Abstract: A fine positioner module is used to perform fine positioning of a device that is pressing against a work surface. In some embodiments, the fine positioner module includes a contact member for making contact with a work surface, a position adjustor for using the contact member to move the device along the work surface, and an actuator for relieving pressure of the device against the work surface while the contact member is used to move the device along the work surface.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser closure includes a tube having a distal end. The tube has a hydrophilic portion and a hydrophobic portion. The hydrophobic portion has an exit orifice at the distal end.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser has a fluid outlet and an ambient inlet. The dispenser includes a container having a cavity, and a regulator device within the container cavity for regulating liquid flow out of the fluid outlet. The regulator device has a cavity in fluid communication with the ambient inlet, and an air transfer orifice for placing the device cavity in fluid communication with the container cavity. The air transfer orifice is spaced apart from the ambient inlet. The regulator device also has a fluid inlet. Location of the air transfer orifice with respect to the fluid inlet is such that flow of liquid from the container cavity into the device cavity stops when the liquid in the device cavity reaches the air transfer orifice.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a controlled volume of liquid includes a container and a dispensing tube for the container. A first section of the tube is made of a hydrophilic material, and a second section of the tube is made of a hydrophobic material.

Abstract: A transport unit of an intraoral dental x-ray developing machine includes a track and upper and lower transfer drives for moving film chips through tanks of developing, fixing and rinsing solutions. Transfer grooves in the track can become clogged with debris during normal operation of the x-ray developing machine. Projections extending from transfer arms of the lower transfer drive are provided to clean the debris from the grooves.

Abstract: A self-contained hand-operated oral irrigation device for dispensing a pulsing stream of water or therapeutic fluid to the surfaces of the user's oral cavity. The irrigation device has the capability of lavaging at controlled values of pressure and volume of the dispensed fluid and withdrawing the fluid from user's oral cavity for convenient disposal. The irrigation device has a detachable section. Different types of discharge sections include a tooth brush, plaque removal brush and a gum stimulator having lavaging capabilities are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for cleaning residue from a transport unit of an x-ray developing machine. The transport unit has inner and outer walls which form a path for multiple film chips to travel during development of the film chips. V-grooves in the walls can become clogged with residue during normal operation of the x-ray developing machine. The apparatus includes a body and a plurality of projections extending outward from the body. The projections clear the V-grooves of residue while the apparatus is inserted between the walls and moved along the path.

Abstract: A cooling pack includes a plurality of thermally conductive shells made of a rigid plastic. Each shell contains a coolant and is securable directly to the protective housing of an electric fan. The shells are sized and shaped to allow the passage of fan air while the fan is operating. Heat is removed from the fan air flowing past the shells, thereby improving the cooling capability of the fan.

Abstract: A leadscrew assembly (10, 52, 82) having an externally threaded leadscrew (12) and first and second ball bearings (16, 18) disposed such that a segment of the inner races (24, 26) thereof makes contact with diametrically opposing portions of the leadscrew (12).

Abstract: A digital signal processing system (100) removes DC bias in the output of a pyroelectric detector and similar types of detectors by adding together a first output signal which is inverted and a second output signal which is not inverted. The system (100) also removes offsets in the detector signal introduced by electronic circuits (readouts, amplifiers, drivers, etc.) between the detector and the system (100).

Abstract: An optical fiber quadrant detector (10) includes a sensor head (22) wherein each quadrant (A, B, C, D) thereof includes a plurality of light transmitting optical fibers (26) and a plurality of light receiving optical fibers (20). The light transmitting optical fibers (26) are equally distributed among the quadrants (A, B, C, D) as are the light receiving optical fibers (20). Hence, the outputs of the lights receiving optical fibers (20) are indicative of the alignment of a workpiece to the sensor head (22).

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooler controller, a thermal reference source employing the controller, a thermal reference source, and a thermal calibration system. The controller controls the temperature of a thermoelectric cooler. The controller includes a temperature sensor coupled to the thermoelectric cooler that provides a temperature feedback signal. An error amplifier compares a temperature command (TEMP CMD) with a feedback signal and generates a positive polarity output current command signal (VCMD). A current driver is coupled to the error amplifier for providing an output current equal to one-half the current command signal. An H-bridge circuit is coupled between the current driver and the thermoelectric cooler for switching the direction of current flow in the thermoelectric cooler, thus heating and cooling it. A comparator is coupled to the error amplifier and the H-bridge circuit, for controlling the current supplied by the H-bridge circuit to the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: Deleterious feedback reflections from a power amplifier into a laser master oscillator are eliminated by interposing a nonreciprocal frequency shifter between the oscillator and amplifier, which shifts the laser frequency by more than twice the bandwidth of the laser oscillator resonant cavity.

