Abstract: An apparatus for electrostatically pumping fluids without passing the fluids through the electric field of the pump is contemplated. Electrostatic forces are preferably used to move the diaphragms in one direction, while elastic and/or other restorative forces are used to move the diaphragms back to their original un-activated positions. In some embodiments, this may allow fluid to be pumped without passing the fluid between actuating electrodes. This may be particularly useful when the fluids have dielectric, conductive, polar or other qualities that may affect traditional electrostatic pump performance. Pumps having various elementary cells are contemplated, including two-celled pumps disposed within a single chamber and pumps having greater numbers of cells wherein each cell is disposed within a different chamber.

Abstract: A self priming pump system that includes a motor coupled to a centrifugal pump for driving the centrifugal pump. A separator having a reservoir is provided for storing a limited amount of pumped fluid in advance of the centrifugal pump. A vacuum source provides a vacuum suction to the reservoir to draw pumped fluid into the reservoir to prime the pump. To increase the reliability of the vacuum pump system, a deflector and/or extension may be provided in the reservoir to help prevent pumped fluid from entering the vacuum pump input. Also, the configuration of a tank used to store liquid for the vacuum pump system may be configured to separate and collect sediments near a drain port, which then can be easily drained. For positive head pressures, one or more valves may be used to prevent pumped fluid from escaping the reservoir, if desired.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microactuator device includes a plurality of generally parallel thin flexible sheets bonded together in a predetermined pattern to form an array of unit cells. Preferably, each of the sheets has only a single electrode layer located on one side of the sheet. Pairs of such sheets are then bonded together at spaced bonding locations with the electrode layers facing one another. Several sets of such sheet pairs can then be bonded together to form a microactuator device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system that includes an array of opto-electronic devices, an array of micro lenses, and a fore optic. The array of opto-electronic devices lie substantially along a plane, but the fore optic has a non-planar focal field. To compensate for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic, each opto-electronic device has a corresponding micro lens. Each micro lens has a focal length and/or separation distance that compensates for the non-planar focal field of the fore optic. As a result, light that is provided by the fore optic is reconfigured by the micro lenses to be substantially focused along the plane of the array of opto-electronic devices.

Abstract: An active region of a VCSEL at one (i.e., n doped) end having an expanded effectively undoped region, and another (i.e., p doped) end having a significantly doped region up to or even including a portion of the active region. A previous way had heavy doping of the n and p doped regions up to the active region, at least close to it or even partially into it.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor system having resistive elements changing in ohmic value in the presence of a magnetic field of a current being measured. The variant values of the elements are amplified by some electronics that inherently add offset to the resultant values. The elements themselves also add an offset. The output of the electronics is modulated and then buffered as an output. This output is demodulated integrated. The resultant signal is fed back to the input of the electronics to null out the offsets. The output of the buffer also goes to an inductive coil that is magnetically coupled to the resistive elements to null out the magnetic field from the current being measured. The buffer output indicates the magnitude of the current being measured. An oscillator outputs a signal to actuate the modulator and the demodulator. The oscillator signal also goes to a set/reset circuit for setting and resetting the resistive elements of the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A micro-positioning system for accurately positioning an optical element relative to an optical device such as a laser diode, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), Resonant Cavity Photo Detector (RCPD), or some other type of optical device. The micro-positioning system is adapted to move the optical element independently in both the X and Y directions. The optical element preferably has at least two regions where the optical characteristics are different. In operation, the optical element is selectively moved so that a light beam intersects a selected region of the optical element. Because the optical characteristics of the optical element are different in different regions, the optical element produces a different optical result as the light beam is moved between regions.

Abstract: An optical illumination assembly comprising an array of optical microprisms and microlenses for redirecting light from a light source. Such displays are used in a wide variety of applications such as backlit flat panel displays requiring a directed light source which provides an efficient output of light. The illumination assembly has a light transmitter optically coupled to an input end of array of microprisms through an optional diffuser, and a microlens on the light output end of each microprism. The microprisms have a light input end optically coupled to the light transmitting means and a light output end spaced from the light input end.

Abstract: A boat side light for illuminating the side of a boat at night. The boat side light includes one or more light sources for generating light rays, and a directing means for directing the light rays toward the side of the boat. A number of configurations are contemplated, including one or more light assemblies that are provided along the side of the boat. Alternatively, an elongated carrier may be provided that extends around at least a portion of the periphery of the boat, the elongated carrier may or may not have a bumper included therewith.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices such as VCSEL and RCPD devices that have integrated resonant reflectors. The integrated resonant reflector may be made conductive so that bias current can pass therethrough. This may allow more flexibility in the design of the VCSEL and RCPD devices.Since making the resonant reflector more conductive typically reduces the overall reflectivity of the resonant reflector, the resonant reflector may be provided in combination with a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) mirror to achieve the desired overall reflectance for a VCSEL or RCPD design. A broad bandwidth resonant reflector may also be provided. The bandwidth may be sufficiently wide to increase the reliability of data communication between such devices, and may be sufficiently narrow to maintain adequate mode control and mode stability. These devices may be used to support polarization-, space- and/or wavelength-division multiplexing applications.