Abstract: An optical fiber shipping spool, winding system and method for allowing automated winding of an accessible lead meter portion of optical fiber onto the spool. The spool comprises primary and lead meter barrels separated by an outboard flange. The outboard flange has a slot extending to its periphery, the slot providing a path for fiber between the lead meter and primary barrels, the slot having an inlet facing the lead meter barrel and an outlet facing the primary barrel. The slot is angled such that when fiber being wound onto the lead meter barrel comes into contact with the slot inlet, the fiber is automatically drawn into the slot and then guided by the slot onto the primary barrel. According to another aspect, a high-strength rib configuration is disclosed including a plurality of curved, intersecting ribs formed on a flange of the spool.

Abstract: Gas-assisted atomizing devices are provided that include liquid orifices, which release liquid, and gas orifices, which release gas to atomize the liquid into droplets. The atomizing devices are formed by at least a first layer and a second layer. The atomizing devices can include a gas supply network and a liquid supply network that supply gas and liquid to the gas and liquid orifices.

Abstract: A dispersion compensating module, mode converter, coupler and dispersion compensated optical fiber therein. The dispersion compensating fiber has a plurality of core segments, the refractive index profile being selected to exhibit properties such that an LP02 mode at 1550 nm may be propagated a distance (generally 0.5-3.0 km), upon conversion to LP02, to compensate for dispersion of a length of transmission waveguide preferably greater than 25 km propagating in an LP01 mode. In another embodiment, the dispersion compensating module has a mode converter having a reflective fiber grating for converting a first to a second mode interconnected to a dispersion compensated fiber propagating in the second mode. The mode converter has a coupler adapted to operatively couple light propagating in a first mode from a first fiber into a second, and a reflective fiber grating operatively coupled to the second fiber; the grating being capable of converting light from the first into the second mode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispersion compensating optical fiber that includes a core surrounded by a cladding layer of refractive index &Dgr;c. The core includes at least three radially adjacent regions, a central core region having &Dgr;1, a moat region having a refractive index &Dgr;2 and an annular ring region having a refractive index &Dgr;3, such that &Dgr;1>&Dgr;3>&Dgr;c>&Dgr;2. The fiber exhibits a dispersion slope which is less than −1.0 ps/nm2/km over the wavelength range 1525 to 1565, a dispersion at 1550 which is less than −30 ps/mn/km, and a &kgr; value obtained by dividing the dispersion value by the dispersion slope which is greater than 35 and preferably between 40 and 100.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing optical waveguides that comprises non-optically measuring the average temperature of a moving optical waveguide fiber as it exits a heated draw furnace using a temperature device. The device comprises an enclosed chamber that has a plurality of differential thermopiles secured to the inside surface, and a cooling system that substantially maintains a reference surface temperature of one end of each of the thermopiles. Each of the thermopiles are serially interconnected, whereby, in response to a maximum amount of radiant energy absorbed, the thermopiles generate an output signal. The output signal is substantially proportional to the maximum amount of radiant energy absorbed by the thermopiles, which in turn is substantially proportional to the fourth power of the average temperature of the moving optical waveguide fiber within the chamber.

Abstract: A prosthetic suspension unit for cushioning shocks in amputees is provided. The prosthetic suspension unit has a first member adapted to be secured to a first prosthetic member and a stop located in the first member. An attachment member is adapted to be secured to a second prosthetic member. A bearing member is operative between the attachment member and the first member such that the attachment member may slide freely in an axial direction relative to the first member. An elastomeric energy storage element is positioned within the first member and includes a first portion abutting the stop. A second portion abuts a face axially moveable with the attachment member to compress the storage member upon application of load by the user.

Abstract: A device for absorbing vibration is disclosed, along with compensator elements for use therein. The device comprises a primary fluid system for dynamic isolation and/or damping, and a volume compensator having an auxiliary chamber fluidly interconnected with, but dynamically isolated from, the primary fluid system. The volume compensator features a compensator element having an elastic layer in fluid communication with the auxiliary chamber and disposed in sealing engagement within the device. The compensator element advantageously comprises a deformable elastomer stiffener cooperative with the elastic layer for providing static pressurization to the primary fluid system. The compensator element may further provide a reduced rate of change in volume stiffness characteristic that allows the fluid pressure in the primary fluid system to increase at a reduced rate. Further, the reduced rate characteristic prevents excessive static pressure swings. The compensator element may further comprise a seal bead.

Abstract: A damper (20) for damping motion between two relatively moveable members, such as pivotal motion between components in office chairs (10). The damper (20) includes a outer member (22) having an internal recess (23) with a inner surface (24) and a crosswise oriented hole (30) intersecting the recess (23), and an inner member assembly (32) moveable relative to the outer member (22) having a shaft (34) with a resilient friction member (38) mounted thereon. The resilient friction member (38) frictionally engages the inner surface (24) in an interference fit relationship thereby radially precompressing the resilient friction member (38). The resilient friction member (38) preferably has one or more protrusions (40) that may be axially or radially oriented.

Abstract: In connection with drawing a fiber in a drawing portion of a drawing device having a refractory, oxide component, a method and apparatus provide an environment in the drawing portion that causes active oxidation of a refractory contaminant on a blank. The active oxidation of the refractory contaminant causes it to corrode away during drawing.

