Abstract: A towel roll holder and dispenser has a housing for receiving a towel roll therewithin. The housing has a pair of sidewalls, a base connected to the sidewalls for mounting the housing on a support surface, and a pair of cover members pivotable in opposing directions between a closed position and an open position. One of the cover members has an opening through which towels may be dispensed from the towel roll. The cover members are releasably fastened to the sidewalls of the housing.

Abstract: A paper towel holder comprising a base and a mandrel extending upwardly from the base, the base including a suction cup arranged to engage a support surface in use, an actuator mechanism adapted to raise or lower the centre of the suction cup to create or release a movement resisting suction between the cup and a support surface, the mechanism comprising an elongate member connected to the cup and extending axially of the mandrel, an actuator including a hand grip mounted for rotational movement at the top of the mandrel, one or more radially extending projections at the top of the elongate member, the actuator including a collar comprising one or more of cam surfaces, the or each cam surface being arranged to engage the or each projection to raise or lower the said projection as the actuator is rotated, a sleeve including one or more of vertical guide channels, each channel being adapted to receive a projection to prevent rotation of the projection during use.

Abstract: A tape reel according to the present invention includes: a disk-shape first flange having an opening in its central portion; a disk-shape second age having an opening in its central portion; and a cylindrical hub that includes, on an outer periphery thereof, a first pedestal for receiving the first flange and a second pedestal for receiving the second flange. The first flange and the second flange are joined to the first and second pedestals of the hub, respectively, and extend in a radial direction from the outer periphery of the hub. When viewed along a direction of a rotation axis of the reel, an outer periphery of the first pedestal and an outer periphery of the second pedestal are on circumferences of different concentric circles, and an upper surface of the first pedestal and an upper surface of the second pedestal face the same direction.

Abstract: A reel device includes a spool unit and a handle unit. The spool unit includes a tubular winding body and a pair of first and second flanges. The winding body has opposite first and second open ends, each of which has a peripheral edge. Each of the first and second flanges extends radially and outwardly from the peripheral edge of a respective one of the first and second open ends of the winding body. The handle unit is disposed in and is coupled rotatably to the winding body. The spool unit is rotatable relative to the handle unit in a first angular direction, and in a second angular direction opposite to the first angular direction.

Abstract: A shock wave in a gas is modified by emitting energy to form an extended path in the gas; heating gas along the path to form a volume of heated gas expanding outwardly from the path; and directing a path. The volume of heated gas passes through the shock wave and modifies the shock wave. This eliminates or reduces a pressure difference between gas on opposite sides of the shock wave. Electromagnetic, microwaves and/or electric discharge can be used to heat the gas along the path. This application has uses in reducing the drag on a body passing through the gas, noise reduction, controlling amount of gas into a propulsion system, and steering a body through the gas. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aircraft configuration that may reduce the level of noise, infrared radiation, sonic boom, or combination thereof directed towards the ground from an aircraft in flight. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an aircraft includes a tubular fuselage, two delta wings, at least one engine mounted to the aircraft and higher than the wings, and vertical stabilizers mounted on each wing outboard of the outermost engine. Each wing may include a wing strake at the leading edge of the wing and extending to the fuselage and an aft deck. The leading edge of the wing may extend forward of the intake of the engine, and the trailing edge of the aft deck may extend aft of the engine exhaust. The aft deck may include an upwardly rotatable pitch control surface at the trailing edge of the deck.

Abstract: In aircraft cargo decks are provided to receive loads stored in the cargo compartment (9). The aircraft comprises an outer skin (12) to which ribs (11) are attached. To simplify the construction and the assembly it is proposed that the cargo deck be composed of a plurality of floor modules (20), which are fixed within the cargo compartment (9) and form the cargo deck. To the ribs (11) are attached longitudinal beams (35), on which the floor modules (20) can be mounted.

Abstract: An automatic recycling ice detector includes a sensor for sensing the formation of ice on an aircraft surface and a heater for melting the detected ice. The detector also includes a timing circuit for indicating the time to melt any detected ice and automatically recycling the detector when the ice is melted. A computer including a look up table or the like are provided for measuring and indicating the thickness of the accumulated ice based on a relationship between melting time and thickness.

