Abstract: A cable containing at least one optical fiber within a tube, a space between the optical fiber and the tube and a filling material at least partially filling the space. The filling material contains thermoplastic polymeric molecules which have bonded to form a three-dimensional network substantially throughout said filling material.

Abstract: A visual display device is provided for delivering a generated image, preferably combinable with environment light, to the eye of a user. The device is lightweight and compact but yields a high quality image. In one embodiment, a shroud protects from stray light and holds optical elements in desired alignment. In one embodiment an image generator is masked by at least two masks to provide for a high quality image without waste. In one embodiment, a removably mounted shield or activatable device and convert the apparatus from a see-through device to an immersion device and back again. In one embodiment, the device can be comfortably mounted to the user's head while still allowing for use of conventional eyeglasses. A tracker for outputting an indication of the orientation, attitude and/or position of a head-mounted display (HMD) may be provided.

Abstract: A fitting assembly for fluid and vapor connection comprising a first tube, a second tube and a ring. The first tube has a male member at the end of the first tube and a radially enlarged upset formed at a distance from the end of the first tube. The second tube has a hollow female body formed at the end of the second tube. The male member is received in the female body. The ring surrounds the female body. The ring has an axial bore with an innermost diameter smaller than the outermost diameter of the female body for deforming the female body radially inward. The innermost diameter of the axial bore is smaller than at least a portion of the upset of the first tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable has a jacket of flame retardant and ultraviolet stabilized plastic and meets the requirements for both outdoor and indoor use. The jacket has two longitudinal portions interconnected by an intermediate longitudinal portion of a thickness less than the thickness of the two portions. One of the two portions contains a longitudinally extending strength member of sufficient tensile strength to support the cable when the cable is suspended outdoors between relatively widely spaced supports. The other of the two portions has a longitudinally extending bore which contains at least one tightly buffered, longitudinally extending optical fiber and can also contain a flexible, longitudinally extending strength member. When the cable is suspended outdoors between support, the intermediate jacket portion has sufficient strength to prevent separation of the strength member portion from the optical fiber portion.

Abstract: A system and method for an auditory inner ear prosthesis. A strut connects the medial surface of the stape footplate with the wall of the saccule. The strut spans the 1.5 mm vestibule between the saccule and the stapes. The strut is a synthetic elastic connector constructed of biocompatible material such as sylastic. The strut converts eardrum or ossicle vibration into saccular stimulation. The saccule is a large otic receptor organ capable of coding sound, and plays a role in reptilian hearing. For human ears, the saccule is so isolated from the eardrum and related elements that sound stimulation is ineffective. The strut allows for better stimulation by direct coupling. In cases of deafness, the saccule can serve as an alternative ear.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable component, for example, an optical ribbon (20,22,24,26), individual optical fiber, fiber bundle, or a non-optical fiber component, having a radiation markable section, the radiation markable section including a radiation reactive ingredient compounded with a base matrix material, and methods for creating markings in the radiation markable section. When irradiated with a suitable radiation source, a photochemical reaction occurs that creates markings in the radiation markable section, so that the ribbon classification task may be done with ease and reliability, so that substantial physical damage to the layer by the radiation source is avoided. The marking of fiber optic cable components according to the present invention may, for example, be accomplished by a radiation source of the laser type.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the weight distribution on a vehicle includes measuring characteristic values of axles, comparing the measured values with expected values, and when the measured values differ from the expected values, sending warning signals that the vehicle may be experiencing a problem. The method of monitoring the weight distribution on a vehicle is used to determine the weight shift of cargo on the vehicle. The present invention allows the driver to check the weight distribution on the vehicle while operating the vehicle. Characteristic values include any value of the axles that are indicative an effect of weight on the vehicle. Such characteristic values may include acceleration, deceleration, stress, strain, and, of course, weight. Detectors measure the characteristic values on axles of a vehicle and send value signals to a control which receives the value signals, performs computations based on the measured values, and compares the computations with expected values of the axles.

Abstract: An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis including a signal generator to generate a first predetermined signal around a first predetermined perimeter and to generate a second predetermined signal around a second predetermined perimeter at least partially disposed within the first predetermined perimeter, at least one inhibitor disposed within the vehicle wheel to selectively engage and disengage the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis, a rotatable structure disposed within the vehicle wheel and cooperating with the at least one inhibitor for moving the at least one inhibitor between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the vehicle wheel, and a receiver disposed within the vehicle wheel to receive a first predetermined signal and second predetermined signal to activate the rotatable structure to move the at least one inhibitor between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

Abstract: The temperature-based differential lock control monitors the temperature of a differential lock in a vehicle driveline. Depending on the detected temperature, the differential lock is automatically disengaged to avoid potential damage to the differential lock. The control preferably includes a controller that records information regarding the detected temperature over time.

