Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a Bragg grating in an optical waveguide having an optical fiber on which the Bragg grating is defined, the Bragg grating having an actual response which closely approximates a desired response. The Bragg grating comprises a plurality of lines, each line being defined by a respective strength, and each line having a relative displacement from adjacent lines. The Bragg grating is designed using a serial iterative response. The serial iterative process can be used to calculate the strength and the line spacing of at least some of the lines. The serial iterative process can further be a function of a coupling function, which is a function of the strength and line spacing of the lines of the grating. A moving window can be used to limit the number of reflections in the impulse response which is used to calculate the next serial line spacing.

Abstract: Single- or few-moded waveguiding cladding-pumped lasers, superfluorescent sources, and amplifiers, as well as lasers, including those for high-energy pulses, are disclosed, in which the interaction between the waveguided light and a gain medium is substantially reduced. This leads to decreased losses of guided desired light as well as to decreased losses through emission of undesired light, compared to devices of the prior art. Furthermore, cross-talk and inter-symbol interference in semiconductor amplifiers can be reduced. We also disclose devices with a predetermined saturation power. As a preferred embodiment of the invention, we disclose a single (transverse) mode optical fiber laser or amplifier in which the active medium (providing gain or saturable absorption) is shaped as a ring, situated in a region of the fiber's cross-section where the intensity of the signal light is substantially reduced compared to its peak value. The fiber can be cladding-pumped.

Abstract: A fish bait device has a substantially three-dimensional front portion having the appearance of at least the head of a given animal, and a substantially three-dimensional rear portion having the appearance of at least the tail or abdomen of the given animal. The front portion is pivotally connected to the rear portion, and together, the front and rear portions form an integral fish bait device which exhibits a realistic appearance and movement of an actual live bait. The front portion generally has a duct that directs a stream of liquid medium toward a deflecting surface on the rear portion. The deflecting surface deflects the stream causing the front and rear portions to swivel, or wiggle, relative to one another in a realistic movement of an actual live bait.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an animal restraint are provided, wherein the animal restraint can be fabricated from a single continuous piece of cord with a series of knots formed therein. The series of knots includes a slide knot through which two lengths of the cord are passed in a substantially side-by-side manner. The cord is configured to define a head hole, a first leg hole, and a second leg hole, wherein the sizes of the first and the second leg holes are adjustable by moving the two lengths of cord in an adjustably slidable manner through the slide knot.

Abstract: An apparatus for phase angle demodulation. The apparatus functions as a highly-linear angle-modulation demodulator and is particularly useful for seismic streamers comprising very-large arrays of optical hydrophones. The apparatus includes a demodulator and a processor in which the demodulator contains a signal input and a reference input. The apparatus is configured such that a phase modulated signal having a carrier frequency is connected to the signal input, and a reference signal is connected to the reference input. A difference frequency is defined as the non-zero difference in frequency between the reference signal frequency and the carrier frequency. The processor filters the output from the demodulator in order to separate the phase demodulated signal from the difference frequency.

Abstract: A truck storage box having an access door, wherein the access door has, mounted thereon, an aerodynamic body panel of the kind used on commercial trucks and the like. The access door is hinged along a vertical hinge to open in a traditional door-like manner. The storage box can be affixed to the truck chassis between the front and rear axles of the truck. The aerodynamic body panel on the storage box can be overlapped on one end by an adjacent body panel such that access door of the storage box can be opened without interference between the two body panels. The access door can further include a step or steps which can be used by a driver for ingress and egress from the truck cab. The storage box further includes a latch and a locking mechanism to secure the access door in a closed position. A method of retrofitting a commercial truck having aerodynamic body panels with a storage box is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tying knots, and in particular knots used in sport fishing. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a holding member configured to allow a user to hold the apparatus, and a first arm defined by a longitudinal axis. The first arm has a free end and a junction end, and the junction end is attached to the holding member. The apparatus also has a second arm having a free end and a junction end. The junction end of the second arm is also attached to the holding member. The first arm free end and the second arm free end are positioned, or are configured to be positionable, in spaced apart relationship. Preferably, the arms are positioned in a splayed-apart position of between about 15 degrees and 160 degrees. The first arm defines a groove parallel to the longitudinal axis, the groove opening out of the free end of the first arm. The second arm free end defines a hook support configured to support a fishing hook.

