Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder interferometer for performing an optical function on a plurality of optical fibers is provided. The interferometer includes a first cane segment surrounding the optical fibers. The first cane segment forms a first optical coupling region. The interferometer also includes a second cane segment surrounding the optical fibers. The second cane segment forms a second optical coupling region. A phase shift region is formed by a discontinuity between the first and second cane segments for exposing the optical fibers. The optical fibers are suspended between the first and second cane segments within the phase shift region. A substrate is provided for supporting the optical fibers within the phase shift region.

Abstract: A tapered optical fiber coupler includes a first fiber with a core (11) and a cladding (12) and a second fiber with a core (21), an inner cladding (22) and an outer cladding (23). In the stretched, coupling regions of the device, the coupling regions (44, 50) of the fibers form of coupling region waveguides with dispersion curves crossing one another at a preselected operating wavelength. The one or more claddings of each fiber has a monotonic decreasing refractive index distribution, and the refractive index distributions of the claddings (12, 22, 23) are different from one another. Coupling of light from one another occurs only in the narrow band of wavelengths surrounding the operating wavelengths. The outside diameters and core diameters of the fibers may be identical to one another and identical to those of standard optical fibers. Thus, the device can be connected in an optical system.

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: 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 method and apparatus are provided for removing protective coating material from a fiber optic cable including one or more optical fibers. A stream of hot inert gas is directed onto the cable to soften the protective coating material and blow it from the cable. The stream can be moved relative to the cable until the desired length of coating material has been removed.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises a flexible belt having first and second ends; first and second ball shaped handles; and a first and second attaching mechanism attaching each of the ball shaped handles to the first and second ends, respectively. Preferably, the attaching mechanism is operative to rotatably and pivotally attach each of ball shaped handles to first and second ends, respectively. Advantageously, with the the preferred attachment mechanism, each of the handles rotates about a first axis substantially parallel to the length of the belt and the first axis pivots about a second axis parallel to the plane of the belt.

Abstract: An improved process is described for oxygen delignification of medium consistency pulp slurry which teaches control parameters and their resultant effect on final product characteristics. Specifically, a process is described wherein pulp slurries of from approximately eight percent to sixteen percent consistency, are heated to a temperature of at least 170.degree. F. and impregnated oxygen gas and alkali to bring the slurry to a pH of from approximately 11-12.5. The slurry is mixed in a high shear mixer, for agitating mixing therein, under pressure of from approximately 20-180 psig for a first reaction time of typically 5 minutes. Additional alkali is added to the slurry to return the pH to at least 11, preferably at least 12, and the residual alkali concentration to at least 4.0 gpl at the end of the first reaction time. The temperature of the slurry is raised to at least 170.degree. F. followed by mixing for a second reaction time of typically 55 additional minutes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing protective coating material from a fiber optic cable including one or more optical fibers. A stream of hot inert gas is directed onto the cable to soften the protective coating material and blow it from the cable. The stream can be moved relative to the cable until the desired length of coating material has been removed.

Abstract: A plumbing assembly is provided which is formed from a plurality of rigid pipe sections, connected between a movable sink and a relatively fixed fluid outlet. These pipe sections are joined together by swivel fittings that permit the pipe sections to rotate with respect to each other. In this manner, different distances between the sink and the fluid outlet are accommodated by a folding and unfolding motion of the plumbing assembly in a minimum of space behind the wall of an expandable portion of the room. Fluid supply lines for providing hot and cold water to the sink faucet can be mounted within the same spacial area by means of similar swivel fittings that create an offset parallelogram structure. The lengths of at least the fluid draining pipe sections and the supporting structure behind the wall are selected such that a downward slope is maintained over the entire fluid flow path between the sink and the fluid outlet regardless of sink position during usage.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder filter is provided with a strongly aperiodic transfer function including a broad, sharply defined pass band. The filter can be used in conjunction with optical amplifiers.

