Abstract: An optical high-power amplifier (“OPHA”) circuit, e.g., for a spaceborne satellite-based communication network, includes fiberoptic gain and polarization maintenance (“PM”) stages, a polarization splitter, first and second photodetectors, and an electronic control unit (“ECU”). The gain stage outputs an amplified optical signal in response to a low-power (“LP”) optical input signal. The PM stage outputs separate high and low power output signals in response to the amplified signal. A majority of power of the input signal is allocated to the HP output signal. The polarization splitter transmits the LP output signal along the slow and/or fast polarization axis. The photodetectors are arranged on the slow and fast axes. The ECU outputs a polarizer control signal to a polarization rotator device in response to electrical signals from one or both photodetectors to command the rotator device to output the LP optical input signal with a targeted polarized output state.

Abstract: An optical high-power amplifier (“OPHA”) circuit, e.g., for a spaceborne satellite-based communication network, includes fiberoptic gain and polarization maintenance (“PM”) stages, a polarization splitter, first and second photodetectors, and an electronic control unit (“ECU”). The gain stage outputs an amplified optical signal in response to a low-power (“LP”) optical input signal. The PM stage outputs separate high and low power output signals in response to the amplified signal. A majority of power of the input signal is allocated to the HP output signal. The polarization splitter transmits the LP output signal along the slow and/or fast polarization axis. The photodetectors are arranged on the slow and fast axes. The ECU outputs a polarizer control signal to a polarization rotator device in response to electrical signals from one or both photodetectors to command the rotator device to output the LP optical input signal with a targeted polarized output state.

Abstract: A sandwiching device for creating pocket sandwich-type food, the sandwiching device having a punch, a die to work with the punch to cut foodstuff, and a sealer seated within the die to seal the foodstuff while being cut with the punch and die. The punch can be lowered to press against the die and the sealer. When the foodstuff is placed on the die, pressing the punch against the die and the sealer simultaneously cuts the crust off the foodstuff while sealing the edges to create a pocket sandwich. To facilitate the sealing, the perimeter edge of the sealer may have a scalloped edge.

Abstract: A sandwiching device for creating pocket sandwich-type food, the sandwiching device having a punch, a die to work with the punch to cut foodstuff, and a sealer seated within the die to seal the foodstuff while being cut with the punch and die. The punch can be lowered to press against the die and the sealer. When the foodstuff is placed on the die, pressing the punch against the die and the sealer simultaneously cuts the crust off the foodstuff while sealing the edges to create a pocket sandwich. To facilitate the sealing, the perimeter edge of the sealer may have a scalloped edge.

Abstract: A sandwiching device for creating pocket sandwich-type food, the sandwiching device having a stand, a lever mechanism attached to the stand, a punch attached to the lever mechanism, a die attached to the stand and positioned below the punch, and a sealer seated within the die. The lever mechanism is used to lower the punch and press the punch against the die and the sealer. When foodstuff is placed on the die, pressing the punch against the die and the sealer simultaneously cuts the crust off the foodstuff while sealing the edges of the foodstuff to create a pocket sandwich. To facilitate the sealing, the perimeter edge of the sealer may have a scalloped edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of a gas, containing a controllable valve, wherein the position of the valve and the gas pressure upstream of the valve are measured and used in conjunction with a first lookup table to determine the flow rate of the gas through the valve; and a flow restrictor upstream of the controllable valve, wherein the temperature of the flow restrictor and the gas pressure upstream and downstream of the flow restrictor are measured and used in conjunction with a second lookup table to determine the flow rate of the gas through the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A sandwiching device for creating pocket sandwich-type food, the sandwiching device having a stand, a lever mechanism attached to the stand, a punch attached to the lever mechanism, a die attached to the stand and positioned below the punch, and a sealer seated within the die. The lever mechanism is used to lower the punch and press the punch against the die and the sealer. When foodstuff is placed on the die, pressing the punch against the die and the sealer simultaneously cuts the crust off the foodstuff while sealing the edges of the foodstuff to create a pocket sandwich. To facilitate the sealing, the perimeter edge of the sealer may have a scalloped edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of a gas, containing a controllable valve, wherein the position of the valve and the gas pressure upstream of the valve are measured and used in conjunction with a first lookup table to determine the flow rate of the gas through the valve; and a flow restrictor upstream of the controllable valve, wherein the temperature of the flow restrictor and the gas pressure upstream and downstream of the flow restrictor are measured and used in conjunction with a second lookup table to determine the flow rate of the gas through the flow restrictor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorination method for the synthesis of halofluoroorganic compounds which can be used, inter alia, as precursors in the synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated fluoroorganic carbonyl compounds comprising a fluorine substituent in the 2 position.

