Abstract: A cylindrical luminaire is provided whose components align easily, for quicker assembly, despite the lack of intrinsic preferred relative orientation in circular components. Circular end plates affixed in a desired alignment to the end of an elongated reflector have notches for alignment of a part-cylindrical cover and slots or pivotal brackets to receive a baffle. The reflector, cover and baffle are accordingly assembled in proper alignment. The baffle can be an optical baffle to alter the aesthetic appearance of the luminaire.

Abstract: A network for multi-bit word parallel communication between optoelectronic chips on a two dimensional array of optical input and output channels carried on a single dimension of optical fibers. Each bit of a word is carried on a different wavelength and the multiple wavelengths carrying a word are wavelength multiplexed onto a single optical fiber. Multiple fibers can be joined into a one dimensional array of fibers. A transceiver for transmitting and receiving along the optical data channels comprises an array of modulators powered by individual wavelength light beams, either from individual monochromatic light sources and a light beam from a single broadband light source made to pass through a diffraction grating. The modulators are positioned so that each modulator reflects a different wavelength light beam, thereby providing multiple optical channels. Alternatively, multiple wavelengths are generated from CMOS integrated light sources.

Abstract: A portable light tower including a frame, and an enclosure supported by the frame. The enclosure defines an enclosure interior having a hot zone, and includes a plurality of inlet apertures and a plurality of discharge apertures. A generator driven by an engine are located in the enclosure interior and the generator and engine emit a hot exhaust gas into the hot zone during operation. The light tower also includes an exhaust chamber located in said hot zone, said exhaust chamber having a floor panel and a fan mounted in said floor panel for drawing the hot gas into the chamber and out the discharge apertures. The chamber is adapted to prevent the backflow of hot gas into the enclosure interior. The tower also includes a unitary forklift and bail plate and at least two retention assemblies located along the exterior of the enclosure for maintaining an enclosure door in open and closed positions.

Abstract: A smart pixel array is disclosed wherein a single optical beam can be used to transmit information to and from each subarea or cell of the pixel array. An optical P-I-N diode with an intrinsic MQW region is present in each subarea, and the optical beam is oriented to impinge on the diode. A first transmission gate couples information to be transmitted to the diode during a transmit interval, and information received by the diode is coupled through a second transmission gate to a receiver circuit during a receive interval. A third transmission gate couples a reset potential to the diode during spacing intervals between the transmit and receive intervals.

Abstract: For use in a soliton optical pulse transmission system, an apparatus for, and method of, increasing a signal-to-noise ratio of the system. The apparatus includes: (1) a component for receiving a soliton and an accompanying background noise from the system and increasing a power density of the soliton and the accompanying background noise and (2) a saturable absorber, having a predetermined recombination rate, for receiving and absorbing a portion of the soliton and the accompanying background noise, the predetermined recombination rate causing the saturable absorber to absorb a lesser portion of the soliton than of the accompanying background noise, the component having increased the power density of the soliton and the accompanying background noise to increase a sensitivity of the saturable absorber, the apparatus thereby increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the system.

Abstract: A cylindrical luminaire is provided whose components align easily, for quicker assembly, despite the lack of intrinsic preferred relative orientation in circular components. Circular end plates affixed in a desired alignment to the end of an elongated reflector have slots to receive a baffle and notches for alignment of a part-cylindrical cover. The reflector, cover and baffle are thereby assembled in proper alignment.

Abstract: A universal track light mounting system for mounting luminaires or other components to track lighting tracks of different sizes. The system includes a universal track clamp having first and second brackets that mount around the outside of a track. One bracket engages the top and one side of the track while the other engages the top and one other side of the track. A clamp fastener adjustably interconnects the brackets. A third bracket may be provided to anchor the clamp fastener to one of the first and second brackets. The adjustable interconnection enables the universal track clamp to mount to tracks of different sizes. To accommodate luminaires of different sizes, the clamp has several attachment positions, which also provide a coarse adjustment of the width of the clamp. Because luminaires are mounted to the track by a clamp around the outside of the track, a separate power adapter is provided to connect the luminaire to power conductors inside the track.

Abstract: A small drip irrigation emitter that is capable of providing a constant flow rate over a wide range of high fluid line pressures. The emitter includes a small relatively soft flat flexible membrane, one side of which is in contact with the fluid of a drip irrigation line, and the other side of which is pressed against a flat surface having a perpendicular opening in it. A groove is provided on the surface leading from its edge to the opening, and a small open rounded preferably slotted area is provided in the opening where it meets the groove. As pressure is provided in the conduit line, the membrane is pressed against the opening and groove, limiting the amount of fluid that may escape across the groove and through the opening.

