Abstract: In a photoelectric apparatus for tracing a scanning head (8) along a pattern track (13), a constant arrangement (17) of tightly spaced light-sensitive elements (16) is provided in the scanning head forming together with an addressing device (25) scanning patterns (14) which can be sampled. On the arrangement of the light-sensitive elements, a section of a pattern plane for scanning including an essential transversal component of the scanning pattern is imaged. From illumination state signals of the sampled light-sensitive elements, control signals are generated by means of an evaluation device (28, 31, 32), controlling the tracing movement of the scanning head in two movement directions (4, 5) rectangularly oriented relative to each other.

Abstract: An amino blocking reagent, 1-isopropyl-3-ethoxy-4-nitro-2-oxo-3-pyrroline has been obtained. The new reagent is water soluble. It has yielded an N-protected glycine active ester with solubiity appropriate for reaction with both peptides and proteins. N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of N-i-NOPY- and N-c-NOPY-glycines were prepared. The N-hydroxysuccinimide active esters were produced by treatment with dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The new reagents for glycine attachment are stable crystalline compounds. These active esters were used to attach glycine residues to a dipeptide and a protein by the salt-coupling procedure.

Abstract: A signal processing system that directly determines the phase difference existing between two periodic electrical signals and a mass flow meter employing the system are provided. The system shifts together two comparison signals corresponding to the periodic electrical signals and accumulates the shift that is necessary to force the phase angles of the comparison signals to be equal. The mass flow meter employs a moving conduit through which the fluid whose mass flow rate is to be measured flows and which generates Coriolis forces. The Coriolis forces affect the motion of the moving conduit and motion sensors provide periodic signals corresponding to the motion of the conduit. Under flow conditions, the Coriolis forces cause the electrical signals produced by the sensors to be out of phase with each other to an extent that depends on the magnitude of the mass flow rate.

Abstract: A product dispenser is provided which discourages theft of the products contained by the dispenser by the consuming public yet quickly and easily delivers the product to a salesclerk to make a sale to a consumer. The compartment unit of the dispenser which stores the products cooperates with the shell of the dispenser to prevent direct access to the product. The compartment unit can be extended from the shell to make the compartments of the compartment unit accessible to a store clerk to stack products in or remove products from the compartments. Apparatus is provided to permit a store clerk to make an entry on a console which causes apparatus within the dispenser to eject the desired product and deliver it to the store clerk. Electronic controls can be provided to store information relating to the dispensing of products by the dispenser to aid in the control of inventory by the store owner.

Abstract: A dynamic type of mass flowmeter is disclosed in which an S-shaped conduit with supported ends is vibrated in a direction transverse to the plane of the conduit, and the force couple about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the S-shaped conduit and also to the direction of vibration is sensed as a measure of the mass flow rate through the conduit.

Abstract: A device for transmitting sound from a speaker in a first area, such as a sterile or clean field, to a second area such as a nonsterile or nonclean field. The device includes a sound conduit having an inlet and an outlet and being of sufficient length to permit placement of the inlet in the first area and placement of the outlet in the second area, means, such as a filter mask, for securing the inlet in an operative position relative to the speaker's mouth, and a coupler connected to the outlet. A microphone and means for adjusting the sound pressure transmitted through the conduit are preferably also provided.

Abstract: A limb restraint permits proper positioning of a limb of a patient while medical or surgical operations are being performed on the patient. The preferred embodiment includes a fixed restraint and an adjustable restraint which cooperate with each other to encircle the limb and hold it in place. One end of the adjustable restraint can be wound around or unwound from a spool using a handle assembly to tighten or loosen, respectively, the restraint on the limb. A clutch is provided to prevent the spool from rotating in a direction that would loosen the restraint. The handle assembly used to tighten or loosen the restraint prevents inadvertent tightening or loosening of the restraint when the handle assembly is not in use.

Abstract: A device for indicating the failure of one of the cables in a redundant cable system for assisting the movement of a closure which includes means for so connecting each of the cables to a counterweight suspended therefrom that the counterweight is maintained at a first distance from the closure when both cables are intact and the counterweight so moves to a second distance from the closure when one of the two cables fails that the counterweight can move into a position for inhibiting the raising of the closure, thereby indicating the failure of one of the cables. The second distance is greater than the first distance. The connecting means is a pivoting member having two arms, each being adapted for sliding attachment to one of the cables.

Abstract: An attachment for a screwgun includes a hollow barrel and a hollow sleeve which is adapted for sliding movement with respect to the barrel. The sleeve and barrel are biased apart by a spring. A drive rod which extends through the hollow portions of the sleeve and barrel coacts with a screwgun to transfer the driving force of the screwgun to a fastener. A feed tube is attached to the barrel by a hinge which extends through a slot in the sleeve. An outlet end of the feed tube is in communication with a portal in the barrel through which a fastener may be inserted into the barrel when the feed tube is in a first position. In a second feed tube position, the outlet end of the feed tube and the portal of the barrel are spaced from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for changing the direction of rotation of a rotating shaft without changing the direction of rotation of the motor driving the shaft. The present invention includes a drive gear which causes two driven bevel gears to rotate in opposite directions. A control shaft having cam surfaces selectively forces one of two sets of balls into engagement with one of the driven gears to couple that gear with the driven shaft to rotate the shaft in one direction. Rotation of the driven shaft is reversed by changing the position of the control shaft which uncouples one set of balls from the driven shaft and couples the remaining set of balls to the driven shaft.

