Abstract: A rotor adapted for containing a plurality of sample tubes and for retaining the contents of such tubes if any should rupture while in the rotor. The rotor includes an upper shell and a lower shell connected by a central hub interposed therebetween. Provision is made for coupling the hub to a drive shaft. The upper shell has a substantially frustoconical shape and a recessed top surface. The top surface has a form generally corresponding to the interior of an inverted frustum. A plurality of sample tubes are disposed in a circular locus in the top of the rotor. The lower shell of the rotor has a bottom formed with upturned inwardly sloping conical sides. The sides are disposed such that their uppermost portion is proximate the upper shell. In the event that one or more tubes ruptures while in the rotor, the contents will be retained in the lower shell rather than spilling into the rotor chamber.

Abstract: A column for use in DNA synthesis. The column is transparent and is disposable to allow access to the resin beads within the column. The column includes end caps which are engageable with a housing and a screw to secure the column in the housing.

Abstract: An ultracentrifuge rotor comprising a body portion formed as a bowl with a central open chamber defined by a thin, cylindrical wall extending from a supporting base and a plurality of nested rings of filament windings surrounding the cylindrical wall for strengthening and stiffening same. The nested rings result in a uniform filament density throughout the ring assembly.

Abstract: A function generator responsive to clock pulses for developing an analog signal in the form of a digitally approximated parabola.

Abstract: A variable slip drive system for driving a variable speed induction motor. The system includes a tachometer for providing a signal proportional to the speed of the motor and a slip oscillator. The output of the tachometer and slip oscillator are combined by a motor drive oscillator to provide a motor drive signal. The frequency of the motor drive signal equals the tachometer signal, less the frequency of the slip signal. The motor drive signal is converted into a proportional, three-phase, high power signal for powering the motor. The frequency of the slip signal is controlled so as to be proportional to the motor speed as a means of optimizing the motor's performance.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting connector is disclosed which fits between a spindle and the walls of a bore in a rotating member. The connector includes a sleeve encircling the spindle and two flanges located at its opposite ends. Each flange is initially frustoconical, and is forced into substantially a disc shape to grip the spindle and the wall of the bore. The flange at the bottom of the bore is flattened first by a small diameter punch acting against the other end of the sleeve; and the other flange is then flattened by an annular punch encircling the small diameter punch.

Abstract: A process for generating high resolution conductive patterns on an insulating substrate. A photosensitive resin coating applied to the surface of a substrate is exposed to a suitable light source through a mask. The unexposed portion of the coating defines the desired conductive pattern which is then coated with a low temperature melting glass powder. The substrate is fired to sinter the glass pattern and fuse it to the substrate. The substrate is then coated with a slurry of fine metal particles suspended in a volatilizable carrier. The substrate is again fired to sinter the metal into a united mass and causing it to fuse only with the low temperature melting glass pattern. The unadhered portions of the metal coating are removed by a washing operation. An exclusively metallic layer is thereby formed on a high resolution glass pattern intermediate layer supported by the substrate.

Abstract: An electro-optic display device having at least two separate compartments for receipt of electro-sensitive material that is utilized in the formation or establishment of a display symbol as a result of an electrically imposed field. One compartment in the display contains the electrodes which form the various segments of the variable symbol to be displayed. The other compartment is the background area that will contrast visually with the segment portions that make up or establish the symbol to be displayed. The choice of material makes the background compartment optically equivalent to the portion of the symbol compartment that is not displaying a particular symbol. The electro-optic device preferably has a liquid crystal material with a dye to create a light absorption type of electro-optic display rather than a light modulation type of display. This invention allows dye displays that normally portray light characters on a dark background to be portrayed as dark characters on a light background.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shell type centrifuge rotor formed as a frustoconical shell having a circular rim adjacent at least one end thereof. The lower end of the shell is open, whereas the upper end has a conical recess and a central opening. The recess has an inverted frustoconical sidewall, with a plurality of apertures equally spaced therein and disposed an equal distance from the central opening.A tube holder is mounted in each of the apertures for receiving a centrifuge test tube. The tube holder has a flange configured so as to fit the surface contour of the conical recess so that the flange fully contacts the wall of the conical recess when the tube holder is mounted in the aperture. A hub is mounted in the central opening of the conical recess and couples the frustoconical shell to the centrifuge drive shaft. Means are secured to the hub for partially enclosing the lower end of the frustoconical shell to reduce the windage of the rotor to a predetermined level.

Abstract: Balancing bosses integrally forged in a centrifuge rotor. The plurality of balancing bosses in the rotor establish noncritical areas in the rotor for machining to accomplish the precise balancing necessary for high speed ultracentrifugation. The balancing bosses are located away from the high stress periphery of the rotor so that machining a portion of the bosses for balancing purposes will not degrade the integral strength of the rotor.

