Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for a dc brushless motor generally comprised of a non-insulated shaft and and a permanent magnet is formed in one embodiment by compacting a powdered permanent magnet material substantially about a non-insulated shaft of relatively incompressible material utilizing dynamic magnetic compaction (DMC) techniques. In other embodiements, the rotor is comprised of a non-insulated shaft, a magnetic core and a permanent magnet and is formed by first compacting a powdered core material substantially about the non-insulated shaft of relatively incompressible material to form a magnetic core and then compacting a powdered permanent magnet material substantially about the core to form a permanent magnet, with the compaction of the powdered materials occurring by DMC. Other embodiments may be formed by simultaneously compacting a powdered core material and a powdered permanent magnet material about a non-insulated shaft of relatively incompressible material utilizing DMC techniques.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for repetitively executing a plurality of software packages at a plurality of rates utilizing a common set of computational resources. The method consists of counting contiguous time increments and executing a plurality of software packages. Each software package is executed during each time increment in one or more sequences of time increments. The time increments in each sequence recur at a predetermined rate, and the time increments assigned to one software package do not overlap the time increments assigned to any other of the plurality of software packages.

Abstract: Apparatus for eliminating sign uncertainty in a coherent phase generated carrier demodulator in a multi-channel sensor system has a downconverter array arranged to separate the in-phase component I and the quadrature phase component of the sensor output for each channel. A coordinate transformer uses the in-phase component and quadrature phase component to calculate an arctangent for the phase angle for each channel. A digital signal processor adds 180° to each arctangent calculation for which the tangent is a negative number.

Abstract: A Q-switched microlaser is provided that is capable of supporting a zig-zag resonation pattern in response to pumping of the active gain medium so as to effectively lengthen the microresonator cavity without having to physically lengthen the microresonator cavity. As such, the microlaser can generate pulses having greater pulse widths and correspondingly greater pulse energies and average power levels than the pulses provided by conventional microlasers of a similar size. A corresponding fabrication method is also provided that permits a plurality of Q-switched microlasers to be fabricated in an efficient and repeatable manner.

Abstract: A patient ventilator oxygen concentration system (S) has an input air supply (10) for supplying an input gas (12) at a desired pressure. An oxygen concentrating system (14) produces an oxygen concentrated gas output (16) and includes at least 2 operable molecular sieve bed modules (18). An input flow line (22) communicates input gas from the input air supply (10) to the molecular sieve bed modules (18). A medical grade air system (24) produces a medical grade air output (26). The oxygen concentrating system (14) and the medical grade air system (24) are connected in a parallel flow path of the input gas from the input air supply (10). A switch unit system (V) is in an input flow path (22) of the oxygen concentrating system (14) for controllably curtailing a portion of the input gas supplied by the input air supply (10) to at least one molecular sieve bed module (18) while having no input gas reduction effect on remaining molecular sieve bed modules.

Abstract: A slide type valve (V) for regulating a gas generating system (10) that has at least a first and a second gas concentrating bed unit (12, 14) includes an outer body (120) with a slide face (106) having at least three open ports (130, 132, 134) communicating with an interior cavity (136) formed in the outer body (120). A vent port (132) and at least two bed ports (130, 134) are adapted to communicate an air flow with a gas concentrating bed unit (12, 14). The vent port (132) is formed between two bed ports. A slide block (100) having an essentially flat face (146) slides along the slide face interior surface (142) of the outer body (12) and has an interior cavity (148) and a first and a second opening (150, 152). The slide block slide face (146) has a closing portion (104) positioned between the first and second openings (150, 152). A controller (C) moves the slide block (100) between a first state (S1) and a second state (S2) for desired air flow.

Abstract: A battery adapter (A) replaces two batteries (10) with a single battery (10) housed within a compartment (48) of a battery powered electrical device (D). An electrically conductive housing (40) adapted to replicate a selected battery and fit within a space adapted to house two of the selected sized batteries. A step up circuit (18) mounted within the battery housing (40) receives an electrical signal from a single battery (10) and transforms the voltage of the electrical signal to simulate an electrical signal from two electrically connected selected batteries (10).

Abstract: A faceplate (F) for an image intensifier tube (10) for reducing veiling glare begins as a blank (36) of optical material of a desired glass composition having a shape that conforms substantially to a configuration of the faceplate (F) to be produced. An extraneous removable aperture step portion (54) is formed on the glass blank (36). The glass blank is blackened (41) and the aperture step portion (54) is removed creating a desired transmissive aperture (34) through the glass blank (36).

Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a first detector (18) for transmitting a scene image in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A transparent display (26) mounted in the output viewing path (30) of the first detector (18) and displays a displayed image in the second spectral band. The image of the transparent display is aligned such that the image (12) of the scene in the second spectral band combines with the image output (10) in the first spectral band. The combined multi-spectral images (54) are conveyed to an output (32) for a user (U).

