Abstract: An infrared wire grid polarizer is fabricated on an infrared transmissive substrate and consists of alternating transmissive and conductive zones disposed thereon. These polarizers are particularly well suited for use with acoustic-optic tunable filters and can be employed as input and output polarizers therewith. A method of manufacturing a wire grid polarizer with at least 4000 conductors per millimeter is disclosed. The infrared transmissive substrate is selected from the group consisting of silicon crystal and gallium arsenide crystal.

Abstract: An improved infrared acousto-optic tunable filter is provided by an acousto-optic birefringent crystal having polished, uncoated input and output faces normal to the radiation incident-on or diffracted-by the crystal, respectively, and wherein crystallographic axis is oriented at about 21 degrees to the incident infrared radiation, rf transducer means coupled to the crystal for tuning or selecting a narrow bandwidth infrared wavelength of interest, and input and output wire grid polarizer are aligned with the crystal. The input wire grid polarizer is aligned to polarize the input infrared radiation in the same plane as the plane of the b-c crystalline axes of the crystal. The output wire grid polarizer is disposed with the parallel conductors aligned transversely to the conductors of the input polarizer, so that only the selected or tuned bandwidth of interest is transmitted through the output polarizer.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for the refraction of an optical ray from a first focal point to at least one other focal point. The method includes the steps of passing the optical ray through an optical medium to establish a first focal point and then launching acoustic waves into the optical medium to induce at least one half standing acoustic wave within the optical medium. The induced refractive index gradient deviates the optical ray from the first focal point to at least one other focal point. This method of induced refraction can be utilized as a chopper in one embodiment and as a high energy dissipation means in an alternative embodiment.

Abstract: A die for the manufacture of tray like sections has a member with a plurality of slots arranged to accommodate a variety of required gap dimensions. The slots are arranged in a pattern which consists of two sections each of which extends from a common datum in opposite directions along the length of the die. The first or integer section is of arbitrary length and contains slots spaced equally apart from each other a convenient value or metric. The distance between the right edge of the slot and the datum is equal to the metric value.The second section or vernier section contains slots with a different spacing pattern depending on the degree of precision required of the vernier. These slots are spaced incrementally from the datum by a value equal to a multiple of the metric plus a fractional value of the metric. This arrangement permits the accommodation of various tray sizes larger than a minimum size as dictated by die design.

Abstract: An improved combustion control system for a jackshaft controlled boiler or the like utilizes a second power actuator, a linkage biasing mechanism and a function generator which provides a position control signal as a function of the boiler load in order to position the linkage biasing mechanism to obtain an automatically calibrated, near optimum relationship between fuel and air. An alternative embodiment of this invention includes a flue gas analysis system where the position control signal is modified to further enhance combustion efficiency. This invention also includes a method for programming a programmable combustion control system according to this invention.

Abstract: The well-known "jackshaft" positioning or two-point parallel combustion control system has been modified to include a linkage strut length adjustor apparatus with a remote actuator apparatus. The adjustor apparatus includes an overload protection system to prevent damage to the linkage and control members of the combustion control system.

Abstract: The invention provides both preferred material alloys and electrode lead wire configurations for electrically connecting the solid electrolyte cell in a gas sensing probe to a remote measuring circuit.

Abstract: A multi-lead component manipulator for the assembly of circuit boards has optical and tactile feedback systems and includes at least two and preferably three symmetric assemblies radially disposed about a component gripper assembly. Each symmetric assembly has a movable lead guide means for engaging a component lead and aligning the same for circuit board insertion. The guide means are adapted for independent arcuate and radial motion reflective of the optical feedback system and the gripper assembly is capable of axial movement for the acquisition and insertion of components. The tactile feedback system controls component insertion. The manipulator in an alternative embodiment has fixed guide means disposed above the movable guide means. The fixed guide means orient the component leads for acquisition by the movable guide means.

Abstract: The reference gas of an electrochemical cell is vented into the process gas being measured at a location sufficiently close to the cell to maintain the gas pressure of the reference gas equal to the gas pressure of the process gas. A packing gland for securing a sensor cell within a support member for high temperature applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: A five and one-half degree of freedom adjustable compliance system exhibits a range of compliant control useful for large industrial manipulators which experience a range of tool lengths and payloads. Reinforced elastomeric spheres provide monotonically increasing spring stiffness and can automatically be adjusted for a desired stiffness range through pressurized fluid. Local position sensing of the robot gripper is achieved by linear variable-differential transformers. The output is analyzed by a microcomputer for possible readjustment of the manipulator.

Abstract: A thin film solid electrolyte cell structure for use as an oxygen sensor, a combustibles sensor and a gross-oxygen-gross-combustibles sensor. An electrode is sealed to a porous mechanical support member by a thin film solid electrolyte which also seals the support member. The sealed support member divides a sensor apparatus into two zones, one of which contains a reference gas, the other of which contains the gas to be measured.

Abstract: A combustion control process and apparatus provides a reference flame of known or constant composition which is in ionic communication with the main flame which is to be controlled. Both the reference and main flames are supported by electrically insulated burner nozzles and the flames are in mutual electrical communication through ionized gases. The potential difference is measured between the flames by way of the nozzles and is used in the air-fuel ratio adjustment of the main burner. Additionally, the main burner can function as a reference point in combination with a zirconia oxygen sensor to ascertain potential differences therebetween, which differences reflect the air-fuel mixture of the main flame.

Abstract: A low-level voltage clamp circuit drives its active components with the fault voltage of a main circuit being protected which main circuit operates at about one volt DC or less. The clamping circuit senses voltages in excess of a predetermined limit and effects the sinking of increasing levels of fault current in order to hold the voltage of the main circuit at the predetermined clamp limit.

Abstract: A broadband antireflection multilayer coating for infrared transmissive materials comprises a first thin film layer selected from the group consisting of zinc-selenide and zinc-sulfide, a second thin film layer selected from the group consisting of lead-fluoride and aluminum oxide and a third thin film layer selected from the group consisting of magnesium-fluoride, barium-fluoride and calcium-fluoride. This antireflection coating is particularly useful with acousto-optic tunable filter systems, wire grid polarizers and infrared frequency doublers.

Abstract: A thin film solid electrolyte cell structure for use as a gross-oxygen combustibles sensor that measures combustibles and oxygen in the presence of each other, generates two currents, one proportional to the amount of combustibles, the other proportional to the amount of oxygen. An electrode is sealed to a porous mechanical support member by a thin film solid electrolyte which also seals the support member. The sealed support member divides a sensor apparatus into two zones, one of which contains an oxygen containing reference gas, the other of which contains the gas to be measured.

Abstract: A dual gas measuring solid electrolyte apparatus employing a common oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte membrane provides an electrical signal indicative of a selected anhydride of a monitored gas environment and an electrical signal indicative of the oxygen content of the monitored gas environment.