Abstract: An auxiliary spotting optical system for binoculars and telescopes includes an auxiliary objective lens proximate the principal objective lens, a principal magnification system field of view indicator and an image transfer arrangement between the field of view indicator and the ocular lens of the binocular to bridge the optical gap created between the image plane of the auxiliary objective lens and the focal plane of the ocular lens to create an optical system delivering a 1.times. magnification to an observer with normal eyesight. A movable mirror in the optical path of the principal magnification system and the spotting system determines which optical system is active. In its first position the mirror directs light passing through the auxiliary objective lens, the field of view indicator, the image transfer arrangement to the ocular lens, and blocks the principal magnification optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping the cornea is described. The apparatus comprises a probe having a multiplicity of parallel pins bundled together which are reciprocally movable with respect to one another. The pins are maintained in parallel and slidable relationship with one another and, after the leading end of the pins is urged against the surface of the cornea so that the ends thereof form a surface mirroring the contour of the cornea, the pins may be locked together in fixed relationship. A detector is used to sense the relative position of the pins, the sensed positions are stored, and the stored values used to depict the contour of the cornea on a two-dimensional surface such as a display terminal or as hard copy on paper. A computer is used to obtain the data from the detecting means, to store the data, and, by means of an appropriate algorithm, to graphically generate the two-dimensional image.

Abstract: An ophthalmic surgery system (10) for performing corneal keratotomies and resectomies utilizes a light source (12) which generates a pulsed beam in the ultraviolet/vacuum ultraviolet region. The beam is received by a sealed base unit (16) and attached rotatable subunit (18) which shape, focus, and project the beam onto a protective mask (20) mounted directly on the eye (22) of a patient. The mask (20) includes a normally closed shutter (148) which opens responsive to a counter (32) positioned along the beam path and sensors (156) positioned on opposite sides of a control slit (154) to apply a predetermined number of pulses while the mask is aligned to effect precise cutting of the cornea to the desired depth.

Abstract: Flexible holders are disclosed which allow one or more synthetic lenses to be securely positioned within the intraocular chambers of the eye, and which can be inserted into the eye through corneal incisions of minimal size.

Abstract: Multiaperture fly's eye optical signal transducing apparatus employing nonlinear electrical signal processing located adjacent the optical transducers in a multifunction integrated circuit device. The processed signals have enhanced low-level contrast and attenuated high contrast. Utilization examples, mathematical equations and related characteristic curves are also included along with exemplary circuit diagrams.

Abstract: A high efficiency fiber-shaped detector having a longitudinally extending core transparent to the wavelength of an incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation. Circumscribing the core and deposited thereon is an extremely thin layer of photosensitive material, an extremely thin layer of insulation and an extremely thin layer of reflective material. The photosensitive layer converts the electromagnetic radiation into an electrical signal which is transmitted to a processing system. Upon receiving the incoming beam of electromagnetic radiation, the reflective layer reflects this beam so that the beam passes through the photosensitive layer many times. Consequently, it is possible to provide a reliable indication of beam intensity. Modified embodiments of the above described detector also provide information with respect to the angularity and alignment of the input beam of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Very wide field of view optical surveillance is realized without scanning or moving parts by means of an integrated multiaperture optical system. The system utilizes light gathering optics in the form of an array of eyelets or lens apertures that direct in-coming light onto a detector layer. The detection layer consists of individual detectors, more than one to a lens. Under the detector layer there is a correlation layer, which contains a memory cell for each detector and circuitry which connects to neighboring memory cells according to a hard wired program. Below the correlation layer is a processing layer which contains microprocessor circuitry allowing further processing of the acquired information. Outlines of objects seen by the system are defined by the microprocessor circuitry using an edge detecting routine. A detected object is identified by correlation with a single number recognition coefficient.

Abstract: A replaceable electrode primary battery utilizing hollow zinc anodic electrodes and hollow nickel oxide cathodic electrodes immersed in a potassium hydroxide electrolyte solution. The electrodes are arranged in stacks formed by electrically conducting guides contacting the outer surfaces of the spherical electrodes, the respective guides forming the battery anode and cathode. Fresh electrodes are added to the top of the stack from a supply of electrodes, causing a spent electrode to be ejected from the bottom of the stack. The ejected electrode floats to the surface of the electrolyte solution and is collected in a holding compartment. The spent electrodes may be reused by electroplating the appropriate material on the outer surface of the spherical shell. The battery finds particular utility with electric vehicles where electrodes may be dispensed from conventional filling stations.

Abstract: An inertial energy storage device is disclosed employing a safety flywheel which is made of flexible material such as a twisted rope ring. The rigidity required for such a device is achieved through centrifugal forces inherent in such a device when it is operating. A small number of the strands of the rope ring have a tensile strength that is lower than the vast majority of the strands of the rope ring whereby should any of these strands fail, they will begin to whiplash allowing such a failure to be detected and braked before a castastrophic failure occurs. This is accomplished by the inclusion of glass tubes located around the periphery of the flywheel. The tubes are in communication with a braking fluid reservoir. The flywheel and glass tubes are enclosed within a vacuum-tight housing. The whiplashing of a broken strand breaks one or more glass tubes. This causes the housing to be flooded with the braking fluid thereby braking the rotation of the flywheel.

Abstract: A gas cooled nuclear fission reactor employing spherical fuel elements which are held in a critical assembly configuration by centrifugal forces. This is accomplished by inserting the spherical fuel elements in a rotating drum of a shape suitable to ensure that a nuclear critical configuration of the total entity of fuel elements can only be achieved if the centrifugal forces are present. This has the effect that in case of a loss of load, a loss of coolant or other adverse occurences, the critical part of the reactor will disassemble itself, by gravitational forces exclusively, into a non-critical configuration.

Abstract: An externally moderated thermal nuclear reactor is disclosed which is designed to provide output power in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The reactor is a gaseous fueled nuclear cavity reactor device which can operate over wide ranges of temperature and pressure, and which includes the capability of processing and recycling waste products such as long-lived transuranium actinides. The primary output of the device may be in the form of coherent radiation, so that the reactor may be utilized as a self-critical nuclear pumped laser.