Abstract: Application of a communication signal, RF (radio frequency) or microwave signal to a modified optical fiber for modulating or switching-off the optical signal propagating within the optical fiber. The passive cladding material of an ordinary optical fiber is removed from a small region and replaced with active multilayer materials including at least three layers of cladding surrounding the core. These layers are the inner metallic electrode coated on the surface of the optical fiber core, the electrooptic active material layer placed on the top of the inner electrode, and the outer metallic electrode coated on the top of the electrooptic material. A communication signal applied to the electrodes will result in optical modulation so that the modulated intensity and phase of the optical signal at the receiving end of the fiber can be detected, and demodulation of the signal can be achieved.

Abstract: A permalloy sensor having high sensitivity is presented A substrate and a sensor has a first surface having a wafer level anisotropy in a given direction. A permalloy resistor pattern of individual runners is deposited on the surface such that the mechanical length of each of said individual runners is perpendicular to the wafer level anisotropy to cause the sensor to have an anisotropy of about 90°. The permalloy is deposited as a thin film and a silicon wafer is the preferred substrate.

Abstract: An on-fiber tunable coupler and switch for communication systems. Two optical fibers are modified by replacing passive cladding with at least an inner metallic electrode, an electrooptic material layer on the inner electrode, and an outer metallic electrode on the electrooptic material. The optical fibers are positioned close to each other. More layers can be coated between any of these layers to improve the interface properties or reflectivity. The presence of an electric signal, will change the optical properties of the modified cladding, as will the propagation characteristics of the optical signal within one fiber core. This will permit tunable coupling of the signal from the first fiber core to the second fiber core(s). The coupling coefficient between the first and the second fiber(s) is adjustable. Switch-off the signal output from the first fiber to the second fiber is achieved at 100% coupling ratio.

Abstract: A dental tray having a planar portion and a single wall, useful for dental treatments including bleaching, fluoride applications, desensitizing teeth, antibacterial treatments and other dental operations. At least one groove or bead, either continuous or segmented, divides the planar portion into a first planar portion and a second foldable portion inside the tray that can be raised by the patient to form an inner wall after the tray has been inserted into the patient's mouth. The tray is formed from any dental tray material. Preferred are copolymer formed from ethylene and vinyl acetate having a forming temperature between 125° F. and 135° F. and a freezing point between about 80° F. and 106° F.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is attached to the wheel. The device is compact and easily assembled for use and disassembled for storage. The device includes a pair of drive wheels and is steerable when a locking latch is released. The locking latch provides rigidity to the device under load.

Abstract: A liner for a shower cap has a chamber or ampoule containing a predetermined quantity of a supercooled liquid exotherm compound and a small amount of the compound in the crystal form, such that the crystal and the liquid are separated until time for use. Upon action by the user, such as by bending or otherwise breaking the separation between the crystal and the liquid, an exothermic reaction takes place as the liquid crystallizes, releasing a known amount of heat to cause the towel to warm. Calcium carbonate is the preferred compound. A temperature indicator may also be included as part of the packaging. A hair cleaning compound is provided, such as a shampoo, hair conditioner, hair moisturizer, scalp conditioning agents or mixtures.

Abstract: A dental tray for treating teeth using upper and lower jaw patterns formed from dental wax. The patterns are thin, ranging from about 0.02 to 0.08 inches thick, with 0.04 inches preferred. The wax is capable of softening at body temperature. The patterns include a fold line formed along their lengths so an outer portion extends from the fold line about the length of the average person's front teeth, for example, about 0.625 inches. The inner portion is slightly smaller, for example, about 0.375 inches. The inner portions have gaps to permit the folded pattern to fit inside the patient's mouth. The inside of the tray may be textured to assist in holding bleaching material. The tray can be reused, and it is suitable for bleaching, fluoride treatment, stain removal, and other conventional dental procedures.

Abstract: A soft, non sharp toothpaste container for use after inspection for tampering and having a clear packet sized to include sufficient toothpaste gel for one brushing. A toothpaste gel is put in the packet, the gel being essentially transparent. The packet is sealed during manufacture to prevent insertion of additional contents without visible violation of the packet. The packet may contain printing that is sufficiently clear to permit visual inspection of the packet prior to use. When the packet is formed as a toothpaste tube having a removable cap, the cap and body of the tube are soft and flexible. Otherwise, the packet includes a score cut to permit opening by tearing on the score cut.

