Abstract: A system comprises an optical fiber, a manipulator assembly, and a control unit. The manipulator assembly comprises a chassis, an optical fiber cleaning assembly housed within the chassis, and a drive mechanism housed within the chassis. The optical fiber cleaning assembly comprises a cleaning tape, a first spool on which the cleaning tape is wound, and a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn after use. The drive mechanism is configured to advance the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool such that a portion of the cleaning tape wipes a face of the optical fiber. The control unit is configured to control the drive mechanism to advance the cleaning tape.

Abstract: This is a portable winching device to facilitate the delivery of spas and hot tubs (or other bulky heavy items) quickly and safely onto high decks or platforms. The hoisting device consists of a frame with a pivot shaft made preferably of steel or other strong stiff material. Attached to the arm in this case is a conventional winch containing in this case steel aircraft cable of suitable strength to handle the load. Any suitable winch, come-a-long, electric hoist etc. could also be used that is capable of sustaining the weight. The frame also has attached two wheels for mobility. The base frame is temporarily attached to a deck or a structure via four (4) ratchet straps encircling the joist or main supports of the deck base. This provides a very stable lock down of the frame. The pivot shaft is attached to a chain that is attached to the rear of the base frame at two points. When a load is placed on the unit, the chain will support the pivot shaft.

Abstract: An IP utility network that enables smart homes, smart commercial buildings and smart residential communities.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for winding conductive wires for a stator of an electric motor. In one embodiment, a hysteretic tensioning apparatus is utilizing to substantially stabilize tension in a conductive wire supplied to a winding machine. The hysteretic tensioning apparatus includes a support member, a brake member, and four idler arms. The brake member is rotatably mounted to the brake member and configured to engage the conductive wire. The idler arms each are spring mounted to the support member and also are configured to engage the conductive wire. The conductive wire is extended across the support member so that it extends between adjacent idler arms and the brake and is inserted into the winding machine.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the reduction of transmitted motor noise using a mounting system in a frame. The mounting system includes a motor assembly having an end bell, a mounting bracket including a brace, a plurality of attachment openings, a plurality of leaf springs attached to the brace and an anchor device attached to each leaf spring. Each anchor device includes a fastener opening and a grommet. The leaf springs and grommets are configured to filter and damp noise transmitted from the motor to the frame.

Abstract: The sealant installer is pulled along the roadbed over the joint to be sealed and the installer wheel engaging the road surface on opposite sides of the joint slot pulls sealant by operation of teeth engaging the sealant through a lubricated feed chute which reduces the cross sectional width of the sealant to a size smaller than the width of the slot in the joint. Timing is assured without bunching or stretching of the sealant.

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assembly comprises a radiant energy source for directing a beam of radiant energy toward a target microbase. The target microbase includes a substrate, a roughened surface layer contiguously disposed on the substrate, and a sample-adsorption surface layer contiguously disposed on the first roughened layer. The sample-adsorption surface layer is effective to enhance a scattered Raman signal intensity for adsorbates adjacent the sample-adsorption surface layer by a factor of greater than 10.sup.6 times. The sample-adsorption surface includes a plurality of submicron needles having a length of at least 3500 angstroms and a width of at least 500 angstroms. A method for manufacturing the target microbase comprises the steps of contiguously depositing on a substrate the first roughened layer having a deposited thickness of at least 1700 angstroms.