Abstract: In one embodiment a control system for linking a plurality of electrically driven road vehicles together is disclosed, the control system having: a coupling input and a coupling output disposed on each of the plurality of vehicles, each coupling input of each vehicle being configured to releasably engage each coupling output of another vehicle to provide a mechanical and electrical coupling of the plurality of vehicles together; and a control system located on each of the plurality of vehicles, the control system communicating with the coupling input and the coupling output to detect when the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle via a respective coupling input or coupling output, the control system being further configured to operate in a lead vehicle mode or a trailing vehicle mode when the control system detects that the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle, wherein the lead vehicle mode causes the control system of the lead vehicle to contro

Abstract: A pneumatically powered pole saw, comprising: an extendable pole; a head member secured to the extendable pole; a cutting blade movably mounted to the head member; a piston linked to the cutting blade; a reciprocating valve disposed in the head member configured to release compressed gas into the piston chamber on one side of the piston when the reciprocating valve is in a first position causing the cutting blade to move in a first cutting direction, when the cutting blade reaches the limit of travel in the first direction, the reciprocating valve releases compressed gas into the piston chamber on another side of the piston causing the cutting blade to move in a second cutting direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment a control system for linking a plurality of electrically driven road vehicles together is disclosed, the control system having: a coupling input and a coupling output disposed on each of the plurality of vehicles, each coupling input of each vehicle being configured to releasably engage each coupling output of another vehicle to provide a mechanical and electrical coupling of the plurality of vehicles together; and a control system located on each of the plurality of vehicles, the control system communicating with the coupling input and the coupling output to detect when the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle via a respective coupling input or coupling output, the control system being further configured to operate in a lead vehicle mode or a trailing vehicle mode when the control system detects that the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle, wherein the lead vehicle mode causes the control system of the lead vehicle to contro

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an x-ray shield means in an x-ray detection system. An x-ray inhibiting container for use in a computed tomography system is provided, the container comprising: a peripheral wall; and a bottom, wherein the peripheral wall and bottom define a receiving area, and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall comprise an x-ray inhibiting material.

Abstract: A pneumatically powered pole saw, comprising: an extendable pole; a head member secured to the extendable pole; a cutting blade movably mounted to the head member; a piston linked to the cutting blade; a reciprocating valve disposed in the head member configured to release compressed gas into the piston chamber on one side of the piston when the reciprocating valve is in a first position causing the cutting blade to move in a first cutting direction, when the cutting blade reaches the limit of travel in the first direction, the reciprocating valve releases compressed gas into the piston chamber on another side of the piston causing the cutting blade to move in a second cutting direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an x-ray shield means in an x-ray detection system. An x-ray inhibiting container for use in a computed tomography system is provided, the container comprising: a peripheral wall; and a bottom, wherein the peripheral wall and bottom define a receiving area, and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall comprise an x-ray inhibiting material.

Abstract: A security screening system for scanning items, the system comprising: a scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the scanner, at least a portion of the scanner being received within a structure, the structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the input opening being configured to receive objects to be scanned and the output opening being configured to receive objects scanned by the scanner; an input conveyor for passing a plurality of bins through the input opening to the outlet opening, the input conveyor having an input end for receiving the plurality of bins to pass the plurality of bins into the input opening and an output end for delivering the plurality of bins from the outlet opening; and a return conveyor positioned to return the plurality of bins to an area proximate to the input end of the input conveyor, the return conveyor being positioned below the input conveyor, wherein the return conveyor does not pass through the scanner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an x-ray shield means in an x-ray detection system. An x-ray inhibiting container for use in a computed tomography system is provided, the container comprising: a peripheral wall; and a bottom, wherein the peripheral wall and bottom define a receiving area, and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall comprise an x-ray inhibiting material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an x-ray shield means in an x-ray detection system. An x-ray inhibiting container for use in a computed tomography system is provided, the container comprising: a peripheral wall; and a bottom, wherein the peripheral wall and bottom define a receiving area, and a forward portion and a rearward portion of the peripheral wall comprise an x-ray inhibiting material.

Abstract: A security screening system for scanning items, the system comprising: a scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the scanner, at least a portion of the scanner being received within a structure, the structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the input opening being configured to receive objects to be scanned and the output opening being configured to receive objects scanned by the scanner; an input conveyor for passing a plurality of bins through the input opening to the outlet opening, the input conveyor having an input end for receiving the plurality of bins to pass the plurality of bins into the input opening and an output end for delivering the plurality of bins from the outlet opening; and a return conveyor positioned to return the plurality of bins to an area proximate to the input end of the input conveyor, the return conveyor being positioned below the input conveyor, wherein the return conveyor does not pass through the scanner.

Abstract: A vial assembly integrates the functions of drawing up of a liquid sample through an inlet tube into a storage chamber (a vial), sealing the inlet tube, severing the inlet tube below the seal, identifying the sample for later analysis, and providing sample extraction. Liquid is drawn into the chamber by expanding a collapsed bellows inside the chamber, thereby producing a partial vacuum which draws liquid through the attached inlet tube into the storage chamber. A hot knife sealing shear is then activated to sever the end of the inlet tube from the storage chamber, while simultaneously closing and melting shut the chamber side of the tube. A unique bar code label is on each vial for sample identification.

