Abstract: An irradiation system is provided. The irradiation system includes a plurality of LED arrays, each of the LED arrays including a plurality of LED light producing elements. The irradiation system also includes a target area, the target area being adapted to receive light energy from each of the plurality of LED arrays. The plurality of LED arrays are positioned with respect to one another such that they surround the target area of the irradiation system.

Abstract: A device for applying radiation to a target is provided. The device includes a radiation emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation having a peak emission wavelength in the range from 10 nm-1 mm, and a first reflector that extends in a length direction with a concave cross section. The first reflector defines a cavity area having a perimeter, and includes an inward facing reflective border for at least 50% of the perimeter of the cavity area. Radiation is provided to the cavity area with an intensity distribution I and a maximum intensity Imax. The cavity area includes a focal area defined by all points at which a normalized intensity I/Imax is greater than 0.2. A width of the focal area is 0.0001-0.5 times a width of the cavity area.

Abstract: A device for applying radiation to a target is provided. The device includes a radiation emitter to emit electromagnetic radiation having a peak emission wavelength in the range from 10 nm-1 mm, and a first reflector that extends in a length direction with a concave cross section. The first reflector defines a cavity area having a perimeter, and includes an inward facing reflective border for at least 50% of the perimeter of the cavity area. Radiation is provided to the cavity area with an intensity distribution I and a maximum intensity Imax. The cavity area includes a focal area defined by all points at which a normalized intensity I/Imax is greater than 0.2. A width of the focal area is 0.0001-0.5 times a width of the cavity area.

Abstract: A lamp head assembly is provided. The lamp head assembly includes a thermally conductive block, an inlet cooling fluid pipe coupled to the thermally conductive block such that a cooling fluid is configured to pass from the inlet cooling fluid pipe to the thermally conductive block, and a metal heat exchanger secured to the thermally conductive block. The metal heat exchanger defines a plurality of internal channels to distribute cooling fluid provided by the inlet cooling fluid pipe. The metal heat exchanger is secured to the thermally conductive block such that the cooling fluid is configured to pass from the thermally conductive block to the plurality of internal channels defined by the metal heat exchanger. The lamp head assembly also includes a plurality of light producing elements secured to the metal heat exchanger.

Abstract: A gasket for use in an ultraviolet light source is provided. The gasket includes a body portion formed of an elastomeric material. The body portion is electrically conductive.

Abstract: A lamp head assembly is provided. The lamp head assembly includes a thermally conductive block, an inlet cooling fluid pipe coupled to the thermally conductive block such that a cooling fluid is configured to pass from the inlet cooling fluid pipe to the thermally conductive block, and a metal heat exchanger secured to the thermally conductive block. The metal heat exchanger defines a plurality of internal channels to distribute cooling fluid provided by the inlet cooling fluid pipe. The metal heat exchanger is secured to the thermally conductive block such that the cooling fluid is configured to pass from the thermally conductive block to the plurality of internal channels defined by the metal heat exchanger. The lamp head assembly also includes a plurality of light producing elements secured to the metal heat exchanger.

Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.

Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly comprising at least one magnetron, a least one microwave-powered bulb, a luminaire reflector, at least one waveguide, and a radio-frequency screen assembly is provided. The radio-frequency screen assembly, the radio frequency gasket, and the luminaire reflector are configured to form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The at least one waveguide is configured to couple energy from the at least one magnetron to the microwave-powered bulb. The radio-frequency screen accommodates at least one latching structure. The at least one latching structure is configured to sufficiently compress or to release the radio-frequency screen and the luminaire assembly. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency screen assembly comprises a frame which comprises an opening defined by a plurality of edges. The frame comprises a planar portion and further comprises a ridge at one of the edges that extends in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion.

Abstract: A luminaire reflector comprises a first end reflector segment, a second end reflector segment, and a main reflector segment bonded together as a single-piece. The main reflector segment, the first end reflector segment, and the second end reflector segment form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The luminaire reflector is configured to be mated to at least one waveguide of a luminaire assembly. The luminaire reflector comprises at least one RF coupling slot to transmit microwave energy from the waveguide side to the microwave cavity side of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: A luminaire reflector comprises a first end reflector segment, a second end reflector segment, and a main reflector segment bonded together as a single-piece. The main reflector segment, the first end reflector segment, and the second end reflector segment form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The luminaire reflector is configured to be mated to at least one waveguide of a luminaire assembly. The luminaire reflector comprises at least one RF coupling slot to transmit microwave energy from the waveguide side to the microwave cavity side of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly comprising at least one magnetron, a least one microwave-powered bulb, a luminaire reflector, at least one waveguide, and a radio-frequency screen assembly is provided. The radio-frequency screen assembly, the radio frequency gasket, and the luminaire reflector are configured to form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The at least one waveguide is configured to couple energy from the at least one magnetron to the microwave-powered bulb. The radio-frequency screen accommodates at least one latching structure. The at least one latching structure is configured to sufficiently compress or to release the radio-frequency screen and the luminaire assembly. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency screen assembly comprises a frame which comprises an opening defined by a plurality of edges. The frame comprises a planar portion and further comprises a ridge at one of the edges that extends in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion.

Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.

Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.

Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

Abstract: A light curtain device for use in a vending machine which has at least one mechanism arranged for initiating operation upon selection by a customer for vending an article into a vend space through which the article falls into a customer-accessible hopper. The light curtain device has first and second emitter/detector arrays, each comprising at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors, said arrays being positionable and arrangeable within said vending machine so that electromagnetic radiation emitted by said at least one emitter of said first array may be detected by at least some of said plurality of detectors of said second array, and so that electromagnetic radiation emitted by said at least one emitter of said second array may be detected by at least some of said plurality of detectors of said first array, and so that articles falling through the vend space of the vending machine will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between at least one emitter and at least one detector.

Abstract: A vending machine includes at least one width-adjustable storage rack, the storage rack having a fixed wall and a movable wall connected to the fixed wall by at least one connecting link; and an adjustment mechanism constructed and adapted to position the movable wall relative to the fixed wall and to thereby vary an interior width between the fixed and movable walls. Two movable walls can be connected to a single fixed wall.

Abstract: Snap action thermostat has a housing molded onto two flat terminals to form a cavity wherein inner portions of the terminals are exposed. A contact arm is welded to the inner portion of one terminal, a dished bistable bimetal element is placed loosely in the cavity, and a fulcrum plate is provided thereover to bias the bimetal element against the contact arm in one of the stable positions to close the circuit. A mounting plate fixed to the housing provides a heat sink to ensure prompt temperature response.

Abstract: A bistable bimetallic element is captured loosely between a housing cover on the one side, and an interior abutment and an end of a movable contact arm on the other side. A dimple in the housing cover provides a fulcrum for the bistable element, so as to permit a large throw of the compact arm and thus a high breakdown voltage rating.