1. A receptor holder comprising:
a connection end operable to couple the receptor holder to a collimator tube;
a bar coupled to the connection end;
a holder end coupled to the bar, said holder end having a sensor docking port;
a wire coupled to the connection end and the sensor docking port; and
wherein the receptor holder is operable to allow digital data to be transmitted from a sensor docked on the docking port through the wire and to the connection end.
2. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the wire is contained within the bar.
3. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the bar contains a radio frequency transmitter, said radio frequency transmitter being operable to transmit digital images to a computer device.
4. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the holder end is operable to hold an x-ray film.
5. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the connection end is square in cross section shape.
6. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the connection end is rectangular in cross section shape.
7. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the bar is adjustable.
8. The receptor holder of claim 7, wherein the bar includes notches which are operable to indicate the distance between the connection end and the holder end.
9. The receptor holder of claim 1, wherein the holder end is operable to hold a mirror.
10. A receptor holder adapted for use with a collimator tube and an X-ray generator; the collimator tube having a contact sensor receptacle; the receptor holder comprising:
a connection end operable to couple the receptor holder to the collimator tube;
a contact sensor on said connection end adapted to connect with the contact sensor receptacle when said connection end is coupled to the collimator tube;
a bar coupled to said connection end;
a holder end coupled to the bar;
wherein said contact sensor completes an electrical circuit with the contact sensor receptacle.
11. The receptor holder of claim 10, wherein a light illuminates when said contact sensor connects with the contact sensor receptacle.
12. The receptor holder of claim 10, wherein an audible sound is emitted when said contact sensor connects with the contact sensor receptacle.
13. The receptor holder of claim 10, wherein the X-ray generator will not fire unless said contact sensor is connected with the contact sensor receptacle.
14. The receptor holder of claim 10, further comprising:
a sensor docking port located in the holder end, said sensor docking port operable to make an electrical connection with an X-ray sensor docked on the docking port.
15. The receptor holder of claim 14, further comprising:
a radio frequency transmitter electrically mated to the sensor docking port when said connection end is coupled to the collimator tube;
wherein said radio frequency transmitter is operable to transmit digital data from a sensor docked on the docking port.
16. The receptor holder of claim 10, wherein the receptor holder is operable to be magnetically coupled to the collimator tube when the receptor holder is positioned adjacent to the collimator tube.
17. The receptor holder of claim 16, further comprising:
a metal snap ring coupled to the connecting end;
wherein said snap ring contacts a magnet in the collimator tube when the receptor holder is positioned adjacent to the collimator tube;
wherein said snap ring is said contact sensor.
18. A receptor holder adapted to hold an X-ray sensor, the receptor holder also adapted to be used with a collimator tube, the receptor holder comprising:
a connection end operable to couple the receptor holder to the collimator tube;
a bar coupled to said connection end;
a holder end coupled to the bar;
a sensor docking port on said holder end, said sensor docking port operable to make an electrical connection with the X-ray sensor when docked on the docking port.
19. The receptor holder of claim 18, further comprising a contact end coupled to said bar proximate to said connection end, said contact end being operable to make an electrical connection with the collimator tube.
20. The receptor holder of claim 19, further comprising a wire which electrically couples said contact end to said sensor docking port.
21. The receptor holder of claim 18, wherein the holder end is operable to hold a digital charge-coupled sensor.
22. The receptor holder of claim 18, further comprising a contact sensor on the connection end operable to connect with a contact sensor receptacle in the collimator tube when said connection end is coupled to the collimator tube.
23. The receptor holder of claim 18, wherein the holder end is operable to hold an X-ray film.
24. The receptor holder of claim 18, wherein said electrical connection is an edge contact connection.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An apparatus for use in converting electrical energy to a signal which is suitable for driving a light element in a model train End of Train (EOT) device, said apparatus comprising:
(a) an EOT device engageable with a model railway vehicle having at least one truck assembly equipped with a circuit board assembly connected by wires that can be easily installed and removed for relocation between model railway vehicles;
(b) electronic circuit on said circuit board assembly for operating said EOT device, and for power conversion and light signal timing;
(c) at least two electrically conductive wheels disposed upon said truck assembly to provide power to said electronic circuits; and
(d) at least one light element disposed in and on said EOT device and connected by said wires to receive a signal from said electronic circuit.
2. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit includes a microcontroller for accurate timing of said light element.
3. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said circuit board assembly is reduced to a size to fit beneath an HO ( 187th) scale truck assembly.
4. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit is designed for installation on most model trains.
5. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit includes a power conditioning circuit having full wave rectification.
6. An apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said electronic circuit includes electrical filters.
7. An apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said electronic circuit includes voltage regulation.
8. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit receives control signals from said electrically conductive wheels to control said EOT device’s light element.
9. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a hall effect switch that senses magnetic fields and is used to control said light element.
10. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said EOT light element is a light emitting diode for reducing power consumption and for providing high luminance output.
11. An apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit is powered by analog power picked up from said electrically conductive wheels.
12. An apparatus, according to claim 8, power picked up from said electrically conductive wheels alternates in polarity and contains digitally encoded information to control said light element.
13. An apparatus for use in converting electrical energy to a signal suitable for driving a light element in a model train End of Train (EOT) device, said apparatus comprising:
(a) an EOT device and at least one truck having a circuit board assembly connected by wires, said EOT device engageable with a model railway car body that can be easily installed and removed for relocation between model railway car bodies;
(b) an electronic circuit on said circuit board assembly for operating said EOT device, and for power conversion and light signal timing;
(c) at least one on-board battery to provide power to said electronic circuit; and
(d) at least one light element disposed in and on said EOT device and connected by said wires to receive a signal from said electronic circuit.