Abstract: An electrothermal gas generating device for inflating the air cushion of an occupant restraint system of the "air bag" type. Upon sensing a deceleration above a predetermined threshold level a discharge voltage is applied between electrodes within the electrothermal device which sustains a current arc therebetween, creating a plasma jet which flows into a chamber containing a solid or liquid reactive material. The reactive material is converted into gas by the high temperature, high pressure plasma jet. The gas created then flows into and inflates the air cushion.

Abstract: A tire inflation pressure detector which senses changes in tire pressure by detecting the changes in the spring rate of the tire which result from changes in tire pressure. An accelerometer (40) is mounted on a vehicle suspension component adjacent the tire. The accelerometer is sensitive to vertical accelerations experienced by the tire and provides a signal indicative thereof. A filter bank (64) processes the accelerometer signal so as to define the frequency distribution of the accelerometer output signal. A microcomputer (100) responds to the signals provided by the filters and locates the low frequency resonance peak whose position is influenced by the tire spring rate. The microcomputer determines whether tire pressure is low in accordance with the frequency of the resonance peak.

Abstract: A portable calculator which includes circuitry for disabling operation of the display until a predetermined sequence of digits are entered from the keyboard. The circuitry includes a plurality of latches which are set in sequence in response to application of power to the calculator. The setting of the final latch disables the display so that although the computer chip is operative and responds to entries from the keyboard, no digits are displayed. Decoder circuitry responsive to the segment outputs of the computer chip permits the plurality of latches to be sequentially reset from the computer chip when the predetermined sequence of digits are entered from the keyboard or the computer chip is commanded to perform a mathematical calculation the result of which corresponds to the predetermined sequence of digits.

Abstract: A dual-vehicle operating system permits the simultaneous operation of two automobiles at one time under substantially identical conditions by a single operator. The system has a lead vehicle, with a driver, a servo operated driverless trailing vehicle, and a zero-force mechanical connecting link. An electronic control "drives" the trailing vehicle through servo controls which operate the throttle pedal, brake pedal and steering system of the trailing vehicle. The zero-force link contains transducers which provide lead vehicle responsive inputs to the electronic control so that the trailing vehicle mimics the lead vehicle. Both a manual and an automatic override of the electronic control are present to convert the zero-force link to a mechanical towing system.

Abstract: The adjacent terminals of adjacent battery cells are grouped in regularly spaced pairs of contacts. A first commutating member has a plurality of regularly spaced contact members effective to connect the contacts of each pair but one and is movable sequentially through a plurality of positions to vary the unconnected contact pair. One of the contact members adjacent the unconnected contact pair provides a first output terminal. A second commutating member has a single contact member effective to connect the contacts of one of said pairs and provide a second output terminal and is movable sequentially through a plurality of positions to vary the connected contact pair.

Abstract: A dual-vehicle operating system permits the simultaneous operation of two automobiles at one time under substantially identical conditions by a single operator. The system has a lead vehicle, with a driver, a servo operated driverless trailing vehicle, and a zero-force mechanical connecting link. An electronic control "drives" the trailing vehicle through servo controls which operate the throttle pedal, brake pedal and steering system of the trailing vehicle. The zero-force link contains transducers which provide lead vehicle responsive inputs to the electronic control so that the trailing vehicle mimics the lead vehicle. Both a manual and an automatic override of the electronic control are present to convert the zero-force link to a mechanical towing system.