Abstract: The present invention is an EL lamp in the form of an adhesive label that can be mechanically and electrically connected to a surface or object through the use of conductive and non-conductive pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The conductive PSA is preferably pattern printed to make electrical connection with the contact of the EL lamp. The EL lamp label can be easily manufactured in large quantities on a continuous release liner provided in a roll or reel form. The EL lamp label is manufactured in large volumes and at high speeds using commercial printing, drying, laminating, punching and blanking equipment. The subsequent electrical and mechanical installation of the EL lamp label can also be performed on high speed equipment.

Abstract: A method is described for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a system for multiplexing data from a plurality of user data sources across an ATM adaption layer type-2 connection, in which a multiplexed trunk group extends across a plurality of common part sub-layer protocol data unit (CSU-PDU) mini-cells, and across a plurality of ATM cells. Large trunk groups are assembled by use of a single bit continuation indicator in the service specific convergence sub-layer header (SSCS) of successive CPS-PDU mini-cells. A packet payload type field (PPT) of the common part sub-layer (CPS)/service specific convergence sub-layer (SSCS) is used to indicate timing of changes in number of user data sources in a trunk group and provides for robust error recovery on loss of a single CPS-PDU mini-cell.

Abstract: An arrangement for interfacing between TDM and ATM networks consists of a family of devices that comprises two groups. The first group comprises devices that perform multiplexing, segregation and routing field translation for the respective traffic type. They may also remove or substitute an outermost layer of encapsulation. These first group devices are bi-directional and output buffered with respect to the network. The second device group comprises devices that perform format conversions between the service payload (voice, video or data) and an adaptation layer control format. These second group devices are also bi-directional and buffering depends on the particular function, e.g. real-time, segmentation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for detection of client trails which may become unsupported due to reconfiguration of node elements within a network at a server layer, and a rerouting apparatus and method for proposing a set of alternative routes to support client trails during reconfiguration of a network at a physical layer. Data describing each trail, connection, node, link and other physical resource is maintained in a managed object database on a network controller. A trail detection algorithm investigates trail termination points corresponding to proposed deleted or created trails to see if those termination points support client trails at higher layers. If supported client trails are detected at higher layers, a routing algorithm is applied to find a set of alternative routes over which the client layer trails may be rerouted during network configuration at the physical or server layer.

Abstract: A satellite packet communications system comprises a number of ground-based sectors serviced via satellite communications nodes in polar orbits. Each sector is provided with an address incorporating a binary Gray code. Routing of a packet arriving at a satellite node and addressed to a particular sector is determined from the Grey code in the packet header. A comparison is performed between the packet address and an address stored in the node, the number and bit position of the difference between the nodes being used to determine the direction in which that packet should be routed.

Abstract: A belt conveyor system using a mechanism that can either create a seal between the skirt and the belt or allow the skirt to make floating contact with the belt regardless of the directional movement of the belt.

Abstract: Voice over Digital Subscriber Line (VoDSL) is an emerging technology, and as such requires subscriber acceptance and take-up both for the future development of this technology and to repay access network operator investment in VoDSL equipment. The present invention provides an improved equipment architecture and improved methods of separating VoDSL equipment to enhance performance and/or enable the provision of improved services.

Abstract: In a process for the induction hardening of crankshafts with at least one connecting-rod pin and with at least two main bearings, in particular for the hardening of the at least one connecting-rod pin, by means of a contactlessly operating inductor, the crankshaft performs a rotational movement during the hardening of the at least one connecting-rod pin. The center axis of the at least one connecting-rod pin to be hardened is used as the axis for the rotational movement of the crankshaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toasting devices for toasting food which automatically control the degree browning of food toasted within them. The present invention particularly relates to such toasters that use a sensor to sense some quality of the food being toasted.

Abstract: A movable container lock slides into and out of position laterally and is held in a secure position by the combination of longitudinal and lateral stop blocks coacting with a gravity lock and is further tethered to be moved from one selected position of a vehicle to another so that the need for multiple locks can be minimized and flexibility in selection of containers sizes for lading can be maximized.

Abstract: A process for making an improved gypsum/wood fiber board is described. Products resulting from the process are also described. The process comprises adding a diisocyanate, specifically methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) to an aqueous slurry of calcium sulfate material and cellulosic fibers, where the MDI is added as an emulsion stable in the conditions in which the slurry is maintained. The process further includes passing the MDI containing slurry onto a flat porous forming surface to form a filter cake; removing a substantial portion of the water from the filter cake through the porous surface; pressing the filter cake to form a board and remove additional water; and drying the board to remove the remaining free water.

Abstract: A hybrid optical fiber comprises a first fiber section comprising a fiber or a concatenation of fibers having first dispersion characteristics at a predetermined operating wavelength and a second fiber section coupled to the first fiber section to form the hybrid fiber. The first fiber dispersion characteristics are selected to maintain the signal dispersion within desired limits, whereas the second fiber is optimised for low loss. Dispersion compensation is provided in the first section of the fiber span where the signal intensity is highest, and therefore the region of the fiber span where these non-linearities have greatest effect. In the second section of the fiber span, the non-linear effects can be ignored, so it is optimised for low loss rather than for dispersion compensation.

Abstract: An optical component for halting the propagation of a fiber fuse through a transmission fiber has a threshold power level which is greater than the transmission power level of the system for that transmission fiber. The component comprises a fiber which is selected such that it is unable to propagate a fiber fuse when the power is below the threshold power level. The component is designed by selecting values of the core diameter and the higher mode cutoff wavelength of the fiber making up the component. If power surges are experienced which exceed the transmission power level (the transmission fiber being designed to operate at the transmission power levels without fiber fuses being initiated) then the component provide a safety margin.

Abstract: An optical switch has a plurality of input ports (2) and a plurality of output ports (4). Associated with each input port (2) there is an input path IP followed by a free space beam exiting that input port (2), and associated with each output port (4) there is an output path OP followed by a free space beam entering that output port (4). Located at each input path IP/output path OP intersection is mirror means If (12) comprising a main mirror (12a) actuatable to divert a beam from a corresponding input path IP to a corresponding output path OP and at least one back-up mirror (12b) for performing the same function as the main mirror (12a).

Abstract: An optical amplifier has at least first stage in the form of a distributed Raman amplifier and a second stage in the form of a discrete Raman amplifier. The discrete amplifier has an output for unused pump power, and the distributed Raman amplifier is pumped using the unused pump power from the second stage. This arrangement enables unused pump power to be used in a distributed Raman amplifier, in particular using the transmission fiber at the input to the second stage amplifier.