Abstract: A cladding portion (15) of an optical fiber (16) is laser machined by focusing a laser beam (13) that is of an appropriate wavelength to ablate the cladding. When the laser beam completely penetrates through the cladding (15) to impinge on the optical fiber core (18) light is transmitted to the two ends of the fiber. A photodetector (31) is placed in close proximity to one of the ends of the optical fiber (16) with the photodetector output being connected to a laser control device (23). When the light detected by the detector exceeds a threshold, it generates a signal that stops the laser. Even if the cladding is of an unpredicted thickness, the laser beam is not terminated until there has been complete penetration through the cladding, and after complete ablation the laser beam is promptly terminated so as to avoid subsequent damage to the optical fiber.

Abstract: The implementation of BRI/ISDN services is changing the way services can be maintained with existing operations support systems. For example, with ISDN a subscriber to the service can initiate and effect a move of his director or telephone number from one location to another without directly involving the operating company. The subscriber, by moving his directory number to a new location, now receives his service over a new transport facility. As a result, the records of the operating company which identify a specific transport facility to a specific telephone number cannot be readily updated to reflect subscriber moves. Thus, if the records of the operating company do not identify the transport facility which is associated with the directory number at the new location the operating company cannot readily process trouble reports against the service.

Abstract: A torch for plasma cutting and welding which includes an outwardly insulated metal casing (10, 11, 12) provided with a non-melting electrode centered therein and having an insert (36) of active material directly opposite a nozzle orifice (17) in one end of the casing. The electrode (31) is centered in the casing by an insulating ring (21) at the electrode tip adjacent said orifice (17), and by an adapter sleeve (34) arranged in the opposite end and having a spring member (40). The adapter sleeve (34) has a tapered opening for receiving the likewise tapered end (33) of the electrode (31) and is axially slotted (35) to expand radially when receiving the electrode (31), so as to engage with the interior of the casing for safe current supply form the casing to the electrode (31). Gas is supplied from an inlet (27) along the electrode (31) and is forced to pass inclined ducts (41) in the electrode (31) in the area of the insulating ring (21), so as to be conducted in a spiral motion adjacent the orifice (17).

Abstract: An optoelectronic assembly is described which comprises an optoelectronic device (e.g. laser, photodiode or another fiber), an end portion of an optical fiber coupled to the device, and an integral lens formed on the end portion. The lens comprises a frustum of a first cone having a cone angle .theta..sub.1, and, on top of the frustum, a second cone having a cone angle .theta..sub.2 <.theta..sub.1, thus forming a double conical lens which requires no further operations (such as fire polishing) to provide coupling efficiencies of about 80% with a standard deviation of less than .+-.2%.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing an optical fiber to include an integral lens and a metallized outer coating. The fiber is first etched to include a tapered transition region and a thinned end region. The etched fiber is subsequently metallized and covered with a protective coating. A wet chemical etching technique is used to form an integral lens over the endface of the fiber. The protective coating is then stripped and any free metal is removed. The method allows for the fiber metallization to be in relative close proximity to the lens such that the fiber may be soldered into place near its endface, limiting any subsequent movement of the fiber relative to the aligned optical device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image of a substrate (10) is obtained by separately spanning the substrate with each of two lines of light (30,32) directed at the substrate surface (12) at the same angle but offset from each other, to illuminate a separate one of a pair of strips (34,36). A linescan camera (38) is trained on the substrate surface (12) to sense the intensity of the light reflected from a strip (40) lying between the strips (34,36) separately illuminated by the lines of light (30,32). The height (or depth) of each attribute (e.g. a component 17) lying in the strip may be obtained in accordance with a prescribed relationship between the sensed reflectance intensity attributed to each of the lines of light (30,32).

Abstract: Disclosed is a broadly applicable method for making an article that, exemplarily comprises a superconductive oxide body, including a thin layer on a substrate, or powder particles. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises forming a precursor melt and contacting at least a part of the melt with oxygen such that the concentration of oxygen in the part of the melt increase to a critical concentration, resulting in formation of the desired oxide, substantially without drop in temperature. The precursor melt comprises at least one metallic element M, and at least the part of the melt is at a temperature T, with T.sub.m <T<T.sub.o, where T.sub.m is the freezing temperature of the melt and T.sub.o is the melting temperature of the superconductive oxide. In an exemplary embodiment the melt consists essentially of Yb, Ba, and Cu in 1:2:3 atomic ratio, T is about 900.degree. C. A layer of superconductive oxide on a Sr-TiO.sub.3 substrate is formed by dipping the hot (900.degree. C.

Abstract: The modular gas cylinder storage system of the present invention includes several gas cylinder holding devices which are incorporated into an overall cylinder holding system which holds different-sized cylinders. It includes a rack structure that is modular and designed to hold large tanks. A plurality of smaller cylinders are held in several differing basket configurations which basket configurations are formed to mate with the modular rack structure. Barriers for dividing cylinders holding incompatible chemicals are held in place by brackets attaching the barriers to the rack structure. Secure fastening of large cylinders is achieved utilizing a gas cylinder gas storage bracket which is bolted to other structural members having a concave face which mates with the curved surface of the gas cylinder. A flexible strap with an adjustabe buckle passes through the bracket and around the cylinder for a tight, secure engagement of the cylinder within the bracket.