Abstract: An electrical control system controls an electrical load device, particularly an inductive load such as the ballast of a gas discharge lamp which generates a back EMF when power is removed therefrom. The control system includes a first electronic switch for controlling the application of power to and withdrawal of power from the load and a second electronic switch which controls the first electronic switch. The second switch is responsive to a command signal preferably occurring between 90.degree. and 180.degree. of the AC power half wave to turn on and thus switch off the first switch which in turn withdraws power from the load. The circuit remains in this state until a predetermined circuit condition occurs at which point the potentials on the load and the AC power supply are at predetermined levels. The equal potential turns the second switch off, whereupon power is reapplied to the load by the first electronic switch.

Abstract: A high response motor controller is disclosed which operates directly from a multi-phase AC power line without a DC link. The controller directly converts power from a fixed frequency multi-phase input to a D.C. or variable frequency output current. The output frequency is not limited by the AC power line frequency and the switching frequency is independent of the AC power line frequency. Controlled switching devices are connected between the multi-phase power input line and the power output line. Analog input signals are compared with signals representative of actual motor currents to produce current error signals. These current error signals control the conduction state of the controlled switching output transistors by a two state modulation process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a clamp which can be used to secure an accessory member to an abductor bar of an orthopedic-surgical table. The clamp includes a clamp block pivotally mounted on the clamp and oriented with respect to the clamp to clamp an object therebetween. A lever having a cam surface is mounted on the clamp so that the cam surface coacts with the internal mechanism of the clamp to orient the clamp block in an unclamped, intermediate and clamped position. When the clamp is in the intermediate position, the clamp loosely engages the clamped object so that relative motion of the clamp and clamped object can occur. Because the clamp can be stabilized on the clamped object by orienting it in the intermediate position the operator does not need to use a second hand to prevent the clamp from falling off the clamped object while the first hand positions and tightens the clamp. Thus, the clamp can be secured to the clamped object in a one handed operation.

Abstract: A shelf supports a load in such a steam environment as a steam sterilizer. The shelf includes at least one load supporting member which has a thermally efficient configuration. Accordingly, the shelf members may be tubular, may have channels with U-shaped cross sections, may be beams having an inverted T-shaped cross section or may be a tray having a plurality of U-shaped channels. Thus, the surfaces of each load supporting member are so adapted that formation of condensation on the surfaces is inhibited. In addition, the members are designed to retain at least a portion of the condensation formed on the surfaces of the members and direct to a desired location any condensation that cannot be held by the load supporting member.

Abstract: A surgical table having simplified joint mechanisms made possible by the use of two offset columns for support and positioning of the table surface. Each column is attached to the surface at two points and is adapted for individual extension and retraction. The columns extend vertically from a base to the surface. The columns and base are positioned such that there is adequate clearance during surgery for use of auxiliary apparatus such as image amplification equipment.

Abstract: A light and charged particle image intensifier receives incident image conveying light or charged particles ("incident beam") and provides to data processing and video equipment signals from which the image conveyed by the incident beam can be constructed and displayed. The beam that is being processed includes visible light reflected from objects and X-ray radiation that has been passed through an object such as a human body. The image intensifier includes a scintillator and photocathode unit for converting the incident beam to photoelectrons and a charge-coupled device ("CCD") for detecting the photoelectrons and transmitting to the data processing and video equipment information relating to the quantity or energy level as well as the location of the electrons impinging on the sensing areas of the CCD. From this information, the data processing and video equipment can reconstruct the image conveyed by the incident beam.

Abstract: Sealing apparatus seals the opening of a chamber by seating a double lip seal--or a functionally equivalent seal--between the chamber and the door of the chamber when there is an insufficient pressure differential across the seal to seat it properly. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump which evacuates air from the enclosed space defined by the chamber, the chamber door, and the two flexible members of the sealing device to force the sealing device against the chamber and the chamber door. A storage tank can be provided which can be evacuated of fluid to reduce the capacity of the vacuum pump, or to eliminate it altogether when the sealing apparatus is used with a chamber equipped with a vacuum pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus which operates the door of a chamber that is capable of maintaining pressure within the chamber. The invention includes an improved closure for cooperating to move the door among positions in which it confronts the opening of the chamber, seals the chamber and allows access to the interior of the chamber. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a driving member and an operating member which have surfaces which cooperate to move the operating member in two separate directions. Movement of the operating member in the first direction secures the door in its position in which it confronts the chamber opening but in which it cannot seal the chamber. Movement of the operating member in the second direction causes the door to be secured against the perimeter of the chamber opening, thus sealing the chamber against fluid flow from between the perimeter opening and the door.

Abstract: A conduit accepts liquid discharged from apparatus into which liquid is supplied and directs the discharged liquid to the discharge side of a plumbing system. The conduit includes a pair of backup outlets that prevent discharged liquid from reentering the apparatus when liquid flow through the discharge side of the plumbing system becomes blocked by diverting the backed up liquid from the discharge of the apparatus when the backed up liquid reaches a predetermined level. The conduit prevents splashing discharged liquid from leaving the conduit through the backup outlets.

Abstract: A biological system for use in sterilization processes. The system contains a container having test spores and a growth medium therein and means for bringing the medium into effective contact with the spores. The container includes a closure providing a tortuous path from the exterior to the interior of the container.