Abstract: Optical systems use tuning of in-fiber gratings to provide an optical crossbar switch matrix of switch elements. The switch elements have a drop tap and an insert tap. A combination of the switch matrices provides a flexible way of connecting any of a plurality of transmitters with any of a plurality of receivers. A distribution arrangement has a distribution station with a plurality of serially arranged modulators, each modulating a different and corresponding optical carrier supplied by optical fiber thereto. The modulated carriers are supplied by a distribution fiber to a serially arranged plurality of passive taps, each of which drops an optical carrier corresponding to the tap and supplies it to a local transceiver. The distribution arrangement may include an arrangement where a local transceiver reflects back the modulated optical carrier and modulates it with a return signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing concrete in a concrete delivery mixing truck is provided which can yield a mix with an approximate required slump. This is achieved by monitoring the torque loading on hydraulic drive which rotates a mixing barrel and noting an anticipated minimum torque loading which, in turn, approximates to a required slump value. Liquid component is added to a mix until this minimum torque loading is noted. A CPU (17) is used to process information derived from a hydraulic pressure sensor (15) connected in the hydraulic drive motor used to rotate the mixing barrel. A volume/mass input sensor (21) can be used for meaning the amount of particulate ingredients, and a water volume sensor (25) can be used to measure the volume of liquid component added to the mix. When a known maximum volume of liquid component is added a computer can operate to prevent further liquid being added, unless it is purposely overridden.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to optimize the operation of an ink-jet printer provided with a circuit to collect the ink not used for the printing, comprising a gutter connected to an imperviously sealed ink tank by a conduit placed in a state of depression by a constant flow pump checking the flow rate of ink in the conduit by the measurement of the pressure in the ink tank and controlling the operation of the pump either at its minimum suction rate compatible with efficient collection of the ink or at its maximum suction rate during anomalies of collection.

Abstract: A device for communication between at least one client and at least one server who are exchanging messages, characterized in that it includes a router which routes the messages between at least one client and at least one server with the aid of three message queues, including a first queue assigned to the router assuring the storage of the messages from clients or servers; a second queue assigned to the server enabling the reading of messages of requests formulated to the server; a third queue assigned to the client enabling the reading of response messages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting statistical profiles from a relational data base organized by relation, attribute, and index. The profiles are arranged in tables (210, 220) that are included in the data base (21, 22). A target object is selected from among the possible choices. The choices are one column of a table, all the columns of a table, all the tables, or a particular selection; and a statistical profile is produced or generated.

Abstract: In an adder that finds the sum of two binary numbers A and B, it is now conventional to associate one or more parity bits (PA, PB, PS) with each of the two numbers A and B and the result S. Each number A and B and the result S is divided into K groups each of m bits, and one parity bit is associated with each group. In accordance with the invention, the parity PS associated with the result S is obtained at the same time as the result. The input carry bit c.sub.i n intervening in the addition is available before the beginning of operations. Consequently, it is used in a first stage 10' upstream of the device, which calculates intermediate variables p.sub.i,j and g.sub.i,j. The other input carry bits c.sub.i,1 corresponding to the other groups are determined only later by a carry look ahead circuit, and consequently they are used only in a second stage 50' downstream of the device. The use of c.sub.

Abstract: An improved fluid control valve assembly employing a needle valve integrally formed on a non-rotating valve stem includes a metering orifice for engaging and forming a fluid seal with the valve needle, and a generally radially extending end face on the valve stem for engaging an opposing wall surface acting to positively stop the valve stem upon fully closing the valve and forming a seal between the metering orifice and valve needle to thereby avoid excessive loads and wear between the metering orifice and valve needle.

Abstract: A continuous method for manufacturing an elongated superconducting campsite composed of a superconductor consisting of compound oxided and a metal sheath surrounding the superconductor, including the steps of kneading a material powder of superconducting compound oxide with a binder, continuously shaping the resulting kneaded paste into an elongated pre-form by an extruder or by coating technlque, heating the pre-form continuously to remove said binder, wrapping the pre-form with a metallic sheet, and then subjecting the pre-form from wrapped with the metallic sheet to sintering operation to sinter said material powder.

