Abstract: An improved method of making laminated optical components through the use of a master and several submasters is disclosed. A glass/photoresist master is made by recording optical surface features in the photoresist with coherent or incoherent light. The master is processed to reveal the surface features. A frame is fastened to the edges of the photoresist/glass master with edges rising slightly above the top surface of the master. Silicone rubber is poured into the frame over the photoresist layer and allowed to cure. The silicone rubber submaster is then separated from the photoresist/glass master. Use of silicon rubber permits separation of the submaster without damaging the master. Additionally, silicone rubber is less prone to shrinkage than prior art submasters thus permitting more accurate copying of the surface features of the photoresist/glass master. Subsequent epoxy replicas may then be made from the silicone rubber submaster.

Abstract: Surface light assemblies are disclosed that are particularly useful as edge light assemblies for illuminating the outer boundaries of a deck of a ship or a heliport and as line-up light assemblies for illuminating a path on a surface such as a ship deck, a runway or the like. The light assembly includes a fiber optic cable connected to the bottom of a housing or enclosure which distributes light from a terminal end of the cable. The terminal end may include a transformer which produces a particular spread or cone of a light output pattern. Alternatively, a diffuser or optical element may be placed directly adjacent the terminal end of the cable or transformer which shapes, directs and homogenizes light emanating from the cable. The light assembly can include a durable glass window which protects the diffuser and cable and which can be adapted to filter out certain wavelengths of light producing a light output in a desired color. Such a construction is particularly useful for deck edge lighting.

Abstract: An illuminator for a high energy remote lighting system includes a light source for generating light energy and a selectively positionable light output modifying apparatus having a plurality of light output modifying elements, each element corresponding to a predetermined position of at least a portion of the apparatus. At least some of the light output modifying elements of the apparatus are configured to filter light energy to provide either dimmed or colored light. The illuminator can be implemented in a system having a plurality of area control panels, each control panel generating a control signal indicative of a corresponding light characteristic, the illuminators each being coupled to a corresponding one of the area control panels to receive the control signal and to output a particular type of light in response thereto.

Abstract: An authentication method for a wired-logic microcircuit mounted on a support and a microcircuit reading terminal. The microcircuit is provided with a memory which has data readable by the terminal. A secret code of the microcircuit is arranged in a region of the memory that is not readable by the terminal. The microcircuit generates an authentication code from the data in the memory that is readable by the terminal, the secret code and a random code. The terminal generates an authentication code from the data in the microcircuit memory that is readable by the terminal, a secret code provided to the terminal by a microcircuit user and random code, and the authentication code generated by the microcircuit is compared with the authentication code generated by the terminal.

Abstract: In a four-way directional control valve of simplified construction and reduced manufacturing costs, first and second hollow cylindrical valve elements are arranged coaxially. Adjacent to opposite ends of the valve elements, first and second valve seats and first and second valve closure elements are provided. First and second pressure-regulating chambers are arranged between separator walls of the valve elements and first and second partition walls associated to the first and second valve seats. A pilot valve can be switched between switching positions for introducing high-pressure fluid originating from a first pipe into the first or second pressure-regulating chamber via a common high-pressure passage, a high pressure introducing hole and two pilot holes, respectively, associated to the pressure-regulating chambers.

Abstract: A lubricant transfer device such as a lubricant metering device is provided that includes a lubricant dispenser that can use a standard replaceable lubricant storage cartridge as a lubricant source. The dispenser includes an adapter that is configured for mounting on a lubricant metering pump or the like and that can selectively receive the standard storage cartridge. The adapter permits the coupling of the storage cartridge to the pump so as to prevent unintended axial movement of the storage cartridge with respect to the pump and so as to provide an air-tight seal between the storage cartridge and the adapter, thereby permitting lubricant to be drawn out of the storage cartridge under negative pressure generated by operation of the pump.

Abstract: A system for broadcasting data (D) that can transmit information in the passband of a broadcast audio-frequency signal (S). The system can determine at least one frequency band (F'.sub.13, . . . , F'.sub.24) and the amplitude (A'.sub.13, . . . , A'.sub.24) of the audio-frequency signal (S). The system compares this amplitude with an auditory masking level (Nm(13), . . . , Nm(24)) associated with this frequency band and eliminates the frequency components of the audio-frequency signal in the frequency band if the amplitude of the signal is lower than the auditory masking level of the band. The system can insert the data in this frequency band at a level lower than or equal to the auditory masking level of the frequency band.

Abstract: A four-way selector valve comprises a valve case connected with a first pipe, a separate chamber communicating with a second pipe, a first valve seat ring in communicating path between a connecting portion of a third pipe and a space of said valve case, a second valve seat ring in a communicating path between a connecting portion of a fourth pipe and said space, a moveable valve element assembly for alternating co-operation with said first and second valve seat rings, and a valve drive means connected to said moveable valve element assembly to at least selectively interconnect said first pipe either with said third pipe or said fourth pipe and simultaneously the remaining one of said third or fourth pipes with said second pipe, wherein first and second valve disks are pressed essentially in the direction of the axis of the associated valve seat ring in closing direction by remanent forces onto said first and second valve seat rings, and first and second cylindrical and hollow valves are moveable substantially

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible has two roof frames which run along the longitudinal sides. Each of these roof frames is divided into three sections. The rear of these sections is connected to a pivot on the body and, by means of a further pivot, to the central frame piece. The front frame piece is linked to the central frame piece with the aid of a parallelogram link arrangement which is configured in such a way that during opening the front frame piece is guided upward onto the central frame piece, so that the roof lining is not exposed even when the folding top is open.

