Abstract: A tunneling machine provided with the plurality of impact type cutting tools adapted to be mounted on a rotatable or oscillatable workhead assembly in such order and number that the work done by each of said tools upon angular movement of the workhead is generally equal. The working heads of the tools are mounted in close fit through a circulator disc shaped shield which prevents rock or like particles from passing beyond the workhead area to the bodies of the impact tools. Movement is imparted to the workhead assembly by a plurality of self propelled mechanisms which, along with the workhead, are concentrically surrounded by an enclosed tubular shroud which extends generally the length of the machine and is affixed to the shield.

Abstract: A breath tester includes an electronic detector providing an information signal with an amplitude level which varies as a function of the alcohol content in the breath under test. An anomaly detector circuit stores a signal related to the peak of the information signal, and continually compares this peak value with the instantaneous value of the information signal. When the difference between the peak signal level and the instantaneous signal level exceeds a preset amount, the output display of the breath tester is modified to indicate the analysis process has been disturbed by an anomalous chemical substance.

Abstract: A disposable trap comprising odorless rubberized glue or like sticky surface for capturing a mouse or like pest, a cover over the surface which has provisions for at least one opening therein for allowing the mouse to enter, is disclosed, wherein a window or like is provided for allowing the user to inspect the interior to see if a mouse is trapped therein, and wherein externally activated internal bait means are provided which bait is stored in an enclosure, is in a sealed condition, but which may be exposed within the covered trap by manipulating an external activator such as a push up pedestal which is pushed up to break a membrane within the trap and expose a change of bait material.

Abstract: In a breath tester of the type wherein a subject blows breath into an input for a predetermined continuous and uninterrupted flow, which breath is exposed to an electronic detector element whose output signal is employed to derive and display an output which is representative of the alcohol present in the breath and which detector, if subject to continued exposure of additional breath after the predetermined flow, is prone to produce an erroneous output, an electronic system is provided for electrically storing and isolating a detector signal produced from only the predetermined flow, whereby errors resulting from continuous flow or mechanical valving arrangements are avoided. The system disclosed includes circuit means for switching out and holding the end of flow detector signal and for producing an output based on that signal.

Abstract: The heating apparatus for applying heat to the interior of a chamber includes a modular, removable, electrical, heat-producing unit and a heat pipe mountable in a wall of the chamber with one end of the pipe arranged to receive heat from the electrical heat producing unit exterior of the housing and with another end of the pipe constructed and arranged to apply heat to the medium within the chamber. The heat pipe has high conductivity with a low temperature differential between the ends thereof and the heat producing unit includes an electric coil positioned about and removably secured to the one end of the heat pipe. The electric coil is embedded in a high thermal conductivity, low electrical conductivity filler material which is surrounded by a low thermal conductivity insulating jacket and which is received around a metal core member which is removably secured to the one end of the heat pipe.

Abstract: A variable volume, positive displacement pump apparatus for withdrawing samples of liquid from a reservoir and discharging them into a sample analyzer. In the preferred form of pump, two syringe assemblies are provided, each one having a movable plunger assembly and a valve unit associated therewith. The plunger assemblies are reciprocated by engagement thereof by a motor driven, reciprocable carriage assembly which includes a cross member for pushing selected metering rods upwardly against the plungers. The carriage also includes a pair of yokes to engage the plungers and pull them downwardly to aspirate the specimens. Valve movement is achieved by a gear drive which moves the valve between one position which enables the syringe to be filled and another position enabling the syringe contents to be discharged. The volume displaced with each stroke is determined by the length of the metering rod inserted between the carriage and the syringe plunger.

Abstract: An intervivos blood processor includes a processing chamber wherein whole blood is separated into its red blood cell, white blood cell and plasma components in the presence of a centrifugal force field. The white blood cell component is removed from the chamber by means of a tubing segment having a free floating end within the chamber and a density corresponding to the density of the white blood cell component. Since the free end of the tubing assumes the same position in the chamber as the white blood cell component the tubing collects only this component notwithstanding variations in the flow rate of the blood through the chamber and the centifugal force field applied to the chamber.

Abstract: A heating device for applying heat to the interior of a closed container containing a liquid therein to be heated includes an elongate cartridge-type electric heating unit and at least one heat pipe having a heat absorbing end and a heat transmitting end. The electric heating unit is attached to the heat absorbing end of each heat pipes and the heating device is secured in an aperture in the wall of the container by means of a mounting flange. The electric heating unit is mounted in an aperture in the mounting flange and the heating unit and at least one heat pipe attached thereto extend into the interior of the chamber to apply heat to the liquid in the container.

