Abstract: A low profile optical wavelength division multiplexer and/or demultiplexer is provided which is carried in a pluggable module and adapted for detachable connection to a host device. The device includes a three strata optical subassembly including a substrate, a molded plastic coupling module and an optical block either connected to or integrally formed with the molded coupling module. The device can be used with either horizontally or vertically pluggable modules. The device has one embodiment capable of mounting in a GBIC compliant module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically packaging fish at high speeds into horizontally oriented cans. Speeds of approximately 600 cans per minute may be obtained with the preferred configuration of the present invention, wherein two incoming streams of fish are split into eight lanes, to achieve canning speeds of approximately twice the speed of prior art machines. Each incoming stream of fish is split into four separate processing streams or channels, primarily to reduce the operational speeds of the equipment components. Each incoming stream of fish is split by a first dividing knife into two forming chambers carried by an intermittently moving turning wheel. The fish is split again by knives located at second and third work stations of the rotating turning wheel. Four fish cakes are formed simultaneously at the second and third work stations and simultaneously discharged downwardly into horizontally oriented cans.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermal ink jet print head with high efficiency of heat transfer is disclosed. The heating resistors of the head are made of doped single crystalline silicon. Each resistor is disposed in a silicon stripe that is surrounded by a thermal insulating material filled trench and forms a top cover of a corresponding microchannel. The head generated by the resistor can only flow into the ink disposed in the microchannel. The microchannels and nozzles of the head are constructed in a single crystalline silicon substrate. The head is fabricated based on a porous silicon process including: (1) converting heavily doped single crystal silicon into porous silicon; (2) turning porous silicon into oxidized porous silicon; (3) using oxidized porous silicon as a stop barrier for anisotropic etching of single crystal silicon; and (4) selective etching of oxidized porous silicon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering an air stream with an aqueous froth are provided. The process includes: passing a contaminated air stream through a diffusing sieve, into an aqueous solution in an expansion chamber; generating, maintaining, and containing an aqueous froth between the liquid-bath reservoir and a saturated fiber element; and continually saturating a coarse-fiber element with liquid from the aqueous solution. The froth is generated and maintained, and the fiber element is saturated, by controlling the dynamic interface between the contaminated air stream and the liquid-bath reservoir. The apparatus for filtering an air stream includes: an air filter device that incorporates a liquid-bath filter initial stage; an aqueous-froth filter second stage; a constantly saturated, coarse-fiber filter as a combined third stage and froth-limiter; and a moist, fine-fiber filter as the final stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously determining a patient's identification and blood oxygen saturation are provided. An pulse oximeter probe carries a light source such as LEDs or lasers which is used to read patient identification information carried on the patient's wristband by a bar code. Alternately, the patient's wristband incorporates a radio frequency reader chip which contains the patient's identification information and the pulse oximeter probe carries an antenna adjacent its cable so that, when the pulse oximeter is turned on, it reads the chip in the wristband during the same motion with which the patient's oxygen blood saturation is measured with the pulse oximeter.

Abstract: An adjustable peach aligner cup assembly 20 is provided for use in an automatic peach aligning and pitting mechanism. An adjustable alignment ring has first and second movable segments 51,52. Segments 51,52 are moved away from each other to align large peaches and are moved toward each other to align small peaches. An actuator 61,62 causes the segments 51,52 to move. An optional sensor 80 is provided which allows the segments 51,52 on a specific aligner cup assembly 20 to be adjusted on a peach-to-peach basis to align a specific peach.

Abstract: A vacuum device is provided which assists in the drawing of blood samples from alternative puncture sites such as the forearm, abdomen or inner thigh and which may advantageously be used by diabetics. The device includes a hollow body which slidably receives a hollow plunger. A transparent cylindrical tip is attached to the lower end of the hollow body. A spring is carried inside the hollow body and hollow plunger, the lower end of the spring seating against a webbing formed in the transparent tip and the upper end seating against the upper end of the plunger. The device is actuatable by the thumb and two fingers of one hand. The plunger is depressed, the device is placed over a preexisting puncture site, and the plunger is released wherein the internal spring drives the plunger upwardly and creates a vacuum at the puncture site, allowing the user to easily see the formation of a droplet of adequate size for obtaining the necessary blood reading.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a micromachined optical mechanical modulator based WDM transmitter/receiver module is described. The Fabry-Perot cavity of the mechanical modulator is structured from a three-polysilicon-layer stack formed on the surface of a single crystalline silicon substrate. The polysilicon membrane and its supporting polysilicon beams of the cavity are cut from the top polysilicon layer of the stack and are released by selective etching of their underlying polysilicon. The etched underlying polysilicon layer is heavily doped and then converted into porous polysilicon by anodization in HF solution. The polysilicon membrane and its supporting polysilicon are finally released using a reactive ion etch process to avoid stiction often generated in a wet etch process. A conic hole is formed on the backside of the single crystalline silicon substrate for receiving an optical fiber that can be passively aligned with the Fabry-Perot cavity.

Abstract: An opto-electronic device is provided wherein an optical assembly having a first coefficient of thermal expansion is connected to a substrate having a second, different coefficient of thermal expansion. A plurality of stakes are either separately inserted or integrally formed-in the optical assembly and extend through and are adhesively bonded to passageways formed in the substrate. The stakes reduce or prevent differential thermal expansion that would otherwise occur as the device heats up during operation. The substrate may be thermally connected to a metallic housing for the device to increase transfer of unwanted heat into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A cost-effective wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer for use in optical communication consists of three modules, including a fiber array, a lens array and a filter array/reflector. Each array is made in wafer level with very precise position control and is bonded to an adjacent wafer by conventional wafer bonding techniques. In addition to eliminating the need for active alignment in the manufacturing process of a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) transceiver, the invention reduces the footprint of such a device to the order of a few millimeters and the process is suitable for low-cost, large quantity manufacturing. The fiber array is connected to the light sources, which optimally are fiber pig-tailed semiconductor lasers to enable repeatable and accurate placement in reference to the lens array.

