Abstract: Hybrid optical integration places very strict manufacturing tolerances and performance requirements upon the multiple elements to exploit passive alignment techniques as well as having additional processing requirements. Alternatively, active alignment and soldering/fixing where feasible is also complex and time consuming with 3, 4, or 6-axis control of each element. However, microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems can sense, control, and activate mechanical processes on the micro scale. Beneficially, therefore the inventors combine silicon MEMS based micro-actuators with silicon CMOS control and drive circuits in order to provide alignment of elements within a silicon optical circuit either with respect to each other or with other optical elements hybridly integrated such as compound semiconductor elements. Such inventive MEMS based circuits may be either maintained as active during deployment or powered off once the alignment has been “locked” through an attachment/retention/latching process.

Abstract: Unlike most MEMS device configurations which simply switch between two positions in many optical devices the state of a MEMS mirror is important in all transition positions. It may determine the characteristics of an optical delay line system and by that an optical coherence tomography system in one application and in another the number of wavelength channels and the dynamic wavelength switching capabilities in the other. The role of the MEMS is essential and it is responsible for altering the paths of the different wavelengths in either device. It would be beneficial to improve the performance of such MEMS and thereby the performance of the optical components and optical systems they form part of. The inventors have established improvements to the design and implementation of such MEMS mirrors as well as optical waveguide technologies to in-plane optical processing as well as the mid infrared for optical spectroscopy.

Abstract: Photonic integration has primarily sought to exploit optical parallelism through wavelength division multiplexing whilst in many instances “brute-force” time division multiplexing offers benefits through reduced complexity and cost. However, photoreceivers are primarily the same now for operation at 10 Gb/s, 20 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and above as 20 or 25 years ago and exploit the same optical detection—amplification—logic processing design. However, high speed low cost electronics ca be leveraged in conjunction with optical time sampling and logic to provide a new design paradigm. An incoming XGbs?1 optical data stream is sampled and processed by N photodetectors each operating at (X/N)Gbs?1 rather than the current direct XGbs?1 front-end of the prior art. Flexibility for the designer in establishing N within optical layer constraints, electronics capabilities etc.

Abstract: A clip on necktie assembly for presenting an ornamental appearance of a necktie includes a strap that may be worn around a neck. A strip is removably coupled to the strap. Thus, the strip and the strap have an ornamental appearance of a necktie.

Abstract: A multidirectional wheel assembly for facilitating a cart to be moved in any direction at any time. The assembly includes a cup that is coupled to a leg of a cart. A sphere is rotatably positioned in the cup and the sphere rolls along a support surface. The sphere is rotatable in a selectable direction in the cup to facilitate the cart to be urged in the selectable direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing at least one hub bore of a multi-bore fluid hub associated with a wellhead assembly includes a plug body having a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface. A plug bore extends from a first end of the plug body to the plug bore opening. The plug body is selectively insertable into a hub housing of the multi-bore fluid hub. An insert is in engagement with the outer mating surface and is moveable relative to the plug body between an unengaged position, and an engaged position where the insert seals across one of the hub bores. A stem member is coupled to the plug body and is moveable to selectively rotate the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub so that the plug bore opening aligns with one of the hub bores and the insert aligns with another of the hub bores.

Abstract: External modulators, variable optical attenuators, optical gates, etc. employing Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) are a common structure within photonic integrated circuits and solutions for addressing the ever increasing demands for larger bandwidth and higher capacity in telecommunication and datacom networks. In most applications, but particularly data centers with potentially tens of thousands of optical links where direct board level applications would be preferred with CMOS compatibility, low power consumption is required. Equally, reducing the footprint of optical devices whilst increasing the functional integration on a line card for example does little for power consumption unless the device capacitance and drive voltage can be reduced as well. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide MZIs that require reduced phase shifts to reduce power consumption as the square of reduced applied voltage.