Abstract: A system and a method for an ambient atmosphere ion thruster having a pair of permeable electrical members for accelerating ambient atmosphere ions which enter the thruster due to a craft's relative velocity. Neutral ambient atmosphere molecules in the intake mass flux may also be ionized and subsequently accelerated by the pair of permeable electrical members. Acceleration of any entering mass comprises an exhaust mass flux which then produces a net thrust. Such net thrust is then vectored by configuring and orienting the thrusters for imparting axial and lateral accelerations as well as pitch, yaw, and roll controls. The present invention is operational in proximity to any celestial body having a sensible atmosphere during a portion of the free trajectory or during orbiting at altitude. Useful net thrust is thereby produced without need for carrying reaction mass onboard a spacecraft.

Abstract: Actuation device positioning systems and associated methods, including aircraft spoiler droop systems are generally disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a positioning system that includes an eccentric cam and a drive mechanism coupled to the eccentric cam to rotate the eccentric cam between a first cam position and a second cam position. The system can further include an actuation device having an anchor portion and a movable portion that is movable relative to the anchor portion, the anchor portion operatively coupled to the eccentric cam. The eccentric cam can be positioned to move the anchor portion to a first anchor position when the eccentric cam is rotated to the first cam position and to move the anchor portion to a second anchor position when the eccentric cam is rotated to the second cam position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air inlet for a nacelle of a jet engine with a front fan, comprising an upper part (115S), a lower part (115I), an inner lateral part (115int) and an outer lateral part (ext), defining a leading edge (115) between an external wall (111) of the nacelle and an internal wall (113) forming the air supply channel of the jet engine. According to the invention, the air inlet is characterized in that the leading edge of the outer lateral part (115ext) is to the rear with respect to the leading edge of the inner lateral part (115int). Preferably, the leading edge of the upper part (115S) is likewise to the rear with respect to the leading edge of the lower part (115I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbofan exhaust system comprising at least one exhaust nozzle (13; 17) with a trailing edge having an upper edge (13s; 17s), a lower edge (13i; 17i), an inner lateral edge (13int; 17int) and an outer lateral edge (13ext; 17ext), the upper edge (13s; 17s) being upstream with respect to the lower edge (13i; 17i). According to the invention, the exhaust system is characterized in that the outer lateral edge (13ext; 17ext) of the exhaust nozzle is also upstream of the inner lateral edge (13int; 17int). This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the noise perceived in the cabin of the aircraft at the same time as the noise perceived on the ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for aiding the movement of work trains on a railway line under construction having two tracks that are adjacent and two-way, managed from a central block PC by a PC chief. The system comprises a computer with means of management and of processing of data and an operation block diagram panel, means of communication between the PC chief and escort agents of the work trains for authorization requests to move in section, means of locating a train, connected to the computer, means of detecting the direction of travel of a train, connected to the computer, and means of entering the state of work of the sectors, connected to the computer. The system saves time by enabling a work train to move, under certain conditions, at the speed of the line.

Abstract: A sliding device for railway switches having at least a fixed stock rail and at least a point able to move, on command, between an active position, in which it is close to the stock rail, and an inactive position, in which it is distanced from stock rail. The device comprises a support structure (2) having a central body (3), able to be coupled to an upper portion of a sliding bearing mounted above a sleeper of a track, and two lateral flanks (4) connected to the central body (3). On each to the two lateral flanks (4) is mounted at least a rotary sliding element (6) able to support the point in the inactive position. The lateral flanks (4) have at least a first part (8) fastened to the central body (3) and at least a second movable part (9) associated to the first part (8) and adjustable vertically relative to said first part (8) and adjustable vertically relative to said first part (8) to adapt the position of the sliding elements (6) to the operating conditions.

Abstract: The pipe arrangement for feeding fluid to a fluid-receiver from a fluid-supplier through a pipe, includes a wire tensioned between a first support and a second support, a hollow fluid-feeding pipe extending between the first and second supports, and a device for allowing the fluid-feeding pipe to hang from the wire. The fluid-feeding pipe is comprised of a plurality of fundamental pipes capable of being connected to one another. A second fundamental pipe connected to a first fundamental pipe can extend and contract axially thereof relative to the first fundamental pipe, and can further bend obliquely relative to the first fundamental pipe.

