Abstract: During the performance of an electronic payment transaction over a networked (web-based) e-commerce website an interface implementation that inserts into one or more web pages of the site providing an override within a payment process that allows a user to securely enter sensitive or confidential data necessary for the performance of the transaction and from which a transaction specific, single-use payment token is generated and then used in completing the payment transaction. The interface providing protection to the sensitive data and generated token from unwanted and unnecessary network access by a communicatively linked device and promoting a consumer experience that seamlessly integrates the date entry, protection and tokenization of sensitive data with the hosted webpages of the e-commerce website.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for transporting produce. The device comprises a chute, and a flexible panel that is positioned within tracks of the chute and defines a movable “front” wall of the chute. The flexible panel has a lower section that terminates in a platform section. The flexible panel is operatively connected to a motor or other actuator which allows the flexible panel to be raised and lowered within the tracks of the chute. The platform section of the chute is connected to an actuator which can move the platform from a closed position to an open position. When the platform is in the closed position, the platform defines the bottom of the chute and collects and holds the produce delivered into the chute. When the platform is moved into the open position, the produce is allowed to flow out of the bottom of the chute into the container the chute is positioned in. The device can also comprise a fill sensor indicating when the chute is full.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for transporting produce. The device comprises a chute, and a flexible panel that is positioned within tracks of the chute and defines a movable “front” wall of the chute. The flexible panel has a lower section that terminates in a platform section. The flexible panel is operatively connected to a motor or other actuator which allows the flexible panel to be raised and lowered within the tracks of the chute. The platform section of the chute is connected to an actuator which can move the platform from a closed position to an open position. When the platform is in the closed position, the platform defines the bottom of the chute and collects and holds the produce delivered into the chute. When the platform is moved into the open position, the produce is allowed to flow out of the bottom of the chute into the container the chute is positioned in. The device can also comprise a fill sensor indicating when the chute is full.

Abstract: The end face (32) of the optical fiber (24) of a fiber optical terminal (10) is finished by installing the fiber in a terminal ferrule (18), cleaving an end of the fiber close to the end face (54) of the ferrule, and heating the cleaved fiber end face so as to soften its end face and cause it to assume a smooth, rounded configuration. The heating is accomplished, for a glass fiber, by application of the beam of a carbon dioxide laser (60) to the optical fiber end face. The heat softened end face assumes a smooth, rounded configuration that minimizes back reflection. A system including a laser (105), shutter (102), beam expander (108) and parabolic mirror (110) heats the fiber end face that is positioned at the parabola faces by a three axis manipulator (156,158) and holder (152). Orthogonal viewing systems (126, 142) enable visual monitoring of the process.

Abstract: A mechanical regulation system for controlling tow line payout between the aerobody and a towing vehicle. The system comprises a housing, a nonrotating spool, and a tow line wound around the spool that is coupled between the aerobody and the vehicle. The regulation portion of the present system comprises a rotatable wedge-shaped tube, having the tow line wrapped around it. A rotatable mechanical regulator is slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped tube. The regulator is adapted to rotate with the tube and move transversely along the length of the tube as the tow line is removed from the spool. A brake mechanism is provided as part of the regulator, and a brake drum is disposed adjacent the periphery of the regulator that is contacted by the brake mechanism.

Abstract: A launching and regulation system that incorporates an expendable towing and deployment mechanism for use with a towed aerobody that provides for launching and controlled tow line payout between the towed aerobody and a towing vehicle. The system comprises a housing, a nonrotating spool disposed in the housing, and a tow line wound around the spool that is coupled between the aerobody and the vehicle. The tow line preferably comprises a photonic, fiber optic, link. The launching mechanism comprises a plurality of impulse cartridges for deploying the aerobody and severing the tow line at a predetermined time. A spring piston is disposed inside a wedge-shaped tube that confines expanding gasses within the tube that are generated by an impulse cartridge and moves the spring piston to launch the aerobody. The regulation mechanism may comprise a mechanical system or adhesive resin system. The mechanical system comprises a rotatable wedge-shaped tube, and the tow line is wrapped around it.

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: An optical fiber (22) is tested for payout properties by supporting it on a payout support (24 ), preferably in the form of a hollow frustum of a cone, and attaching an unsupported end (26 ) of the optical fiber (22) to a projectile (42) that is thereafter propelled rapidly by expanding gas. The expanding gas is preferably generated explosively or by pressurizing the rearward end of the stationary projectile (42) and then releasing the projectile (42). A pneumatic gun (40) suitable for such testing has a barrel (44) sufficiently large to receive the projectile (42), a latching mechanism (60) that releasably engages the projectile (42), a closure (50) at the rearward end of the barrel (44) with a bore (58) therethrough concentric with the axis of the barrel (44) through which the optical fiber (22) passes and is drawn. The pneumatic gun (40) further includes a gas reservoir (48) that supplies a pressurized gas to the back side of the projectile (42).

Abstract: The resistance to wear-induced failures during forming operations of non-ferrous die tooling materials, such as epoxy-based and zinc-based materials, is improved by treating the surface of the die tooling. In one approach, the surface of an organic-containing or metallic substrate is coated with a silicon-modified organic materials and then implanted with ions of an inert gas to transform the organic material to a silicon carbide-rich layer. In the other, nitrogen ions are implanted into the surface of a zinc-based alloy.

Abstract: A process is provided for the controlled growth of titanium carbide. Essentially, relatively fast, or low temperature growth, favors growth of single crystals having (100) orientation, while relatively slow, or high temperature growth, favors single crystals having (111) orientation. The process obviates the need for any seed crystals and permits growth of rods having diameters exceeding 1 cm.