Abstract: Photonic integration has primarily sought to exploit optical parallelism through wavelength division multiplexing whilst in many instances “brute-force” time division multiplexing offers benefits through reduced complexity and cost. However, photoreceivers are primarily the same now for operation at 10 Gb/s, 20 Gb/s, 40 Gb/s and above as 20 or 25 years ago and exploit the same optical detection—amplification—logic processing design. However, high speed low cost electronics ca be leveraged in conjunction with optical time sampling and logic to provide a new design paradigm. An incoming XGbs?1 optical data stream is sampled and processed by N photodetectors each operating at (X/N)Gbs?1 rather than the current direct XGbs?1 front-end of the prior art. Flexibility for the designer in establishing N within optical layer constraints, electronics capabilities etc.

Abstract: Unlike most MEMS device configurations which simply switch between two positions in many optical devices the state of a MEMS mirror is important in all transition positions. It may determine the characteristics of an optical delay line system and by that an optical coherence tomography system in one application and in another the number of wavelength channels and the dynamic wavelength switching capabilities in the other. The role of the MEMS is essential and it is responsible for altering the paths of the different wavelengths in either device. It would be beneficial to improve the performance of such MEMS and thereby the performance of the optical components and optical systems they form part of. The inventors have established improvements to the design and implementation of such MEMS mirrors as well as optical waveguide technologies to in-plane optical processing as well as the mid infrared for optical spectroscopy.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a flow passage and a body cavity perpendicular to the flow passage. A bonnet is secured to the valve body. A valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the valve member blocking the flow passage in the closed position, and allowing flow through the flow passage in the open position. A valve stem is coupled to the valve member. A debris barrier circumscribes the valve stem. The debris barrier comprises a first disk shaped member with a central opening through which the valve stem is inserted, and notches that extend radially from the central opening to define petals with ends that abut the valve stem.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing at least one hub bore of a multi-bore fluid hub associated with a wellhead assembly includes a plug body having a plug bore opening on an outer mating surface. A plug bore extends from a first end of the plug body to the plug bore opening. The plug body is selectively insertable into a hub housing of the multi-bore fluid hub. An insert is in engagement with the outer mating surface and is moveable relative to the plug body between an unengaged position, and an engaged position where the insert seals across one of the hub bores. A stem member is coupled to the plug body and is moveable to selectively rotate the plug body within the multi-bore fluid hub so that the plug bore opening aligns with one of the hub bores and the insert aligns with another of the hub bores.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a flow passage and a body cavity perpendicular to the flow passage. A bonnet is secured to the valve body. A valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the valve member blocking the flow passage in the closed position, and allowing flow through the flow passage in the open position. A valve stem is coupled to the valve member. A debris barrier circumscribes the valve stem. The debris barrier comprises a first disk shaped member with a central opening through which the valve stem is inserted, and notches that extend radially from the central opening to define petals with ends that abut the valve stem.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument comprising a file, file guide, an outer split casing, a motion converter converting rotary motion to reciprocal motion and file assembly. The file assembly consists of an angular shaped elongated tube fairing into a generally flat portion defining the guide for the blade of the file, a complementary shaped file and a plastic rod insert having a lumen for the file and a lumen defining a passage for flowing a fluid to the surgical site. The motion converter consists of a planetary gear system connected to the battery powered motor that rotates a platen which in turn drives a cam and cam follower fitted into the cam slot for driving a drum for producing rectilinear motion. The file assembly is attached to the drum for reciprocating the file blade for use in a medical procedure for removing bone or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument comprising a file, file guide, an outer split casing, a motion converter converting rotary motion to reciprocal motion and file assembly. The file assembly consists of an angular shaped elongated tube fairing into a generally flat portion defining the guide for the blade of the file, a complementary shaped file and a plastic rod insert having a lumen for the file and a lumen defining a passage for flowing a fluid to the surgical site. The motion converter consists of a planetary gear system connected to the battery powered motor that rotates a platen which in turn drives a cam and cam follower fitted into the cam slot for driving a drum for producing rectilinear motion. The file assembly is attached to the drum for reciprocating the file blade for use in a medical procedure for removing bone or a portion thereof.

Abstract: A surgical file instrument including a surgical file assembly having an elongated tubular member with a guide/shield supporting the blade of the surgical file and being formed on the distal end thereof, the guide/shield portion being generally planar shaped and having an elongated longitudinally extending dimple defining a rail for guiding said blade and keeping it central and preventing wobbling. The side edges of said guide/shield extend upwardly and bear against the underside of the blade for supporting the same.