Abstract: Apparatus and method for depositing water onto the surface of a substrate passed through the apparatus. The apparatus has a housing that defines an internal atmosphere confined in at least partial isolation from the ambient atmosphere. The housing has a moisture saturation portion, a deposition portion, and a passageway. The moisture saturation portion has a water supply and a vapor reservoir. The water supply contains a quantity of water. The vapor reservoir holds a volume of the interior atmosphere in thermal and phase equilibrium with the water in the water supply. The deposition portion has a plenum wall surrounding a central chamber. The plenum wall is substantially insulated from ambient temperature variations and has a pair of opposed substrate gaps. The gaps define a path for the substrate through the chamber. The passageway communicates with the vapor reservoir and the chamber. A primary heater is disposed to heat the water in the water supply.

Abstract: A method for reforming the surface of a photographic emulsion layer. In the method, the surface of the emulsion layer is dried to at least sensible dryness. Water is then deposited onto the surface of the emulsion layer. The depositing is substantially uniform and in an amount that is less than about 0.80 grams of water per square foot of emulsion layer.

Abstract: An air tube for use in a drying apparatus includes a tapered main tube body comprising an open air inlet end and a closed end opposite the open air inlet end, an air discharge port including an air exhaust slot, and an air diffuser located between the main tube body and the air discharge port, wherein the air diffuser includes a plurality of air flow apertures that are located at a position offset from the air exhaust slot of the air discharge port. The air tube is readily incorporated into a film processing system that includes a plurality of processing tanks, a film drying apparatus including a plurality of the air tubes, and a mechanism for transporting a photosensitive film through the processing tanks and into the film drying apparatus.

Abstract: An air tube for use in a drying apparatus includes a tapered main tube body comprising an open air inlet end and a closed end opposite the open air inlet end, an air discharge port including an air exhaust slot, and an air diffuser located between the main tube body and the air discharge port, wherein the air diffuser includes a plurality of air flow apertures that are located at a position offset from the air exhaust slot of the air discharge port. The air tube is readily incorporated into a film processing system that includes a plurality of processing tanks, a film drying apparatus including a plurality of the air tubes, and a mechanism for transporting a photosensitive film through the processing tanks and into the film drying apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering of ions present in a pressurized fluid stream. The apparatus comprises at least one ion exchange chamber having a first passage for providing fluid communication between the at least ion exchange chamber and the pressurized fluid stream and a second fluid passage for allowing fluid to exit the at least one ion exchange chamber. The first and second passages being positioned such that a substantially spiral vortex is created in the pressurized fluid stream as it flows through the at least one ion exchange chamber.

Abstract: A processor for processing a photosensitive material. The processor having a housing chamber. At least one modular wall structure is provided for dividing the housing chamber into a plurality of fluid processing chambers. A modular processing device is placed may be placed in at least one of the plurality of fluid processing chambers for circulating a processing fluid placed in said fluid processing chamber.

Abstract: A processor having an elongated channel for receiving a web to be treated with a fluid. The fluid is injected into the channel at one or more injection sites. Fluid is evacuated from the channel at spaced evacuation sites and spaced therefrom such that fluid will flow from the injection site to the evacuation sites with laminar flow and be evacuated when the boundary layer of the fluid reaches a predetermined minumim thickness.

Abstract: In the replenishment of a washing fluid with a replenishment fluid a chemical property of the replenishment fluid is compared to the chemical property of the washing fluid. Replenishment fluid is added to the washing fluid according to the difference in the properties of the washing fluid and replenishment fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a web with treatment fluid comprises a two part housing defining a recess for receiving the web and a fluid distribution system for supplying treatment fluid to the recess. The fluid distribution system comprises a series of passages connected in a whiffletree configuration for dividing and subdividing the treatment fluid to supply treatment fluid to the recess at a plurality of locations across the recess to uniformly treat the web with the treatment fluid. In another embodiment the processor comprises a pair of plates defining a recess for receiving a web. The plates have at least one pair of elongated liquid injection openings extending transversely of the recess on opposite sides of the web respectively in juxtaposed relationship for injecting liquid into the recess.

Abstract: A processor for a web of light sensitive material comprises a plurality of hydrostatic bearings positioned within a processing tank to be submerged within a processing solution. Each of the bearings comprise a pair of juxtaposed housings on opposite sides of the web. Each of the housings include an aperture for emitting liquid under pressure to establish liquid cushions on opposite sides of the web which support the web without physical contact with the bearings.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying a web comprises a pair of spaced parallel plates defining a channel there between of predetermined thickness and length for receiving the web. The plates are provided with juxtaposed elongated openings respectively for injecting drying air into the channel on opposite sides of the web. Air under pressure is supplied to the openings to establish a high velocity laminar flow of air from the openings in opposite directions along the surface of the web. Air is evacuated from the channel on opposite sides of the web at a predetermined distance from said openings to maintain the heat transfer rate in the air higher than the heat transfer rate in the web.