Abstract: A tug device for moving small aircraft having front wheels. A portable drill is connected to a drive wheel and a frame is attached to the wheel. The device is steerable, having a wheel mounted on a vertical set of pins such that the wheel is pivotable about the axis of the pins to permit turning the wheel on that axis and steering the tug while operating the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A vent device includes a rectangular configuration having a linear axis and edges forming a lift end and a no lift end. The no lift end has a predetermined thickness to thereby define a base cross section. The lift end has a predetermined thickness of at least twice that of the base cross section. The lift end has an opening for transferring air from the environment outside the structure to an opening communicating with its interior. The lift end may have at least two sets of layers to support the device at at least three locations having decreasing cross sectional height at the lift end, the interior position and the no lift end respectively. An optional pivot point permits the device to conform to the structure. Also optionally provided is a baffle or a cover filter to protect environmental particles.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for driving a vehicle, comprising a pair of drive wheels each having a drive shaft, a source of hydraulic oil under pressure on the vehicle and controlled by a control unit for delivering hydraulic oil in two directions, wherein the drive shafts of the pair of wheels are each driven by a high torque, low speed hydraulic motor or pump. The principal components of the motors include a crank shaft mounted in the housing for connection to the drive shafts of the wheels. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of the pistons between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders to thereby impart motion to the wheel drive shaft. A valve assembly provides hydraulic fluid to the cylinders to sequentially move the pistons in the desired direction of piston travel. The two motors are mounted on the vehicle to form a transaxle unit, and controls permit simultaneous or independent operation of the two motors.

Abstract: Nanofibers are produced having a diameter ranging from about 4 Å to 1 nm, and a nano denier of about 10−9. The use of the electro-spinning process permits production of the desired nanofibrils. These fibrils in combination with a carrier or strengthening fibers/filaments can be converted directly into nonwoven fibrous assemblies or converted into linear assemblies(yarns) before weaving, braiding or knitting into 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional fabrics. The electrospun fiber can be fed in an air vortex spinning apparatus developed to form a linear fibrous assembly. The process makes use of an air stream in a properly confined cavity. The vortex of air provides a gentle means to convert a mixture of the fibril fed directly or indirectly from the ESP unit and a fiber mass or filament into an integral assembly with proper level of orientation. Incorporation of thus produced woven products into tissue engineering is part of the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating flexible structures such as textiles under load generally. A specific embodiment is shown for parachutes. A plurality of first sensors and second sensors are attached to the parachute on its canopy and suspension lines. Preferred first sensors are fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) type sensors, and preferred second sensors are modal power distribution (MPD) type sensors. A fiber optic network interconnects the pluralities of first and second sensors to provide sensor outputs which are converted to electronic signals, modulated and transmitted to a receiving station for receiving and processing the transmitted modulated electronic signals. The preferred fiber optic network includes a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned at one end of each fibers and a photodiode array positioned to receive light from each of the fibers.

Abstract: A roof vent device formed from upper and lower outer surfaces sized to define a generally rectangular configuration having a linear axis. A tapered matrix is positioned between the outer surfaces, the taper being directed in a direction perpendicular to the axis to define a thin linear edge and a thick linear edge along the outer edges of the configuration that are parallel to the axis and tapered linear edges along the outer edges of the configuration that are perpendicular to the axis. The tapered matrix has a gap located proximate the middle of the tapered linear edges and extending generally over the linear axis of the outer surfaces. The gap defines an entrance for an air to vent air from beneath the roof ridge out the thick linear edge. The gap further provides a pivot point about which the configuration folds to conform to a roof pitch having a predetermined angle. In one embodiment the matrix is tapered from one outer edge to the gap and the remaining portion of the matrix is generally level.

Abstract: Linear block polymer having a molecular weight of at least 104 Dalton, comprising urea and urethane groups and ester groups at such a distance from each other that after hydrolysis of these ester groups fragments are created which are so small that they are biologically degradable and can be excreted from a human body and further including an end group selected from primary NH2 and OH groups, which can be substituted by a monoamine. The polymers are intended to be used as implants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of highly absorbent or superabsorbent hybrid fibers by ozoning of natural or synthetic fibers and subsequent graft polymerizing on the ozoned fibers. The method is characterized in that the ozoned fiber is graft polymerized in a water solution, containing ionizable or swellable monomers having hydrophilic groups and cross-binders comprising polyfunctional groups. The invention also comprises a product produced by the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A device useful for delivering a predetermined treatment agent using a non-adhesive carrier for controlled regional release where the relationship between pore size, molecular weight, concentration and the like are predetermined to achieve specific predetermined time and quantity of release. The device includes a mouthguard shaped for extended contact with a substantial portion of the users mouth, such as all of the teeth and gums, for example, so as to provide treatment to a major region of the mouth as opposed to specific topical points of treatment. The mouthguard is held in position by properly fitting it to the patient, such as by softening and molding in situ. The portion of the mouthguard that is in direct contact with the region of treatment is formed from a polymeric material having a network of porous cavities that are sized to incorporate the treatment agent and release that agent over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A reel handler including at least one reel arm for engaging a reel is mounted on a frame. A moving device moves the reel arm to raise and lower the engaged reel, and a hydraulic motor for rotating the reel is contained within the end of the reel arm. The hydraulic motor includes a crank shaft operable to rotate the reel when the crank shaft is rotated. Preferably, two spaced reel arms are pivotally mounted on a transverse, telescoping support cylinder that allows the reel arms to be spaced at varying distances to accommodate reels of various sizes. At least two cylinder and piston assemblies are attached to the crank shaft for rotation of the crank shaft upon movement of each piston between a minimum and maximum point of travel in the cylinders. The two cylinders are offset with respect to each other such that each piston reaches its said minimum and maximum points of travel while the other is offset from its own said minimum point of travel.