Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the parallel blade slope angle of a blade in order to maintain a desired cross slope during normal operation of a motorgrader regardless of whether the motorgrader is turning, the front wheels are side-tilted or the blade supporting A-frame is side-shifted. The present invention controls the cross slope angle cut by the blade of a motorgrader by substantially continuously sensing the perpendicular slope angle of the blade by means of a slope sensor and the angle of rotation of the blade relative to the direction of the travel by means of a noncontact sensor. The sensed angles are used to calculate the parallel slope angle of the blade relative to horizontal which is required to maintain a desired cross slope angle. The parallel slope angle is sensed by means of the slope sensor and controlled such that it is maintained substantially equal to the calculated parallel slope angle to thereby define the desired cross slope angle set by an operator.

Abstract: An automatic plumb, level and pointing tool uses a visible laser diode to project a beam in any of three different modes through a beam exit window. The tool, approximately the size and shape of a tape measure, can be placed on one edge to project a tilt-compensated vertical beam. Placed on another edge 90.degree.-rotated, the tool projects through the same exit window a tilt-compensated horizontal beam. When laid on either of its larger flat sides, the tilt compensation becomes inoperative and the tool projects a beam which is fixed relative to the housing. In a preferred embodiment, separate pendulous or cantilevered mirrors are used for vertical and horizontal tilt correction and are selected by the influence of gravity as the tool is laid on one edge or the other. In further described embodiments, two separate laser diodes may be used, or the laser tool may be intergrated with other tools such as a tape measure or a squaring tool.

Abstract: A position sensing system calculates the X-Y coordinates of a point using triangulation and determines the direction in which the point is moving. The triangulation calculation is based on the coordinates of at least three retroreflective elements spaced apart from each other around the periphery of a two-dimensional coordinate frame, and the measured angles between the lines projected radially outward from the point to each of the retroreflective elements. The accuracy of the measured angles is achieved by using a rotating member supported by dedicated hardware and controlled by software. The member rotates with a beam of light generated by a light transmitting and detecting device positionable at the point. The light transmitting and detecting device receives the beam of light reflected back from the retroreflective elements and generates an output signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A disk, or heat web, is generally circularly shaped, and has a circumferential lip normal to the plane of the disk. A split ring, fabricated from a material having a low co-efficient of thermal expansion fits within the circumferential lip. A generally circularly shaped expansion member, made from a material having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, fits within the split ring. A suitable brazing material is placed between the split ring and the circumferential lip of the disk. The heat produced by the brazing process expands the split ring and allows it to be brazed into place when the assembly is placed on the inside of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a load to an etalon so as to enable the accurate tuning of desired frequencies or ranges of frequencies. The invention includes first and second optical surfaces separated and disposed highly parallel with respect to each other by an electric longitudinal spacer member. A biasing means applies a longitudinal load to the elastic longitudinal spacer member. The applied load is uniformly distributed throughout the spacer member by a longitudinal load distribution means, which is disposed between said biasing means and at least one of said optical surfaces. The distance, d, between the first and second optical surface is directly proportional to the load applied by the biasing means. The load may be varied, in one embodiment of the invention, using a bias adjustment means acting in mechanical cooperation with the biasing means.

Abstract: A computer program in the microcontroller of an ink jet printer-plotter counts the ink dots fired by the cartridge of the printer. The host system keeps the dot count in nonvolatile memory. When the number of dots corresponding to the nominal capacity of the cartridge has been fired, a message is printed by the printer reminding the operator to provide a fresh cartridge.

Abstract: An electrophoresis instrument includes a capillary tube mounted in an air cooled cartridge. The cartridge also supports a spherical lens which is part of the optical detection apparatus. The cartridge rests in a manifold which includes the sample and buffer reservoirs. The temperature of the capillary tube is controlled by measuring the electrical resistance of the capillary tube during the electrophoresis process and then cooling or heating the cartridge by circulating temperature controlled air over the tube. The optical path associated with the instrument is a fiber optic bundle bifurcated close to dual detectors into a reference arm and a sample arm so as to provide similar reference and sample optical paths. The instrument may be used for temperature control for gradient electrophoresis and also, a neutral marker for determining electro-osmotic flow may be detected.

Abstract: A diode laser pumped, solid state laser-based system and related method of operation for precision materials processing and machining is described. A component of the system is a diode laser pumped, q-switched, fiber-coupled, solid state laser which produces a pulsed beam having a pulse width of approximately 50 ns or less, which width is necessary for material removal by ablation. Other components of the system include an optical subsystem such as a microscope, a stepper-motor controlled workstation, an imaging subsystem such as a video camera coupled to a monitor, and control means such as a personal computer. The system can be operated in either a manual or an automatic mode.

Abstract: An improvement for a vacuum tube or a plasma tube comprises a cathode loop formed of a material suitable for induction heating. A support structure mounted inside the vacuum tube supports the cathode loop at a cathode position. A power supply mounted outside the vacuum tube includes an induction coil wrapped around the tube near the cathode position and generates an alternating electromagnetic field at the cathode position to induce heat in the cathode loop so that electrons are released into the vacuum tube. Finally, a DC bias is applied to the cathode through the support structure. The improved plasma tube with an induction heated cathode is particularly useful for an ion laser gain medium.

