Abstract: A method of transmitting an optical communications signal, comprising receiving a first signal, encoding the signal with a differential or duobinary encoding scheme, encoding the signal with an oscillating signal component, and sub-carrier modulating the signal onto a sub-carrier of an optical carrier signal. The invention also relates to corresponding systems and apparatuses.

Abstract: An optical system with a first and second network tiers. The first network tier includes a plurality of major nodes optically interconnected by at least one transmission path. The second network tier includes a plurality of minor nodes disposed along the transmission path and the minor nodes are connected to at least one of the major nodes. The minor node is configured to transmit all traffic to an adjacent major node, and the major nodes are configured to transmit to and receive information from other major nodes and minor nodes on transmission paths connected to the major node.

Abstract: A toilet stool ventilation system for extracting objectionable and obnoxious odors from the toilet stool to the outside. The toilet stool ventilation system includes a vent member including a vent housing having an opening therein and being adapted to be fastenably disposed between a toilet bowl and a toilet seat with hook and loop fasteners and with the vent housing also including a hose adapter extending through a wall of the vent housing and extending outwardly thereof; and also includes a flexible tubular member having a first end and a second end which is removably and securely fastened to the hose adapter of the vent housing and also having a bore extending therethrough; and further includes an odor extracting assembly for extracting odors from a toilet stool through the vent member and the flexible tubular member.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods of producing non-human transgenic mammals which produce various oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates in their milk. Additionally, the subject invention relates to the mammals themselves, the milk which they produce, compositions comprising the milk, fractions of the milk, and the purified oligosaccharides, as well as glyconjugates, present in the milk.

Abstract: A control method is provided by which a laser output can be controlled through the use of a signal provided by a photodiode that receives a reflected ratio of the laser output signal. A time varying signal is added to the low magnitude portions of an electrical data input signal to the laser. This first electrical monitoring signal, which is essentially an average output from the photodiode because of its frequency response, is then passed through a low pass filter to provide a second electrical monitoring signal. The first electrical monitoring signal is multiplied by a time varying signal to provide a third electrical monitoring signal. The time varying signal, which can be a sinusoidal waveform, is added to the low magnitude portions of an electrical input signal provided to the laser. The third electrical monitoring signal is averaged over time by a low pass filter to provide a fourth electrical monitoring signal.

Abstract: A metal oxide electrode which uses no additives and only a small amount of a non-film forming binder are capable of discharging at very high current density with near complete utilization of the active material. Oxides of silver and copper are used because the reaction products are more conductive than the conductivity of the reactants.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for causing a change in the physical condition of an optical fiber in order to analyze the effects of modal noise on a communication system in which the optical fiber is used. One method for performing the physical change is to flex the fiber in a flexing station that comprises two clamps that are attached to generally opposite sides of a multiple turn loop of optical fiber that is twisted to form a figure-eight pattern. The two clamps are moved away from each other and toward each other to flex the optical fiber by twisting, compressing and expanding it. A second means for changing the condition of the optical fiber is to provide an optical attenuation block that is designed to hold opposite termini of the optical fiber at a discontinuity formed therein. Two halves of the block are configured to be movable relative to each other in response to threaded members passing through selective portions of the block.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for causing a change in the physical condition of an optical fiber in order to analyze the effects of modal noise on a communication system in which the optical fiber is used. One method for performing the physical change is to flex the fiber in a flexing station that comprises two clamps that are attached to generally opposite sides of a multiple turn loop of optical fiber that is twisted to form a figure-eight pattern. The two clamps are moved away from each other and toward each other to flex the optical fiber by twisting, compressing and expanding it. A second means for changing the condition of the optical fiber is to provide an optical attenuation block that is designed to hold opposite termini of the optical fiber at a discontinuity formed therein. Two halves of the block are configured to be movable relative to each other in response to threaded members passing through selective portions of the block.

Abstract: A laser monitor is provided with a light sensitive component disposed near the laser and spaced apart from two windows that are generally parallel to each other. The two windows are located at positions which provide compensating reflective light beams whose power reflected back onto the light sensitive component combine to provide a relatively constant sum over a finite range of magnitudes of divergences of the laser beam. The nearest window to the light sensitive component reflects a light beam with a generally circular illuminated region having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the light sensitive component. The farther window reflects a light beam onto the light sensitive component with a diameter that is larger than the light sensitive component.

Abstract: Optical energy at a predetermined frequency or narrow band of frequencies is tapped from an optical fibre by causing spatially periodic deformation of the fibre such as to produce coupling of optical energy between modes of the fibre, for example between the core and cladding of a single mode fibre, at the predetermined frequency and removing the optical energy at the predetermined frequency, for example by means of a cladding mode tap for a single mode fibre. If the deformation means includes a mechanical grating then tuning of the coupling frequency can be achieved by changing the relative orientation (O) of the fibre and the grating.

Abstract: A reserve battery cell which includes a battery cell housing, an anode and cathode collector, and a reservoir housing which includes a quantity of electrolyte which, when applied to the anode and cathode collector, cause the battery to generate an electric current through an external load. Burst discs are located proximate the extremities of the reservoir housing. The upstream burst disc is capable of rupturing upon the application of sufficient externally applied pressure while the downstream burst disc is capable of rupturing upon the application of sufficient hydraulic pressure exerted thereon by the electrolyte. The piston is located within the reservoir housing which establishes the upstream boundary of the electrolyte and which is capable of traveling down the reservoir housing upon the application of an externally applied pressure and which is characterized as preventing electrolyte from leaking around the piston and any substantial amount of gas from entering the electrolyte through the piston body.

Abstract: A consumable metal anode which is used in refuelable electrochemical cells and wherein at least a peripheral edge portion of the anode is protected against a corrosive alkaline environment of the cell by the application of a thin metal coating, the coating being formed of metals such as nickel, silver, and gold.

Abstract: Plaster of Paris bandages with controlled set, wettability and bonding are made from aqueous slurries exhibiting synergism in set-inhibition between solutions of ammonia, dextrin and casein.

Abstract: Zinc oxide and weak unpolymerized and polymerized acids when mixed in the presence of water form adhesives that quickly set to firm, hard cements that are especially useful in dentistry and surgery. Mixtures of ZnO and solid such acids can be provided but must be exceptionally dry and be so maintained in order to have satisfactory shelf life.

Abstract: New types of fast setting zinc oxide-polycarboxylic acid adhesive cements are disclosed as well as certain improved products the use of these cements makes possible.

Abstract: New types of fast setting zinc oxide-polycarboxylic acid adhesive cements are disclosed as well as certain improved products the use of these cements makes possible.Certain new types of cement have been disclosed by Dennis Clifford Smith (British Pat. No. 1,139,430, Jan. 8, 1969) and by Alan Donald Wilson and Brian Ernest Kent (British Pat. No. 1,316,129, May 9, 1973). These cements were designed for dental use. The former involves the reaction of ZnO with 40-60% aqueous polyacrylic acid of molecular-weight 15000-150000. (I have discovered that polymethacrylic acid is substantially the equivalent of polyacrylic acid in these cements.) The polyacrylic acid solution is relatively expensive. The latter cement involves a high temperature fusion as well as the polyacrylic acid. While these products are undoubtedly excellent for dental use and such use can tolerate their high cost, certain of my uses require a much cheaper product and also a dry, powdery solid acid that is quick to dissolve.

Abstract: Minimal proportions of hydrolyzed polyvinyl esters are effective bonding agents in plaster of Paris bandages.