Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ultrasonically scanning cylinders are provided. The methods and apparatus employ as few as one ultrasonic sensor for full immersion scanning and defect detection. Self-centering fixturing spins the cylinder, reducing vibration, allowing for fast ultrasonic scans. To create the 45 degree angle beam shear waves for the circumferential scans, the ultrasonic sensor is offset from the centerline of the cylinder, creating the correct angle for excitation of the shear wave.

Abstract: A method of making a capillary splice includes applying pressure to a bore in a tube, applying heat to a portion of the tube to soften the portion of the tube, and forming a bubble within the bore in the heated portion under the influence of the pressure and heat. While forming the bubble, a diameter of the bore at the heated portion is measured to determine when the bubble has enlarged to a target size. When the bubble has enlarged to the target size, a force is applied along an axial axis of the tube to shape the bubble to a desired size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a first and second optical fibers including a fiber feed mechanism adapted to feed the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, and a nozzle adapted to provide a displacing force on the second optical fiber, where the second optical fiber is displaced away from the first optical fiber to thereby separate the second optical fiber from the first optical fiber. In one embodiment, the displacing force is provided by a gas stream directed away from the nozzle while in another embodiment, the displacing force is directed towards the nozzle. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a separation mechanism with a first guide, a second guide, a guide separator, and a deflector plate. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a clamp mechanism with a first clamping pad having an offset extension that extends beyond an edge of a second clamp pad.

Abstract: A device for removing heat from a fiber-optic package having at least one optical element includes a terminated fiber for diverting excess optical power away from the optical element and an energy dissipating element having a capability to absorb the optical power from the terminated fiber and a high thermal conductivity sufficient to distribute heat generated from absorption of the optical power.

Abstract: An epoxy application system and method for applying an epoxy having particulate constituents to an optical component including an epoxy reservoir, an applicator, and an actuator mechanically connected to the epoxy reservoir, the actuator operable to periodically invert the epoxy reservoir. A timing circuit is provided in one embodiment to periodically invert the epoxy reservoir. A vacuum device of one embodiment vacuums excess epoxy. Another embodiment of the epoxy application system includes an energy source for providing UV energy through a light guide. One embodiment further includes a UV light energy detector to measure UV light energy emitted through the light guide and a controller to determine a cure time based on the measured UV light energy. In another embodiment, a monitoring system such as a camera is provided to ensure provision of the UV light energy for the determined cure time.

Abstract: A method and modem for communicating serial input data over a transmission link. Serial input data is partitioned into parallel data elements prior to rotation by an invertible linear mapping. Resulting frames of parallel signal elements sequentially modulate a carrier, which is then transmitted over the link. After receipt of the modulated carrier from the link, the signal is demodulated and assembled into frames of parallel signal elements which are de-rotated by an inverse linear mapping. Thresholding the result of the inverse mapping recovers the parallel data elements, which are then re-assembled into serial output data. The linear mapping employs: 1) commuting rotation matrices for convolutionally rotating data vectors into signal vectors and vice-versa; 2) filter bank polyphase rotation matrices; or 3) computationally efficient multi-rate wavelet filter banks. Transmitter pre-emphasis places most of the information in lower baseband frequencies; complimentary de-emphasis occurs in the receiver.

Abstract: A hand-held Variable Angle Membrane (VAM) ultrasonic scanning head consisting of transmitting and receiving transducers is used to excite guided waves to detect corrosion, MIC and foreign objects in containers such as pipes. The scanning head includes transducers mounted on a fluid filled housing sealed by a membrane. This system couples ultrasound from the transducer to the pipe wall. The transducer housings are mounted in a rigid frame that holds the ultrasonic transducer housings a specific distance apart and allows each transducer housing to rotate about a pivot point. The membrane deforms to the pipe diameter to be scanned. The scanning head is adjusted to perform inspections in various container diameters and thicknesses. Once adjusted for diameter and thickness, the operator places the scanning head on the pipe and couples the rubber membranes to the pipe with a small amount of couplant.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flexure mount. The tunable filter further includes an actuator coupled to the flexure mount, wherein the actuator elastically perturbs the flexure mount. The tunable filter also includes a Mach-Zehnder device coupled to the flexure mount. The Mach-Zehnder device includes a first tapered coupling region; a second tapered coupling region spaced apart from the first tapered coupling region; and a phase shift region disposed between the first and second tapered coupling regions.

Abstract: A method and modem for communicating serial input data over a transmission link are disclosed. Serial input data is partitioned into parallel data elements prior to rotation by an invertible linear mapping. Computationally efficient multi-rate wavelet filter banks are employed in a receiver for analyzing a received signal. Self-interference components are calculated in the receiver per sub-band and tap-weights for the filter banks are derived as a function over the range of self-interference values. A weighted sum is formed and subtracted from the delayed, received signal to eliminate the interference, and is removed from the recovered signal.