Abstract: Alignment of a birefringent device characterized by a first face and a second face cut at Brewster's angle so that a plane of polarization is defined. The optical device is secured in the optical path by a rotatable member having an axis of rotation that is normal to the Brewster faces of the optical device. Coupled with the rotatable member on the axis of rotation is a support allowing adjustment of the angular position about the axis of rotation of the rotatable member. An operator adjusts the angular position of the rotatable member until the C-axis lies in the plane of polarization. Even though the C-axis may not be parallel to the direction of polarization, the depolarization effects of the misalignment are eliminated by proper adjustment of the angular position relative to the plane of polarization. A tunable, solid state laser using the alignment apparatus with a birefringent filter achieves greater linear tuning range.

Abstract: An electrophoresis instrument includes a capillary tube mounted in an air cooled cartridge. The cartridge also supports a spherical lens which is part of the optical detection apparatus. The cartridge rests in a manifold which includes the sample and buffer reservoirs. The temperature of the capillary tube is controlled by measuring the electrical resistance of the capillary tube during the electrophoresis process and then cooling or heating the cartridge by circulating temperature controlled air over the tube. The optical path associated with the instrument is a fiber optic bundle bifurcated close to dual detectors into a reference arm and a sample arm so as to provide similar reference and sample optical paths. The instrument may be used for temperature control for gradient electrophoresis and also, a neutral marker for determining electro-osmotic flow may be automatically detected.

Abstract: A laser structure utilizes air cooling and RF induction excitation of a gaseous active medium. A means for exciting the active medium is provided including a switching power supply utilizing pulse width modulated switching to provide an RF energy output. The RF output is coupled to a tank circuit which comprises a capacitor, an inductor, and at least one coupling structure. A means for generating a magnetic field-along the axial length of the laser bore is provided and can comprise either permanent magnets or a DC source coupled to the coupling structure. The laser further includes means for dissipating heat from the laser bore by utilizing the coupling structures as convective cooling fins with forced air circulated thereabout.

Abstract: A system for displaying information concerning position of a light beam comprises a detector generating a first signal indicating position of the beam along a first dimension, and a second signal indicating position of the beam along a second dimension. A crossed dot bar graph display is coupled to receive the first and second signals. The crossed dot bar graph display includes a first linear array of indicators (LEDs) for indicating position along the first dimension, and a second linear array of indicators for indicating position along the second dimension. The first and second linear arrays intersect at a center indicator. One dot is displayed in the first array showing deviation in the first dimension. One dot is displayed in the second display showing deviation in the second dimension. When both dimensions are aligned to the center indicator, only the center indicator is activated. The system can be expanded to any number of dimensions.

Abstract: A heater/mixer device is disclosed for use with laboratory vials, test tubes, or similar containers containing liquids. The heater/mixer includes a chamber formed in a block of material such as aluminum, with an electric heating element in contact with the block. The vial fits loosely in the chamber. Compressed air passes into the chamber through an inlet in the block, so that the vial is revolved by a circular air flow in a vortex fashion. This revolving motion creates a vortex in the liquid inside the vial, and so mixes the liquid. The air circulation also improves heat transfer from the block to the vial.

Abstract: A window seal for a bar code laser scanner comprising a silicone foam gasket to form a flexible, soft, durable, compressible and hydrophobic seal between the bar code laser scanner chassis window and the top window on a bar code laser scanner.

Abstract: A Z-fold paper elongated guide having a width approximately the with of Z-fold computer paper is positioned at the exit of a platen/printer carriage interface in a keyboard-operated computer printer or integrator. The guide not only guides printed-on paper sheets to a printed-on paper storage bin or surface but allows Z-fold paper sheets to be hand directed forwardly toward the computer keyboard for floor storage of the paper in front of the printer. A pair of hump-like rails extend on the top surface of the guide to open up the angle of repose between adjacent Z-fold sheets when the sheets are being reversed in driven direction so as to be transported back through the platen/printer carriage interface. The rails are sloped upwardly in a rearward direction at about 13.degree. and extend to a position juxtaposed to but not touching a transverse rear tear edge of the guide.

Abstract: An electrophoresis instrument includes a capillary tube mounted in an air cooled cartridge. The cartridge also supports a spherical lens which is part of the optical detection apparatus. The cartridge rests in a manifold which includes the sample and buffer reservoirs. The temperature of the capillary tube is controlled by measuring the electrical resistance of the capillary tube during the electrophoresis process and then cooling or heating the cartridge by circulating temperature controlled air over the tube. The optical path associated with the instrument is a fiber optic bundle bifurcated close to dual detectors into a reference arm and a sample arm so as to provide similar reference and sample optical paths. The instrument may be used for temperature control for gradient electrophoresis and also, a neutral marker for determining electro-osmotic flow may be detected.