Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.

Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.

Abstract: Network channel access protocol is disclosed. More particularly, a distributed, locally determined, channel access protocol that adapts to load, avoids interference and controls access by a group of nodes to a set of shared channels is disclosed. Shared channel space is divided into a number of communication slots that are repeated at a predetermined interval. Permission to use a slot to communicate between any two nodes is dynamically adjusted by the channel access protocol, which locally: (i) estimates load to neighboring nodes; (ii) allocates or deallocates slot usage to adapt to load and avoid interference; and (iii) asserts and advertises slot usage within an interference area about itself.

Abstract: A high density optical fiber array assembly and assembly method includes a housing securing a front array mask etched with extreme precision to define openings arranged in a predetermined pattern. A series of guide plates form a series of fiber guide channels that align with the mask openings, which plates are stacked within the housing so that the bottom of one acts as a cover for the channels of another. Fibers can be tool inserted along the channels as one group, such as a row of fibers, or manually inserted and advanced sequentially. Alternately, the mask and guide plate stack are mounted to and within a mounting block and the mounting block assembly inserted into the assembly housing substantially all remaining voids in the housing are filled with bonding material.

Abstract: A method using irradiation of surfaces 12A of substrates (12) with ultra violet light to remove a parting agent is described. The light can be pulsed or continuous. The treated surfaces are more paintable and bondable. The treated molds prevent the introduction of surface inhomogeneities caused by the parting agent.

Abstract: A system of making high density optical fiber arrays that includes securing the optical fiber ends in the housing front mask openings, then lapping the fiber ends and front mask forward surface to angle the fiber end front surfaces so that reflected wave energy does not interfere with optical signal data when transmitted during use. The opening pattern is preferably 2×2 to 128×128 or higher. Several alternate lap tool designs are disclosed including translational and rotating laps formed from solid bodies or a series of stacked plates. Standard slurry grinding and polishing compounds can be applied as desired. If a layer of epoxy originally covers the mask front face, it is removed by the lap tool as the fiber ends are lapped.

Abstract: An improved method of bonding a layer of material to a substrate is provided in which a laser beam is used to generate heat in a local area on the composite. The heat from the laser beam activates an adhesive to bond the layer to the substrate. Alternatively, the heat from the laser beam locally melts either or both of the substrate and the layer to create the bond. When the bond is created along a closed path, the heat from the laser may also cause the layer to puff away from the substrate. The invention can be used for a variety of purposes such as creating decorative features on greeting cards to give them a novel look and feel.

Abstract: The memories product generation system provides a customer with the capability to input and edit various memories materials for use in generating memories products. The customer also defines at least one topic that is used to organize the received memories materials and at least one “story”, which consists of a recipient's point of view of or interest in the memories materials. The memories product generation system then automatically organizes the received memories materials and integrates these materials with finishing touches, such as: background, borders, captions, titles, sentiments, dates, additional materials, animation, and the like. The memories product generation system identifies the various memories products that can be generated from the received memories materials and the customer can preview and edit these memories products prior to purchasing these memories products, each of which can be customized to correspond to the interests of a selected recipient.

Abstract: A process using ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 160 to 500 nanometers without higher wavelengths and a high intensity between about 1 and 40 watts/cm2 to surface treat a carbon containing fiber is described. The treated fiber contains an enhanced amount of oxygen on the surface which significantly improves the bondability of the fiber in composites.

Abstract: A container system for storing and transporting sensitive components such as semiconductor chips is disclosed. The container system includes in combination, a housing and a plurality of component carriers for receiving components to be stored and transported in stacked banks. The plurality of component carriers are stacked one on top of the other in a top-to-bottom stacked arrangement within the housing. An underside bottom surface of a first component carrier provides a top cover to a second component carrier positioned immediately below the first component carrier, wherein a component carrier includes a compartmental core for storing components on a top surface thereof in segmented row compartments, each segmented row compartment having sidewall surfaces and a bottom surface.

