Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the width of an adjustable slit in response to the product of two variable functions, one of which is programmed, which includes at least one adjustable optical slit; slit width programming apparatus for producing a first displacement that is a logarithmic function of the instantaneous slit width conforming to a predetermined program; antilogarithm generating elements for producing a second displacement that is the antilogarithm of the first displacement; a phase adjusting mechanism for controlling the phasing between the first displacement and the second displacement; slit width selection apparatus operative on the phase adjusting mechanism for controlling the phasing in accordance with a given slit width selection; and actuating elements responsive to the second displacement and operative on the optical slit for controlling its width.

Abstract: A device for absorption of selected radiation wavelengths, such as solar radiation, for producing heat energy, consists essentially of a single film or layer of a mixture of metal particles and a dielectric material which are coated on a supporting substrate of either metal or glass. The metal and dielectric concentration varies in a gradual transition from a major portion, up to 100%, of metal at one boundary surface to a major portion, up to 100%, of dielectric at the opposite boundary surface. There are no interior boundaries in the film; the film composition is inhomogeneous between the boundary surfaces and substantially homogeneous in planes generally parallel to the boundary surfaces. Dielectric materials and metals are disclosed in combinations adapted for solar radiation absorption over a broad band of wavelengths, on the order of from 0.35 to 1.

Abstract: An improved graphite tube for use in a flameless atomic absorption spectrometer, which is characterized by a mechanically roughened area on at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the graphite tube for providing substantially constant emissivity for pyrometric temperature measurement, and in a preferred form the mechanically roughened area has superimposed thereon a microscopic chemically roughened area.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying liquid samples to analytical instuments having a support member; a sample source mounted on the support member; a calibration vessel holder mounted on the support member for carrying a plurality of vessels containing neutral or calibration solutions, said holder being movable in a stepwise manner; an intake tube mounted for vertical reciprocating motion corresponding to predetermined points of an operating cycle; and wherein the support member is movable to a first position wherein the sample source is disposed adjacent the intake tube and to a second position wherein one of the vessels in the vessel holder is disposed adjacent the intake tube.

Abstract: A double-beam, time-sharing, ratio-recording spectrophotometer in which the reference signal data is evaluated both in an actual demodulation cycle and in a different cycle, which may be either a preceding or a following cycle. The two evaluations are combined to produce derived reference signal data. Ratioing means are included for extracting the ratio between the sample signal data evaluated in an actual demodulation cycle and the derived reference signal data. Predetermined multiplying factors may be used in arriving at the derived reference signal data. The interpolation of reference signal data from actual and non-actual demodulation cycles enables the effect of uncompensation on photometric accuracy to be minimized. Uncompensation results from the fact that in a time-sharing spectrophotometer sample and reference signal data do not occur at the same time and do not therefore relate to the same environment and the same wavelength.

Abstract: An automatic pipetting system for pipetting a measured micro-quantity of reagent into a reaction cup, in which the pipetter is lowered into a reagent bottle, a predetermined amount of reagent drawn in using a positive displacement pump, the pipetter withdrawn from the reagent bottle through an irrigated wiping sponge to accurately control the drop of reagent at its tip, rotated to a position over the cup and lowered thereinto after which the displacement pump expels a measured amount of reagent.

Abstract: In a device such as a spectrophotometer with an associated chart recorder in which the speed ratio between a first displaceable member and a second displaceable member may be selectively changed within a predetermined range of speed ratios, in a first embodiment of invention which is mechanical in nature, a number of gear trains in constant mesh with each other are provided to obtain the different speed ratios. Each of the gear trains has associated therewith a rotary disc with circumferentially even spaced apertures, the gear train obtaining an input from the first displaceable member by means of arms rotatable concentric with the discs, the arms carrying a pin adapted to enter into positive engagement with any one aperture, the number apertures depending on the scale served by the associated gear train.

Abstract: A unity magnification catoptric image-forming system and an illumination system on the one hand, and an object- and image-surface supporting means on the other hand, are arranged for relative movement to retain the object and image surfaces in unity magnification conjugate planes of the catoptric system while effecting a scanning-type exposure of successive portions of the image surface to successively illuminated portions of the object. Fine motion mechanisms permit accurate preliminary adjustment of the object- and image-receiving surfaces relative to each other while under visual examination with the aid of the catoptric image-forming system.

Abstract: Automatic sample preparation method and apparatus for making successive measurements with an analyzer by picking up with a single stepwise movable metering probe, in a first measuring cycle, a sample for measurement from a sample container and a small volume of air; introducing this sample and the air into the inlet of the analyzer; picking up with the same metering probe, in a secondary measuring cycle, a sample for measurement from the same sample container and a small volume of air, and picking up with said metering probe a metered quantity of liquid additive and a second small volume of air; and thence introducing said sample, said liquid additive and said air picked up in the secondary measuring cycle into the inlet of the analyzer.

