Abstract: An optical bit rate for communication systems. The optical bit rate converter converts an ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream. In one embodiment, the optical bit rate converter converts the ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream that can be detected and processed electronically. The optical rate converter includes a buffer presenting a repeating optical data bit pattern, an optical sampler presenting an optical sampling bit stream, and an optical correlator. The optical correlator has a first input in communication with the output of the buffer and a second input in communication with the output of the optical sampler. The optical correlator produces a rate-converted optical data bit stream at its output in response to the repeating optical data bit pattern produced by the buffer and the optical sampling bit stream produced by the optical sampler.

Abstract: An optical bit rate for communication systems. The optical bit rate converter converts an ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream. In one embodiment, the optical bit rate converter converts the ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream that can be detected and processed electronically. The optical rate converter includes a buffer presenting a repeating optical data bit pattern, an optical sampler presenting an optical sampling bit stream, and an optical correlator. The optical correlator has a first input in communication with the output of the buffer and a second input in communication with the output of the optical sampler. The optical correlator produces a rate-converted optical data bit stream at its output in response to the repeating optical data bit pattern produced by the buffer and the optical sampling bit stream produced by the optical sampler.

Abstract: A pseudorandom sequence generator including a first feedback shift register having at least one input and at least one output and a first controller having an output in communication with the at least one input of the first feedback shift register; the first feedback shift register operating at a first speed S1 and the first controller operating at a second speed S2. In one embodiment the first speed S1 of the first feedback shift register is an integer multiple of the second speed S2 of the first controller. In another embodiment the first feedback shift register includes a shift register having an input, an output, and at least one tap; and a feedback function generator having a first input in communication with the at least one tap of the shift register, a second input in communication with the output of the first controller, and an output in communication with the input of the shift register; the feedback function generator includes at least one feedback function.

Abstract: An optical bit rate for communication systems. The optical bit rate converter converts an ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream. In one embodiment, the optical bit rate converter converts the ultra-high speed optical data stream to a lower rate optical data stream that can be detected and processed electronically. The optical rate converter includes a buffer presenting a repeating optical data bit pattern, an optical sampler presenting an optical sampling bit stream, and an optical correlator. The optical correlator has a first input in communication with the output of the buffer and a second input in communication with the output of the optical sampler. The optical correlator produces a rate-converted optical data bit stream at its output in response to the repeating optical data bit pattern produced by the buffer and the optical sampling bit stream produced by the optical sampler.

Abstract: A snowboard (4) includes a core (10) having tip and tail portions (20, 22) with a center portion (9) therebetween. The tip and tail portions both include lightweight, high strength honeycomb material (18) to reduce the mass moment of inertia of the snowboard. Doing so reduces the spin weight of the snowboard and permits the user to turn the snowboard about a vertical axis (26) more easily.

Abstract: A fan blade mounting system for large air-moving fans includes a radially extending hub strut, a blade root member pivotally coupled to an end of the hub strut for receiving a blade skin, and a tube end located between the blade root member and the hub strut. A pair of resilient mounts are utilized in the blade root member to effectively pivotally couple the blades to the hub, thus relieving most of the vertical bending moment transferred to the hub and eliminating critical frequencies associated with the fan. The hub strut is connected to the hub of the fan by a stud having right- and left-handed threads and a wall thickness adjacent to the threads sufficient for distributing the stresses substantially uniformly on the threads, thereby improving fatigue resistance. The resilient mounts comprise a metal core and metal sleeve with a resilient elastomeric layer between the core and sleeve. The sleeves are connected to the blade root member and the cores of the two mounts are clamped to the tube end.

