Abstract: A defect detector can receives voltage data characterizing a three-phase voltage for each of a plurality of feeder lines. The defect detector generates an alert indicating that a potential defect exists at a switch upstream of the plurality of feeder lines in response to the voltage data indicating (i) a drop in two or more phases of voltage at a given feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines occurred within a predetermined amount of time of toggling of the switch or (ii) a drop in two or more phases of voltage on at least two or more feeder lines of the plurality of feeder lines has occurred.

Abstract: A defect detector can receives voltage data characterizing a three-phase voltage for each of a plurality of feeder lines. The defect detector generates an alert indicating that a potential defect exists at a switch upstream of the plurality of feeder lines in response to the voltage data indicating (i) a drop in two or more phases of voltage at a given feeder line of the plurality of feeder lines occurred within a predetermined amount of time of toggling of the switch or (ii) a drop in two or more phases of voltage on at least two or more feeder lines of the plurality of feeder lines has occurred.

Abstract: A roll-over airbag 10 having an upper fabric panel 15 and a lower fabric panel 20 perimetrically bonded to the upper fabric panel 15. This perimetric joint is reinforced with a lap joint 30 defining a reinforced interior seal. The height and/or thickness of the roll-over airbag 10 can be limited by either selecting a configuration that is self limiting or by limiting the displacement of the upper and lower fabric panels 15 and 20 from one another during expansion of the roll-over airbag 10 by at least one tether member 40 disposed within roll-over airbag 10. Further, a method for producing a flatjoint seam in a roll-over airbag in which the lap joint is sealed flat and steps are taken to prevent the upper and lower portions of the lap joint from adhering to one another.

Abstract: A roll-over airbag 10 having an upper fabric panel 15 and a lower fabric panel 20 perimetrically bonded to the upper fabric panel 15. This perimetric joint is reinforced with a lap joint 30 defining a reinforced interior seal. The height and/or thickness of the roll-over airbag 10 can be limited by either selecting a configuration that is self limiting or by limiting the displacement of the upper and lower fabric panels 15 and 20 from one another during expansion of the roll-over airbag 10 by at least one tether member 40 disposed within roll-over airbag 10. Further, a method for producing a flat joint seam in a roll-over airbag in which the lap joint is sealed flat and steps are taken to prevent the upper and lower portions of the lap joint from adhering to one another.

Abstract: An illumination source transmits light through a transmitting light pipe to an optical switch. A first receiving light pipe is aligned with and spaced from the first transmitting light pipe to form a first gap therebetween. The switch includes a switch cap adapted to be disposed in a first position and in a second position. A first light transmitting tower is coupled to the switch cap and extends from the switch cap into the first gap when the switch cap is disposed in at least one of the first position and the second position. A first opaque blade extends from the switch cap and adjacent to the first light transmitting tower and is adapted to extend into the first gap to prevent light from being transmitted to the first end of the first receiving light pipe in one of the first position or the second position. In other embodiments, a switch and a method for using the switch enable illumination of only a portion of the switch cap regardless of the switch position.

Abstract: A system is described for causing automatic activation of vehicle low beam headlamps. Three voltage sensors, including a voltage slope detector for sensing engine start-up, cause activation whenever the engine is running. Separate master and slave modules allow for retrofit installation using the vehicle's existing wiring harness. Cables and cable connectors connect the system directly to the headlamp wiring harness, headlamp base, and vehicle battery without the need for splicing. The system can be bypassed or overridden by operation of the vehicle's standard headlamp switch.

Abstract: The gain of an optical amplifier is maintained constant by employing a portion of the amplified optical signal in a feedback loop. In one arrangement this is used to control the output of a pump signal source accordingly. The portion of the said signal corresponds to spontaneous emission (ASE) at a control wavelength or band of wavelengths different to the wavelength of the optical signal output. In the case of an erbium, for example, optical fibre amplifier the portion is preferably ASE at 980 nm, the amplified signal being at 1.535 .mu.m, i.e. completely different transitions in the amplifying medium are used for gain and ASE feedback in order to lessen requirements on the filter used to extract the portion for the feedback loop.

Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly bladder for altering the surface contour of a seat and an associated bladder sealing method is provided. The seat assembly bladder comprises a pair of inflatable chambers, each having inner and outer chamber walls. At least a portion of the inner walls of the chambers are joined and an opening is provided at a point at which such walls are joined to establish fluid communications between the chambers. The walls of the chambers are fabricated from a laminated material having a plurality of layers, and air or gas is prevented from escaping through the laminated inner walls by sealing selected edge portions of the inner walls.

Abstract: An hybrid laser source has a ring structure including the optical path in a semiconductor amplifier chip (1) and optical fibres (2, 3 and 4). The fibre (2) is rare-earth doped and provides an additional gain medium in the ring, the chip providing its own gain medium. The two gain media are interactive and when the chip input current is modulated the source produces relatively high peak power ultrashort pulses (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An active optical fibre star coupler having a length of amplifying optical fibre (1) optically connected at one end to a wavelength combining coupler (2) and at the other end to via a beam expanding element (3) to a set of output optical fibres.

Abstract: A seismic data processing system utilizes vibration type shock waves which are delivered by a reactive mass (52) acting in conjunction with a base plate (50) to output low frequency shock waves to the earth. The force signals for the reactive mass (52) and (50) are measured and input to a transmitter (42) for transmission to a receiver (48) at a control center (28) which also receives resultant measured data. The measured force signal is input to a data correlator (74) as a model signal and correlated with the resultant data to provide processed data out.

Abstract: Three naphthoquinones isolated from cultures of Fusarium solani were found to be effective antibiotics against gram-positive bacteria. Controlling the dissolved oxygen concentration in the fermentation medium between 0.7 and 2.0 ppm resulted in maximum yields of the naphthoquinones. 2,3-Dihydro-5,8-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-2-hydroxymethyl-3-(2-hydroxypropyl)-1, 4- naphtholenedione was the most effective antibiotic.

Abstract: Novel finely divided particulate calcium carbonate compositions comprising mixtures of a preponderance of dry ground calcium carbonate with a smaller amount of wet ground calcium carbonate, each of these components having particular particle size characteristics and particle size distributions, are disclosed. When used as all or part of the filler in thermosetting and thermosplastic resinous compositions, e.g., thermosetting polyester resinous molding compositions, paints and other finishes, sealants and the like, such mixtures provide compositions having high filler loadings coupled with acceptably low viscosities and better processability than resinous compositions containing all dry-ground fillers.

Abstract: A shoulder suspended semi-flexible bag configured to conform to and substantially wrap the torso of a carrier, comprising flexible crease resistant panel means secured to the sides of the bag, reinforcing support thereto, such panel means being capable of sufficient flexing as permits the bag to be turned insideout without permanently creasing the reinforcing panels.

Abstract: A camera case for use with cameras of the instant type is disclosed. The camera case of the present invention includes the feature that each of the various surfaces of the camera is fully protected by the case, while allowing easy access to each of the operating components of the camera. The camera case may be formed as a single-piece, unitary construction of a flexible material such as leather or plastic.

Abstract: A process for the clarification of citrus juices is disclosed. Polygalacturonic acid is added to cloudy citrus juice. The resultant coagulated material is removed from solution leaving a clear liquid.