Abstract: Spectrometer sampling chamber structures are disclosed which avoid purge loss during loading and unloading of samples. In two disclosed versions, a plunger carries the sample, and fits closely inside a fixed tube, into which it is inserted for sample illumination. Sample loading and unloading is accomplished without fully removing the plunger from the tube. Also, an automatic purging flow of gas from the interior of the spectrometer is caused during insertion of a new sample. In a third disclosed version, vertically stacked sample holders move through a vertical chute into which they are inserted to the top of the sample chamber, and from which they are removed at the bottom of the sample chamber.

Abstract: An accessory for use in the sample region of a spectrometer is disclosed which combines a matched pair of off-axis paraboloid reflectors having their focii optically imaged on the sample (either imaged at a common point or at two points which are optically imaged on each other) and having relative locations and orientations such that each ray of radiation strikes the two reflectors at points on the reflectors having approximately the same focal lengths. This arrangement involves the use of collimated optical beams into and out of the accessory. The accessory may function as a transmission-type accessory, in which the radiation passes through the sample, or as an internal reflectance accessory, in which the radiation passes through the sample holder but is reflected by the sample. The focal length relationship set forth is accomplished by having "back-to-back" paraboloid reflectors, i.e., their reflecting surfaces face in substantially different, preferably opposite, directions.

Abstract: A spectrometer is disclosed having an interferometer in which: (a) the variable-length arm has a moving retroreflector (copy A to A in summary). The pivoted linkage comprises three or more arms each having its upper end pivotally connected to a supporting structure and its lower end pivotally connected to a carrier for the retroreflector. The stationary folding mirror blocks approximately half of the open face of the retroreflector, causing the radiation which enters the unblocked half of the retroreflector to be reflected back to the retroreflector after it has traveled diagonally across the retroreflector and then been reflected toward the folding mirror.

Abstract: An improved rotary injection molding press for plastic parts of the type having a movable platform which indexes one or more manually opened and closed mold blocks to and from different stations on the press. Should an open mold block index from a preparation station to the index station where an injector mechanism injects fluid plastic into closed mold blocks, an actuator detects the open mold block to activate switch means to stop the press. Should a closed mold block index from a cooling station when the injected plastic cools in the mold block to an eject station which ejects the completed part from open mold blocks, a pin disposed in the mold block activates a switch to stop the press. Additionally a protective shroud is provided surrounding the injector mechanism to protect the press operator. Removal of the shroud activates a switch to stop the press.

Abstract: An interferometer spectrometer aligning apparatus and method are disclosed, in which the laser beam generator, which is in the instrument to provide data controlling clock signals, is also used to accomplish initial (and as needed) alignment of the instrument. The laser beam is directed through a target both on its way from the laser generator to the interferometer, and as it is reflected back from the interferometer, thereby validating the perpendicularity of the reflector to the axis of the interferometer. A semi-transparent mirror, i.e., a small beamsplitter, is used in the path of the laser beam ahead of the interferometer beamsplitter, thereby enabling portions of the laser beam to go into both the interferometer and the sample chamber.

Abstract: A dual beam Fourier-type spectrometer is disclosed in which the collimated output beam of a Michelson type interferometer is divided (post-interferometer) by a reflector which (a) reflects the bulk of said beam to the sample and thereafter a first detector, but (b) transmits part of said beam (preferably through apertures in the reflector) directly to a second detector. The relatively small portion of said beam which is transmitted to the second detector preferably passes through a substantial number of very small apertures in the reflector which are spaced in such a way as to maximize the spatial identity of the beams reaching the first and second detectors.

Abstract: An interferometer, for use in spectrometry, is disclosed in which a more reliable synchronization of the starting points of successive analytical scans is obtained by combining:(a) a moving retro-reflector in the variable-length arm which reflects both the analytical beam and the reference beam;(b) stationary reflecting means in the variable-length arm providing a flat "folding" reflector which causes the path of at least the reference beam from the retro-reflector to be folded on itself and returned to the retro-reflector; and(c) stationary reflecting means for the reference beam in the fixed-length arm so located as to offset the reference interferogram with respect to the analytical interferogram. Two versions of the invention are shown, each having two disclosed embodiments. In one version all three of the beams (clock, reference, and analytical) are "folded" by means of mirrors located adjacent to the moving retro-reflector. In the other version only the reference beam is folded.

Abstract: An accessory for optical spectroscopy is disclosed which combines a matched pair of off-axis paraboloid reflecting surfaces having their focal points at a common location on the reflecting surface of a sample. The entering and exiting beams are collimated. Preferably the paraboloid reflecting surfaces have co-linear, anti-parallel axes, and are part of a unitary structure which is rotatable around the collimated optical beam axis to vary the angle of incidence on the sample without altering the optical alignment, thereby allowing the specular reflectance component to be included or excluded, at will.

Abstract: A refractively scanned interferometer, of the type in which a wedge-shaped prism is moved across one interferometer arm for scanning purposes, in which both the substrate of the beamsplitter and the scanning wedge are optically compensated for by substantially identical elements in the other arm of the interferometer.

