Abstract: A low-loss fiber optic tap coupler including an optical fiber mounted and adhered to a curved surface and having a clad single fiber core, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber through the cladding, a prism mounted on the surface having two reflective surfaces positioned to receive signals from the fiber travelling in opposite directions, and photodiodes mounted adjacent the prism to receive the reflected signals.

Abstract: A low-loss fiber optic tap is fabricated by mounting a portion of an optical fiber with epoxy resin along the curved surface of a solid support form. After curing of the epoxy, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber is established by lapping and polishing the device to a carefully controlled depth. A prism having a preferred characteristic angle of 70.degree. is attached to the planar surface along the optical fiber and a photodiode is mounted adjacent thereto. The disclosure teaches how the parameters of the device may be tailored to the specific signal tap requirements of particular fiber optic transmission lines.

Abstract: Several cable clips are disclosed, all capable of use with an extensive range of numbers and/or sizes of cable, by virtue of providing a resilient arm of particular shape and stiffness, in conjunction with a finger which extends from one end of the arm, the other end of the finger being either free, or joined with the arm, or capable of latching engagement with either the arm or a base of the cable clip.

Abstract: A dual directional, wavelength demultiplexer including an optical fiber mounted and adhered to a curved surface having a clad single-fiber core, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber through the cladding, a prism mounted on the surface having two reflective surfaces positioned to receive multiple signals from the fiber travelling in opposite directions, optical gratings positioned at the reflective surfaces effective to diffract and demultiplex the signals, and photodiode arrays mounted adjacent the prism to receive the demultiplexed reflected signals.

Abstract: An optical fiber wavelength demultiplexer including an optical fiber mounted and adhered to a curved surface having a clad single fiber core, a planar surface extending partially into and along the fiber through the cladding, a prism mounted on the surface having a reflective diffraction grating surface positioned to receive signals from the fiber travelling in one direction and demultiplex such signals, and an array of photodiodes mounted adjacent the prism to receive the demultiplexed signals.

Abstract: A bus manifold utilizing master and slave terminals wherein a single data bus transmits master terminal signals to the slave terminals continuously and simultaneously with transmission from one of the slave terminals. The system uses a single-optical-fiber transmission line coupled to the master terminal for both transmit and receive functions. The slave terminals have sending units coupled to the transmission line and a pair of receivers tap-coupled to the transmission line. Sending by the slave terminals is in the opposite direction from sending by the master terminal, and the tap coupling is effective to tap signals travelling in both directions in the line.

Abstract: There is described a tamper-proof fastener for use in security applications, the fastener comprising inner and outer members interconnected by flexible straps. The inner and outer members each comprise a leading end, a shank, and a trailing end, the shank of the outer member consisting of two substantially parallel legs defining between them an open-sided passage which contracts towards the leading end, and the leading end of the outer member consisting of two limbs which define between them an open-sided space and converge to a tip where they are interconnected, each limb being connected to a respective leg and presenting an external shoulder facing away from the tip and an internal shoulder facing towards the tip, the trailing end of the outer member including outwardly extending portions presenting an external shoulder facing the leading of the outer member.

Abstract: An acoustical sensor utilizing fiber optic transmission including an optical signal generator, a first single-fiber transmission line connected to the generator, and a coupler for receiving signals from the first line and transmitting the signals to a second single fiber which directs the signals to an acoustically sensitive reflective surface. The surface modulates the signal in accordance with acoustical signals applied to it and reflects at least part of the signal back to the fiber where it is transmitted to a third fiber by the coupler and then transmitted to an electronic receiver.

Abstract: A module for a fiber optic data transmission system which will accommodate either a suitable light source or a photoelectric detector. The module incorporates an integrated electronic assembly, such as a hybrid microelectronic assembly. The assembly has provision for a photoelectric transducer which preferably has a cylindrical mount disposed in a cylindrical recess of the electronic assembly. The entire assembly may be surrounded by a cylindrical can having a transparent window. The transducer is provided with a collimating lens which permits it to receive or emit a collimated light beam. Between the fiber optic bundle and the transducer, there is preferably disposed a focusing lens. The focusing lens receives or emits the collimated light beam and focuses it on the fiber optic bundle. A housing surrounds the entire module. Means, such as a retainer ring, are provided for holding the electronic assembly within the housing. Similar means are provided for maintaining the focusing lens within the housing.

Abstract: A low-loss unidirectional optical coupler utilizing clad monofilament fibers of different diameters is provided by mounting each fiber on a curved surface, lapping the smaller (launch) fiber substantially tangentially to the curved surface until the core of the launch fiber has been lapped through to produce two elliptical flat surfaces, independently lapping the other (throughput) fiber tangentially to its surface to produce a fiber surface of substantially the same size as one of those produced on the launch fiber, aligning the throughput fiber surface with one of the launch fiber surfaces, and bonding them together.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning a pair of optical fibers wherein a first fiber is positioned in a holder, adjusted along two axes in a plane, and rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane. A second fiber is mounted in a universal fixture by a first set of adjustable positioning screws opposed to each other in a housing, and a second set of adjustable positioning screws opposed to the first set positioning the housing on an adjustable structure. The optical fibers are brought into position and flush contact effected by the flexibility of the universal fixture. Thereafter the structure is adjusted in a plane defined by two separate axes to effect alignment about the axes, and rotated about the third axis to complete alignment. A laser or other light source and a light sensitive element are utilized to determine when maximum light transmission is achieved, thus signifying proper alignment.

