Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds including a housing with a handle portion and a barrel portion configured for being manipulated for positioning a tip end of the barrel portion proximate to a curing site. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements are mounted in a collective array to collectively form a beam of light. The array of elements is operable for collectively emitting a beam of light having wavelengths within a band of wavelengths and at a power to cure a dental compound. The array of elements is positioned proximate to the tip end of the barrel portion and the emitted light beam from the array illuminating a curing site. A radiation focusing device is positioned proximate the array of elements at the tip end of the barrel portion to focus the beam of light before it illuminates the curing site.

Abstract: An instrument for curing light-curable compounds curable in the mouth of a patient, including a housing including a handle portion and a barrel portion removably secured with respect to the handle portion. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting semiconductor junction elements form an array on a substrate, and collectively emit light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths suitable for curing a compound. The array of light-emitting elements are positioned proximate to the distal end of the barrel portion, and an elongated heat-conducting element extends from the distal end of the barrel portion toward the proximal end for conducting heat away from the array. A generally clear layer extends on the substrate and over the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor junction elements, and a non-imaging optical focusing device is positioned at the distal end of the barrel portion to collimate the emitted light.

Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds including a housing with a handle portion and a barrel portion configured for being manipulated for positioning a tip end of the barrel portion proximate to a curing site. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements are mounted in a collective array to collectively form a beam of light. The array of elements is operable for collectively emitting a beam of light having wavelengths within a band of wavelengths and at a power to cure a dental compound. The array of elements is positioned proximate to the tip end of the barrel portion and the emitted light beam from the array illuminating a curing site. A radiation focusing device is positioned proximate the array of elements at the tip end of the barrel portion to focus the beam of light before it illuminates the curing site.

Abstract: An instrument for curing light-curable compounds curable in the mouth of a patient, including a housing including a handle portion and a barrel portion removably secured with respect to the handle portion. A plurality of solid state, light-emitting semiconductor junction elements form an array on a substrate, and collectively emit light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths suitable for curing a compound. The array of light-emitting elements are positioned proximate to the distal end of the barrel portion, and an elongated heat-conducting element extends from the distal end of the barrel portion toward the proximal end for conducting heat away from the array. A generally clear layer extends on the substrate and over the plurality of light-emitting semiconductor junction elements, and a non-imaging optical focusing device is positioned at the distal end of the barrel portion to collimate the emitted light.

Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds comprises a housing and an array of solid state, light emitting junctions or dies for generating light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths (e.g. 400-500 nm). Preferably, a peak wavelength of 470 nm is generated. The device further comprises an optical fiber light pipe for capturing the light and transmitting a beam of the light to a work surface containing a light-curable compound. An optical lens or lenses may be used for focusing the light into the light pipe.

Abstract: An instrument and method for curing light-curable compounds in the mouth of a patient, the instrument comprising a housing and a plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements on a substrate supported by the housing. The elements form a collective array on the substrate operable for collectively emitting light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths. An optical focusing device is positioned to intercept the light emitted by the array of elements and includes a non-imaging optical device which is operable for collimating the light from the array into a beam to be directed onto a compound for curing the compound. A disposable sleeve covers the housing and array and may incorporate the optical focusing device. The sleeve is removed and discarded after use to eliminate the need to autoclave the instrument.

Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds comprises a housing and an array of solid state, light emitting junctions or dies for generating light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths (e.g. 400-500 nm). Preferably, a peak wavelength of 470 nm is generated. The device further comprises an optical fiber light pipe for capturing the light and transmitting a beam of the light to a work surface containing a light-curable compound. An optical lens or lenses may be used for focusing the light into the light pipe.

Abstract: An instrument and method for curing light-curable compounds in the mouth of a patient, the instrument comprising a housing and a plurality of solid state, light-emitting elements on a substrate supported by the housing. The elements form a collective array on the substrate operable for collectively emitting light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths. An optical focusing device is positioned to intercept the light emitted by the array of elements and includes a non-imaging optical device which is operable for collimating the light from the array into a beam to be directed onto a compound for curing the compound. A disposable sleeve covers the housing and array and may incorporate the optical focusing device. The sleeve is removed and discarded after use to eliminate the need to autoclave the instrument.

Abstract: A hand held dental instrument for curing light-curable compounds comprises a housing and an array of solid state, light emitting junctions or dies for generating light having wavelengths within a narrow band of wavelengths (e.g. 400-500 nm). Preferably, a peak wavelength of 470 nm is generated. The device further comprises an optical fiber light pipe for capturing the light and transmitting a beam of the light to a work surface containing a light-curable compound. An optical lens or lenses may be used for focusing the light into the light pipe.

Abstract: A battery discharge indicator device for use on battery powered mining haulage vehicles is provided which automatically monitors the discharge condition of each of the battery supply sources provided on a mining haulage vehicle. The battery discharge indicator provides a continuously flashing lamp indication when any of the battery supply sources discharges to a predetermined level required to power the mining haulage vehicle to a charging station. A momentary flashing indication is further provided when the discharged battery source or sources are replaced with charged battery sources thereby indicating to the operator that the battery powered mining vehicle is ready for use.

Abstract: A control circuit for a three phase battery charging system which is enabled only when a battery is properly connected, when the source is properly connected and when the system has been properly turned on. Any disruption in these connections or failure of the source interrupts the charging cycle until the failure has been corrected.