Abstract: A high energy semiconductor laser capable of high optical efficiency includes a master oscillator coupled to a plurality of slave oscillators, each producing a laser beam that is substantially at the same wavelength as the output beam from the master oscillator. The outputs of the slave oscillators are then coherently combined to a single monochromatic beam having an optical power which is substantially greater than that of beam output from the master oscillator. The slave oscillators can be configured as ring resonators. A suitable ring oscillator can be built by arranging one or more semiconductor diode laser gain media, two or more reflecting mirrors, and at least one semireflective mirror in a ring configuration. A suitable ring oscillator can also be built by machining a solid block to include one or more semiconductor diode laser high gain regions.

Abstract: Rapidly pulsed injection fracture acidizing. A method comprises rapidly pulsed injection of a high reactivity fracture treatment fluid mode or substage alternated with one or more low reactivity treatment fluid modes or substages.

Abstract: A bidirectional beam director includes a pair of optically coupled diffraction gratings, each being independently rotatable so that a laser beam passing through the pair of gratings can be steered by rotation of at least one of the gratings. The bidirectional beam can be coupled to many types of optical systems, including optical phased arrays, multi-beam laser transmitters and receivers, telescopes, and high energy laser beam control systems.

Abstract: A high energy semiconductor laser capable of high optical efficiency includes a master oscillator coupled to a plurality of slave oscillators, each producing a laser beam that is substantially at the same wavelength as the output beam from the master oscillator. The outputs of the slave oscillators are then coherently combined to a single monochromatic beam having an optical power which is substantially greater than that of beam output from the master oscillator. The slave oscillators can be configured as ring resonators. A suitable ring oscillator can be built by arranging one or more semiconductor diode laser gain media, two or more reflecting mirrors, and at least one semireflective mirror in a ring configuration. A suitable ring oscillator can also be built by machining a solid block to include one or more semiconductor diode laser high gain regions.

Abstract: A beam director includes first and second refractive elements, a reflective surface, and a platform. The reflective surface and the second refractive element are mechanically and optically coupled, and the first refractive element is optically coupled to the second refractive element through the reflective surface. The platform is configured to rotate the reflective surface and the second refractive surface about the optical axis of the first refractive element while maintaining the optical couplings.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser beam control and imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets towards a target. At least one of the beamlets illuminates the whole target or a substantial portion of the target when imaging the target. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute a relative phase of a wavefront of at least one beamlet based on output from the sensor. The processor also reconstructs a wavefront which is used to formulate two or three dimensional images of the target. A controller is communicably coupled to the processor and to the laser transmitter. The controller is configured to adjust a phase of at least one of the beamlets.

Abstract: There is described a system and method for recycling carbon-containing material, in particular tires and plastics materials. The system includes a heating arrangement for anaerobically heating carbon containing material to produce carbon-containing gases. A condensing arrangement is also used to condense a proportion of the carbon-containing gases to provide condensed gases and non-condensed gases. In addition, a recirculating arrangement is provided for recirculating the non-condensed gases into the heating arrangement. Further systems and methods for pre- and post-processing of the carbon-containing material are also disclosed and products of the systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An active imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute images of objects illuminated by the beamlets.

Abstract: An expansion tank is disclosed in which a non-return valve is fitted in an outlet port of the expansion tank to limit backflow of coolant into the expansion tank in the event that the pressure in the expansion tank falls below the pressure in a return conduit thereby preventing the expansion tank from filling with coolant. The non-return valve and the expansion tank are formed as a single component and the non-return valve is located in an outlet port of the expansion tank.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser beam control system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute a relative phase of a wavefront of at least one beamlet based on output from the sensor. A controller is communicably coupled to the processor and to the laser transmitter. The controller is configured to adjust a phase of at least one of the beamlets.

Abstract: A laser beam control system includes an output aperture through which a laser beam is directed toward a target. A laser beam return is also received through the output aperture, with the laser beam return including scatter from the laser beam. A deformable mirror is adapted to control the outgoing laser beam, and a sensor is adapted to detect the wavefront of the laser beam return. An optics controller is operationally coupled to the deformable mirror and is adapted to adjust the deformable mirror in response to the wavefront of the laser beam return.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser beam control and imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets towards a target. At least one of the beamlets illuminates the whole target or a substantial portion of the target when imaging the target. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute a relative phase of a wavefront of at least one beamlet based on output from the sensor. The processor also reconstructs a wavefront which is used to formulate two or three dimensional images of the target. A controller is communicably coupled to the processor and to the laser transmitter. The controller is configured to adjust a phase of at least one of the beamlets.

Abstract: A deformable mirror includes a plurality of block segments and at least one actuator. The block segments are arranged in an array, with adjacent block segments being coupled together by an elastomer and the top surface of the array being reflective. The at least one actuator is coupled to at least one of the block segments at the bottom surface of the array and is adapted to adjust in piston.

Abstract: A sun tracking solar concentrator includes a one or two-sided linear Fresnel lens imprinted on a rollable sheet that is curved to form as a cylindrical arc surface. A one sided lens has a first zero line or a center point that transmits sunlight through without any refraction. A two sided lens also has a second zero line that is perpendicular to the first zero line. The Fresnel lens may be spooled onto rollers at its two straight ends. The first zero line or the center point may be positioned along the cylindrical arc by rotating one or both of the rollers. This mechanism aimed at providing horizontal tracking of the sun as it moves from East to West. Vertical tracking is accomplished by a tiltable mount coupled to the two rollers.

Abstract: An expansion tank for an engine cooling system comprises a housing forming a main chamber and a swirl chamber, the swirl chamber being defined by a cylindrical wall. An inlet connection discharges through an inlet orifice towards a collector duct having an entrance. From the inlet orifice the coolant is directed as a stream or jet along the adjacent surface of the cylindrical wall towards the entrance of the collector duct, guided by circumferential ribs. The kinetic energy of the stream is converted into pressure energy so that the pressure delivered from the outlet connection is slightly above the pressure at the top of the swirl chamber, above the level of liquid. This swirl chamber pressure is set by the relief pressure allowed by a filler cap, the gain in pressure helping to avoid cavitation in a coolant circulation pump.

Abstract: An active imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute images of objects illuminated by the beamlets.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) capable of a panoramic field of view. a concave image source is optically coupled in series to a first hemispherical lens, a second hemispherical lens, and a spherical mirror. Each of the concave image source, the first and second hemispherical mirrors, and the spherical mirror are optically concentric.

Abstract: A temperature responsive control valve is disclosed. The valve may have a housing having a hot inlet, a cold inlet and an outlet. A first valve member, and a second valve member, may be configured to move within the housing to selectively prevent and permit flow from the hot inlet and the cold inlet to the outlet when a sensed temperature is within predetermined ranges. A temperature responsive actuator may be disposed to move the first and second valve members within the housing in accordance with the sensed temperature. A first bias may be configured to bias the first valve member toward preventing flow from the hot inlet to the outlet, and a second bias may be configured to bias the second valve member toward preventing flow from the cold inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An interferometric tracking device is disclosed. A first grating is optically coupled to a second grading such that the second grating is rotationally offset from the first grating. Imaging optics are adapted to image light passing through the first and second gratings onto a focal plane array. A plurality of wedge plates are optically disposed between the imaging optics and the second grating, such that the wedge plates generate a plurality of spots on the FPA when light from a point source is incident upon the first grating.

Abstract: A multi-beam laser beam control system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute a relative phase of a wavefront of at least one beamlet based on output from the sensor. A controller is communicably coupled to the processor and to the laser transmitter. The controller is configured to adjust a phase of at least one of the beamlets.