Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a brake cooling apparatus and method in which heat is conducted from a brake pad to a heat dissipating portion through a heat receiving portion and a heat dissipating portion dissipates the heat into a cooling medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging a target including an integrated dual laser module coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral homodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target with resolution less than 250 MHz. The photoconductive switches are activated by laser beams from the dual laser module. The lasers in the module are tuned to different frequencies and have two distinct low frequency identification tones respectively that are used in conjunction with a stable optical filter element to permit precise determination of the offset frequency of the lasers.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a brake cooling apparatus and method in which heat is conducted from a brake pad to a heat dissipating portion through a heat receiving portion and a heat dissipating portion dissipates the heat into a cooling medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including an integrated dual laser module coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce cw signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral homodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target with resolution less than 250 MHz. The photoconductive switches are activated by laser beams from the dual laser module. The lasers in the module are tuned to different frequencies and have two distinct low frequency identification tones respectively that are used in conjunction with a stable optical filter element to permit precise determination of the offset frequency of the lasers.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including an integrated dual laser module coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce cw signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral homodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target with resolution less than 250 MHz. The photoconductive switches are activated by laser beams from the dual laser module. The lasers in the module are tuned to different frequencies and a phase shifter in the path of one beam allows the beams to have an adjustable phase difference.

Abstract: A fiber optic gyroscope including an optical circulator in the path of said first and second beams for providing polarized first and second beams of identical polarization. A phase modulator couples the first and second beams to the first and second end respectively of the fiber loop, and couples for receiving the return first and second beams from the second and first ends respectively of the fiber loop. First and second photodiodes are coupled to the optical circulator for receiving the optical signal from the first and second return beams.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including an integrated dual laser module coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce cw signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral homodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target with resolution less than 250 MHz. The photoconductive switches are activated by laser beams from the dual laser module. The lasers in the module are tuned to different frequencies and a phase shifter in the path of one beam allows the beams to have an adjustable phase difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an object including a source of pulsed signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on the object; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals reflected from the object and using a heterodyning process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the object. The source of pulse signals and the detector is a photoconductive switch activated by a pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: A fiber optic gyroscope including an optical circulator in the path of said first and second beams for providing polarized first and second beams of identical polarization. A phase modulator couples the first and second beams to the first and second end respectively of the fiber loop, and couples for receiving the return first and second beams from the second and first ends respectively of the fiber loop. First and second photodiodes are coupled to the optical circulator for receiving the optical signal from the first and second return beams.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including a source of pulsed signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on or transmitted through the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals reflected from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyning process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The source of pulse signals and the detector are photoconductive switches activated by a pulsed laser beam from a single mode-locked laser.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light path and at least one optic to be positioned in the path. A support arrangement supports the optic having a foot arrangement including at least one foot that receives a direct manipulation with the foot slidingly engaged against a support surface to move the optic relative to the light path. Movement of the foot may move the optic along a predetermined path. The foot defines a footprint for engaging the support surface and receives the direct manipulation in a way which changes the footprint on the support surface to move the optic responsive to changes in the footprint. A movement arrangement may selectively bias the foot against the support surface during a movement mode, intended to permit movement of the foot against the support surface, and in a locked mode, intended to lock the foot against the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including a source of pulsed signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on or transmitted through the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals reflected from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyning process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The source of pulse signals and the detector are photoconductive switches activated by a pulsed laser beam from a single mode-locked laser.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an object including a source of pulsed signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on the object; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals reflected from the object and using a heterodyning process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the object. The source of pulse signals and the detector is a photoconductive switch activated by a pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: A system, method and detection arrangement for investigation of a sample are described. A laser illumination arrangement generates (i) a source laser energy that is incident on a source to cause emission of subcentimeter radiation, at least a portion of which interacts with the sample to serve as a sample influenced radiation incident on a detector and (ii) a detector laser energy that is incident on the detector to produce an optical component of the detector laser energy offset with respect to a corresponding optical component of the source laser energy so that the collective energy at the detector generates an electrical output signal responsive to the sample influenced radiation. In another aspect, a detection arrangement is used with at least two continuous wave lasers for causing the detector body to respond in a way which produces a frequency down-converted signal from an incident electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided including an electrode extending to an electrode tip for contacting a workpiece. A welding configuration of the electrode tip is established by exposing the electrode tip to a selected welding environment for use in forming a weld having a target set of weld parameters. An electrode passage is defined in a biasing force arrangement supporting at least a portion of the length of an elongated, flexible electrode and to limit lateral movement sufficient to transfer at least a portion of a resilient force to the electrode tip so that the tip resiliently contacts the weld region. The electrode passage limits induced lateral flexing to an extent which transfers an amount of the resilient force to the first end portion of the electrode that is sufficient to provide for formation of a weld between the support arrangement and the workpiece.

Abstract: Attaching an attachment surface of an electrically conductive workpiece to an electrically conductive support surface is described. In one aspect, a biasing force is distributed at least partially around a weld region of the workpiece to urge the attachment surface of the workpiece against the support surface in a way which at least resists welding induced movement of the workpiece relative to the support arrangement. An electrode arrangement, having an electrode tip, contacts the workpiece to provide for substantially compliant movement of the electrode tip against the weld region in directions that are parallel to the support surface. In another aspect, a combined manipulation/welding arrangement is supported for controlled movement with a free end configured for engaging the workpiece to bias the workpiece against the support surface to manipulate the workpiece against the surface and to conduct an electrical current, while holding the workpiece, for welding to the support surface.