Abstract: A novel aspect to the invention is a structural arrangement to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e. many more WDM channels) across the device response range, which is expanded to ITU standards by use of the twin etalon configuration. A liquid crystal optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber.

Abstract: A novel aspect of the invention is a structural arrangement to widen a Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e. many more WDM channels) across the device response range, which is expanded to ITU standards by use of a twin etalon configuration. A liquid crystal optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e. digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber.

Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.

Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.

Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-Perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-Perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-Perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.

Abstract: An LC optical multiplexer according to the present invention is a two-etalon Fabry-perot laser etched into many (>100) sub-etalons in a rectangular array. Each sub-etalon is independently tunable and can be coupled to a distinct fiber. Any single sub-etalon or random combination of sub-etalons is free to be tuned to a particular wavelength corresponding to one of the input channels. This allows for any combination of signals (i.e digital video, data and voice) in a signal broadband channel to be switched to any of several receivers. Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is used to combine or separate individual types of signals from a single fiber. Phase-matching coatings are used on the materials within the Fabry-perot gap, thereby enhancing transmission performance of the WDM device. Mechanical techniques are used to widen the Fabry-perot gap beyond a 100-micron LC thickness. The widening permits greatly enhanced spectral discrimination (i.e.

Abstract: Milling machine apparatus and method for controlling the relative movement between a working surface and a cutting edge in which said relative movement approximates a mathematically definable path and occurs in a series of line segments each intersecting said path at first and second points with the second point of each line segment being the first point of the next successive line segment. The system comprises first means for determining a maximum distance d' between each successive line segment and said path measured along a line extending from a predetermined reference and passing between said first and second points, where d'=d+.DELTA.d, a predetermined range of value. Also provided are second means responsive to the determination of d' for each successive line segment to then establish the first point of intersection of the next successive line segment, and control means responsive to the determined points of intersection to generate prime moving control signals.

Abstract: A matrix of thin, deformable component elements is advanced by a mechanism so that at least the most immediate element of the matrix is maintained registered and non-deformed during translation. The mechanism includes a circumferentially faceted wheel, with teeth protruding radially from the facets for engaging holes in the matrix and indexing the matrix when the wheel is rotated. A rectangular plate pivoted about one end and arranged to rotate with the wheel has a surface which engages one facet of the wheel parallel thereto. The plate clamps the matrix between the plate and wheel precluding relative motion of that element with the wheel during rotation of said wheel and precluding deformation of the elements during such rotation or translation.

Abstract: The knife sharpener is comprised of a pair of cutting wheels carried for rotation by a supporting block. Each cutting wheel is rotatably journaled on an axle. Each axle has a bore extending therethrough. A fastener passes through the bores to secure the axles to the supporting block. At least one of the bores is eccentrically disposed within its axle. Rotation of the axle having the eccentric bore moves the rotational axis of the cutting wheel journaled thereon to adjust the clearance between the cutting wheels.

Abstract: A self-priming centrifugal pump includes a housing having an inverted frusto-conically shaped lower portion. A centrifugal impeller is suspended from the shaft of a motor mounted in the top portion of the housing. The centrifugal impeller includes a solids collector member removably attached to its lower end. A cylindrical inlet tube, integral with the frusto-conically shaped lower housing portion, extends into the interior of the centrifugal impeller through an opening in the lower end of the solids collector member. An inverted dish shaped impeller member is located above the centrifugal impeller and directs and impels fluid pumped by the centrifugal impeller toward a plurality of efflux ports located in the pump housing. The centrifugal impeller includes an air hole in the conical wall thereof to allow air to escape as the pump is priming.