Abstract: A base assembly for a reel, such as a hose reel, including two cooperating base components joined to one another and supporting a spool assembly. The base components may be identical to one another, and each include a base portion and an upright portion disposed 90° with respect to one another and formed monolithically from a single piece of material such as steel. The base components further include rigidifying structures such as gussets, edge bends, and reinforcement ribs or channels to rigidify the base components against vibration and impact stresses. Each of the base portions includes a connection plate and an offset connection flange, wherein the connection flanges overlap and are secured to respective connection plates when the upright components are mated and secured to one another with one upright component disposed at an orientation rotated 180° with respect to the other.

Abstract: A plurality of nozzles are located on each side of a foot washing station on curved portions of spray members. At least some of the nozzles are located at a plurality of elevations and are downwardly directed to knock debris off the lower leg and foot of a user to thus wash the debris away. A foot platform supports the foot or feet of a user is preferably continuously sloped so that water does not accumulate at any portion of the foot platform. Additionally, an actuator is preferably actuated by the placement of the weight of the foot on the foot platform to begin the spraying of the foot or feet with water in a hands-free operation. Spray nozzle tips are screwed into orifices which then dispense water under pressure preferably in a spray pattern with highly atomized water pellets efficiently removing debris from the feet of a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light emitting device consisting of one or more light sources coupled to a light guide containing diffuser particles having a refractive index close to the refractive index of the core of the light guide. The diffuser particles cause a scattering of the light emitted from the light sources so that light emitted from the light emitting device has colour variation imperceptible to the human eye and small and gradual variations in intensity.

Abstract: A method of increasing productivity and recovery of wells in oil and gas fields includes determining a direction of maximal horizontal stresses, producing at least two wells so that they are spaced from one another in a direction corresponding to the direction of the maximum horizontal stresses, forming in at least one of the wells at least one vertical slot oriented substantially from the at least one well to the other of the wells, and introducing a hydrofracturing fluid at least into the at least one well to produce a hydraulic fracture in direction from the at least one well to the other well.

Abstract: The invention relates to side-scattering light guides that generally comprise a core of transparent optically homogenous material seeded with diffuser particles. The light guide also comprises an optically transmitting sheath, having a lowerrefractive index than the core, surrounding and in contact with the sides of the core to prevent any light being transmitted along the core from escaping through the core's sides. In general, the diffuser particles impart only a small deviation to light rays incident upon them, and are distributed to scatter light being transmitted along the core so that at least some of the scattered light exits the sides of the core. A diffusing jacket is arranged to intercept scattered light exiting the sides of the core.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light transfer component formed from a material that is transparent for light of a predetermined range of wavelengths. The light transfer component comprises a first substantially flat portion, a second rounded portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and the second portion. The light transfer component is arranged for guiding light from the first portion through the intermediate portion to the second portion in a manner such that the light will not experience a reduction in cross-sectional area of more than 20% of the material through which it is guided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light collector. The light collector has a concentration C of dye molecules which absorb and emit light. The dye molecules are dispersed in a light transmissive medium and the concentration C is selected to reduce attenuation that light will suffer due to re-absorption or scattering in the main emission wavelength range of the dye molecules so that the combined emission and absorption efficiency of the light collector is increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid lighting system that comprises at least one light collector for generating an output of fluorescent light. The light collector comprises an optically transmissive material that is doped with dispersed dye molecules which are arranged to absorb incoming solar light and to emit fluorescence light. The hybrid lighting system also comprises at least one electrically powered light emitting device that, in use, supplements the output of the light collector to providing light of a predetermined spectral characteristic.

Abstract: A method of increasing productivity and recovery of wells in oil and gas fields includes determining a direction of maximal horizontal stresses, producing at least two wells so that they are spaced from one another in a direction corresponding to the direction of the maximum horizontal stresses, forming in at least one of the wells at least one vertical slot oriented substantially from the at least one well to the other of the wells, and introducing a hydrofracturing fluid at least into the at least one well to produce a hydraulic fracture in direction from the at least one well to the other well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorination method for the synthesis of halofluoroorganic compounds which can be used, inter alia, as precursors in the synthesis of 2,3-unsaturated fluoroorganic carbonyl compounds comprising a fluorine substituent in the 2 position.

Abstract: Described are processes for producing 2-chloropyridine by reacting pyridine with molecular chlorine in the vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst which includes an organic compound which generates free radicals under the conditions of the reaction.