Abstract: A refractively scanned interferometer, of the type in which a wedge-shaped prism is moved across one interferometer arm for scanning purposes, in which a similarly shaped fixed prism in the other arm provides optical compensation to avoid aberration problems. The beamsplitter surface is on the fixed wedge-shaped prism, and the two wedge-shaped prisms constitute the only refractive elements in the interferometer arms.

Abstract: An interferometer, preferably of the Michelson type, is disclosed, in which the reflectors associated with the interferometer arms are stationary, and scanning is accomplished by displacement of a single wedge-shaped refractive element in one of the arms. The reflectors are preferably retro-reflectors rather than flat mirrors in order to minimize the effects of chromatic dispersion. A Moire scale may be used to measure the position of the wedge-shaped refractive element.

Abstract: An interferometer is disclosed, preferably of the Michelson type, in which the reflectors associated with the interferometer arms are stationary, and scanning is accomplished by motion of a wedge-shaped refractive element in one of the arms, the orientation of the refractive element and its direction of motion being in specific mathematically derived directions which minimize the translatory displacement of the transmitted optical beam.

Abstract: A collimator for gamma ray cameras, comprising stacked rows of elongated apertures formed by adjacent pairs of sinuously contoured lead foil strips, the sinuous contour providing a plurality of alternately and oppositely directed first and second projections, the plurality of first projections of each strip extending in one direction from the surface plane and the second projections in the opposite direction, the first projections of one strip of each pair contacting respective second projections of the other strip of each pair to form a row of elongated apertures therebetween, the first projections of said other strip contacting respective second projections of another like strip laid thereon to form a second row of elongated apertures therebetween and continuing in such manner until the desired number of rows of elongated apertures are formed. The walls of such elongated apertures may be parallel to the aperture axis in one embodiment, and may diverge from the aperture axis in another embodiment.

Abstract: A focus collimator press for collimators for gamma ray cameras, comprising a pivot arm of fixed length mounted on a travelling pivot which is movable in the plane of a spaced apart work table surface in a direction toward and away from the work table. A press plate is carried at the opposite end of the fixed length pivot arm, and is maintained in registration with the same portion of the work table for pressing engagement with each undulating radiation opaque strip as it is added to the top of a collimator stack in process by movement of the travelling pivot inward toward the work table. This enables the press plate to maintain its relative position above the collimator stack and at the same time the angle of the press plate changes, becoming less acute in relation to the work table as the travelling pivot moves inwardly toward the work table. The fixed length of the pivot arm is substantially equal to the focal point of the converging apertures formed by each pair of undulating strips stacked together.

Abstract: A cutting or drilling spindle and a tool unit supportable within the spindle for rotation with the spindle wherein the tool unit is provided with radially extending protrusions which can be received within corresponding inner radially spaced recesses within the spindle. The radial protrusions of the tool unit comprise balls support adjacent the exterior surface of the axial neck of the tool unit by a cage and which operate in such a way that during axial insertion of the tool unit into the spindle and locking, the radially outwardly extending portions of the balls will be engaged in the spindle's recesses. The balls are relatively movable such that if they are not properly aligned with the recesses when the tool unit is inserted into the spindle, the balls facilitate correction so that the protrusions of the tool unit will match the indentations of the spindle.

Abstract: A caster utilizing mounting structure, leg structure rotatably mounted on the mounting structure, and a wheel rotatably mounted upon the legs wherein the relatively movable parts of the caster are sealed against the entrance of foreign matter by means of a resilient synthetic material cover. In the method of constructing a caster in accord with the invention components thereof are coated with the coating material, such as by dipping, and the coating material, after curing, is severed at the desired locations to form sealing edges between relatively movable components. In a preferred method of forming the caster, mandrels having a configuration similar to the final caster components may be employed, however, it is within the scope of the invention to use the caster components themselves for molding purposes wherein the sealing material is later severed at the desired locations.

Abstract: A tool holder for easy and quick insertion in and removable from a high speed spindle of a machine tool. The tool holder is positively driven by the spindle by means of a quickly engagable and disengagable clutch. A drive adapter is insertable in the bore of a conventional spindle and has a drive clutch element which is disengagably connected with a complementary drive clutch element of the tool holder. The tool holder also has a resilient, flexible means in the form of an O-ring which frictionally engages the interior of the spindle so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the tool holder when reverse rotational forces are applied on the tool or at lower speeds of the spindle. The resilient, flexible means is centrifically urged in tight frictional engagement with the spindle when the latter is operating.

Abstract: A caster utilizing mounting structure, leg structure rotatably mounted on the mounting structure, and a wheel rotatably mounted upon the legs wherein the relatively movable parts of the caster are sealed against the entrance of foreign matter by means of a resilient synthetic material cover. In the method of constructing a caster in accord with the invention components thereof are coated with the coating material, such as by dipping, and the coating material, after curing, is severed at the desired locations to form sealing edges between relatively movable components. In a preferred method of forming the caster, mandrels having a configuration similar to the final caster components may be employed, however, it is within the scope of the invention to use the caster components themselves for molding purposes wherein the sealing material is later severed at the desired locations.