Abstract: A hanger for supporting a rigid line. The hanger having a bracket with a means for supporting a pair of, for example, plastic guides rotatable between a first position and a second position. The guides accepting the lateral insertion of the rigid line between them in the first position and restraining the rigid line from lateral movement in a second position. A retainer link operating to maintain the rigid line between the guides when in the first position and to lock the guide retainers into place when in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and dispensing bags and a method for dispensing a bag from the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a beam to a column is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base securable one end of the column, first and second clamping members movably connected to the base, and a rack-and-pinion assembly for moving the clamping members between a released position and a clamped position where the clamping members are clamped to the beam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a medical boom with articulated arms and a base cabinet designed to accommodate modular equipment and utility racks that include video processing, computer, and electronic, and other utility equipment that can be easy inserted and removed from the base cabinet is disclosed. The boom includes a stationary base that is configured to be installed into an operating room and one or more boom arms supported by the stationary base and configured to extend over an operating table in the operating room. The structural base includes one or more bays configured to receive a modular rack of electrical equipment. In various embodiments, the structural base cabinet further incorporates wiring to connect the equipment installed in the modular racks to video monitors and other equipment mounted on the articulated booms. The modular racks are preconfigured with a variety of electronic equipment such as computers, video processors and the like.

Abstract: A substantially tubular supporting member oriented in a substantially vertical position, where a fluid dispenser holder is rotatably coupled to a top end of the supporting member and the fluid dispenser is movable rotationally clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the supporting member into a plurality of rotational positions. In some embodiments, the supporting member may be mounted to a base connected proximate to a bottom end of the supporting member. The fluid dispenser holder has at least one hook attached to it, wherein the hook comprises a light source that may emit visible light.

Abstract: A support stand for a lifting anchor to be incorporated into a concrete component during casting thereof is formed from two identical components of bent wire assembled together to form an upper support frame and legs projecting downwardly from the frame. The two components are connected by only two welds, each at one of two zones of intersection of the two components.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame and supporting the frame above a floor, a push handle coupled to the frame, and an IV pole coupler coupled to the push handle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting bracket which are mirror image of each other for use in mounting window blind. A pair of bracket for hanging a window blind with achieve backing double sided achieve tape and or glue achieve applied with peel off tab which can be applied to either top, side, and or back which are both easy to install. Each bracket includes a 4 sided mount with an open end for receiving the head rail. Prior to hanging the bracket and intermediate support, simply locate the position on the window frame and or wall, peel off achieve tab on the bracket and intermediate support an attach to window frame and or wall. Repeat for other bracket and simply screw bracket to frame.

Abstract: A shelf bracket system including a body portion, a first protrusion, a second protrusion and at least one shim is disclosed. The body portion includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis. The first protrusion extends from the rear surface of the body and at least a portion of the first protrusion is insertable into a slot in a support. The second protrusion extends from the rear surface of the body. The shim is positionable in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the first and second protrusions to adjust the angle of the top surface.

Abstract: A multi-functional adjustable work surface that mounts on a desk or similar structure to provide a comfortably accessible work surface to support an IO device, such as a computer mouse, keyboard, trackball, or other device. In some embodiments, the adjustable work surface includes an articulated arm, allowing rotation about one or more axes to place the work surface in a comfortable position. Some embodiments include a mounting assembly for affixing the articulated arm to a desk. The mounting assembly may include an elongated rail, so that the arm may be easily positioned laterally relative to the user.

Abstract: A mounting system comprising an incremental angular position and locking system. A tilt bracket is configured to operatively connect to a surface, and an adapter bracket is operatively and movably connected to the tilt bracket, with the adapter bracket being configured to operatively connect to an object such as an audio/video device. A plurality of angular position features are associated with one of the tilt bracket and the adapter bracket, and an angular positioning element is configured to selectively engage at least one of the plurality of angular position features. When the angular positioning element is in engaged with at least one angular position feature, the adapter bracket is impeded from moving relative to the tilt bracket. When the angular positioning element is not in engagement with at least one angular position feature, the adapter bracket is substantially free to move relative to the tilt bracket.

