Abstract: A polarized component is obtained with a high conversion efficiency in a light guide which produces one of the polarized components by having it transmitted. The light from a light source is incident to a light guide which comprises a plurality of light guide layers and reflected by the end surface to an interface between the light guide layers. The polarized component transmitting through the end surface is rotated in its polarization plane by a wave length plate and reflected by a reflecting plate for reentrance to the light guide at the end surface of the light guide toward the interface. The reentering light mostly transmits through the interface because the polarization plane is rotated. A reflected light polarized component is returned to the wave length plate and the reflecting plate, and directed back to the interface again. The polarized component transmitting through the interface is similarly transmitted and reflected in the next interface.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide a light guide of a variety of forms having a uniform distribution of brightness in the plane and a planer light source device for a liquid crystal display device which uses such light guide. The light guide comprises a first surface which is a surface to which a natural polarization light is incident and a second surface other than the first surface which is an exit surface of a specific polarization light into which, said natural polarization light is modulated, wherein; said light guide has an interface of two materials of different indices of refraction oriented at an angle of &thgr;B+/−&agr; degrees relative to the primary propagation direction of said incident light, said &thgr;B being an angle satisfying Brewster's condition, more than two orientations of said interface exist in a single light guide, and the difference between the indices of refraction of the two materials of different indices of refraction is between 0.001 and 1.0.

Abstract: A semiconductor-chip is bonded to a chip-carrier substrate by way of a gold-to-gold bonding interface. A vacuum chuck is provided to physically hold the semiconductor-chip in physical contact with, the chip-carrier substrate as static force, ultrasonic power, and an elevated temperature are applied to two mating gold surfaces that are formed by two continuous and physically mating gold layers. The bonded assembly is encased in a potting ceramic, or the bonded assembly is encased in a housing that includes a transparent cover that enables use as an optoelectronic semiconductor device.

Abstract: A liquid/gas pump includes a stainless steel strip of uniform width that is encased within a flexible and liquid/gas impermeable plastic tube whose inner diameter is only somewhat less than the width of the metal strip. The tube is thus deformed to a generally elliptical shape, and the longitudinal edges of the metal strip are sealed by physical contact with the inner diameter of the plastic tube. Two elongated passageways are thus formed, one passageway being above the metal strip, and the other passageway being below the metal strip. A linear series of bistable position and somewhat overlapping shallow domes are formed into the metal strip. As one end of the plastic tube and metal strip assembly is reciprocated relative to the other end, the metal domes pop from one side of the metal strip to the other side. As a result, the volume of a first passageway increases as the volume of the other passageway decreases.

Abstract: A multifunction collar, harness, belt or leash is provided having a accordion-fold portion that collapses to a thin shape when the collar, harness, belt or leash is in use and pulled to a taut or tight condition, and that expands when the collar, harness, belt or leash is released to a slack condition, the expanded accordion-fold portion then providing an open-top bowl or cup.

Abstract: An airbag module is positioned relative to an aircraft control yoke or shaft, the airbag being actuated by majority voting sensors that are responsive to acceleration forces upon the aircraft. The aircraft control yoke or control yoke post is constructed to telescope, extend, or move a limited distance toward the pilot as the airbag inflates. The yoke carries telescoping, extendable, or movable handle portions that allow left and right hand pilot grip handles to move, if necessary, under the force of the expanding airbag. Hand sleeves may be provided to help maintain the pilot's hands on the grip handles during airbag expansion. The movable yoke and handle portions may be manually or automatically restored to normal operative positions after airbag deflation. The yoke may be formed so as to provide a U shaped section that accommodates a horizontal support or table for holding the airbag module, a map, or a like device.

Abstract: A chemical detection and analysis system performs chemical measurements using microsensors. The in vivo or in vitro system records chemical concentrations of any substance that can be oxidized or reduced at the sensor surface in response to a voltage waveform applied to a reference electrode. The electrochemical technique has utility relative to molecules that are electroactive. Diffusion and metabolism of these chemicals are tracked in real time. A visual display of the measurements is provided in near real time. The system consists of: a 32 bit, digital computer; application software; an I/O board with analog to digital convertors, digital to analog converters, and digital input/output capability; a potentiostat; one to four microsensors; and a reference electrode. Calibrated microsensors, of carbon, platinum, or gold, are placed in brain tissue or other aqueous environments to detect chemical activity. A reference electrode is placed in the tissue at a location that is spaced from the sensors.

Abstract: A loose leaf page for selectively storing four compact discs (CDs) on each side of the page, or for storing two CDs and associated printed and graphic information on each side of the page. A flexible, plastic, two-sided, loose leaf page includes four CD storage pockets per side of the page, and includes a hole pattern that facilitates releasably mounting the page in a standard cover-size 1-inch, 1 1/2-inch or 3-inch three-ring binder notebook, certain embodiments also facilitating mounting of the page in a three-ring Chicago-posted binder. In order to prevent interference between two CDs that reside closest to the binder rings when a user manually leaves through binder pages, the page includes a six-hole pattern, a three-hole/three-notch pattern, or the page's binder-edge is configured to ensure that the vertical binder-edge, upon the page being turned, moves past the vertical leading edge of the three rings, and then moves backward under the three rings.

Abstract: Dynamic variation in the color produced by a silicon quantum dot laser is achieved by utilizing segmented sections or patches of quantum dots of differing sizes to produce different colors of light. The amount of each color of light produced is controlled by selectively biasing the segments of quantum dots. The light is caused to resonate coherently and is emitted out by a diffraction grating. The dynamic variation in the color of light produced by such a device makes it useful as a multicolor pixel in a color display of images.

