Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decontaminating a region with a gaseous or vaporous decontaminant (e.g., vaporized hydrogen peroxide) without dehumidification (e.g., without the use of a dryer). The saturation concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is monitored, and the concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is regulated to prevent condensation of the decontaminant. The bioburden reduction is continuously monitored during a decontamination phase to ascertain successful completion of a decontamination process in accordance with a target bioburden reduction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bonding wafers along their corresponding surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools comprising a percussion bit (1) having a head portion (3) formed with an axially extending stub shank (32). The stub shank is provided with axially extending splines (36), which are slideably engageable with complementary splines (35) formed on a drive chuck (4). Rotational drive from the chuck (4) may be transmitted to the stub shank (32) by means of the splines. Bit retaining means (6, 7, 41, 42) at the chuck are adapted for engagement with complementary retaining means (37, 51) at a spline portion of the stub shank to retain the stub shank in the drill bit assembly. Engagement means on the chuck (4) are adapted for connecting the chuck (4) to a drive means (5) of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool.

Abstract: A method is provided for compensating for output nonuniformity on a display. The method comprises characterizing the display. The method further includes creating a set of data tables wherein one table provides data for compensation along vertical axes of the display and a second table provided data for compensation along horizontal axes of the display, and wherein components of the tables include a linear offset factor to correct data for nonuniformity and a slope factor which permits gray scale information to be recovered at points near the limits of the gray scale range. The characterizing step may include using a optical detector to obtain optical output information from the display. The slope factor may be calculated to preserve top end gray scale range of the display by adjusting luminous output so that input data level maps to separate output grey levels between a truncated and an untruncated level.

Abstract: A lighting control system suitable for a surgical lighting device. The lighting control system includes circuitry that compensates for the effects of temperature changes in a lighting device, and that compensates for forward voltage variations among LED lighting modules to provide substantially uniform light output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a region exposed to a gaseous/vaporous sterilant. A catalytic destroyer and a reactive chemical unit are used to reduce the concentration of the gaseous/vaporous sterilant within the region. The reactive chemical unit includes a chemistry that is chemically reactive with the gaseous/vaporous sterilant. In one embodiment, the gaseous/vaporous sterilant is vaporized hydrogen peroxide and the chemistry of the reactive chemical unit includes thiosulfate and iodide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for circulating a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas in a chamber. The apparatus includes a housing defining a flow path therethrough. The housing has an inlet end and an outlet end. A blower is provided for conveying a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas along the flow path. A filter that includes a filter element is provided. The filter is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the filter element is fluidly isolated from the flow path when the filter is in the first position, and the filter element is disposed in the flow path when the filter is in the second position. An actuator is provided for moving the filter between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A spark plug comprising a cylindrical portion which projects into a combustion chamber from an inner wall face of an engine head when the spark plug is fixed to the engine head, wherein the cylindrical portion has one or more ventilating portion comprised of a through hole or a notch in an outer circumferential face thereof. An igniting portion projecting into the combustion chamber improves ignitability. Further, because an air-fuel mixture fed from an inlet of the internal combustion engine flows to inside of the cylindrical portion through the ventilating portion, heat of an insulator is taken away and cooled down, whereby an occurrence of pre-ignition is prevented.

Abstract: A drill bit assembly for fluid-operated percussion drill tools. The assembly comprises a percussion bit (1) having a head portion (3) formed with an axially extending stub shank (32). A drive bush (2) is releasably connectable to the bit head portion (3). Axially extending splines (35) on the drive bush (2) are slideably engageable with complementary splines (36) formed on a drive chuck (4) whereby rotational drive from the chuck (4) may be transmitted to the drive bush (2). The assembly further comprises engagement means on the chuck (4) adapted for connecting the chuck (4) to a drive means (5) of the fluid-operated percussion drill tool.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to simulated flame effect fires which include an apertured bed, such as a simulated fuel bed, a vapor generating means such as an ultrasonic transducer and means for providing a rising current of air to carry the vapor through the apertured bed. Light sources are provided below the fuel bed to provide localized illumination.

Abstract: A circuit protection device for protecting a photovoltaic (PV) system from an overcurrent condition. The circuit protection device includes a first electrode electrically connectable to a first line of an electrical circuit, a second electrode electrically connectable to a second line of the electrical circuit. A first thermal element, second thermal element and an overload assembly define a first conductive path between the first and second electrodes. A bypass shunt defines a second conductive path between the first and second electrodes. The overload assembly electrically connects the first thermal element to the second thermal element, and is moveable between a closed position and an open position (i.e., overload condition). A low melt temperature solder electrically connects the overload assembly to the second thermal element. The low melt temperature solder softens and melts as the temperature increases in response to an overcurrent condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a parameter associated with operation of a fossil fuel fired power generating unit. An optimizer determines optimal setpoint values for manipulated variables used to operate the power generating unit by accessing a model that predicts a parameter sensed by a plurality of sensors. The optimizer uses the model to minimize a cost valve of a cost function while observing at least one constraint associated with operation of the power generating unit.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an ignition plug is provided. The method includes: preparing an insulator having a cavity provided at a leading end portion thereof by disposing a leading end of the center electrode more inwards than a leading end of the insulator; building the insulator in an interior of the metal shell such that the leading end of the insulator is situated closer to a rear end side than the leading end of the metal shell; removing at least part of a leading end portion of the metal shell which projects from a leading end face of the insulator; and disposing the ground electrode at the leading end portion of the metal shell and welding the ground electrode and the metal shell together after the removal step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for determining a concentration of a chemical component in a fluid having a first sensor that senses a first physico-chemical property of the chemical component and, a second sensor that senses a second, different physico-chemical property of the chemical component and a processing system.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving objects along a path is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart rollers that define the path of the conveyor. The upper edges of the rollers are aligned to define the surface of the path. Two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces define two side boundaries of the path. A barrier assembly is disposed within a gap in one of the side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects onto the conveyor from one side of the conveyor. The barrier assembly is comprised of a mounting plate mounted to the conveyor and a barrier pivotally mounted to the mounting plate. The barrier has a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on one of the side rails. The barrier is movable between a first position wherein the wall section is elevated relative to the upper edges of the roller and a second position wherein the wall section is disposed below the upper edge of the rollers.

Abstract: A handgun having a frame with a barrel. The barrel has a muzzle end and a breech end. A handgrip is mounted to the frame to pivot about an axis. The handgrip is movable between a firing position and a storage position. The axis is movable relative to the frame along a path extending in a direction of the barrel wherein the handgrip is movable along the length of the frame to the storage position wherein the handgrip is adjacent the frame.