Abstract: An apparatus for measuring chromatic dispersion in a waveguide uses a probe signal and a modulated pump signal which are coupled together into a waveguide. The modulated pump signal causes spatial and temporal Raman gain modulation of the probe signal. The amplitude of the pump signal is modulated and the frequency response of the probe signal at the output end of the waveguide is measured. The chromatic dispersion of the waveguide at a given wavelength is determined from the measurements. The probe signal is provided by a CW laser or corresponds to the ASE generated by the pump signal.

Abstract: A method of designing an omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. An omni-directional wheel consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly includes a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. The method of designing achieves constant ride height and low vibration operation by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing valve seals from a cylinder head of an engine. More particularly, valve seal removal apparatus having a lever and at least a pair of gripping members for frictionally gripping a portion of a valve seal.

Abstract: A method for obtaining leucocyte components from human blood including (A) a first step for fracturing the cell membrane of leucocytes of human blood by using a freezing and defrosting method, a supersonic application, laser irradiation, an osmotic pressure changing method, a vacuum chamber, or the like and (B) a second step for separating and collecting the leucocyte-components containing the leucocytes with fractured cell membranes from the blood liquid resulted from the first step by way of a centrifugal precipitation technique or an electrophoresis technique. After being separated and collected, the leucocyte components are, respectively, subjected to various therapeutic tests using blood samples collected from patients suffering from various diseases to determine the therapeutic effects.

Abstract: A digital delay line, which includes a plurality of multiplexer delay elements, arranged in sequence with each of the plurality of multiplexer delay elements having an associated control input. A clock signal line is coupled to a clock input of each of the plurality of multiplexers and is operative to provide synchronous, phase aligned clock signals from a clock signal source to each of said clock inputs. A control input is coupled to each of the plurality of multiplexer delay elements and is operative to transmit to each of the plurality of multiplexer delay elements an associated control signal. In response to a first change in the control signal an associated delay element is added to the delay line and in response to a second change the delay element is removed from the delay line.

Abstract: The invention consists of a paper towel dispenser for dispensing individual sheets of paper towels from a roll of paper having regularly spaced apart lines of partial severance. The dispenser is comprised of a housing and a housing door which can be pivotally opened to allow a roll of sheet material to be inserted into the dispenser. The dispenser has a funnel-shaped exit to allow the end of the roll to protrude in order to be grasped by the user. A paper towel tearing member is located adjacent to the funnel outlet of said funnel and the opening of this member is adjustable in order to vary the size of the opening of the dispenser. This adjustment of the exit size creates an adjustment in the position at which the sheet tears away from the roll to allow the use of different types of sheet material in a single dispenser.