Abstract: Various shaped abrasive particles are disclosed. Each shaped abrasive particle includes a body having at least one major surface and a side surface extending from the major surface.

Abstract: The invention claims a scraping tool for facilitating the effective cleaning of hot or cold grill grates utilizing a 304 stainless-steel, double-sided, elliptical-slotted blade head which is removable and replaceable. One side of the blade head having six elliptical-shaped slots cleaning the right side, top and underside right bottom of the grill grate rods and when the blade head is rotated 180 degrees to the opposite side, the six elliptical-shaped slots, cleans the left side, top and underside left bottom of the grill grate rods, effectively cleaning all six rods without having to remove the grill grate to clean the underside. The long handle/shaft has a shape and texture to safely and comfortably fit the hand while cleaning hot or cold grill grate rods.

Abstract: The invention claims a scraping tool for facilitating the effective cleaning of hot or cold grill grates utilizing a 304 stainless-steel, double-sided, elliptical-slotted blade head which is removable and replaceable. One side of the blade head having six elliptical-shaped slots cleaning the right side, top and underside right bottom of the grill grate rods and when the blade head is rotated 180 degrees to the opposite side, the six elliptical-shaped slots, cleans the left side, top and underside left bottom of the grill grate rods, effectively cleaning all six rods without having to remove the grill grate to clean the underside. The long handle/shaft has a shape and texture to safely and comfortably fit the hand while cleaning hot or cold grill grate rods.

Abstract: A hair styling device which may include a handle and a heating element connected to the handle. The handle can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The heating element may be connected to the distal end of the handle and include a surface. First and second combs may be arranged parallel to one another on opposite sides of the heating element and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle so that hair can be received through the combs and placed in proximity to the surface of the heating element.

Abstract: A1 multi-media enhancement for fantasy league operations. The present invention provides a multi-media enhancement for fantasy league operations such as the draft proceedings. A multi-media viewer displays audio, video and other information that relate to selected players as well as other related information or entertainment medium. The system can be used via DVD, CD as well as online or other network systems. It can be used as a stand alone fantasy draft system or to supplement other fantasy draft systems. Another enhancement may be used to allow team owners to download on-demand video and audio highlights to evaluate their players performance.

Abstract: Contaminated liquids are treated by ozonation in a pressurized environment. Ozone is injected into a contaminated liquid to form a gas/liquid mixture. The mixture is injected into a mixing chamber for providing turbulent gas/liquid contact. The mixture is flowed from the mixing chamber into a pressurized reaction vessel. In an alternative embodiment, contaminated liquid is treated in situ using pressurized injection wells for injecting ozone-containing liquid.

Abstract: A topology and devices and protocols comprising a switched fabric which allow attaching multiple mass storage devices through said switched fabric over any serial point to point mass storage interface. This switched fabric interface uses one or more point to point serial interfaces, such as Serial ATA to provide the connectivity of multiple drives to one or more ports on a server or PC class computer and includes routers which use router headers in FIS to establish routes and guide data. Disclosed are the switch concept, switch ASIC devices, and switch firmware in a switch supporting any number of host connections and number of drive connections. The protocols disclosed also provide the ability to connect multiple hosts to a bank of switch mass storage devices. The processes disclosed includes protocol conversions from Serial ATA 2.xx to Serial ATA 1.xx devices.

Abstract: Contaminated liquids are treated by ozonation in a pressurized environment. Ozone is injected into a contaminated liquid to form a gas/liquid mixture. The mixture is injected into a mixing chamber for providing turbulent gas/liquid contact. The mixture is flowed from the mixing chamber into a pressurized reaction vessel. In an alternative embodiment, contaminated liquid is treated in situ using pressurized injection wells for injecting ozone-containing liquid.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and testing the integrity of a dedicated pair of optical fibers extending between a telecommunications provider to a customer facility through the optical fiber network, of the telecommunications provider. The system contains an optical transmission module, a monitoring module, and a first wavelength division multiplexing module which are located at the telecommunication provider's facility. A second wavelength division multiplexer module is located at or just prior to the customer's facility. The optical transmission module introduces test signals into the first dedicated optical fiber and which travels to the customer facility through the optical fiber network. At the customer facility, the test signal is looped into the second dedicated optical fiber. The test signal then returns to the telecommunications provider's facility, wherein the test signal is received and processed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the optical loss characteristics of optical fibers in an optical fiber network. An optical transmission module is provided. The optical transmission module produces a light signal and an electrical signal that contains data regarding the characteristics of the light signal being generated. The light signal output of the optical transmitter module is connected to the input of a calibrated optical switch. The outputs of the optical switch are connected to the optical fibers that are to be tested. At the opposite ends of the optical fibers, a second optical switch is provided. The second optical switch connects the various optical fibers to a monitor module. The monitor module detects the light signal transmitted by the optical transmitter module through the various optical fibers. The monitor module converts the received light signal into a corresponding electrical signal. A systems controller is coupled to both the optical transmitter module and the monitor module.

Abstract: A device, system and method for locating a specific patch cord connection port contained within a telecommunications closet having line tracing capabilities. An LED is provided at each of the connector ports present within the telecommunications closet that is positioned to illuminate the connector port or illuminate a shroud positioned in front of the connector port. The LEDs can be individually and selectively illuminated. Accordingly, individually identified connector ports can be selectively illuminated within the telecommunications closet. This greatly increases the ability of a technician to accurately locate the patch cord connector port within the telecommunications closet that has been targeted by the patch cord tracing system.