Abstract: A method of computing parasitic capacitances between multiple electrical conductors within an electric circuit computes a division of the circuit's physical layout into a plurality of windows. The parasitic capacitances associated with the conductors of each window are computed, and the results for the various windows combined into a matrix of parasitic capacitances for the overall circuit. The windows are preferably overlapped, with the capacitance values for conductor pairs located in more than one window averaged. Complex polygons are fractured into simpler shapes by extending a ray from a vertex of the polygon to intersect an opposed segment, and defining the peripheries of the simpler elements as comprising the ray and respective different portions of the original polygon's periphery. Rays may be extended in a x,y pattern from multiple vertices of the polygon until a ray is located that extends through the polygon's interior, with the fracturing performed along that ray.

Abstract: An optical filter for an infrared detector is provided by creating an impurity band in a semiconductor substrate onto which the infrared detector is epitaxially grown. The impurity band provides a range of absorption and a long wavelength pass band characteristic. The range of absorption is broadened by doping the substrate with a dopant of different photoelectric threshold from the dopant used to create the impurity band.

Abstract: A position sensor includes a linear scale (14) that is translated along a translation axis of linear motion between at least two optical radiation source/receiver pairs (10/16 and 12/18). The optical transmissivity (or the optical reflectance) varies from a low value to high value going within a first region (14a) from a first end of the scale to a second end, and within a second region (14b) from a high value to a low value going from the first end to the second end. The outputs of the optical receivers (CH1, CH2) indicate a unique position along the linear scale, which is then correlated by a processor (26) with a unique position or displacement along the translation axis.

Abstract: A drive system comprising an integrated gearhead motor system that produces relatively high torque output with minimal backlash. The present invention uses two axially mounted electric or air motors and gearhead assemblies integrated into a single unit. The two motor and gearhead assemblies are connected to concentric output drive shafts, and each output shaft mates to a respective gear of a split gear assembly. The split gear assembly is coupled to a drive shaft of a device that is to be driven by the system. A tachometer is coupled between the first motor and a position sensor is coupled to the drive shaft of the device that is to be driven. The tachometer and position sensor are coupled to a controller that is used to control the respective torques provided by the two motors in response to rate and position signals provided thereby.

Abstract: Switching between two logic circuits that produce outputs at different respective logic levels is accomplished by means of a common input differential switch that has a branch in each logic circuit. A common current source supplies current to the branches within each logic circuit. The current source remains on regardless of which logic level is selected, thereby enhancing switching speed. The logic circuits produce logic outputs at a common output differential switch, which in turn provides a selected output to a single output terminal. The logic circuits are configured so that the output from the circuit corresponding to the selected logic level dominates the output from the other logic circuit at the output differential switch.

Abstract: An optical scanning system (20, 20A-F), suitable for scanning a beam (26, 26A) emanating from a source (68) of light or for directing a beam towards a detector (62) of light, employs two independently rotatable wedge-shaped mirrors (M1, M2) wherein a reflecting surface (54,58) of each wedge mirror is inclined relative to a central axis (38) of the scanner. A main one of the wedge mirrors (M1) is centrally located about the central axis and an auxiliary one of the wedge mirrors (M2) is located on the central axis facing the main wedge mirror in one embodiment of the invention, and is displaced from the central axis in a second embodiment of the invention. A beam of light propagating between the source or detector to the auxiliary wedge mirror may pass either through a central bore (28) of the main wedge mirror in the first embodiment of the invention, or via a bypass (112) of relay mirrors around the main wedge mirror in the second embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system having a mechanism for canceling vibration at a fundamental frequency and at harmonics thereof. The inventive system includes a first apparatus (28, 32) for cooling a mass. The first apparatus (28, 32) creates a vibration at a first frequency and a second frequency. In a typical application, the first frequency is a fundamental frequency and the second frequency is a harmonic of the first frequency. Often several harmonics are present. The invention includes a second apparatus (30, 34) for substantially eliminating vibration at the first frequency and a third apparatus (48, 50) for substantially eliminating vibration at the second frequency. The second apparatus includes a mass (30) and a motor (34) for driving same. The mass (30) is disposed to counter the vibration created by the first apparatus when the motor (34) is driven by a first current.