Abstract: A vibration isolation system for hand implements including sporting equipment and tools to substantially reduce impact forces from being delivered to the user's hands. Isolation elements provide low spring rates enabling the system to isolate bending vibration, recoil, and twist. An outer shell member substantially encircles the grip end of the hand implement and is spaced outwardly thereto allowing the grip end to freely deflect within the outer shell member.

Abstract: A vibration isolation system for hand implements including sporting equipment and tools to substantially reduce impact forces from being delivered to the user's hands. Isolation elements provide low spring rates enabling the system to isolate bending vibration, recoil, and twist. An outer shell member substantially encircles the grip end of the hand implement and is spaced outwardly thereto allowing the grip end to freely deflect within the outer shell member.

Abstract: An SBS cell (20) for use in combination with a laser system (10) on a mobile platform. The SBS cell (20) includes inner and outer tubes (32, 34) that define inner and outer chambers (38, 40). The inner tube (32) is completely filled with an SBS fluid (76) and the outer tube (34) is filled to a level that is above the fill hole (42) of the inner tube (32). The outer tube (34) is sized to trap enough air to provide a compressible volume for cell fluid expansion from temperature changes in the laser environment. The SBS cell (20) is filled in an upside-down position, and the cell (20) is rotated 180° to its operating position. In this position, the fill hole (42) is pointed downward, and since the air bubbles float to the top, the distance between the inner tube fill hole (42) and the trapped air is sufficient enough to prevent air bubbles from migrating to the fill hole (42) and entering the inner tube (32).

Abstract: A technique for controlling the coefficient of thermal expansion of composite structural members (16, 18, 20, 22) in an optical assembly (10) to maintain precise alignment between optical components (26, 28). The technique includes measuring the coefficient of thermal expansion of each composite structural member (16, 18, 20, 22) and identifying a target structural member having the highest coefficient of thermal expansion. A small end portion of the non-target structural members (16, 18, 20, 22) is removed and replaced with a spacer member (38). The spacer member (38) is made of a material so that the combination of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the spacer member (38) and the structural member (16, 18, 20, 22) matches the target coefficient of thermal expansion. Additionally, the thickness of the spacer member (38) is selected so that the overall length of each of the structural members is the same.

Abstract: A gain module is provided for a master oscillator pumped amplifier system of a solid state laser including a ceramic housing supporting a Nd:YAG lasing slab therein. The slab is fixed relative to the housing by a pair of oppositely disposed compliant and optically transmissive securing members fictionally wedged between the housing and the lasing slab. A plurality of fluid passages are formed in the housing so as to communicate with the lasing slab. As fluid overflows the slab, the compliant securing members prevent the slab from vibrating. Preferably, the securing members are formed as U-shaped polycarbonate bars frictionally engaging the slab on a first surface and positionally adjustable driver bars coupled to the housing via a set screw block on a second surface.

Abstract: A precision mirror mount that is adjustable and able to be securely locked in angular orientation about two perpendicular axes (20, 30), to a high degree of angular resolution. A mirror (10) is bonded to a mirror cell (12), to which is rigidly connected a rod (18). The rod (18) engages a hole in a block 22 and is rotatable to adjust the angular orientation of the mirror about a first rotation axis. The block 22 is part of a mount stage (14) that also includes a second rod (26) designed to engage a hole in another block (28) that is part of a mirror mount stand (16). Rotation of the mount stage (14) about the axis (30) of the second rod (26) provide for mirror adjustment about a second rotation axis. Each of the blocks (22, 28) has a slot (34, 42) and a locking screw (36, 44) that together form locking mechanisms that clamp the respective rods (18, 26) to prevent unwanted angular movement.

Abstract: A detector 50 is included in a laser apparatus for generating a high energy laser beam to protect against the uncontrolled escape of the high energy laser beam from its prescribed optical path 14. The high energy laser beam proceeds along the optical path 14 and is directed to a work site 44 by a series of reflective surfaces in its path 26 and 30. The series of reflective surfaces function to change the path 14 of the beam 32 from the generating source to the work station 44. Associated with each of the reflective surfaces is a detector 50 which comprises a conductive frame 51 having a front face 52 and a back face 54. The back face 54 is equipped with a thermal sensor 60 which is positioned in a base portion 64 of the heat conductive frame 51. The detector is equipped with cooling means 58 and 66 for maintaining the threshold temperature.

Abstract: A compact diode pumped solid state slab laser gain module 20 is described. The laser gain module comprises a ceramic housing 22, a laser gain medium 24 disposed in the laser cavity 22, and an optical pumping source. The housing is preferably composed of alumina which provides thermal and structural stability at high temperatures to maintain beam alignment and eliminates parasitic oscillations. The laser gain medium is preferably a slab of crystalline Nd:YAG. Diode laser arrays 48, 50 are provided to pump at least one side face 30, 32 of the laser gain medium. Each diode laser array 48, 50 is mounted to a manifold 40, 42 preferably formed of a plastic, non-contaminating material. The laser gain module comprises a simplified cooling distribution for cooling the laser gain medium to produce a substantially uniform temperature distribution between its top and bottom faces, and for cooling the diode laser arrays.

Abstract: There is provided an improved mounting platform for supporting an optical system required to be precisely aligned. Alignment is required to focus a high-power laser beam on a target in a temperature variable environment that introduces thermal stresses affecting alignment. The platform 30 is a honeycomb structure comprising a core 50 sandwiched between a top plate 52 and bottom plate 54. A high-power laser optical system 12 is mounted on the top plate 52 of the platform 30. The metal enclosure 32 having top and bottom walls 34 and 36 and side walls 38, 40, 42 and 44 respectively encloses the platform 30. The platform 30 is secured to a base table 60 by means of one or more anchor assemblies 62. They are affixed to the bottom plate 54. The anchor assemblies include resilient flexure rings 70 that are received in apertures 64 cut in the bottom wall 36 of the enclosure 32.

Abstract: Electrolyzer for the extraction of a substance from an electrolytic bath.The electrolyzer comprises an anode and a cathode immersed in the bath. The cathode, in which the substance is formed, surrounds the anode. The electrolyzer also comprises means for confining the substance in the vicinity of the cathode and for guiding said substance along and towards the upper end of the cathode, together with means for collecting the substance at said end. These confinement and guidance means comprises at least one grid layer located in the vicinity of the cathode and passing along the same.Application to the production of alkaline metals or alkaline earth metals.