Abstract: Optical fiber devices include optical fibers having grating portions with in-fiber gratings having optical characteristics which are changed by the use of strain inducing members. The strain inducing members are connected to optical fibers in such a way that the strain applied to an in-fiber grating in an optical fiber is greater than the strain in the strain inducing members. Basically, a given percentage change in a dimension of one of the strain inducing members causes a greater percentage change in a dimension of the grating portion. The strain inducing members may apply lengthwise or radial strain to the grating portion. Arrangements with mechanical coupling of two fibers using one or more strain inducing members are useful for producing equal strain in grating portions of two fibers for interferometer configurations or other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gamma camera having a base movable on a frame and at least one arm that is movable with respect to said frame and is provided, at one free end, with a plane detector. This camera further comprises two approach planes that are substantially parallel to the plane of said detector so as to servo-control the position of one edge of the patient between these two planes. The invention can be applied especially to gamma cameras that comprise two detectors and are capable of carrying out tomography and full-body examinations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a layered structure made up of a plurality of thin films composed of different compositions, in which the method involves using a reactive co-evaporation technique to deposit a first thin film on a substrate using a first set of evaporation sources, and then depositing another thin film of a different composition on the first thin film, using a second set of evaporation sources that has no evaporation sources common with the first set of evaporation sources. In the method, the first thin film is deposited in a first deposition sub-chamber and the second thin film is deposited in a second deposition subchamber, both of which are part of a single vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A device to clean inner surfaces of gun barrels includes a movable member. The member has an elongate body with two ends. The body has an essentially uniform cross section such that the body can be loosely fitted within a barrel of a given inside diameter. The body has a folded cord in it. The cord extends out of the body to a closed loop at one end and a handle at another end.

Abstract: A position indicating and distance gauging device is provided for the purpose of preventing impact or collision of a vehicle or an object, such as a trash dumpster, carried by a vehicle with a wall or barrier, such as a dumpster enclosure. The device includes an indicator arm retained in a generally vertical orientation and biased away from the barrier or wall, and a bracket mounted to the wall or other structure at a height at which distance markings provided on an upper face of a flange portion of the device will be readily visible to a vehicle operator in a vehicle that is approaching the barrier.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted backing distance gauge is provided, in which a plunger, normally biased to an extended position, extends approximately ten inches behind the vehicle, and as the vehicle is backed toward an object such as a loading dock, the plunger comes into contact with the object and retracts into a casing mounted to the driver's side of the vehicle. The plunger has an internal beam that moves in concert with the plunger, and through the use of a bevel gear pair and a follower arm controllably moved by the forward end of the internal beam, an indicator sign is rotated or pivoted by a shaft coupled to one of the bevel gears from a first position parallel to the side of the vehicle and extending toward the rear of the vehicle, to a diametrically opposed position parallel to the vehicle, but extending toward the front of the vehicle.

Abstract: The integrated circuit includes at least one conductance (6) which is adjustable by a digital control signal (17) which encodes steps in value for quantizing an exact value to within a fixed relative accuracy .DELTA.p. The conductance (6) includes elementary conductances which each define a step in value such that each elementary conductance is dimensioned so that a single level in value of the conductance (6) corresponds to two successive levels of the value of the digital control signal (17). If the result from the first of the two levels of value of the digital control signal (17) is a value which is lower, or respectively higher, than the exact value, the corresponding elementary conductance is enabled, or respectively disabled. Accordingly, the adjusted total value of the conductance (6) is equal to the exact value to within the same relative accuracy .DELTA.p, without oscillating between two values straddling this exact value.

Abstract: A catheter uses a steerable outer catheter with an inner catheter rotatable and extendable with respect to the outer catheter. The outer catheter may be positioned within a patient's heart and a portion of the outer catheter may provide movement like that of a windshield wiper by manipulation of a spring. By combining the windshield wiper type movement with the extension and rotation of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter, a large area within a patient's heart may be readily mapped for conduction tissue and be subjected to laser ablation if appropriate. Various configurations provide flexibility in relatively positioning of windows used to apply laser energy and ring electrodes used to sense conduction tissue. Some embodiments provide only mapping (no ablation) or with ablation by other then Various anchoring techniques are described.

Abstract: A catheter uses a steerable outer catheter with an inner catheter rotatable and extendable with respect to the outer catheter. The outer catheter may be positioned within a patient's heart and a portion of the outer catheter may provide movement like that of a windshield wiper by manipulation of a spring. By combining the windshield wiper type movement with the extension and rotation of the inner catheter relative to the outer catheter, a large area within a patient's heart may be readily mapped for conduction tissue and be subjected to laser ablation if appropriate. Various configurations provide flexibility in relatively positioning of windows used to apply laser energy and ring electrodes used to sense conduction tissue. Some embodiments provide only laser ablation (no mapping).