Abstract: An X-ray collimator is disclosed having longitudinal and cross shutter assemblies disposed between an input port and an output port. Image area boundaries are defined by two pairs of inner edge portions. Mating inner edge portions of each pair move in an essentially rectilinear path.

Abstract: A x-ray tube housing assembly is disclosed which includes a manifold for distributing incoming coolant within the housing in the area adjacent the hot zone of the x-ray tube. The manifold preferably comprises a generally tubular conductor circumferentially disposed about a first axis which is generally parallel to the axis of the tube housing.

Abstract: An eddy current coupling has telescoping input (12) and output (18) shafts to form a shunt (72, 74, 76) for the magnetic flux (78a) of the coupling around a bearing (66) between the shafts. This avoids the increased friction and heating effects and the magnetization of the bearing occurring when the bearing is exposed to the flux.

Abstract: A timing generator for use with multi-phase controlled rectifier systems is disclosed in which a ramp signal is produced in phase synchronization with the power source and compared with the value of a command signal. The command signal is indicative of the desired SCR ignition angle. A sequencing circuit, having a finite number of output states is cyclically stepped from one state to the next by the comparator. The sequence circuit couples a source of SCR-gating pulses to the appropriate SCR in accordance with its state and with a predetermined pattern of SCR ignitions which characterize the multi-phase source.One aspect of the invention concerns the multiplexing of the comparator output whereby the command signal is offset by 60.degree. (electrical) after each comparator transition to set up conditions for the next transition.A further aspect of the invention concerns the generation of an alternate ramp, 180.degree.

Abstract: An automatic fluid mixing system is disclosed which, in its preferred embodiment, discontinuously opens a disposable multi-compartmented module to permit the mixing of initially released contents before the subsequent opening of remaining compartments, flushes each compartment with base liquid, and utilizes knife-edge pairs to slit the module in a manner which permits rapid release of the contents.The preferred system additionally includes means responsive to specific gravity of the solution for controlling the amount of base liquid introduced into the solution and a level sensing mechanism including a magnetic float assembly employing magnetically responsive switches to electronically sense liquid level.

Abstract: A lithium/thionyl chloride electrochemical cell, particularly suitable for use in surgically implanted devices, is disclosed which exhibits a step change in its output voltage sufficiently prior to full cell discharge to enable the timely replacement of the cell under non-critical circumstances.

Abstract: A novel transistorized fluorescent lamp ballast and lamp combination operates from AC line voltage. The ballast provides for "soft-start" lamp operation in one featured aspect and provides for some lamp light output regulation in another featured aspect thereof.

Abstract: A scan converter, used in an imaging system, for inverting the R-.theta. format of stored data into a format compatible with video display. As the video display is scanned horizontally, the .theta. addresses are sequentially addressed by means responsive to the scan position. The switch points thus defined are updated within succeeding video lines in accordance with trigonometric relationships between the video lines and the radial lines. Means responsive to the scanning of a reference video line initializes the switch point values in accordance with respective intersection points of the displayed radial lines and the reference video line.The R coordinate is similarly initialized and updated in accordance with trigonometric relationships between the radial lines and the video lines.

Abstract: A scanner for use in ultrasonic imaging systems of the type which translates a transducer assembly along a path of successive positions. The scanner rotates the assembly during translation and, in one embodiment, rotates the transducer about a center of rotation which is offset from the center of translation.

Abstract: A high resolution, ultrasound imaging system is disclosed having a transducer which produces a diverging beam of ultrasound energy of sufficiently large angle so as to impinge on the sound-reflecting object from substantially all positions along the transducer scan path.

Abstract: A "ball and socket" seal arrangement for an electrochemical cell is disclosed wherein a ball of insulating material is captively retained in a socket formed by a portion of the cell cover in cooperation with a retaining member. The cell feedthrough passes through the socket and the insulating ball. After assembly of the components, the sockets are compressed, thereby forcing the insulator ball to conform to the inner surface of the socket to make an effective seal.

