Abstract: The invention provides a control layer for an Optical Burst Switch (OBS) system, said system comprising at least one stage configured with a closed optical burst switch addressing scheme and one or more ports for sending or receiving data packets. The control layer comprises a control addressing scheme independent of the closed optical addressing scheme and means to provide interconnectivity for each port with every other port. In one embodiment there is provided a closed optical burst switch ring network. The control layer encapsulates or maps the optical data at a port into an independent packet format and passes the independent packet format into a queuing system for transmission by the optical burst switch ring network to a destination port.

Abstract: A distributed packet switch to control data packet flows in a network is described. The distributed packet switch includes a means for operating over an asynchronous burst optical closed fiber medium. The distributed packet switch also includes at least one control system provided at a node to control data packet flow characteristics, such that the switch is configured to operate dependent on at least one efficiency parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse assembly for rapid interruption of a prospective fault current. The fuse assembly includes a plurality of splitter plates. A plurality of foil elements extend between a pair of terminals and are physically supported by the splitter plates. A pair of parallel busbars are in series with the foil elements and generate a magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the current flowing in the foil elements. In the presence of a prospective fault current, the foil elements will melt and at arcing inception an electromagnetic force developed as a result of interaction between the magnetic field and the arc current will push the molten foil elements into the splitter plates. This increases the arc length and hence the arc voltage. At least the foil elements and the splitter plates are preferably located in flowing liquid dielectric such as MIDEL 7131, for example.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow system and method for reliable multiparameter data acquisition and particle sorting. In accordance with the invention, a flow system assesses changes in the pattern of data collected in successive time intervals and actuates one or more corrective actions whenever the changes exceed predetermined limits. The present invention overcomes problems associated with collecting data and sorting and enumerating particles in flow cytometry systems that operate for prolonged periods or that must accommodate samples that vary widely in quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuse assembly for rapid interruption of a prospective fault current. The fuse assembly includes a plurality of splitter plates. A plurality of foil elements extend between a pair of terminals and are physically supported by the splitter plates. A pair of parallel busbars are in series with the foil elements and generate a magnetic field that is substantially perpendicular to the current flowing in the foil elements. In the presence of a prospective fault current, the foil elements will melt and at arcing inception an electromagnetic force developed as a result of interaction between the magnetic field and the arc current will push the molten foil elements into the splitter plates. This increases the arc length and hence the arc voltage. At least the foil elements and the splitter plates are preferably located in flowing liquid dielectric such as MIDEL 7131, for example.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow system and method for reliable multiparameter data acquisition and particle sorting. In accordance with the invention, a flow system assesses changes in the pattern of data collected in successive time intervals and actuates one or more corrective actions whenever the changes exceed predetermined limits. The present invention overcomes problems associated with collecting data and sorting and enumerating particles in flow cytometry systems that operate for prolonged periods or that must accommodate samples that vary widely in quality.

Abstract: A distributed packet switch to control data packet flows in a network is described. The distributed packet switch includes a means for operating over an asynchronous burst optical closed fiber medium. The distributed packet switch also includes at least one control system provided at a node to control data packet flow characteristics, such that the switch is configured to operate dependent on at least one efficiency parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and network for providing an optical fibre wavelength routed network comprising a plurality of nodes on a network ring where each node can drop and add a wavelength, control means to control the wavelength to be transmitted on the network ring, and access means for each node to enable a node to transmit wavelength onto the network ring whereby wavelength collisions with transmit wavelength from other nodes are avoided in the network. The invention describes a network and method having a ring system with a plurality of nodes and an interconnection means to allow information to be communicated between the nodes of the network using packets of data on a wavelength in a novel and efficient manner.

Abstract: A hub drive includes an in-hub motor and a shifting in-hub transmission coupled with the motor. A hub drive wheel assembly includes a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel. A vehicle includes a chassis, a wheel comprising a hub, an in-hub motor, and a shifting in-hub transmission having an input attached to the motor and an output attached to the wheel for rotating the wheel with respect to the chassis. A method includes providing a shifting transmission and a motor coupled with the transmission in a hub of a wheel, providing electrical power to the motor, and rotating the motor with the electrical power. The method further includes rotating the transmission with the motor and rotating the wheel with the transmission.

Abstract: A spotlight for generating an output light beam (9) of variable width, including a light source (1) having a selected focal length, and an aperture (3) for directing light from said light source to a first lens (5), said first lens (5) being movable to adjust the width of said output light beam (9), wherein the first lens (5) is moveable to a position closely adjacent to said aperture (3) and substantially about or at said selected focal length (FL) to minimize said output light beam width.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle suspension system shoulder joint is disclosed. A vehicle includes a plurality of wheel assemblies; a plurality of rotating shoulder joints, each wheel assembly being mounted to a respective one of the shoulder joints and rotatable in a plane by the respective shoulder joint; and a chassis to which the shoulder joints are mounted. The shoulder joint for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a housing to which a wheel assembly may be attached for in-plane rotation; a drive; and a transmission engaged with the housing and the drive to reduce the speed of the drive motor as it drives the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow cytometric method for measuring dendritic cell function in whole blood, comprising: (a) contacting a whole blood sample with a dendritic cell activator; (b) adding to the sample a plurality of dendritic cell-distinguishing antibodies and at least one cytokine-specific antibody; and then (c) flow cytometrically assaying the sample for the binding of the cytokine-specific antibody by at least one distinguishable DC subset. Other assays are presented in which DC activation markers are assessed.

Abstract: A container holder is formed from a single sheet of foldable material having opposite edge portions 2 and 3. A projection 6 on the edge portion 3 is insertable within the slot 5 in the other edge portion 2 so that the container holder 1 can be secured about a container 9 and a plant 10. The container holder 1 has an upwardly extending portion 4 which can act as a splash guard during watering of the plant 10 but also can feature advertisements or plant information.

Abstract: In a modified roulette game offering an additional betting opportunity with a large payoff for a winning bet, a player, having made a conventional roulette bet on a conventional roulette betting layout, may make a second or side bet on a related betting layout exhibiting only the numbers of the conventional roulette betting layout, without regard to color, parity or position. When the winning bets in the conventional layout are determined by the operation of the roulette wheel, a random number generator also generates and displays one of the conventional roulette numbers, i.e, 1-36, 0 or 00. If the number displayed by the random number generator is the same as the winning number that is determined by the roulette wheel, the side bet on that number is a winning bet.

Abstract: A glass grinding and/or polishing apparatus comprises a chuck which holds a glass to be repaired, and is rotated by means of a drive motor. The chuck is mounted in an arm which is arranged to move in an arcuate path over a substantially flat rotary grinding disc, and subsequently over a secondary grinding station and two polishing stations. During operation, fluid is continually circulated through a sealed enclosure of the apparatus, to flush away particles of glass, etc., which are collected as sediment in a disposable tank.