Abstract: A fusing system for a xerographic printer in which the energy from a plurality of flash lamps is used to melt and fuse toner particles to paper sheets as said sheets travel through the fusing station. Each flash lamp has an associated storage capacitor and a charging circuit for that capacitor which is operative to develop a charge on its associated storage capacitor depending upon the length dimension of the paper sheets flowing through the system. Moreover, the capacitor charging circuits are rendered operative in a predetermined serial order so as not to unduly load down the alternating current source for the system. A lamp triggering circuit synchronized with the zero-crossings of the alternating current supply voltage provides the ignition potential for the flash lamps such that firing takes place at a time when the supply voltage is at a minimum.

Abstract: A catheter for facilitating the restoration of patency to a blood vessel occluded with an atheroma or other similar lesion or thrombus comprising an outer flexible plastic tubular member having a plurality of ports proximate its distal end and concentrically surrounding an inner flexible plastic tubular member having a cutting loop at its distal end. The distal end portion of the inner tubular member is journaled for rotation in the distal end portion of the outer tubular member. A motor is provided at the proximal end of the catheter assembly for rotatably driving the inner tubular member and the cutting loop thereof while flushing the treatment site and aspirating the flushing liquid, blood and any debris loosened during the procedure.

Abstract: An improved valve for use in combination with a hand-held nozzle for a lawn treatment system which is designed to allow selective application of a second liquid chemical by the operator in conjunction with the application of a first liquid chemical. The system includes separate pressurized sources for each of the two chemicals as well as a pair of hoses concentric with each other, each hose communicating with one of said pressurized sources and said valve. The nozzle includes means for connecting the hose associated with the first pressurized source, means for connecting the hose associated with the second pressurized source, and an operator controlled valve means for permitting and restricting flow of said second chemical through the valve, a nozzle, and means for connecting a nozzle to the valve.

Abstract: A mounting pad means for use in combination with solid-state semiconductive translating devices and including a base pad with flange walls extending from said base pad, and with device mounting pad means being secured to the surface of the base pad and comprising a thin layer of silicone base rubber. The base pad an flange walls are formed of a generally rigid laminate with a core having outer metal foil layers disposed on opposite surfaces thereof, and wherein the core is composed of a thin layer of silicone base rubber.

Abstract: An electrosurgical blade having a silicon nitride ceramic substrate having a beveled working edge with first and second conductive metal traces adhered to opposed side surfaces of the substrate along the working edge so as to be closely spaced relative to one another across the thickness dimension of the beveled working edge. Further conductive traces are formed on opposed sides of the substrate along the other edge of the substrate. In use, when a high RF voltage is applied between the traces extending along the working edge and the surgical blade is brought into contact with tissue, the relatively high current density causes relatively high heating to take place, bursting the cells and creating an incision. When a high RF voltage is applied between the traces separated by the width dimension of the substrate, the current density therebetween is significantly lower but sufficient to create enough heat to dehydrate tissue and blood cells whereby coagulation is achieved.

Abstract: An add-on wheel/axle assembly for truck-type vehicles for reducing the effective axle load of the vehicle allowing the carrying of greater payloads without violating Governmentally imposed road restrictions. The assembly includes a hydraulically actuatable articulated arm assembly where one end of a first arm link is pivotally joined to opposed sides of the truck frame proximate its rear end and with wheels mounted on stub axles affixed to the other ends of said arm assemblies. A cross-member offset by a predetermined distance from the stub axles joins the arm assemblies together and a hydraulic cylinder is operatively coupled between the truck frame and the articulated arms for extending and retracting the wheels between a ground-engaging disposition and an elevated disposition. Further hydraulic cylinders also cooperate with the articulated arms to draw the wheels in a straddling disposition relative to the truck frame when the wheels are in their elevated disposition.

Abstract: A signal responsive circuit especially adapted for use in a water treatment system for signaling the need for regeneration of an ion exchange resin bed or the replacement of a particulate filter medium. A series of three electrodes are disposed in the water treatment medium in longitudinally spaced relation along the direction of flow and an alternating current signal drives the center-most electrode. The two outer electrodes are coupled as inputs to first and second operational amplifiers having asymmetrical gain characteristics. When the effective resistance between the center electrode and the two outer electrodes are equal, which is the condition prior to the movement of the hardness front or contamination front to the location of the electrodes, a first signal output condition exists.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for advancing an optical fiber in a laser enhanced transluminal angioplasty catheter, and for controlling the introduction of laser energy into the fiber. The device includes a catheter and a fiber advance housing. The optical fiber runs through the catheter and housing, and is optically connected to a source of laser energy. A fiber advance assembly, mounted in the housing, reciprocates to advance and retract the fiber relative to the catheter and housing. An actuator member is provided inside the housing to slide independently of the fiber advance assembly. A switching means, provided in the housing, is closed to enable introduction of laser energy into the optical fiber whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed forwardly of a select position relative to the actuator member. The switching means is open, thereby preventing introduction of laser energy into the fiber, whenever the fiber advance assembly is disposed rearwardly of the select position.

