Abstract: Fiber optic grating sensor demodulation systems are described that offer high speed and multiplexing options for both single and multiple parameter fiber optic grating sensors. To attain very high speeds for single parameter fiber grating sensors ratio techniques are used that allow a series of sensors to be placed in a single fiber while retaining high speed capability. These methods can be extended to multiparameter fiber grating sensors. Optimization of speeds can be obtained by minimizing the number of spectral peaks that must be processed and it is shown that two or three spectral peak measurements may in specific multiparameter applications offer comparable or better performance than processing four spectral peaks. Combining the ratio methods with minimization of peak measurements allows very high speed measurement of such important environmental effects as transverse strain and pressure.

Abstract: A musical movement in which a drum has a series of pins that engage the reeds of a vibration plate to play a tune. The movement includes a cam disk which rotates with the drum. A switch is activated by the cam to energize a circuit for flashing a plurality of lights in pseudo-synchronism with the music played by the musical movement. In that way, the distinctive sound of a mechanical musical movement is combined with efficient, computer controlled flashes from light emitting diodes or high intensity micro incandescents.

Abstract: A row of disk drive slider blanks with magneto-resistive read sensors are lapped after being mounted on the flat surface of a row carrier used to mount the row assembly on a row bending tool. Residual stresses present in the row due to wafer processing are relieved by removing the kerf areas between the slider blanks prior to lapping to prevent the stresses from causing inaccuracies in the lapping process. The stability of sliders below 30% can be enhanced by using wafers thicker than is required and then slicing the extra material from the row of slider blanks after it has been bonded to the row carrier either before or after the lapping process.

Abstract: A fiber grating corrosion sensor system which includes fiber grating corrosion and/or chemical sensors formed by writing one or more fiber gratings that are transverse load sensitive so that when corrosion occurs to a transverse stress applying sleeve there over, the transverse loading is relieved. The spectral signals from the fiber grating sensors change with variations in transverse strain providing a measurement of the degree of corrosion or change in chemical content.

Abstract: A row of disk drive slider blanks with magneto-resistive read sensors are lapped after being mounted on the flat surface of a row carrier used to mount the row assembly on a row bending tool. Residual stresses present in the row due to wafer processing are relieved by removing the kerf areas between the slider blanks prior to lapping to prevent the stresses from causing inaccuracies in the lapping process. The stability of sliders below 30% can be enhanced by using wafers thicker than is required and then slicing the extra material from the row of slider blanks after it has been bonded to the row carrier either before or after the lapping process.

Abstract: A gas lighter is provided which is highly reliable and cannot release fuel gas even when its actuation member is depressed, as long as a child resistant locking device has not been moved to its unlocking position. The gas lighter includes a fuel-supplying device for supplying fuel gas to a nozzle through a valve mechanism, an action lever, which must be rotated about a rotation axis to open and close the valve mechanism of the fuel-supplying device, an igniter for igniting fuel gas discharged through the nozzle, and the actuation member, which when depressed drives the igniter. An unlocking member is normally held in a locking position where it holds the rotation axis of the action lever in a first position where depression of the actuation member cannot rotate the action lever to open and close the valve mechanism.