Abstract: An apparatus for electrophoretic separation comprising a fixed support structure and a cassette shell which is removably attached to the support device. Within the cassette shell is a basket having symmetrically arranged ribs to secure a capillary tube in a helical configuration. The ribs have notches to receive a loop of the helically wound capillary tube. The notches of the ribs alternate in orientation with respect to the axis of the helically wound capillary tube. A quarter-turn locking member provides electrical, optical and coolant fluid communication between the cassette shell and the support device.

Abstract: Measuring the distance to a surface of an object using ultrasonic energy pulses, an ultrasonic energy pulse is directed toward the object and the time is measured for the reflection to return so as to determine the distance to the object. A reference ultrasonic pulse is directed through a fixed and known distance to provide a reference measurement. To enhance the accuracy of the measurement, the air in the region traversed by the ultrasonic pulses is mixed by directing a swirling flow of air in this region so that the temperature of the air in the path of the reference measurement is more nearly representative of the temperature of the air where the distance measurement is taken.

Abstract: An apparatus for operatively connecting an electrophoresis capillary tube to a housing assembly, wherein the connecting involves fluid, optical and electrical communication. A capillary cassette is removably fixed to the housing assembly and a detector door is pivoted into place to provide vacuum, electrical ground and optical detection of electrophoretic migration at an outlet end of the capillary tube. The vacuum connection is actuated by a cam mechanism which converts the pivoting motion of the detector door into a reciprocating motion of a vacuum connector which is selectively received within the capillary cassette. The cam mechanism includes an arcuate groove on the detector door, a fixed linear slot and a coupling of the vacuum connector, the arcuate groove and linear slot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the period of a frequency signal having a period greater than a minimum period and within a period range. A clock frequency is generated such that when multiplied by the predetermined range the product is less than 2.sup.N and when multiplied by the minimum period of the product is less than 2.sup.N+M. The resulting clock frequency is multiplied by the minimum period to generate an offset number. A counter is preset with the offset number in response to a detected edge transition of the frequency signal. The counter counts at the clock frequency from a complement of the offset number to a final count at a subsequent edge transition. The final count is contained within the first N bits and is related to the period of the frequency signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting the depth position of the source rod of a portable nuclear measuring gauge having a housing with the elongate source rod extending vertically therethrough and mounted for vertical sliding movement to various depth positions. The apparatus comprises an elongate variable resistance element extending axially parallel to said source rod, means for slideably engaging the elongate variable resistance element as the source rod is moved to various depth positions so as to vary the resistance of said variable resistance element, and means electrically connected to said variable resistance element for sensing the changes in resistance thereof and converting such changes into an indication of the depth position of the source rod.

Abstract: The remaining battery life of a battery powered device is predicted by monitoring the immediate past history of battery life and employing this immediate past history as a basis for subsequent predictions of the useful life of the battery. By this approach, the present invention is able to take into account the deterioration of battery life which occurs during the life-time of a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented which protects the cabling system on a computer. The apparatus allows only bona fide users to electro/mechanically connect or disconnect cables to a computer system. The apparatus essentialy comprises a first structure and a locking cover. The first structure is attached to a first cable terminal and prevents other terminals from being electro/mechanically connected to the first cable terminal. The locking cover then prevents the first structure from being removed from the first cable terminal. In the preferred embodiment the first structure is attached to the first cable terminal by one or more screws and the locking cover prevents access to the screw(s).

Abstract: A system for controlling a multi-cell battery having a first set of the cells thereof comprising an active partition adapted for connection to a load and a second set of the cells thereof not connected to the load and comprising a passive partition. Sensors in the cells monitor the temperature, vapor pressure, capacity, pH, current, and voltage of different cells. Signals representative of data values from the sensors are sent to controls which compare it to reference data values and switch cells from the active partition to the passive partition in response to changes in differences between the sensed and reference data values. Cells in the passive partition are recharged from reserve cells. The controls also provide read-outs of the amount of charge remaining in the battery and of the battery's remaining useful life.

Abstract: A solar heating system for supplementary heat in a building and preheating a supply of domestic water which collects significant quantities of heat at low temperatures to provide an efficient system which minimizes heat loss. A water preheating system is disposed within a larger solar enclosure to provide higher temperatures to preheat water with high efficiency. The structure of the building, i.e. the basement or crawl space, is used to store heat, thereby eliminating the need for bulky heat storage devices and reducing capital investment. High efficiency is afforded by the low temperature differentials which significantly reduce radiant heat loss.

Abstract: A disposable hood of unitary one-piece construction for maintaining a desired gas atmosphere about the head of a patient incorporates a novel attachment means for connecting a flexible conduit or hose to the hood. The hood itself is a generally bubble-shaped chamber molded of a transparent material with the top and sidewalls being joined in arcuate contours so that there are no sharp corners. Flat extension means extend from the bottom of the hood so as to lie flatwise on the bed, and an arcuate ballast member is adapted to fit closely around the hood and on the flat extension means to hold the hood in position on the bed.

Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. A cylindrical, hollow extension extends from the outlet means coaxially within and to about the midsection of the flexible conduit. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in control apparatus which prevents formation of smoke in a combustion process. The conventional control includes apparatus for first providing the proper flow of either air or fuel to the process to satisfy the required demand for heat. A ratio device is then used to determine the flow of the remaining component necessary for obtaining proper combustion conditions. Where the BTU content of the fuel is likely to vary, a device for analyzing stack gases, typically an oxygen probe is then used to provide a signal to adjust the ratio device based on conditions indicated by the stack gases. The improvement of this invention includes a device for determining when the proportion of the exhaust gas component is outside limitations indicating smoking may occur and an emergency control device actuated when such conditions exist for rapidly adjusting the proportions of fuel and air supplied to the process in order to prevent smoking.

Abstract: A field replaceable electrode assembly for a magnetic flowmeter or the like in which an electrode may be readily installed in and sealed relative to a fitting provided on a meter body from the exterior of the meter body. In particular, the end of the electrode assembly in sensing relation with the fluid being metered is structured as to be "self-cleaned" by the flow of the fluid.

Abstract: A field replaceable electrode assembly for a magnetic flowmeter or the like in which an electrode may be readily installed in and sealed relative to a fitting provided on a meter body from the exterior of the meter body. The electrode assembly of the present invention is particularly well-suited for use with flow meter bodies having a sprayed-in-place electrical insulative liner therein.

Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. A cylindrical, hollow extension extends from the outlet means coaxially within and to about the midsection of the flexible conduit. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released.

Abstract: In a printing device, including a drive means such as a stepping means and a driven shaft for advancing a form, a form aligning mechanism comprises a generally cylindrical hollow knob mounted concentrically with the driven shaft by a mounting means which converts a force of sufficient magnitude applied in almost any direction to the generally cylindrical hollow knob into a longitudinal displacement of the driven shaft so as to disengage the driven shaft from the drive means, thereby permitting fine adjustment of the vertical position of the form in the printing device.

Abstract: A flow regulating device provides continuous, regulated flow of a medical fluid, as well as intermittent, manually controlled larger flows of fluid to a catheter system. Such apparatus includes a control member having an inlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a source of medical fluid and an outlet means adapted to be connected by tubing to a catheter. A flexible conduit defines at least a portion of a first passage between the inlet means and outlet means of the control member. Positioned in the flexible conduit is valve means adapted to open when the conduit is squeezed, thereby providing the larger, intermittent, manually controlled flow of fluid to the catheter system, and to automatically close when the conduit is released. A second passage in the control member connects the inlet and outlet means, and in combination with flow restriction means therein, provides the continuous, regulated flow of fluid to the catheter system.