Abstract: A fiber color detector is presented. A magnifying glass and a receptacle are formed in a housing. In addition, a platform including a first side facing the magnifying glass and a second oppositely disposed side is located within the housing. A light source located within the housing is positioned relative to the second side of the platform and radiates light, which emanates through the platform. A fiber is inserted into the receptacle and is positioned between the first side of the platform and the magnifying glass. As such, when the light source generates light, which emanates through the platform, the color of the fiber is contrasted against the color of the platform, when viewed through the magnifying glass. As such, an operator may view and detect the color of the fiber through the magnifying glass.

Abstract: To locate via electromagnetic signaling each of a plurality of buried side leg conveyances (141-146) coupled to a common underground backbone conveyance (12), a cable locating signal generator (17) applies a plurality of different frequency conveyance locating signals to the backbone conveyance. A separate one of a plurality of filter arrestors (181-186) selective passes a particular one of the plurality of different frequency locating signals onto a corresponding one of the side leg conveyances. In this way, each side leg conveyance carries only a particular frequency locating signal whose strength remains unaffected by the locating signal on the other side leg conveyances.

Abstract: A crimper tool for use in attaching lugs to the metallic sheath covering on fiber optic cables includes a pair of blocks, with a trough formed in each block to accommodate the cable when one block is placed on top of the other. Each block includes at least one slot for positioning a proper-sized die to perform the crimping action. The use of this block crimper tool is particularly advantageous when a hand-held crimper is too small to accommodate a large diameter fiber cable.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to an autonomous mobile surface treating apparatus having a chassis, a drive mechanism mounted to the said chassis by a suspension, and a substantially rigid shell movably mounted to the chassis. The suspension includes a resilient member interposed between the drive mechanism and the chassis so that when the shell is pushed toward the supporting surface with a predetermined force the resilient member compresses to permit the drive mechanism to move and the shell and/or the chassis to contact the supporting surface. A second aspect of the invention is directed to the movable support of shell relative to the chassis. The shell is supported by a plurality of elongated elastic supports received within plurality of elongated openings in the chassis. Preferably, a passive portion of a collision detection sensor is attached to a central portion of the shell.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention retrieves data on a date delimited and/or periodic basis from an Internet search engine and displays predefined interest trends associated with the data. The Internet search engine preferably includes a database containing a plurality of search terms associated with a plurality of web page addresses, and/or a database containing a plurality of previously issued search queries. Preferably, the database is queried with a specific search term at different points in time or a series of queries is delimited by date. Subsequently, the number of web pages associated with the search term, the total number of hits the web pages received, and/or the number of times Internet users submitted queries containing the search term, is displayed.

Abstract: A "quick" anchor for placing a temporary restoration cable in place on a utility pole require neither a bucket truck nor ladder to position the anchor and cable. The anchor comprises a non-conductive, hinged cylindrical housing that includes a set of wheels disposed around its perimeter. The housing is positioned to encompass the utility pole at ground level, and then is clamped shut. A technician uses a push bar to move the anchor up the pole, with the wheels facilitating this upward movement. A set of hinged grabbing teeth are disposed around the lower periphery of the anchor to prevent the anchor from descending once it is in place. A pulley assembly is attached to the outside of the anchor and is used to hoist the restoration cable into place.

Abstract: Repair of a damaged portion of a cable sheath may be effected with the aid of a sheath repair kit comprised of an enclosure (10) and a volume of encapsulant (36). The enclosure (10) includes first and second members (12), both having an interior axially extending channel in communication with openings (20.sub.1 and 20.sub.2) in ends of the respective member to receive the damaged cable portion in the channel. The second member is shorter than the first member and has a cross-section smaller in area than that of the channel in the first member to enable receipt of the second member in the channel of the first member. In this way, the first and second members will capture the damaged portion of the cable, as well as a volume of the encapsulant (36) added to the channel of the first member to immerse the damaged cable portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnet aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis. A plurality of capacitance measurements are taken at periodic intervals for one type of classification and analysis. Magnetically induced particle concentrations are analyzed visually under the aid of periodic magnetic flux reorientation and optical magnification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnet aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis. A plurality of capacitance measurements are taken at periodic intervals for one type of classification and analysis. Magnetically induced particle concentrations are analyzed visually under the aid of periodic magnetic flux reorientation and optical magnification.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the degree of deterioration in lubricating oil including a grid-like capacitive sensor, that uses the lubricating oil as a dielectric medium, and a magnetic field imposed upon the oil to attract ferromagnetic wear particles into the vicinity of the sensor. Preferably, the magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet and an electromagnetic aligned such that the magnetic field produced by each magnet acts upon the oil along the same axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus employing optical spectrometry techniques to measure metallic wear debris contamination in used motor oil, even in the presence of carbon particulates. Measurement results based on optical spectrometry as disclosed herein correlate closely with results of laboratory analysis based on atomic spectrometry. Variation in transmittance of a sample of oil as a function of wavelength within the approximate range of 300 nm (violet) to 1300 nm (near-infrared) is measured as an indicator of metallic wear debris contamination. Conveniently, measurements may be taken at just two wavelengths within the range, for example 565 nm (green) and 660 nm (red). The ratio of transmittance at the shorter of the two wavelengths to transmittance at the longer of the two wavelengths is determined as an indication of the amount of metallic wear debris contamination, decreases in the ratio from a ratio of unity indicating increasing levels of contamination.