Abstract: A non-stick coating, which inhibits frozen moisture accumulation, is applied to exterior exposed portions of heating and cooling systems where ice or other frozen moisture can accumulate and impair system design operational efficiencies; where heat exchange tubing and fins are downwardly sloped or angled; where an optional capillary tube/plate means/design, which plate has an exterior surface that is comprised of at least one of raised dots, ridges, trenches, and a flat surface is utilized; with an optional protective shell encasement which can be shaped to provide a vena contracta effect; with an optional electric fan to enhance airflow for heat exchange; with an optional electric vibrator to enhance inhibition of frozen moisture accumulation; with a downwardly sloped base to direct falling frozen moisture away from the heat exchange equipment; for use in conjunction with an air source heat pump system, an evaporative cooling system or a chiller, or as a supplement to a water-source heat pump system or to a

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: A method of producing an image of an object residing inside a transparent container of a first color includes: illuminating the container and the object with light of a second color, the second color being substantially the inverse of the first color; and producing an image of the object through the container. An image produced by this method can exhibit substantially the same color as the object itself, even when the image is taken through a colored transparent wall.

Abstract: Adapter modules, housing assemblies that house the adapter modules, and frame assemblies that contain the housing assemblies are disclosed that are all relatively compact and support a relatively high density of components. The modules, assemblies and frames have configurations that take advantage of bend-insensitive cable fibers and jumper fibers. The adapter module is a cassette-like case that allows for a length of cable fiber to be wound tightly therein in a substantially circular loop configuration when closed. The housing assembly houses a plurality of adapter modules and is configured so that the cable and jumper fibers have relatively tight bends within the housing interior. The frame assembly is configured to support a plurality of stacked housing assemblies and to route the jumper fibers through routing conduits and/or routing troughs so that the jumper fibers are enclosed within the frame assembly rather than dangling outside of the frame.

Abstract: A surgical device suitable for use in spinal fusion of the cervical vertebrae is provided. The surgical device includes an inner tubular body and an outer tubular body. The inner and outer tubular body each has a lengthwise region and a distal portion with a discontinuous wall forming a fenestration. The fenestrations are alignable to provide a passage through the wall of the surgical device. The surgical device may provide any of several benefits, including unobstructed access to a surgical site, greater stability, and improved tactile control.

Abstract: The present invention is a changeable apparatus for different total tracks and a corresponding method. The apparatus reflects a light from a light source at least twice toward predetermined directions. The apparatus comprises plural reflection elements, at least one of the plural reflection elements is a rotational reflection element, which has plural reflection surface sets, and each reflection surface set has at least one reflection surface. The rotational reflective element further comprises a pivot axis is for each rotational reflection element for circulating and changing of reflection surface sets and a fixing apparatus, which connects to a rotational reflection element for adjusting and fixing positions of the rotational reflection element.

Abstract: A modular-unit floodwall system is disclosed. The system includes modular floodwall units configured for holding water and connecting and sealing devices for connecting the units together to form a barrier against floodwater. A method of constructing such a floodwall is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for determining a response of each probe zone on a test strip is provided. The present invention selects an average pixel value of each section of reference white respectively adjacent to the image of a target line to serve as a reference for determining a color response of the target line. When the color response is not less than a predetermined value, representing the target line has a positive response in response to a specific component of a tested solution tested by the test strip, and the specific component is present in the tested solution. The content of the specific component is proportional to the color response. When the color response is less than a predetermined value, representing the target line has a negative response in response to the specific component of the tested solution, and the specific component is absent in the tested solution.

Abstract: A technique for displaying and searching databases provides a user interface that displays a list of attribute values of a product along with corresponding user interface elements, each containing a set of clickable sub-elements corresponding to subsets of possible attribute values with different ranks. The sub-element whose corresponding rank matches a corresponding rank of the attribute value is displayed as highlighted. Clicking a sub-element constrains a current selected set of products to those whose attribute values have the same rank as the clicked sub-element. On mouse-over of a selected sub-element, pop-up text is displayed containing a set of possible attribute values whose rank corresponds to that of the selected sub-element, and decision support information associated with each of the displayed possible attribute values, e.g.