Abstract: An optical subsystem arrangement enables the electrical conductive or non-conductive bonding of an optical device to ferrules containing an optical fiber or to the optical fiber itself. In one embodiment, one or more contacts deposited on an end-face of the ferrule is bonded to one or more contacts on the optical component. Another embodiment is an opto/electrical connector for interconnecting an optical fiber through an optoelectronic component to one or more electrical facilities. Another arrangement enables the interconnecting of a plurality of optical devices to a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: A method for designing an integrated circuit having optical inputs and outputs includes the step of selecting an integrated circuit design which includes at least one circuit cell design for processing electric signals. The circuit cell design has a predetermined number of electric inputs and electric outputs. The integrated circuit design also includes a plurality of layers of metalization for providing electric coupling. After the electronic integrated circuit design is selected, a predetermined number of optical input devices are located on the circuit cell design in a first prearranged orientation. The predetermined number of optical input devices is no greater than the predetermined number of electric inputs to the circuit cell. Also after the electronic circuit design is selected, a predetermined number of optical output devices are located on the circuit cell design in a second prearranged orientation.

Abstract: A density controller provides for a continuous proportionate mixing of particles with a conveying airstream of a vacuum generator, which includes a hose having an intake nozzle end and an exhaust end. The density controller includes a substantially cylindrical main body having a first open end, which telescopically receives the intake nozzle end, and a second substantially closed end. An air inlet is formed between an outer surface of the intake nozzle end and an inner surface of the density controller main body. At least one opening is formed in the second substantially closed end of the density controller main body. The at least one opening has a total area ranging from 10% to 20% of the cross-sectional area of the intake nozzle end. At least one clearance member is located adjacent the closed second controller end and separates the nozzle and second controller ends by a fixed distance.

Abstract: A process for making low cost drip irrigation lines comprises molding a drip emitter having an elongated labyrinthine channel formed in the depth of the emitter body. Emitters of other configurations also can be used in the process. A plastic film is extruded and passed through a film die with an air injection tube at one end forming a plastic film bubble. At the bottom of the extruded plastic film bubble a pair of pressure rolls join opposite faces of the bubble to form a continuous unitary extruded plastic film sheet. The emitters are moved in series toward the nip of the pressure rolls and are inserted in sequence with their labyrinthine faces facing toward the hot bubble. The emitters are bonded to the extruded film sheet using the heat of extrusion, and the external sheet forms one face of the labyrinthine channel through each emitter.

Abstract: An adjustable elongated luminaire or elongated luminaire system, and a respective adjustable mount or mounting system therefor, that further minimizes dark spots in the lighting pattern, while allowing easy installation and adjustment, and providing a more effective braking mechanism, as compared to previously known systems, are provided. In a preferred embodiment, each luminaire has a hole at one end and a projecting stud at the other end. A mounting bracket for each end has a corresponding hole or stud. Where two adjacent luminaires meet in a luminaire system, the mounting bracket has a hole, and the stud of one luminaire extends through the hole in that mounting bracket as well as the hole in the adjacent luminaire. Brake mechanisms to lock one or more luminaires rotationally, and alignment mechanisms to lock multiple luminaires in a system into common alignment, can also be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for high-density optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) using a single optical source. An optical wavelength division multiplexer in accordance with the present invention includes an optical source providing an optical pulse signal. A wavelength splitter separates the optical pulse signal spectrum into a plurality of channel signals at different wavelengths such that each channel signal may be separately modulated or otherwise processed. A wavelength combiner then recombines the separately modulated channel signals to provide a high-density WDM optical signal particularly well-suited for use in optical circuit interconnection and optical communication network applications. The high-density single-source multiplexer of the present invention may also be conveniently adjusted to align channel signal wavelengths or to compensate for optical fiber dispersion.

Abstract: A portable collapsible tower including a frame, at least one stationary tower member fixed to the frame and at least one movable tower member movable along the exterior portion of the stationary tower member relative to the stationary member. A coupling, movably couples the stationary and movable tower members for movement along the exterior portions. At least one cable located along the exterior portions of the tower members, is used to extend and retract the tower members and a light or tool support bar. As the tension in the one or more cables is altered by a tension altering device, the support bar and tower members are moved between fully extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a bipolar optical signal to a unipolar optical signal includes first and second photodetectors electrically coupled in series for receiving the bipolar optical signal. An electro-absorption modulator such as a self-linearized modulator, for example, is electrically coupled to the photodetectors. The modulator serves to transmit therethrough a portion of the power of an optical beam in an amount proportional to the power of the bipolar optical signal to form a transmitted beam. A constant current source is provided for supplying a current that shifts the power of the optical beam transmitted through the modulator by a predetermined amount, thus forming the desired unipolar optical signal.