Abstract: In a multilayer gas-discharge display panel of the type including a plurality of character blocks, each including a plasma supply reservoir section, a control anode section, and a display section, such sections being arranged in a plurality of parallel, gas-filled columns defining a display matrix, the supply reservoir providing a source of ions which are selectively conducted by the control anodes to the display section, a voltage being applied to the display section to initiate a gas breakdown in those columns which have had ions conducted therethrough by the control anodes, an improved display section is disclosed comprising a transparent, insulating plate extending across the front of the panel, perpendicular to and covering all of the columns, a transparent electrode covering the front surface of the plate, on the opposite side of the plate from the supply reservoir and the control anodes, and means for applying voltage pulses of alternating polarity to the electrodes to create a flashing discharge in ea

Abstract: A brake circuit for a universal motor having an armature and a field winding normally connected in series therewith, the circuit including switch means operable to disconnect the power source and electrically connect the armature in series with the field winding and a brake resistor, with voltage limiting means in parallel with the field winding. The voltage limiting means include biasing diodes for maintaining the voltage across the field generally constant, resulting in a more even deceleration rate and a lower total brake time.

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor assembly having a resilient liner with at least two separate chambers. Fluid communication between the separate chambers is automatically controlled in response to centrifugation operation of the rotor. When the rotor is stationary, the liner assumes a first position within the rotor where an annular chamber is sealed from a central chamber. When a fluid sample is placed within the liner of the rotor and the rotor is subjected to centrifugation, the centrifugally induced forces of the fluid mixture shift the liner to a second position, opening the sealed condition between the central and annular chambers to permit fluid communication between the respective chambers. When the centrifugation operation has been completed and the rotor returns to its stationary position, the inherent resilient structural characteristics of the liner automatically re-establish the seal between the respective chambers.

Abstract: A rotor having a plurality of swinging carriers designed to receive specimen samples for subjection to centrifugation. The carriers are pivotally mounted to a rotor frame in such a manner that the generally flat support faces of each of the carriers assumes a parallel orientation with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor during operational speeds of the rotor. When the rotor is not operating, the support surfaces of each of the carriers assumes the perpendicular or acute angle orientation with respect to the rotational axis of the rotor. In order to overcome any resistive frictional forces which may be generated at the interface between the rotor frame and the pivoting carrier, the pivot axis of the carrier is shifted from the central or center of gravity plane of the carrier to ensure that the support surface of the carrier will positively assume its proper parallel orientation with the rotor spin axis.

Abstract: A nephelometer including an optical excitation system for directing light through a first window area into a cylindrical glass container and an optical detection system for quantitatively monitoring light scattered by a substance within the container and passing therefrom through a second window area. The optical detection system includes a lens system in optical alignment with the second window area and focused on an optical dark region on an inner wall of the container opposite the second window area. The optical dark region is free of internal light reflections. Therefore, the light monitored by the detection system is scattered light from the substance substantially free of internal light reflections representing background error.

Abstract: A hermetic glass seal to provide the final seal for the fill ports in the glass walls of a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The seal utilizes a glass bead sandwiched between a metal cover and a polymeric separator.

Abstract: A gas discharge display device for exhibiting an analog value in a sealed envelope having a viewing window with a plurality of linear cathode segments arranged in succession to form a row or column capable of exhibiting a glow discharge. The cathodes are arranged in groups within the sealed envelope with a separate anode electrode in operative relationship with each of the groups of cathodes. Alternate ones of the anode electrodes are activated simultaneously in alternating sequence, so that the time duration of cathode glow exhibited on each cathode segment is increased to provide a significant increase in the intensity of the bar graph display. The intensity of the bar graph may be decreased to accommodate a surrounding environment by reducing the on time for each cathode segment.

Abstract: A process for making an integral one piece rotor liner for use with a high speed rotor. The liner has an inner chamber and an annular chamber designed to operate in conjunction with the rotor operation to automatically allow fluid communication between the respective chambers during centrifugation and automatically establish a seal between the respective chambers subsequent to the centrifugation operation. The process for making the one piece rotor liner generally comprises a first step of molding the liner in an intermediate elongated configuration wherein the inner chamber portion is integrally joined to and spaced from the annular chamber portion of the liner by a reversing section. The general configuration of the inner chamber is located at one end of the elongated liner shape and the general configuration of the annular chamber is located at the other end of the elongated liner.

Abstract: The range of linearity of the kinetic method for the determination of glucose concentrations using a reagent of the type comprising a buffer, a pyridine coenzyme, and glucose dehydrogenase, is significantly increased when the buffer employed in the reagent has a pH of from about 7.9 to about 9.0.

Abstract: Apparatus for switching a fluid stream, either gaseous or liquid, between a first path and a second path is disclosed. A pair of enclosures are formed by two depressions in a first plate (each depression having an inlet and an outlet) and an elastomeric diaphragm covering the depressions. The diaphragm is held in place by a second plate having a first control inlet opposite one depression and a second control inlet opposite the other depression. A fluid to be switched is connected into the inlets of the first plate in common. By alternately applying a control fluid to one control inlet and then the other of the second plate, the fluid to be switched is switched from one outlet to the other by the diaphragm alternately being deformed into one depression and then the other by the control fluid so as to seal the inlet and outlet and, thereby, block the flow of fluid therethrough from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An improved catalytic reactor system and method for removing interferents such as reactive hydrocarbons from the gas being sampled by gas component determination apparatus is disclosed. The sample from which the interferents are to be removed is blended with ozonized air and saturated to at least 15% with water vapor. The mixture is then passed through the catalytic reactor which, preferably, contains a mixture of platinum oxide mixed with sand and maintained at an operating temperature of 200.degree. to 280.degree. C. Additional catalytic mixtures which may be employed in the reactor are also disclosed. Methods of preventing the poisoning of catalytic reactors and rejuvenating poisoned catalytic reactors are also disclosed.

