Abstract: The present invention relates to a router tool for edging the peripheral edge of eyeglass lenses. The tool comprises a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof. A first blade extends axially and radially from the body, and has a first cutting portion for shaping an edge of a lens to a first configuration. A second blade is provided that is axially spaced from the first blade. The second blade extends axially and radially from the body, and has a second cutting portion for shaping an edge of a lens to a second configuration different than the first configuration. The present invention also relates to an edger having the disclosed router tool, and a method for shaping the edge of eyeglass lenses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tray handler for stacking and de-stacking ophthalmic prescription trays. The tray handler includes a plurality of spaced clamp assemblies defining a stack area along a conveyor, a lift plate, and first and second actuators. The lift plate is operably disposed within the stack area. The first actuator is operably associated with the clamp assemblies, which are inwardly and outwardly moveable relative the lift plate upon actuation of the first actuator. The second actuator is operably associated with the lift plate, which is vertically moveable within the stack area upon actuation of the second actuator. A controller is in communication with the first and second actuators and controls actuation thereof. A method of handling ophthalmic prescription trays is also disclosed.

Abstract: A new fiber optic cable splice for splicing optical fiber cables together and reconstructing fiber-optic cable that provide substantially enhanced reliability and broadened operating temperature range is disclosed. The disclosed cable splice offer reliable and user friendly solutions to applications in many harsh environments such as avionics, field vehicles, and defense related instrumentation. The cable splice consists of a preassembled one piece splice core and outer mechanical and thermal shielding layers. A simple splicing procedure and key fixtures are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling an ophthalmic edger device, and a machine programmed to edge and ophthalmic lens blank. A lens blank and an edger device for forming a groove in a peripheral edge of the lens blank are provided. A central processing unit is provided, which is operably associated with the edger device for controlling operation of the edger device. Processing instructions are transmitted from the central processing unit to the edger device, wherein the processing instructions comprise forming a groove in a peripheral edge of a lens blank, and removing lens material debris from the formed groove.

Abstract: A lens blocking device is disclosed that includes a frame, a light source mounted on the frame, a carriage having a first end and a second end mounted on the frame for sliding movement between first and second positions, a first mirror mounted on the carriage first end and a lens block holder mounted on the carriage second end and shiftable between third and fourth positions with respect to the carriage, a stage disposed between the light source and the carriage, and including an opening, for supporting an object, an at least partially translucent screen generating a display image operably connected to the support frame, at least one second mirror arranged to reflect an image of an object on the stage from the first mirror, when the carriage is in the first position, onto the screen, and an actuator operably connected to the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool for shaping and polishing an edge of an eyeglass lens. The tool includes a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof, with a proximal portion and a distal portion. A first cutter extends axially and radially from the distal portion, and includes a first blade for shaping an edge of a lens. The distal portion has a first diameter defined by the first blade. A polishing hub is secured to and extends coaxially from the distal portion and is rotatable therewith. A second cutter is secured to and extends coaxially from the polishing hub and is rotatable therewith. The second cutter has a second blade for shaping the edge of the lens. The second blade defines a second diameter less than the first diameter. The present invention also relates to an edger having the disclosed tool, and a method of edging.

Abstract: An fiber optic splice having substantially enhanced reliability and broadened operating temperature range uses a light-cured index matching fluid to splice the facing ends of the optical fibers in between two metallic tubes forming a leak-tight, thermally insulating, and mechanically robust outer package.

Abstract: An electrical resistor structure overlies a substrate and comprises a composite resistor having a first resistor of relatively low resistance and a second resistor of relatively high resistance overlying the first resistor. First and second electrodes make contact with the composite resistor at spaced locations, and a bond pad overlies the second resistor at a position between the electrodes. A metallized fiber is soldered a to a metal bond pad by providing a stacked resistor structure beneath the bond pad, disposing a solder preform over the bond pad, disposing the metallized fiber over the bond pad, and flowing a current through the stacked resistor structure. The stacked resistor structure, when subjected to a current flowing generally along a first axis, is characterized by a temperature profile that has first and second peaks on either side of the bond pad.

Abstract: An electrical resistor structure overlies a substrate and comprises a composite resistor having a first resistor of relatively low resistance and a second resistor of relatively high resistance overlying the first resistor. First and second electrodes make contact with the composite resistor at spaced locations, and a bond pad overlies the second resistor at a position between the electrodes. A metallized fiber is soldered a to a metal bond pad by providing a stacked resistor structure beneath the bond pad, disposing a solder preform over the bond pad, disposing the metallized fiber over the bond pad, and flowing a current through the stacked resistor structure. The stacked resistor structure, when subjected to a current flowing generally along a first axis, is characterized by a temperature profile that has first and second peaks on either side of the bond pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a router tool for edging the peripheral edge of eyeglass lenses. The tool comprises a longitudinally extending body rotatable on the axis thereof. A first blade extends axially and radially from the body, and has a first cutting portion for shaping an edge of a lens to a first configuration. A second blade is provided that is axially spaced from the first blade. The second blade extends axially and radially from the body, and has a second cutting portion for shaping an edge of a lens to a second configuration different than the first configuration. The present invention also relates to an edger having the disclosed router tool, and a method for shaping the edge of eyeglass lenses.

Abstract: An undulator includes a periodic arrangement of magnets to produce a periodic spatial magnetic field distribution in a magnetic gap defined by the magnets. The undulator further includes a temperature-compensating material selectively arranged to compensate for a temperature-dependent change in the magnetic field of the undulator. The change may be in the strength of the magnetic field, or in the position of the magnetic field centerline. According to one aspect of the invention, the temperature-compensating material is movably arranged, so as to fine tune its compensation effect after it is initially arranged. Alternatively or additionally, the amount of temperature-compensating material may be adjusted to fine tune its compensation effect after it is initially arranged.

Abstract: This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD”) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three dimensional images.

Abstract: Electro-optically operated transmitters containing a wave guide liquid crystal beam steering device in series of fine beam steering devices as well as electrically switchable mirror are disclosed. The wave guide beam steering device is constructed on a planar lightwave circuit that contains a plurality of liquid crystal switching elements intersecting a plurality of optical wave guides and one main wave guide that has a curvature for light propagation. The transceiver is capable of continuously steering multiple beams of light into separate independent directions with a field-of-regard close to 4?. The resulted optical transmitter device is motionless, polarization sensitive or insensitive, stable within the operational spectral region, and stable versus temperature. When an optical receiver is integrated, the transmitters become transceivers. The invention also includes the methods for manufacturing the wave guide beam steering device.

Abstract: This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD”) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three dimensional images.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a system and method for aligning reference marks defining the optical center or major reference point on a lens blank with a series of alignment marks, or “fiducials”. The fiducials comprise first and second alignment bars displayed on a display operably associated with a computer, and overlay the reference marks, also displayed on the display. The fiducials may be adjusted to accurately precisely align the lens blank.

Abstract: A wavelength locker comprising a semiconductor or air gap etalon is used to monitor and maintain the output wavelength of a coherent radiation source. Said etalon may be fabricated from a commercially available silicon wafer, with individual regions of the wafer, each functioning as a separate etalon, etched or otherwise processed to produce different thicknesses. Illumination by the coherent radiation source generated transmitted signal intensities that are detected and processed to determine the output wavelength of the coherent radiation source. A wavelength tuner is then used to maintain or vary the output wavelength based on continuous measurements of etalon signal intensity.