Abstract: A coupling apparatus and method for joining together lengths of electrical conduit in a conduit system. The coupling apparatus includes a resealable port that permits lubricant to be introduced into the coupling apparatus to facilitate wire pulling through a conduit system and to reduce strain on the insulation material of the wire. The coupling apparatus is a generally T-shaped tubular structure and includes a pair of axially-aligned conduit receiving openings which define an inlet and an outlet, respectively. The inlet and outlet openings are spaced a distance apart from one another by a central chamber. The central chamber has an inner tubular diameter substantially equal to the inner tubular diameter of the conduit to be joined in order to provide a smooth transition for wire being pulled through the coupling apparatus. The resealable lubrication port is defined by a vertically oriented tubular leg portion and removable threaded plug which are joined to a middle section of the central chamber.

Abstract: A micropolarization assembly has a beam-shaping microlens wafer and a polarization wafer assembly. The micropolarization assembly utilizes the full illumination incident on the beam-shaping microlens wafer and aligns all of the light to the same polarization at the outlet of the micropolarization wafer assembly.

Abstract: An improved hybrid luminescent device and method for converting penetrating radiation energy into visible light for imaging applications. The hybrid luminescent device includes a phosphor screen disposed on an entrance face fiber optics scintillator which, in turn, may be removably coupled to a camera or like recording media. The hybrid luminescent device of the present invention is capable of providing enhanced radiation absorption efficiency, higher spatial resolution and enhanced brightness or luminescence output over that which is achievable by the phosphor screen and/or fiber optics scintillator when used separately as an intensifying screen for imaging of ionizing and/or penetrating radiation.

Abstract: An improved transducer array includes a two-dimensional array of multilayer actuators, capable of producing very high displacement with low input voltage, integrally packaged with conditioning electronics. Preferred microcomposite actuators use multiple layers of stacked electrostrictive ceramics and conductive materials. The actuators are aligned in a two-dimensional array and can be integrated with the conditioning electronics in a variety of packaging systems. A preferred packaging system is a flexible high density interconnected multi-chip module which has the integrated circuit chips disposed in a substrate, interconnection layers disposed thereon and the multilayer composite actuators disposed on the surface of the interconnection structure. The actuators in this packaged array may be optionally addressed individually or in blocks, depending on the application intended.

Abstract: A patient-user interactive psychotherapy apparatus for use in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment is disclosed. The psychotherapy apparatus includes a pair of visual displays, each for displaying an image having an emotional impact on a particular patient-user. The visual displays are positioned horizontally spaced from one another in the patient-user's field of view. The visual displays are each operable between two operational states including: a first operational state, wherein the image is highly, visually perceptible by the patient-user; and a second operational state, wherein the image is less visually perceptible by the patient-user. A pair of hand held switch inputs for switching between the two operational states of each visual display is also provided. In use, the patient-user alternately actuates the hand held switch inputs which causes the image to be alternately displayed as a highly, visually perceptible image in a back and forth manner on the two visual displays.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for use in a staring imaging system for generating focused and defocused images of an object scene that is being imaged by the imaging system from a single input optical beam impinged thereon. The wavefront sensor includes a beamsplitter for splitting an optical input beam into identical first and second half beam portions and for focusing the first and second half beam portions onto respective first and second focal planes. A phase plate is interposed between the beamsplitter and the second focal plane for inducing a known focus error in the second half beam portion. A photodetector is also provided and is effective to form a best focused image and a slightly out of focus image at the first and second focal planes, respectively. The focused and defocused images are combinable using phase diversity techniques to estimate wavefront aberrations present in the imaging system.

Abstract: A color separation microlens is fabricated to be a single micro-optical element made up of a color separation grating integrated with a refractive lens. The color separation microlens separates the spectrum into distinct color spots and focuses these spots to a common plane. The spots fall at the locations of the different diffraction orders of the grating. The color separation is done by the grating, and the focusing is done by the lens. The color separation microlens can be fabricated as a monolithically integrated element (an element in which the grating and the lens are combined to a single surface) and can also be fabricated as a dual-sided thin wafer (a wafer in which the grating is on one side and the lens is on the other).