Abstract: An adjustable mounting bracket between a valve and an actuator has a bracket and a stem adapter operationally combined together. By selecting the bracket and the stem adapter having proper positioning holes, the mounting bracket is versatile in different combination. By adjusting combination depth of the bracket and the stem adapter, the height of the mounting bracket is adjustable to correspond with various stems on the valves. Therefore, the mounting bracket is flexible in types and applications.

Abstract: A beverage container holder is disclosed which includes a magnet within the sleeve of a beverage container holder. The beverage container holder, along with any beverage container placed in the beverage container holder, may be mounted on any mounting surface having an associated ferrous material. The beverage container holder is held in place due to the force of the magnetic interaction between the magnet and the mounting surface.

Abstract: A beverage container holder is disclosed which includes a magnet within the sleeve of a beverage container holder. The beverage container holder, along with any beverage container placed in the beverage container holder, may be mounted on any mounting surface having an associated ferrous material. The beverage container holder is held in place due to the force of the magnetic interaction between the magnet and the mounting surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel packaging clip for retaining a plurality of containers. The clip comprises a rectangular frame made of a resilient material and having length and width dimensions. The rectangular frame has a plurality of circular apertures having open mouths and two arms adjacent to and forming the open mouths. The number of arms is one more than the number of circular apertures. The circular apertures have inner diameters that are substantially equivalent to the diameters of the containers to be retained by the clip. The open mouths of the circular apertures are positioned along the length dimension of the frame so that the mouths open in only one direction. Additionally, the open mouths of the circular apertures are smaller than the inner diameter of the circular apertures and smaller than the diameter of the containers to be retained by the clip.

Abstract: In a seat slide device applicable to an automotive vehicle, a lock mechanism includes: a lock arm disposed on an upper rail to be pivotable around a pivotal center axis; lock pawls formed on the lock arm along the elongate direction of the upper rail; lock holes formed on a lower rail and the upper rail, the lock pawls being inserted through the lock holes to lock the upper rail with respect to the lower rail; a pair of slits formed at predetermined front-and-rear positions of a side surface of the upper rail; and a bearing bracket, the bearing bracket and the lock arm being disposed within an enclosed space between the upper rail and the lower rail and including a pair of bearing portions and both ends of the lock arm and the pair of bearing portions being disposed within inner spaces defined by the pair of slits.

Abstract: A mouse tray apparatus includes a substantially planar mouse tray pivotally mounted at a bottom mid-portion thereof to a base such that as an operator moves a mouse over a top surface of the mouse tray, a weight of the operator's hand on the mouse causes the tray to tilt downward in a direction corresponding to a location of the mouse on the mouse tray. A bias force can be provided to resists tilting of the mouse tray away from a horizontal position, so that as the operator moves a mouse over a top surface of the mouse tray, a weight of the operator's hand on the mouse overcomes the bias force and causes the mouse tray to tilt.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a drive bracket on which a protruding portion is provided, includes an enclosure, and a mounting member. The enclosure includes a base wall for supporting the drive bracket thereon, a side wall extending from one side of the base wall, and a holder extending from the side wall. The mounting member is movably attached to the holder. The mounting member includes a locking portion extending therefrom for engaging with the protruding portion of the drive bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming concrete includes a form having a slot configured to closely receive a plate. The slot is defined by one or more annular surfaces having central axes perpendicular to a direction in which the slot receives the plate. A method for forming same includes providing a sheet of form material; disposing a release layer on the sheet; cutting the sheet into a plurality of forms having a predetermined form height; and cutting a slot in each of each of the plurality of forms. Another apparatus for forming concrete includes a plate having a first portion and a second portion. A coating is disposed on the first portion. When disposed in a joint defined by a first volume of concrete and a second volume of concrete, the first volume of concrete adheres only to the coating and the second volume of concrete adheres only to the second portion.

Abstract: A shutter assembly having at least one rigid edge and at least one hanger edge is described. The rigid edge provides stability to the shutter assembly and the hanger edge allows the shutter assembly to be mounted to a dwelling. The shutter assembly can be formed in an open mold from a cementitious slurry comprising gypsum cement and water. A reinforcing mat or fiber can be disposed in the mold and saturated with the cementitious slurry. A tool disposed adjacent the mold and including a plurality of rotatable sections can be used to form the rigid edge and the hanger edge.

