Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for maintaining a secure, encrypted networking session across a communications network by dynamically replacing encryption keys during the networking session and without terminating the session. A secure control channel is embedded within the general encrypted network connection and is used to transport encrypted control messages from one network endpoint to another. In order to hide that fact that such control messages are being transferred (as opposed to general network data traffic), the control message data packets are formatted in a way to simulate the standard general network data packets.

Abstract: A steering assist system for a marine vessel includes a steering vane that extends into the water in the vicinity of a steering device for the vessel and that is pivotable about an at least generally vertical axis by an electromechanical drive unit. The drive unit is energized by an actuator assembly in response to the imposition of external forces on the steering system. The actuator assembly includes an actuator that is movable in response to the imposition of external forces in the steering system and a switch that is selectively engageable by the actuator arm to energize the drive unit to drive the steering vane to pivot. The actuator assembly may additionally comprise a biasing assembly that resists movement of the actuator to create a force threshold that must be overcome to engage the switch. The biasing assembly may take the form of one or more springs, preferably having a settable preset.

Abstract: A field configurable vehicle armoring system and associated method allow a user to retrofit and reconfigure a combination of armor components in response to a perceived threat change and using original equipment manufacture fasteners and holes. The system includes pillar armor attachable after an original equipment manufacture door and hinge are removed. Fasteners extend through the hinge of the armored door, the pillar armor and an original equipment manufacture pillar using holes other than the original equipment manufacture holes. Rocker panel and underbody armor is further provided, along with a ballistic resistant windscreen and rear wall armor. Where desired, system armor includes a composite plate comprising a strike face that is constructed from softer metallic material than an inner metallic sheet.

Abstract: A bi-fuel spark ignition engine is disclosed. The engine can operate on either gasoline, natural gas or a combination of the two. The amount of each fuel that is used by the engine is based on the engine's operating parameters, such as RPM and torque. In some embodiments, the operator can provide input, such as the availability of natural gas, which affects the operation of the engine. In some embodiments, an anti-knock agent is used to prevent knock at higher values of torque.

Abstract: An adapter dust cap comprising a dust cap body defining a clearance extending at least partially therethrough, a resilient member attached to the connector body, and a latching feature attached to the resilient member and configured to engage within internal geometry defined by a connector adapter. The adapter dust cap is translucent so that visible light from a connector may diffuse therethrough, and may include a material or coating thereon for converting light in the invisible spectrum to visible light so that the light can be detected through the dust cap without removing the dust cap from an adapter to which it is engaged.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include a telescoping fiber optic module. The telescoping fiber optic module may be provided in a fiber optic equipment chassis which may be disposed in an equipment rack to support fiber optic connections. In embodiments disclosed herein, the telescoping fiber optic module is comprised of a fixed housing portion having an opening on a front side defining a passage inside the fixed housing portion. The fiber optic module is also comprised of a telescoping portion received in the passage inside the fixed housing portion. In this manner, the telescoping portion can telescope in and out of the fixed housing portion. This allows fiber optic connectors or adapters disposed in the telescoping portion and any connections made thereto to be telescoped out for improved access and telescoped back into the fixed housing portion when access is no longer needed.

Abstract: A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly with a floating tap is disclosed, wherein the assembly comprises a fiber optic cable having a cable fiber assembly, such as in the form of a ribbon stack. The assembly includes at least one network access point (NAP) for accessing at least one cable fiber in the cable fiber assembly and at least one strength area for example a strength member. At least one cable fiber is extracted from the cable fiber assembly and held by a transition assembly. A buffer conduit loosely contains the at least one cable fiber and guides it to an intermediate buffer conduit, which in turn guides the at least one cable fiber to a splice tube. The intermediate buffer conduit can translate relative to the splice tube. At least one tether fiber is spliced to the at least one cable fiber. Alternatively, the at least one cable fiber has sufficient length to serve as the at least one tether fiber so that splicing to another fiber is not required. Each strength member is covered by a movable member.

Abstract: An implement for mechanically filling multiple sandbags at a time is used on a loader bucket of loader-type equipment. The implement has a planar surface in which a plurality of filler apertures are formed in a plurality of rows evenly spaced over its surface area. Each filler aperture has a tensioner ring around the aperture for holding a drawstring held in a sleeve around an open end of the sandbag. A trigger mechanism is movable to a locked position in which the drawstring of the sandbag is pulled tight so that the open end of the sandbag is held in place on the tensioner ring, to an unlocked position in which the trigger mechanism lifts the drawstring off the tensioner ring to allow the sandbag filled with filler material to pull on and cinch the open end of the sandbag closed, and to a release position in which the cinched sandbag is released to the ground.

Abstract: The applicant describes a system and methods of calculating the overall operating efficiency of an air conditioning chiller that evaluates efficiency of the component parts of the chiller and generates an overall efficiency based on these component efficiency values. If the overall chiller efficiency is less than the maximum attainable chiller efficiency, the cost of the inefficiency is calculated and presented to the user. Recommendations for corrective action to restore maximum chiller efficiency are identified and presented to the user. The system also adjusts the efficiency calculations as appropriate to account for actual compressor current load conditions.

