Abstract: An automatic isolator of blood plasma comprising a photosensor to detect the border between the blood plasma layer and that of the blood cells, which have been separated using a centrifugal machine and stored in a blood bag, and a solenoid to stop the transfer of the blood plasma from the blood bag through a tube, by pinching the tube when the border is detected by the photosensor.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup device of the type in which a photoconductive substance is formed as a photosensor on a scanning device consisting of charge-transfer elements or MOS matrix elements, light shielding means are provided in order to optically shield the boundaries or spacing between first electrodes each of which represents a picture element and which electrically couples between the scanning device and the photosensor, whereby a high resolution can be obtained and concurrently effects of blooming can be remarkably improved.

Abstract: A light beam scanning device in which a light beam is scanned over an image or recording surface at a constant velocity independent of beam position and disturbances in the drive to the system. A position detecting device produces a signal representing the position of the light beam over the surface with the light beam being scanned by an optical deflector device. A feedback loop such as a phase-locked loop controls the movement of the optical deflector in response to a signal produced by the position detecting device and a reference signal.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively monitoring suspended oils in water combining the technologies of reversed-phase liquid chromatography and fiber optics is shown. A specially treated optical fiber collects and concentrates suspended oils on its surface so that optical transmission through the fiber is related to the contaminant concentration. The transmitted light from a treated optical fiber is detected by a photodiode and photocurrent is passed through an amplifier to give an electronic signal. The electronic signal is either recorded or indicated or generates a control signal whereby the light signal is translated into a value that corresponds to the concentration of oils suspended in water. To be sensed by the sensor cell, the fluid containing suspended oils is brought from a storage means to a reservoir and forced through the sensor cell by fluid pressure.

Abstract: Marks on test answer sheets and the like are detected by scanning with fiber optic line-to-circle converter using a single photocell. Four to five rows of optical fibers each about 2 to about 3 mils thick make up the fiber optic line, and the fiber optic "circle" is an arc no greater than about 95% of a circle. Scanning can be compensated for flaws in the optics and for poor response when photocell begins scanning the arc. Sheets are fed in spaced sequence, the feed is deactuated momentarily and then reactuated in synchronism with the scanning. Electrically operated clutch-brake assembly with spring-carried clutch plate makes good synchronizer particularly when clutch is opened for not over 0.1 second and is closed by a current pulse at a voltage substantially greater than used for holding it closed.

Abstract: Every image point of an image of a sample formed by an optical objective, focussed by, for each image point, deriving a representation of the autocorrelation function of the brightness distribution of the image of that image point, deriving a representation of the average of the autocorrelation function of the brightness distribution of a plurality of image points in the region of that image point, deriving a representation constituting a function of the quotient formed by dividing the representation of the autocorrelation function for that image point by the representation of the average of the autocorrelation function, and varying the distance between the objective and the sample while iteratively performing the above steps of deriving for determining the distance at which the function of the quotient has a maximum value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a battery hydrometer for providing an analog electrical signal having a magnitude related to the specific gravity of a battery electrolyte. The hydrometer includes a source of radiation for providing a detectable beam of radiation and a piston member arranged to be submerged within the electrolyte and to intercept and modulate the beam of radiation in response to the specific gravity of the electrolyte. The piston member is suspended within the electrolyte by a spring which exerts a compressive force upon the piston member against which the electrolyte must act. The hydrometer further includes a radiation detector aligned with the radiation source for providing an analog electrical signal having a magnitude responsive to the modulated beam of radiation.

Abstract: The invention concerns the flow and measurement of divided solids in small diameter tubes at high pressures. A flow channel is drilled through a metal block. A second channel is drilled so that the second channel intersects the first channel at a right angle. A beam of light, sent through an optical fiber in the second channel, travels across the first channel and is received and recorded in the distal end of the extension of the second channel. Interruptions of the light beam, due to the passage of solids along the first channel, are translated into indications of the flow of the solids.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device wherein a MOS sensor is employed for a photosensor part, a CTD shift register is employed for a read-out circuit, first and second transfer gates are connected between vertical signal output lines and the CTD, and a reset gate is connected between a juncture of the first and second transfer gates and a reset voltage line. A method is adopted in which signal outputs of a plurality of rows are transferred to the CTD in a horizontal blanking period, and signals of a plurality of rows are simultaneously read out in a horizontal scanning period. At the signal transfer, bias charges are dumped into the vertical signal output lines from the CTD, and mixed charges consisting of the bias charges and signal charges are transferred to the CTD. Thereafter, the signals are read out.

Abstract: A vehicle height detecting device including a casing mounted on a body of a vehicle, a rotatable member rotatably disposed in the casing, a link arm connected with the rotatable member and with a member associated with a road wheel of the vehicle, and a detector provided in the casing for detecting the angular position of the rotatable member with respect to the casing. A retaining device is provided in the casing and is selectively engageable with the rotatable member at a predetermined angular position thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scanning system which utilizes a tilted lens array to image scan line segments onto an area array of detector units. Each line segment is imaged onto a multiple time integration segment which enhances effective exposure by integration of multiple scans for each line segment.