Abstract: An optoelectronic computer graphics system is disclosed wherein Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits (OEICs) and computer generated holograms are used to construct a final image by optically assembling a plurality of primitive image portions into the final image. The primitive portions of the final image are stored in a hologram. An optoelectronic integrated circuit means is controlled to select, and then assemble, the necessary primitive images to form the final image.

Abstract: An acoustic micropulverization device for the formation of microdroplets is disclosed having a cell that contains a propagating medium having an attenuation less than or equal to about 1 dB/cm. One wall of the cell comprises an ultrasonic generator. Another wall of the cell contains a reflective surface that operates to focus ultrasonic waves upward toward a point that is near the top surface of a liquid that is contained in a reservoir located above the cell, thereby producing microdroplets above the liquid's top surface. A chamber is located over the top surface of the liquid. This chamber includes means for diffusing the microdroplets.

Abstract: Fluorescent type lamps are arranged to have high frequency power derived from standard, commercial A.C. sources either directly or from power levels distributed from a master ballast. When the master ballast is employed, it functions as an interface between the primary power source and a distribution network to one or more modules so as to relieve the modules of operations such as initial power form conversions, filtering and power factors correcting which require large components. The module or modules driven by the master ballast output are contained within the lamp envelope or attached as an extension of the lamp envelope. The module is formed of elements mounted as a miniaturized unit configured to fit within the lamp envelope or to attach to the end of the envelope. The module includes oscillator components mounted on an envelope board so as to form an assembly with a cross-section compatible with the perimeter of the envelope itself.

Abstract: Apparatus for frozen patties wherein one wide and slow conveyor feeds a plurality of narrow and fast conveyors to spread out the patties prior to stacking. Each fast conveyor conveys a stream of patties to a stacking module, each module includes a vertically-extending stacking cylinder. Each stacking cylinder includes a vertically-movable plunger which decrements as a patty is added to the top of the cylinder. When a cylinder contains enough patties for a stack, a patty-blocking member blocks patties from entering that fast conveyor, and the plunger in that cylinder raises the stack vertically out of the cylinder to a horizontal stage platform. A pusher member pushes the stack off the plunger and onto the stage platform. Vertically-hanging spring leaves stabilize the position of the stacks on the stage platform. When a desired number of stacks have accumulated on the stage platform, the stacks are moved to a collection station.

Abstract: The braking system for an in-line roller skate is operated by a cable attached to a trigger type of lever in a hand grip. This braking system is improved by incorporating an arrangement for allowing the skater to quickly attach or detach the end of the brake cable at the skate. Locking of the brakes to permit walking without rolling is obtained by incorporating a latch mechanism in the gripper handle. The gripper handle is storable by a snap-on type retainer for the belt or pocket of the user which permits the brake cable to move without unintentionally releasing the retainer from the person of the skater while avoiding kinking and twisting of the cable in response to the normal skating motions of the skater. Retention of the cable relative to the thigh of the user is realized by a belt or other attachment arrangement including a Velcro type of clip.

Abstract: An animal eartag houses a passive electronic transponder for use in the identification of the animal by a low frequency radio wave reading system. The eartag is formed of a generally flat and flexible plastic body or carrier member that includes an ear attaching arrangement at the upper portion thereof, and a hollow half cylinder shaped bubble or elongated first cavity at the lower portion thereof. This first cavity is closed at one end and is open at the other end. A rigid plastic insert member comprises a mating half cylinder shape that is dimensioned to closely fit into the open end of the first cavity. The insert member includes an elongated bore, or second cavity, that extends generally coaxially of the insert member's half cylinder shape. This second cavity extends less than the entire axial length of the insert member, so as to form a second cavity having an open end.

Abstract: An infusion pump system for continuously injecting a medical substance contained in a supply chamber into a catheter connected to the body of the patient. The system includes a flattening means driven by a motor (10) and designed to flatten a portion (42) of the infusion tube and exert pressure in order to inject the medicinal substance into the catheter. The flattening means includes a rigid member such as a circular plate (32) of which the axis (34) has a geometrical position determined according to a hub (12) driven by the motor (10) in such a way that said axis (34) of the plate intersects the axis (14) of the hub at a fixed point (X). The plate (32) has projections (38, 40) which flatten the catheter (42) as the motor (10) rotates. A fork (43) held by a ball (44) prevents the plate (32) from rotating relative to the catheter. Friction on the walls of the catheter (42) is thus avoided and high infusion accuracy may be achieved.

Abstract: Electrical connections to extremely small contact points or test connections are obtained by a tool which includes a stable base having a deformable flexible shaft extending therefrom. A needle type contact point in a spring biased mounting subassembly maintains contact electrically as the tip is forced against the test point by the shaft. The connector can include shielding against Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) or Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).

Abstract: Read/write heads for exchanging information with a magnetic media in either vertical or horizontal recording modes include SQUID detectors coupled to the magnetic flux path of the head. Selective use of superconducting material improves the data interchange operating efficiency of the read/write head and its coils. Magnetic paths associated with head elements are confined and directed by superconducting material to produce compact data with minimal power requirements. Magnetic read/write heads containing Josephson junction or SQUID detectors and which are encased in superconductive material allow high density data recording and highly sensitive data detecting. Data density is also improved by selected application of superconductive material to magnetic read/write heads constructed for perpendicular recording.