Abstract: The present invention is a telecommunications system for allowing a business to control customer service. The system is comprised of a switching network and an enhanced services platform. Calls from the customer to the business are routed to the enhanced services platform by the switching network. Using codes acquired from the customer and the switching network, the enhanced services platform identifies a program specified by the business and also retrieves customer information. The information contains an account of telecommunications available, and the customer is connected to the business as long as a pre-determined amount is in the account. Action is taken when a second pre-determined amount remains. The customer is allowed to refresh the account and the enhanced services platform is capable of collecting information from the customer as a pre-requisite to customer service.

Abstract: A voice activated telephone directory and call placement system accessible over a telecommunications network allows a caller to store a personalized telephone directory, and to retrieve a selected directory listing therefrom by speaking a series of voice entries. In response, the system selectively provides a voice rendition of a destination telephone number associated with the listing and optionally initiates dialing of the number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telephonic headset bridging apparatus having relay based circuitry for automatically or manually switching a single telephonic headset to operate and monitor a plurality of communication apparatuses. The bridging apparatus includes isolated circuits so that the various communication devices which are to be operated, using the headset bridging apparatus, are not able to communicate with each other. The invention is particularly designed for use in a police station to use a single telephonic headset to monitor a plurality of communication apparatuses that includes an integrated Public Safety Answering Equipment (PSAP), a telephone, and, in a more particular embodiment, a radio. A recorder connection is also provided in the bridging device.

Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a gas turbine engine. The control system receives an error signal and processes the error signal to form a primary fuel control signal. The control system also receives at least one anticipatory demand signal and processes the signal to form an anticipatory fuel control signal. The control system adjusts the value of the anticipatory fuel control signal based on the value of the error signal to form an adjusted anticipatory signal and then the adjusted anticipatory fuel control signal and the primary fuel control signal are combined to form a fuel command signal.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a series intercooler positioned between a first and a second compressor. The intercooler has a first fuel heating system which has a heated fuel outlet and the heated fuel outlet is coupled to a combuston region of the engine. The intercooler also has a second feedwater intercooler stage which heats feedwater and the heated feedwater is input into a turbine exhaust heat exchanger. At least one turbine is positioned downstream of the combustor region and the turbine exhaust heat exchanger is downstream of the turbine. The intercooler may also include the first fuel heating system having the heated fuel outlet coupled to the combustor region and a second intercooler stage having a water input port.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the output emissions of a gas turbine engine provides an emissions combustor wherein the gas is burned locally and then thoroughly mixed with cooler unburned portions while propagating the resulting a very hot flame front is propagated over the whole gas stream flow. The emissions combustor serves to reduce the carbon monoxide content of the output. NOX can be eliminated by steam injection into the engine main combustor in combination with the emissions combustor. Combustion efficiency, which is reduced through the steam injection in the main combustor is recovered through the use of the emissions combustor. The emissions combustor can be placed at numerous locations, either as part of a main combustor staging, downstream of a high pressure turbine, or in a supplementary burner after a power turbine.

Abstract: A steam piston balance means for a turbine engine comprises, in one form, a pressure chamber and means for supplying steam to the chamber to apply a force to walls of the chamber. The chamber is defined, in part, by an inner surface portion of a member connected and rotating with a portion of a thrust bearing whereby pressure force applied on the inner surface in turn applies a tractor force on the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A method of forming a variable width channel in a body comprises the steps of forming a surface grating having a photoresist layer thereon. The photoresist layer has a plurality of depressions and a planar photomask is then positioned over the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer is subsequently exposed and developed and due to the divergence of light into the depressions covered by the photomask, forms a variable width opening. A portion of the body exposed in the opening is removed to form a channel with a sidewall having a surface contour corresponding to an edge of the opening.

Abstract: A waveguide includes a substrate having a major surface and a waveguide layer on the surface of the substrate. At least one confinement layer is on the waveguide layer and includes a transition region. The transition region is an extension of the confinement layer which tapers in width from the width of the confinement layer to a point. The waveguide layer may include a second confinement layer on the waveguide layer which is of a width different from the width of the first confinement layer and has an extension which extends along and contacts both sides of the tapered extension of the one confinement layer. Alternatively, the other confinement layer may extend along both sides of the waveguide layer. The waveguide serves to change the cross-sectional geometry of a beam of light passing along the waveguide layer.

Abstract: A method of polishing a roof-shaped, or bevelled, tip having a predetermined angle on the end of an optical fiber is disclosed. The method comprises placing an optical fiber in contact with an abrasive tape at an angle corresponding to the desired predetermined angle. The fiber is moved towards the tape beyond the point of contact so as to cause a bend in the fiber. Upon moving the abrasive tape, the compliance of the fiber, by virtue of the bend, provides a pressure of the fiber against the tape to enable polishing to occur. As polishing continues the pressure decreases until enough material is removed so as to eliminate the bend and impart the predetermined angle to the fiber tip. The fiber may be rotated to polish the other side in a similar manner, if so desired.