Abstract: A snowboard binding mounting disk (24) includes a body (28) through which 3-hole and 4-hole patterns (8, 10) of mounting holes are formed. The centers of a pair of the 3-hole mounting holes are separated by a base distance (Z). The centers of a pair of the 4-hole mounting holes are separated by an end distance (Y). The end and base distances differ by a distance delta. The pair of end holes and the pair of base holes are positioned adjacent to one another so that the end and base holes overlap one another to create a pair of oblong, dual purpose holes (30). A removable and replaceable mounting element positioner (29) is mounted to the oblong holes at one of two stable positions. The position chosen is determined by whether the dual purpose holes are to be used for the 3-hole pattern or for the 4-hole pattern. The central opening (20) in the base is preferably made by stamping a grooved peripheral surface (22) sized to engage a complementary grooved surface (53) on the disk.

Abstract: A polarization desensitizing method and apparatus including a polarization analyzer separating a polarized input pulse into two orthogonally polarized components separated in time; and a nonlinear switch integrating the power of the two orthogonally polarized components over a predetermined time and producing an output pulse having a predetermined polarization. In one embodiment the polarization desensitizer includes a polarization analyzer in communication with a data source providing data pulses; a pulse generator; and a polarization converting switch in communication with both the polarization analyzer and the pulse generator, the polarization converting switch producing output pulses of a known polarization in response to the data pulses.

Abstract: A modulated cavity including a cavity; a modulation source; and a modulator located with said cavity and in electrical communication with said modulation source. The modulation source overdrives the modulator with a period of modulation T.sub.mod substantially equal to T.sub.roundtrip (n+(p/q)).sup.-1. n, p, and q are integers. T.sub.roundtrip is the period of a pulse making one round-trip in the cavity. In one embodiment of the invention p and q are relatively prime. In another embodiment of the invention the optical response of the modulator includes the qth harmonic of (1/T.sub.mod). In yet another embodiment of the invention p/q is an integer. In still yet another embodiment of the invention p/q is a rational number.

Abstract: An optical memory and an optical random and pseudo-random pattern generator for ultra-high-speed time-domain multiplexing multi-access networks are described. The optical memory and pattern generators include an optical ring resonator, an optical amplifier, a bistability generator, an optically-controlled stabilizing element, and a coupling element. Such devices are capable of storing high data rates for long periods of time.

Abstract: A method of compressing text by allocating word tokens to each unique word and phrase tokens to adjacent word tokens, to adjacent phrase tokens or adjacent phrase and word tokens, which occur in the text at least three times and changing the binary character code representation of the text so that the text is represented by phrase and word tokens. A data processing system for decompressing and displaying the compressed text.

Abstract: A drain cleaning assembly including a housing for storing an elongated flexible material auger type cable mounted in surrounding relation about a rotatable drum of the housing and positionable between an operable and a stored position through rotation of the drum relative to the housing. A handle disposed in substantially coplanar relation to the housing and extending outwardly from a periphery thereof is movable relative to the housing such that rotation of the housing relative to the handle causing rotation of the cable about its own longitudinal axis due to a fixed connection of the cable on the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A polymeric drift control concentrate is provided for admixture with an aqueous mixture designed for application to vegetation or soil by aerial or ground spraying or discharge. The concentrate reduces the likelihood that the water or aqueous mixture will drift away from its intended target, and suppresses the formation of dust on the ground.

Abstract: A polymeric drift control concentrate is provided for admixture with an aqueous mixture designed for application to vegetation or soil by aerial or ground spraying or discharge. The concentrate reduces the likelihood that the water or aqueous mixture will drift away from its intended target, and suppresses the formation of dust on the ground.

Abstract: A process for reducing the residual monomer level of a polymer latex prepared by emulsion polymerization comprises exposing the latex in a separate vessel from that in which the main polymerization has been carried out to conditions under which free radicals are produced by a secondary catalyst added to the latex, the said catalyst being oil soluble or having an oil soluble component. In a preferred embodiment a polymer latex prepared by the emulsion polymerization of styrene alone or a mixture containing styrene having a residual styrene level not exceeding 0.1% based on latex volume may be obtained.

Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a holder specifically designed for use in connection with grill type cooking devices to support a light adjacent thereto. The light support includes a C-clamp and a heat dissipating portion as well as a multi-position adjustment feature for the light.