Abstract: A method of oxygen delignification of medium consistency pulp slurry, which includes the steps of providing a pulp slurry of from approximately ten percent to sixteen percent consistency, at a temperature of from approximately 170-240.degree. F., preferably from 190 to 220.degree. F., thoroughly impregnating the slurry with oxygen gas, and with alkali to bring the slurry to a pH of at least 11, more preferably 12, introducing the slurry to oxygen gas in a high shear mixer, for agitating mixing therein, reacting the slurry in a first pressurized reactor for between 5 to 10 minutes, returning the pH of the slurry to at least 11, more preferably 12, with a residual alkali concentration of at least 1.25 gpl, thoroughly impregnating the slurry with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and oxygen gas, and reacting the slurry in a second reactor for between 30 to 180 minutes.

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 derotated 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 waveguide fiber coupler including a tubular element surrounding the coupling region wherein sealed elongated open regions are formed between the fused waveguide surfaces which form a part of the coupler and the tubular element. The coupler exhibits improved properties due to the presence of the elongated open regions. The sealing of the elongated open regions provides for improved environmental stability of the coupler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for removing protective coating material from a fiber optic cable including one or more optical fibers. A stream of hot inert gas is directed onto the cable to soften the protective coating material and blow it from the cable. The stream can be moved relative to the cable until the desired length of coating material has been removed.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder filter is provided with a strongly aperiodic transfer function including a broad, sharply defined pass band. The filter can be used in conjunction with optical amplifiers.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder wavelength selective device is made using one or more composite optical fibers each incorporating a phase shift region having one effective refractive index spliced between coupling regions having a different effective refractive index. The optical path length difference or phase delay induced by each such composite fiber is a linear function of the length of the phase shift region.

Abstract: A tooth crown preparation system is provided including a handle and a tooth cover fixed to the handle and defining an interior space and an open bottom. A grinding assembly is rotatably mounted to the handle and situated within the tooth cover for rotating upon its actuation to grind a tooth situated within the interior space of the tooth cover. A plurality of tooth covers and grinding assemblies are included for affording a system which may accommodate various sized teeth. Also provided is a suction assembly for removing particles from within the grinding assembly.

Abstract: The invention described a method of oxygen delignification of medium consistency pulp slurry, which includes the steps of providing a pulp slurry of from approximately ten percent to sixteen percent consistency, at a temperature of from approximately 170-240.degree. F., preferably from 190 to 220.degree. F., thoroughly impregnating the slurry with oxygen gas, and with alkali to bring the slurry to a pH of at least 11, more preferably 12, introducing the slurry to oxygen gas in a high shear mixer, for agitating mixing therein, reacting the slurry in a first pressurized reactor for between 5 to 10 minutes, returning the pH of the slurry to at least 11, more preferably 12, with a residual alkali concentration of at least 1.25 gpl, thoroughly impregnating the slurry with H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and oxygen gas, and reacting the slurry in a second reactor for between 30 to 180 minutes.

Abstract: A portable automotive diagnostic tool (30) for receiving information from an automotive computer of a vehicle. The portable automotive diagnostic tool (30) is battery powered. The portable automotive diagnostic tool (30) comprises a microcontroller (31), a display (32), a keypad (33), a flash memory (34), a SRAM (35), a battery backup circuit (36), a ROM (37), a UART (38), and a port (39). Automotive codes for configuring the portable automotive diagnostic tool (30) are stored in flash memory (34). The automotive codes are compressed to increase storage to the flash memory (34). The flash memory (34) is non-volatile and retains the automotive codes when power is removed. The automotive codes are updated by writing new automotive codes to the flash memory (34). Information or data received from an automotive computer is stored in SRAM (35). The battery backup circuit (36) powers the SRAM (35) to maintain the information to be taken to a different location when the power is turned off.

Abstract: The end portions of a plurality of optical optical fibers are stripped; the coated portions of the fibers constituting pigtails. The stripped portion of one of the fibers is fused to an uncoated fiber section having a diameter that is larger than that of the stripped fiber end portions. A fiber optic coupler preform is made by surrounding the uncoated fiber section with the stripped portions of the remaining fibers to form a close-packed fiber array. At least a portion of the overlapping region of the uncoated fiber section and the stripped end portions is heated and drawn to induce the coupling of optical signals between the uncoated fiber section and the stripped portions.