Abstract: A bend (B) in a wave guide (G) is formed having two angled cuts (201, 202) on either side of a middle pivot point (207). The angled cuts (201, 202) extend through a first side of a cladding layer (101) of the wave guide formed with at least one inner layer (102) and one outer layer (101). The wave guide (G) is then bent at the angled cuts about the middle pivot point (207) to make a desired angle bend. The middle pivot point (207) has a reflective angled surface (401) such that light (404) propagating through the wave guide (G) will be reflected and turned at the desired angle.

Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).

Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a dielectric insulator (80) are deposited with a thin film (54, 84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP (50) and dielectric insulator (80) are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (36) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture (36) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the dielectric insulator (80).

Abstract: A sleeve (22) enables attachment of an optic fiber (14) to a multi-integrated optic chip (10) in optical communication therewith, and maintains alignment of the fiber at its end adjacent the chip. The sleeve includes a symmetrically-shaped cavity (26) bounded by termini (30, 32) which are respectively disposed to fit onto the chip and to accept the fiber. An adhesive (46) within the cavity symmetrically bonds the fiber to the chip. The adhesive cures symmetrically in the cavity, to eliminate undesired motion of the fiber from its preferred alignment position vis-a-vis the chip connection point (12) or to provide a repeatable motion to achieve the optimum alignment position of the fiber with respect to the chip. The sleeve may be left in place or, alternatively, it may be removed. The sleeve controls, defines and confines the index matching adhesive and/or fluid between fiber end (44) and connection point (12) by defining the areas and volume actually in contact with the adhesive or fluid.

Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a first detector (18) for transmitting a scene image in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A transparent display (26) mounted in the output viewing path (30) of the first detector (18) and displays a displayed image in the second spectral band. The image of the transparent display is aligned such that the image (12) of the scene in the second spectral band combines with the image output (10) in the first spectral band. The combined multi-spectral images (54) are conveyed to an output (32) for a user (U).

Abstract: A bend (B) in a wave guide (G) is formed having two angled cuts (201, 202) on either side of a middle pivot point (207). The angled cuts (201, 202) extend through a first side of a cladding layer (101) of the wave guide formed with at least one inner layer (102) and one outer layer (101). The wave guide (G) is then bent at the angled cuts about the middle pivot point (207) to make a desired angle bend. The middle pivot point (207) has a reflective angled surface (401) such that light (404) propagating through the wave guide (G) will be reflected and turned at the desired angle.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection arrangement includes a cable laminate adapted to receive a plurality of twinaxial cables; an interposer including a plurality of spring contacts; wherein the interposer has a first side adapted to mate with the cable laminate and electrically connect the plurality of spring contacts to one and of the plurality of twinaxial cables; and wherein the interposer has a second side adapted to mate with a PC board and electrically connect the plurality of spring contacts to mating contact points on the PC board.

Abstract: Sensor arrays utilizing standard 1×2 couplers reduce the differences in the returned optical power levels by appropriate selection of the coupling ratios. Preferred embodiments are described that comprise 6 distribution fiber lines and 16 return fiber lines. One embodiment includes 16 sensor groups in which each sensor group has a dedicated return line. In another embodiment, 8 sensor groups are configured so that no two adjacent sensors have either a common distribution fiber line or a common return fiber line.

Abstract: A system (S) for combining multi-spectral images of a scene includes a channel (18) for transmitting a scene image (10) in a first spectral band. A separate, second detector (22) senses the scene in a second spectral band. The second detector (22) has an image output that is representative of the scene. A display (28) displays an image (12) in the second spectral band. A beam mixer (30) combines the image output (10) in the first spectral band with the displayed image (12), and conveys the combined multi-spectral images to an output (32) for a user (U).

Abstract: A printed circuit board (B) with a mechanical attachment of connector pins (42a and 42b) to opposite sides of the same plated through location (34) maintains electrical isolation between the board sides (14 and 16). A sequence of controlled depth drilling steps creates a hole (34) through the printed circuit board (B) with multiple diameters (20, 24, 30 and 40).

Abstract: A system (S) for mounting and aligning a detector (D) about an observation instrument (10) includes a first detector (12) movably coupled to the observation instrument (10) off an axis of observation centerline (14) for the observation instrument (10). A retainer (16) is mounted with the observation instrument (10) to secure the first detector (12) to the observation instrument (10). The retainer (16) permits rotatable movement of the first detector (12) about the axis of observation centerline (14). The retainer (16) also preferably includes an attachment point (20) for mounting the first detector (12) to the retainer (16). The first detector (12) should be adjustable at least about an axis (22) essentially perpendicular to the axis of the observation centerline (14) for the observation instrument (10).