Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of a coating on a coated surface. The method uses a solid state array of light-sensitive elements to measure light emitted from a fluorescing coating composition. The intensity of the emitted light corresponds to the thickness of the coating composition, and provides a fast and accurate measure of coating thickness.

Abstract: A bowstring release apparatus for use with a bowstring affixed to a bow is disclosed. The bowstring release apparatus comprises an activation switch connected to a timing device which in turn is connected to a release mechanism. Actuation of the activation switch initiates a time period whose length is established by the timing device. The release mechanism releases the secured bowstring after expiration of the time period. Additionally, a method for improving the shooting accuracy of an archer by providing a bow, a bowstring affixed to the bow, an arrow and a bowstring release apparatus is disclosed. The method includes the archer drawing the bowstring and activating an activation switch. After completion of a time period, the bowstring will automatically be released. The duration of the time period is determined by a timing device which is responsive to the activating of the activation switch.

Abstract: A method of measuring intensity of radiant energy fluoresced by a fluorescer in a radiation-cured coating. The method comprising the steps of: a) providing a coating comprising: i) a radiation-curable monomer or oligomer; and ii) a fluorescer having an excitation energy at a wavelength .lambda..sub.2, the fluorescer fluorescing radiant energy of a wavelength .lambda..sub.3 ; b) curing the coating by exposure to radiant energy, thereby changing the intensity of radiant energy that would be fluoresced by the fluorescer if exposed to wavelength .lambda..sub.2 ; c) illuminating the radiation-cured coating with excitation energy of a wavelength .lambda..sub.2, wherein at least 50% of the excitation energy is absorbed by the upper 75 .mu.m of the radiation-cured coating; and d) measuring the intensity of the radiant energy fluoresced by the fluorescer at wavelength .lambda..sub.3.

Abstract: A fluorescent spectrophotometer measures the fluorescent characteristics of fluorescent probes within functional compositions of a specimen. The fluorescent spectrophotometer emits light appropriate for exciting the fluorescer or fluorescers contained within the specimen. The excited fluorescer emits within an emission wavelength spectrum. Fluorescers having a narrower wavelength region over which an abrupt change in emission intensity occurs are chosen for use as a fluorescent probe. The fluorescent spectrophotometer detects the change in intensity through this narrower area and performs a derivative calculation on the intensity curve. The fluorescent spectrophotometer is able to distinguish the fluorescer from other fluorescers or interfering fluorescent backgrounds.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for measuring a functional characteristic of one or more thin film coatings applied to a thin film using a photoisomer. A photoisomer is mixed into each functional coating in known amounts. Photodetection of the photoisomer as a part of the functional coatings is used to control a functional characteristic of the thin film during the manufacturing process. The photoisomer is activated with light of a selected wavelength range, and light fluorescence is measured in another selected wavelength range.

Abstract: A method of constructing an LC network, and the resulting LC network manufactured by cutting and removing a predetermined pattern from a first and a second conductive sheet, leaving on each sheet a generally coil-like configuration of windings with a sufficient number of interconnections between the adjacent windings to add rigidity to the sheets, laminating these conductive sheets to opposing faces of a non-conductive sheet, thereby forming at least one capacitor, cutting and removing a pre-determined pattern from the lamination eliminating at least some of the interconnections and leaving a conductive path on the conductive sheets which is in the configuration of a coil.