Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: A boiler includes a cylindrical shell sealed at both ends. A working liquid, typically water, circulates inside the shell. A tube bundle is seated inside the shell. Hot combustion gases circulate inside the tube bundle, heating the water circulating inside the shell. The tube bundle includes a relatively large inlet tube that runs straight to a distal end, where hot combustion gases are turned 180° by a concave inner surface on the tube bundle header, which is not a part of the shell, and are returned by a plurality of smaller diameter return tubes and then to an exhaust stack. The tube bundle includes a front tube sheet and a distal end tube sheet that the tubes are welded to, but these tube sheets are not part of the shell. The entire tube bundle floats inside the shell without being fastened to the shell except at the front of the tube bundle, where a baffle is secured to the front opening of the shell. This allows the tube bundle to be removed from the shell as a single unit.

Abstract: A gas fired tube and shell heat exchanger directs a flame directly into an inlet end of the tube bundle and the flame and exhaust are drawn through the tube bundle by an induced draft blower located in the exhaust stream outside of the shell. Liquid to be heated is pumped through the shell by an electric pump. In another preferred embodiment, a forced draft blower is placed on behind the burner to force air into the tube bundle. Control features prevent the burner from firing unless there is liquid flow through the shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection blow molding hollow plastic articles characterized by a rapid and efficient operating cycle. The injection mold includes a mold cavity and the blow mold is located adjacent the mold cavity in side-by-side relationship. The parison is injection molded into the mold cavity onto a core. The parison on the core is separated from the mold cavity by moving the parison on the core axially in a straight path away from the mold cavity, followed by movement in a substantially arcuate path into axial alignment with the blow mold, followed by axial movement in a straight path into said blow mold.