Abstract: The automatic range selection circuit is particularly useful with a photomultiplier tube linear microphotometer and includes an amplifier, adjustable and switchable impedances coupled between an input and an output of the amplifier for adjusting the gain thereof, two comparators for comparing the output from the amplifier with upper and lower reference voltage levels, an integrator for integrating the output of the comparators, and an analog control circuit responsive to the output signal level at the output of the integrator for controlling the amount of impedance coupled between the input and output of the amplifier thereby to automatically adjust the gain thereof.

Abstract: The rollers of a peristaltic pump are provided with an unyielding surface, so as to insure uniform compression of the pumped tube. The rollers are mounted on their driving axles by means including yielding rubber bushings, whereby the rollers accommodate to varying diameters of pump tubing and do so without generating objectionable noise. Because the rollers yieldingly ride over the irregularities, two adjacent tubes of slightly differing diameters can simultaneously be contacted and stripped by one set of rollers.

Abstract: A table height rolling ball game apparatus of the type employing a freely tippable table whose upper surface has a maze defining a track on which a ball may freely roll is disclosed. The track runs circuously from an outer start position to a central end position and a number of hazard holes are provided in the track. The hazard hole and track are sized such as to allow the ball to roll past the hazard hole when rolling along one sidewall of the track, but to fall into and through the hole when proceeding along the other side of the track. At least some of the holes are placed along the side walls where the ball would naturally travel so as to require a coordinated action on the part of the player or players to avoid them. A novel hole closing system is employed to selectively close the hazard holes so that the game may be made easier or harder.

Abstract: A dialysis device is disclosed which includes dialysis solution conduit means for passing dialysis solution through a membrane dialyzer. In accordance with this invention, controlled volumes of dialysis solution are supplied and withdrawn to and from at least a portion of the dialysis solution conduit means, plus the dialyzer connected to the conduit means. By this, the input and output of the dialysis solution to and from the conduit portion and connected dialyzer is positively controlled. The total liquid volume of the conduit portion and connected dialyzer is measured. Accordingly, changes in the total liquid volume which are not attributable to the dialysis solution input and output indicate the amount of ultrafiltration during dialysis.

Abstract: The leakage current thermostat is utilized in an electric heater assembly including a housing, a heating element mounted in the housing, electrical supply lines to the heating element and an electrically insulating material in contact with at least a portion of the heating element. The material has a temperature-resistance relationship such that the leakage current therethrough is a steep function of temperature. A leakage current thermostat includes a thermostat control circuit which is coupled to the supply lines and which is operative to control the current to the heating element in response to changes in the leakage current. The heating element is preferably formed by printed circuit techniques on a ceramic material which is affixed in a layer to a metal (conductive) base layer and the leakage current from the printed circuit element to the base is measured by the control circuit.

Abstract: An alarm unit for a humidity sensor activates an alarm circuit when the relative humidity rises above a certain value or under certain malfunction conditions such as a missing sensor or a cut cable, includes a first circuit for establishing a reference signal, and a second circuit adapted to be connected to a humidity sensor for responding thereto and for generating a humidity out-of-limits signal. A third circuit responds to the reference signal and to the humidity out-of-limits signal to generate an alarm signal. The third circuit includes a level detector, and the first circuit comprises an impedance device which cooperates with the second circuit which in turn connects the sensor to the input of the level detector, the sensor being a variable impedance device.

Abstract: Cuvette positioning apparatus for use in a spectrophotometer adapted for comparing first and second material samples includes a carrier in which cuvettes to be alternately analyzed are arranged end-to-end. The carrier is reciprocated along a vertical axis to expose the cuvettes in alternation to the monochromatic beam of the apparatus. The rate of reciprocation is selected to avoid cavitation of the samples, and a sinusoidal drive arrangement increases the exposure time of the samples to the light beam and minimizes transit time for optimum measurement efficiency. Circuitry responsive to synchronizing signals derived from the drive arrangement is utilized to form an output signal indicative of the difference in measured characteristics between the samples.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing and rapidly cooling containers in a steam sterilizer by spraying the containers with a cooling fluid which has been sterilized under the same conditions as the containers.A steam sterilizer modified with a closed loop recirculating system which provides a sterilized cooling fluid for quickly cooling the sterilized containers.