Abstract: Splines of magnetic field values are used by a processor to determine location parameters in a remote location determination system. The location determination system is used on a laser catheter that is operable to perform myocardial revascularization. An automatic calibration technique compensates for any variations in gain in a sensor and related components. Methods for reducing the effects of eddy currents in surrounding conductive objects are used in electromagnetic position and orientation measurement systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for equalizing the hot water and cold water pressures in a hot water faucet for sanitary use comprising, upstream from a thermostatic unit (200); a moving element (108) constituted by a membrane (109) whose plane determines the plane of symmetry of the chambers and a control rod (110) passing through the membrane (109) at its center, to which rod said membrane is attached, valves (111, 112) mounted on each of the two ends of the common control rod, which cooperate with seats (113, 114), means (115, 116) for translationally guiding the control rod, a nonreturn valve (117, 118) installed in each of the inlets of the chambers. This device is characterized in that the guiding means (115, 116) are located at each of the ends of the control rod and have guiding surfaces smaller than the cross section of the valve and/or the control rod.

Abstract: Safety apparatus and method for protecting an object entering into the path of a moving blade in a press brake (10). The apparatus includes laser emitters (22) and receivers (24) for mounting in fixed relationship to the leading edge (36) of the blade (18) to provide a plurality of light beams (26) in advance of the blade (18). A controller (51) including halting means (57) for halting advancing movement of the blade in response to certain contingencies is provided. These contingencies include those involving interruption or obstruction of the light beams (26) and those which are indicative of a fault with the press or the safety apparatus itself. Accordingly the controller (51) also includes laser control and processing means (54), blade movement control means (56) and blade position processing means (58) which operate in conjunction with the halting means (57) to enable overriding control of the movement of the blade (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for a sanitary hot water faucet characterized in that it comprises: a receptacle (10) passing all the way through a casing having a T shape, a seat (14) of a valve (15), delimited in the bore near its upstream end, installed in the receptacle from the upstream end: a valve (15) with an elastic element (16) that stresses it toward its so-called closed position and a so-called control rod (17) of the valve, locally comprising a fusible material (19) which, when it is subjected to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature, melts so that the length of the control rod is reduced, thus causing the closing of the valve.

Abstract: A monostable valve for controlling the sudden discharge of a gas contained in an enclosure. This valve comprises, in a control conduit (17), a second shutoff (18) between a closed position wherein the gas contained in the control chamber (13) cannot escape and a discharge position wherein the gas contained in the control chamber can escape, a drive mechanism (19) for rapidly moving the control shutoff to its discharge position, and a mechanism (20) for returning the control shutter to its closed position, respectively, and in that the area defined by the cross section of the discharge conduit (11) is at least constant, even increasing from the rear chamber (9) toward the outlet conduit (6) in order to limit head loss, and the main shutter (12) has low inertia.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method provides for the application of a cell treatment agent, such as genetic material or drugs to be inserted within the cells of a patient in vivo. The apparatus may be a catheter arrangement with various embodiments for applying heat to a patient's cells in vivo in order to improve transfection efficiency or application efficiency. Laser beams may be applied directly to the cells. Alternately, the cells may be heated by electrical heating, chemical heating, radio frequency heating, microwave heating, infrared heating, ultrasound heating, or indirect laser heating. Further, the treatment agent may be heated prior to its application to the patient such that the treatment agent heats the cells of the patient.

Abstract: An optical cable television system provides a large channel capacity and uses shared resources, whereby the more expensive hardware is shared over a large number of customers so as to minimize the cost per customer. A video switch network is provided which minimizes the temptation of subscribers to pirate signals since pay per view or on demand signals are provided only upon request of someone within a node corresponding to a neighborhood. An on demand program center continuously plays programs, such as movies, at time-staggered starts such that any subscriber will have only very minimal delays before seeing a particular program which is requested. A tuneable optical filter is provided in order to switch video signals onto an optical fiber going to the node in a particular neighborhood. An arrangement uses in-fiber grating in order to remove and insert different optical frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical amplifier systems which include optical add/drop multiplexing capabilities. The optical amplifier system includes a first optical circulator with at least three circulator ports. An optical transmission fiber optically communicates with the first circulator port for transporting a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical transmission signal. A section of optically amplifying rare-earth doped fiber amplifies the WDM optical transmission signal input to the first circulator port. A wavelength-selecting optical fiber including at least one in-fiber Bragg grating for selectively reflecting an optical signal of a particular wavelength from the WDM optical signal optically communicates with the second circulator port. The optical amplifier system further includes a second optical circulator with at least three optical circulator ports, one of which communicates with the wavelength-selecting optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical cable television system provides a large channel capacity and uses shared resources, whereby the more expensive hardware is shared over a large number of customers so as to minimize the cost per customer. A video switch network is provided which minimizes the temptation of subscribers to pirate signals since pay per view or on demand signals are provided only upon request of someone within a node corresponding to a neighborhood. An on demand program center continuously plays programs, such as movies, at time-staggered starts such that any subscriber will have only Very minimal delays before seeing a particular program which is requested. A tuneable optical filter is provided in order to switch video signals onto an optical fiber going to the node in a particular neighborhood. An arrangement uses in-fiber grating in order to remove and insert different optical frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical systems having optical amplifiers with flattened gain curves. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an optical amplifier system having an optical input fiber and an optical amplifier device connected to receive optical input signals from the optical input fiber. A directional optical transfer device has a first port connected to receive an initial amplified output from said optical amplifier device. An optical attenuation fiber is connected to a second port of said optical transfer device, and receives the initial amplified output applied to the, first port. The optical attenuation fiber supplies an adjusted amplified output to the second port and includes plural in-fiber gratings and plural attenuators. The in-fiber gratings and attenuators are configured such that an attenuator is disposed between two in-fiber gratings. Each in-fiber gratings reflects a different wavelength of optical energy.

Abstract: An inverted offset system is used for sending and/or receiving electromagnetic energy. The system, which is preferably a Cassegrainian microwave antenna system, includes a water-tight cover to protect the feed compartment, subreflector, and main reflector of the antenna. The cover protects against the effects of precipitation and is especially useful when the system is used for measuring atmospheric conditions such as rain or snow. A waterguard ridge and drain passageway are used to protect the feed compartment from precipitation when the antenna is disposed in a position to send or receive beams which are substantially vertical.