Abstract: A crimped connection system and methods for use in connection with the construction of earth walls is disclosed. A grid-type soil mat may be provided with a number of crimped ends. The crimped ends may be adapted for engagement through the use of a locking member with another soil mat or with a plurality of anchors partially embedded within a precast concrete panel. The plurality of anchors may be formed as part of a gang or unitary structure to facilitate alignment of the anchors when being cast into the precast concrete panels.

Abstract: A crimped connection system and methods for use in connection with the construction of earth walls is disclosed. A grid-type soil mat may be provided with a number of crimped ends. The crimped ends may be adapted for engagement through the use of a locking member with another soil mat or with a plurality of anchors partially embedded within a precast concrete panel. The plurality of anchors may be formed as part of a gang or unitary structure to facilitate alignment of the anchors when being cast into the precast concrete panels.

Abstract: An optical fiber rotary measurement sensor for flow meters and other mechanical devices incorporates a housing having an encoder disc mounted by a drive shaft for driven rotation, the drive shaft being driven by a flow meter mechanism or by any other mechanical device. The encoder forms evenly spaced light absorbing and light reflecting areas at the outer periphery thereof and optical fibers are positioned to project light onto and receive reflected light from the outer periphery of the encoder disc. An opto-electronic signal processor receives reflected light pulses from the reflective surface areas and translates the light pulses into electrical pulses. The electrical pulses are in turn input to electronic display circuitry for providing a digital, analog or other suitable display representative of the rotation of the encoder disc and thus representative of rotary output movement of the flow meter or other mechanical device.

Abstract: An optical fiber/paddle wheel fluid velocity sensor is provided which has application as a boat speed sensor and a fluid flow meter as well as other applications. The paddle wheel may be of integral construction and incorporates a plurality of T-shaped paddle blades which are disposed in some substantially parallel, spaced relation with an axial shaft portion thereof. Each of the blades is inclined and offset with respect to the axis of rotation. Each of the paddle blade elements includes a signal interrupter projection capable of passing between closely spaced aligned optical fibers to thus interrupt the light signal therebetween and provide for multiple direct digital signal pulses that may be electronically processed to represent the velocity of fluid flow.