Abstract: A wavelength blocker including an input port for launching an input beam of light, first dispersing means for dispersing the input beam of light according to wavelength, an array of independently addressable elements for selectively blocking a portion of the dispersed beam of light, second dispersing means for receiving the passed dispersed beam of light and for producing a single multiplexed beam of light therefrom, and an output port for transmitting a modified output beam of light. The array of independently addressable elements are designed such that the wavelength blocker is capable of blocking a variable number of non-consecutive channels without significantly affecting the unblocked channels.

Abstract: A water-heating dehumidifier includes a refrigerant loop including a compressor, at least one condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator including an evaporator fan. The condenser includes a water inlet and a water outlet for flowing water therethrough or proximate thereto, or is affixed to the tank or immersed into the tank to effect water heating without flowing water. The immersed condenser design includes a self-insulated capillary tube expansion device for simplicity and high efficiency. In a water heating mode air is drawn by the evaporator fan across the evaporator to produce cooled and dehumidified air and heat taken from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant at the evaporator and is pumped to the condenser, where water is heated. When the tank of water heater is full of hot water or a humidistat set point is reached, the water-heating dehumidifier can switch to run as a dehumidifier.

Abstract: A documentation-based teacher qualification rating system and method, wherein the system and method provide for documentation input by the teacher to satisfy a matrix of factors; each factor being weighted and the inputs being assigned points based on their weighting; the points then being summed to arrive at the overall rating. Also, an automated system further including remote inputting of documentation via electronic network and semi-automated assessment.

Abstract: A direct-fired, gas-fueled heater for greenhouse use. The heater has a base with an airflow assembly disposed within the housing and configured so as to draw a flow of ambient air into the heater through the air inlet matrix, to circulate airflows within the housing, and to direct heated air out of the heater through an air housing exit. Also disposed within the housing is a heat chamber, the heat chamber including an outer wrapper, an upper insert and a lower insert. The lower insert has a lower insert slot having a lower insert slot area and is configured to allow passage of a quenching airflow therethrough to join and mix with a combustion discharge and dilution airflows circulated within the heater. Reduced emissions of certain combustion byproducts are realized.

Abstract: A process of removing ceramic deposits from a surface hole in a component, a particular example being portions of a ceramic coating deposited on a surface of a component equipped with cooling holes. The process makes use of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser operated with parameters that avoid delamination, cracking or otherwise damaging a ceramic coating surrounding a cooling hole. The laser is operated to generate a laser beam that removes some of the ceramic deposit from the hole while a residual portion of the ceramic deposit remains surrounding the hole to define a surface opening.

Abstract: A method applying a thermal barrier coating to a metal substrate, or for repairing a thermal barrier coating previously applied by physical vapor deposition to an underlying aluminide diffusion coating that overlays the metal substrate. The aluminide diffusion coating is treated to make it more receptive to adherence of a plasma spray-applied overlay alloy bond coat layer. An overlay alloy bond coat material is then plasma sprayed on the treated aluminide diffusion coating to form an overlay alloy bond coat layer. A ceramic thermal barrier coating material is plasma sprayed on the overlay alloy bond coat layer to form the thermal barrier coating. In the repair embodiment of this method, the physical vapor deposition-applied thermal barrier coating is initially removed from the underlying aluminide diffusion coating.

Abstract: A process of removing ceramic deposits from a surface hole in a component, a particular example being portions of a ceramic coating deposited on a surface of a component equipped with cooling holes. The process makes use of a pulsed Nd:YAG laser operated with parameters that avoid delamination, cracking or otherwise damaging a ceramic coating surrounding a cooling hole. The laser is operated to generate a laser beam that removes some of the ceramic deposit from the hole while a residual portion of the ceramic deposit remains surrounding the hole to define a surface opening.

Abstract: A humidity responsive control device consists of a package having at least one face that is a permeable to liquid and gases and water vapor and is formed by mixing together a) 5 to 50% by weight of a hygroscopic polyacrylate and/or PVA polymer, b) 10 to 60% of porous silica minerals such as vermiculite and perlite, c) 5 to 50% of an absorbent such as zeolite or activated carbon for small molecules such as ammonia and d) 5 to 60% by weight of an aqueous emulsion of a mixture of an active ingredient of one or more of a bacteriocidal, fungicidal or odor masking compounds. The device is effective at eliminating and masking odors under varying humidity conditions.

Abstract: A post for a queue management system is disclosed, the post being constructed so as to be capable of nesting with one or more similar posts and having an upright portion 3 or 65 adapted to support at least one barrier device 25 and having at its bottom end a foot 5 or 61 which is so constructed that it can nest within or upon a foot of an adjacent post, the post preferably being provided with at least one wheel 19 or roller 75 to facilitate moving the posts between storage positions in which they are nested together and positions of use.

