Abstract: An anti-snoring device that attaches to a specific area of the neck. The attachment means can be an adhesive, a clip or an implant. The device exerts a predetermined pulling force on this area of the neck, causing this area of the neck to expand outward from its normal position. This expansion opens a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby eliminating snoring and helping some people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus removes translational energy (slows movement) of a first magnetic assembly when it is moved through the magnetic field of a second magnet. The first magnetic assembly contains a magnet that can rotate, such as a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet in a cylindrical cavity. Rotation of the first magnet does work against a predetermined drag. The apparatus also forms a non-contact magnetic coupling that holds a predetermined relative position. The apparatus can be used as a door catch that slows down and quietly stops a door at a predetermined position.

Abstract: An anti-snoring device that attaches to a specific area of the neck. The attachment means can be an adhesive, a clip or an implant. The device exerts a predetermined pulling force on this area of the neck, causing this area of the neck to expand outward from its normal position. This expansion opens a blockage in the throat of a sleeping person, thereby eliminating snoring and helping some people with obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: The invention is a magnetic coupling device that utilizes a supported spherical magnet to attach to a hole in a ferromagnetic object. The hole shape and the orientation of the spherical magnet are predetermined to form a relatively strong magnetic attachment. The magnetic coupling device exhibits unique characteristics such as angular tolerance, precise positioning and controllable release characteristics.

Abstract: An all-reflective optical system uses a mirror with a hole to transmit a focused laser beam to an on-axis elliptical mirror. The reflected beam from the ellipse is predominately reflected off the mirror with a hole and focused to a distant adjustable focus. This focus spot can be positioned by X-Y scanning mirrors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring the performance of a maneuvering water skier. A series of angular measurements are made on the ski rope relative to a predetermined direction. This information, together with timing information is provided to a computer processing unit which calculates a score after predetermined maneuvers are completed. An apparatus for making both angle and force measurements is described.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning system which utilizes all reflective optics. The scanning system has a variable scan angle and focal length. The variable focal length in the reflecting optical system is achieved by simultaneously moving two perpendicular mirrors.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,999, titled, "Laser Apparatus Utilizing a Magnetically Enhanced Electrical Discharge." That patent describes a method of forming a thin, flat discharge (slab discharge) bounded by two facing surfaces where a magnetic field is oriented perpendicular to the surfaces. This invention teaches that it is possible to improve the stability of the slab discharge by adding an AC electric field perpendicular to the facing surfaces.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is described which reshapes rectangular cross-section laser beams, with toroidal divergence to generally square cross-section beams with plane or spherical divergence. The apparatus uses either two spherical mirrors or two pairs of spherical mirrors.

Abstract: Transmissive optics such as lenses, windows, and output couplers can be improved by positioning two transmissive optical elements to form a thin channel between them. High pressure gas flows through this channel to face cool the optics.

Abstract: An optical apparatus is described which reshapes rectangular cross-section laser beams, with toroidal divergence to generally square cross-section beams with plain or spherical divergence. The apparatus uses either two spherical mirrors or two pairs of spherical mirrors.

Abstract: A device and process using Ag.sub.2 O.sub.2 and Ag.sub.2 O.sub.3 as a catalyst for oxidizing carbon monoxide to form CO.sub.2 at temperatures between 20.degree. C. and 120.degree. C. This has particular application to CO.sub.2 lasers. In one CO.sub.2 laser embodiment, silver is distributed on the walls of the discharge volume. The silver is divided to form electrically isolated islands to prevent interference with the discharge. After an activation process, energetic forms of oxygen, such as atomic oxygen, reacts with the silver to form endothermic silver oxides which can be easily reduced by CO. In another embodiment, the Ag.sub.2 O.sub.2 or Ag.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst is used in a convective flow laser.

