Abstract: An improved tympanic thermometer incorporates twin thermopiles, each including a set of sensing junctions and a set of reference junctions configured so that three of the four sets of junctions sense only the temperature of an ambient environment, while the fourth set of junctions receives energy from both the ambient environment and from the tympanic membrane of a patient whose temperature is being taken. The energy received from the tympanic membrane is intentionally not bandwidth limited, enabling an accurate temperature measurement to be calculated which is substantially independent of wavelength. A light pipe is optionally included to assist in carrying radiation from the tympanic membrane to the fourth set of thermocouple junctions used for temperature sensing. In the preferred embodiment a dielectric coating is internally applied within the light pipe, and interchangeable tubes may be provided which conform to the aural physiology of different patients, including children.

Abstract: A device useful for illuminating parts to be inspected includes an illumination device employing a plurality of bundles of optical fibers coupled with a light source. The device includes a housing having an optical lens in one end which has an outer surface that is convex about a single axis. A clamp assembly mounts the bundles on the opposite end of the housing, with the ends of the bundles extending through a rectangular opening in an end wall of the housing. An aperture plate between the lens and the ends of the bundles masks light from the bundles so that all of the light passing through the aperture plate falls on the lens, thereby partially collimating the light impinging on the inner face of the lens.

Abstract: A discriminating fire sensor includes detecting means which discriminates between hydrocarbon fires desired to be detected and high-energy exploding rounds of ammunition without causing a hydrocarbon fire. Also, the system distinguishes between a hydrocarbon fire desired to be detected and ambient radiation in order to prevent false alarms. Circuit means coupled to the detecting means provide an output control signal for the activation of a fire suppressant only when a hydrocarbon fire is detected having predetermined properties to exclude false alarms.