Abstract: An applicator/remover mechanism automatically applies and/or removes a clip, such as the so-called Safelok clip. Each clip applicator/remover mechanism preferably includes a workarm which is pivotable transversely towards and away from the longitudinal centerline of the rail, a clip applicator tool mounted on the workarm, and a clip retractor tool mounted on the workarm. The clip retractor tool includes first and second retractor arms pivotably mounted on a housing, each arm having downwardly-extending fingers to engage the side of a rail clip. The arms have intermeshing teeth which cause the second retractor arm to pivot upon pivoting of the first retractor arm to selectively pinch and release the rail clip. The resulting mechanism is capable of both applying and removing clips rapidly and efficiently while accommodating variations in position and orientation of the rail and/or the clips.

Abstract: A method for compressing multiple channels of data using an MPEG-compatible motion estimation technique. The method determines the differences between frames within each channel and among the channels and encodes those differences. To facilitate compression, some of the frames are predicted and some of the frames are skipped. The differences between the current frame and the predicted frame for each channel are computed for each successive group of frames, and then compared, after each group of frames of each channel is encoded, to a threshold level E.sub.0. In the event that, for any of the groups of frames, the difference between the current frame and the predicted frame of any of the channels reaches the threshold, the method of the present system will insert an I-frame into the sequence of encoded frames, thus restarting the encoding process with an I-frame.

Abstract: Process for producing an electronic card comprising a micromodule inserted in the card body, wherein one layer of the body contacting the micromodule is of polymerized plastic material. A mixture containing a low viscosity liquid monomer is spread on a substrate used for producing the card and the polymerization of the monomer is initiated with a polymerization initiator. The process is particularly useful for the production of microcircuit cards such as contactless cards and advantageously uses an acrylic or methacrylic compound.

Abstract: A long-interval grating in an optical fiber is designed to enable the making of a mode-coupling filter. In particular, it has periodic variations of the diameter of the optical fiber and a symmetry of revolution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an LGD with a collimated backlight and a non-Lambertian diffuser are described.

Abstract: A rock crusher such as a cone or jaw crusher incorporates hardened tapered inserts in the manganese or other wear liner of at least one of its crushing elements. The inserts extend outwardly from the crushing surface of the crushing element towards the facing crushing surface so as, in use, to act as pick axes that shatter rock primarily by impact rather than pulverizing the rock by compression. The inserts are fixed in a heat treated manganese wear liner either by bonding or by press-fitting. The inserts substantially improve the life of the wear liner and, unexpectedly, 1) produce product of a highly uniform gradation in the desired ranges, 2) consistently produce product with a very high cubicity, 3) dramatically reduce the crusher's power requirements, and 4) significantly increase the crusher's capacity.

Abstract: A magnet type stepping motor which has (1) a stator with three-phase stator windings, and 6m pieces of stator main pole arranged side by side, where m is an integer and .gtoreq.1, the stator windings of one phase are wound around every two stator main poles among the 6m pieces of the stator main pole, wherein when the stator windings of one phase are excited with a direct current, m pieces of N pole and M pieces of S pole are formed alternately on the 6m pieces of stator main pole, and (2) a rotor of a cylindrical permanent magnet magnetized in the circumferential direction to form Z/2 pieces of N pole and Z/2 pieces of S pole alternately, where Z is the number of rotor poles.

Abstract: A is a detachable casing capable of adapting to a computer mouse type peripheral by covering it partially. This casing comprises, firstly, at least one pressure sensor to measure the pressure exerted on this pressure sensor by an operator's hand and, secondly, linking means to address the signals coming from this sensor to the computer. The casing is inexpensive and highly ergonomical. It enables the possibilities of use of a computer to be greatly extended by increasing the number of controls performed with only one hand.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing colored replicas are described. A method includes: combining a polymerizable varnish and a dye to form a composition, wherein the dye is substantially dissolved in the composition; and replicating a surface topography with the composition. The compositions and methods provide advantages in that surface topography is replicated in a color tinted polymer matrix with enhanced overall cost effectiveness.

Abstract: A simple, fast, and reliable method and apparatus are provided for replicating a light shaping surface structure on a laminated surface of a relatively rigid substrate. More specifically, after the substrate is mounted on a table and a layer of epoxy is deposited between the substrate and a submaster to produce a layered structure, the layered structure is automatically compressed in a nip formed between the table and an outer surface of a rotating impression roller, thereby replicating the surface structure in the epoxy layer. The epoxy is then cured, and the submaster is separated from the substrate to leave a laminated structure having the light shaping surface structure on a surface thereof. Preferably, the submaster is wrapped around the impression roller, and the impression roller is rotated while the table is reciprocated linearly to compress the layered structure in the nip.

Abstract: A rotary blancher that is sealed such that it can be positively pressurized during operation to a pressure greater than the ambient pressure outside the blancher to increase food product heating speed and efficiency. The blancher has a sealed housing, a sealed food product inlet, and a sealed food product outlet all for enabling an atmosphere inside the blancher to be positively pressurized. A heat transfer medium, such as a heated gas, a heated vapor, a heated liquid, or a combination thereof is introduced into the blancher to heat the food product inside the blancher. In one preferred embodiment, steam and hot water comprise the heat transfer medium. During operation, food products are continuously or substantially continuously introduced into the blancher through the food product inlet, continuously or substantially continuously processed by the blancher, and thereafter continuously or substantially continuously discharged from the blancher through the food product outlet.