Abstract: A force-transmitting device comprising an aluminum alloy shaft portion, a steel end portion, and a transition portion having a first portion of aluminum alloy and a second portion of steel which is bonded to the first portion at a bonded joint. The shaft portion is welded to the first portion and the end portion is welded to the second portion, forming an integral force-transmitting device. The device is configured to transmit a force between the shaft portion and the end portion by way of the bonded joint. A device constructed in accordance with the present from two different metals achieves weight savings over prior art single-metal devices, and is simpler to fabricate than prior art two-metal devices.

Abstract: A container and container mounting apparatus for releasably securable mounting of the container onto a generally horizontal rigid platform on a boat, where the platform is adjacent and aft of a transom on the boat, includes a container sized to stably rest, adjacent the transom on the generally horizontal rigid platform, a female receiver rail mountable to the platform, and a male coupling rail. The male coupling rail is mounted or mountable to a lower surface of the container along a rail axis. The male coupling rail is for sliding interlocking into along the female receiver rail when the female receive rail is mounted to the platform and the male coupling rail is mounted to the lower surface of the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mapping a feature onto a simulated surface having contoured portions, the surface being definable by a plurality of generally adjacent triangulations, the surface being further definable by a plurality of intersecting isoparametric curves linking identified values of the feature to identified points on the surface. In one embodiment, the isoparametric curves are characterized in that when the surface is flat, the isoparametric curves intersect one another in a perpendicular manner, and the perpendicularity of the intersections on the contoured portions of the surface is maintained. In another embodiment, the isoparametric curves are characterized in that when the surface is flat. The isoparametric curves are spaced a predetermined distance apart, and the spacing of the intersections on the contoured portions of the surface is maintained.

Abstract: Single- or few-moded waveguiding cladding-pumped lasers, superfluorescent sources, and amplifiers, as well as lasers, including those for high-energy pulses, are disclosed, in which the interaction between the waveguided light and a gain medium is substantially reduced. This leads to decreased losses of guided desired light as well as to decreased losses through emission of undesired light, compared to devices of the prior art. Furthermore, cross-talk and inter-symbol interference in semiconductor amplifiers can be reduced. We also disclose devices with a predetermined saturation power. As a preferred embodiment of the invention, we disclose a single (transverse) mode optical fiber laser or amplifier in which the active medium (providing gain or saturable absorption) is shaped as a ring, situated in a region of the fiber' cross-section where the intensity of the signal light is substantially reduced compared to its peak value. The fiber can be cladding-pumped.

Abstract: The present invention includes the method of treating an infestation of Varroa mites in a honeybee colony including the steps of: (a) mixing a culture of Hirsutella Thompsonii fungus with a spreadable carrier media so as to form a carrier suspension; and, (b) dispersing the carrier suspension into the brood comb of a honeybee hive.

Abstract: The invention includes a direct current energy source monitor which automatically detects the nominal voltage of the direct current energy source to which it is attached. The invention further includes a direct current energy source monitor which is self-powered from the direct current energy source being monitored. The multiple nominal voltage direct current energy source monitor includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to measure voltage from a direct current energy source being monitored and generate a digital output corresponding thereto. The apparatus includes a programmable control device configured to receive the digital output from the analog-to-digital converter and to look up a nominal voltage corresponding to the digital output, and is further configured to calculate a relative charge of the direct current energy source as compared to a full charge on the direct current energy source.

