Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal, such as a cable terminal, a terminal for coupling to another connector, and the like The connector includes a coupler, such as a nut, having a receiving port for engaging the terminal. The coupler also includes an annular collar. The connector also includes a body member, one end of which includes a lip. The lip is inserted through the collar opening. The other end of the body section includes an inner surface portion. The connector still further includes a post, an end of which is sized for insertion between the dielectric and the outer conductor of the cable. The post further includes a post flange and a post shank. The post shank forms a post channel sufficient in diameter to receive the inner conductor and the dielectric of the cable. The post is movable between a cable-insertion position and a cable-installed position.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a coupler, a post and a body member. One end of the body member includes a lip that is inserted through the opening in an annular collar of the coupler. In a cable-installed position, the shank of the post is received in the body member to form an annular chamber which is sufficiently narrow to compress the outer conductor and the jacket of a coaxial cable to establish a distal seal. Tightening of the coupler to the terminal compresses the lip between the flange of the post and the annular collar for establishing a proximal seal. Related methods also are provided.

Abstract: A cable gripping component is provided for gripping a coaxial cable. The cable gripping component includes a housing including a sleeve portion having a terminus forming a first end housing. The housing has an inner surface defining an interior channel. The inner surface includes a retention surface disposed on the sleeve portion proximate the terminus. The sleeve portion includes a weakened area. The retention surface is disposed between the terminus and the weakened area. Related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing solder balls in a pattern on a substrate is provided for, for example, to create a ball grid array. The apparatus comprises a template having a first plane, a second plane, and a plurality of holes. The holes pass substantially orthogonally through the first and second planes so that the template is permeable to a fluid between the first and second planes. The holes correspond in location to the pattern and each of the holes passes through the template along an axis. Each of the holes has a first end adjacent to the first plane with a first cross section substantially parallel to the first plane. The first cross section has a first characteristic dimension, for example, a diameter if the first cross section is circular. In addition each of the holes has a second end adjacent to the second plane with a second cross section substantially parallel to the second plane. The second cross section has a second characteristic dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for supplying solder balls to a receptacle. The apparatus includes a reservoir for storing the solder balls and a flow path. The flow path includes a first end connected to and in fluid communication with the reservoir and a second end for supplying the solder balls to the receptacle. The apparatus includes a flow actuator in fluid communication with the flow path to actuate the flow of the solder balls from the reservoir through the flow path to the receptacle. A trap is disposed in the flow path for trapping the solder balls and stopping the flow of the solder balls to the receptacle when the flow actuator is not actuated. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An object-oriented multi-threaded application development system and method for developing resource information software is provided, wherein the application development framework is made up of three tiers. The first tier comprises at least one computer running a web browser, where the web browser is capable of running an object-orientated applet. The second tier similarly comprises at least one computer, wherein the computer runs a web server, a report server, and an application server. The first and second tiers are connected through a network. The third tier comprises at least a third computer, wherein the third computer runs an object-orientated database management system. The third computer is connected to the second tier through a second network.

Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of infectious medical waste. The method in a broad sense includes washing the infectious medical waste with a liquid to convert the infectious medical waste into noninfectious waste. In accordance with another aspect, a method is provided which includes a first step of wetting the infectious medical waste with a first liquid to remove loose particles and materials that are soluble in the first liquid from the infectious medical waste, and a second step of wetting the infectious medical waste with a disinfecting liquid to disinfect the infectious medical waste. An apparatus also is provided for treatment of infectious medical waste. The apparatus comprises a substantially liquid-tight volume for containing the infectious medical waste.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided which comprises an optically non-opaque wall consisting essentially of a polymeric material and defining a portion of an envelope; a light source sealed within the envelope at a pressure of less than one atmosphere absolute; and an electrical driving device in electrical communication with the light source for causing the light source to generate light. According to another aspect of the invention, a lighting device is provided which comprises an optically non-opaque wall consisting essentially of a polymeric material and defining a portion of an envelope; a gas disposed and sealed within the envelope at a pressure of less than one atmosphere absolute, the wall being substantially impermeable by the gas; and an electrical driving device in at least one of electrical and electromagnetic communication with the gas for activating the gas to generate light. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: An easily-installed cover plate for hiding the faces of sockets by covering an electrical outlet, including the faces of the sockets. The cover plate is mounted over the receptacle and has apertures for plug blades. In the preferred embodiment, the cover plate is rectangularly shaped to cover a duplex receptacle, having apertures to receive plug blades and a center hole for receiving a screw which secures the cover plate over the duplex receptacle.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing an image comprising a plurality of image pixels to detect distortion within the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a universal cover plate for an electrical outlet to any desired specific cover plate. The apparatus includes a base having removable tabs and hinges. To create the desired cover plate, the appropriate tabs are removed to leave apertures that accommodate the desired standard electrical outlet such as a light switch or socket. An optional cover may have removable hinges that allow the cover to open along more than one axis. To make a base that fits with a lid hinged on its longer side, hinges on the shorter side are removed, by prying, sawing, or cutting. Alternatively, to make a base that fits a lid hinged on the shorter side of the base, hinges on the longer side are removed. If a base with no cover is desired, all the hinges may be removed.

