Abstract: A hollow sphere ceramic flame spray powder is disclosed. The desired constituents are first formed into agglomerated particles in a spray drier. Then the agglomerated particles are introduced into a plasma flame which is adjusted so that the particles collected are substantially hollow. The hollow sphere ceramic particles are suitable for flame spraying a porous and abradable coating. The hollow particles may be selected from the group consisting of zirconium oxide and magnesium zirconate.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer producing a derivative spectrum of a looked-for component of a sample includes means for producing an output signal which is directly representative of the concentration of the looked-for element.

Abstract: A solvent pressurization system includes a depressurization means which operates to change the operating mode for pressurized solvent delivery to a sparging mode when the access door of the solvent compartment is opened. Consequently, an operator is protected from accidental exposure to pressurized solvent vessels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regulator circuitry (stabilizer) for controlling the output of an RF generator according to a programmable input signal. A power stage is responsive to the selected value of the programmable input signal to drive the RF generator at the desired power level. A forward power feedback control circuit monitors and controls the power output stage so that the desired RF output level is maintained at a constant level. In this particular mode of operation, RF output power is maintained constant and therefore independent of variations in gain due to temperature changes and other parameters which could effect the overall transfer function of said generator (and including mismatch of the generator into the load).

Abstract: A heavy duty plasma spray gun for extended industrial service is disclosed. The gun includes a gas distribution member made of a material having a coefficient of expansion different from that of the parts surrounding it. The gas distribution member is forcibly urged by a resilient member such as a coiled spring against a seal so as to assure the plasma gas is introduced into the gun arc in a manner only defined by the gas distribution member. The gun has liquid cooling for the nozzle (anode) and the cathode. Double seals are provided between the coolant and the arc region and a vent is provided between the seals which provides an indication when a seal has failed. Some parts of the gun are electrically isolated from others by an intermediate member which is formed as a sandwich of two rigid metal face pieces and an insulator disposed between them. The metal face pieces provide a rigid body to attach the remaining parts in proper alignment therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy includes a sample carrier adapted for receiving non-gaseous sample material and means for radiantly heating the sample carrier to effect the uniform thermal decomposition thereof.

Abstract: A fluorimeter sampling apparatus useful in a fluorimeter includes a linearly movable sample carrier having a plurality of cuvette holders associated therewith. Each cuvette holder, when positioned in a measuring position, is aligned with an excitation radiation entrance aperture and a fluorescence radiation exit aperture. The cuvette holders are diagonally aligned with the direction of movement of the carrier.

Abstract: The vitiating effect on the fluorescence measuring signal of extraneous currents flowing through the fluorescence detection means in flash spectrofluorimetry is almost completely eliminated by integrating the output of the fluorescence measuring means for the duration of the signal period, which includes a flash duration, and again for an equal period occurring between flashes which therefore does not include a flash duration. The second integral is then subtracted from the first to obtain a fluorescence measuring signal substantially unaffected by extraneous currents, such as dark current, sample phosphorescence, etc. The invention is applicable to single- and double-channel operation. In the latter, in addition to the fluorescence measuring channel there is provided a fluorescence reference channel. This enables the fluorescence measuring signal and the fluorescence reference signal to be ratioed together, the effect of extraneous currents having first been eliminated in both.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of fluorescence. An airborne optical system carried in an aircraft or spaceship scans a sunlit swath of terrain over a field of view defined by a selected one of the fringe rings of a Fabry-Perot etalon designed to pass a selected Fraunhofer line. A first series of detectors are disposed to sense light intensity over a predetermined arc within said selected ring. A second like series of detectors are disposed to sense light intensity just outside said selected ring. Electronic means are connected to said first and second plurality of detectors for determining the fluorescence reflected from the swath of terrain.

Abstract: Apparatus for plasma etching of semiconductor devices. A plasma chamber is inductively coupled to a source of A.C. power wherein the semiconductor devices are etched. Alternately, the semiconductor devices may be etched or stripped at a location downstream of the plasma chamber.

Abstract: Means and methods are provided for examining bills and detecting flaws therein, such as length and width variations, holes, tears and dog-ears or folded corners. Electrical signals are generated by light sensing circuits and compared with signals representing the standard physical characteristics of the bill to indicate deviations therefrom.

