Abstract: A gas discharge display device for exhibiting an analog value in a sealed envelope having a viewing window with a plurality of linear cathode segments arranged in succession to form a row or column capable of exhibiting a glow discharge. The cathodes are arranged in groups within the sealed envelope with a separate anode electrode in operative relationship with each of the groups of cathodes. Alternate ones of the anode electrodes are activated simultaneously in alternating sequence, so that the time duration of cathode glow exhibited on each cathode segment is increased to provide a significant increase in the intensity of the bar graph display. The intensity of the bar graph may be decreased to accommodate a surrounding environment by reducing the on time for each cathode segment.

Abstract: A flat screen, electrically controlled, reflective display device is provided that utilizes a very thin layer of a positive dielectric anisotropy liquid crystalline material of the nematic type. The selected liquid crystal material is one whose optical phase shift transmission is a sensitive function of the electric field within it, allowing controlled optical transmission in conjunction with an optical circular polarizer. The nematic material is placed in a very thin layer in a flat-sided cell between transparent planar cell wall elements that accurately define the thickness of the nematic layer. Birefringence of the nematic liquid crystal is controlled by voltages applied to interleave arrays of alternate parallel electrodes coated on the inner surface of only one of the transparent cell elements. The invention includes novel means for holding constant and uniform the thickness of the thin nematic layer and for reducing undesired parallax and multiple image effects.

Abstract: An air driven centrifuge which utilizes a stator with a floating stator pad for alleviating excessive vibration of the rotor associated with critical rotating speeds. The floating stator pad incorporates means for increasing the friction between the pad and the stator in order to increase the ability of the stator pad to provide greater dampening of the rotor for improving the smoothness and stability of its operation.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor having a sealing element which automatically controls in response to the centrifugation operation the fluid communication between separate fluid mixture chambers within the rotor. The sealing element is situated within the rotor above an annular and an inner chamber used for containing a fluid mixture. When the rotor is assembled and stationary, the sealing element establishes a seal between the respective chambers. During the rotation of the rotor in a centrifuge, the centrifugally induced pressure exerted by the fluid mixture moves the sealing element, releasing the seal between the respective chambers and allowing fluid communication between the chambers. As the rotor returns to a stationary position and the centrifugally induced pressure of the fluid mixture subsides, the sealing element automatically re-establishes the seal between the respective chambers.

Abstract: This invention provides a snap-in terminal for electrical connection between an external conductor and a conductive film deposited on a nonconductive substrate. The terminal is stamped from a flat sheet of resilient conductive material and comprises a center position having a forward extension to which the external conductor may be attached and a rearward extension curved downward for establishing electrical contact with the film on the substrate, and a plurality of legs extending outward from the center portion and bent about 90.degree. downward from the center portion, each leg having at its terminus a tab. The terminal is installed by inserting the legs into a slot in the substrate contiguous with the film. The tabs deflect to fit within the restricted space of the slot and then recover their original position as they emerge from the slot at the bottom of the substrate, thereby securing the terminal to the substrate.

Abstract: An adjustable supporting arrangement used within the sample receiving cavity of a centrifuge rotor to hold and align a plurality of test tubes. The arragement is comprised of a series of similarly configured interface layers which can be variably arranged to accommodate different sized test tubes. A bracket member is utilized to retain the alignment of the various interface layers and hold them as a single unit for convenient movement into and out of the rotor cavity. Incorporated within the supporting arrangement is a separate cushion pad to receive the bottom ends of the test tubes. A uniquely designed divider plate can be placed within the supporting arrangement to partition the rotor cavity into two areas for receipt of two sets of test tubes in stacked relation.

Abstract: An adaptor for use in a centrifuge bucket for evenly distributing a number of cylindrical test tubes thereacross and for maximizing the number of test tubes positionable in the bucket. The adaptor comprises a thin, flat, disc-shaped plate having a diameter approximately equal to the inside diameter of the bucket and a plurality of separate, unconnected partitions made integral with and extending normal to one side of the plate, the partitions defining a plurality of cavities for receipt of the bases of the test tubes. The partitions support substantially less than the entire circumference of each tube and have lengths which are substantially less than the lengths of the tubes. A lifting tray and handle provide means for lifting the adaptor and test tubes from the rotor bucket.

Abstract: A vacuum seal for use in a continuous flow centrifuge apparatus for minimizing heat transfer from the vacuum bushing to the rotary transfer tube which is conducting the sample solution to the centrifuge rotor. An elongate, cylindrical sleeve surrounds the transfer tube, coaxial therewith and spaced therefrom, adjacent the upper end thereof, between the transfer tube and the vacuum bushing, the bushing creating an oil film around the transfer tube to provide the vacuum seal, the annulus formed between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the transfer tube isolating the transfer tube from the heat created in the oil film.

Abstract: In a centrifuge rotor of the type including a yoke and an enclosure for the yoke, the enclosure being operatively connected to the yoke for rotation therewith, the enclosure comprising a wind shield physically connected to the bottom of the yoke and extending beneath the yoke and around the sides thereof and a lid being positionable over the yoke to engage the wind shield for completely enclosing the yoke, there is disclosed a method and means for retaining the lid in contact with the wind shield wherein the wind shield terminates in an upwardly facing circular lip and the cover terminates in a downwardly facing circular lip so that the lip of the lid engages the lip of the wind shield, there being no physical connection between the lid and the wind shield, the lid being retained in contact with the shield during rotation of the centrifuge rotor by the force created by the naturally-occurring low pressure within the enclosure, beneath the lid.