Abstract: The present invention is a laser (12) having a resonator (28) between an output coupling mirror (20) and a high-reflection mirror (26). A photoelastic plate (38) is incorporated in a photoelastic cell (24), or a photoelastic mirror (36) used in place of the high-reflection mirror (26). The photoelastic plate (38) is placed in the resonator (28) and introduces an artificial anisotropy to the laser (12). The photoelastic plate (38) has privileged directions (34), which are aligned with the axes of the artificial anisotropy. A magnetic field (32) is applied transversely to the resonator (28), in alignment with one of the privileged directions (34), to produce two orthogonal linearly polarized frequencies in an output beam (30) with the Zeeman effect.

Abstract: A long arm for an aircraft turnaround apparatus mounted at one end to the floor of an aircraft hanger for swinging about a vertical axis causing a nose-wheel carriage at the free end of the arm to follow a semicircular path. The nose-wheel of an incoming aircraft runs onto the carriage such that its imaginary lateral rotation axis is practically coincident with the arm axis so when the arm swings, the aircraft's ground supported landing gear traces a semicircle. The carriage has a chock bar which stops the aircraft from overtraveling the carriage. One chock bar version requires manual insertion and removal and another automatically latches in the stopping position but is unlatched by an aircraft leaving the carriage after which a spring restores the chock to the latched position. An optional spring system can restore the arm and carriage to a nose-wheel receiving position after a turned around aircraft has departed.

Abstract: A laser beam transmitting system is provided comprising at least one target, a laser detection module, an optical system, a rotary encoder, a dither zone memory, and a controller. The optical system is arranged to generate a reference laser beam selectively in one of a search mode and a target dither mode and to direct a laser beam reflected from the target to the laser detection module. The search mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis and the target dither mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a selected discrete portion of the rotational arc. The rotary encoder is arranged to produce a rotary signal indicative of a rotary position of the reference beam relative to the rotational arc.

Abstract: A light-received position detecting circuit includes a light receiving portion 10 formed by plural photodiodes arranged side by side for detecting light to generate a photoelectric current, and a resistor group RR formed by plural resistors RR1 to RRn-1 connected in series and the photodiodes are correspondingly connected to the respective resistors to divide the photoelectric current from a light emitting portion 31 into photoelectric current parts according to the position of generation of the photoelectric current. First and second current detecting amplifiers 12 and 16 for generating detection signals corresponding to the photoelectric current parts are connected to the opposite ends of the resistor group RR, respectively. A third current detecting amplifier 14 for dividing the light receiving portion 10 into light receiving sections and detecting the photoelectric current part is connected to selected one of the resistors located in the intermediate portion of the resistor group RR.

Abstract: There is provided a driving circuit for an EL element which extends the life of the EL element and has improved driving efficiency. A capacitor 11 is parallel-connected to a series circuit 3 formed by an EL element 1 and an inductor 2 to cause harmonic components and a driving frequency lower than the same to pass through the capacitor 11 and the EL element 1, respectively, to extend the life of the EL element and to improve driving efficiency.

Abstract: A slanted card edge connector (10) includes an insulative housing (12) defining a central slot (14) for receiving a module therein and a pair of ejectors (18) rotatably positioned within a pair of corresponding towers (16) adjacent two opposite ends of the housing (12). Three support blocks (20) extend forward and backward from a center portion and two opposite end portions wherein the middle support block (20) includes a slanted first cavity (24), in compliance with the relative angle of housing (12) with regard to the PC board (100), extending from a front surface (26) thereof inwardly, and each of such other two end blocks (20) also has the second slanted cavity (50), in compliance with the relative angle of the housing (12) with regard to the PC board (100), extending from a bottom surface (52) thereof. Therefore, these three support blocks (20) are not collinear along the lengthwise direction of the housing (12) of the connector (20).

Abstract: A system for distinguishing real target reflections from ghost target reflections for use in adjusting the orientation of a plane defined by a rotating laser beam from a laser transmitter is provided. One or more retroreflective targets are positioned in desired locations along a rotational arc to define the desired plane through which the laser beam is rotated. The laser beam rotates back and forth scanning for targets positioned along the rotational arc. The laser beam is reflected from the targets to the laser transmitter for processing. A plurality of detection zones are established within the rotational arc. The detection zones are associated with a direction of rotation of the laser beam so that the laser beam traverses a target prior to traversing a potential shiny surface which could cause a ghost target reflection. As the laser beam scans a target prior to a shiny surface, reflections received after a target reflection are ignored as being potentially invalid reflections.

