Abstract: A power converter includes: a multiphase inverter circuit including a plurality of switching elements; a plurality of current sensors each configured to detect a current of the inverter circuit and output a value of the current detected; a terminal voltage detector configured to detect a voltage of each terminal of a load connected to the inverter circuit and output a value of the voltage detected; a switching element drive circuit configured to control the plurality of switching elements of the inverter circuit according to a switching pattern given; a fault detector configured to detect a fault in the inverter circuit or the plurality of current sensors; and a fault identifier configured to, after the fault detector detects the fault, switch the switching pattern to be given to the switching element drive circuit according to types of faults detectable by the fault detector, and perform identification processing of identifying a type and a location of the fault in the inverter circuit or the plurality of cu

Abstract: A sheath for use with an endoscope having a flexible insertion tube to isolate at least a portion of the insertion tube from an external environment, and to alter the bending characteristics of at least a portion of the insertion tube, is shown and described. The sheath includes a compliant tube and an elongated shape-retaining member attached to the compliant tube. The compliant tube has a proximal end having an interior area configured to receive a first portion of the flexible insertion tube. The shape-retaining member extends axially along a second portion of the flexible insertion tube when the first portion of the flexible insertion tube is positioned in the interior area of the compliant tube. The shape-retaining member is sufficiently stiff to remain in a selected shape or position, and to retain the second portion of the flexible insertion tube in the selected shape or position.

Abstract: A coupling cartridge and end cap for protecting an endoscope from contamination during use. The coupling cartridge provides fluid communication between a pair of external fluid conduits and respective channels formed in an endoscope insertion tube, and between a biopsy channel port projecting from the cartridge and an additional insertion tube channel. In one embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by an external fluid control unit that is electrically controlled by respective switches mounted on the control handle of the endoscope. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by a valve mechanism in the coupling cartridge that is controlled by either an actuator on the cartridge or an actuator on the control handle that is mechanically coupled to the valve mechanism. The coupling cartridge may be removed from endoscope after an endoscopic procedure for disposal or rigorous cleaning.

Abstract: A coupling cartridge and end cap for protecting an endoscope from contamination during use. The coupling cartridge provides fluid communication between a pair of external fluid conduits and respective channels formed in an endoscope insertion tube, and between a biopsy channel port projecting from the cartridge and an additional insertion tube channel. In one embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by an external fluid control unit that is electrically controlled by respective switches mounted on the control handle of the endoscope. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the external fluid conduits is controlled by a valve mechanism in the coupling cartridge that is controlled by either an actuator on the cartridge or an actuator on the control handle that is mechanically coupled to the valve mechanism. The coupling cartridge may be removed from endoscope after an endoscopic procedure for disposal or rigorous cleaning.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a video cervicoscope system. More particularly, this invention is directed to a video cervicoscope system for the examination of the cervix comprising:a rigid, elongated tubular member having a light guide;imaging means at the distal end of said tubular member,a disposable, light-transmitting, sleeve diposed about the distal end of said tubular member; andtransmitting means to transmit an image viewed by said imaging means proximally to a control box wherein said image is received and stored.

Abstract: A viewing scope is described having a two-part ocular piece which assures that strain due to probe flexing does not build-up and cause breakage in a quartz silica or other similarly rigid fiberoptic image bundle. The ocular piece includes a holder which maintains the image end of the image bundle in a predetermined position with respect to the ocular parts necessary to focus the image, and a body portion to which the outer tubular cover of the probe is secured. The connection between the holder and body allows limited translational movement between the same so that differential longitudinal expansion between the image bundle and the remainder of the probe can be accommodated.

