Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: A fibre optic data network comprises a plurality of optical fibres and a plurality of coupling devices associated with the fibres to couple them optically into the network configuration, each coupling device comprising means to hold an intermediate portion of a first fibre and to conform it to a predetermined path which executes a bend having a radius of curvature sufficiently small to cause some of any light flowing through the first fibre to leak from the cladding around the outer edge of the bend, and means to hold at least one further fibre with a light receptive portion positioned to receive at least a portion of the light leaking from the cladding around the outer edge of the bend. The couplings can be made in a non-invasive manner with even the cladding of the first fibre remaining intact. This enables networks to be restructured readily without signal degradation, and even allows some data bus configurations to be coupled to without interruption of service to other users.

Abstract: A non-invasive optical coupling device comprises means to hold an optical fibre while bending it with a radius of curvature sufficiently small to cause light to leak through the cladding, and means to hold a tap fibre in a predetermined position to receive at least a portion of the light leaking from the main fibre. This device enables light sources, sensors and various other optical communications devices to be connected via tap fibres to ring main fibres and data buses, without degradation of the fibres to which the tap fibres are connected.

Abstract: A stockpile drum reclaiming machine is operable in either direction has a twelve faced drum carried on a gantry provided with wheeled bogies running on rails over the length of the stockpile. The faces are arranged in pairs each pair with an interior angle of 165.degree. and a T-section member positioned externally along the arris to form opposed blind pockets during reclaiming, the drum may be rotated and moved in either direction and alternative transfer conveyors carried on an arcuate beam rotatable through a restricted arc are positionable to receive reclaimed material thrown clear of the drum after having been carried over in the appropriate pockets. Oscillatable luffable harrows are provided to each side of the drum and are positionable to engage the stockpile being reclaimed.