Abstract: A fiber optic flaw detection system and method for detecting flaws in an optical fiber and for identifying the type of flaw as a lump, neckdown or other is provided. Three collimated beams of light rays illuminate the optical fiber substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis thereof. Each beam is scattered by a flaw-free optical fiber into an in-plane scattered light segment which is scattered in a radial plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. A flaw in the optical fiber scatters the light rays into an out-of-plane scattered light segment which is outside of the radial plane. A pair of photocells detects the out-of-plane scattered light segment for each of the beams. One photocell detects the portion of the out-of-plane light segment scattered opposite the direction of travel of the optical fiber. The other photocell detects the portion of the out-of-plane scattered light segment scattered toward the direction of travel of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for detecting flaws in an optical fiber includes a light source which generates a beam of collimated light rays to illuminate the optical fiber substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis thereof. The beam is scattered by a flaw-free optical fiber into an in-plane scattered segment which is scattered in a radial plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber. A flaw in the optical fiber scatters the light rays into an out-of-plane scattered segment which are scattered outside of the radial plane. A light attenuator removes the in-plane scattered segment of the beam and a light detector detects the remaining out-of-plane scattered segment. An electrical circuit monitors the light detected by the light detector and determines whether a flaw is present in the optical fiber. To compensate for fluctuations in the power output of the light source, a linear light detector replaces the light attenuator to detect the in-plane scattered segment of the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and dispensing comestibles, such as ice cream, has a cabinet defining an interior for holding a plurality of stacked ice cream containing magazines. A refrigeration system for cooling the interior of the cabinet below the freezing point of the ice cream is connected thereto. An X-Y picker assembly is positioned in the cabinet interior to transport ice cream from the selected magazine without heating the selected ice cream container or any other ice cream containers stored therein. The ice cream is carried by the X-Y picker assembly to a dispensing opening in the cabinet from which it can be accessed by the consumer. A nonvolatile information storage device is associated with the plurality of magazines and contains product characteristic information therein related to the flavors of ice cream in the magazines. A mapping system maps switch closures from product selection switches with the product characteristic information.