Abstract: An edge manifold assembly conducts, introduces and receives reactant and coolant streams to and from an electrochemical fuel cell stack. The assembly comprises a plurality of manifold plates. Each of the fuel cells has a single manifold plate or at least three manifold plates attached thereto. Each of the manifold plates has at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between the manifold opening and the fuel cell to which the manifold plate is attached.

Abstract: An edge manifold assembly conducts, introduces and receives reactant and coolant streams to and from an electrochemical fuel cell stack. The assembly comprises a plurality of manifold plates. Each of the fuel cells has a pair of manifold plates attached thereto. Each of the manifold plates has at least one manifold opening formed therein for containing a fluid and at least one channel formed therein for effecting fluid communication between the manifold opening and the fuel cell to which the manifold plate is attached.

Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer apparatus (20) comprises a laser power source that produces a laser beam (32) having a laser beam axis (26). The laser power source includes a laser (22), a shutter (28) that controllably blocks and passes the laser beam, and an optical system (30) that expands the diameter of the laser beam. A parabolic mirror (34) has its axis coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and a bore (48) therethrough coincident with the laser beam axis (26). Optical fiber clamps (42, 46) hold the two optical fibers (40, 44) with their axes coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and their ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34). A sensor (82) measures the power reaching the optical fiber ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34), and a controller (72) controls the power level of the laser (22) responsive to the power measured by the sensor.

Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer apparatus (20) comprises a laser power source that produces a laser beam (32) having a laser beam axis (26). The laser power source includes a laser (22), a shutter (28) that controllably blocks and passes the laser beam, and an optical system (30) that expands the diameter of the laser beam. A parabolic mirror (34) has its axis coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and a bore (48) therethrough coincident with the laser beam axis (26). Optical fiber clamps (42, 46) hold the two optical fibers (40, 44) with their axes coincident with the laser beam axis (26) and their ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34). A sensor (82) measures the power reaching the optical fiber ends (62, 64) at the focal point (38) of the parabolic mirror (34), and a controller (72) controls the power level of the laser (22) responsive to the power measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A laser beam (12) scans a filament (8) being wound onto a bobbin (42) sensing the winding angle of attack .beta. and on determining a variance of the angle from a predetermined desired angle generating a signal in a filament position monitor and control (38) for energizing a bobbin carriage drive (40) to correct the winding angle .beta.. Additionally, the laser beam (12) can scan filament (18) before it becomes the last winding on the bobbin (42) and on a climb-back or gap occurring the filament position monitor and control (38) reverses the spindle drive (41) to remove the climb-back or gap and then reassumes normal carriage drive (40) and spindle drive (41).