Abstract: A deep oil fryer and filtration system is disclosed wherein the filtration system (B) is disposed within a cabinet (16) of a deep oil fryer (A) having a plurality of vats (10, 12, and 14). Filtration system (B) includes a drawer having a reservoir (20) and an adjacent utility compartment (40). A pre-filter (34) is disposed in a filter basket (30) received in reservoir (20) and spaced above a bottom wall of a reservoir by the legs (32). A drain outlet (28) from the reservoir delivers cooking oil to a pump (70). A flow line system which minimizes retention of cooking oil in the lines includes a reservoir outlet line (74), a filter inlet line (78), a filter by-pass line (80), and a return line (86). Whenever by-pass valve (82) is open and pump (70) is on, pre-filtered oil from filter (36) passes through filter inlet (50) and exits filter outlet (64) without passing through a filter element ( 48) to preheat the filter. The by-passed oil is returned to the cooking vat for rinsing out the cooking vat.

Abstract: An optical switch for coupling one of a plurality of input light sources to one of a plurality of output terminals is comprised of a Bragg cell array acoustically excited in accordance with one or more preselected control frequencies from a selectable source of such frequencies. The beam deflection is proportional to the applied radio frequency. A scan lens is positioned to intercept the deflected beams and to focus the beams into a plane for imaging upon a linear array of optical output fibers. By choice of the control frequency any combination of input and output fiber optic lines may be optically coupled without requiring active sensors. Sufficient diffraction is provided by the Bragg cell in combination with the scan lens to minimize cross-talk and insertion loss.

Abstract: A variable refractive index device, such as a Bragg cell, is temperature stabilized by sensing ray path deviations of a secondary diffracted beam. Two photodetectors with centers offset from the exit position of the central ray of the beam at normal temperature operation receive light energy as a function of the deviation of this ray path from the normal position. Light in each fiber is detected to derive electrical signals that are utilized to establish a correction signal to a voltage controlled oscillator which varies the frequency thereof and compensates for the diffraction deviations caused by temperature variations.

Abstract: An optical light conducting fiber that has a D-shaped stress sensitive coating of PVF.sub.2 which covers substantially equal length segments of said fiber, so that each of said segments is separated by equal uncoated segments of substantially the same length as said coated segments. The fiber when used in an interferometer provides an antenna that is capable of sensing electromagnetic and other stress-inducting waves in the environment. The optical fiber is polarized by winding it on a specially designed spool, heating it and applying a high intensity electric field in the desired direction.

Abstract: An optical read/write system is provided in which a laser diode for supplying read and write beams is mounted at a fixed location on a temperature stabilized platform. A single mode, polarizing-preserving optical fiber is connected between the read head and the diode to reduce the mass of the system. The light beam, which upon leaving the laser diodes is generally elliptical in shape, is passed through a magnifying lens before it impinges upon the receiving end of the optical fiber. This changes the generally elliptical shape of the laser beam to a generally circular shape. After passing through the optical fiber the light beam proceeds through an optical assembly which directs a portion of it onto the storage media. Some of the energy of the incoming laser light is reflected to monitoring diode which is coupled to a power control means that controls the power output of the laser.