Abstract: Methods for laser bonding optical elements to substrates and optical assemblies are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method of bonding an optical element to a substrate includes disposing at least one optical element onto a surface of the substrate, electrostatically affixing the at least one optical element to the surface of the substrate, and directing a laser beam into the at least one optical element. The laser beam heats an interface between at least one optical element and the substrate to a temperature that is higher than a lowest temperature of the optical element change temperature and the substrate change temperature, thereby forming a bond between at least one optical element and the substrate at a bond area. The laser beam has a fluence that does not modify the substrate at areas of the substrate that are outside of the at least one optical element.

Abstract: A modular reaming device incorporable into a tubular string. The modular reamer can include a tubular body having a first end and a second end and an internal bore, the internal bore extending longitudinally through the tubular body from the first end to the second end. The tubular body has an external surface with an outer diameter with cutting elements extending from the tubular body beyond the outer diameter of the tubular body for engagement with a bore hole sidewall. Each of the first and second ends have a coupling for coupling engagement with a tubular string.

Abstract: The liquid-assisted micromachining methods include methods of processing a substrate made of a transparent dielectric material. A working surface of the substrate is placed in contact with a liquid-assist medium that comprises fluorine. A focused pulsed laser beam is directed through a first substrate surface and through the opposite working surface to form a focus spot in the liquid-assist medium. The focus spot is then moved over a motion path from its initial position in the liquid-assist medium through the substrate body in the general direction from the working surface to the first surface to create a modification of the transparent dielectric material that defines in the body a core portion. The core portion is removed to form the substrate feature, which can be a through or closed fiber hole that supports one or more optical fibers. Optical components formed using the processed substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser-welded assembly of opposing sheets of ceramic and glass, ceramic, or glass-ceramic compositions comprises an intervening bonding layer having a thickness dimension that separates the opposing sheets by less than about 1000 nm. Each of the opposing sheets has a thickness dimension at least about 20 times the thickness dimension of the intervening bonding layer. The intervening bonding layer has a melting point greater than that of one or both of the opposing sheets. The ceramic sheet is a pass-through sheet with a composite T/R spectrum comprising a portion that lies below about 30% across a target irradiation band residing at or above about 1400 nm and at or below about 4500 nm wavelength. The intervening bonding layer has an absorption spectrum comprising a portion that lies above about 80% across the target irradiation band. The assembly comprises a weld bonding the opposing surfaces of the opposing sheets.

Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system includes a container body configurable with a food processing base. The container body includes an interior wall and an exterior wall arranged in contact at a first end. The interior wall and the exterior wall are formed from a single piece of non-resilient material. A chamber is defined by the container body. A collar is mounted to the first end of the container body to form a seal between the collar and the contact between the interior wall and the exterior wall.

Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system includes a container body configurable with a food processing base. The container body includes an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior will and the exterior wall are arranged in contact at a first end. At least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall is formed from a non-resilient material. A chamber is defined by said container body.

Abstract: A glass article having a dimpled glass bump formed integrally thereon by laser-irradiation methods. The glass bump includes a lower region connected to an upper region by an inflection region. The lower region projects from a surface of the glass article and is defined by concavely rounded sides with a radius of curvature R1. The upper region includes a transition portion and a top surface. The transition portion is defined by convexly rounded sides with a radius of curvature R2. The transition portion connects to the lower portion via the inflection region. The upper portion connects to the transition portion and is defined by a concavely rounded top portion between convexly rounded top portions.

Abstract: The liquid-assisted micromachining methods include methods of processing a substrate made of a transparent dielectric material. A working surface of the substrate is placed in contact with a liquid-assist medium that comprises fluorine. A focused pulsed laser beam is directed through a first substrate surface and through the opposite working surface to form a focus spot in the liquid-assist medium. The focus spot is then moved over a motion path from its initial position in the liquid-assist medium through the substrate body in the general direction from the working surface to the first surface to create a modification of the transparent dielectric material that defines in the body a core portion. The core portion is removed to form the substrate feature, which can be a through or closed fiber hole that supports one or more optical fibers. Optical components formed using the processed substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular reaming device incorporable into a tubular string. The modular reamer can include a tubular body having a first end and a second end and an internal bore, the internal bore extending longitudinally through the tubular body from the first end to the second end. The tubular body has an external surface with an outer diameter with cutting elements extending from the tubular body beyond the outer diameter of the tubular body for engagement with a bore hole sidewall. Each of the first and second ends have a coupling for coupling engagement with a tubular string.

Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system includes a container body configurable with a food processing base. The container body includes an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior will and the exterior wall are arranged in contact at a first end. At least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall is formed from a non-resilient material. A chamber is defined by said container body.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing base. A first container and a second container separate from the first container are configured for use with said food processing base. The first container includes at least one first wall configured to define a first chamber therein. The at least one first wall is formed from a first material. The second container includes at least one second wall configured to define a second chamber therein. The at least one second wall is formed from a second material different than said first material. A cutting assembly is compatible with both the first container and the second container. The cutting assembly is configured to process food within the first chamber when the first container is coupled to the food processing base and the cutting assembly is configured to process food within the second chamber when the second container is coupled to the food processing base.

Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system includes a container body configurable with a food processing base. The container body includes an interior wall and an exterior wall arranged in contact at a first end. The interior wall and the exterior wall are formed from a single piece of non-resilient material. A chamber is defined by the container body. A collar is mounted to the first end of the container body to form a seal between the collar and the contact between the interior wall and the exterior wall.

Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system is provided including a container body configurable with a food processing base. A chamber is defined by the container body. A pressure relief mechanism is associated with the container body and is configured to relieve pressure when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a defined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A container configured for use with a food processing system is provided including a container body configurable with a food processing base. A chamber is defined by the container body. A pressure relief mechanism is associated with the container body and is configured to relieve pressure when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a defined pressure threshold.

Abstract: A method and system implementing software licensing management under machine virtualization are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a virtual platform running on a physical machine; a binding agent running on a host operating system of the virtual platform; a license enforcement module running on a virtual machine instance of the virtual platform. The license enforcement module is in communication with the binding agent. The binding agent enforces a mutex lock to ensure that only a specified number of license enforcement modules are running on the physical machine.

Abstract: A method and system implementing software licensing management under machine virtualization are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a virtual platform running on a physical machine; a binding agent running on a host operating system of the virtual platform; a license enforcement module running on a virtual machine instance of the virtual platform. The license enforcement module is in communication with the binding agent. The binding agent enforces a mutex lock to ensure that only a specified number of license enforcement modules are running on the physical machine.

Abstract: A method and system implementing software licensing management under machine virtualization are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a virtual platform running on a physical machine; a binding agent running on a host operating system of the virtual platform; a license enforcement module running on a virtual machine instance of the virtual platform. The license enforcement module is in communication with the binding agent. The binding agent enforces a mutex lock to ensure that only a specified number of license enforcement modules are running on the physical machine.

Abstract: A method and system implementing software licensing management under machine virtualization are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a virtual platform running on a physical machine; a binding agent running on a host operating system of the virtual platform; a license enforcement module running on a virtual machine instance of the virtual platform. The license enforcement module is in communication with the binding agent. The binding agent enforces a mutex lock to ensure that only a specified number of license enforcement modules are running on the physical machine.

Abstract: A seat headrest assembly including a headrest (1) mounted on at least one support post (3) which is connectable to a seat backrest (2). The headrest (1) is mounted on the support post (3) so as to be movable relative thereto in the longitudinal direction of the post (3). Electrically powered drive mechanism (18) including a motor (15) is contained within the headrest (1). A screw threaded spindle (19) is drivably connected to the motor (15) through a worm drive (18) and cooperatively engages with a nut (20) attached to the post (3). The arrangement is such that rotation of the spindle (19) causes the headrest (1) to move along the post (3). A source or electrical power is connectable to the motor (15) through an electric conductor which is provided on or is formed by the support post (3).

Abstract: A seat height adjustment system particularly adapted for use with vehicle seats and which permits the elevation of one side of the seat base to be adjusted relative to the elevation of an opposite side of that base. The system employs spring assemblies to provide an upwardly directed bias on the seat base which urges that base towards a position of maximum elevation. An actuator is operable to effect downward adjustment of the seat base elevation by imposing a force on the seat base which acts counter to the bias force. Actuator may include two electric motors each of which is connected to a respective two corners of the seat base through flexible drive cables. The arrangement is such that the seat base corners controlled by a respective one of the motors move up or down according to whether the motor is operated in a forward or a reverse mode respectively.