Aea Technology Inc.

Other

Nycomed Amersham Plc

G. Vincent Limited

Mark Golder Shilton

Peter Miles

George Walter Robinson

Jeff Vincent Robinson

A gamma radiation source comprising selenium-75 or a precursor therefore, wherein the selenium is provided in the form of one or more thermally stable compounds, alloys, or mixed metal phases.

Gamma radiation source

A radioactive static eliminator gun has a cartridge ( ) connected to a high pressure air supply ( ). Within the cartridge ( ) a radioactive source ( ) which generates alpha particles is located coaxially along the central longituidinal axis. The alpha particles collide with the high pressure air stream passing through the cartridge thereby generating ions. With this arrangement the ion concentration is greatest at the core of the air stream which ensures that the greatest number of ions is delivered to the surface requiring static elimination. The radioactive static eliminator gun provides improved efficiency in removing static an is particularly suited to use in paint spraying of metal surfaces where the electrostatic forces at the surface of the metal may not be strong enough to attract ions in the air stream emerging from the gun.

Surface static reduction device

A random number generator has a random event source, a random event detector, and a counter for counting the number of pulses generated by the detector for a predetermined length of time. Two memories are provided in which are stored successive sets of counts and a controller compares the sets to determine whether one or both of the sets counted one or more events. Where both sets have one or more events, no output is generated, and where both sets have no events, no output is generated. However, where one set has one or more events and the other set has no events, then a binary number is output in dependence on which of the two sets recorded events. This random number generator has the advantage that the probability of counting no events does not have to be exactly equal to the probability of counting one or more events while still ensuring truly random results.

Method of and apparatus for generating random numbers

The spray gun has an air cap that generates a spray mixture of liquid and air. The air cap includes a fluid valve for controlling the delivery of liquid and a separate air valve in the body of the spray gun is provided for controlling delivery of air. A control mechanism assembly for both of the valves is located axially within a central bore extending substantially the length of the spray gun. The control mechanism is actuated by means of a cam and follower arrangement with the cam surface provided on the rear of a manually operable trigger. The fluid valve is fully adjustable separately from the air valve but the control mechanism assembly includes a common control member that is in engagement with the control mechanism and operates both the fluid and air valves. The arrangement of the air valve enables the surface area of the air passages leading from an ionizing source to the air cap to be minimized and unnecessary restrictions to be omitted so that ion recombination losses within the spray gun are significantly reduced.

Spray gun with common control of fluid and air valve

For generating random numbers, the output of a random pulse generator having a radioactive source is monitored and the number of decay events detected counted over a predetermined time period. The number of detected events is then compared to one or more selected numbers and a first signal, for example binary &ldquo;1&rdquo;, is produced where the detected count is equal to the one or more selected numbers and a second signal, binary &ldquo;0&rdquo;, is produced where the detected count does not equal the one or more selected numbers. The time period is determined so that the probability of the first signal being generated is equal to the probability of the second signal being generated. In this way a truly random number can be generated by repetition of the method steps described above producing a stream of binary &ldquo;1's&rdquo; and &ldquo;0's&rdquo;. Virtually no radioactivity is required for the apparatus to operate and it can in principle be integrated into a single chip.

The device and method for triggering a random event is suited for use as an RPG in a Packinko gaming machine and involves the use of a radioactive source and detector. Repeated measurement of decay events detected by the detector during selected time periods are compared against one another and preferably against a predetermined number and a win event is triggered when the numbers are equal. Appropriate selection of the predetermined number for comparison determines the probability of a win event being triggered. With this device and method materials having very low radioactivity may be used. Also, the device and method operates to trigger a win event at a desired probability without the need for the Mean output of the radioactive material to be measured accurately.

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Aston Clinton, United Kingdom

Mark Golder Shilton