Abstract: For generation of a light beam having a narrow linewidth, an energy extraction beam of narrow linewidth, typically from a pulsed laser, is directed into a Raman medium having a large stimulated line. A second source, typically a pulsed laser, delivers a beam coaxial to the first in the medium. The frequency of the first beam is within the stimulated emission line of the medium induced by the second frequency and energy transfer occurs from the second to the first beam without substantial increase in the spectral linewidth.

Abstract: A multi-mode optical fiber is used to detect electrical currents or magnetic fields from a remote source. The optical fiber, which serves as the sensor, is composited with metal capable of conducting electricity. Optical radiation is introduced into the fiber from a source which may be either coherent or incoherent. An electrical current is applied to the portion of the electrically conducting optical fiber and a magnetic field is applied to the current-carrying optical fiber. A known value of one permits a determination of the presence or absence of the other through electromotive forces on a metallic conductor in a magnetic field, which are used to induce differential phase shifts (coherent optical radiation input) or losses (incoherent optical radiation input) between the fiber modes. These phase shifts or losses are detected by a suitable detector. For a magnetic field of 1 kGauss, good linearity is obtained in the 5 to 2,000 mA current range. Magnetic fields of about 0.

Abstract: A scanner for mechanically distinguishing light from dark areas of an image, having a light source 4, a collecting lens 7 directing light from the source to surface 11 of a total internal reflective block 62 (block 9 in FIG. 1). The top, parallel surface 13 reflects the light through a focusing, hemispherical condenser lens 17. Light reflected from area 21 on document 23 is collected by the center of lens 17, passes through notch 64 (an area of non-surface 15 in block 9 in FIG. 1), and then through an objective lens 27, from which it is focused on phototransistor 29. The scanner functions well without precise positioning of document.

Abstract: Frequency conversion, particularly tripling of coherent radiation of high intensity laser beams in the red or infrared (approximately 1.06 micrometers), is obtained at high efficiencies by operating a nonlinear optical element, such as a nonlinear crystal, at an efficiency of conversion to a first frequency that results in optimal input to the same or another non-linear optical element for efficient conversion to a second frequency over a wide range of input beam intensities. An input beam from a Nd:glass laser operating at about 1.06 micrometers can be converted to a high quality output beam of triple the frequency, about 0.35 micrometers, with an overall conversion efficiency in excess of 75%.

Abstract: A process for producing thermally isolated semiconductor die and die produced by the process, plus improved apparatus using the die are disclosed. The process generally comprises the steps of: forming a desired semiconductor component or circuit in a semiconductor wafer (preferably a silicon wafer of <100> crystal orientation) having a protective layer (SiO.sub.

Abstract: A spark plug for internal combustion engines includes at least a part of communicating holes each having one end opened in the vicinity of a packing and the other end opened to an engine combustion chamber, whereby the propagation of the flame into the space defined by the outer surface of an insulator leg, the inner surface of a metal plug body and the packing is prevented.

Abstract: A sample detector is comprised of a first group of optical fibers having exit end surfaces arranged in the direction perpendicular to the shifting direction of the carrier, a second group of optical fibers having entrance end surfaces arranged opposite said exit end surfaces of the first group of optical fibers, a plural number of light emitting diodes arranged in the vicinity of the entrance end surfaces of the first group of optical fibers, a single photo detector element arranged in the vicinity of the exit end surfaces of the second group of optical fibers and a preamplifier connected to the output side of said photo detector element. Said sample detector is adapted in such a manner that the light emitting diodes are caused to glow consecutively, the light, having passed through the first group of optical fibers the carrier and the second group of optical fibers, is received by said photo-detector element, subjected to photoelectric conversion and amplified by said preamplifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reusable microfocus X-ray tube adapted to generate a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam. The X-ray tube comprises means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam, a target anode, and means for causing relative movement of the electron beam and the target anode such that the electron beam and the target anode are stationary relative to each other during production of the X-rays but a fresh portion of the surface of the target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used. The X-ray tube includes (a) means for collecting charged particles boiled off the target anode by the electron beam, (b) means for increasing the quantity of electricity delivered to the heater cathode, (c) means for counting the number of times the X-ray tube is used, and (d) means for generating a signal when the X-ray tube has been used a first predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring stress, temperature, pressure, sound, etc. comprising an optical waveguide, preferably an optical fiber waveguide, a light source which injects light into one end of the waveguide, a deformer contacting and deforming the waveguide to cause light to couple from originally excited modes to other modes, and an optical detector to detect the change in light coupling caused by deformation of the waveguide.