Abstract: A novel folding storm shutter system includes an overhead header presenting a track and a pair of laterally spaced abutment surfaces. The system includes a plurality of trolley supported shutter members which are rotatable about a vertical axis. The system further includes a sill having a guide slot which is disposed beneath the track in alignment therewith. The sill also has a pair of laterally spaced abutment surfaces. An abutment contacting element is disposed at each corner of each shutter member so that when the shutter system is deployed the contact elements come into contact with the abutment surfaces to rigidify the structure. Trolley mechanisms are provided for supporting the trolley supported shutter members from a location midway between the edges of the shutter member so that the entire assembly is evenly balanced to facilitate maneuvering and deployment of the system.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating data over a communications channel such as a telephone line includes the conversion of asynchronous data transmitted from a diagnostic microcomputer through a modem into synchronous data for transmission over the communications channel. The method includes the use of error vectors to shift the asynchronous data into a continuous synchronous stream of data bits.

Abstract: With the present invention a tobacco sheet or foil is proposed which has an elevated filling force and consists of tobacco particles, water, binders and moisturizers, and relatively gas-impermeable, in particular surface-sealed cover layers being connected together by a spongy structure which is formed by gas-filled bubbles, and in which cavities are formed having a shaggy, furrowed and/or torn surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus, exemplarily an electronic switching machine, that comprises novel and advantageous optical interconnection means. In particular, the apparatus comprises one or more digital electronic gates, and the output of the gate or gates is applied, without intervening amplifications, to a semiconductor laser whose radiation output is responsive to the applied electrical signal. The laser exemplarily is a quantum well laser of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 407,608, U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,878, comprising at least one gain section and at least one loss section. The electrical output of the gate or gates is connected to the at least one loss section. Due to the ability of such lasers to be switched by means of a relatively very small current through the loss section, conventionally used drive amplifiers are not required in apparatus according to the invention, resulting in significantly reduced complexity and cost.

Abstract: A programmable circuit uses antifuse to program the circuit with the antifuses located not in the logic path but located so they control the voltage applied to the gate electrode of a transistor located in the logic path.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable, tree-climbing device to provide a stable, elevated, horizontal, platfrom utilizing two separate elements for a hunter or observer. The uppermost element accommodates the user in a sitting position while the lower element accommodates his feet. The user faces the tree during the ascending and descending processes but has the option of facing the tree or leaning his back against the tree during his hunting or observing activity. Each element has tubular supporting members, which, along the the ends of the supporting cables, have predrilled holes, thus allowing for the selective adjustment of each element during initial attachment. The device further provides for selective adjustment of the support cables as the user ascends and descends the tree. The device further allows the user to climb past limbs without first having to cut them from the tree.

Abstract: A quick mold change arrangement positions and retains a mold tool in an operational mode in a mold press without the use of hydraulics. The tool is equipped with common quick change plates, and using an overhead crane is transported to the mold press and aligned in a vertical plane by rollers and guide rails. It is in its final alignment position when it rests on custom stop blocks and is retained by spring loaded clamp plates. The clamp plates are quickly seated by tightening screw-type fasteners with a tool such as an air impact wrench. The clamp plates prevent the mold tool from becoming mispositioned and damaged thereby or from creating a safety hazard. Horizontal tie bars in the mold press are also protected by the guide rails and rollers thereby preventing damage to these tie bars and resultant mold press down time.

Abstract: A graft lyotropic liquid crystalline composition having a viscosity less than 10 Pa.s comprising a low amount of surfactant(s), optionally co-surfactant(s), and/or solvents, optionally a polymer in relative stretched state and which is partly or totally penetrable by the medium and a solid material having a surface free energy of 18 to 240 mN/m.

Abstract: An exercise step/bench for aerobic climbing and dance includes a base in the form of a horizontal platform generally rectangularly shaped with a downwardly extending apron. Each corner of the platform is provided with a plurality of leg receiving openings. A leg is provided for each corner and is constructed so as to be reversibly mounted in its respective corner thus providing height adjustability in accordance with the orientation of the leg and the selection of the particular opening into which the leg is mounted.

Abstract: A compact electrical connector is formed from a metallic lead frame and a spring block. The lead frame comprises a number of flat elongated conductors, each terminating in a spring contact at one end and in an insulation-displacing connector at the other. The insulation-displacing connectors are folded around opposite side walls of the spring block to achieve compactness, and the spring contacts are folded around its front surface for insertion into a modular jack. The front surface of the spring block includes a tongue-like projection which fits into one end of a jack frame and interlocks therewith. A dielectric cover surrounds the spring block and lead frame assembly to assist in supporting the lead frame and electrically insulating it from external. Together, the spring block and jack frame comprise a standard modular jack of the type specified in the FCC Registration Rules. Up to six (6) such modular jacks can be mounted onto a single wall plate having conventional dimensions.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable closure (20) includes a cable termination assembly (26) and a cover (28) into which the termination assembly is inserted. The cable termination assembly includes an end plate assembly (34) through which distribution cables (21,22) to be spliced extend. From the end plate is cantilevered a distribution portion (106) which supports an optical fiber organizer (115). Mounted on the fiber organizer adjacent to a longitudinal edge thereof are a plurality of stacked organizing modules (120,120). Each module includes a plurality of nests (134-134) for receiving splicing devices such that the axes of the fibers in the devices are parallel to each other and to an axis of the closure. Optical fibers from each incoming cable are routed in individual bundles or as ribbons from the distribution portion to selected ones of the modules.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in a key set interface to overcome the incompatibility between key sets and tip and ring devices. The interface apparatus rejects ringing voltage and tip and ring loop current intended to be supplied on a first pair of conductors, the TR-pair. The interface further includes apparatus adapted for bi-directional communication of supervisory and control signals. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a second pair of conductors, the service pair, transports bi-directional supervisory and control signals as well as operating power supplied by a key system controller for non-TR devices. Additionally, a transceiver adapted for sending and receiving voiceband information over the first pair of conductors is incorporated into the interface. An advantage of this key set interface is that operation of a key telephone set does not interfere with the operation of a tip and ring device bridged onto the first conductor pair.