Abstract: An improvement of a foldable tent frame, and particularly an improvement of joint portion is disclosed. The foldable tent frame includes a plurality of frame member segments 10 and a plurality of joint portions 11 to be coupled with each other through an injection molding using a molding die. The frame member segment 10 and the joint portion 11 are characterized in that the frame member segment is provided with a channel shape recess 17 having two side walls 19 and 19a and a planar bottom 18, and that the frame member segment is further provided with an elongate conical end portion, whereby the joint portion and the frame member segment are firmly integrally attached together. Thus a loose rotation of the joint portion relative to the frame member segment, or a detachment of the joint portion from the frame member segment is prevented, thereby providing a strong frame to support the tent.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for use in a scanning imaging system for generating focused and defocused images of an object scene that is being imaged by the imaging system from a single input optical beam impinged thereon. The two images are combinable using phase diversity techniques for calculating the wavefront aberrations that are present in the imaging system. The wavefront sensor includes a first linear photodetector array for forming a best focused image of an object scene as an incoming optical beam scans across the first linear photodetector array. The wavefront sensor further includes a second photodetector array disposed parallel to the first photodetector array. The second photodetector array is provided with a compensator plate for inducing a known focus error in the image that is formed on the second photodetector array as the input optical scans across the second photodetector array. In one embodiment, the two photodetector arrays are configured as CCD arrays on a single substrate.

Abstract: A hybrid luminescent device for converting ionizing and penetrating radiation energy such as x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, ions, electrons, and the like into visible light for imaging applications. The hybrid luminescent device includes a phosphor screen disposed on an entrance face fiber optics scintillator which, in turn, may be removably coupled to a camera or like recording media. The hybrid luminescent device of the present invention is capable of providing enhanced radiation absorption efficiency, higher spatial resolution and enhanced brightness or luminescence output over that which is achievable by the phosphor screen and/or fiber optics scintillator when used separately as an intensifying screen for imaging of ionizing and/or penetrating radiation.

Abstract: A small waterplane area high speed ship is disclosed which includes a hull structure having a bow portion and a stern portion with the hull being normally supported above the surface of the water when in operation. A forward set of dual struts depend from the bow portion of the hull structure; these dual struts are subtended by a first transverse displacement foil extending laterally between amd connected to each of the dual struts. A second set of aft dual struts depend from the stern portion of the hull structure; the second set of dual struts are subtended by a second transverse displacement foil extending laterally between and connected to each of said struts. The transverse displacement foils provide the major bouyancy for the ship during operation to maintain the hull above the surface of the water during operation. The forward and aft struts and the foils are spaced longitudinally a predetermined distance selected such that the transverse wave created by each corresponding element is 180.degree. apart.

Abstract: A fine, hard particulate is distributed within a fused coating on a substrate. The distributed, fine, hard particulate function as crack arresters, so that a propagating crack is actually stopped upon encounter with the hard particle, and enhance nucleation during the coating formation, so that finer grain size is achieved within the coating, which in effect decreases the crack length in the coating.

Abstract: Computerized system for dynamically creating a document from a database responsive to telephonic input from a remote user, and transmitting the document to the user's facsimile machine. When a user desires to access a remote database according to the present invention, that user calls the apparatus of the present invention and in response to a voice menu system creates queries to the database. After receipt of the user's request, the system processes the request into a dynamically created document which meets the user's specifications and automatically transmits the document to the user's facsimile machine. A real estate sales support system constructed according to the principles of the present invention presents the user with a document comprising a listing of properties best meeting the user's needs and series of maps of varying scale enabling the user to locate the properties for inspection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing a composition material which embodies both physical and chemical properties of a physically expanded polymer and specific structural and/or chemical properties of solid particles fully encapsulated within membranes in the expanded polymer.