Abstract: A conveyor system of a type having a first pulley disposed for rotation about a first axis and a second pulley disposed for rotation about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis. The continuous conveyor belt is disposed around the first and second pulleys. The first idler roller rotatably disposed along a third axis is substantially parallel to the first axis and parallel to the first axis is provided for supporting the weight of a conveyor belt and the materials moving thereon, said third axis being fixed with respect to the first axis. A second idler roller is disposed along a fourth axis, the fourth axis being substantially parallel to the first axis. The second roller is disposed below a bottom portion of the fixed axis conveyor belt for supporting the weight of the conveyor belt. An encoder is disposed on the stationary shaft inside one of the idler rollers for monitoring rotation of the idler rollers with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An electrostatic sensor comprises a ground electrode defining an enclosure having a through-hole for permitting the passage of a body therethrough. A sensor electrode is disposed in the ground electrode. A detecting circuit is disposed in the ground electrode for detecting the passage of the body through the through-hole on the basis of a change in an electrostatic capacitance between the ground electrode and the sensor electrode.

Abstract: The shaft monitoring device for monitoring the rotation of a shaft about a longitudinal axis is comprised of an encoder, a stationary housing, and a shaft-engaging member rotatably attached to the stationary housing. The encoder has a target and a proximity sensor located within the housing. The housing is mounted to a stationary object such as a block-type bearing supporting one end of the rotating shaft to be monitored. A first end of the shaft-engaging member is placed against the shaft. The first end firmly engages the rotating shaft, thereby allowing the shaft-engaging member to rotate in unison with the rotating shaft. As the shaft rotates, the target attached to a second end of the shaft-engaging member also rotates in unison. As the target passes over the end of the proximity sensor, the sensor reads the presence of the target and closes a switch. Each time the switch is closed, a pulse is generated.

Abstract: An environmental metrology device (10) containing sensor (12) elements which include a pressure sensor (20), a temperature sensor (22), and a humidity sensor (24) all located in close proximity within a housing (18). Control circuitry (16) is further provided to direct operation of the sensors (12) and to communicate with an interferometer controller (42) via a signal port (14) and a cable (92). Additional instances of the device (10) may be connected in a daisy-chain network configuration via additional signal ports (14) and cables (90). One or more instances of the device (10) permit highly localized characterization of atmospheric index of refraction in the measurement region (60) of a laser interferometer (30). The interferometer controller (42) is thereby able to compensate measurements performed by the laser interferometer (30) before they are passed onto manufacturing process controls (48).

Abstract: A mold has a moling surface of a material containing silicon carbide and/or silicon nitride as a main component and a carbon thin film formed on the molding surface to prevent fusion sticking. A glass substance which has a sag point not higher than 565.degree. C. and a predetermined composition free from arsenic oxide is introduced into the mold. The glass substance is press-formed in a heated and softened condition into a glass optical element of high precision.

Abstract: An EL display comprises a transparent substrate and a first electrode layer made of a transparent material disposed on the transparent substrate. A luminescent layer, a first insulation layer and a second electrode layer are disposed successively on a surface of the first electrode layer except for a preselected surface portion thereof defining an exposed portion. A second insulation layer is disposed on a surface of the second electrode layer except for a preselected surface portion thereof defining an exposed portion. A first contact layer is disposed on the exposed portion of the second electrode layer for electrical connection to an external driving control circuit. A second contact layer is disposed on the second insulation layer for electrical connection to the exposed portion of the first electrode layer and to the external driving control circuit.

Abstract: A mold base kit including plural plates having alignment bores for receiving guide dowels for accurately aligning the plates with respect to one another as a mold frame is assembled from the kit. Each guide dowel includes a hollow, cylindrical sleeve sized to fit snugly in the alignment bores of adjacent, abutting plates and also includes an abutment member extending radially outwardly of the guide dowel sleeve intermediate its ends which prevents the guide dowel from moving a substantial distance along an alignment bore. The abutment member may be formed by a circular piece of spring wire which extends through an arc of more than 180.degree. around the outside of the dowel sleeve, and preferably approximately 270.degree. around the sleeve. Because the retainer clip extends less than completely around the sleeve, its ends can readily be spread apart for assembly of the retainer clip onto the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of constructing a stub shaft for conveyor pulleys, comprising forming an annular exterior periphery on an inward portion of a shaft member. Forming an annular ring with a complimentary interior peripheral surface having substantially the same dimensions as at least a portion of the annular exterior periphery of the shaft. Placing the annular ring over the shaft wherein the formed interior peripheral surface of the annular ring is in abutment with the formed annular exterior periphery of the shaft. Machining the inner side of the annular ring to be complementary to the outer side of the hub. Machining the exterior periphery of the inward portion of the shaft to a reduced diameter thereby forming an inwardly facing shoulder thereon flush with the machined inner side of the annular ring, and wherein the reduced diameter is substantially the same diameter as the opening in the hub.

Abstract: A cam actuated valve method and apparatus utilize an electronically controlled stepper motor driving a cam. A diaphragm type low flow, high accuracy diaphragm valve is positioned off axis with respect to the cam. A transmission translates linear motion of the cam to the valve diaphragm. High accuracy is maintained because the transmission is preloaded by pressure within the valve and the valve diaphragm.