Abstract: An incoming laser beam is relayed to a steering mirror and a phase correction device. The beam is relayed from the phase correction device to a focal plane array and to a wavefront sensor (WFS). Low order steering mirror tilt corrections can be based on data from the focal plane array. The WFS outputs data on multiple channels to a field programmable gate array (FPGA), with each of the WFS channels corresponding to a subaperture of the beam wavefront. The FPGA calculates phase corrections for each of the subapertures and forwards those corrections to the phase correction device. The FPGA also calculates tilts for the steering mirror based on the WFS output data, which tilts can be used instead of tilts based on focal plane array data. The phase corrections may be based on modulo 2? phase error calculations and/or modal phase error calculations.

Abstract: A laser beam L1 emitted from a laser source 10 is projected onto a target 30 set in a vacuum chamber 60 while being focused by a focusing optical system 20. This results in generating fast particles P such as protons and emitting the particles from the target 30. A light measuring device 40 measures plasma emission L2 from the target 30 upon in-focus irradiation with the laser beam L1 and an analyzing device 50 analyzes a measurement signal therefrom to assess a generation state of fast particles P. Then the focusing optical system 20 and target 30 are controlled through optical system moving mechanism 25 and target moving mechanism 35 on the basis of the result of the analysis and feedback control is performed on the generation state of fast particles P in the target 30. This realizes a fast particle generating apparatus capable of monitoring the generation state of fast particles in real time and thereby efficiently generating the fast particles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optoelectronic detector for light sensing. The optoelectronic detector has a photosensitive element that converts light into electrons. Efficient collection of these electrons at readout nodes, embedded in the photosensitive element, is required to make correct measurements of light characteristics such as, phase shift and intensity. This collection of electrons is achieved by applying a voltage gradient across an electrode within the optoelectronic detector. The optoelectronic detector can have multiple readout nodes. Further, the present invention discloses methods for detecting intensity and phase shift of impinging light and for suppression of background illumination while detecting the characteristics of light.

Abstract: An image sensing system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor comprising a two-dimensional array of light sensing photosensor elements, preferably formed on a semiconductor substrate, and a logic and control circuit comprising an image processor for processing image data derived from the imaging sensor. The logic and control circuit generates at least one control output for controlling at least one light of the vehicle. The imaging sensor is disposed at an interior portion of the vehicle proximate the windshield of the vehicle and has a forward field of view to the exterior of the vehicle through an area of the windshield. The at least one control output preferably controls at least one of (i) a beam state of a headlight; (ii) a beam aim of a headlight; (iii) a beam pattern of a headlight and (iv) a beam intensity of a headlight.

Abstract: A lens assembly for use with an ambient light sensor includes a housing having a top surface and including an aperture. An ambient light sensor is mounted within the housing adjacent to the housing aperture. A lens is mounted within the housing aperture for collecting ambient light impinging on the housing and for transmitting the collected light to the ambient light sensor, such that the transmitted light is directed over an area on the ambient light sensor that is greater than the area of the housing aperture.

Abstract: A cost-effective FPA includes a plurality of detectors per pixel, wherein radiation is directed by a microlens array into respective focal regions that are covered by the union of the detectors' collections regions within each pixel and any defective detectors are de-selected in the ROIC. The operability of each pixel is evaluated, and a map generated specifying detector de-selection for each pixel. This map is read into memory in the ROIC to de-select bad detectors. Bad detectors are preferably allowed to float to a photovoltage and re-emit some of their accumulated photo charge to neighboring detectors to improve collection efficiency. The radiation levels are preferably read out on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Accordingly, the signals from the selected detectors are combined within each pixel.

Abstract: A camera system for a motor vehicle is described. Incident radiation is guided to a radiation receiving unit by means of one or more deflecting mirrors, where at least one deflecting mirror is configured to swivel. The swivelable deflecting mirror has a first mirror side, which is suitable for deflecting incident radiation, and a second mirror side, which is also suitable for deflecting incident radiation. The second mirror side exhibits a curvature shape that is different from that of the first mirror side. The swivelable deflecting mirror can be oriented in such a manner that incident radiation can be guided to the receiving unit by selecting one of the first or the second mirror side as an effective mirror surface.

