Abstract: During operation of a FTICR MS the time after the opening of the pulsed valve sample gas inlet system that the peak of sample gas pressure occurs in the vacuum chamber is determined by measuring the amplitude of the ion pump current. The FTICR MS then uses that time and the known period of time for which a source of electrons used for an ionization event is energized to energize the electron source so that the known period of time includes the peak of vacuum chamber sample gas pressure. This allows ions to be created during the peak of the sample gas pressure to thereby obtain the maximum sensitivity during measurements.

Abstract: The present invention involves a power circuit breaker that conditionally and temporarily enables instantaneous trip protection. A position sensor senses whether the breaker contacts are open or closed. When the breaker contacts are open, the circuit breaker enables the instantaneous trip protection. After the circuit breaker contacts are closed, the circuit breaker continues to enable the instantaneous trip protector for a predetermined period of time. After this time delay, the circuit breaker disables the instantaneous trip protection and the circuit breaker reverts to providing its ordinary protection, such as long-time or short-time protection.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ideogrammatic character editor method and apparatus for creating, editing and communicating ideogrammatic characters which are comprised of a series of strokes forming a word in a particular language. A platform displays pre-formed strokes and provides an area on which the pre-formed strokes are positioned. A selector selects and positions the pre-formed strokes on the platform. An encoder encodes each pre-formed stroke selected and positioned by the selector on the platform as a stroke code and a position on the platform. A processor stores the stroke code and the position for each pre-formed stroke encoded by the encoding unit in a stroke loc list. In preferred embodiments, the present invention creates Japanese Kanji, Chinese and Korean characters, but also creates ideogrammatic characters of any language including those presently existing or those yet to be developed.

Abstract: A method for operating a stored energy circuit breaker actuation apparatus comprising the step of selecting from among manual locked, manual unlocked or automatic operations. If manual unlocked operation is selected, the method further comprises the steps of selecting local or remote operation. If local operation is selected, the stored energy circuit breaker actuation apparatus may be used by depressing a local ON switch and to turn off the circuit breaker assembly by depressing a local OFF switch and operating an operator handle. If remote operation is selected, the circuit breaker assembly may not be turned on or off. If manual locked operation is selected, the method comprises the further steps of selecting local or remote operation. The stored energy assembly may not be used to turn the circuit breaker assembly on or off either remotely or locally. If automatic operation is selected, the method comprises the further steps of selecting local or remote operation.

Abstract: The closure of a leak valve in a pulsed mass spectrometer is controlled to thereby substantially extend the life of the valve. An actuator responds to a pulse to open the valve. At the end of the open period the element that closes the valve seat is allowed to travel a substantial distance from the open position of the element to the nearly closed position of the element. The pulse amplitude is then controlled so that the time for the element to travel the remaining distance to valve seat closure is extended in time. The pulse amplitude can also be controlled so that the valve will never close except under fault conditions where power is lost or in a non-operating mode.

Abstract: An electrical feed through for use in a high temperature oven such as the oven in a gas chromatograph. The feed through includes printed circuit boards which are maintained in compression to prevent the boards from physically separating at the elevated temperatures used in the oven. The structure that provides the compression also does not allow any flexure, torsional or longitudinal stress on the boards. The boards include an enhanced connector pad which is made from a continuous annular copper ring which is connected to all of the conductive layers of the board.

Abstract: A method for graphically displaying a menu for selection and viewing of the load related parameters of a load connected to an AC load control device, comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring the load related parameters of the load connected to the AC load control device using a voltage shifter coupled to a sensor to bias the voltage above a ground potential by a predetermined voltage to produce a full-wave biased voltage signal; (b) displaying on a graphical display device a menu of a plurality of indicia representing the monitored load related parameters; (c) scrolling through each indicia on said menu; and (d) selecting an item from said menu thereby causing the load related parameters relating to the said indicia to appear on said graphical display device as a signal representation.