Abstract: A television tuner comprises a voltage controlled variable capacitance diode provided in common to the UHF band, the VHF high band and the VHF low band. A tuning voltage provided from a channel selecting apparatus is applied to the variable capacitance diode as a control voltage. A relation between the tuning voltage and the receiving frequencies is selected such that the tuning voltage of the high end channel (the maximum receivable frequency) of the UHF band is higher than the tuning voltages of the respective high end channels of the remaining bands and the tuning voltage of the low end channel (the minimum receivable frequency) of the VHF low band is lower than the tuning voltage of the respective low end channels of the remaining bands. The channel selecting apparatus is adapted to restrict the upper and lower limits of the tuning voltage, whereby the upper limit of the receivable frequency of the UHF band is restricted and the lower limit of the receivable frequency of the VHF low band is restricted.

Abstract: A television tuner comprises a tuning circuit including a voltage controlled variable capacitance diode. The tuning circuit is housed within a shield casing. The shield casing is provided with a terminal for electrical connection to the variable capacitance diode and the terminal is supplied with a tuning voltage from a channel selecting apparatus. A Zener diode is connected between the tuning voltage terminal and the shield casing, whereby the upper limit of the tuning voltage being applied to the variable capacitance diode is restricted. A predetermined voltage determinable dependent on the Zener diode is selected such that the tuning frequency established by the tuning circuit when the predetermined voltage is applied to the variable capacitance diode may be a predetermined upper limit frequency of a desired receiving frequency band. The lower limit of the tuning voltage is also restricted so as not to become lower than a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A tuning voltage generating apparatus of a voltage synthesizer type comprises a voltage converter which converts into a reference voltage a voltage level of an input pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to a frequency to be received and a low-pass filter which converts the pulse signal voltage converted by the voltage converter into a direct current voltage which is withdrawn as a tuning voltage. A reference voltage applied to the voltage converter is generated by dividing a voltage stabilized by a constant voltage diode using a resistor. A resistor voltage divider circuit determines the upper limit of the tuning voltage obtained from the low-pass filter. Two kinds of reference voltages having different levels may be generated as a reference voltage and switched associated with band switching.

Abstract: A station selecting apparatus comprises a preset signal generating circuit comprising a charging/discharging circuit including a parallel connection of a variable resistor and a capacitor and being adapted to generate a pulsive preset signal having a pulse width determined as a function of a discharging time constant of the above described charging/discharging circuit. A semifixed resistor is connected between the variable resistor of the preset signal generating circuit and the ground for the purpose of defining the minimum pulse width of the preset signal and a further semifixed resistor is connected in parallel with the variable resistor for the purpose of defining the maximum pulse width of the preset signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of blood smear specimens is constructed to successively discharge glass slides from a stack. A first glass slide is laid horizontally near the point of discharge and a second glass slide is discharged into a slanted position with its lower edge in contact with the leading end of horizontal glass slide. A drop of blood is applied near the leading end of the horizontal glass slide behind the position of contact of the glass slide in the slanted position and the horizontal glass slide is advanced to smear the blood onto the horizontal slide using the slanted glass slide as a coater. The slanted glass slide is then allowed to fall into the horizontal position and another glass slide is discharged from the stack into the slanted position, whereafter the process is repeated.

Abstract: A detection means is provided for generating an analog signal in response to a rotation angle of a servomotor which drives a carriage in a printer. A servomotor drive circuit is responsive to a print command from an input means and the analog signal from the detection means, whereby the carriage is driven to travel forward upon receipt of the print command and to stop upon receipt of a print termination signal. The carriage is then held stationary at a predetermined position suitable for the next character to be printed as determined by the rotation angle of the servomotor which is fed back to the servomotor drive circuit.

Abstract: In an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type which records character patterns in, for example, a 5 .times. 7 dot matrix pattern, ink droplets not assigned to primary matrix dots are used for interpolation dots which will be deposited between two adjacent primary matrix dots on a record receiving member. The printing quality can be enhanced by provision of these interpolation dots.