Abstract: An in-line laser scanning unit (LSU) with multiple light beams is disclosed. The LSU includes a minimized in-line mirror set composed by a plurality of vertically stacked Micro Electronic Mechanical System (MEMS) oscillatory mirrors and a linear corresponding scanning lens set formed by a plurality of F-Sin ? lens stacked vertically so as to correct the variation of reflective angle of the oscillatory mirror that is sinusoidal in time. Thus the scanning speed of multiple laser beams on the image plane is constant. Therefore, the volume of color printers is effectively reduced and the scanning efficiency is improved when the LSU in accordance with the present invention is applied to the optical engines of color printers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope comprising at least one first and second light sources, a first light-guiding fiber connected to the first light source and a second light-guiding fiber connected to the second light source, wherein the light emitted by corresponding light source is injectable into the connected light-guiding fiber. The inventive microscope also comprises an objective lens disposed in the illumination beam path and is characterized in that a fiber multiplexer connected to the first and second light-guiding fibers, receiving the light from the light source and selectively allowing the light from the first or second light source to pass is disposed in the illumination beam path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to image sensing devices, image sensor modules, and associated methods. One aspect of the invention is directed toward an imaging device that includes a carrier having a first surface, a second surface generally opposite the first surface, and carrier contacts. The carrier contacts are carried on the second surface of the carrier. The device further includes an image sensor module having light sensing elements and a support. The support has a first surface, a second surface generally opposite the first surface, and support contacts. The image sensor module is located relative to the carrier so that a portion of the first surface of the support faces a portion of the second surface of the carrier and so that a portion of the image sensor module extends past the first and second surfaces of the carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a PET scanner is provided. First phantom sinogram data is acquired from a scan of a solid cylinder phantom within a PET scanner imaging FOV; second phantom sinogram data is acquired from a scan of a second solid plane or scanning line phantom within the PET scanner imaging FOV; and a PET scanner detector component scanner efficiency normalization is determined from at least one of the first and second sinogram data. In one aspect a crystal determining efficiency factor is determined as a function of phantom sinogram data without a solid angle correction, and a detector geometry factor is determined as a function of the crystal efficiency factor and phantom sinogram data. In one aspect a smoothed crystal efficiency normalization factor is determined from a noisy crystal efficiency factor through an iterative smoothing technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods of analyzing mass spectral data. In some embodiments, the methods can be used for differential profiling of samples, such as comparing a sample comprising a compound and a sample comprising metabolites of the same compound. The methods can also be used to identify and isolate biomarkers. Systems for performing the methods, as well as computer-readable media for performing the methods, are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting particles, comprising a support element (1) and a plurality of electrically conductive structures (2) arranged on the support element (1), wherein the structures (2) are electrically insulated from each other and wherein each of the structures (2) can be electrically connected to an electronic read-out device, wherein an angle of incidence (?) is given between a beam direction of the particles and the support element (1), wherein a trough (3) is in each case arranged between a first structure (2) and a structure (2) adjacent to the first structure in the beam direction, wherein there is an at least partial overlap of the first structure (2) and the adjacent structure (2) in the beam direction.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus includes a multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF MS) and an orthogonal accelerator. To improve the duty cycle of the ion injection at a low repetition rate dictated by a long flight in the MR-TOF MS, multiple measures may be taken. The incoming ion beam and the accelerator may be oriented substantially transverse to the ion path in the MR-TOF, while the initial velocity of the ion beam is compensated by tilting the accelerator and steering the beam for the same angle. To further improve the duty cycle of any multi-reflecting or multi-turn mass spectrometer, the beam may be time-compressed by modulating the axial ion velocity with an ion guide. The residence time of the ions in the accelerator may be improved by trapping the beam within an electrostatic trap. Apparatuses with a prolonged residence time in the accelerator provide improvements in both sensitivity and resolution.

Abstract: A method of generating a mass spectrum from an FTMS is disclosed. A first quantity of ions from a source, having a first m/z range, is captured and detected in the FTMS measurement cell to produce a first output. A second quantity of ions, having a second m/z range which at least partially does not overlap with the first m/z range, is then captured and detected so as to produce a second output. The two outputs are then combined using a processor so as to “stitch” together the outputs, which may be FTMS transients or may first be Fourier Transformed into the frequency mass domain, into a composite output from which a composite mass spectrum covering the full range of m/z ratios included by the first and second ranges can be produced.