Abstract: A simulator device for simulating the signature characteristics of a vehicle is provided which has a support structure to operably support a door assembly of a vehicle. A door actuating assembly is adjustably mounted to the support structure to operate the vehicle door assembly systems. The simulator device thereby cyclic tests the door assembly without the need for the door assembly to be installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: An optical fiber array connector in which the tolerance of the diameter of the mask openings are not factors in the overall positioning of the plurality of fibers. The array includes a mask element with rear and forward surfaces and a plurality of openings that communicate through these surfaces. A plurality of optical fibers include fiber ends having substantially truncated conical side surfaces that extend through the openings and engage the portions of the mask openings nearest the mask rear surface. A method includes preparing the fibers to form a conical surface at their distal ends, preparing the openings in the primary mask each with a diameter less than the diameter of the fiber cladding or second layer, inserting the conical fiber ends until the conical surfaces engage the mask opening walls, applying bonding material to the mask forward surface and exposed tips, grinding and polishing the exposed tips and bonding material surface to truncate the cones and expose the fiber core diameters.

Abstract: A process of merging an original drawing file and at least one updated or modified drawing file based on the original drawing file to produce a common or merged drawing file. The original drawing file and the updated drawing file are first stored in a storage medium and then merged. The entities of the original and updated drawings are then compared for duplicate entities and modified entities. Entities of the original drawing that are duplicated in the updated drawing are automatically removed. Entities of the original drawing that have been modified in the updated drawing are also automatically removed.

Abstract: A process of merging an original drawing file and at least one updated or modified drawing file based on the original drawing file to produce a common or merged drawing file. The original drawing file and the updated drawing file are first stored in a storage medium and then merged. The entities of the original and updated drawings are then compared for duplicate entities and modified entities. Entities of the original drawing that are duplicated in the updated drawing are automatically removed. Entities of the original drawing that have been modified in the updated drawing are also automatically removed.

Abstract: A unitary composite stator vane for a gas turbine engine comprising an aerodynamically configured airfoil section, a foot extending substantially perpendicularly from one end of the airfoil section, and a smoothly contoured transition section interconnecting the airfoil section with the foot. The stator vane is comprised of a composite material including a plurality of compression molded, heat cured plies. The plies include a plurality of centrally located internal plies of reinforcement material of continuous yarns of para-aramid fibers. On each side of the internal plies are plies of resin impregnated graphite fiber material. The graphite fibers are protected by an external steel wire mesh ply covering the leading edges of the vanes. Substantially all of the internal para-aramid reinforcement fibers are discontinuous proximate the transition section between the airfoil section and foot.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine has a disc with dovetail grooves and a plurality of blades with dovetail roots contoured to be received within the grooves. The inner surface of a flexible, high temperature, low compression set seal is bonded to the inner surface of each root portion. The outer surface of the seal has two portions inclined at an angle and spaced apart to define a surface portion for sealingly contacting the base of the groove. The longitudinal edges of the outer surface are curved to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A radio broadcasting system for a composite signal consisting of a frequency modulated (fm) analog signal and a multicarrier modulated digital signal is provided which is resistive to multipath degradation. The fm signal and the digital multicarrier modulated signal are fully coherent. The digital signal uses a plurality of carriers having a maximum amplitude at least 20 dB below the unmodulated fm signal. The multicarrier modulated signal is phase locked to a recovered analog fm pilot tone in the composite baseband spectrum of the fm signal which is at least 20 dB above the multicarrier modulated signal, which enables rapid and reliable acquisition of signal for coherent detection. In a specific embodiment the multicarrier modulated signal is a synthesized vector-modulated signal which is a quadrature phase shift keyed (QPSK) modulated set of synthesized carriers each occupying 9.5 kHz of spectrum replicated twenty-one times within a 199.5 kHz bandwidth with no more than two bits per vector.

Abstract: A spring retainer (10) for a poppet valve (18) which is biased by a valve spring (16) and a method of assembling the spring retainer (10) the poppet valve (18) and a valve spring (16). The spring retainer (10) has first and second body portions (30, 32). Each body portion (30, 32) has a spring flange segment (50), for engaging a valve spring (16), and a finger segment (54), for extending into a groove (26) on a valve stem (20) of the poppet valve (18). The spring retainer (10) has a slot (44) which permits relative movement between the first and second body portions (30, 32) such that the spring retainer (10) may be installed on the poppet valve (18). The spring retainer (10) has frangible web segments (36) for retaining the first and second body portions (30, 32) together prior to installment of the spring retainer (10) on the poppet valve (18). The web segments (36) break during installation of the spring retainer (10) to permit outward movement of the first and second body portions (30, 32).