Abstract: A proximal connector includes a stainless steel, cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block, which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transfer from the ferrule into the receiving block. The receiving block may be provided with cooling vanes, and air may be circulated over the cooling vanes, to dissipate heat transferred to the receiving block from the connector. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring.

Abstract: The proximal connector includes a stainless steel cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transference from the ferrule into the receiving block. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring. A ball plunger biasing mechanism is mounted within the aperture of the receiving block and is positioned for engaging with the indented ring only while the proximal connector is fully and securely inserted within the aperture.

Abstract: The proximal connector includes a stainless steel cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transference from the ferrule into the receiving block. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring. A ball plunger biasing mechanism is mounted within the aperture of the receiving block and is positioned for engaging with the indented ring only while the proximal connector is fully and securely inserted within the aperture.

Abstract: A removable light source is provided for use with the optical coupling system. The light source is mounted to a removable assembly for slidable insertion into, and removed from, a housing containing the optical coupling system. The removable assembly includes positioning elements for maintaining precise alignment of the light source with optical components mounted within the housing. In one embodiment described herein, precise alignment is achieved by employing six mounting pads on outside surfaces of a base of the removable assembly. Three of the mounting pads are aligned along a first plane. Two are aligned along a second plane perpendicular to the first. The remaining pad is aligned along a third plane perpendicular to both the first and second planes. The light source is mounted to the base in a precise fixed relationship with the mounting pads. The removable assembly is inserted within a slot formed in the housing of the optical coupling system.

Abstract: A high speed document manipulator providing high resolution digital video-signal output. A document transport moves the documents at a high speed for entrance, flip-over and exit, and at about one-fifth that speed for video scanning while moving for producing the video signal. Servo control provides a forward and back initial motion to obtain top to bottom scanning. The servo circuit is electrically protected. The video sensor is firmly coupled to the optical system. An elongated light source, elliptical reflector and "cool" mirror provide an elongated transverse illuminated area on the document as it moves through.

Abstract: A longitudinally extending housing contains an element for filtering a liquid and an element for heating the liquid. The housing is internally divided into a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical outer chamber, containing the filter element, and a similarly extending cylindrical inner chamber, containing the heating element. The flow of filtered liquid from the outer chamber to the inner chamber is permitted only by having the liquid flow over a generally cylindrical wall defining a weir, which divides the housing into the two chambers. The weir cooperates with a specially formed conical configuration on an end of the housing to define a liquid flow path between the chambers in which undissolved air may be removed from the housing. After entering the inner chamber the filtered liquid flows along the length of the axially directed heating element and the heated and filtered liquid is thereafter discharged from the housing.