Abstract: A surgical tool handle comprising a tool attachment coupling having locking piston subassembly is described. The attachment coupling is designed with a bayonet-type fitting having a series of coupling grooves constructed to accept surgical cutting tools having an attachment member of different cross-sectional geometries. More specifically, the attachment coupling comprises a coupling groove that accepts tool attachment members having both curved and rectangular cross-sectional geometries. In addition, a locking piston subassembly biases against the surgical tool attachment member received in the coupling groove to further stabilize the tool during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical tool handle comprising a tool attachment coupling having locking piston subassembly is described. The attachment coupling is designed with a bayonet-type fitting having a series of coupling grooves constructed to accept surgical cutting tools having an attachment member of different cross-sectional geometries. More specifically, the attachment coupling comprises a coupling groove that accepts tool attachment members having both curved and rectangular cross-sectional geometries. In addition, a locking piston subassembly biases against the surgical tool attachment member received in the coupling groove to further stabilize the tool during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical tool handle comprising a tool attachment coupling having locking piston subassembly is described. The attachment coupling is designed with a bayonet-type fitting having a series of coupling grooves constructed to accept surgical cutting tools having an attachment member of different cross-sectional geometries. More specifically, the attachment coupling comprises a coupling groove that accepts tool attachment members having both curved and rectangular cross-sectional geometries. In addition, a locking piston subassembly biases against the surgical tool attachment member received in the coupling groove to further stabilize the tool during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical tool handle comprising a tool attachment coupling having locking piston subassembly is described. The attachment coupling is designed with a bayonet-type fitting having a series of coupling grooves constructed to accept surgical cutting tools having an attachment member of different cross-sectional geometries. More specifically, the attachment coupling comprises a coupling groove that accepts tool attachment members having both curved and rectangular cross-sectional geometries. In addition, a locking piston subassembly biases against the surgical tool attachment member received in the coupling groove to further stabilize the tool during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A self-centering coupling device is provided for coupling a sensor array to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided surgery. The self-centering coupling device includes a sensor support having a stem and sensor support arms coupled to the stem to support the sensors of the sensor array. The self-centering coupling device is received within a recess formed in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A self-centering coupling device is provided for coupling a sensor array to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided surgery. The self-centering coupling device includes a sensor support having a stem and sensor support arms coupled to the stem to support the sensors of the sensor array. The self-centering coupling device is received within a recess formed in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A self-centering coupling device is provided for coupling a sensor array to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided surgery. The self-centering coupling device includes a sensor support having a stem and sensor support arms coupled to the stem to support the sensors of the sensor array. The self-centering coupling device is received within a recess formed in the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A fail-safe, self-checking flame monitoring circuit is provided without the use of a mechanical shutter in which a photodetector provides a signal corresponding to flame intensity (including flicker), an amplifier amplifies the signal, the amplification is controlled by a negative feedback circuit in relation to the peak amplitude of the signal (including flicker) such that all frequencies down to DC are amplified equally, and all amplified signals are passed, without threshold, downstream for further processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring flames is provided with means for sampling both the value of a flame and the period of time during which a flame remains above a given intensity level during start-up. Flame-off delay means is also provided in combination with means for delaying a flame-on indication, means for segregating the respective operations thereof, and means for maintaining the durations of the flame-on and flame-off delays in fixed proportional relationship.

Abstract: A fail-safe system for monitoring a condition and activating controls in response either to the non-existence of that condition or the failure of any component in the system, in which a preliminary fail-safe oscillation train derived from sensing the condition is converted into a steady state indication of that condition, and a secondary fail-safe oscillation train is generated in a fail-safe way from said steady state indication for further transmission downstream for control purposes. In the context of flame monitoring, means associated with the preliminary oscillation train are provided for discriminating between separate flames and for time delay purposes.

Abstract: A smoke sensing detector for use with an indicating device comprises a chamber adapted to allow smoke to pass therethrough, an inner electrode carrying a radioactive source, a collector electrode having one or more holes and mounted on the inner electrode by insulating pillars, and an outer electrode. The collector and outer electrodes define a first ionization region, and the collector and inner electrodes define a second or reference ionizaton region which is comparatively little affected by the passage of smoke. Mounting the collector electrode on the inner electrode reduces costs, is easy and ensures that, in the event of insulation failure, the device is fail safe.

Abstract: A smoke sensing detector of the dual ionisation region type, including an inner electrode, an outer electrode, and a collector electrode mounted on the inner electrode by means of pillers of insulating material, a first ionisation region being formed by the outer electrode and the collector electrode, and a second or reference ionisation region being formed by the inner electrode and the collector electrode, wherein the collector electrode supports or incorporates a nickel-63 radioactive source emitting radiation into both ionisation regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to smoke detectors of the kind comprising first and second electrodes defining an ionization chamber permitting entry of smoke, said ionization chamber being optionally divided into two regions by a collector electrode, a radioactive source to ionize gas in the ionization chamber and a potential difference applied across the first and second electrodes to cause an ion current to flow, which current is affected by entry of smoke, and provides an auxiliary electrode positioned in the ionization chamber, and means to maintain or create a potential difference between the first electrode and the auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode may be used for testing or for adjustment of sensitivity.

Abstract: A burner control system has a field device and control logic for providing a control signal to change the state of the field device. A comparator that compares signals from field and the control logic comprises translation circuitry that is arranged to produce an output pulse train signal in response to a corresponding input pulse train signal, and power supply circuitry that has two logic inputs. The power supply circuitry supplies power to the translation circuitry only in response to a proper comparison between a field signal applied to one logic input and the control signal applied to the other logic input.

Abstract: A burner control system in which signals indicating the condition at various locations within the system are applied to a control circuit in the form of pulse trains, causing a continuous alternation of state of solid state switching elements therein. The system actuates a switch to open a fuel valve only when the level of the control circuit output signal is alternating, indicating that the said switching elements are operative. A comparison circuit compares the control circuit output signal with a signal denoting the condition of the fuel valve, to ensure proper operation of the fuel valve switch.