Abstract: A physic package for an atomic clock comprising: a block made of optical glass, a glass ceramic material or another suitable material that includes a plurality of faces on its exterior and a plurality of angled borings that serve as a vacuum chamber cavity, light paths and measurement bores; mirrors fixedly attached using a vacuum tight seal to the exterior of the block at certain locations where two light paths intersect; optically clear windows fixedly attached using a vacuum tight seal to the block's exterior over openings of the measurement bores and at one location where two light paths intersect; and fill tubes fixedly attached using a vacuum tight seal to the exterior of the block over the ends of the vacuum chamber cavity. This physics package design makes possible atomic clocks having reduced size and power consumption and capable of maintaining an ultra-high vacuum without active pumping.

Abstract: A physic package for an atomic clock comprising: a block made of optical glass, a glass ceramic material or another suitable material that includes a plurality of faces on its exterior and a plurality of angled borings that serve as a vacuum chamber cavity, light paths and measurement bores; mirrors fixedly attached using a vacuum tight seal to the exterior of the block at certain locations where two light paths intersect; optically clear windows fixedly attached using a vacuum tight seal to the block's exterior over openings of the measurement bores and at one location where two light paths intersect; and fill tubes fixedly attached using a vacuum tight seal to the exterior of the block over the ends of the vacuum chamber cavity. This physics package design makes possible atomic clocks having reduced size and power consumption and capable of maintaining an ultra-high vacuum without active pumping.

Abstract: A system and method for determining load weight status for a vehicle, such as a rail car, is provided. The system may include an acceleration sensor secured to the vehicle, and a processor. The acceleration sensor is operable to obtain a vibration input associated with the vehicle, and the processor is operable to determine the load weight status from the vibration input using time domain processing. The time domain processing may include performing a histogram analysis on the vibration input, applying a selective threshold detection scheme, and performing a multi-timeslot voting procedure, according to one embodiment.

Abstract: A multi-layer PZT comprises a plurality of stacked ceramic layers. The stack of ceramic layers includes a top ceramic layer on which negative and positive contacts for electrically coupling the PZT to external circuitry are formed. The stack of ceramic layers also includes at least one negatively poled ceramic layer having a negative conductive pattern formed thereon and at least one positively poled ceramic layer having a positive conductive pattern formed thereon. The PZT also includes a negative pattern interconnect for electrically connecting the negative contact and the negative conductive pattern and a positive pattern interconnect for electrically connecting the positive contact and the positive conductive pattern. The multi-layer PZT can be fabricated using a ceramic co-firing process.

Abstract: A multi-layer PZT comprises a plurality of stacked ceramic layers. The stack of ceramic layers includes a top ceramic layer on which negative and positive contacts for electrically coupling the PZT to external circuitry are formed. The stack of ceramic layers also includes at least one negatively poled ceramic layer having a negative conductive pattern formed thereon and at least one positively poled ceramic layer having a positive conductive pattern formed thereon. The PZT also includes a negative pattern interconnect for electrically connecting the negative contact and the negative conductive pattern and a positive pattern interconnect for electrically connecting the positive contact and the positive conductive pattern. The multi-layer PZT can be fabricated using a ceramic co-firing process.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch package and method of assembling the same with improved protection of the fibers and simple assembly. A fiber support device has passages that receive optic fibers and help align those fibers with respect to an optic switch component. In addition, the fibers that extend into the interior of the fiber support device are isolated from strains that may occur on the fibers that extend external to the fiber support device.

Abstract: A fiber optic switch package and method of assembling the same with improved protection of the fibers and simple assembly. A fiber support device has passages that receive optic fibers and help align those fibers with respect to an optic switch component. In addition, the fibers that extend into the interior of the fiber support device are isolated from strains that may occur on the fibers that extend external to the fiber support device.

Abstract: A photodiode is formed with an integral mask so as to be able to undesirable light. By forming the mask directly on the photodiode instead of etching the mask on a cover, or placing a mask on the cover, misalignment problems can be avoided.

Abstract: A sensor mount for mounting a sensor to a substrate having a support member, a substrate attachment surface, and a sensor attachment surface. The support member can be attached to the substrate at the substrate attachment surface and the sensor can be attached to the support member at the sensor attachment surface. The sensor mount is shaped so an oblique angle is formed between the plane that includes the substrate attachment surface and the plane that includes the sensor attachment surfaces. Preferably, the support member has a wedge shape.