Abstract: A method for lining a gun barrel with a material selected to reduce the rate of erosion and corrosion from the rounds of ammunition fired through it includes the steps of forming a rod of the lining material, hammer -forging a barrel blank to the rod, and then drilling out a bore in the rod. The liner extends from the muzzle end of the barrel almost to the chamber end but stops short to abut a step formed in the barrel just forward of the chamber. The chamber is machined, reamed, and chrome-plated. Preferably measures are taken, such as by applying pressure to the rod during forging, to assure that the rod is placed in full engagement with the step and held in full engagement with the step in order to avoid the formation of a gap between the liner and the step.

Abstract: A cassette for supporting a plurality of cylindrically-shaped containers (e.g., test tubes) of randomly varying diameters in spaced parallel relationship includes a frame supporting a plurality of tube centering assemblies in side-by-side relationship. Each tube-centering assembly comprises a housing defining a through opening for receiving a container, and a pair of cooperating collar members slidably mounted on the housing for movement towards and away from each other. Each of the collar members has an arcuate surface adapted to contact a side wall of a received container during the sliding movement thereof. A spring is provided to bias the collar members towards each other and towards engagement with the side wall of a received container, whereby the collar members cooperate in supporting a received container therebetween.

Abstract: The invention provides a tube adapter for use on a plurality of different types of tubes. The tube adapter includes a sleeve in which to receive smaller diameter tubes. The sleeve preferably includes a bar code reader slot to allow reading of bar codes on the tubes through the sleeve. The sleeve includes a spring portion biased to retain tubes in the tube adapter. The sleeve also preferably includes a key for aligning the tube adapter in a tube cassette. The tube adapter can include a clip to prevent the tube adapter from inadvertently being removed, rotated or dropped from the tube cassette.

Abstract: A universal stripper plate for operating on a plurality of different types of collection containers or tubes. The universal stripper plate includes a universal button for aligning and seating the various tube stoppers or caps for piercing. The universal button is mounted onto a stripper plate, which can be driven into the tube seating/alignment, tube piercing and aspiration and tube release positions. The universal stripper plate also can include a bar code tab to provide a bar code reference and a piercing needle alignment for the various tubes.

Abstract: A self-adjusting tube detector for operating on a plurality of different types of collection containers or tubes including a pivotable adjustment arm which is biased into a first position. The first position is preadjusted for the smallest diameter tube to be utilized. When a larger tube is moved into the aspiration location, the adjustment arm is moved upward against the bias by the tube. The self-adjusting tube detector includes a pivotable reader arm, which is biased into a first position indicating the absence of a tube in the aspiration location. When a tube passes the adjustment arm, the tube will move the reader arm upward to provide a signal indicating that a tube is aligned in the aspiration location for aspiration by the stripper plate assembly.

Abstract: An ink droplet catcher assembly for an ink jet printer includes a housing with an opening for ink droplets. In the housing, a sensor is directly impacted by the ink droplets. The sensor generates varying electrical signals to circuitry controlling ink droplet deflection for an ink jet printer in response to the impact position of the ink droplets on the sensor. A coating is applied to the sensor to retard sensor wear and to prevent short circuiting of the generated electrical signals in response to ink droplet impacts. The housing construction conducts captured ink droplets out of the housing to a reservoir when a lid, covering the housing, deflects air and ink droplets entering the housing.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having a piezoelectric capillary injector-type droplet generator. The droplet generator includes an integral body having formed within it a single chamber that receives and holds ink under capillary action. A nozzle defined by one or more continuous apertures is formed in the body in communication with the chamber. A piezoelectric crystal actuates a flexural diaphragm that forms one wall of the chamber. The flexing of the diaphragm creates pressure perturbations that force the flow of ink through the nozzle for droplet generation. Also provided are means for damping oscillations of the piezoelectric crystal to prevent unwanted secondary generation of droplets.

Abstract: A microphone is provided for converting the impact force of a moving charged droplet into a corresponding electrical signal. A vertical support member supports a diaphragm in the path of the moving droplet. The diaphragm flexes or vibrates in response to a group of impinging droplets. A bimorph piezo-electric element is in contact with the diaphragm to move therewith and is fixedly secured at its opposite end to an adjacent housing member. The bimorph generates an electrical signal in response to bending stresses created when the bimorph is bent.

Abstract: A system for accurately controlling the position of documents as they are throughputted along a straight line path for purposes of MICR writing and reading thereon. Accurate control of document position along a linear path is obtained by minimizing speed variations of a throughputted document, by maintaining a throughputted document in good registration, and by holding closely proximate the throughputted document to the read or write head.