Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate a more robust design, easier assembly, and/or enhanced capabilities. For example, the mechanical interlock may include an interlock latch operatively associated with an external handle assembly and an internal connector. The interlock latch being directly coupled to a shaft coupled to the handle assembly, thus providing an improved and more robust latching mechanism. The mechanical interlock may also include one or more keys (e.g., a Poke-Yoke feature) to facilitate easier assembly and/or to prevent human errors caused by improper assembly. The mechanical interlock may also include an integrated magnetic switch and monitoring system to ensure that accurate location of the handle assembly is known.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate a more robust design, easier assembly, and/or enhanced capabilities. For example, the mechanical interlock may include an interlock latch operatively associated with an external handle assembly and an internal connector. The interlock latch being directly coupled to a shaft coupled to the handle assembly, thus providing an improved and more robust latching mechanism. The mechanical interlock may also include one or more keys (e.g., a Poke-Yoke feature) to facilitate easier assembly and/or to prevent human errors caused by improper assembly. The mechanical interlock may also include an integrated magnetic switch and monitoring system to ensure that accurate location of the handle assembly is known.

Abstract: An electrical device such as, for example, a mechanical interlock including one or more interconnected electrical components configured to detect or monitor an operational state or condition is hereby disclosed. In one embodiment, the electrical device may include a communications bus, one or more sensor modules coupled to the communications bus, and a sensor hub module coupled to the communications bus, wherein the sensor module(s) generate signal(s) including data indicating a sensed condition. A communications module coupled to the sensor hub module may transmit the data indicating the sensed condition to a remote device, a remote computer network, or a remote cloud service. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a water detection sensor including first and second curved conductive traces. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a voltage limiter circuit providing a DC output voltage from a high voltage AC input.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock including one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and/or manufacturing. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the mechanical interlock may include one ore more features to provided increased protection. The mechanical interlock may include a baseplate arranged and configured to receive one or more components thereon so that the components can be coupled and wired as a sub-assembly prior to inserting into the enclosure. The mechanical interlock may include an adapter positioned between a connector and a contact carrier bracket to enable variously sized connectors to be coupled to a common contract carrier bracket. The adapter may include one ore more keys to prevent improper coupling of the adapter. The contact carrier bracket may be arranged and configured to receive one or more PCBs to provide an increased level of protection for the PCB.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock is disclosed. The mechanical interlock includes one or more features to facilitate a more robust design, easier assembly, and/or enhanced capabilities. For example, the mechanical interlock may include an interlock latch operatively associated with an external handle assembly and an internal connector. The interlock latch being directly coupled to a shaft coupled to the handle assembly, thus providing an improved and more robust latching mechanism. The mechanical interlock may also include one or more keys (e.g., a Poke-Yoke feature) to facilitate easier assembly and/or to prevent human errors caused by improper assembly. The mechanical interlock may also include an integrated magnetic switch and monitoring system to ensure that accurate location of the handle assembly is known.

Abstract: An improved mechanical interlock is disclosed. The mechanical interlock includes one or more features to facilitate easier assembly and/or manufacturing. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the mechanical interlock may include one or more features provided increased protection. The mechanical interlock may include a baseplate arranged and configured to receive one or more components thereon so that the components can be coupled and wired as a sub-assembly prior to inserting into the enclosure. The mechanical interlock may include an adapter positioned between a connector and a contact carrier bracket to enable variously sized connectors to be coupled to a common contact carrier bracket. The adapter may include one or more keys to prevent improper coupling of the adapter. The contact carrier bracket may be arranged and configured to receive one or more PCBs to provide an increased level of protection for the PCB.