Abstract: A degassing system is provided and includes a module for conditioning a liquid to be analyzed. The module includes a container holding a liquid, a degassing chamber, and a holder for the liquid container mounted on top of the degassing chamber. The holder provides stability to the module and contains any liquid spills. In another embodiment, the system includes an autosampler in conjunction with a degassing unit which includes a degassing chamber, a vacuum pump, and tubing for conducting liquid through the degassing chamber, which tubing is permeable to gases in the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for effective vacuum degassing of a liquid is provided for liquid chromatography applications. The liquid to be degassed is heated in the vacuum chamber by a radiator of electromagnetic energy, in one embodiment, or is heated before it enters the vacuum chamber. The liquid may also be agitated while in the vacuum chamber. In a preferred form, the vacuum degassing unit includes a vacuum chamber including a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum therein, a source of liquid, and gas permeable tubing for conducting the liquid through said vacuum chamber. The tubing includes first and second larger diameter blocks having at least one hole therein interconnected by at least one length of small diameter tube to form a leak-tight seal therewith.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for effective vacuum degassing of a liquid are provided for liquid chromatography. The bottles with the liquid are mounted above the vacuum degassing unit to provide a head pressure to the LC pump and physical stability to the bottles. The liquid is heated in the vacuum chamber by a radiator of electromagnetic energy (in one embodiment, infra-red light). Alternatively the liquid is heated before it enters the vacuum chamber. The liquid is in an agitated state in the vacuum chamber. In one variation, the liquid is conducted through the vacuum chamber through tubes wound around bobbins so as to expose a greater portion of the surface area of the tubes to vacuum. Circuitry stops the vacuum pump for a duration of a chromatographic run. The circuitry controls the LC pump and the vacuum pump so as to optimize the chromatographic conditions in the liquid chromatography analytical system.

Abstract: A computer program in the microcontroller of an ink jet printer-plotter counts the ink dots fired by the cartridge of the printer. The host system keeps the dot count in nonvolatile memory. When the number of dots corresponding to the nominal capacity of the cartridge has been fired, a message is printed by the printer reminding the operator to provide a fresh cartridge.

Abstract: A computer program for controlling an ink-jet printer-plotter having a conventional multi-jet ink-jet cartridge operates so that when the printer-plotter is in plot mode, the jets are used in sequence, instead of conventionally always using the same jet. A different jet is used each time a new graph is started. This method lengthens the life of the cartridge by reducing stress on any one of the jets.

Abstract: A program installed in the microcontroller of an ink jet printer functions as a timer, to keep track of how much time has elapsed since the ink jet cartridge last printed. After a certain amount of time (such as one hour) has elapsed with no printing, the program directs all the nozzles of the cartridge to each print about twenty ink dots. This periodic priming of the nozzles during idle periods prevents viscous ink plugs from building up in and clogging the nozzles.

Abstract: A digital acquisition system for use in a computerized radiation tomography system employs track and hold means associated with each channel of the radiation detector in the tomography system. Each channel of the radiation detector is connected to a voltage follower transistor and resistor. A signal from the voltage follower transistor and resistor is applied through a Butterworth filter and amplifier to a transconductance amplifier which provides a signal for application to a charge storage capacitor. The capacitor is connected to the detector channel except during each limited period of time when the charge is held for measurement and conversion to a digital form. The data acquisition system has fewer components, and the simplicity of the circuitry increases the circuit reliability.

Abstract: A gas stream detection apparatus having a balanced resistive bridge network enclosed within a housing and an electronic power supply for driving the bridge network. The power supply includes a voltage source feeding a voltage-to-current converter with two differential inputs, a current sensing resistor between the converter and bridge, twin feedback paths to the differential inputs, and a large source resistance connected to the voltage source and in parallel with a smaller source resistance, each connected to separate differential inputs. The resistance R of two bridge filaments increase by .DELTA.R when exposed to high sample gas concentration causing variations in a current I supplied to the bridge. As .DELTA.R increases, a bridge output voltage E.sub.O decreases. The dependence of current I on .DELTA.R depends on circuit parameters. The difference between the source resistances permits the voltage source to be non-constant and load dependent.

Abstract: An improved drive for the deflection coil of a cathode ray tube. A first deflection, low-power supply means drives the deflection coil causing the electron beam to scan the face of the tube. A separate second deflection, high-power supply means drives the deflection coil causing retract of the beam. A switch means including a mono-stable multi-vibrator produces an output pulse of selected duration which controls a transistor switch connecting the second supply means to the deflection coil during the retrace cycle. A source of sync signals connected to the multi-vibrator produces the pulse input signals necessary to drive the multi-vibrator thereby controlling the timing of the transistor switch for causing retrace. The use of a separate second high power supply permits rapid retrace, improved power supply matching and minimal heat loss.