Abstract: A transducer for nondispersive infrared radiation (NDIR) gas analysis and a passive device for verifying the calibration of the transducer. The calibration verification device can be mounted on a cable by which the transducer is attached to an associated signal processing-control-display unit (SPCDU) or monitor. Calibration parameters for the transducer are stored in a plug at the monitor end of the cable. The transducer includes an integrated subassembly of an infrared radiation source unit, an infrared radiation detector unit, and a flex connector and may be employed with an airway adapter preferably maintained by a thick film heating element at an above-dewpoint temperature to ascertain the concentration of a specie potentially present in gases flowing through the adapter. The transducer may also be employed for other purposes.

Abstract: Gas analyzer systems which include: (1) a transducer for outputting a signal indicative of the concentration of a specified gas in a sample which may contain that gas, and (2) an airway adapter or cuvette with a flow passage for confining the sample to a particular path traversing the transducer. The cuvettes feature radiant energy transmitting windows which are flush mounted in apertures on opposite sides of the cuvette flow passage and are fabricated from a polymer such as biaxially oriented polypropylene which is malleable, yet resistant to wrinkling, warping, and other forms of distortion. Retainer rings keep the windows flat and distortion free with an accurately reproducible spacing between the windows.

Abstract: A thermal printhead for dissipating accumulated static electric charge. An electrically conducting outer layer is deposited over the surface of a thermal printhead that receives static charge from the passing print media or ribbon media. The layer, which can be a 100-angstrom-thick layer of chromium, is formed over a glass overglaze. If the surface overglaze is passivated, a 10-angstrom-thick activating primer layer is formed on the glass overglaze before the chromium layer is deposited. The conductive outer layer is connected to electrical ground to dissipate the static electric charge as it is generated.

Abstract: A thermal recording paper comprising a substrate (12) and a protective layer (20). The substrate includes a support layer (13) and a thermal layer (14) comprising a heat-sensitive, image forming thermal material. The protective layer comprises a cured silicone resin overlying one side of the substrate and positioned on the same side of the support layer as the thermal layer. In another aspect, the present invention comprises a method of making thermal recording paper comprising coating one side of the substrate with a silicone resin such that the silicone resin is positioned on the same side of the support layer as the thermal layer, and curing the silicone resin by exposing it to radiation such as electron beam radiation or ultraviolet radiation.