Abstract: Lens barrel (12) has a shoulder (16) therein and a retaining ring to retain lens (20) within the lens barrel. A canted coil spring member (24) is engaged between the retaining ring and lens to resiliently retain the lens in place against thermal cycling, vibration and shock.

Abstract: An expendable syntactic foam energy absorber having application to vehicles comprising first hollow ceramic microspheres and substantially smaller hollow ceramic microspheres distributed to fill the interstices between the first microspheres. An elastomeric binder is blended into the microsphere intermix to fill in any residual interstices between the microspheres while binding the microspheres in substantially abutting contact and leaving substantially no room for the binder to move.

Abstract: A high speed laser marking system (32) is disclosed which includes a laser (21) for generating a pulsed beam (22) of electromagnetic energy and reflective symbol generating means (41, 42) for forming the image of a symbol on a target (30). The symbol generating means includes an element (42) for reflecting the beam to form the image of the symbol on the target (30). The reflective element (42) includes mirors for reflecting a plurality of symbols. In a specific embodiment, the invention includes a wheel (41) on which a plurality of mirrored elements (42) are disposed. The wheel (41) is driven under control of a conventional control system to provide for the irradiation of a selected symbol. In a more specific embodiment, the invention includes an ellipsoidal mirror (45) to direct the reflected radiation to the target. A further more specific embodiment of the invention includes reflective holographic elements designed to reflect images of selected symbols to the target.

Abstract: A fluid flow motion reduction apparatus capable of a very small and reduced movement in one and two dimensions. The motion reduction apparatus applies the principles of Couette flow to a set of stacked plates, the plates being separated from one another by a Newtonian fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a top plate moves causing the fluid upon which it resides to flow. This fluid presses against an interleaved driven plate, which imparts a force on a lower fluid of greater viscosity than the top plate fluid. The resulting linear displacement of the driven plate is substantially reduced when compared to the distance traversed by the top plate, thus resulting in substantial motion reduction.An alternative embodiment discloses a joystick-driven, two dimensional motion reduction apparatus having a joystick with a double ball bearing assembly at one end seated in a conical aperture of the top plate. This embodiment is capable of both X and Y axis motion.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional nanometric displacement positioner providing a support apparatus for an optical instrument. The positioner apparatus may nanometrically move an optical holder tube through the combined action of a tapered adjustment shaft and a zig-zag double L-shaped arm, which is connected to an optical holder tube support ring by means of a flexure link. Z-axis displacement is achieved when the inner surface of a manually driven outer drive sleeve contacts a radially directed rod flexurally affixed to a lever; so that, as the lever is pressed against a projecting flange of the holder tube, the tube is translated axially forward.

Abstract: Fiber optic window (22) has a convergent sealing surface (28), and is pressed into the tapered open end bore of nontoxic sheath (12) which contains toxic fiber optic guide (10) for sealing the sheath. Malleable deformation of the sheath (12) provides hermetic sealing on surface (28). Swaged end of lip portion (36) retains window in place.

Abstract: A die (10, 40) for extrusion of optical grade fibers includes an insert (12, 42) placed under compression within a sleeve (14, 44). Tapered surfaces (18, 20 & 48, 50) between the insert and the sleeve enable axial assembly of the components when the insert is forced within the sleeve. Lubrication and interlocking between the components comprise either general lubricant and an interlocking ring (30) residing within grooves (26, 28) in the tapered surfaces, or a metal (60) which provides first a lubrication during assembly of the components and then a metallurgical diffusion bond therebetween.

Abstract: Antenna structure 10 has a primary reflective surface 12 over which is positioned a subreflector surface 14. Support webs 32, 34 and 36 are made of low dielectric loss insulating material and are adhesively secured in slots in the reflectors. The support webs are positioned on planes through the axis so that the small thickness of the webs is in the projected area and results in an unobstructed and undistorted electromagnetic radiation pattern. The webs firmly support the subreflector in the desired position. The antenna can be configured as a Gregorian system as shown or alternatively as a Cassegrainian system.

Abstract: Precisely curved, lightweight and low-cost reflectors for electromagnetic radiation are fabricated by use of a tool and a process in which a blank is planar stretched by uniformly applied isotropic and radially extending forces followed by deformation of the stretched blank to a precisely curved surface.