Abstract: The combination of an electrically conductive hollow body, a step-down transformer operable at a frequency greatly in excess of 1 kHz and solid phase temperature depressing means is used to realize the invention in its method and apparatus aspects. The temperature depressing means serve to bring the hollow body to a given depressed temperature so that when a gas component entrained in a gas carrier with which it forms mixture is passed through the hollow body for a period of, say, a few minutes the gas component condenses in the hollow body. The condensed component may later be freed and re-injected into the carrier by a process of thermal desorption which is achieved by direct ohmic heating of the hollow body via of the step-down transformer. The desorption time would typically extend over some ten seconds or so, as against the condensation time of several minutes, with the result that the gas component is concentrated in time, i.e.

Abstract: A direct current servo motor operates through a toothed belt linkage to drive the pen carriage of a chart recorder. The position of the drive is monitored by a sectored encoder disc on the motor shaft. A pair of optical sensors is located relative to the encoder disc to provide alternately phased transition signals as corresponding edges of the encoder disc sectors pass the sensors when the motor rotates. A microprocessor interrupted by a transition signal goes to a sub-routine that determines which way the encoder disc is rotating and stores a count signal of the corresponding sign in a register. Further the microprocessor compares an input signal with the stored count signal and directs the motor to rotate in the direction that will reduce the difference or error signal to zero thus causing the pen to follow the magnitude of the input signal.

Abstract: A plasma spray gun nozzle with a thin annular coolant passage having extended life. The thin annular passage is located adjacent a thin nozzle wall which confines the arc formed in the nozzle. The dimensions of the thin annular passage and the wall thickness are selected to assure maximum nozzle life.

Abstract: An effusion cell assembly is disclosed and includes a temperature sensor designed to balance sensor temperature and cell crucible temperature by an increased heat radiation collection.

Abstract: An improvement to a chart recorder where the chart paper is driven by a motor responsive to pulses counted by a microprocessor makes it possible for the operator to return the pen at any time to the starting point of the last chart scan by merely pressing a key. Using a programmed counter the microprocessor keeps track constantly of the number of counts since the start of the scan. On key command the microprocessor directs the motor to return through this number of counts plus 50; then to go forward 50 counts thus taking up any backlash in the chart drive so as to return exactly to the initial point of the scan. The subroutine also raises the pen during return and lowers it at the starting point.

Abstract: A transducer assembly comprising an inner, primary, transducer having a pair of transducers fixed to a liner or cavity for providing the fluid compression sending and receiving signals for measuring the velocity and change of composition of fluid in the cavity which is being inspired and expired by a patient in a setting, such as in an intensive care unit of a hospital. The inner transducer is disposed in a heated housing to maintain the temperature of the inner transducer at a temperature above the saturation point of the fluid being measured and is further provided with (1) an acoustical absorber to prevent sound energy from the connection tubes, which connect the transducer assembly to endotracheal tubing, from adversely affecting fluid measurements and, (2) water absorbing material to prevent water, which might condense in the connecting tubing, from entering the inner transducer and affecting the fluid measurements.

Abstract: Electrical connections to thin film coatings, especially useful in a fluid flowmeter, have a conductive coating pressed against a rigid, relatively long, connector bar by conductively coated pads of elastomeric material at a selected controlled pressure, with the electrical connections to the film coating being made through the bar and pads. Utilizing this method, localized high stress areas which cause damage to the thin film are avoided, and low current densities are accomplished by the controlled contact pressure over a large area of the film coating.

Abstract: An improvement to a chart recorder where the chart paper is driven by a motor responsive to pulses counted by a microprocessor makes it possible for the operator to set the pen to a major grid line on the chart at any time after initialization by merely pressing a key. Using a programmed counter the microprocessor keeps track constantly of how many counts the paper has advanced and how far it is to the next major grid line. Upon key command the microprocessor through a software routine advances the paper to the next major grid line. If desired, the routine can also be programmed to raise the pen during advance and lower it at the major grid line.

Abstract: A method of depositing refractory metal silicides in a sputtering system on one or more substrates in an environment which supports a glow discharge from a pair of targets at an energy level sufficient to co-sputter and deposit the material from the targets onto the substrate(s). The method includes either a RF high voltage to be applied to one of the targets, or a DC voltage in the presence of a magnetic field to be applied to both targets so as to deposit silicon, either doped or pure, and refractory metal, either doped or pure, as the case may be, to provide a thin film of doped refractory metal silicide on the substrate(s).