Abstract: The present invention is a module for use in an optical fiber administration system, or a dedicated system. The module contains both an optical transmitter and an optical monitor, wherein the module transmits a test signal over a fiber optic network and receives back that same signal through a different fiber in the fiber optic network. By both sending and receiving the test signal, the integrity of different paths in the optical fiber network can be determined in a space efficient manner. The module contains a microprocessor. The microprocessor reads data regarding the test signal as it is transmitted and that same test signal as it is received. This data may be read to an external shelf controller. The shelf controller utilizes the data from the microprocessor in the analysis of fiber optic loop conditions as well as the laser itself.

Abstract: A system an method for managing wire leads that extend from a circuit board of a similar electronic assembly. The device includes a support tray having a top surface and a bottom surface. The circuit board is mounted to the top surface of the support tray. A planar element is provided that is positioned below the bottom surface of the support tray. The planar element engages the wire leads extending from the circuit board. The presence of the planar element causes the wire leads to extend along the bottom surface of the support tray between the bottom surface of the support tray and the planar element. As a result, the wire leads conform to the bottom of the support tray and do not occupy the space behind the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring and characterizing optical links of a communication system by transmitting and receiving optical test signals of a certain wavelength through the optical links where such test signals do not interfere in a significant manner with other optical signals being conveyed through the optical links.

Abstract: A system and method for testing the integrity of a pair of optical fibers that are received by a specific customer facility through the optical fiber network of a telecommunications provider. In one embodiment, the system contains a monitor and test access module including a wavelength division multiplexer for each pair of optical fibers that lead to a customer facility and an optical tap and monitoring circuit for monitoring the optical signal transmitted from the customer facility. Monitoring of the optical signal generated from the customer location gives an indication of the general quality of the fiber optic connection. A remote fiber test system that includes an optical time domain reflectometer can be coupled through the monitor and test access module. The optical fibers can be tested one at a time, or the two optical fibers leading to the same customer facility can be looped together and tested at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention is an intelligent optical transmitter module that is used to produce optical test signals. The optical transmitter module contains a solid state laser and a microprocessor. The solid state laser produces the test signals which are used to test optical fibers in an optical fiber network. The laser is both monitored by and controlled by the microprocessor. In one embodiment, backface monitoring and optical output coupling power monitoring (using an optical tap) are accomplished within the module in order to more accurately reflect the state of the laser. The microprocessor reads data regarding the performance of the solid state laser which may be output to another control device. The control device utilizes the data from the microprocessor in the analysis of fiber optic loop conditions as well as the laser itself. The microprocessor enables the output levels of the solid state laser to be adjustable by way of a digital to analog converter.

Abstract: A device, system and method for locating a specific optical connection port contained within a fiber administration system having line tracing capabilities. A translucent casing is provided at each of the optical connection ports in the fiber administration system. The translucent casing can be a translucent shroud that fits over a standard optical connection port or the translucent casing can be manufactured as part of the optical connector port. Regardless of the type of translucent casing used, the translucent casing of any of the optical connection ports can be individually and selectively illuminated. According, the actual casing of an optical connection port can be illuminated within a fiber distribution shelf, thereby greatly increasing the ability of a technician to accurately locate the targeted optical connection port within the fiber administration system.

Abstract: An optical apparatus that can be used to monitor and/or test targeted optical fibers. The apparatus is contained within a housing that is sized to fit within a shelf of the frame of a fiber administration system. Within the housing is a stationary plate having a face surface. Incoming optical fibers connect to connectors in an array on the side of the housing. The connector array interconnects the incoming optical fibers to a plurality of optical leads in the housing. The optical leads in the housing are optically coupled to target points on the face surface of the stationary plate. A motor is positioned across from the stationary plate. The motor selectively turns an armature that is attached to the shaft of the motor. A light receiving element is disposed on the armature, wherein the light receiving element optically aligns with each of the target points on the face surface of the stationary plate when moved by the motor.

Abstract: A primary stage optical switch assembly that is used in an optical fiber administration system where various levels of switching are used to interconnect an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) to individual optical fibers. The primary stage optical switch assembly contains an optical switch and a connector array disposed within a shelf structure. The shelf structure is sized to mount into one of the bays in the framework of the fiber administration system. The optical switch contained within the primary stage optical switch assembly is fabricated from electronic components and optical components. Most of the electronic components are manufactured as part of an electronic module. The optical components are manufactured as part of a separate optical module. Both modules mount within the shelf structure. However, the electronic module can be removed from the shelf structure without effecting the position of the optics module or the optical leads that extend from the optical module.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical monitoring and test access interconnection module especially adapted for use with a fiber optic distribution frame for a fiber optic communications system. The interconnection module provides a combination of monitoring and test access for two fiber lines, typically a transmit/receive pair, where wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) test access is provided to both the transmit and receive fibers. In one embodiment of the present invention, the interconnection module monitors only the receive fiber line where a power monitoring circuit receives a monitor level optical signal via an optical tap and converts the optical signal to an electrical output. Processing electronics and firmware within the module are operable to generate alarms and other control signals when changes in the power level of the received signal are detected. A test access path is provided on the module for use, for example, with an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR).