of a heart, irrespective of its shape, whereby stroke volume and cardiac output volume can be continuously monitored and feedback to a non-blood contacting cardiac assist device. In a preferred form the device uses the distances between the sensors which are implanted in a biomaterial that integrates with a heart surface to determine changes in heart volume. Sonomicrometry crystal measurements are disclosed as a preferred mode of obtaining distance readings. A computer readable medium carries instructions to convert data from dimension sensors into sensor positions within a predetermined coordinate system. Ventricular volume is based on the sensor positions.

Abstract: A ring opener for opening tab-top cans and capped containers having a lip portion for removing a container tab when engaged with the container tab, and a tooth portion for removing a container cap from the container's mouth when applied to the container cap.

Abstract: An identification transmission system for use in an amusement device includes a transmitting antenna, a transmitter and a piezo-electric power source. The transmitter circuit is configured to broadcast a predetermined tone on a predetermined carrier frequency through the antenna. The piezo-electric power source is electrically coupled to the transmitter circuit and is configured to at least briefly provide power to the transmitter circuit. The piezo-electro power source includes a piezo-electric element, a striker, a storage capacitor and a voltage controlled switch. The striker is configured to move so as to at least briefly strike the piezo-electric element. The storage capacitor is configured to receive and store electrical charge from the piezo-electric element. The voltage controlled switch is configured to allow the storage capacitor to discharge through the transmitter circuit thereby providing power thereto after a predetermined amount of charge has been stored.

Abstract: A filter assembly for collecting material that is entrained in a gas stream includes a housing for a filter element. The housing has first and second ends with an inlet and an outlet at the first end for the gas that is to be filtered, and a support surface on its internal wall at a point towards its second end. The assembly includes a tubular filter element arranged within the housing for the gas stream to flow through its wall between the inlet and the outlet. The element is located in the housing by way of a support which extends between the filter element at or towards its end and the support surface on the internal side wall of the housing on which the support rests.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a serotonin transport inhibitor and a 5-HT1D antagonist, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Abstract: A filter assembly for collecting material that is entrained in a gas stream includes a housing for a filter element. The housing has first and second ends with an inlet and an outlet at the first end for the gas that is to be filtered, and a support surface on its internal wall at a point towards its second end. The assembly includes a tubular filter element arranged within the housing for the gas stream to flow through its wall between the inlet and the outlet. The element is located in the housing by way of a support which extends between the filter element at or towards its end and the support surface on the internal side wall of the housing on which the support rests.

Abstract: A power module having a power circuit board free of mounting holes and more usable surface area for disposition of copper traces is shown. The power module includes a power shell that snaps onto the underside of the power circuit board. The power shell has embedded therein a thermally conductive substrate. One or a plurality of power semiconductor devices are disposed over one side of the thermally conductive substrate. A heatsink is mounted to the underside of the power shell in thermal contact with the thermally conductive substrate. The heatsink is mounted to the underside of the power shell by a heatsink retainer which biases the heatsink against the substrate. The heatsink retainer is mounted on retainer posts which extend from the underside of the power shell.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for analysing a signal is disclosed, the method comprising producing a model of the signal and comparing the model to a predetermined model of a signal due to a phenomenon, thereby to determine whether the model represents a signal due to that phenomenon. A method of and apparatus for detecting the presence of a sample in a larger sample which is not known to contain the sample is also disclosed, the method comprising detecting a signal comprising a response from the sample, producing a model of the signal, and comparing the model to a predetermined model of a response from the sample, thereby to determine whether the sample is present. The techniques have particular application in Magnetic Resonance and Quadrupole Resonance.

Abstract: A communication scheme is employed for transmitting control signals from a remote control to a toy vehicle. The remote control includes control switches, an encoder and a transmitter and the toy vehicle includes a receiver, a decoder and actuators for controlling the operation of the toy vehicle in accordance with received control signals. The encoder generates a continuous stream of control signal packets with each of the packets including a predetermined number of biphase encoded bits. Each biphase encoded bit is of the same predetermined width with a 50% duty cycle, including two transmit elements. For one binary state, both of the transmit elements are the same and for the other binary state both of the transmit elements are opposite. Each packet includes a first predetermined number of flag bits, a second predetermined number of data bits and at least one checksum bit.

Abstract: A filter assembly for collecting material that is entrained in a gas stream includes a housing for a tubular filter element. The housing has first and second ends with an inlet and an outlet at the first end for the gas that is to be filtered, and a support surface on its internal wall at a point towards its second end. The assembly includes a tubular filter element arranged within the housing for the gas stream to flow through its wall between the inlet and the outlet. The element is located in the housing by means of a support which extends between the filter element at or towards its end and the support surface on the internal side wall of the housing on which the support rests.

Abstract: A power module having a power circuit board free of mounting holes and more usable surface area for disposition of copper traces is shown. The power module includes a power shell that snaps onto the underside of the power circuit board. The power shell has embedded therein a thermally conductive substrate. One or a plurality of power semiconductor devices are disposed over one side of the thermally conductive substrate. A heatsink is mounted to the underside of the power shell in thermal contact with the thermally conductive substrate. The heatsink is mounted to the underside of the power shell by a heatsink retainer which biases the heatsink against the substrate. The heatsink retainer is mounted on retainer posts which extend from the underside of the power shell.

Abstract: A filter assembly for collecting material that is entrained in a gas stream includes a housing having inlet and outlet ports for the gas that is to be filtered. The housing includes an end cap in which at least one of the ports is provided, and a body section in which a tubular filter can be located arranged for the gas stream to flow through its wall provided by a filter medium, the end cap and the body section being separable to allow access to the inside of the housing. A tubular member, which might be a filter element or a conduit for directing a flow of gas to a filter element, can be sealingly connected to the end cap in fluid communication with one of the ports therein. The tubular member includes a tang which can be received in a recess in the housing when the tubular member and the housing end cap are properly assembled.

Abstract: A flexible power assembly (FPA) provides a new packaging concept suitable for motor control and other functions. An insulated metal substrate (IMS) supports power semiconductor devices and is mounted directly on a heatsink, which supports a circuit board that is mounted above and spaced from the top side of the IMS. There are provided devices that are mounted on the circuit board which are electrically connected to the power semiconductor devices. There may be a cavity in the circuit board allowing the top of the IMS to be exposed, and optionally providing access for bonding wires to the top of the circuit. Bonding pads may be provided on the circuit board for electrical connection with the bonding wires. A cover may be optionally provided to enclose a space over the cavity. Potting compound may be contained in the space created by the cavity.

Abstract: A method of charging a battery, and particularly a nickel battery, in a mobile charger, such as a vehicular charger, which is subjected to elevated temperatures. The method includes the steps of a first charging of the battery until a temperature inflection occurs, and then ceasing the charging while the battery temperature stabilizes. Then the battery is charged a second time, and a parameter is monitored for an indication of a full charge, such as temperature inflection or voltage cut-off. Preferably, when the battery reaches an elevated temperature, the charging is ceased until the battery stabilizes, and the charger monitors either temperature inflection, voltage cut-off, or a Coulomb count to determine when the battery has a full charge.

Abstract: A hybrid sphygmomanometer comprises: (a) an arm cuff with an inflatable air bladder; (b) a pumping device for inflating the air bladder; (c) a manually controlled air outlet valve for deflating the air bladder; (d) an air pressure transducer operative to receive the pressure in the air bladder of the arm cuff and to produce an electrical signal representing this pressure; (e) a manually operated switch for generating systolic and diastolic interrupt signals; (f) a first electronic display for displaying the instantaneous pressure in the air bladder in the form of a bar graph; (g) a second electronic display for displaying systolic and diastolic pressures; and (h) an electrical circuit connected to the pressure transducer and to the button for controlling said first and second display. The first display, for displaying the instantaneous pressure in the air bladder, is a simulated mercury column.

Abstract: A printer or copier using transfer printing has a fixing drum for fixing toner on a medium, such as paper. Parting liquid, or release agent, is applied to the fixing drum using an application element, the application element being moved over the surface of the fixing drum as it is unwound from a supply roll and wound onto a take-up roll. The speed of the supply roll is sensed and the motor of the take-up roll is controlled so that the speed of the application element is constant regardless of changes in the diameter of the application element on the supply roll. The speed of the supply roll may be sensed with a magnet and Hall sensor arrangement.