Abstract: A web treatment apparatus comprises a means defining a channel through which the web is transported. Treatment fluid is injected into the channel on opposite sides of the web at spaced injection sites and evacuated from the channel on opposite sides of the web at spaced evacuation sites. The injection sites and evacuation sites alternate so that injected fluid is evacuated from adjacent evacuation sites. The streams of evacuated fluid are combined such that streams varying in flow path length and chemical depletion are sequentially mixed together in an ordered sequence prior to reinjection into the chemicals. In one embodiment means are also provided for sequentially dividing the fluid flow from a recirculation pump into fluid streams that are supplied to the injection sites.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying webs of light sensitive material comprises means defining a channel for receiving a web, a plurality of elongated spaced injection slits for applying drying fluid to opposite sides of the web, and a plurality of elongated spaced evacuation slits for evacuating drying fluid from opposite sides of the web. The injection and evacuation slits are substantially parallel and angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the web.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a web with a fluid comprises means defining an elongated channel for receiving the web. The fluid is injected into the channel on opposite sides of the web at one or more injection sites. Fluid is evacuated from the channel on opposite sides of the web at one or more evacuation sites. Each injection site is located between two evacuation sites and spaced therefrom such that fluid will flow in opposite directions from the injection site to the adjacent evacuation sites with laminar flow and be evacuated from the channel when the boundary layer of the fluid reaches a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A phototimer for controlling x-ray exposure includes an array of x-ray sensors, and digital processing electronics for calculating x-ray exposure by selecting one or more signals from the x-ray sensors, and calculating the x-ray exposure from the selected signals. After calculating the x-ray exposure, the calculated exposure is employed to control the x-ray exposure either by displaying the calculated exposure to an operator who compares the calculated exposure with a desired exposure and repeats the exposure if necessary, or by automatically terminating the exposure by sending a control signal to the x-ray source. The improvement in the state of x-ray phototimer technology resides in the automatic selection of a subset of signals from a plurality of photosensors, thereby improving the reliability of the measurement. In prior art devices, the signals from a plurality of sensors were either selected manually by a switch, or all employed in a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning a photostimulable phosphor sheet includes a laser for forming a beam of stimulating radiation, and a photodetector for sensing radiation emitted from the sheet. An optical scanner scans the laser beam of stimulating radiation across the sheet to define a moving scanning spot and focuses light emitted from the phosphor sheet at the scanning spot onto the photodetector. The optical scanner includes a plurality of focusing mirror segments which are mounted to focus a spot on the phosphor sheet onto the photodetector and which are moveable for scanning the spot across the phosphor sheet with the beam of stimulating radiation being directed onto one of the mirror segments to focus on the spot.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus for processing light sensitve material includes a plurality of fluid suspension devices each having an upper applicator housing and a lower applicator housing situated to form an elongated fluid chamber. Processing fluid application means are located adjacent an entrance and exit of the upper and lower applicator housings for applying the fluid to both sides of the light sensitive material to create upper and lower fluid layers, thus suspending the film between the fluid layers as the film travels through the processor. Such suspension minimizes scratches or abrasions to the emulsion.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an optical device which includes means for forming a pair of images in an optical channel and means for viewing the images. The viewing means includes a liquid crystal display, an eyelens, and an analyzer arranged between the liquid crystal display and the eyelens. In order to provide for selectively viewing one of the images, the image forming means is adapted to orthogonally polarize the images and project the polarized images onto the liquid crystal display. When the display is energized, one of the images can be viewed through the eyelens; and when the display is unenergized, the other image can be viewed through the eyelens.

Abstract: A film video player for producing a standard television signal from photographic film includes an image sensor for sensing a film image illuminated by a pulse of light from an electronic strobe light. The electronic strobe light includes a high voltage power supply with a voltage greater than the minimum ignition voltage of a flash tube in the strobe light for igniting an arc in the flash tube, a low voltage power supply having a voltage less than the minimum ignition voltage of the flash tube for producing an extended pulse of light of constant intensity, means including a photocell for sensing the quantity of light produced by the flash tube and including a control device in series with the flash tube for terminating the pulse of light after a predetermined quantity of light is produced, and means for dispersing the light from the flash tube to produce more uniform illumination.

Abstract: A rangefinder device includes means for projecting a beam of light to illuminate a small area on an object in a scene, an array of photosensors for sensing an image of the scene, and signal processing means responsive to the photosignals from the photosensors for determining the relative location of the illuminated small area in the image of the scene. The rangefinder device includes an image sensor having means for removing the contribution due to ambient scene illumination from the photosignals. The image sensor includes a plurality of photosensitive elements, comprising a photosensor, a charge storage element and a bridge network of switches arranged for selectively connecting the photosensor to the charge storage element in such a manner as to selectively add photocurrent to the storage element or to remove photocurrent from the storage element. The rangefinder device is first operated with the light beam on and the bridge networks connected to add photocurrent to the storage elements.