Abstract: An optical wavelength multiplexer and/or demultiplexer is provided having mechanical strain relief. The mechanical strain relief is provided by mounting ears carried by a molded coupling module supporting the fiber optic cable receptacle. The mounting ears are engaged by a pair of mounting plates carried by a housing for the device. Loads applied to the fiber optic cable receptacle are transferred to the housing frame and do not adversely affect the optical pathway of the assembled device.

Abstract: A read head optical system capable of reading either CD or DVD disks is provided. A monolithic molded hollow plastic block includes three lenses integrally molded into its exterior surfaces. A 780 nm laser diode is aligned with the first lens for reading CD disks, a 655 nm laser is aligned with the second lens for reading DVD disks and a detector for providing signal, focus and tracking data is aligned with the third molded lens. The hollow plastic block has an interior cavity adapted to support optical elements to receive and transmit the output of the laser diodes to the disks and to the detector. The three lenses are formed in the hollow plastic block in various embodiments.

Abstract: An optical wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer is provided wherein the optical couplings and alignment of the device are achieved by forming and adhesively joining a prefabricated optical block to a molded coupling module to avoid post-fabrication alignment and adjustment of the optical pathway otherwise required. One or more adhesive overflow channels are formed in said upper surface of the molded coupling module to receive excess adhesive used to join the optical block to the molded coupling module. Dams are formed adjacent each of said adhesive overflow channels to contain adhesive used to join the optical block to the molded coupling module, and to facilitate the use of low viscosity adhesive which in turn achieves a tighter, more parallel bond between the adhesively bonded parts.

Abstract: A golf clubhead is provided having a flat clubface and a flat rear surface parallel to the clubface. The overall thickness of the clubhead is less than 0.40 inch so that the center of gravity of the clubhead without the hosel is less than 0.20 inch behind the clubface. By achieving a center of gravity this close to the clubface, a minimal moment arm is created when the clubhead strikes a ball off-center so that a minimum loss of distance results from off-center hits and a minimum dispersion results from off-center hits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deriving diastolic blood pressure (DP) from systolic blood pressure (SP) and mean blood pressure (MP), especially useful in infants. A pulse oximeter is used to measure systolic blood pressure (SP) and an oscillametric blood pressure cuff is used to measure mean blood pressure (MP). Diastolic blood pressure is then derived from the formula: DP = ( MP × K ) - SP C where K is a constant of 2.94±0.04 and C is a constant of 2.06±0.04.

Abstract: A patterned opaque layer is applied between adjacent filters mounted on a common optical block surface in a wavelength division multiplexer and demultiplexer. The patterned opaque layer covers the optically transparent regions between adjacent filters mounted on the common surface of the optical block. The patterned opaque layer is also applied around the perimeter of the footprint of the array of filters mounted on the common surface of the optical block. The patterned opaque layer reduces cross-talk between the filters and reduces optical noise.

Abstract: A microbolometer infrared sensor utilizes a porous silicon bridge as its thermal isolating and mechanical supporting structure. Porous silicon formed from single crystal silicon on lightly doped p-type silicon has a thermal conductivity lower than silicon dioxide and silicon nitride, and, therefore, when used as a mechanical supporting structure, can offer better thermal isolation performance. The porous silicon layer can be fabricated much thicker than silicon dioxide and silicon nitride membranes since there is almost no residual stress therein. A thicker porous silicon bridge has higher mechanical support strength. The porous silicon process is a low temperature process. It facilitates a fabrication strategy of microelectronics first and micromechanics last.

Abstract: A supplemental nitrous oxide and fuel injection system for use with an internal combustion engine, which includes the unique properties of variable flow-rate control of the supplemental injection system and direct cylinder injection methods. Where an engine is normally controlled by the driver with the (0-100%) throttle control of the existing air/fuel system, this supplemental nitrous oxide and fuel injection system is linked to the existing throttle control and controlled in the same manner. In addition, this system also provides a direct cylinder injection method that completely bypasses the existing intake manifold and carburetor/fuel injection.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an interconnected underground structure which avoids settling of adjacent soil structure. A plurality of underground support columns is initially formed, with the support columns being spaced apart in a predetermined pattern. Interconnecting holes are thereafter formed between the underground support columns, wherein the interconnecting holes are formed by mechanically cutting the soil and simultaneously hydraulically mixing the mechanically cut soil with slurry injected at velocities of 200 feet per second or higher while maintaining a positive hydrostatic head in the hole relative to adjacent soil. As the interconnecting holes are being formed, the diameter of each interconnecting hole is extended by positioning a second high velocity slurry nozzle near the outer diameter of the interconnecting hole which injects high velocity into the adjacent soil to hydraulically cut the adjacent soil and mix it with the slurry.

Abstract: A wavelength division multiplexing transmitter and receiver module utilizes a micromachined silicon substrate as the mounting platform for its optical components and optoelectronic devices including an optical fiber, a transmitter, two receivers, and three microlenses. The micromachined silicon substrate has a V-groove for placing an optical fiber so that it is aligned with the mounted transmitter and the mounted receivers passively and has more V-grooves with slanted end side walls and opposite vertical end side walls used to form a dielectric multilayered filter, a half-mirror, and two anti-reflectors thereon which are eventually incorporated to be a multiplexer and/or a demultiplexer. The microlenses are disposed on V-supports. The transmitter is pre-mounted mounted on a V-submount. The microlens and the transmitter are then mounted into the V-grooves of the micromachined silicon substrate and aligned with the mounted optical fiber passively.