Abstract: A binary data receiver data modulated light signals and applies them to a photodetector for producing electrical data signals which are amplified and applied to a data decision circuit. The data decision circuit compares the instantaneous value of the amplified data signals with a fixed threshold to determine if a logic high or low level is received. A portion of the signal path between the photodetector and the data decision circuit is ac coupled, whereby the moment-to-moment variations of duty cycle of the signal due to the information content of the data causes variations in the peak excursions of the signal which may adversely affect the data decisions or processing of the data. Open-circuit correction of the average value is accomplished by a correction signal generator which receives an ac coupled data sample, and rectifies both positive-going and negative-going excursions relative to ground to produce positive and negative average value signals.

Abstract: A phase-locked laser array comprises a substrate with two spaced-apart pluralities of channels extending towards different reflecting surfaces of the array. The axes of symmetry of the channels of one plurality are offset from the axes of symmetry of the channels of the second plurality. Coupling of light propagating in the optical waveguides over one plurality of channels into the waveguides over the second plurality of channels induces a zero phase difference between the laser oscillations of adjacent channels.

Abstract: A semiconductor body with an improved passivating layer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the body is a device comprising a semiconductor material having regions of opposite conductivity types which form a semiconductor junction therebetween which extends to a surface of the device. The passivating layer, comprising silicon oxynitride having a refractive index between about 1.55 and 1.75 and a substantial hydrogen content, overlies the surface at the junction.Also disclosed is a method for fabricating such a device wherein the vapor deposition of the passivating layer is carried out at low temperatures from an ambient having a ratio of silicon-containing to oxygen- and nitrogen-containing precursors of between about 1:1.67 and 1:5.

Abstract: A fiber-optic communication system for data bursts includes a plurality of nodes, each including a laser diode transmitter. In order to reduce the noise floor of the system, each laser diode receives bias current only when it is transmitting data. Due to the propagation delay between nodes, there is a dead time between data bursts received by each node during which no data signals are received. The bias current of the laser diode is adjusted following each data transmission, so that the light attributable to laser operation during the setting of bias is received during the dead time. The adjustment is accomplished by stepping an up-down counter by one clock pulse following transmission of each data burst.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device including forming regions of first and second conductivity types with a semiconductor junction therebetween which extends to a surface of the device, and depositing a passivating layer over the surface to overlie the junction, further comprises a pretreatment of the surface to enhance the electrical properties of the device and the effectiveness of the passivating layer. The pretreatment, carried out prior to deposition of the passivating layer, includes treating the surface with an aqueous ammonium fluoride-hydrogen fluoride solution and thereafter subjecting the surface to a plasma in an oxygen-free, nitrogen-containing ambient.

Abstract: An optical package includes a first lens assembly and a second lens assembly aligned such that their optical axes are common. The first lens assembly comprises a divergent light source disposed along the optical axis of a first lens such that the object distance is less than the focal length of the first lens. The second lens assembly comprises a body, having a light acceptance angle less than the angle of divergence of the light source, disposed along the optical axis of a second lens such that the object distance is greater than the focal length of the second lens. The assemblies are disposed such that the images formed by each assembly alone correspond in position along the common axis thereby coupling the light from the source into the body.The package is fabricated by placing the source within the focal length of the first lens and the body is placed outside the focal length of the second lens, forming first and second lens assemblies, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of a substrate with two or more gases includes a reaction chamber with an outlet and an inlet, and a gas introduction manifold comprising a closed hollow body with a cylindrical interior. Feed ports, extending through a wall of the body, are integral with valves disposed about said body. An aperture extends through an end surface of the body which aperture is connected to the inlet of the chamber. The valves are disposed such that they are at equal distances from the center axis of the inlet.

Abstract: The fabrication of a layer of a III-V semiconductor material by vapor phase epitaxy is improved by precoating the walls of the deposition chamber in a suitable apparatus with the desired material. The coating of the deposition chamber is continued until the material being deposited is depth-uniform and of the same composition as the desired layer. Material then deposited on the substrate is free of depth compositional gradient. In a further improvement, the walls of the deposition chamber of the apparatus are roughened, thus providing nucleation sites for the growing coating and substantially reducing the time required to precoat the walls of the deposition chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imparting a sharp, defect-free outside corner of a desired angle to a metal workpiece are disclosed. The apparatus comprises two separate cutting tools, each with a distinct cutting direction. The tools are juxtaposed such that their leading surfaces are adjacent to each other and that their respective cutting edges intersect at the desired angle. This provides that the cutting directions of each tool are opposite one another. In using the improved cutting apparatus, the workpiece is secured and the apparatus must be movable along the x, y and z axes. By cutting the first and second surfaces of the workpiece in sequence with the first and second cutting edges of the present apparatus respectively, a sharp defect-free corner of the desired angle can be imparted to the workpiece. A specific application for the present invention is in the fabrication of intricate copper products, such as heatsinks for semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A phase-locked laser array comprises a body of semiconductor material having means for defining a plurality of substantially parallel lasing zones which are spaced an effective distance apart so that the modes of the adjacent lasing zones are phase-locked to one another. One of the array electrodes comprises a plurality of electrical contacts to the body between the lasing zones. These contacts provide an enhanced current density profile and thus an increase in the gain in the regions between the lasing zones so that zero degree phase-shift operation between adjacent lasing zones is achievable.