Abstract: A fiber optic bar code reader utilizing a light source coupled to one port of a three-port directional coupler. A light detector is coupled to a second port of the coupler, a single fiber probe for receiving and transmitting light is coupled to the third port of the coupler. The coupler joins the three fibers so that light is initially transmitted from the light source to the probe fiber, exits the probe fiber, is selectively reflected by the bar code, and finally is transmitted through the directional coupler to the light detector.

Abstract: A fastener is described in which a substantially rigid pillar formed at one of its ends with a radially enlarged head is provided with a number of radially projecting and longitudinally extending substantially rigid webs, the fastener being further formed with a number of thin plates arranged between adjacent webs in a plane or planes transverse or oblique to the axis of the pillar, the or each plate being attached at one of its edges to one of the webs, and the radial extent of the webs being less than the maximum radial extent of the plate or plates. The plates can be arranged in planes to which the axis of the pillar is perpendicular, or the plates may be inclined in either the circumferential or the radial direction with respect to the pilar. The head of the fastener may be a simple dished skirt, or may be provided with a formation adapted to retain a second component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic fiber optic scanner which includes a flexible optical fiber of predetermined length, having one end fixedly supported in a cantilevered fashion, and having an opposite end that is unsupported and free to move. A magnet is rigidly mounted on the fiber near the unsupported end to there produce a magnetic dipole moment parallel to the length of the fiber. A grid like array of electrical conductors lies in a plane that is perpendicular to the fiber and is spaced apart from the unsupported end. By passing current through selected ones of the conductors, localized magnetic fields are produced that react with the dipole moment to position the unsupported end of the optical fiber in offset alignment with the selected conductors.

Abstract: Disclosed is an fiber optic scanning device that includes an optical fiber of predetermined length having one unsupported end for scanning, and having another end rigidly supported in a cantilevered fashion. The disclosed device operates to allow the movable end to be positioned with voltages that are substantially reduced over the prior art. To that end, an electrically conductive film lies on the fiber extending from the unsupported end to the supported end; and a transparent conductive plate lies in a plane perpendicular to the length of the fiber spaced apart from the unsupported end. This conductive plate forms a capacitance C with the conductive film. A voltage source V couples between the transparent conductive plate and the conductive film on the fiber to produce an electrostatic charge Q on the movable end of the fiber, where Q=VC. The movable end is positioned with a force F=QE by generating an electric field E transverse to the length of the fiber.

Abstract: A recoverable remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) having: a deflectable canard/elevator placed very close to the nose tip; a constant (cross) section fuselage; wings mounted low and well aft on the fuselage; elevons; a centrally positioned weapons/payload bay, with doors, located internal of the upper portion of the fuselage; and, inflatable landing skids. The weapon/payload is dropped from the RVP, while the RVP is in flight in an inverted position.

Abstract: A valve for regulating the flow of fluid in a motor vehicle heater system, the valve having a housing with coaxial inlet and outlet ports and a quadrantal closure member pivotally mounted in the housing for movement between open and closed positions, the closure member having an aperture coinciding with the outlet port when the closure member is in the open position and a thin flexible portion covering the outlet port when the valve member is in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a child-proof door catch device which requires a sequence of unconnected manipulations to operate the mechanism opening a door. The mechanism includes a housing and operating and latching elements, the operating and latching elements being normally held apart by a biasing means. When the correct sequence of manipulations is performed on the operating element, the latching element is caused to disengage from a striker plate to allow the door to be opened.

Abstract: The invention concerns corner posts for use with card blanks to form stacking trays, especially suited to transporting garden produce. Corner posts of the invention are elongated elements of substantially right triangular cross-sectional shape having a widest face and two narrower faces, said widest face being formed with two longitudinally extending slots, said slots each having two parallel sides and a base and opening onto said widest face, said sides of one of said slots extending in planes perpendicular to said sides of the other of said slots, and each of said slots having an abutment surface extending in a plane at right angles to said sides and said base and constituting an end to said respective slot, each slot further including an undercut adjacent its said opening to provide a shoulder facing said base of said slot, said slot having a width substantially twice that of said opening of said slot at points between said shoulder and said base.

Abstract: A catch comprising a plunger member and a guide member, the plunger member being able to reciprocate in the guide member, with a nose of the plunger member extending out of the guide member, each of the members being a single moulding of a plastics material, one or both members including one or more tongues which extend primarily in the direction of relative reciprocation of the members and are resiliently flexible transversely to that direction, each tongue engaging a cam or a tongue on the other member in such a manner that forces act on the tongues having components parallel to the direction of relative reciprocation of the members, in the sense which urges the members towards a limit of relative reciprocation at which the extension of the nose out of the guide member is greatest, and if the nose is displaced into the guide member and released, then the plunger member returns to the said limit.