Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multiple inducible gene regulation system that functions within cells to simultaneously control the quantitative expression of multiple genes.

Abstract: A filament holding fixture having a closed position for applying substantially equal pressure to a plurality of points around the circumference of a filament. The holding fixture comprises a first jaw having a planar surface and an open-ended channel formed in the first jaw opening to the planar surface, and a second jaw having a structured surface including an open-ended groove of substantially rectangular cross section. Both the channel and the groove are sized for even application of pressure to a filament placed between them when there is axial alignment of the channel with the groove. An angular compensator may be included to facilitate positioning of the groove for even application of pressure to a filament when the planar surface lies adjacent to the structured surface, and the filament holding fixture is in the closed position.

Abstract: A fuel injector comprising a valve needle which is slidable within a bore, a surface associated with the valve needle defining, in part, a control chamber which communicates, through a restriction, with a supply passage. The fuel injector also includes an injection control valve controlling communication between the control chamber and a low pressure reservoir, and a drain valve controlling communication between the supply passage and the low pressure reservoir. The injection control valve and the drain valve include respective armatures moveable under the influence of a common electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: An injector is disclosed which comprises a valve needle engageable with a seating. A spring urges the needle towards its seating, the spring engaging a spring abutment. A pressure backing member positioned within the injector is slidable relative to the spring abutment under the action of the pressure of fuel applied thereto. The pressure backing member is engageable with a surface associate with the needle to urge the needle towards its seating. The slidable pressure backing member reduces the pressure in the pumping chamber both prior to and after termination of the injection process. Also, the backing member maintains the pressure in a fuel supply passage of a low level to enhance the efficiency of the injector.

Abstract: An injector comprises a body, a valve needle slidable within the body and biassed into engagement with a seating by a spring, a fuel supply line for supplying fuel to thrust surfaces provided on the valve needle to apply a force on the valve needle acting against the action of the spring, a drain valve operable to control communication between the supply line and a low pressure drain, a needle control valve controlling the fuel pressure within a control chamber defined, in part, by a surface of the valve needle or a component carried thereby oriented such that when high pressure fuel is applied to the control chamber, a force is applied to the valve needle in a direction assisting the spring, wherein the drain valve and the needle control valve are controlled by an electromagnetic actuator arrangement including a single armature, the needle control valve and the surface of the valve needle or component carried thereby defining part of the control chamber being of dimensions such that the needle control valve

Abstract: A pump/injector includes a high pressure pump which delivers fuel to an inwardly opening fuel injection nozzle. Also provided is a spill valve which is connected to the pumping chamber of the pump and through which the pumping chamber is filled with fuel from a source by way of a first non-return valve. Connected intermediate the spill valve and the non-return valve is a branch passage to the spring chamber of the nozzle and the pressure in the spring chamber when the spill valve is opened to terminate delivery of fuel is controlled by a valve.

Abstract: A rotary distributor type fuel pumping apparatus has two pairs of plungers housed in respective diametrical bores which intersect each other. One of the plungers is longer than the remaining plungers conveniently by providing an extension at its inner end. The extension lies in the paths of movement of the remaining plungers so as to minimize the risk of damage to the plungers.

Abstract: A fuel pump for supplying fuel to an engine includes a rotary drive shaft (12) having an enlarged portion (18) through which the rotary part of the pump is driven. The pump also has an annular cam ring (17) which is angularly adjustable within the pump housing to vary the timing of fuel delivery. The pump includes a transducer (31) having pole pieces (33, 34) which are located in close proximity to the elongated portion (18) of the drive shaft. The pole pieces form part of a magnetic circuit including a magnet and the pole piece (33) and the adjacent surface or the portion (18) are shaped so that the flux in the magnetic circuit varies in a cyclic manner as the shaft rotates. The pole pieces and magnet are mounted on the cam ring (17) and the transducer includes a former (37) carried by the housing of the pump and upon which is wound a winding. The former surrounds a part of the magnetic circuit and the former and the part of the magnetic circuit are shaped so as to allow angular movement of the cam ring.

Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a valve member movable into engagement with a seating to prevent the flow of fluid through the valve, and an actuating member which is biased in one direction by a return spring and is moved against the action of the return spring by the armature of the actuator when the winding thereof is energized. The movement of the actuating element is transmitted to the valve member through an under travel spring which yields to allow continued movement of the actuating element when the valve member engages the seating.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes a plunger reciprocable within a bore having an outlet connected to an injection nozzle. The plunger is reciprocated through a fixed stroke and a valve is provided to close a spill path to start delivery of fuel to the nozzle. A movable piston controlled by an electrically operable valve, is allowed to move to absorb the fuel displaced by the plunger to halt fuel delivery to the nozzle.