Abstract: Auxiliary depressions, disposed in the substrate of an integrated optic device which employs geodesic lenses, to adjust the effective focal distance of the geodesic lenses and correct optical aberrations of the geodesic lens system are disclosed. The integrated optic device comprises a substrate, a planar waveguide disposed thereon, a laser source at one end and a detector array at the other end, and geodesic lenses disposed in the substrate. The auxiliary surface depressions are non-spherical, symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and disposed in the substrate between either end of the substrate and the geodesic lens closer to that end. By increasing the path length of light transmitted along the surface layer, these auxiliary depressions allow adjustment of the effective focal distance of the geodesic lenses. Also, non-symmetrical auxiliary surface depressions which correct for optical aberrations in the geodesic lens system are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically energizable high intensity, radiant energy heater (8) having a general M-shape for providing a pocket (20) for localized high intensity isothermal heating for fusion and fiber processing. The heater is shaped to provide easy access for a fiber (18) at an entry (16) to enable insertion of the fiber into the isothermal high temperature zone in pocket (20). A second re-entrant wall external to the pocket provides radiant shielding and buffers the isothermal heating zone from the cool environment. The heater may be constructed from a ribbon of a resistively heated metal, such as platinum foil.

Abstract: A die (40) for extrusion of optical grade fibers has its hard insert (42) placed under compression within a sleeve (44). Sleeve (44) is provided with a tapered interior surface (50) which matches the tapered exterior surface (48) of the insert (42). A metal lubricating layer (60) is provided between the tapered surfaces. The insert is pressed in to obtain compressive prestressing thereof, and the lubricating metal diffuses at the tapered surfaces to lock the insert in the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided including a light source, a transducer and a detector, which is capable of detecting applied acoustic signals. The transducer employs first and second ridged members which have parallel rippled surfaces which contact opposite sides of a fiber optic waveguide. Each rippled surface has a different predetermined ripple pitch which provides for variable sensitivity along one dimension of the transducer. Modulation of the position of the ridged members relative to one another by means of applied acoustic signals causes microbend attenuation of light transmitted through the waveguide. The modulation of the light provides an indication of the presence of the acoustic signals. The variation in dimensional sensitivity provided by the transducer allows for a determination of the direction of arrival of the acoustic signals. Appropriate selection of pitch and pitch ratio of the two rippled surfaces provides any desired spatial sensitivity distribution of the hydrophone.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in the surgical correction of strabismus comprises a clip (10) attachable to the sclera (52) of an eye, and a dynamometer gauge (12) coupled to the clip to measure torques exerted on the muscle of the eye.

Abstract: Precisely curved, lightweight and low-cost reflectors for electromagnetic radiation are fabricated by use of a tool and a process in which a blank is planar stretched by uniformly applied isotropic and radially extending forces followed by deformation of the stretched blank to a precisely curved surface.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in the surgical correction of strabismus comprises a clip (10) attachable to the sclera (52) of an eye, and a dynamometer gauge (12) coupled to the clip to measure torques exerted on the muscle of the eye.

Abstract: A die (10, 40) for extrusion of optical grade fibers includes an insert (12, 42) placed under compression within a sleeve (14, 44). Tapered surfaces (18, 20 & 48, 50) between the insert and the sleeve enable axial assembly of the components when the insert is forced within the sleeve. Lubrication and interlocking between the components comprise either general lubricant and an interlocking ring (30) residing within grooves (26, 28) in the tapered surfaces, or a metal (60) which provides first a lubrication during assembly of the components and then a metallurgical diffusion bond therebetween.

Abstract: Cylindrical ingots of materials that expand on melting or freezing are purified or zone refined by a process which includes providing a tubular container having both a cylindrical cavity and a slot along its entire length. In zone refining, as is well-known, a heater of a predetermined elevated temperature traverses from one end of a normally solid charge to another at least once to thereby sweep impurities to one end of the charge. During the zone refining process, material which expands on phase change (e.g., solid to liquid) flows into the slot. As a consequence, fractures and other damage to the container and/or zone-refined material are minimized. The substantially round cross section is retained following removal of the excess material from the zone refined ingot after solidification.

Abstract: A large scale parallel architecture in which many parallel channels numbering 10.sup.2 or more operate simultaneously to create a natural and efficient organization for processing two-dimensional arrays of data. The architecture comprises a plurality of stacked integrated circuit wafers having top and bottom surfaces, electric signal paths extending through each of the wafers between the surfaces, and micro-interconnects (smaller than 50 mil) on the surfaces of adjacent wafers interconnecting the respective electric signal paths with a topographical one-to-one correspondence.

Abstract: An electromechanical micropositioner for making minute angular and linear translational displacements of an element attached to same. The micropositioner employs electrical control potentiometers, a power source, and a signal source that provides for the type of displacement desired.