Abstract: A clamped receiver array using tubing conveyed packer elements is disclosed and described. The receiver array is adapted to be received within a borehole and is therefore particularly useful for borehole seismology. The receiver array has a plurality of receivers connected together by a signal cable. The receivers include sensors which can be 3-component geophones. The apparatus is further provided with a fluid conduit running essentially parallel to the signal cable, the fluid conduit having expansible sections located adjacent to the receivers. The expansible sections expand in response to an increase of fluid pressure within the fluid conduit, contacting the associated receiver and thereby pushing the receiver into a coupled or clamped contact with the casing in the wellbore. The expansible sections have a resilient outer sleeve which fits over a fluid conduit element adjacent to the receiver.

Abstract: An event counter is disclosed which, in one embodiment, provides a reaction timer to time a user's response time to an event. In a second embodiment, the event counter provides a counting device to count the number of occurrences of events or the magnitude of an event. The invention uses a commercially available stopwatch to time the response time. The start/stop switch of the stopwatch is connected to a signal generator such as a piezoelectric element. In one variation, the internal piezoelectric element used as a beeper in the stopwatch is used as the signal generator. In a second variation, the event timer is further provided with a circuit to allow a higher voltage LED to be driven by a lower voltage of the system battery. In yet another variation, the event timer further includes a random delay circuit to randomly delay the start time of the stopwatch. Random delay is provided without a microprocessor by using a variable current switch and two RC circuits having different tau values.

Abstract: A retractive suspension for a boat is provided whereby retractable wheels and associated struts and suspension may be retractably mounted within compartments which are open, or may be opened, outwardly of a hull of a boat. A front wheel assembly is housed retractably within the bow of the boat. An opposed pair of rear wheels are mounted within corresponding compartments on either side of the aft end of the hull. The wheels struts and suspension, both fore and aft, are selectively pivotable from a stowed position within the compartments or wheel wells to an extended and locked position extending outwardly of the boat hull from the wheel wells so as to support the boat on the wheels when on land. The struts and suspension are pivoted by means of threaded rod or spindle or elongate screw which is rotated to slide one end of an arm snugly mated within a corresponding slide such as a box beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining oil from a side-draining crankcase, the crankcase having an oil outlet, the crankcase being supported on a chassis defining edge portions distal from the oil outlet. The apparatus includes a flexible fluid conduit having a first end and a second end and forming a fluid passageway there between, the apparatus being defined by a length along an axis of fluid flow, which length is greater than a shortest distance from the oil outlet to an edge portion of the chassis nearest the oil outlet. The apparatus further includes a first coupling secured to the first end of the flexible fluid conduit and configured to be threadably and removably connectable to the oil outlet, a sealing element removably connectable to the second end of the flexible fluid conduit, and a securing mechanism configured to removably secure the second end of the apparatus proximate the first end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A four-tube bottling system that greatly reduces the oxygen or other air-borne contaminants in bottled beverages. The apparatus allows for the injecting of inert gas into the bottom of the container while the atmosphere escapes through the forth tube near the top of the container. With this method the air in the container is eliminated before the liquid is poured. This apparatus virtually eliminates contaminants from contact with the beverage during the filling process by purging existing atmosphere form the bottle.

Abstract: Apparatus for the remote measurement of physical parameters comprising sensing means (1) for sensing at least one physical parameter, instrumentation means (2) for interrogating the sensing means (1) and making a measurement, cable means (3) for communicating between the sensing means (1) and the instrumentation means (2), container means (4) for containing the sensing means (1) and the cable means (3) prior to installation of the sensing means (1), container holder means (5) for providing a support for the container means (4) at a convenient location, channel means (6) for providing a channel between the container means (4) and a measurement location where the channel is suitable for accepting the cable means (3) and the sensing means (1), and cable installation means (9) for installing the sensing means (1) and cable means (3) from inside the container means (4) into the channel means (6) and placing the sensing means (1) at the measurement location.