Abstract: A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aids in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is utilized for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. The invention generally includes a frame or truss that is pivotally secured to the top bay assembly of the tower. A transverse beam is connected to the frame or truss and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground.

Abstract: A method for logging and reporting driver activity and vehicle operation includes identifying a driver of a vehicle, recording operating data with an on-board recorder that is hard-wired to an engine control module, coupled to a mileage sensing system, and linked to a global navigation satellite system, and recording duty status of the driver. An hours of service log and a fuel tax log are created from the operating data. The method includes comparing the driver's hours of service log to an applicable requirement, indicating to the driver whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement, automatically uploading the logs to a receiver external to the vehicle using a wireless telecommunications network, and emitting a compliance signal representative of whether the driver is in-compliance or out-of-compliance with the applicable requirement to a second receiver external to the vehicle and under control of authorities.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems related to sleeping, playing and provision of non-toxic environments, components related to those systems, and methods involving the systems or components. It is more particularly directed to systems, components and methods that aid early infant cognitive development, improve ventilation inside a crib, promote fresh and/or odor free air, promote thermoregulation and homeostasis, protect the person using the systems, components and methods from biological toxins, and create healthy sleeping environments for infants, toddlers, children and adults. One sleep system according to the present invention includes a cover, a core, and a bottom. The cover includes at least two raised areas. The raised areas have one or more heights ranging from 0.125 inch to 5.0 inches and diameters ranging of 0.25 to 10.0 inches.

Abstract: Disclosed are disposable reels and assemblies for holding a cable, thereby aiding the craft in routing cables such as fiber optic drop cables. The reel has a first flange having at least one first tab and at least one first tab slot and a second flange having at least one second tab and at least one second tab slot. First flange is attached to the second flange to form the disposable reel by at least one first tab engaging at least one second tab slot and at least one second tab engaging the at least one first tab slot, thereby forming a hub for the disposable reel that has an accessible space therein. Additionally, fiber optic cable assemblies can further include a connector on one or more ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a heat sensitive component from high temperature, mechanical shock and moisture are provided. An enclosure includes an outer housing surrounding an inner cavity configured to receive a heat sensitive component therein, a cover configured to matingly engage the outer housing such that the inner cavity is sealed from an environment external to the enclosure, wherein at least one of the outer housing and the cover are formed from a ceramic material.

Abstract: A splicing device for optical fibers comprises a programmable splicing apparatus which can be controlled by means of at least one program parameter, for connecting optical fibers, and a speech recognition unit. Spoken text is detected via the speech recognition unit, and a spoken command is determined from the detected spoken text. The at least one program parameter of the splicing apparatus is adjusted and/or the splicing apparatus is controlled as a function of the determined spoken command.

Abstract: A cable assembly reel including a drum defining an exterior surface for receiving a length of wound cable and including at least one access panel therein for providing access to an interior cavity, and at least one flange removably attached to the drum defining an opening therethrough for receiving an axle. A cable reel for maintaining at least one cable of a cable assembly around the exterior surface of the reel and defining an interior cavity for maintaining attached hardware of the cable assembly separate from the at least one cable.

Abstract: Methods are provided for validating the continuity of one or more optical fibers upon which a fiber optic connector is mounted. Typically, the fiber optic connector is mounted upon an optical field fiber by actuating a cam mechanism to secure the optical field fiber in position relative to an optical fiber stub. If subsequent testing indicates that the continuity of the optical field fiber and the optical fiber stub is unacceptable, the cam mechanism can be deactuated, the optical field fiber can be repositioned and the cam mechanism can be reactuated without having to remove and replace the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A system and method for providing customized announcements to callers based on the called party telephone number and the calling party telephone number. The system comprises a server system and a messaging system. The server system detects that a customized announcement is to be delivered and the messaging system delivers the announcement to the caller. The customized announcements may be provided in conjunction with voicemail systems or other services for processing calls when a called party is not available. In a preferred embodiment the customized announcements are provided via a service node in an advanced intelligent network.