Abstract: A mechanical coupling including a drive shaft reciprocable on an axis; an actuator shaft mounted for reciprocating rectilinear motion on the axis; and a coupling mechanism for transmitting reciprocating motion of the drive shaft to the actuator shaft; the coupling mechanism including a pivot joint allowing relative pivotal movement between the drive shaft and the actuator shaft, and a translational joint allowing relative translational movement between the drive shaft and the actuator shaft in directions transverse to the axis, the translational joint having a flexible link connecting the pivot joint and the drive shaft.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system including a liquid pump having a pumping chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a purge port, all communicating with the pumping chamber; a separation column; an outlet valve connected between the outlet port and the separation column and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; a source of mobile phase; an inlet valve connected between the inlet port and the source and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; and a purge valve connected to the purge port.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography system including a liquid pump having a pumping chamber, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a purge port, all communicating with the pumping chamber; a separation column; an outlet valve connected between the outlet port and the separation column and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; a source of mobile phase; an inlet valve connected between the inlet port and the source and adapted to control liquid flow therebetween; and a purge valve connected to the purge port.

Abstract: A centrifuge apparatus including a rotor; a drive coupled to the rotor; an inner ring adapted to pivotally support an annular array of inner containers having open upper ends; an inner coupling coupled between the rotor and the inner ring so as to cause rotation thereof and resultant centrifugal force induced inward pivotal movement of the upper ends into the centrifuge positions; an outer ring adapted to pivotally support an annular array of outer containers having open upper ends and displaced outwardly from the inner array in a direction transverse to the rotational axis of the rotor means; an outer coupling coupled between the rotor and the outer ring so as to cause rotation thereof and resultant centrifugal force induced inward pivotal movement of the upper ends of the outer containers into centrifuge positions; and an inner orientation mechanism for preventing movement of the upper ends of the inner containers into their centrifuge positions.

Abstract: A scoop for picking up particulate, granular, or penetrable solids. The scoop itself is a rugged one-piece construction that has a bucket member which is pushed into solids to be scooped in a normal "open" position. The scoop is constructed in the shape of a wedge to facilitate entry into the mass of solids and allows the force exerted on the scoop by the solids to assist in closing of the scoop.

Abstract: A multiple-function hand useful in automated laboratory operations, particularly liquid transfer operations. A gripper and a piston operated syringe are made compatible on a single function by mounting such that their mechanical actuating mechanisms are operated parallel to one another, while the operating vector of the syphon, i.e., the direction of piston movement and direction of gripper lift are at right angles one to the other.

Abstract: A compact robot of the 3-axis type comprising a base-mounted motor control system with means to sense the position of a robot arm through a servo-system comprising position-sensing potentiometers mounted in the motor control system and a feed-back control system to co-ordinate the vertical and horizontal movement of a robot arm.

Abstract: A compact robot of the 3-axis type comprising a base-mounted motor control system with means to sense the position of a robot arm through a servo-system comprising position-sensing potentiometers mounted in the motor control system and a feed-back control system to co-ordinate the vertical and horizontal movement of a robot arm.