Abstract: A new static random access memory cell for standard logic CMOS processes with three or more metal layers is detailed. The method uses three P-type and three N-type MOS transistors to form a two-port memory cell, which can be configured to perform as a one port, or a two port memory cell. In addition to standard memory applications, specialty memories, like a First-In First-Out (FIFO) buffer, which can benefit from the natural 2-port structure of our invention, are particularly appealing. Additional ports can be added for applications like a 3-port microprocessor register array.

Abstract: A cover plate is provided for use with a pesticide distributing system having a plurality of tubes disposed within the structures of a building. This cover plate comprises a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of apertures extending through the back surface. The back surface includes chamfers on the apertures or the like for connecting the tubing to respective ones of the apertures. The apertures provide fluid communication of the pesticide from the front surface to the tubing. The cover plate may include a mounting device such as hinges disposed at the edge of the cover plate for mounting the cover plate to a building surface, e.g., to the exterior wall of a residence or other building. An enclosure also may be provided for selectively enclosing the front surface.

Abstract: A vehicle airbag inflator is provided which comprises a contained volume, a gas producing source for producing a main gas in the contained volume, an initiating system for causing the conversion of the gas producing source to the main gas, wherein the main gas comprises a working gas, and at least one exhaust orifice for providing an exhaust path for the working gas from the contained volume and for controlling the flow of the working gas as it is exhausted from the contained volume. The at least one exhaust orifice includes a contained volume closure for selectively creating a fluid-tight seal in the contained volume. The working gas creates a pressure-volume quantity in the contained volume (PV.sub.CV (t)). The working gas has associated with it a pressure-volume quantity for the cumulative amount of the working gas (PV.sub.cum (t)), and it also has associated with it a total pressure-volume quantity (PV.sub.total) when the gas producing source is fully converted to the main gas.

Abstract: A gas jet engine nozzle such as a turbine engine nozzle is provided for directing an axial flow in a downstream direction of exhaust gases to obtain thrust vectoring. The gas jet engine nozzle comprises an exhaust nozzle member for channeling the axial flow of the exhaust gases into a flow field, and a plug movably positioned substantially within the exhaust nozzle member and in the flow field for interacting with the gases to control the direction of flow of the gases. The plug has a substantially continuous surface including a diverging forebody portion and a monotonically converging afterbody portion. The afterbody portion is in the downstream direction relative to the forebody portion. A support structure is coupled to the plug for movably supporting the plug within the exhaust nozzle member and in the flow field. A hydraulic actuating system is operatively coupled to the plug for selectively controlling the position of the plug.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for containing a contaminant in the vicinity of a water vehicle. The system comprises a barrier apparatus detachably coupled to the vehicle for operating in a deployed mode to erect a barrier at a perimeter around the vehicle to contain the contaminant, and a deploying subsystem operatively coupled to the barrier apparatus and to the vehicle for transporting the barrier apparatus from the vehicle to the perimeter during the deployed mode. The method comprises storing a barrier apparatus on the vehicle during a stored mode, transporting the barrier apparatus from the vehicle to a perimeter around and spaced from the vehicle during a deployed mode, and erecting a barrier at the perimeter to contain the contaminant.