Abstract: The present invention includes optical coatings containing ultraviolet curable monomers employing a bromine substituted fluorene structure. The fluorene backbone of the monomers of the present invention may also be functionalized with one or more polymerizable or reactive functionalities, and most readily at the 9 position. Compositions of the present invention include the reactive bromosubstituted fluorenes combined with inorganic nanoparticles, particularly nanoparticles with reactive surface modifiers exhibiting polymerizable functionality. Reactive high index nanoparticles such as surface modified zirconia are contemplated.

Abstract: An economic, optically transmissive, stain and ink repellent, durable low refractive index fluoropolymer composition for use in an antireflection film or coupled to an optical display. In one aspect of the invention, the composition is formed from the reaction product of a fluoropolymer, a C?C double bond group containing silane ester agent, and an optional multi-olefinic crosslinker. In another aspect of the invention, the composition further includes surface modified inorganic nanoparticles. In another aspect, the multi-olefinic crosslinker is an alkoxysilyl-containing multi-olefinic crosslinker.

Abstract: An economic, optically transmissive, stain and ink repellent, durable low refractive index fluoropolymer composition for use in an antireflection film or coupled to an optical display. In one aspect of the invention, the composition is formed from the reaction product of a fluoropolymer or reactive fluoropolymer, an amino silane ester coupling agent or ester equivalent, a multi-olefinic crosslinker, and optional surface modified inorganic particles or sol gel precursors.

Abstract: The present invention includes ultraviolet curable compositions preferably containing discrete, crystalline zirconia nanoparticles with reactive, or copolymerizable, surface modification, in a polymerizable monomer/oligomer resin mixture. It is believed that copolymerizable surface modification provides a functional group that enables the functionalized particle to co-polmerize with the reactive monomers, oligomers, and crosslinkers in the formulation. Relative to surface modifation of the nanoparticles, acrylate functionality is preferred over methacrylate functionality. On the other hand, methacrylate functionality is preferred over non-reactive, or nonpolymerizable, functionality. As the nanocomposite cures, the resultant network is heavily crosslinked by selection of raw materials with substantial acrylate functionality.

Abstract: A control device for a unit in a cascade connection of network units includes control logic which increments a count of active units and passes the count to the next control device. The count is initiated and terminated by an absence of control messages at the down port and up port respectively. The incremented count is passed up the cascade and a final count is passed down the cascade.

Abstract: For each metered flow in a network unit there is a memory entry which defines a time stamp and a rate parameter. When a packet in the respective flow arrives, the time of arrival is compared with the time stamp. If the time of arrival is before the time stamp the packet is discarded. If the packet arrives after the date stamp, it is allowed to proceed and a new time stamp is computed in accordance with the rate parameter. One exemplary computation adds to the time stamp a time interval obtained by dividing the size of the packet by the rate parameter and preferably subtracting from the quotient the time interval between the arrival time and the previous time stamp.

Abstract: A resilient brace (7) has first and second attachment portions (9, 11) formed at either end and a resilient portion (13) located therebetween, the resilient portion comprising a plurality of planar sections (15) orientated in a corrugated manner. The attachment portions lie on the same plane on which a stress axis is also located. The planar sections (15) are angled relative to one another and to the attachment portions so that each planar section (15) extends laterally of the stress axis.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coding method for a sequence of elements that can be equal to at least two distinct values, the said elements forming at least one input symbol. According to the invention, this type of coding method comprises: a stretching step to stretch at least one of the said input symbols, to form a stretched symbol, such that the said stretched symbol does not have any successive transitions; a cancelling step to cancel the disparity of the said stretched symbol to form a coded symbol, such that the said coded symbol comprises approximately the same number of elements of each value.

Abstract: A log splitter which includes an elongated frame which defines a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. A log splitting wedge secured to one end of the frame and a hydraulic cylinder and ram/piston secured to the other end of the frame. The ram/piston being movable toward and away from the wedge. The reservoir includes an inlet and outlet and a discharge tube associated with the inlet having a length effective to discharge incoming fluid into the reservoir at a position remote from the inlet. A log splitter and arm for mounting the splitter to a vehicle having a hitch style receiver secured to the rear of the vehicle. The splitter has a substantially linear working action. The mounting system includes an elongated arm for securement to the receiver in a cantilever fashion. The splitter is adapted to be secured to the arm and be supported above the ground. The splitter's linear working action is substantially normal to the vehicle's direction of movement and the support arm.