Abstract: A high pressure valve for control of the injection of a sample into an analyzer system such as an amino acid analyzer with liquid column chromatography. The valve is designed in such a manner that no rinse solution that is used to cleanse the system after the injection of a particular sample will enter the liquid column. The valve operates in two positions and requires a minimum of movement between the two positions. In one position the valve allows for the injection of the sample into the liquid column. In the second position the valve allows for the entry of only a buffer solution into the liquid column and blocks the entry of any rinse solution that may flow through the system for cleansing after the injection of the sample. No residual rinse solution is allowed to remain within the valve prior to injection of either a sample or a buffer material into the liquid column.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a circuit for generating a voltage for compensating the output of a thermocouple. The circuit provides a compensating voltage to enable the thermocouple to be operated with its reference junction at ambient temperature. The compensation voltage varies linearly with changes in the ambient temperature and passes through zero volts at 0-20 C. The compensation voltage is generated by combining a temperature variable voltage developed across one or more semiconductor junctions with a constant voltage of opposite polarity.

Abstract: A liner for use in a centrifuge rotor bucket for converting a single cavity bucket into a multicavity bucket to provide separate support for at least two flexible fluid sample containers. The liner has a separation ridge which defines at least two areas in the liner, but allows maximum space for receipt of the flexible containers. Handle means are attached to the liner to provide ease in the removal and insertion of the liner into the rotor bucket.

Abstract: An elongate straight column for use as a reactor in an analytical instrument. The column contains inert packed material which provides for the necessary flow path length for a fluid stream entering the reactor. Fittings are incorporated onto the ends of the column in such a manner that their width is no larger than the width of the column. The column configuration for a reactor allows more versatility in the type of temperature regulator mechanisms used to heat and cool the reactor.

Abstract: A safety latching apparatus for a cover of a machine enclosing a round rotatable member. The apparatus includes a latch member, and an elongated flexible control element for sensing the motion of the rotatable member to automatically prevent opening of the cover when the member is rotating. The control element is movable longitudinally so that one of its ends can be brought into contact with the rotatable member and the other end connected to a latching mechanism located adjacent the machine cover. When the rotatable member is stationary, the end of the control element brought into contact with it remains generally rigid to a force in the longitudinal direction allowing the latch member to move to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A cover having a free-turning knob in its center for use on the rotor of a centrifuge. The knob includes tool means for coupling the knob with a threaded fastener securing the rotor to a drive shaft. Thus, when the cover is positioned on the rotor, the threaded fastener securing the rotor can be tightened or loosened by a turning of the knob. The rotor can thereby be removed and replaced without the use of external tools.

Abstract: An electrode termination assembly for use on a display device wherein the amount of space required for the pin connector to attach to the display device is greatly reduced, the physical and electrical integrity of the assembly is greatly enhanced and the cost of the assembly is reduced as compared to present assemblies for pin connectors. An adhesive material having conductive particles is used to not only physically support and attach the connector pins to the display, but also electrically connect the connector pins to electrode pads on the display.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator is provided for coupling a source of AC potential to a DC load. Thyristor full wave rectifier means provide a source of DC potential which is connected to the load through an inductance in series with the load. The input of the inductance is shunted by a commutating diode which provides a path for the inductive current when the thyristor means are in the nonconducting phase of their operating cycle. Circuit means are provided to reverse bias the commutating diode in advance of each conduction cycle of the thyristor means. As a consequence, the level of RFI conducted to the AC power line is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method of constructing a gas discharge display device in such a manner that contaminants found within the completed display are significantly reduced. The process for assembly of the display incorporates the utilization of a spacer member having a higher melting temperature than the display's perimeter seal and is designed to hold the plates apart without letting certain portions of the sealing material contact the opposing substrate. The use of the spacer member of high temperature material permits a higher temperature to be achieved in the vacuum furnace for evacuating the contaminants produced by out-gassing of impurities in the dielectric and conductive materials as well as the glass substrates and the sealing material. The sealing time for the display after evacuation is shortened to prevent or greatly reduce the possible entrapment of impurities in the display during the higher temperature final sealing step.

Abstract: In a digital test instrument such as a digital ohmmeter for measuring and digitally displaying the resistance of an unknown circuit element, there is included an electrical continuity tester coupled to the input of the digital ohmmeter for instantaneously and digitally indicating electrical continuity. Connection of the electrical continuity tester to the input of the digital ohmmeter is achieved in a manner such as to not overload or otherwise affect the accuracy of the resistance measurement.