Abstract: An electrical device such as, for example, a mechanical interlock including one or more interconnected electrical components configured to detect or monitor an operational state or condition is hereby disclosed. In one embodiment, the electrical device may include a communications bus, one or more sensor modules coupled to the communications bus, and a sensor hub module coupled to the communications bus, wherein the sensor module(s) generate signal(s) including data indicating a sensed condition. A communications module coupled to the sensor hub module may transmit the data indicating the sensed condition to a remote device, a remote computer network, or a remote cloud service. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a water detection sensor including first and second curved conductive traces. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the device may include a voltage limiter circuit providing a DC output voltage from a high voltage AC input.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid control device leak detection is disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a value at a purge port of a fluid control device using a sensor, the fluid control device including bellows; comparing the value to a threshold value; and determining, via a processor, that the value is outside of the threshold value, the value being outside of the threshold value indicative of a leak in the bellows.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid control device leak detection are disclosed. An example apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a plurality of ports. One of the ports is to receive a supply pressure to drive an actuator and another of the ports to be fluidly coupled to a purge port of a fluid control device. The apparatus includes a sensor to measure a value at the purge port and a processor to compare the value to a predetermined value or a previously measured value to identify if the value is outside of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid control device leak detection is disclosed. An example method includes monitoring a value at a purge port of a fluid control device using a sensor, the fluid control device including bellows; comparing the value to a threshold value; and determining, via a processor, that the value is outside of the threshold value, the value being outside of the threshold value indicative of a leak in the bellows.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid control device leak detection are disclosed. An example apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a plurality of ports. One of the ports is to receive a supply pressure to drive an actuator and another of the ports to be fluidly coupled to a purge port of a fluid control device. The apparatus includes a sensor to measure a value at the purge port and a processor to compare the value to a predetermined value or a previously measured value to identify if the value is outside of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: There is provided a metered dose inhaler port for a ventilated patient where the port has a critical distance (as defined herein) sufficient to allow a metered dose inhaler to discharge into the port when the metered dose inhaler has a dose counter attached to it. The port must also have a stiffness sufficient to avoid bending upon insertion of the metered dose inhaler stem. The disclosure discusses an elongation of the metered dose inhaler actuator port to allow for use with metered dose inhaler canisters with and without dose counters. This solution maintains the original drug path length and so minimizes changes that might change the drug dispersal characteristics of the port and require governmental approval or re-education of medical personnel.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention, is directed to a luer fitting. The luer fitting may include a male luer, a luer collar disposed about the male luer, and a fulcrum disposed at a base portion of a receptacle between the male luer and the luer collar. Another aspect of the invention, is directed to a breakage resistant fitting. The breakage resistant fitting may include a male portion having a central fluid passage, a supplemental securement portion generally concentric with the male portion, and an annular receptacle between the male portion and the supplemental securement portion. The annular receptacle may include a base region having a mating clearance interspace sized substantially greater than a mating female fitting in a radial direction, or an axial direction, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A syringe assembly (10), is provided for sequentially injecting multiple medical fluids (16,68). The syringe assembly may include a first syringe (14) having a pushrod (22) coupled to a plunger head (20) disposed in a barrel (18). A front portion of the barrel may include a fitting (32). The syringe assembly may include an adapter (12) having a mating fitting (38) removably coupled to the fitting (32). The adapter (12) may include a plunger head (44) that has a flow control feature.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to couple an electro-pneumatic controller to a position transmitter in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a position transmitter having a first connection and having a second connection coupled to a power source, an electro-pneumatic controller including at least a first connection coupled to the first connection of the position transmitter, and a resistor coupled between the first connection and a second connection of the electro-pneumatic controller.

Abstract: The invention may be said to be directed to a luer fitting. The luer fitting may include a male luer, a luer collar disposed about the male luer, and a fulcrum (148) disposed at a base portion of a receptacle between the male luer and the luer collar. The invention may also be said to be directed to a breakage resistant fitting. The breakage resistant fitting may include a male portion having a central fluid passage, a supplemental securement portion generally concentric with the male portion, and an annular receptacle between the male portion and the supplemental securement portion. The annular receptacle may include a base region having a mating clearance interspace sized substantially greater than a mating female fitting in a radial direction, or an axial direction, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A container (63) having a quality maintenance additive (25, 31, 33, 41, 45, 65) which maintains the quality of a quantity of liquid (11, 14) or other flowable substance held in the container. The quality maintenance additive is associated with the container so that the quality maintenance additive remains with the container when the liquid or other flowable substance is emptied from the container.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic method for estimating a quantity of spare parts needed for a machine is disclosed. The machine includes a number of replaceable part populations. The method includes receiving (1) life data for a number of part populations in the machine and (2) a duration for the life cycle of the machine. The method further includes calculating a failure distribution according to a failure distribution model for each of the number of part populations based on the life data and calculating an estimated replacement part quantity for each of the number of part populations for one or more time intervals in the duration based on the failure distribution.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic method for estimating a quantity of spare parts needed for a machine is disclosed. The machine includes a number of replaceable part populations. The method includes receiving (1) life data for a number of part populations in the machine and (2) a duration for the life cycle of the machine. The method further includes calculating a failure distribution according to a failure distribution model for each of the number of part populations based on the life data and calculating an estimated replacement part quantity for each of the number of part populations for one or more time intervals in the duration based on the failure distribution.

Abstract: A controllable dry ink developer station warmer in association with an electrographic reproduction apparatus dry ink developer station having a housing containing developer material including dry ink and carrier particles and a monitor to measure concentration of dry ink in the developer material in the developer station. The dry ink developer station warmer includes at least one heater element associated with the developer station. A control for the warmer attached to the heater element maintains the heater element at a temperature which enables developer material to remain at a substantially constant temperature and water content resulting in a more stable charge level and contributing to a more consistent charging rate for add-mixed dry ink, and keep the dry ink concentration monitor at a substantially constant temperature, whereby the effects of temperature sensitivity on the concentration monitor are substantially decreased.