Abstract: A Y-connector for attachment to the proximal end of a guide catheter which includes an arm projecting from the side of the Y-connector, the arm including a clamp for securing a catheter guidewire against movement relative to the guide catheter.

Abstract: A steerable catheter guide comprised of an outer tube and an inner member surrounded by and rotatable with respect to said outer tube is disclosed. The steerable catheter guide also includes a formable member bonded to said inner member and said outer tube in the area of their respective distal ends. This design causes any rotation of the inner member with respect to the outer member to impart a torque directly to the distal end of the guide making steering much easier and less erratic.

Abstract: Withdrawal and dissipation of heat from an electronic solid-state device by an associated heat-sink structure are promoted by a relatively thin broad-area dielectric interfacing composed of dual filled layers of compliant silicone rubber in sandwiching relation to a porous glass-cloth carrier, one of the layers being pre-vulcanized and the other being subsequently cured and bonded in place once the composite interfacing has been applied to heat-sink surfaces adapted for abutment with the device for the intended heat transfer. The soft rubber interfacing offers good dielectric and insulating and voltage-breakdown characteristics even when well loaded with thermally-conductive oxides, and intimate voidless surface contacts and high-quality thermal matching are fostered both along abutting compliant surfaces of the pre-cured portion of the interfacing and along fully bonded surfaces of the portion cured in situ.

Abstract: A switch device for one-time use in conducting very high currents comprising a silicon substrate on which is deposited a amorphous silicon or polysilicon strip extending as a bridge between first and second spaced-apart metal contacts deposited on the silicon substrate. Also deposited on the same substrate on opposite sides of the bridge and spaced from it are a set of high voltage contacts. When a high voltage is applied across the contacts, no current flows until a trigger current is made to flow through the bridge, the trigger current being sufficiently large to vaporize the bridge creating a plasma cloud. The plasma, being highly conductive, allows a very large current to flow between the high voltage contacts. The device of the present invention finds special application as part of a detonation system for high explosive ammunitions. This specification discloses various modifications to the above structure to achieve desired performance characteristics.

Abstract: A wood surface treatment system comprising a tandemly arranged endless abrasive cross-belt and flexible rotary abrading surface treating apparatus wherein the abrasive cross-belt portion of the system which includes a platen assembly arranged to move in an oscillatory or epicyclic pattern relative to the work surface and wherein the flexible rotary abrading portion of the apparatus includes a pair of angularly disposed rotary abraders, such as cylindrical brushes. The axis of each individual flexible rotary abrader is disposed at an acute angle, preferably 45 degrees, to the axis of the conveyor, with the individual axes being preferably disposed at 90 degrees, one to the other. The cross-belt portion of the apparatus preferably includes means for drivably oscillating the platen.

Abstract: An improved cap valving means for hot air load-carrying balloons which is designed to be opened and/or closed rapidly so as to assist in control of the balloon. The valve and/or vent includes a disc which may be opened by applying a force to a pull cord, and wherein the applied force is provided with an improved mechanical advantage so as to unseat the disc and thereby open the interior of the balloon envelope to the ambient. In addition to the pull cord, the control cord includes a number of disc cords which are spaced at substantially equally arcuately spaced points around the circumference of the disc, to assist in guiding the disc in its opening and closing motion.

Abstract: Contained within a splash water impervious housing and secured to a shock-mounted equipment support plate are an internal combustion engine, a water pump and a generator, each with a vertically-oriented shaft. Also disposed on the support plate immediately adjacent the engine's exhaust manifold is a water-cooled muffler. Combustion air for the engine and cooling air for the generator is drawn into the housing through a labyrinthian passage, which is effective to block the entry of splash water into the enclosure defined by the housing. The water pump and generator are driven by the engine with the water pump delivering cooling water to the engine's oil pan and cylinder block as well as to the muffler. The heated water is then discharged with the engine's exhaust through the muffler.

Abstract: A side-launch transition for efficiently joining a coaxial transmission line or coaxial connector to a microstrip transmission line for operation at millimeter wave frequencies. The microstrip transmission line comprises a conductive microstrip pattern on one side of a dielectric substrate and a ground plane on the other. The conductive microstrip pattern includes a rectangular terminal pad area of a predetermined length designed to be approximately equal to the wavelength of the signal being transmitted. This pad area is integrally joined to the microstrip line. A circular iris or aperture, is formed through the ground plane and is in a centered alignment with the terminal pad on the opposite side of the substrate. A small hole extends through the center of the iris and penetrates the substrate as well as the conductive pad area.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating that a motor vehicle's headlamps are in their high beam condition. Rather than mounting a light source on the dashboard as conventional, the indicator light is mounted in the top center portion of the vehicle's steering wheel with the wiring therefore routed through the rim and spokes of the steering wheel to the steering column.