Abstract: A fiber coating stripping apparatus and method for removing an outer coating of an optical fiber including a fiber stripper with a nozzle adapted to spray a stripping medium toward an outer surface of the optical fiber to remove the outer coating, a stripper exhaust including a liquid injection mechanism that provides a liquid to an interior of the stripper exhaust, and a vacuum generator fluidically connected to the stripper exhaust that creates an airflow through the exhaust opening to vacuum the removed outer coating of the optical fiber and to vacuum the liquid provided by the liquid injection mechanism. The liquid is a coolant that cools the removed outer coating and rinses the interior of the stripper exhaust. In one embodiment, the liquid is provided by the liquid injection mechanism with a distribution ring having a plurality of spray openings.

Abstract: An optical fiber deployment tube including an outer tube having a through opening, and an inner fiber guide positioned therein, the inner fiber guide having a plurality of guide members with inner surfaces that form an inner opening for feeding the optical fiber therethrough, the inner surfaces being adapted to guide the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the adjacent guide members define a debris gap. The plurality of guide members are preferably metallic and the inner surfaces of the plurality of guide members are rounded. In another embodiment, a method for deploying an optical fiber is provided including the steps of providing an optical fiber deployment tube having a discontinuous inner surface, inserting the optical fiber, and feeding the optical fiber through the optical fiber deployment tube, where the inner surface of the optical fiber deployment tube guides the optical fiber.

Abstract: Serial input data is partitioned into parallel data elements prior to rotation by an invertible linear mapping. The resulting frames of parallel signal elements are sequentially transmitted over the link. After receipt from the link, the signal is demodulated and assembled into frames of parallel signal elements which are de-rotated by an inverse linear mapping. The recovered parallel data elements are then re-assembled into serial output data. The linear mapping employs: 1) commuting rotation matrices for convolutionally rotating data vectors into signal vectors and vice-versa; 2) filter bank polyphase rotation matrices; or 3) computationally efficient multi-rate wavelet filter banks. Coefficients of the rotation matrix of the receiver are adaptively equalized to correct for transmission path distortion. A test signal may be inserted on the transmit side for receiver synchronization or link distortion characterization.

Abstract: A device for dissipating optical power from an optical component having a functional element includes a terminated fiber adapted to be coupled to the functional element so as to receive a light beam from the functional element and a dissipating element which absorbs the light beam from the terminated fiber, converts the absorbed light beam into thermal energy, and dissipates the thermal energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from an electronic component. In one embodiment, a heat generating device is mounted to a top-side surface of a package substrate. A fluid flow channel that is defined at least partially by a portion of the back-side surface of the substrate is provided for passing a cooling medium. This configuration permits the cooling medium to be in direct contact with the back-side surface of the substrate, thus, reducing the overall thermal resistance between the heat generating device and cooling medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing heat from an electronic component. In one embodiment, a heat generating device is mounted to a top-side surface of a package substrate. A fluid flow channel that is defined at least partially by a portion of the back-side surface of the substrate is provided for passing a cooling medium. This configuration permits the cooling medium to be in direct contact with the back-side surface of the substrate, thus, reducing the overall thermal resistance between the heat generating device and cooling medium.

Abstract: A method and modem for communicating serial input data over a transmission link. Serial input data is partitioned into parallel data elements prior to rotation by an invertible linear mapping. Resulting frames of parallel signal elements sequentially modulate a carrier, which is then transmitted over the link. After receipt of the modulated carrier from the link, the signal is demodulated and assembled into frames of parallel signal elements which are de-rotated by an inverse linear mapping. Thresholding the result of the inverse mapping recovers the parallel data elements, which are then re-assembled into serial output data. The linear mapping employs: 1) commuting rotation matrices for convolutionally rotating data vectors into signal vectors and vice-versa; 2) filter bank polyphase rotation matrices; or 3) computationally efficient multi-rate wavelet filter banks. Transmitter pre-emphasis places most of the information in lower baseband frequencies; complimentary de-emphasis occurs in the receiver.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.

Abstract: Packages for long period fiber gratings and other optical components (and methods for forming the packages) are described. According to an aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is collapsed in two areas, forming a seal at each end of the tube. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube with a shelf section at each end surrounds an optical fiber containing a long-period grating. The hollow tube is sealed at each end with a fused frit. According to another aspect of the invention, a hollow tube surrounding an optical fiber containing a long-period grating is sealed at each end with a glass plug.