Abstract: Control of test chambers or specimens to stabilized temperatures at set points over a wide temperature range is accomplished with improved response time by an arrangement of cascaded Peltier affect heat pumps. Generally, power to a first Peltier unit in the arrangement is controlled relatively to the temperature deviation of the specimen from the desired set point, while power to a second Peltier unit therein is controlled proportionally to the temperature differential across the first Peltier unit. In applicatons where large thermal losses to ambient occur, a portion of the power control signal to the second Peltier unit is applied to offset the temperature set point as a compensation for such losses. Improvement in approach to stabilized temperature is further attained by applying an anticipation signal in proportion to the temperature gradient between the specimen and the first Peltier unit to decrease the monitored deviation of the specimen temperature from the set point.

Abstract: Equal and opposite moments are applied to distort a specimen in varying the configuration thereof so that transfer of reaction forces into the specimen's supporting structure is avoided. Specific embodiments where the specimen is a mirror in an optical system are disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-smudge bar for a recorder is disclosed wherein the recorder has a drive means for advancing a strip chart in a longitudinal direction. The strip chart, as it advances, passes over a platen disposed upstream of the advancing means. A pressure roller adjacent the upstream side of the platen presses the strip against the platen. The pressure roller has a plurality of longitudinal grooves spaced by sharp crests which contact the chart in a manner preventing smudging of wet ink traces previously recorded on the chart. The ink traces are recorded on the chart by a recording pen which is movable in a direction transverse to the direction of chart movement. The roller and the pen are lifted from chart contact whenever the chart direction is reversed to permit subsequent recording on a chart segment previously recorded on.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for two-dimensional parallel data processing, a pattern of information to be analyzed is reproduced in a field of bi-stable information bearing elements. The pattern is processed by comparing the states of the six nearest neighbor elements around each element with at least one of the possible patterns of states of said six neighbor elements, without regard to correspondence of rotational orientation of the actual pattern with the possible patterns, and fixing each element in a predetermined state when the actual pattern of states of its six neighbors matches a selected one or more of the possible patterns. The predetermined state in which each element is placed may be a function of the states of its six neighbors, a function of its own original state and the states of its six neighbors, or its own original state.

Abstract: Where the unknown leg of a bridge is a sensor which presents a resistance that relates to a parameter by a second order polynomial, a negative feedback circuit from the conventional null measurement terminals to a voltage divided point in the balance leg thereof is included to provide a substantially linear relationship between the parameter of the sensor and a ratio including two voltage levels from the feedback circuit. A circuit means for continuously monitoring this ratio of voltages with a counter in recurring cycles for digital display is incorporated with the linearized bridge circuit of this invention in a particular embodiment thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit which supplements a bridge-type detector circuit in order to minimize non-linearities resulting in measurements of thermal conductivity by such type bridges. An auxiliary voltage source is described which has an adjustable output voltage which is servoed to follow the output voltage of a differential amplifier which is connected to the output of the bridge. When the bridge is balanced at the desired operating temperature, the auxiliary supply is switched in and this voltage now controls the current supplied to the bridge instead of the differential amplifier output voltage thus eliminating the cause of the non-linearities at the point of measurement.

Abstract: An improved anamorphic scanner lens system including seven axially aligned cylindrical lens elements, the cylinder axes of the surfaces of the first six elements being disposed at right angles to the direction of the scan line, the axis of the front surfaces of the last element being parallel to the scan line and the rear surface thereof being substantially flat, the first six cylinders being arranged in pairs with each pair consisting of a biconvex positive lens and a negative meniscus lens, the concave side of the menisci alternate pointing toward the direction of the light, and an aperture stop disposed in front of the first lens.

Abstract: A compact, sealable sample transport apparatus for conveying material from a supply to a combustion chamber, includes an elongated ladle member longitudinally moved in a conduit to the combustion chamber and coacting rotary magazine and transfer plate members, sealed with respect to one another so as to enable discrete analytical specimens to be loaded into and, after analysis, discharged from the ladle member without substantial exposure of the interior of the apparatus to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: An absorbance measuring photometer, for measuring the absorbance of a sample in a sample cell, in which light of preselected wavelengths from one of two alternately utilizable sources of different wavelengths is formed into a beam and the etendu of the beam defined. The beam is then split into two separate beams one of which is directed through the sample cell onto a first detector and the other of which is passed directly onto a reference detector. The beam is so directed though the sample cell that it does not touch the cell walls and both beams are imaged on their respective detectors so as to be wholly within the photosensitive area thereof.

Abstract: A completely automated kinetic analyzer particularly suited for performing classical kinetic chemistries on an ultra-micro scale. The analyzer comprises a sample preparation unit and a photometric analytical unit. The preparation unit includes a rotationally indexed tray of sample containers presented in timed sequence to a diluter probe which effects dilution of the samples while transferring them sequentially to respective reaction cups, batches of which are contained in magazines and previously filled, by means of an automatic pipetter, with a first reagent. Conveyors move the magazines in stages through the preparation unit, the sample-reagent mixtures meanwhile undergoing preincubation. A second automatic pipetter thereafter adds a second reagent to each cup, in turn the contents of which are then mixed by an automatic stirrer.

Abstract: Spurious voltage in the receiver coil of a nuclear magnetic resonance probe due to stray induction is cancelled out by inducing a voltage of correct phase and amplitude in a balance winding which is in RF coupling relationship to the receiver coil.