Abstract: A dynamic gain flattening filter is provided that offers a smooth spectral response. The filter includes an input/output port for launching a beam of light, a dispersive element for dispersing the beam of light into a plurality of monochromatic sub-beams of light, and discrete array of controllable elements for receiving the plurality of sub-beams of light. The filter is designed such that each sub-beam of light is incident on more than one element of the discrete array for selective attenuation before being recombined by the dispersive element and redirected back to the input/output port. In another embodiment, a beam-folding mirror is provided to direct the attenuated beam to a separate output port.

Abstract: A method of applying a thermal barrier coating system to a metal piece having cooling holes angled in a first direction and cooling holes angled in a second direction. The method includes spraying a bond coat on a first surface of the piece at angles with respect to the first and second directions and to a thickness selected in combination with the angles to prevent the bond coat from entirely filling any of the holes. A thermal barrier coating is sprayed on the bond coat at angles with respect to the first and second directions and to a thickness selected in combination with the angles to prevent the thermal barrier coating from entirely filling any of the holes. The method also includes spraying a high pressure fluid jet from a nozzle assembly through each hole generally parallel to the respective cooling hole.

Abstract: A humidity responsive control device consists of a package having at least one face that is a permeable to liquid and gases and water vapour and is formed by mixing together a) 5 to 50% by weight of a hygroscopic polyacrylate and/or PVA polymer, b) 10 to 60% of porous silica minerals such as vermiculite and perhte, c) 5 to 50% of an absorbent such as zeolite or activated carbon for small molecules such as ammonia and d) 5 to 60% by weight of an aqueous emulsion of a mixture of an active ingredient of one or more of a bacteriocidal, fungicidal or odour masking compounds. The device is effective at eliminating and masking odours under varying humidity conditions.

Abstract: A wavelength blocker including an input port for launching an input beam of light, first dispersing means for dispersing the input beam of light according to wavelength, an array of independently addressable elements for selectively blocking a portion of the dispersed beam of light, second dispersing means for receiving the passed dispersed beam of light and for producing a single multiplexed beam of light therefrom, and an output port for transmitting a modified output beam of light. The array of independently addressable elements are designed such that the wavelength blocker is capable of blocking a variable number of non-consecutive channels without significantly affecting the unblocked channels.

Abstract: A method of controlling a response function of a pixelated dynamic gain controller involving structuring the problem as a set of linear equations that are used to efficiently and accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings and further can be iterated to determine optimum pixel settings for a desired response function. In particular, the gain controller is comprised of an array of individually controllable pixels such as an array of liquid crystals. Adjusting drive conditions to each pixel controls the relative transmission of a narrow band of wavelengths through each pixel. The target response function is achieved by structuring the control conditions as a set of linear equations with which it is possible to accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings. The settings can be iterated to determine an optimum setting for a desired response function or change in response function. Additionally, compensating pixels at the edges of the array are used to compensate for edge effects.

Abstract: A method of applying a thermal barrier coating system to a metal piece having cooling holes angled in a first direction and cooling holes angled in a second direction. The method includes spraying a bond coat on a first surface of the piece at angles with respect to the first and second directions and to a thickness selected in combination with the angles to prevent the bond coat from entirely filling any of the holes. A thermal barrier coating is sprayed on the bond coat at angles with respect to the first and second directions and to a thickness selected in combination with the angles to prevent the thermal barrier coating from entirely filling any of the holes. The method also includes spraying a high pressure fluid jet from a nozzle assembly through each hole generally parallel to the respective cooling hole.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.

Abstract: A method of controlling a response function of a pixelated dynamic gain controller involving structuring the problem as a set of linear equations that are used to efficiently and accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings and further can be iterated to determine optimum pixel settings for a desired response function. In particular, the gain controller is comprised of an array of individually controllable pixels such as an array of liquid crystals. Adjusting drive conditions to each pixel controls the relative transmission of a narrow band of wavelengths through each pixel. The target response function is achieved by structuring the control conditions as a set of linear equations with which it is possible to accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings. The settings can be iterated to determine an optimum setting for a desired response function or change in response function. Additionally, compensating pixels at the edges of the array are used to compensate for edge effects.

Abstract: A dynamic gain flattening filter is provided that offers a smooth spectral response. The filter includes an input/output port for launching a beam of light, a dispersive element for dispersing the beam of light into a plurality of monochromatic sub-beams of light, and discrete array of controllable elements for receiving the plurality of sub-beams of light. The filter is designed such that each sub-beam of light is incident on more than one element of the discrete array for selective attenuation before being recombined by the dispersive element and redirected back to the input/output port. In another embodiment, a beam-folding mirror is provided to direct the attenuated beam to a separate output port.

Abstract: Apparatus for bulk vapor phase crystal growth comprising: at least one source zone and at least one sink zone each associated with means for independent temperature control within the zone; and at least one passage means adapted for transport of vapor from source to sink zone; and additionally comprising means for in-situ monitoring of the sink zone; wherein means for monitoring is substantially non-intrusive in terms of temperature regulation within the sink zone; process for bulk vapor phase crystal growth employing the apparatus; method for starting up the process; method for controlling the process; use for any bulk vapor transport technique; equipment for monitoring growth using the apparatus or process; and crystal grown with the apparatus or process.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.