Abstract: Electrical apparatus includes electrical coil means formed of multiple turns of enamel-covered electrical wire axially mounted on a core of magnetic material in electromagnetic energy coupling relationship therewith, and a relatively flat flexible electrical cable containing a plurality of spaced parallel conductors extending between the cable ends contains a loop shaped portion extending about an axis of said core over an arcuate distance greater than 180 degrees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hydrocarbon flame ignition and detection is disclosed utilizing a pair of flame-detecting electrodes positioned at the flame site in contact with the flame and in a spaced-apart relationship to accommodate, in the gap therebetween, essentially the flame's reaction zone. At least one of the electrodes may additionally serve as the ignition element and is, accordingly, sufficiently electrically resistive so as to undergo self-heating in response to current flow therethrough.A second aspect of the invention relates to the direct application of AC line voltage across the resistive electrode during the ignition phase and across the electrode gap during the detection phase.A third aspect of the invention concerns the thermal-heating of both electrodes by the flame to reduce both the ignition time and the "wall quenching" effect of the otherwise cool electrode surface on the high-conductivity plasma in the reaction zone.

Abstract: A Scan Converter for use with an Ultrasonic Imaging System is disclosed, which permits the buffering of sweep address and video data with relatively fewer bits of information. In essence, the propogation path of the ultrasonic pulses is resolved into a pair of vectoral components while the propogation path media is defined by successive contiguous body segments which are to be respectively displayed as video picture elements. A series of first signals indicate the crossing of segment boundaries in the vectoral direction having the faster rate of boundary crossings. A second signal is produced having a unique valve which indicates a boundary crossing by the pulse in the other vectoral direction. Reflections of the ultrasonic pulse are sampled at a rate determined by the first signals; i.e., the rate at which segment boundaries are crossed in the first vectoral direction. The sample values are held for storage in memory.

Abstract: The assembly includes an electrically insulative support member which overlies electrical contacts on the handpiece and further includes a pair of contact members which press a flexible printed circuit against the electrical contacts to couple a pair of bulbs to the electrical power source. The light source assembly additionally includes means for effectively sealing the contact regions from environmental fluids.

Abstract: A method of making a printed circuit board from a laminate structure comprising an insulative laminate base, a layer of semi-cured adhesive material, a layer of electroless copper and an electroplating resist covering the surfaces in the negative of the image of the desired conductor configuration which comprises immersing said resist covered structure in an acid cleaning solution for cleaning said structure; immersing said laminate structure in an acidic copper electroplating solution and coupling an electrical source to said structure for electroplating acid copper onto the exposed portions of said electroless copper and retaining said structure in said solution for an interval sufficient to produce a plating of electroplated copper of a thickness in the range of 0.0005 to 0.

Abstract: An improved inductive device such as a transformer of the type containing a closed magnetic core, typically formed of magnetic laminations, with at least one coil-receiving core window and an electrical coil winding mounted on a core leg fitting through the core window, said coil being of a multilayer precision wound bobbinless construction in which the coil side to which a winding start lead extends faces an adjacent core leg, the improvement therein wherein the first turn of the first layer of the coil winding is interleaved between two turns of an overlying layer of winding turns and wherein the last turn of said first layer is also interleaved between two other turns of said overlying layer, whereby the spacing between the coil and magnetic iron core elements is increased to enhance electrical insulation.

Abstract: A low drift sample and hold circuit is disclosed comprising a transconductance input buffer coupled at its output to a plurality of CMOS inverters through a respective plurality of CMOS switches. The appropriate switches are momentarily addressed by a micro-processor while applying a respective input value to the buffer. The buffer is de-activated prior to the opening of the switch to prevent errors between the sampled and held values.

Abstract: A computerized ultrasound scanner is disclosed having operator-actuable apparatus for selectively choosing one of a plurality of video processing techniques utilized to convert information from ultrasonic pulse reflections into a video displayed image of the interior region of an examined body.