Abstract: A method detects proper connection of an endoscope to an endoscope processor by measuring pressure pulses applied to the connection point. The method can include measuring for the pressure pulses at a second connection point on the endoscope processor and measuring for a beat frequency produced variations in the frequency of pressure pulses input at each connection point. The method can also include looking for echoes of the pressure pulsations from physical structures within a lumen of the endoscope connected to the connection point.

Abstract: A sterilization system includes a sterilization chamber, a vacuum pump associated with the sterilization chamber, a vaporizer in association with the sterilization chamber, a sterilant distillation system associated with the chamber, a source of sterilant solution associated with the vaporizer and with the sterilant distillation system, and a control system which has programmed therein a first cycle in which the sterilant is admitted to the sterilization chamber at a first concentration, and a second cycle in which sterilant is concentrated in the sterilant distillation system to a second concentration, higher than the first concentration and from there admitted into the sterilization chamber and wherein the first and second cycles are selectable.

Abstract: A method detects proper connection of fixtures to a channel in an endoscope and proper flow through the channel during a cleaning or disinfection procedure. The endoscope has a first opening into one of its channels to which is connected a fixture and a second opening which is placed into a liquid. Negative pressure at the first opening draws an amount of liquid through the channel which is measured. If the channel is blocked insufficient liquid will flow an be measured. If the fixture is not connected properly air will leak in and insufficient liquid will flow an be measured.

Abstract: A sterilizer includes a vacuum chamber, a source of vaporizable sterilant, a vacuum pump, and a control system. The control system is programmed to take one or more data inputs regarding the nature of the load, such as lumen length and diameter, and determine one or more parameters of the sterilization cycle based upon the inputs.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing an article includes placing the article into a chamber containing an inner atmosphere and exhausting the inner atmosphere to lower pressure in the chamber. Hydrogen peroxide vapor is present in the chamber during at least a portion of the step of exhausting the inner atmosphere. Exhaustion of the inner atmosphere is terminated and additional hydrogen peroxide is admitted into the chamber. Hydrogen peroxide vapor contacts the article for a sufficient period to effect sterilization of the article.

Abstract: An excess tire air pressure relief valve positioned on an automobile tire for relieving the pressure within the tire caused by heat or over inflation. The valve has a main tube that extends through the tire rim, to selectively communicate air from the tire interior to the tire exterior. The tube has a spring that extends between a pair of disks. A seal is positioned below the spring support disk and is pressed against a lower lip by the spring to prevent air leakage through the tube. The spring is selected to exert sufficient force against the seal to prevent air leakage through the main tube. When internal pressure is greater than normal within the tire, the spring is urged outward, allowing air to escape around the edges of the spring support disk until the internal pressure lowers such that the spring can once again hold the seal tightly against the bottom lip.

Abstract: A travel manager system and methods are disclosed for conducting parallel searches of travel information sources, screening search results against contract filters and optimizing travel itineraries according to client preferences.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by concentrating a germicide via condensation and re-vaporization thereof, exploiting the difference between the vapor pressures of the germicide and its solvent to extract some of the solvent during the condensation process.

Abstract: An electronic component comprising a module which in a preferred embodiment has external dimensions corresponding to those of a standard building brick or block, or to an assembled combination of such bricks or blocks, so that use of the said module in the construction of partitions such as walls or floors, comprising such bricks or blocks is thereby facilitated, the module including parts which facilitate the transmission there through of radio signals.

Abstract: A process for producing 99.5+ wt. % para-xylene by selective alkylation has been discovered. A mixure of isomers of para-xylene having at least about 90.0 wt. % purity may be reacted with an alkylating agent having at least one tertiary butyl moiety in the presence of an acidic catalyst under conditions where the catalyst is in good molecular contact with the non-para-xylene isomers. The catalyst may be a high surface area acidic heterogeneous catalyst such as a proton-exchanged zeolite. Upon distillation, para-xylene is recovered in 99.5 wt. % purity or higher. The selective alkylation gives little or no alkylation of the para-xylene, the most predominant species, and very little or no isomerization to the other, non-desirable isomers.

Abstract: An injector for injecting a first liquid propellant and a second liquid propellant into a combustion chamber of a rocket engine. The injector includes a first injection element for injecting a first portion of the first liquid propellant into the combustion chamber such that the first portion of the first liquid propellant enters the combustion chamber in a first sheet or stream. A second injection element is spaced radially outward from the first injection element and injects a second portion of the first liquid propellant into the combustion chamber such that the second portion of the first liquid propellant enters the combustion chamber in a second stream. The first and second streams collide, causing the first and second portions of the first liquid propellant to at least partially atomize.