Abstract: A fiber optic buffer defect detection system including a laser, for illuminating the fiber buffer with a collimated beam of light energy, and detectors for detecting any scattering of the beam, from a defect in the fiber buffer. The detectors are mounted to collect scattering out of a radial plane defined by the angular rotation of the beam about the fiber at the point of intersection of the beam with the fiber buffer.

Abstract: An improved polarization preserving birefringent fiber optic member is provided having cross-sectional circular cladding and core members of soft glasses. A metallic coating of an approximately circular configuration, that is offset from the axis of the core and cladding members, is provided with sufficient thickness to provide an anisotropic variation in compressional strain on the core member to create the anisotropy of the refracted index of the core member for preserving polarization characteristics. The optical fiber can be formed by heating a mechanical composite of a core rod and cladding tube, drawing the core and cladding to form a fused fiber and transporting the drawn fiber through a coating bath to provide the variation in thickness.

Abstract: Cylindrical rods of titanium carbide or other refractory material with uniform, high density are prepared by hot pressing plates from powders of the material, with a uniaxial pressing pressure applied to the broad faces of the plate. Bars of square cross section are then cut from the plate and machined to cylindrical rods. The process is particularly suited to the preparation of refractory material preforms to be used in single crystal growth by the float zone method. Titanium carbide rods having a highly uniform density of about 96% that of the theoretical maximum can be readily prepared and then grown into titanium carbide crystals.

Abstract: An improved polarization preserving birefringent fiber optic member is provided having cross-sectional circular cladding and core members of soft glasses. A metallic coating of an approximately circular configuration, that is offset from the axis of the core and cladding members, is provided with sufficient thickness to provide an anisotropic variation in compressional strain on the core member to create the anisotropy of the refracted index of the core member for preserving polarization characteristics. The optical fiber can be formed by heating a mechanical composite of a core rod and cladding tube, drawing the core and cladding to form a fused fiber and transporting the drawn fiber through a coating bath to provide the variation in thickness.

Abstract: A liquid metal ion source and alloy for the simultaneous ion evaporation of arsenic and boron, arsenic and phosphorus, or arsenic, boron and phosphorus. The ionic species to be evaporated are contained in palladium-arsenic-boron and palladium-arsenic-boron-phosphorus alloys. The ion source, including an emitter means such as a needle emitter and a source means such as U-shaped heater element, is preferably constructed of rhenium and tungsten, both of which are readily fabricated. The ion sources emit continuous beams of ions having sufficiently high currents of the desired species to be useful in ion implantation of semiconductor wafers for preparing integrated circuit devices. The sources are stable in operation, experience little corrosion during operation, and have long operating lifetimes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a glass fiber circumferentially coated with an amorphous metallic alloy, wherein the glass fiber is drawn to substantially its final diameter and then coated with amorphous metallic alloy. The coating is accomplished by passing the drawn glass fiber vertically through an opening formed between two circumferentially abutting, counter-rotating, circumferentially grooved rolls having a pool of a glass-forming alloy continuously supplied from a crucible and supported in the nip of the rolls adjacent the opening. The drawn glass fiber first passes through the pool of molten alloy and then immediately into the opening defined between the two rolls, whereby the metallic alloy coated onto the drawn glass fiber is rapidly cooled to form an amorphous coating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metallic clad glass fiber optical waveguide suitable for use as a high-strength optical transmission line, e.g., for high capacity communications systems and for sensors operating at high temperature. At least two metallic claddings or coatings are formed on the glass waveguide structure, which comprises a core and glass cladding, by coating the glass fiber with at least one of the metallic coatings as it emerges from the furnace with a metal or alloy. The first metal or alloy employed is one that is substantially chemically inert with respect to the material comprising the glass fiber at the deposition temperature during coating of the metal or alloy onto the glass fiber. The second metallic coating may be of the same composition as the first, in order to repair pinholes or to increase the thickness.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metallic clad glass fiber optical waveguide suitable for use as a high-strength optical transmission line, e.g., for high capacity communications systems and for sensors operating at high temperature. A metallic coating or jacket is formed on the glass waveguide structure, which comprises a core and glass cladding, by coating the glass fiber as it emerges from the furnace with a metal or alloy. The metal or alloy employed is one that (a) is substantially chemically inert with respect to the material comprising the glass fiber at the melting point of the metal or alloy during coating of the metal or alloy onto the glass fiber, (b) has a recrystallization temperature greater than room temperature or the contemplated working temperature, whichever is greater, and (c) forms a hermetic seal around the outer surface of the glass cladding.

Abstract: Alloys suitable for use in liquid metal field ionization ion sources are provided. Such sources include an anode electrode for supporting an ion emitter comprising an alloy in the liquid state. The source further comprises means for generating an ionizing electric field and a reservoir for the liquid metal, ions of which are to be emitted by the source.The alloys are selected from the group consisting of (a) metal-metalloid alloys comprising about 10 to 30 atom percent of at least one metalloid element, the balance at least one transition metal element, (b) early transition-late transition alloys comprising about 30 to 85 atom percent of at least one early transition metal, the balance at least one late transition metal, and (c) Group II alloys comprising about 35 to 80 atom percent of at least one Group II element, the balance at least one metal element.Ions generated in liquid metal ion sources form a high brightness ion beam, which permits focusing a beam of emitted ions to a submicrometer spot.