Abstract: A multi-fiber cable assembly includes a pigtail segments spliced to a trunk segment using multiple mass fusion splices. The splices are disposed within an encapsulation at a common axial location. A flexible conduit extends from one end of the encapsulation to protect bare fibers of the trunk segment. A protective sheath extends from the opposite end of the encapsulation to protect the pigtail segments. The conduit and sheath are axially fixed to the encapsulation.

Abstract: A system and method of performing an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to perform an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material in a high speed manufacturing system. The continuous sheet of stock material can subsequently be received by a second system that performs a different operation on the continuous sheet of stock material. In one embodiment, the second system forms the continuous sheet of stock material into tabs for container end closures. The system can include an infeed accumulation device and an outfeed accumulation device. The infeed and outfeed accumulation devices enable the system to operate at a variable rate and out of phase with a high speed, coil fed manufacturing system to which the system may be removably integrated. The system can determine if the operation has been performed in at a predetermined location of a portion of the continuous sheet of stock material.

Abstract: A system and method of performing an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to perform an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material in a high speed manufacturing system. The continuous sheet of stock material can subsequently be received by a second system that performs a different operation on the continuous sheet of stock material. In one embodiment, the second system forms the continuous sheet of stock material into tabs for container end closures. The system can include an infeed accumulation device and an outfeed accumulation device. The infeed and outfeed accumulation devices enable the system to operate at a variable rate and out of phase with a high speed, coil fed manufacturing system to which the system may be removably integrated. The system can determine if the operation has been performed in at a predetermined location of a portion of the continuous sheet of stock material.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the input and output speed of a continuous sheet of stock material is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to perform an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material in a high speed manufacturing system. The continuous sheet of stock material may subsequently be received by a second system that performs a different operation on the stock material. In one embodiment, the second system forms the stock material into tabs for container end closures. The system includes an infeed accumulation device and an outfeed accumulation device. The infeed and outfeed accumulation devices enable the system to operate at a variable rate and out of phase with a high speed, coil fed manufacturing system to which the system may be removably integrated.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling the input and output speed of a continuous sheet of stock material is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method used to perform an operation on a continuous sheet of stock material in a high speed manufacturing system. The continuous sheet of stock material may subsequently be received by a second system that performs a different operation on the stock material. In one embodiment, the second system forms the stock material into tabs for container end closures. The system includes an infeed accumulation device and an outfeed accumulation device. The infeed and outfeed accumulation devices enable the system to operate at a variable rate and out of phase with a high speed, coil fed manufacturing system to which the system may be removably integrated.

Abstract: An improved end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure contains a raised bead portion for guiding and directing the opening or lifting motion of a tab portion attached to the end closure. More efficient opening features are enabled by the guided action of the tab and raised bead features.

Abstract: An improved end closure for food and beverage containers is provided. The end closure contains a raised bead portion for guiding and directing the opening or lifting motion of a tab portion attached to the end closure. More efficient opening features are enabled by the guided action of the tab and raised bead features.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow automated qualification of a binary application program. A binary application program submitted from a developer can be automatically examined to determine whether the binary application program complies with rules or guidelines of a platform. If the binary application program complies with the rules or guidelines, the binary application program can be qualified, and can be distributed upon further approval. If the binary application program does not comply with the rules or guidelines, the application program can be rejected and a notification can be sent to the developer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow automated qualification of a binary application program. A binary application program submitted from a developer can be automatically examined to determine whether the binary application program complies with rules or guidelines of a platform. If the binary application program complies with the rules or guidelines, the binary application program can be qualified, and can be distributed upon further approval. If the binary application program does not comply with the rules or guidelines, the application program can be rejected and a notification can be sent to the developer.

Abstract: Transmitted signals are used to remotely assess sea surface roughness and nce wind speed at a water surface. A signal is transmitted from a signal source as it moves either through air or space. A land- or sea-based antenna receives the signal directly from the signal source and indirectly from the signal source by way of reflection of the signal from the surface being examined. The sum of the directly and indirectly received signals form an interference pattern as the signal source is moved. The interference pattern has peak-to-null signal values that are characteristic of the surface conditions being analyzed. Reference interference patterns are then generated for known surface conditions, each of the reference patterns exhibiting "known" characteristic peak-to-null signal values. The peak-to-null signal values of the reference interference patterns are then compared to the peak-to-null signal values generated from the surface being examined.

Abstract: Transmitted signals are used to accurately and remotely determine the veral distance of an earth-based receiving antenna above a surface, and hence can be used to determine the tide condition of a water surface. A signal is transmitted from a signal source as it moves either through air or space. An antenna whose height is to be determined with respect to a reflecting surface, such as water, receives the signal directly from the signal source and indirectly from the signal source by reflection of the signal from the reflecting surface. The sum of the directly and indirectly received signals form an interference pattern as the signal source is moved. Points on the interference pattern are selected at identical phase angle for each cycle of the pattern. The points are assigned reference numbers and the numbers are plotted with respect to a measurement indicative of the distance between the signal source and the antenna whose height with respect to the reflecting surface is to be determined.

Abstract: An air/sea temperature probe is disclosed which can be deployed from a moving ship to detect the temperature profile of the atmosphere and ocean beyond the thermal influence of a ship. The probe includes a temperature transducer which utilizes a bifilar wire that provides a very quick air temperature time constant. The transducer is mounted within a radiation shield having low thermal conductance to minimize thermal and solar radiation contamination and is coupled to a signal processing network. In operation, the probe is deployed from a ship and provides temperature telemetry via an electrical data link coupled between the signal processing network and a receiving transducer located onboard the ship.

Abstract: A water kite has a single elongated generally flat plate integrally connected to a float having generally pointed terminal ends. A pair of spaced apart eyelets are disposed on one side of the plate adjacent to the float for attaching slidably the water kite to a fishing line without removing the line. A rotating arm assembly having a base and arm is centrally disposed between the eyelets on the plate. In order to control the trolling relationship of the kite relative to the location of the fisherperson, the base is adapted with a set of equally spaced apart detents for retaining releasably the arm against rotation with respect to the base in a selected one of a plurality of discrete positions. A release mechanism is secured at the tip of the arm for securing releasably the fishing line to the water kite, in order to set the tension on the line and to allow the fishing line to be disengaged easily from the mechanism whenever a fish strikes the line or bait.