Abstract:
The present invention relates to a type of optical fiber grating having an azimuthal refractive-index perturbation. The optical fiber includes a fiber grating that has a plurality of grating elements formed therein. At least one of the grating elements has a spatially varying index of refraction that varies azimuthally about the centerline of the optical fiber. The fiber grating acts as a band-stop optical spectral filter. In addition, since fiber-cladding modes are weakly-guided modes, their power can be easily dissipated by scattering, bending, stretching, and/or rotating the optical fiber. Multiple configurations of these gratings within an optical fiber are given. Methodologies are given for the fabrication of these gratings. Devices are presented which can dynamically attenuate, tune, switch, or modulate the wavelength spectral characteristics of an optical signal.
Abstract:
An all-dielectric cable (20) or object which is destined to be buried is provided with at least one electronically resonant marker (44). After the cable or object is buried, a tradesperson may locate the cable or object by causing an electromagnetic signal (71), which comprises at least one frequency to be transmitted by a transceiver (60) and to be induced into the electronically resonant marker associated with the cable or object. A return signal (73), which is radiated by the electronically resonant marker at a frequency different from the at least frequency, is received by the transceiver. Characteristics of the return signal provide useful information for the determination of the location of the buried cable or object.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a dual-mode lighting device having decorative electronic illumination and optional magnifying device (“lighting device” or “device”). The lighting device incorporates at least two sets of light sources to provide illumination for decorative lighting and for illumination for spot lighting a specific area. The lighting device has a power source, a switch, one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes. The lighting source is bi-directional so that it has the ability to illuminate in both upward and downward direction. An optional lens for magnification expanding across the length and width of the device is housed between the upward and the downward illumination sources.
Abstract:
An apparatus for measuring environmental parameters comprising an optical fiber-based sensor having thermally-induced diffraction gratings therein which are stable at very high temperatures for many hours. The diffraction gratings are, preferably, formed in an optical fiber by exposure to light from an infrared laser and do not degrade at high temperatures. A system for measuring an environmental parameter includes an optical fiber-based sensor, a light source, and a detector. According to a method of measuring an environmental parameter, the optical fiber-based sensor is positioned within a high-temperature environment having a parameter desired for measurement. The light source directs light into the optical fiber-based sensor. The detector measures the differential diffraction of the light output from the optical fiber-based sensor and determines a value of the environmental parameter based, at least in part, upon a known correlation between the differential diffraction and the environmental parameter.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a dual-mode lighting device having decorative electronic illumination and optional magnifying device (“lighting device” or “device”). The lighting device incorporates at least two sets of light sources to provide illumination for decorative lighting and for illumination for spot lighting a specific area. The lighting device has a power source, a switch, one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes. The lighting source is bi-directional so that it has the ability to illuminate in both upward and downward direction. An optional lens for magnification expanding across the length and width of the device is housed between the upward and the downward illumination sources.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a type of optical fiber grating having an azimuthal refractive-index perturbation. The optical fiber includes a fiber grating that has a plurality of grating elements formed therein. At least one of the grating elements has a spatially varying index of refraction that varies azimuthally about the centerline of the optical fiber. The fiber grating acts as a band-stop optical spectral filter. In addition, since fiber-cladding modes are weakly-guided modes, their power can be easily dissipated by scattering, bending, stretching, and/or rotating the optical fiber. Multiple configurations of these gratings within an optical fiber are given. Devices are presented which can dynamically attenuate, tune, switch, or modulate the wavelength spectral characteristics of an optical signal.
Abstract:
A spring balance for counteracting the weight of heavy window sashes includes both a torsion spring and a tension spring. The two springs are separated by a rigid tube. One end of each spring is connected to an end of the rigid tube. A spiral member engages a follower carried by the other end of the torsion spring and includes a stop along its length for engaging an anchor carried by the other end of the tension spring. The spiral member can be attached by conventional means to a shoe or other connection to the window sash.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a dual-mode lighting device having decorative electronic illumination and optional magnifying device (“lighting device” or “device”). The lighting device incorporates at least two sets of light sources to provide illumination for decorative lighting and for illumination for spot lighting a specific area. The lighting device has a power source, a switch, one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes. The lighting source is bi-directional so that it has the ability to illuminate in both upward and downward direction. An optional lens for magnification expanding across the length and width of the device is housed between the upward and the downward illumination sources.
Abstract:
A multiple spring counterbalance includes a torsion spring and a tension spring for exerting a combined lifting force on a window sash. A spiral rod is threadably engaged with a follower nut for converting a torque applied by the torsion spring into a lifting force on the window sash. The spiral rod has a pitch that is varied along one part of its length to produce a substantially constant combined lifting force throughout most of a range of sash travel between a lowered position and an intermediate position. However, the pitch is further varied along another part of the length of the spiral member to produce a larger combined lifting force within a remaining portion of the range of sash travel from the intermediate position to the raised position.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for cutting hair of a person with a toothed curve about nine inches long which becomes a template at fixed locations during hair cutting determining the length and shape of the cut and using an electric clipper to make all of the cuts using the curve back as a guide, the curve having a simple curvature arced relative to a centrally located axis parallel to and spaced from the axes of the teeth of the curve. Cutting on the concave or the convex face of the curve. Supplying a plurality of curves arced on different radiuses, the curves with lesser radiuses removing more weight of hair than curves with larger radiuses. Providing a variable speed control for the clipper and providing blades with more or less teeth per inch to provide in operations like feathering a blade with less teeth per inch driven at a lower speed. Adjacent tooth surfaces on the curve being roughened to grip hair. The backing portion of the curve having a first pair of guiding surfaces on opposite sides to space the clipper blade from the teeth and having a second pair of guiding surfaces perpendicular to the first surfaces, at the opposite side of the backing portion from the teeth, to guide the clipper blade from end to end of the curve. A handle for the curve on the opposite side of the backing portion from the teeth attachable at either end of the curve or in the middle.