Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive assessment of lung inhomogeneity by accurate high temporal resolution measurement of respiratory gas flows at the mouth during steady state breathing and inert gas wash-in or wash-out and using these measurements to fit a mathematical model of the inhomogeneous lung. The model of the lung is based on modelling the lung as plural alveolar compartments each having an identical volume at functional residual capacity, but varying in its fractional share of total lung compliance, total pulmonary vascular conductance and total anatomical deadspace. A bivariate log-normal distribution of the lung compliance and pulmonary vascular conductance is used, together with a normal distribution of deadspace fraction.

Abstract: A molecular flow sensor includes a flowmeter integrated with an in airway laser gas analyser. The laser gas analyser spectroscopically analyses the concentrations of gases in a measurement space. The gas flow is measured by measuring the pressure drop across the flow-sensing mesh screens using a differential pressure sensor. Helical baffles are provided upstream and downstream of the measurement space to provide a low resistance gas flow path while blocking ambient light from entering the measurement space, and flow-conditioning elements of mesh or metal foam are provided between the helical baffles and the flow-sensing meshes. Pressure averaging is conducted circumferentially around the gas flow path. At least two independent pressure sensors may be provided, switchable out independently to allow regular calibration while the other is still measuring. The flow sensor is particularly useful for measuring respiratory gas exchange such as oxygen consumption or carbon dioxide production by a respiring subject.

Abstract: An improved document transport track drive system for a document processing machine for driving a document 10 along a track 12. The drive mechanism comprises a common drive motor 20 driving a drive shaft 30 arranged parallel to the plane of the documents in the transport track 12. Keyed to the drive shaft 30 are a number of drive pulleys 32 spaced apart and each driving, by way of a power take-off system, a document drive roller 16 mounted at right angles to the plane of the drive pulley 32. The power take-off system comprises a single drive belt 40 and a pair of idler pulleys mounted at right angles to the plane of the drive pulley 32 and arranged to turn the drive belt through 90.degree..

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a document 10 along a track 12 comprises conductive driven members 16 and idler member 18 together with circuit 54 for detecting electrical continuity there-between. Presence of an insulating document 10 between the members 16, 18 breaks an electrical circuit. The driven member 16 has a motor 36 controlled by a motor control switch 38b which can receive a control signal 40 to switch the motor on and another control signal 42 to switch the motor off. Space along a track, drive sets 14 cooperate to move a document along the track 12 with only 2 drive sets switched on at any time and without need for central control.

Abstract: The invention relates to a document drive system in which the documents are transported along a track and are also urged towards the base of the track so that they are correctly oriented. The documents are driven by a drive roller 14 cooperating with a ball idler assembly resiliently mounted so that the document is gripped between a ball 33 and the drive roller 14. The axis of rotation of the drive roller is inclined with respect to the track so that a downward force is applied to the document. So long as the document can be moved towards the track, the ball 33 rotates about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive roller, but once the document is aligned with its lower edge in contact with the base of the track, the ball rotates about an axis perpendicular to the base of the track.

Abstract: A multiple document detector set having a driven wheel and an opposed idler wheel for gripping documents in a pinch created there-between. The idler wheel (44) is provided with a slipping clutch (62) for creating a rotation opposing torque. The idler wheel (44) and the driven wheel (42) each have a coefficient of friction against documents greater than the coefficient of friction of documents against one another. When multiple documents are introduced into the nip (46) one document (32) is held by the idler wheel (44) and the other document (34) is driven by the driven wheel (42). A monitor (18) detects whether or not the driven wheel (42) has the same periphral velocity as the idler wheel (44) and signals the presence of multiple documents if the peripheral velocities are not the same. The monitor (18) signals completion of separation of multiple documents when the peripheral velocites once again become the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is an equipment enclosure allowing service personnel easy access to equipment housed within the enclosure. The enclosure employs two case portions, each provided with a respective plurality of mating catch mechanisms for holding the two case portions together. The catch mechanisms allow the case portions to be joined and locked together by a simple, one movement action. The enclosure is opened by the cocking of each of the one or more individual catch mechanisms which then remain cocked, thereby allowing the removal of the case portions.