Abstract: A device and process using a gold as a catalyst for oxidizing carbon monoxide to form CO.sub.2 at ambient temperatures. This has particular application to CO.sub.2 lasers. In one CO.sub.2 laser embodiment, gold is distributed on the walls of the discharge volume. The gold is divided to form electrically isolated islands to prevent interference with the discharge. Energetic forms of oxygen, such as atomic oxygen reacts with CO on the gold catalyst. In another embodiment, the gold catalyst is used in a convective flow laser.

Abstract: In laser apparatus, an amplification section of a laser apparatus, including a cavity bounded by first and second opposing surfaces, closely spaced relative to the dimensions of the surfaces, electrodes for generating an electric field within the cavity and magnetic devices for creating a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces, with provision for shaping the electric field so that the electric field is relatively narrow in the dimension parallel to the magnetic field compared to the dimension perpendicular to both the magnetic field vector and the electric field vector established between electrodes within the cavity. The electrodes extend over a distance greater than the spacing between electrodes. An electrical discharge is established with the magnetic field exerting a force on the discharge to move the discharge parallel to the surfaces with the predetermined magnetic field strength causing the discharge to become uniform and stable.

Abstract: A non-contact laser engraving apparatus for reproducing on a workpiece an image, the image being formed on or in proximate relationship to a specularly reflecting surface of a cyclindrical mirror being scanned laterally by a laser beam with the mirror in a focal plane. The image is formed of a diffusely reflective substance with the beam then being appropriately brought to a focus at the workpiece. Translation mechanism are provided for providing relative movement between the workpiece and the image for recreating the image as an engraving in the workpiece. Several embodiments are illustrated utilizing mirrors or lenses or a combination of both for providing the scanning and focusing functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating chipping at the exit surface of a saw blade through material such as wood or the like, the apparatus including a laser source emitting a laser beam which is focused to provide one or more grooves at the surface of the wood in general alignment with the line of cut in advance thereof. In a first embodiment a single groove is formed by a focused laser beam at a spot just ahead of the saw blade which may be positioned for one edge of the teeth thereof cutting through the center of the groove to produce one finished cut edge. In the other embodiments, two focused beams are created from a single beam for producing parallel grooves at a width approximating the width of cut of the saw blade to produce finished edges on both sides of the saw cut.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for use in laser cutting of a plurality of sheets of smoke-sensitive, heat-sensitive material in aligned stacked relation, the apparatus including a base member assembly for producing a magnetic field and for supporting the stack with a template formed of a generally rigid, magnetic material, the pull of the magnetic field on the template urging adjacent sheets into intimate surface contact to substantially eliminate voids therebetween during the cutting process. The template is preferably plated or coated with a reflective substance such as chromium, and the magnetic field may be created by an array of permanent magnets on a magnetic sheet.

Abstract: A laser apparatus and method for producing a deckle edge on laser cut paper, the apparatus including a laser source projecting a laser beam intercepted by an optical device for providing a line focus of the beam on the paper, with the line focused beam having an energy gradient on the paper adjacent the intended edge, the movement of the paper relative to the beam, in conjunction with the inhomogeneous nature of the paper providing a deckle edge having differing degrees of etch adjacent the cut edge. The optical device is a spherical mirror set off-axis relative to the primary laser beam.

Abstract: A non-contact laser engraving apparatus and process for producing laser paper cuts, the apparatus including optics for scanning the laser beam through a condensing optical system having its focus point at the position of a metal mask template, the non-reflected rays passing on to an optical device at a point where all rays of the scanning laser beam are superimposed and there is no apparent movement, the focal length of the optical device being selected so that the template configuration is reimaged on the paper on the other side of the optical device. The optical devices and components may be lenses or mirrors. The process and apparatus is usable with moving paper by motion of the template and paper at the same time at a speed proportional to the ratio of distance between the paper and optical device, and the distance between the optical device and template.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning system which utilizes all reflective optics. The scanning system has a variable scan angle and focal length. The variable focal length in the reflecting optical system is achieved by simultaneously moving two perpendicular mirrors.