Abstract: A log splitter which includes an elongated frame which defines a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. A log splitting wedge secured to one end of the frame and a hydraulic cylinder and ram/piston secured to the other end of the frame. The ram/piston being movable toward and away from the wedge. The reservoir includes an inlet and outlet and a discharge tube associated with the inlet having a length effective to discharge incoming fluid into the reservoir at a position remote from the inlet. The elongated tube may be associated with the reservoir outlet so as to draw fluid from the reservoir and thus maximize flow from the reservoir even if the reservoir, or log splitter is in a tipped position. A log splitter and arm for mounting the splitter to a vehicle having a hitch style receiver secured to the rear of the vehicle. The splitter has a substantially linear working action. The mounting system includes an elongated arm for securement to the receiver in a cantilever fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates to display and protective articles having a fluorochemical surface layer, and methods of making such articles. The invention also relates to fluoropolyether acrylate compositions.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) having a phase mask that is provided as an internal component thereof. The phase mask can be provided as a multilevel surface of relatively higher index of refraction material on an inner surface of a transmissive cover window or as a separate transmissive window between the cover window and the pixels of the SLM. If the phase mask is to be used with a liquid crystal SLM, then it may be desirable to planarize the surface of the cover window contacting the liquid crystal by providing a layer of relatively lower index of refraction material adjacent the multilevel surface. The phase mask can also be provided on the transmissive cover window by patterned ion deposition, exposing patterned light to a photopolymeric material, or in some other suitable fashion. Arranging for the pixel electrodes to be at one of multiple levels rather than lying in an exactly planar relationship can also effectively create the phase mask.

Abstract: An economic, optically transmissive, stain and ink repellent, durable low refractive index fluoropolymer composition for use in an antireflection film or coupled to an optical display. In one aspect of the invention, the composition is formed from the reaction product of a fluoropolymer and a fluoroalkyl containing multi-olefinic crosslinker. In another aspect of the invention, the composition further includes surface modified inorganic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A curable coating composition that may be converted to a cured coating for an optical fiber during a continuous fiber coating process. The curable coating composition comprises an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, an alkenyl functional polysiloxane, and an ultraviolet radiation absorbing hydrosilation photocatalyst in an amount for crosslink formation between the organohydrogenpolysiloxane and the alkenyl functional polysiloxane. The curable coating composition crosslinks under the influence of ultraviolet radiation to provide a cured coating having a high level of transparency to ultraviolet radiation. Application of heat to the curable coating composition accelerates the rate of cured coating formation. The high level of transparency of the cured coating allows from about 70% to about 99% of radiation of wavelengths from about 240 nm to about 275 nm to pass through the coating for writing a refractive index grating to produce an optical fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating a current pair Ip, Im where the ratio of the pair is exponentially related to a control signal, and where either Ip or Im is greater than or less than a minimum or maximum value includes a feedback correction circuit used to sense the value of Im or Ip. The correction circuit supplies a boost current Iboost when the sensed value of Ip or Im is less than or greater than the minimum or maximum value. Iboost is preferably maintained proportional to the difference of the desired value and Ip or Im.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed is provided. The tailgate is able to alternatively pivot about (1) an axis generally parallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate for movement between a closed position and a folded-open position and (2) an axis generally parallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate for movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. The tailgate assembly includes a stamped sheet metal frame having a reinforced cross-sectional shape with an inner side facing an associated vehicle's load-carrying bed and an outer side opposite the inner side. The tailgate assembly further includes a skin attached to the outer side of the frame.

Abstract: A system for electrostatically measuring the shape or pattern of objects comprising an array of sensor devices having the capability of responding, due to variable electrostatic coupling, to produce differentiated output signals when a sensor element forming part of each device is present and when it is not.

Abstract: The invention provides an Enzyme Blend comprising a DNA polymerase and a DNA repair enzyme. Methods and kits for amplification of DNA that is damaged, undamaged, or suspected of being damaged are also provided.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for compressing and decompressing image data. In an embodiment, a color cell is compressed by: defining at least four luminance levels of the color cell; generating a bitmask for the color cell, the bitmask having a plurality of entries each corresponding to a respective one of the pixels, each of the entries for storing data identifying one of the luminance levels associated with a corresponding one of the pixels; calculating a first average color of pixels associated with a first one of the luminance levels; calculating a second average color of pixels associated with a second one of the luminance levels; and storing the bitmask in association with the first average color and the second average color.

Abstract: A stackable network unit comprises a ‘down’ port and an ‘up’ port, an arbitration path for data packets from the down port to the up port, a repeat path for data packets from the up port to the down port, a link detector for detecting tile absence of another operative unit connected to the down port to cause data packets on the return pat to bypass the down port and proceed on the arbitration path and for detecting the absence of another operative unit connected to the up port to cause data packets on the arbitration path to bypass the up port and proceed on the repeat path.