Abstract: A flat screen, electrically controlled, reflective display device is provided that utilizes a very thin layer of a positive dielectric anisotropy liquid crystalline material of the nematic type. The selected liquid crystal material is one whose optical phase shift transmission is a sensitive function of the electric field within it, allowing controlled optical transmission in conjunction with an optical circular polarizer. The nematic material is placed in a very thin layer in a flat-sided cell between transparent planar cell wall elements that accurately define the thickness of the nematic layer. Birefringence of the nematic liquid crystal is controlled by voltages applied to interleave arrays of alternate parallel electrodes coated on the inner surface of only one of the transparent cell elements. The invention includes novel means for holding constant and uniform the thickness of the thin nematic layer and for reducing undesired parallax and multiple image effects.

Abstract: A signal conditioning circuit for extracting unipolar noise from an analog input signal by isolating the unipolar noise component and subtracting it from the input signal. The circuit includes a coupling capacitor receiving the analog signal and an ideal clamp connected to the capacitor output terminal to clamp the capacitor to an edge of the unipolar noise signal. The capacitor is thus prevented from charging toward a level representing an average value of the unipolar noise and hence functions to pass the noise undistorted for subtraction from the analog input signal. The clamp comprises an operational amplifier having a first input terminal connected to the capacitor output terminal and a second input terminal connected to a source of reference voltage. A diode is connected in a feedback path between an output terminal of the amplifier and the first input terminal thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for determining the overall efficiency of an automotive exhaust system including a catalytic converter for removing unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide from the exhaust gases. The carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and oxygen levels are monitored in the exhaust gases at the tailpipe. In a properly tuned engine, the base oxygen level is ascertained in order to establish the dilution effect of the air injection system on the exhaust gases which dictates the proper working curve on a disclosed Conversion Efficiency v. Carbon Monoxide at Tailpipe graph to be used in the procedure. A source of extra hydrocarbon is injected into the carburetor air intake to enrich the fuel mixture to the engine without affecting the basic carburetor settings. The engine and converter are thus overfueled thereby oxygen starving the converter to minimize any catalytic action. The carbon monoxide level is then read.

Abstract: A novel enzymatic reagent and method is provided for increasing the sensitivity of enzymatic substrate analyses using oxygen rate analyzers. The reagent is a buffered solution containing an enzyme which reacts specifically with oxygen and with the substrate being measured. The reagent also contains a salt or a combination of salts in quantities sufficient to reduce the solubility of oxygen in the reagent by at least thirty percent when compared to the solubility of oxygen in water. Upon being mixed with a specimen containing the specific enzyme substrate being measured, the enzyme catalyzes the reaction of the substrate and the oxygen. The rate of reaction of oxygen is measured, and the amount of total substrate is determined by means which translate the rate of oxygen consumption into the concentration of total substrate present in the specimen.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit including an operational amplifier having supply voltage terminals connected to a source of unregulated supply voltage and a two-terminal, essentially zero temperature coefficient, semiconductor bandgap voltage reference circuit connected in a negative feedback path between the output terminal and one input terminal of the amplifier. The amplifier provides a constant current source for the bandgap voltage reference circuit, and the amplifier and reference circuit cooperate to establish a regulated output voltage at the amplifier output terminal. A resistive divider network is connected in a positive feedback path between the output and a second input terminal of the amplifier to establish the value of the regulated voltage within a range of values between the bandgap voltage and the unregulated supply voltage.

Abstract: An improved automotive ignition analyzer is provided for use with electronic ignition systems. A quadrature field magnetic pickup is utilized to detect signals in the secondary circuit of the ignition system. An adaptor including a voltage clamp is connected to the tachometer lead of the electronic ignition system so that a power balance test may be performed in the conventional manner without harming the electronic ignition system.

Abstract: An air driven centrifuge which utilizes a stator with a floating stator pad for alleviating excessive vibration of the rotor associated with critical rotating speeds. The floating stator pad incorporates means for increasing the friction between the pad and the stator in order to increase the ability of the stator pad to provide greater dampening of the rotor for improving the smoothness and stability of its operation.

Abstract: A reagent system for beta-amylase assay comprising:A polysaccharide having glucose molecules primarily connected through alpha 1,4 linkagesPhosphate ionsMaltose phosphorylaseA co-enzyme selected from a group consisting of beta-nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide, beta-nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and mixture thereofGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenaseBeta-D-phosphoglucomutaseMutarotase.

Abstract: An improved electrode for use in oxygen determination is disclosed. Interference from carbon dioxide is eliminated by combining an improved electrolyte with means for permitting rapid electrolyte movement into and out of the space between the cathode and the membrane covering the cathode to maintain the pH of the electrolyte in the space substantially constant. The electrolyte consists of a KCl solution containing KOH of from 0.1 to 2%.