Abstract: A storage and retrieval assembly for a vehicle cargo area is disclosed. The storage and retrieval assembly includes a base support structure mounted in the vehicle cargo area, a first tray moveably connected to the base support structure and a second tray attached to the first tray. The attached first and second trays are movable into and out of the vehicle cargo area through an opening thereof. A storage and retrieval system for a vehicle cargo area is also disclosed. The storage and retrieval system may include the described storage and retrieval assembly in combination with a shelf assembly mounted in the vehicle cargo area and/or a shelf mounted on the wheel well of the vehicle in the cargo area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling simultaneous transmission of voice and data signals over a single subscriber line. Signals are time division multiplexed preferably using an ISDN access format such as the Basic Access or Primary Rate formats, but are treated separately at the exchange. Subscriber equipment combines signals from local computer and telephone devices for separation at corresponding exchange equipment. Similarly the exchange equipment combines signals from one or more packet networks and the public telephone network for separation at the subscriber equipment. Data signals are therefore passed by the exchange directly to or from a packet switched network while voice signals are passed directly to or from a telephone switched network. Channels available over the subscriber line are dynamically allocated with telephone signals generally taking preference over data signals.

Abstract: A method of repairing a crack in a boiling water reactor shroud with a clamp having pins eccentrically mounted on disks connected by a structural member includes inserting the pins into openings formed in the shroud on opposite sides of the weld and turning the disks to rotate the pins toward the weld such that edges of the holes are engaged by the pins to transmit loads from the shroud to the structural member rather than the weld. A seal member is mounted in compression between a flange at an inboard end of at least one of the pins and an inner surface of the shroud to control leakage through the opening in the shroud.

Abstract: A float for a liquid level detection apparatus including a tube extendable through liquid in a tank. The float is a buoyant body slidably mounted about the tube and having a diameter passable through an aperture in the tank. The float is preferably formed of two separate bodies joined by spacers positioned to allow the body to pivot from a first position substantially axially in line with the tube for insertion and removal of the float with respect to the tank to a second position substantially perpendicular to the tube in operative floating engagement with the liquid surface in the tank. The spacers, in one embodiment, are in the form of pins arranged in pairs along opposite side edges of the two bodies and spaced apart along the length of the two bodies such that the innermost pins of the two pairs of pins define an aperture for mounting the bodies transversely about the tube in the second, floating position.

Abstract: Improved electrical connectors and an improved technique for mounting metal contacts in an electrical connector. Such a technique employs overlapping, staggered arrays of forked electrical contacts in connector channels which engage corresponding blade contacts in a mating connector. The blades are inserted between prongs of the forked contacts. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical connector has an insulating housing having two parallel arrays of linearly aligned, offset, overlapping channels extending inwardly through a front of the housing. Each of the channel arrays extend inwardly through to two arrays of channels at a rear of the first housing. A forked metallic contact having a planar base, a pair of parallel and coplanar prongs at one of the ends separated by a gap, is mounted in each of the front channels such that the prongs from each forked metallic contact is positioned in one of the channels of the rear arrays of channels. A second housing is mated with the first housing.

Abstract: A cable bend controller (50) comprising a relatively rigid member includes a body section (52) having first and second cable-engaging sections (56,60) at opposing ends thereof. The first and second cable-engaging sections (56) are securable to a cable at a first and second spaced apart locations. The said body section (52) is curved about a preselected radius such that said first cable-engaging section (56) is oriented at a substantial angle to said second cable-engaging section, (60) the body section thereby defining an externally arcuate concave cable-engaging surface (54). Upon fastening the first and second cable-engaging sections (56,60) to the cable (42), cable (42) is required to assume a bend to lie along said externally arcuate concave cable-engaging surface (54).

Abstract: A right-angle coaxial electrical connector (22) mountable to a circuit board includes a housing (24) having a plurality of contact-receiving passageways (32) and at least two coaxial contacts (36, 38) disposed in the same column defining a stacked configuration. Each coaxial contact (36, 38) includes an inner terminal and an outer conductor, the inner terminal including a right angle body portion (46) extending outwardly of the housing (24) and concluding in a first connecting portion (44) adapted for mounting to the circuit board. A metal shell (64) having two interlocking halves joinable at opposed assembly faces is disposed over the outwardly extending body portion (46) of the inner terminal thereof and engageable with the outer conductor for connection to ground. In one embodiment, the inner terminal is comprised of two terminal subassemblies (40, 52). As an alternative, the connector housing (222) could be used with an intermixture of board mountable contacts (36, 38) and cable terminated contacts (235).

Abstract: A multi-piece jack handle having selectively assembled and disassembled elongated rod sections is provided with a novel molded retainer sleeve having integral prong elements in one elongated rod section that are selectively engaged and disengaged from co-operation with an integral retention collar in another co-operating rod section.

Abstract: A spring loaded drawer, such as an ashtray assembly (100) for use in automobiles or other vehicles includes a stationary frame (102) and a movable drawer (120) slidably mounted therein. A catch mechanism (164, 166, 168) releasably maintains the drawer (120) in a closed position. A damping assembly (180) mounted to the frame (102) includes an outer barrel (182), a rotatable inner barrel (190) interconnected to a gear (194) which engages a rack (160) mounted to the drawer (120), and a fluid-filled annular chamber (206) formed between the barrels (182, 190). When the catch mechanism (164, 166, 168) is released, a torsion spring (200) coupled to the inner barrel (190) is unloaded, causing the inner barrel (190) to rotate and the drawer (120) to move forward to an open position. The fluid within the annular chamber (206) produces a shear damping effect on the drawer movement.