Abstract: An hydraulic mechanism constructed to facilitate termination of fuel delivery by a fuel injection pump includes a piston slidable within a bore which opens into a chamber communicating with the pump. The piston is biased towards an end wall of the chamber and in the end wall is an inlet port. The piston defines a sealing surface engaging with the end wall about the port and a control valve connects the port with the chamber. When the valve is closed and the piston is in contact with the end wall fuel can be delivered by the pump but as soon as the valve is opened the piston is displaced away from the end wall to absorb the fuel delivered by the pump.

Abstract: A fluid control valve comprises a valve member slidable in a bore about one end of which is defined a seating. The valve member has a valve head located in a first chamber which in use is connected to a source of fluid under pressure. Below the valve head the valve member and bore define a second chamber into which fluid can flow from the first chamber when the control valve is open. The first chamber has an end wall which is engaged by the valve head in the open position and the end wall and valve head define a recess. In the open position of the valve the pressure in the recess is low but when fluid is supplied to the recess the pressure therein increases and the valve member moves to the closed position to prevent flow of liquid between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine has a high pressure pump including a plunger reciprocable in a bore connected to a fuel injection nozzle. Valve means including a valve member and a piston member is provided. The valve member can be moved to a closed position to allow fuel flow to the nozzle and to prevent such flow an electromagnetic valve can be operated to allow displacement of the piston member. Movement of the piston member lowers the pressure of fuel supplied to the nozzle but also moves the valve member to the open position to allow the remaining fuel displaced by the piston to flow to a drain.

Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes a valve means operable to control the spillage of fuel from a high pressure pump. The valve means includes first and second valve elements connected by a pivotal beam carried on a pivot movable in the direction of valve closure when an actuator is energized. The first valve element is biased by a spring to the open position and through the beam the second valve element is held in the closed position by the pressure developed by the pump and the second valve element is urged to the open position by the pressure but can be held closed against the pressure by the actuator. When the actuator is de-energized the second valve element is urged open by the pressure to lower the pressure and the spring then opens the first valve element and closes the second valve element.

Abstract: An electromagnetic device includes a stator having circumferential ribs which define grooves locating windings. An annular armature has internal ribs which extend into the grooves and the armature is divided along its length into at least two parts to enable assembly about the stator. The armature parts are secured at one end to an output member and at the other end are located by the wall of a surrounding body or a part carried thereby.

Abstract: A stator structure for an electromagnetic device includes a core of cylindrical form having pole pieces between which are defined grooves accommodating windings. The core is formed with a diametrical slot which extends the length of the core and which locates the connections between adjacent windings.

Abstract: A fuel injection pumping apparatus for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes an injection pump to which fuel is supplied by a feed pump under the control of an operator adjustable throttle means. A valve is provided intermediate the throttle means and the injection pump and includes a valve element which is subject to the outlet pressure of the feed pump and which throttles the flow of fuel between the throttle means and the injection pump. As the outlet pressure of the feed pump increases, the throttling effect of the valve element is reduced. The force exerted by the spring on the valve element is determined by a device which is responsive to the pressure of air supplied to the associated engine and the disposition of the device is such that as the pressure of air supplied to the engine increases, the throttling effect provided by the valve element decreases.

Abstract: A fluid pump includes a housing in which is defined a bore. A pump assembly is mounted within the bore a pump assembly including a drive shaft extending through an aperture in an end wall serving to close one end of the bore, the other end of the bore being closed by an end closure. The pump assembly comprises three stator portions and disposed in end to end relationship with each end stator portion and the center stator portion being separated by components of two stages of the pump.

Abstract: A synchronous stacking device for receiving and stacking documents fed to it in a random spaced apart relationship by a delivery mechanism. Documents move from the delivery mechanism through a movable guide track having first and second positions, toward a rotating carrier for insertion into one of a plurality of equally spaced document-accepting pockets which are interspersed with document non-accepting segments. The carrier delivers the inserted documents to a stripping station when the previously inserted documents are removed and deposited on a stacking platform. Comparator means are provided for sensing the orientation of the carrier relative to a document in the delivery mechanism and moving the guide means to the second position whenever the orientation of the carrier would result in the document encountering a non-accepting segment of the carrier and would not allow the document to enter a document-accepting pocket if the guide means were to remain in the first position.