Abstract: A method of ionising a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.

Abstract: A method of ionising a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.

Abstract: A method of ionising a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.

Abstract: A method of ionising a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.

Abstract: A method of ionizing a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.

Abstract: A method of ionising a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: A fabricated structure for use with an associated marking device is provided. In one form, the fabricated structure includes a self-lifting spring finger having a nib for marking.

Abstract: The electronic flash card device is an apparatus that allows a user to complete a learning objective without a conscious effort. A plurality of such apparatuses is positioned throughout the areas that the user occupies daily. The user then passively views, remembers, and learns a plurality of teaching points that are displayed on the apparatus. Each teaching point has an initial portion, which is shown first, and has associated portion, which is shown second along with the initial portion. For example, if the user knows English and wants to learn Spanish, then the initial portion would be a word in English and the associated portion would be the same word in Spanish. The apparatus can also be used to learn simple arithmetic by first showing the arithmetic problem and then showing the arithmetic problem with its answer. The apparatus continuously displays the plurality of teaching points in a timed sequence.

Abstract: A fabricated structure for use with an associated marking device is provided. In one form, the fabricated structure includes a self-lifting spring finger having a nib for marking.

Abstract: A system for fluid transport is provided where a quantity of fluid is held in a reservoir. A droplet generator is employed to generate droplets from the fluid, for example a nozzle-based system or a nozzleless system such as an acoustic ejection system. A generated droplet has a trajectory whereby it arrives at a target. A circuit is used to modify one or more characteristics of the generated droplet in a way which increases the likelihood that the droplet will not splash or bounce when it arrives at the target. The circuit may in different embodiments control the speed of the droplet or the Weber number of the droplet. The circuit may create an electric field in an area of space where the droplet passes. The circuit may charge the droplet by causing it to contact ions.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.

Abstract: Methods are provided for analyzing characteristics of fluids in the context of an acoustic ejection system. Such a system has a controller, an acoustic radiation generator, and a coupling medium coupling the radiation to a reservoir holding fluid. The methods can use acoustic radiation to both perturb a surface of the fluid in the reservoir and analyze the effect of the perturbation. The methods may use information about prior fluids. The methods of the invention can determine physical characteristics such as speed of sound and viscosity. The methods also include ways to determine a level of acoustic energy suitable to eject a droplet. Preferably the methods are executed automatically under control of programming of a controller of an acoustic ejection system.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically determining the properties of the contents of one or more reservoirs in a plurality of reservoirs. Each reservoir is adapted to contain a fluid. An acoustic radiation generator can be positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to each of the reservoirs. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through each reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of analyzing a characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation and optionally correlating the characteristic to a property of the reservoirs' contents. Properties that may be determined include volume, temperature, and composition. The invention is particularly suited to determining the properties of the contents of a plurality of reservoirs to allow for accuracy and control over the dispensing of fluids therefrom.

Abstract: A number of architectures of switch compensation networks are described for the provision of a compensation current which ensures the maintaining of a desired switching ratio in an acoustic printhead. The described architectures include those which provide column compensation, row compensation, and row and column compensation to a transducer switching matrix. Control of the switching ratio by the compensation networks, is used in consideration of the dissipation of heat energy through expulsion of a heated drop, to provide a precisely controlled balance.

Abstract: A wire rope or cable stabilizing system for applying a balancing force to a suspended load to maintain vertical movement of the load perpendicular to the surface upon which the load is to be placed. The balancing force is effected to balance the lateral loading forces which may be applied to the suspended load such as may be due to, for example, the list or trim of a vessel, or the wind loading forces encountered when removing or replacing a hatch cover during a loading or unloading operation of a ship.

Abstract: A straddle-type mobile hoist having loading slings operatively connected to automatically equalize the loading applied through the slings and adapted to vary the lateral spacing between slings.

Abstract: A straddle carrier consisting of an inverted U-shaped frame, having a pair of vertically extending legs that define an elongated container carrying bay with each leg supported by a plurality of wheels is disclosed herein. First and second engines are respectively supported on the legs and each engine drives a plurality of pumps which supply pressurized fluid for driving and steering the vehicle, as well as pumps for supplying fluid to a plurality of other functions. The hydraulic circuit for performing the plurality of other functions as well as the steering function is designed so that all of the functions may be operated from the pumps driven by one of the engines in case of power failure in the other engine.

Abstract: A hoisting mechanism for a spreader of a straddle carrier is disclosed herein. The hoisting mechanism includes two fluid rams respectively located at diagonal corners of a generally inverted U-shaped frame. One fluid ram is connected to one end of the spreader through three parallel flexible members with the intermediate flexible member connected to one corner of the spreader and the two outer flexible members are connected to the opposite corner of the spreader. The disclosure also shows a unique steering linkage for steering all eight wheels that support the straddle carrier.