Abstract: A method for fixing a fuel level sensor in a fuel tank having an upper and a lower wall, the sensor having a foot and a top. The method fixedly secures the foot of the sensor to the bottom wall of the fuel tank through a molded-in retainer, and elastically fixes the tubular top of the sensor to the top wall of the tank through a molded-in retainer as well.

Abstract: A method for upgrading an operating system (OS) on a computing system without system interruption begins by installing an upgraded OS. A boot pointer is set to point to a memory location that points to the upgraded OS. The computing system is booted into the upgraded OS, and the upgraded OS receives and processes commands. The boot pointer on the computing system's disk is updated to point to the upgraded OS if a user instructs the computing system to make the upgraded OS permanent, whereby the OS is upgraded without interrupting the computing system. The OS may also be upgraded automatically, without instruction from the user, if predetermined criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured to be connected to a power distribution network. A communications circuit is also provided. The communications circuit is operatively associated with the UPS and operative to generate a power line carrier status signal on the power distribution network. The power line carrier status signal is indicative of a status of power delivered to the power distribution network by the UPS. Related methods of operating such apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Communication between a networkable device, such as a UPS, and a supervisory device, such as a PDA or cellphone configured to monitor and/or control the UPS, is managed. An affiliation request message is transmitted from the networkable device, the affiliation request message requesting an affiliation request response from another networkable device. An affiliation request response status for the transmitted affiliation request message is determined. The networkable device is transitioned to an affiliation state responsive to the determined affiliation request response status. The networkable device and the supervisory device communicate based on the affiliation state.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured to be connected to a power distribution network. A communications circuit is also provided. The communications circuit is operatively associated with the UPS and operative to generate a power line carrier status signal on the power distribution network. The power line carrier status signal is indicative of a status of power delivered to the power distribution network by the UPS. Related methods of operating such apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: The efficiency of ultrafiltration in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is improved by administering a composition comprising at least one surface active phospholipid (SAPL) in powder form, especially as a mixture of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl glycerol, into the peritoneal cavity before commencing CAPD or between CAPD sessions. The SAPL composition may be introduced during surgery to prepare a patient for CAPD and/or subsequently through the incision for the CAPD catheter, or through the catheter itself, between CAPD sessions when one batch of dialysis fluid has been removed and before a fresh batch is supplied.

Abstract: Files on a computer are selectively backed up to an external storage medium included in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that includes a UPS circuit that powers the external storage medium. A modification of a file resident at the computer is detected, and a decision is made as to whether to store the modified file on the external storage medium based on a program association of the file. For example, the modified file may be stored on the external storage medium if the modified file is a data file associated with a user application program, and storage of the modified file on the external storage medium may be foregone if the modified file is a data file associated with an operating system of the computer. The program association may be defined in a number of different ways, for example, responsive to a file attribute of the file, responsive to a content of the file and/or responsive to a user input.

Abstract: Files on a computer are selectively backed up to an external storage medium included in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). At least one of a time difference, a file size difference and/or a file content difference between a first version of a file stored on the external storage medium and a second version of the file resident at the computer is determined. The second version of the file is stored on the external storage medium based on whether the determined at least one of a file time difference, a file size difference and/or a file content difference meets a predetermined criterion. For example, the predetermined criterion may be a degree of difference criterion, e.g., a threshold amount by which the file date, files size and/or file content of the first and second versions must differ before the second version is backed up. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer program products.

Abstract: A power monitoring system comprises a plurality of uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and a communications network comprising a plurality of UPS clients coupled to respective ones of the UPSs and a UPS directory server in communication with the UPS clients. The UPS directory server is operative to categorize locations of the UPS clients in the communications network. For example, the UPS directory server may be operative to categorize locations of the UPS clients in the communications network based on categorization information received from the UPS clients, such as location information, power distribution network information, or communications network information. The UPS clients may be operative to communicate power status information based on communications network location information communicated by the UPS directory server, e.g., using peer-to-peer communications links established using the communications network location information communicated by the UPS directory server.

Abstract: A file data storage apparatus includes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and a file data storage device. The file data file data storage device may include at least one of electronic storage, magnetic storage, and optical storage. The file data storage apparatus may further include a common communications transceiver circuit configured to provide communications for the UPS and the file data storage device. A computer-based apparatus capable of interfacing with such a file data storage apparatus includes a computer including a communications port configured to be coupled to both a UPS and an external file storage medium and to communicate with the external file storage medium and the UPS using a common communications transceiver. The computer may be configured to implement a UPS-based file data storage agent. A computer program product for providing a UPS-based file data storage comprises program code configured to implement a UPS-based file data storage agent in a computer.

Abstract: Status information for a network device, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), may be provided by displaying a web browser window uniquely associated with the network device and having a color indicative of a status of the network device. In particular, a field of the web browser, such as a background field, may be color coded responsive to a status of the network device. According to further aspects of the invention, a plurality of web browser windows may be concurrently displayed on the same display screen. The plurality of web browser windows have visual appearances that convey respective statuses of respective ones of the network devices according to a common visual coding scheme, such as a color coding or image coding scheme.

Abstract: An apparatus for a physical vapor deposition system includes a target having a sidewall having an undercut thereon defining a net erosion area and a net redeposition area.

Abstract: A wall system and particularly a load-bearing spine wall defined by rigidly connected spine panels which are usable in conjunction with and connectable to branch panels for defining workstations. These spine panels include an interior frame having plural hollow cross beams rigidly joined between parallel uprights. The cross beams have elongate slots extending lengthwise along the sidewalls thereof. Each side of the frame permits one or more removable covering tiles to be attached thereto for defining the exterior surface of the spine panel. Load-bearing components having cantilevered hangers can be engaged within the elongate slots which extend lengthwise of the cross beams. Vertically adjacent tiles have longitudinal edges spaced to define a narrow elongate passage therebetween which aligns with the mouth of a respectively adjacent hanger-accommodating slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for a physical vapor deposition system includes a target having a sidewall having an undercut thereon defining a net erosion area and a net redeposition area.

Abstract: A wall system and particularly a load-bearing spine wall defined by rigidly connected spine panels which are usable in conjunction with and connectable to branch panels for defining workstations. These spine panels include an interior frame having plural hollow cross beams rigidly joined between parallel uprights. The cross beams have elongate slots extending lengthwise along the sidewalls thereof. Each side of the frame permits one or more removable covering tiles to be attached thereto for defining the exterior surface of the spine panel. Load-bearing components having cantilevered hangers can be engaged within the elongate slots which extend lengthwise of the cross beams. Vertically adjacent tiles have longitudinal edges spaced to define a narrow elongate passage therebetween which aligns with the mouth of a respectively adjacent hanger-accommodating slot.

Abstract: A sound attenuating relocatable partition wall panel. A substantially rigid first skin is secured, in a spaced apart relationship to a substantially rigid second skin generally opposite thereto. The first and second skins have different respective critical frequencies at which a coincidence dip occurs in their respective sound transmission loss characteristics.