Abstract: An electronic tabulator for use in non-impact printers and similar data terminal printout apparatus includes a random access memory (RAM) having a capability of storing the maximum of printing carriage positions to be tabulated at random order in response to TAB preset instructions, which in one preferred form may be implemented with MOS integrated circuit technology. While the carriage is moved in incremental steps along a given path in the course of the printing operation, address signals representative of the instantaneous positions of the carriage are developed from a carriage address counter. If there is evaluated an equivalence between the address signal and the preset signal of the memory, the memory produces its output which is in turn applied to the carriage bearing a printing member to indicate that the printing operation should be effected at that position.

Abstract: In an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type, wherein a printing head is transported in a horizontal direction and vertical deflection is achieved by a pair of high voltage deflection plates, it is required to transport the printing head at a fixed velocity in the printing process. More particularly, in order to execute intermittent printing by repetition of the transporting and stopping of the printing head in response to intermittent input signals, it is necessary that printing is restricted during the time required for increasing the velocity of the printing head to a desired level and then permitted after that time. The present invention provides a system wherein the generation of printing start signals is delayed by a predetermined period following the application of input signals, and also a system wherein printing start signals are generated when the actual velocity of the head has been sensed as reaching the desired velocity.

Abstract: In ink jet system printers of the charge amplitude controlling type, it is required, to ensure stable printing, that ink drop separation (drop formation) is timed to be in agreement with the application of charging signals. To this end, there are provided phase detecting signals having a period which is an integral multiple of the period of the exciting signals for the ultra-sonic vibrator attached to a jet nozzle, and which phase detecting signals are of opposite polarity to the charging signals. Moreover, in the printing operation, there are provided phase detecting ink drops which are charged by the phase detecting signals, in addition to printing ink drops. After the charge amplitude on the phase detecting drops is sensed, the phase detecting signals are controlled in a manner that the charge amplitude on the phase detecting drops takes the maximum value at all times.

Abstract: An ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type wherein a charge amplitude on ink drops charged by the application of phase detection signals to a charging electrode is sensed and then the relationship in phase between charging signals and ink drop separation is compensated in a manner to ensure that the ink drops are charged at an optimum state at all times. In the ink jet system there is provided a phase synchronization detection circuit for producing phase synchronization signals only when the phase relation is maintained at an optimum state due to the compensation, and a phase synchronization time period measuring circuit for determining whether the phase synchronization signals occur in sequence during a specified period of time and for producing printing ready signals if an affirmative answer is obtained.

Abstract: An ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type wherein a predetermined phase relationship is established between separation of ink drops from a nozzle to a record receiving member and application of charging signals to a charging electrode, through detection of the amplitude of charge carried on ink drops contributable to phase determination. Charging signals of one polarity containing intelligence signals are supplied to the charging electrode to charge ink drops contributable to printing, whereas phase detecting signals of the opposite polarity to that of the charging signals are supplied to the charging electrode for the purpose of charging ink drops contributable to phase determination. Both of the charging signals and the phase detecting signals are mixed in a mixer circuit arrangement of a simple construction which consists of a pair of switches, before both signals are supplied to the charging electrode.

Abstract: It is essential for an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type that an ink drop separation rhythm is in correct phase relation with respect to the application of charging signals. Detection of such phase relation may be achieved by forming phase detecting ink drops in addition to printing ink drops, charging these phase detection drops with phase detection signals and then measuring the amplitude of the charges on the individual drops. One approach to detecting the amplitude of charge on the phase detecting drops is to establish a panel shaped or strip shaped detection electrode adjacent the wake of the ink drops thereby enabling said detection by virtue of electrostatic induction.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer of charge amplitude controlling type wherein a carriage travelling in a horizontal direction and carrying a nozzle for issuing ink drops and a charge electrode for charging the ink drops by voltage corresponding information sought to be recorded is provided together with a pair of high voltage deflection plates, a pair of compensation electrodes are provided on the carriege to establish an electric field being at right angles to the direction of the electric field formed by the deflection plates and voltage to the compensation electrodes is adjustable thereby to control inclination of a printed pattern.