Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for producing time delays in optical signals are provided. The methods, systems, and apparatuses allow the time it takes for an individual light beam to travel an individual light path to be varied. In one example, the apparatuses have an array of actuator elements and first and second optical elements arranged such that the time it takes for an individual light beam to travel an individual light path between the array of actuator elements and the first and second optical elements is variable.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for producing time delays in optical signals are provided. The methods, systems, and apparatuses allow the time it takes for an individual light beam to travel an individual light path to be varied. In one example, the apparatuses have an array of actuator elements and first and second optical elements arranged such that the time it takes for an individual light beam to travel an individual light path between the array of actuator elements and the first and second optical elements is variable.

Abstract: An optical interconnection device and a spot displacement device are presented. In optical interconnection device of the present invention, a spot displacement device is employed to cause a light beam to shift positions, thereby making available output positions not previously available for a light beam having bounced so few times.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a shifting unit that uses optical fibers to shift beams among various outputs. The shifting unit comprises a shifting entrance plane and a shifting exit plane. The shifting entrance plane comprises at least one row of signal input positions. Each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical signal from a source. The shifting exit plane comprises a respective number of rows of signal output positions. Each signal output position is adapted to output an optical beam. Each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position. Also, each optical fiber is the same length as every other optical fiber in the shifting unit. The present invention also comprises methods and apparatus comprising the shifting unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a delay unit for optically generating time delays in signals comprising: a delay entrance plane, the delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, wherein each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical beam from a source; a delay exit plane, the delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each signal output position is adapted to output the optical beam; and wherein each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of that row. Also provided are apparatus and methods for generating time delays in signals.

Abstract: The present invention includes time delay devices and time delay systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a true time device that falls into the free-space category but uses a multiple-pass optical cell with refocusing mirrors that has the advantage of avoiding beam-spreading problems. This approach differs from previous free-space approaches in that it uses only one optical switch or spatial light modulator instead of one or more switches for each bit. In one approach, a microwave signal for each antenna element may be modulated onto an optical beam. After the individual optical beams are delayed by the desired amount of time through the system, the signals may then be down-converted to microwave signals for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention includes time delay devices and time delay systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. The present invention comprises a true time device that falls into the free-space category but uses a multiple-pass optical cell with refocusing mirrors that has the advantage of avoiding beam-spreading problems. This approach differs from previous free-space approaches in that it uses only one optical switch or spatial light modulator instead of one or more switches for each bit. In one approach, a microwave signal for each antenna element may be modulated onto an optical beam. After the individual optical beams are delayed by the desired amount of time through the system, the signals may then be down-converted to microwave signals for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention includes optical interconnection devices and optical interconnection systems. The invention also includes machines and instruments using those aspects of the invention. The invention may also be used to upgrade, repair, or retrofit existing machines or instruments, using methods and components known in the art. An optical interconnection device of the present invention utilizes a multiple-pass optical cell. This approach differs from previous approaches in that spatial light modulators are used in a White cell device or other multiple-pass optical configuration. In a spatial light modulator, each individual element typically only has two or three variations used to direct the light. Therefore, precise calibration is not needed. The light simply needs to be directed towards the appropriate arm of the optical cell, which utilizes a self-correcting mirror in order to direct a light stream to the next desired location in the system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an improved fishing butt and reel seat assembly and comprises a substantially strong, rigid, one piece rod having a first open end, a second open end and a main length extending therebetween with a hollow interior in communication with both open ends having a substantially constant inner diameter. The rod includes a reel seat portion, a shank portion, and preferably, a gimbal receiving portion. The reel seat portion preferably includes an abutment section with an enlarged exterior diameter disposed generally adjacent the shank portion. The exterior diameter of the abutment section is larger than that of the reel seat portion but smaller than the exterior diameter of the shank portion which is the largest.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an improved fishing butt and reel seat assembly and comprises a substantially strong, rigid, one piece rod having a first open end, a second open end and a main length extending therebetween with a hollow interior in communication with both open ends having a substantially constant inner diameter. The rod includes a reel seat portion and a shank portion. The reel seat portion preferably includes an abutment section with an enlarged exterior diameter disposed generally adjacent the shank portion. The exterior diameter of the abutment section is larger than that of both the reel seat portion and the shank portion.

Abstract: A process for forming a support frame for a roller guide of the type designed to be mounted on a conventional fishing rod by means of continuously supplying an elongated metallic material strip of predetermined width to a plurality of adjacently positioned and simultaneously operable work stations each of which is defined by punching or stamping facilities such that the strip is moved along a path of travel defined by the work stations in a "stop and go" mode wherein the strip is stopped at each work station for simultaneously forming and shaping at each location to produce a semi-formed roller guide frame and further wherein the last, end most work station completes the shaping on the elongated strip to produce a formed roller guide frame which is simultaneously severed from the remainder of the strip and semi-formed work guides.

Abstract: An optical switching system is disclosed comprising a set of optical hardware operating on control status supplied from electronic or electromechanical devices connected in a communication network to connect subscribing devices in the network for data transfer, wherein both control information for the system and the actual data information to be passed between two connected devices are coded in position coded light spots, and carried to the switching system by optical fibers.

Abstract: A butt structure of the type used in combination with fishing rods and substantially large fishing reels used for heavy duty deep sea sport fishing and the like which is specifically designed and adapted for both removable and adjustable connection and support of a reel seat tube. The reel seat tube is structured for removable support of a fishing reel and secure fixed engagement to a fishing rod such that when the entire assembly is stored, the fishing reel remains secured to the fishing rod thereby allowing for the rigging attached to both the reel and the rod to remain in place while the butt structure may be removed or specifically positioned in an out-of-the-way orientation.

Abstract: A multi-stable optical device and system which utilizes an active optical element such as a spatial light modulator (SLM) in a feedback path configuration. The elementary system consists of a pair of image element (pixels) on the SLM whose input and outputs are coupled to each other by purely optical means. In another arrangement, multi-stable performance is achieved by optical path geometry defining a single pixel which performs in conjunction with a feedback path. Analysis is provided identifying the equilibrium states of the system as well as those equilibrium states which are stable in nature.

Abstract: A logarithmic type of aerial array is formed of a plurality of similar broadband active aerial elements linearly arranged with logarithmic spacings, each aerial element being connected to a frequency-sensitive filter. The filters have progressive frequency-sensitive characteristics along the array such as to tend to pass higher frequencies where the elements are more closely spaced and lower frequencies where the elements are more widely spaced. The aerial elements are preferably each in the form of a loop, the impedance around the loop being increased in a region on the opposite side of the loop from the loop termination.