Abstract: A self-aligning mechanism for positioning analyte receptacles comprises a loading carriage which bears a tray. In one embodiment, the carriage is slidingly mounted in a structure and includes three guide pins and a stop pin. In this embodiment, the tray has a leaf spring attached at the rear thereof, a lateral protuberance for contacting the structure, and two frontal and one lateral oblique slots. A pair of vertical contact planes, orthogonally disposed with respect to each other, are formed on the top surface of the tray.

Abstract: A multi-functional photometer includes a scanning mechanism having a housing (10) that bears a movable linkage (12). The linkage is coupled to an optical scanning head (18) and incorporates optical fibers for transmitting radiant energy to and from the scanning head. The arm comprises a C-shaped "elbow" member (14), pivotally attached to a "shoulder" member (16). In turn, the "shoulder" member of the arm is pivotally connected to the housing. Dynamic couplings join the optical fibers such that the shapes thereof remain fixed regardless of the orientation of the arm. The housing further incorporates a Cartesian-coordinate table (20) for positioning the scanning head with respect to a microplate (22) that contains a plurality of analyte samples.

Abstract: A multi-functional photometer includes a scanning mechanism having a housing (10) that bears a movable linkage (12). The linkage is coupled to an optical scanning head (18) and incorporates optical fibers for transmitting radiant energy to and from the scanning head. The arm comprises a C-shaped "elbow" member (14), pivotally attached to a "shoulder" member (16). In turn, the "shoulder" member of the arm is pivotally connected to the housing. Dynamic couplings join the optical fibers such that the shapes thereof remain fixed regardless of the orientation of the arm. The housing further incorporates a Cartesian-coordinate table (20) for positioning the scanning head with respect to a microplate (22) that contains a plurality of analyte samples.

Abstract: A digital phase meter to measure the phase difference between an input signal and a reference signal and output this phase information in the form of an eight bit number. The input signal and the reference signal, which are sinusoidal, are conditioned to a more defined leading edge by a high speed differential voltage comparator and a dual/differential line receiver. A series of uniquely configured D flip-flops are used to detect the leading edge of both the signal input and the reference input. An AND gate then acts as a switch that is activated on the leading edge of the signal input. The time interval between the two positive leading edges of the input signal and reference signal specifies the phase difference. The AND gate is in the high state for this duration. The phase difference is converted into an 8-bit binary number via two 4-bit cascaded counters. The high output of the AND gate is used to enable the counters for the duration of the phase difference.