Abstract: An active noise control system (20) which generates via an electronic controller (22) a canceling signal(s) which are responsive to a signal from an error sensor(s) (28) to drive a speaker (30) or array of speakers. Each speaker (30) is contained within an enclosure (33) and is inversely and rigidly mounted therein. The enclosure (33) attaches to the trim panels (25) attached to the closed structure (34) and the canceling sound wave form is directed primarily toward the interior surface (36) of the trim (25). Preferably, the speaker(s) (30) are flexibly suspended with mounts (38) to the trim (25). The enclosure (33) preferably includes planar wave guide means such as escapeways (40) for initially directing the canceling sound wave form (anti-noise) in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the trim (25).

Abstract: A controllable damper for resisting movement between two relatively moveable members includes a first member and a second member coupled for relative movement having a working space between them, and a controllable medium retaining structure, for example, an absorbent matrix, to hold a controllable medium in the working space. A field generating coil is mounted to one of the first and second members to generate a field acting on the first and second members and the controllable medium in the working space. The rheology change in the medium produced by the field results in resistance to relative movement of the first and second members. According to a preferred embodiment, transmission is included to convert linear motion of a first component to rotary motion of the second member. The transmission allows amplification of the relative speed between the first and second members.

Abstract: A multi-linkage suspension system (20) including isolators (32) positioned at the outboard ends of the linkages (26) for suspending and isolating an engine (22), such as an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), from a structure (24), such as an aircraft fuselage. The system (20) has a plurality of linkages (26) extending from the engine (22) towards the structure (24); each linkages (26) including an inboard (28) and outboard (30) end, a plurality of outboard isolators (32) attached at the outboard ends (30), a bracket (27) for connecting the outboard isolators (32) to the structure (24), a rod end (34), which is preferably elastomeric and includes an elastomer layer (36), for connecting the plurality of linkages (26) to the engine (22). The system (20) is easily tuned and provides for common components and the location of the isolators (32) minimizes direct exposure to heat and aggressive fluids.

Abstract: Optical fiber is provided with a periodically reversing spin while the fiber is pulled through a melt zone. A cooled region of the fiber downstream from the melt zone passes between a pair of opposed elements. The opposed elements are moved so that surface regions engaging the fiber move in opposite lateral directions relative to one another, thus spinning the fiber about its axis. The lateral movement of the engaged surface portions is periodically reversed to reverse the spin direction. The opposed elements may include belts or rollers, which can be tilted to orientations oblique to the longitudinal direction of the fiber.

Abstract: A radially soft drive coupling for reducing vibration transmitted across the coupling in certain marine drive applications. The elastomeric elements interconnecting the hub and housing are precompressed by an amount which is at least in the range of 15-20% to produce significant radial and torsional softening of the spring rate of the elastomer. The radial spring rate whose magnitude expressed in lb/in is in the range of between one half and three times the magnitude of said design torque level expressed in lb-in.

Abstract: A vibration-damped machine and method including beam being capable of gross movements in space relative to a stationary frame, means including a motor for causing the beam's gross movements; the gross movements tending to induce vibration into the beam, sensors for providing a signal representative of the induced beam vibration, an linear-acting inertial actuator mounted to the beam, and control means for receiving the signal and generating an output signal to actively drive the linear-acting inertial actuator at the appropriate phase, frequency and magnitude to damp induced beam vibrations. Embodiments of the vibration-damped machine are illustrated for a gantry robot, a horizontal machining center, an adhesive dispenser and a pivoting robot. The linear-acting inertial actuator is preferably controlled according to an inertial damping control method where the actuator is forced to behave as a damper attached to ground.

Abstract: A prosthetic insert unit for cushioning shocks in prosthetics is provided. The unit includes attachment member (150 etc.), a lower sleeve (124′ etc), a slide bearing (152′ etc.) to allow free reciprocal motion therebetween, an elastomeric energy storage member (124′ etc.) received in the interior of the sleeve (124′ etc.), a piston (134′ etc.) cooperative with said elastomer member to compress same, and an anti-rotation mechanism. Preferably, the anti-rotation mechanism is integral with the slide bearing (152′ etc.). The elastomer member provides controlled deflection as well as damping for the insert. Preferably, an anti-click element (269 etc.) is provide to minimize rebound clicking. Acoustical elements (268 etc.) may also be included to minimize noise transmission into other areas of the insert.

Abstract: A seismic MR damper for providing controllable damping forces between a first structural member and a second structural member within large structures, such as buildings, bridges, etc.

Abstract: A fluid isolator apparatus (20) for isolating vibration between a vibrating member, such as a helicopter transmission or pylon and another structure, such as a helicopter fuselage. In one aspect, the fluid and elastomer apparatus (20) includes an inner member (24), an outer member (22), and an elastomer element (26) flexibly interconnecting them. First (30) and second (34) operating chambers are interconnected by a passageway (36). Fluid (37) oscillates between the operating chambers (32, 34) through passageway (36). A spring (42) flexibly suspends the piston (40) such that dynamic motion between said inner and outer member (24, 22) displaces piston (40) and spring (42). Preferably the a hollow cavity (28) houses both the piston (40) and a metal coil spring (42). The stiffness of the coil spring (42) may be interchanged to adjust a resonant parameter. Optionally, the piston mass itself or an additional tuning mass (58) mounted on the piston (40) may be used to accomplish tuning.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a haptic interface system, also known as a force feedback system, comprises a motor for supplying actuating energy and a magnetically-controllable device that transfers the actuating energy into force feedback sensations. The magnetically-controllable device contains a magnetically-controllable medium beneficially providing variable resistance forces in proportion to the strength of an applied magnetic field. The system further comprises a computer system having a processor that runs an interactive program or event, a video display for displaying the interactive program or event, and a haptic interface device in operable contact with an operator for controlling inputs to the interactive program.