Abstract: A compound polyhedral concentrator (CPOC) lens is disclosed with one smooth curved surface facing the sun and an inner surface comprised of a 3D pattern of interpenetrating minimum deviation prisms with a common origin facing the absorber. This new type of stationary solar concentrator is used to extend the acceptance angles by minimizing blocking and tip optical losses that are common with radial Fresnel design forms. Moreover, when considering the extended time period for non-tracking of the sun's movement commensurate with the increased acceptance angles the total energy collected using a combination of a CPOC lens and a photovoltaic device will be greater than the total energy collected using the photovoltaic device by itself.

Abstract: A compound polyhedral concentrator (CPOC) lens is disclosed with one smooth curved surface facing the sun and an inner surface comprised of a 3D pattern of interpenetrating minimum deviation prisms with a common origin facing the absorber. This new type of stationary solar concentrator is used to extend the acceptance angles by minimizing blocking and tip optical losses that are common with radial Fresnel design forms. Moreover, when considering the extended time period for non-tracking of the sun's movement commensurate with the increased acceptance angles the total energy collected using a combination of a CPOC lens and a photovoltaic device will be greater than the total energy collected using the photovoltaic device by itself.

Abstract: Embodiments comprise a device that can efficiently produce a highly resolved intensity profile that can be easily switched to various specific configurations with binary word strings defining output intensities that after summation will be combined to form a single colors intensity depth. Arraying these devices allows an image line of single color pixels to be efficiently produced without gross scintillation effects. The non-coherent output is desirable in this application as it reduces scintillation effects on the screen or final image.

Abstract: One or more combiner elements are disclosed for optically combining multiple laser beam bundles, either extra-cavity or intra-cavity to the laser generating array chips, to form higher density bundles of parallel laser beams. The combiner elements can be shared between two or more array chips and include a form of a pellicle combiner, a polarizing beam splitter cube combiner, or some combination of the two devices.

Abstract: Embodiments comprise a device that can efficiently produce a highly resolved intensity profile that can be easily switched to various specific configurations with binary word strings defining output intensities that after summation will be combined to form a single colors intensity depth. Arraying these devices allows an image line of single color pixels to be efficiently produced without gross scintillation effects. The non-coherent output is desirable in this application as it reduces scintillation effects on the screen or final image.

Abstract: A transesterification reaction system having a catalyst dissolution chamber, a catalyst-triglyceride mixing chamber, a holding chamber and a fluid transfer device for circulating the triglyceride component, is disclosed. The catalyst dissolution chamber includes a turbulating device for wetting solid catalyst with an alcohol component and the catalyst-triglyceride mixing chamber includes a turbulent flow suction device. A transesterification method using the reaction system described above is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus that directs light onto individual photodetectors in an electronic image sensor array is disclosed. In one embodiment, refractive elements are used to appropriately refract different colors of light onto matching photodetector elements for different colors. In this manner, the image sensing apparatus most efficiently directs the proper colors of light on to the proper photodetector elements.

Abstract: According to the principles of this invention, an improved CMOS image sensor is disclosed. The improved CMOS image sensor comprises a pair of controllable column and row decoders, a signal conditioning circuit and a pixel processor in addition to an array of photo sensors. With the pair of controllable column and row decoders, photo sensors can selectively and dynamically accessed to improve signal throughput for applications that do not require the full set of signals from the array of photo sensors. The digitized signals from the selected photo sensors can be processed in the pixel processor for auto focus, pixel signals decimation and interpolation, data conversation and compression. Consequently, the design complexity of an overall imaging system using the disclosed CMOS image sensor is considerably reduced and the performance thereof is substantially increased.

Abstract: The invention provides a camera subassembly which includes a housing, a window, a lens, at least a first member, and movement imparting apparatus. The housing has a first opening through which light can enter into the housing, and a second, opposing opening. The window closes the first opening so that the housing and the window are formed so that, when the housing is mounted to a substrate so that the substrate closes the second opening, the housing, the first lens, and the board form an enclosure which is substantially sealed against ingress of contaminants. The lens is located within the enclosure. The first member mounts the lens to the housing so that the lens is moveable relative to the housing backward and forward in a direction in which light passes from the first opening through the housing to the second opening.

Abstract: The improved method and means for detecting the edges of a sample part operates on the Gaussian distribution of light intensity across a laser beam and uses analog signal and simple logical circuits to produce highly accurate, highly repeatable and rapid edge position indications. A multi-segment detector is configured with reference to the dimensions of the laser beam to provide independent outputs representative of relative position of the reflected or transmitted portion of the laser beam upon the detector as the edge of the sample part moves across the beam. An improved detector for operation with a beam having non-uniform intensity distribution thereacross includes a central segment and four perimeter segments oriented about othogonal axes that are substantially aligned with the axes of movement of the sample part across the beam.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for detecting the edges of a sample part operates on the Gaussian distribution of light intensity across a laser beam and uses analog signal and simple logical circuits to produce highly accurate, highly repeatable and rapid edge position indications. A multi-segment detector is configured with reference to the dimensions of the laser beam to provide independent outputs representative of relative position of the reflected or transmitted portion of the laser beam upon the detector as the edge of the sample part moves across the beam.

Abstract: An ion laser is described having an anode construction which has no special configuration specifically designed to accommodate differential thermal expansion between it and a ceramic tube. The anode includes a radially thick first portion for good thermal conductivity and a thin-walled sleeve integral therewith extending beyond the tube to provide an exterior surface for electrical connection. The radially thick first portion provides desired thermal conductivity in the radial direction while the thin-walled sleeve acts to resist axial thermal conductivity. The anode is brazed to the interior cylindrical surface of a ceramic cylinder providing part of the tube, with a portion of its exterior surface extending beyond the cylindrical portion to be exposed externally for electrical connection. A ceramic end sleeve is brazed within the interior of the thin-walled portion of the anode to structurally support the same.