Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a closed-loop (“tokamak”) envelope, two ferrite cores, and an induction coil that is disposed on the envelope walls inside the closed-loop formed by the envelope. The envelope comprises two straight tubes of the same diameter. All coils' turns have essential the same length and are parallel to each other and to the closed-loop axis. Each ferrite core encircles a segment of each the coil's turn and one connecting tube. The lamp can be operated at driving frequencies of 100-600 kHz and lamp powers of 50-250 W. The ferrite core power losses were 6-8 W when the lamp was operated at a frequency of 200-300 kHz and lamp power of 140-150 W. The lamp light output was 12,500 lumen and luminous efficacy was 87 LPW.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp comprises a closed-loop (“tokamak”) envelope, two ferrite cores, and an induction coil that is disposed on the envelope walls inside the closed-loop formed by the envelope. The envelope comprises two straight tubes of the same diameter. All coils' turns have essential the same length and are parallel to each other and to the closed-loop axis. Each ferrite core encircles a segment of each the coil's turn and one connecting tube. The lamp can be operated at driving frequencies of 100-600 kHz and lamp powers of 50-250 W. The ferrite core power losses were 6-8 W when the lamp was operated at a frequency of 200-300 kHz and lamp power of 140-150 W. The lamp light output was 12,500 lumen and luminous efficacy was 87 LPW.

Abstract: A preamplifier stage with dynamically controllable signal gain in a data signal processing circuit that includes a downstream analog-to-digital signal converter. The level of the data signal subsequent to its preamplification is monitored and the gain of the preamplifier stage is dynamically adjusted in response to such data signal transcending one or more predetermined thresholds. Hence, the effective dynamic range of the preamplifier stage is extended, thereby also effectively extending the dynamic range of the overall system beyond that to which it would have otherwise been limited by the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital signal converter. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a preamplifier is used in an X-ray imaging system such as that using flat panel solid state imaging devices.

Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp operating at relatively low frequencies (50-500 kHz) whereby a ferrite core is utilized to generate the necessary magnetic and electric fields to maintain the discharge where the core material is Mn—Zn type combination due to its low power losses, 400 mW/cm3, in the frequency range of 50-100 kHz and magnetic field strengths of 150 mT. Furthermore, the material may cover a variety of atomic percentages of Mn and Zn added to Fe2O3 base to obtain favorable grain boundary and crystalline structure, resulting in a practical ferrite core material, having a Curie temperature greater than 200° C. Such material enables the operation of electrodeless fluorescent lamps with powers ranging from 10 W to about 250 W at low frequencies, as mentioned above, in such a manner that ferrite core losses constitute less than 20% of the lamp power and heat generated by core losses is minimized.

Abstract: A new child safe trigger mechanism for preventing a child from squeezing the trigger of a handgun. The inventive device includes a gun having a trigger, a trigger guard, and a handgrip. A base member is extended from a portion of the trigger guard adjacent the handgrip towards the trigger. The base member has a threaded bore therein facing the trigger. An insert member is threadedly inserted into the bore of the base member. An abutment member is slidably inserted into hole in the first end of the insert member so that the first end of the abutment member abuts the trigger. The abutment member is biased towards the trigger so that a predetermined amount of opposing force is required for moving the abutment member towards the second end of the insert member to overcome the biasing force.

Abstract: A quickly resettable timer is claimed which comprises a container having a base end and a reset end; a quantity of a flowing, particulate solid medium; a funnel-like receptacle having a loading orifice nearest the reset end and a metered orifice nearest the base end, the receptacle being mounted to and spaced from the interior wall sections of the container such that the particulate medium in the base end will flow over and around the receptacle and into the reset end upon inversion of the timer by rotation in any direction; and a ring fitted snugly against each interior wall section of the container intermediate the receptacle and the reset end, the ring having an aperture positioned above and sized smaller than the loading orifice of the receptacle. Preferably, the ring has inwardly protruding sides which taper toward each other to define the aperture. Most preferably, the receptacle and at least a portion of the container are made from a substantially transparent material.

Abstract: A process for removing SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x from waste gas and recovering sulfur comprising scrubbing the waste gases with a water slurry of FeS in the presence of FeSO.sub.4 and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4. SO.sub.2 is captured by the formation of FeS.sub.2 and FeSO.sub.4 in the scrubber. By thermal regeneration in a reducing atmosphere the FeS.sub.2 is converted to FeS and Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 to Na.sub.2 S. The FeS is recycled to the scrubber. The Na.sub.2 S is returned to the system reacting with FeSO.sub.4 to form Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and FeS. The last reaction reduces the amount of FeSO.sub.4 entering the regenerator where by an undesirable side reaction, it may be partially converted to SO.sub.2 and Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided whereby sulfur and nitrogen oxides as well as carbon monoxides and unburned hydrocarbons are removed from internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The gases are passed through a chamber containing a sulfide and an oxide of iron, copper or zinc. The system is partially self-regenerating and can be used in conjunction with present catalytic converter units or in lieu thereof. In certain embodiments the present invention can also replace muffler units in exhaust systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for scrubbing SO.sub.2 and NO.sub.x containing gases with iron sulfide. The reaction proceeds only to the formation of FeS.sub.2 and FeSO.sub.4 without significant formation of sulfur or iron oxide. The reaction products are subsequently regenerated to FeS by heating and can be recycled for further scrubbing operations; elemental sulfur is recovered as a by-product.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided whereby sulfur and nitrogen oxides as well as carbon monoxides and unburned hydrocarbons are removed from internal combustion engine exhaust gases. The gases are passed through a chamber containing a sulfide and an oxide of iron, copper or zinc. The system is partially self-regenerating and can be used in conjunction with present catalytic converter units or in lieu thereof. In certain embodiments the present invention can also replace muffler units in exhaust systems.