Abstract:
An optical fiber coupler in which adjacent end portions of two optical fibers are inserted predetermined coupling lengths into recesses in opposite and portions of a tubular waveguide. Each optical fiber comprises an optical fiber guiding core with outer cladding. The tubular waveguide comprises an annular cross-section tubular guiding core with inner and outer cladding. The adjacent end portions of the optical fiber guiding cores are aligned with one another along the axis of the tubular waveguide and are disposed concentrically within it. Their adjacent end surfaces may be spaced apart, or may abut. The optical fibers are fixed with their guiding cores concentrically aligned within the tubular waveguide guiding core by a spacer member. The optical fiber guiding cores and the tubular waveguide guiding core have the same refractive index, for example, 1.500. The spacer member and the cladding materials have a lower refractive index, for example, 1.495. Optimum relationships between the physical and optical parameters of the coupler are defined for maximum optical power tranmission. These are expressed as equations in which unknown parameters such as the thickness of the tubular waveguide guiding core, and the coupling lengths (namely, the distances the optical fiber guiding cores are inserted into the tubular waveguide) can be determined from known parameters.
Abstract:
A hybrid spiroid and worm gear is formed as a gear body having an axis of rotation. The gear body has a plurality of spiroid gear teeth formed in opposing surfaces of the body formed generally radially relative to the axis of rotation. The gear body further has a plurality of worm gear teeth formed in a hub portion, between, separate and apart from the spiroid teeth. The worm gear teeth are formed generally longitudinally relative to the axis of rotation. A method for making the hybrid spiroid and worm gear is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A spray applicator system is provided with a reservoir manifold assembly having a separate reservoir for each different coating to be applied. Reservoirs are filled from a coating supply system and isolated electrically from the supply system when coating is dispensed from a reservoir to the applicator. Multiple sets of reservoirs can be used, so that an empty reservoir in one set can be filled while coating is dispensed from a reservoir in the other set. The set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is being filled is isolated electrically from the applicator, and of the set of reservoirs in which a reservoir is dispensing coating to the applicator is isolated electrically from the supply system.
Abstract:
Disposable containers are provided for containing different types, for example, different colors, of coating material to be dispensed onto one or more articles. A method of coating articles includes providing a dispensing device for dispensing coating onto the articles. A high-magnitude potential supply is selectively coupled to the dispensing device for supplying electrostatic charge to the coating as the coating is being dispensed. A first disposable container containing a first coating material to be dispensed onto a first one of the articles is coupled to the dispensing device as the first article is presented for coating, and the first coating material is dispensed onto the first article. A second disposable container is filled with a second coating material to be dispensed onto a second one of the articles, for example, while the first coating material is being dispensed onto the first article. Upon completing coating of the first article with the first coating material, the supply of high-magnitude potential to the dispensing device is interrupted, and the first container is uncoupled from the dispensing device. The first coating material is flushed from the dispensing device. The second container containing the second coating material is coupled to the dispensing device, and the supply of high-magnitude potential to the dispensing device is resumed as the second article is presented for coating.
Abstract:
A fluid level sensing systems including a resistive element having an upper end portion disposed in an upper portion of a container and a lower end portion disposed in a lower portion of the container. The resistance of the resistive element varies between the upper and the lower portions of the container. An at least partially conductive strip having substantially the same length as the resistive element is disposed in the container generally parallel thereto and at approximately the same level in the container as the resistive element. An input signal source is coupled to the resistive element by a series resistor.
Abstract:
A motion control system configured to control motion of a load object independent of the load object, includes a main housing having an internal nut secured with respect to a longitudinal axis of the main housing, and a threaded helical gear movably secured within the main housing. The threaded helical gear includes an end configured to be operatively secured to the load object. The helical gear threadably engages the internal nut. One or both of a first frictional force between the helical gear and the nut or a second frictional force between the nut and at least a portion of the main housing provides a resistive force that controls motion of the load object.
Abstract:
A canister for a coating applicator system has a flexible barrier separating a coating-containing region in the canister from a region containing a force applicator for moving the barrier to dispense the coating. While the volumes of each region change upon movement of the barrier, surfaces defining the regions remain in that region.
Abstract:
A valve has a housing and a component movable within the housing. The housing has first, second and third ports formed in it. The movable component has a first passageway formed in it. Movement of the movable component within the housing selectively connects the first port through the first passageway to the second port, or the second port through the first passageway to the third port. At least one of the first and second ports includes a first member for contacting the movable valve component and a second member for retaining the first member. The second member may be constructed from a semiconductive material. At least a region of the movable component around a first end of the first passageway may be semiconductive.
Abstract:
A coating material dispensing and charging system comprises first electrical conductors extending between first electrically non-conductive supporting members, a power supply coupled across the first conductors and articles to be coated to maintain a high magnitude electrostatic potential difference across a space defined between the first conductors and the articles, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material into the space, and a supply of coating material for the dispenser. The first electrical conductors comprise electrically conductive filaments surrounded by electrically non-conductive sheaths.
Abstract:
A coating system comprises a source of electrically non-insulative coating material, a dispenser for dispensing the coating material toward an article to be coated thereby, an electrostatic high potential for supplying charge to the coating material, means for coupling the high potential supply across the dispenser and the article, a first reservoir, and a first valve. The first valve has a first housing providing first, second, third, fourth and fifth ports, and a first component movable within the first housing and having a first passageway selectively to connect the first port to second port to permit the flow of coating material from the first port to the second port. The first port is coupled to the coating material source, the second port to the first reservoir, and the third port to the dispenser. The second port is coupled to the third port to permit the flow of coating material from the first reservoir to the dispenser. A source is provided for an electrically non-conductive fluid. The first housing and the first movable component define between them a second passageway, and the source of electrically non-conductive fluid is coupled to the fourth port to provide a flow of the electrically non-conductive fluid from the source of electrically non-conductive fluid through the second passageway to flush coating material from surfaces of the first housing and first movable component adjacent the second passageway and exit from the fifth port.