Abstract: A composite moldable splint having at least a first splinting member with an inner foam layer, an intermediate thermoplastic layer, and an external securing layer. The inner foam layer provides a soft, moisture transmitting, non-latex padding. The intermediate thermoplastic layer provides remoldable shape, and rigidity and strength after heat forming and cooling. The outer securing layer, preferably covered with continuous loop fabric suitable for hook and loop fastening, provides an essentially infinite plurality of attachment points for retaining straps including at least a section of hook fastening material for holding the splint in place. The layers of the composite moldable splint are preferably heat welded to form a strong unitary structure that is resistant to delamination. Composite moldable splints utilizing multiple splinting members are described.

Abstract: Fiber optic shelf assemblies and furcation mounting structures for securing a plurality of furcation bodies of respective fiber optic cable assembles within the fiber optic shelf are disclosed. In one embodiment, the fiber optic shelf has a one-to-one correspondence between a plurality of respective modules and the respective fiber optic cable assemblies. Additionally, the fiber optic shelf assemblies and furcation mounting structures disclosed advantageously allow the mounting of a relatively large number of furcation bodies within the fiber optic shelf assembly for supporting relatively large fiber optic connections per 1U rack space.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrical receptacle configured to receive a plug having two or more prongs and capable of being connected to an associated load. The electrical receptacle may include a housing and a housing cover mounted on the housing including apertures for receiving at least one of the prongs. In addition, the receptacle may include at least two electrical contacts for engaging the prongs positioned in the housing, a magnetic current sensor defining an opening, wherein the magnetic current sensor opening is operatively coupled to an opening defined by at least one of the apertures. Wherein when one of the prongs is inserted through one of the apertures, the prong extends to through the magnetic current sensor and engages at least one of said electrical contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus (150) for orientating articles A comprising a transfer mechanism (114) for transferring articles at a transfer speed, a sensor for determining the orientation of an article being transferred, an article orientation mechanism (112) moveable at a second speed different to said transfer speed and an engagement mechanism operable to selectively engage an article with the article orientation mechanism in response to information collected by the sensor wherein the article is moved to a desired orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a fiber optic distribution cable assembly having an interior portion and an exterior portion. A distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the interior portion and at least one predetermined mid-span access location positioned along a length of the distribution cable to provide access from the exterior portion to the interior portion. At least one optical fiber of the distribution cable is accessed and terminated from the distribution cable within the interior portion of the distribution cable. A tether having a first end is attached to the distribution cable through the mid-span access location. The tether has at least one optical fiber optically connected to the at least one terminated optical fiber of the distribution cable at a location within the interior portion of the distribution cable.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability is disclosed. The system includes a reservoir of pressurized air and associated leveling valve that uses a relay valve to improve refill times when the vehicle returns from a dump mode operation to normal operation. The process reduces pressure in one or more of the axles when maneuvering the vehicle at predetermined slow speeds and maintaining that first predetermined pressure while the other axle(s) is at a greater pressure than the first axle. By preventing complete exhaustion of pressure from the suspension system, restoring air pressure is attained more quickly. Also, use of a relay valve enables higher flow rates to improve the refill time of the pneumatic suspension system after the dump operation.

Abstract: A sales force automation system and method of facilitating a sales process which integrates computerized intelligent automated salesperson support for multiple phases of the sales process. Various subsystems may be provided to facilitate the sales process which may include pre-sales lead generation, maximize time spent with the customer, effectively manage an order, ensure customer satisfaction and retain the customer for future sales. Also provided to support the phases of the sales process are additional tools, integrated in the system. The additional tools may include self management subsystems, sales management subsystems and training subsystems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication system for use with a first source signal and a second source signal. The first source signal is on a first channel and includes M symbols, where M is an integer greater than 1. The second source signal is on a second channel and includes X symbols, where X is an integer greater than 1. The first channel is different from the second channel. The communication system includes a first modulator unit, a second modulator unit and an adder. The first modulator unit can generate a first modulated signal based on the first source signal and includes a first inter-symbol distortion estimating unit and a first stage predistortion unit. The second modulator unit can generate a second modulated signal based on the second source signal and includes a second inter-symbol distortion estimating unit and a predistortion unit. The adder can generate an added signal based on the first modulated signal and the second modulated signal.

Abstract: An engine having DME pilot ignition is disclosed. DME Pilot ignition creates far more energy than a conventional spark plug, thus minimizes the possibility of misfire in the engine map. DME injection can be used in a number of ways. In one embodiment, DME injection replaces the conventional spark plug in an Otto cycle engine. In another embodiment, DME injection is used in addition to spark ignition to minimize the use of DME. In this embodiment, DME injection is only used during those portions of the engine map where misfire may occur, or during those times when a misfire sensor detects misfire. DME injection can also be used in conjunction with alcohol boosting in other embodiments.

Abstract: An interactive broadcast system comprising a plurality of user interfaces each comprising a local clock signal generator. Each user interface delivers interactive applications to a respective user with reference to its respective local clock signal. A central control system broadcasts data to the user interfaces. The CCS detects adjustment of the local clock signals to identify fraudulent users.