Abstract: A composite cable unit having an optical sub-unit including at least one optical fiber, and an electrical sub-unit including at least one electrical conductor for power or transmission. The optical and electrical sub-units are removably connected together by a common jacket material. The composite cable unit can be used singly or in, for example, fan-out or break-out cables.

Abstract: The Virtual Holter process involves obtaining a Holter recording by conventional means, then down loading that analog or digital data to a PC, then going on line via said PC through and ISP such as DSL, capable of large data transfer, through a USB to tie into a URL web address for a Central Computing Facility, then downloading the Holter data to said URL, then scanning and analyzing said downloaded data at said Central Facility in real time from the remote site, then choosing which alternative analysis sub programs need be run on the stored data, and finally tagging, storing and archiving the raw ECG data and patient demographics, along with results of the various analyses performed on that data in the Central Facility archives for future access.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing system including a multi-chamber module having vertically-stacked semiconductor wafer process chambers and a loadlock chamber dedicated to each semiconductor wafer process chamber. Each process chamber includes a chuck for holding a wafer during wafer processing. The multi-chamber modules may be oriented in a linear array. The system further includes an apparatus having a dual-wafer single-axis transfer arm including a monolithic arm pivotally mounted within said loadlock chamber about a single pivot axis. The apparatus is adapted to carry two wafers, one unprocessed and one processed, simultaneously between the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. A method utilizing the disclosed system is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a tire that is sealed to a rim. The tire is inflated with air to a desired pressure level via a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve stem with an elongated body having a central bore extending longitudinally through the body. A pressure sensor is mounted within the bore to measure the air pressure within the tire. A ball and plunger valve member is engagable and disengagable with a valve seat formed within the bore. A central tire inflation system uses the pressure sensor to monitor the tire pressure for each wheel on the vehicle. When the pressure sensor measures an air pressure in the tire that is below a desired level the central tire inflation system inflates the tire with air until the desired pressure is achieved.

Abstract: An optical article including at least one optical fiber and a printable layer connected to the optical fiber. The printable layer including randomly spaced printed ink shapes for avoiding or controlling optical attenuation. A method and an apparatus for making optical articles with the randomized ink shape spacings are also disclosed.

Abstract: An axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface is provided. The axle assembly has an axle housing with opposing ends and a wheel supported on each of the opposing ends for engagement with the surface. Each of the wheels is rotatable about a rotational axis. A rotatable load-bearing device is supported on the axle housing for engagement with the surface. The load-bearing device is arranged between the wheels and is rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes. By permitting the load-bearing devices to pivot about more that one axis, unlike a conventional wheel, wear caused by scrub may be reduced. In one embodiment, the load-bearing devices are swivel wheels that are pivotal about vertical and horizontal axe. In another embodiment, the load-bearing devices are load-bearing balls that are pivotal about an infinite number of axes.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for cable splice assemblies having two hinged cover members. The cover members are independently hingedly secured to a central spine. The spine, in turn, is affixed to a portion of the frame of the splice assembly. In operation, the cover members are opened outwardly to expose virtually all of the outer portion of the internal splice components. In the described embodiment, the cover members are secured to one another by clasp or buckle-type closures that engage complimentary tabs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to balance an open blade fan of the kind used with trucks, diesel engine driven generator sets, and the like. An apparatus is used to spin the fans and a vibration sensor senses vibrations and a light beam is used to indicate the location to attach a balancing weight. The fan is spun again and the vibrations measured and additional weights are attached at different specified locations until the measured vibrations are below a predetermined level. The fan includes a plastic body with integral, plastic fan blades which is attached to a central metal hub plate with configured weights attached to matching configured portions of the plastic body. The preferred weights are clips with barbs that pierce the plastic body. The metal hub plates are electrostatically painted to provide a uniformly thick coating with good adhesion.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to one of a plurality of stations (50, 52). The system comprises at least one diverter region (DR), and a diverter (16) arranged in the one of the at least one diverter regions. The diverter diverts the items transported by the conveyor in the first direction to one of the plurality of stations (50-1,2,3 and 52-1,2,3) adjacent said diverter that are spaced from one another in the first direction, when positioned in a diverter region of the conveyor, in response to a fire signal. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information (46) identifying one of the plurality of stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted.

Abstract: A hydraulic device to limit slip can be used in the vehicle's main differential and the vehicle's inter-axle differential. The device includes a cylinder body connected to an input shaft, pistons disposed within radial cylinder bores in the cylinder body, and a cam ring connected to the output shaft, and disposed adjacent the pistons. The cylinder body is generally ring-shaped and has at least one pair of cylinder bores connected by an orifice spaced radially around the cylinder body interior bore. One of the radial cylinder bores in the pair is filled with hydraulic fluid. One piston protrudes from its corresponding radial cylinder bore. The cam ring is also generally ring-shaped having one lobe around its outer circumference per radial cylinder bore pair. As the cylinder body rotates along with the input shaft, the pistons interact with the cam ring lobes. The lobe forces the protruding piston into its corresponding radial cylinder bore.