Abstract: Systems and methods determine the level, density, and/or temperature of a fluid based on the fluorescence of a material within an optical waveguide slab at least partially immersed in the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems detect the presence of a fluid, such as water, based on a reflection of optical energy from the fluid. Methods and systems also determine the concentration of a constituent element in a mixture based on a reflection of optical energy from the mixture.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the density and/or temperature of a fluid based on the manner in which optical energy is affected as the optical energy propagates across a gap between opposing end faces of optical waveguides, or the manner in which the optical energy is reflected from interfaces of optical waveguides and the fluid.

Abstract: Systems for providing optical energy comprise an LED, a detector of optical energy, such as a photodiode, that measures the intensity of optical energy emitted by the light-emitting diode, and a controller. The controller adjusts the intensity of the optical energy emitted by the LED based on the intensity measurement provide by the photodiode, to maintain the intensity of the emitted optical energy at a desired level.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the density and/or temperature of a fluid based on a reflection of optical energy directed at the fluid.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for measuring a level of a fluid comprises a light source adapted to generate light having a predetermined wavelength, an optical waveguide slab at least partially filled with a material adapted to fluoresce when illuminated by the light having a predetermined wavelength, and a light pipe. The light pipe is adapted to transmit the light having a predetermined wavelength to the optical waveguide slab at an angle that causes the light to be internally reflected only within a portion of the optical waveguide slab located above the fluid thereby illuminating the fluorescent material within the portion of the optical waveguide slab located above the fluid. The preferred embodiment also comprises a photo-multiplier tube adapted to generate an electrical output in response to the fluorescence of the fluorescent material.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for measuring a level of a fluid comprises a light source adapted to generate light having a predetermined wavelength, an optical waveguide slab at least partially filled with a material adapted to fluoresce when illuminated by the light having a predetermined wavelength, and a light pipe. The light pipe is adapted to transmit the light having a predetermined wavelength to the optical waveguide slab at an angle that causes the light to be internally reflected only within a portion of the optical waveguide slab located above the fluid thereby illuminating the fluorescent material within the portion of the optical waveguide slab located above the fluid. The preferred embodiment also comprises a photo-multiplier tube adapted to generate an electrical output in response to the fluorescence of the fluorescent material.

Abstract: An improved assembly for housing actively aligned VCSELs or detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, and a method and technique for actively aligning VCSELs and laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, are provided. The method actively aligns an array of VCSELs or laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a first ferrule. The aligned components can then be secured to a retainer housing which can receive a plug. Then a plug, having a second ferrule with V-groove alignment portions and a substantially rectangular housing encasing the second ferrule, can be inserted into the retainer housing, thereby passively aligning the array of optical fibers carried by the second ferrule of the plug to the array of optical fibers of the first ferrule by way of posts extending from the first ferrule into the V-grooves of the second ferrule. A VCSEL or detector to optical fiber plug assembly is thus provided.

Abstract: An improved assembly for housing actively aligned VCSELs or detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, and a method and technique for actively aligning VCSELs and laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a ferrule, are provided. The method actively aligns an array of VCSELs or laser detectors to a light transport terminal, such as a first ferrule. The aligned components can then be secured to a retainer housing which can receive a plug. Then a plug, having a second ferrule with V-groove alignment portions and a substantially rectangular housing encasing the second ferrule, can be inserted into the retainer housing, thereby passively aligning the array of optical fibers carried by the second ferrule of the plug to the array of optical fibers of the first ferrule by way of posts extending from the first ferrule into the V-grooves of the second ferrule. A VCSEL or detector to optical fiber plug assembly is thus provided.

Abstract: An angled optical connector optically couples received first and second optical blocks, each of which has an optical fiber embedded therein which terminates at an optical block end face. The connector has corresponding first and second ports and a reflecting surface. In one embodiment, each port has a port optical block which includes an optical fiber embedded therein which extends between and terminates at first and second port optical block end faces. The first port optical block end face is aligned with the corresponding received optical block end face such that the port optical block optical fiber as terminating at the first end face thereof is aligned with the corresponding received optical block optical fiber as terminating at the end face thereof. A lens aligns with each port optical block optical fiber as terminating at the second end face of such port optical block for collimating light exiting or entering such optical fiber.

Abstract: Double complementary storage is provided for a single binary digit in a quad store cross-tie memory. A correlated double sampling signal processing system is used to increase data signal level and facilitate discrimination in cross-tie memories. A method is also provided for accomplishing write and read functions in a quad store cross-tie memory using only a single pulse for either function. A set of four memory elements, arranged in two row-aligned complementary pairs, stores a single data bit, and is under four column conductors for reading data, two row conductors, and a write conductor for writing data.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory array and signal processing system which provides an improved signal to noise ratio. The basic memory complex associated with the storage of a single binary digit is a quad of memory elements or cells which are addressed in complementary fashion. The enhanced read-out signal discrimination is had by utilizing a double-correlated double-sampling differential signal processing system in which complementary data is serially passed through the same path with repeated high-speed differencing which greatly reduces nonuniformity fixed patterns as well as correlated low frequency temporal noise.