Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A system and method for harnessing power associated with ocean waves and converting that power into electricity. The apparatus is a buoy that houses a vertically oriented central shaft, a pendulum, a generator mechanism, and other components that synergistically operate to optimize power output of the buoy. Both the load on the pendulum and the effective length of the pendulum may be varied in response to changing environmental conditions. Also, the buoy may be part of a network that shares environmental data and a series of best tuning responses to that data, across the network. A library of environmental data and associated tuning responses is built at a central location and shared across the network.

Abstract: A high power integrated fiber laser system includes cascaded amplifiers that utilize low numerical aperture fiber amplifiers. The system is rugged and lightweight.

Abstract: A sealant gel for a telecommunication enclosure, wherein the gel is formulated from three different polyols. The first polyol is a polybutadiene-based polyol that has a low glass transition temperature. The second polyol is a polyether polyol. The third polyol is butene diol, which is a short molecule that quickly builds up a hard backbone structure.

Abstract: Emergency call system which enables an individual to summon assistance includes an emergency call unit connectable to a telephone line, at least one remote speakerphone unit having a speakerphone and connectable to the same telephone line as the emergency call unit, and at least one pendant adapted to be worn by the individual and including a button. The emergency call unit is arranged to determine whether any remote speakerphone units are off-hook when the button on the pendant is actuated and if so, send a signal to each remote speakerphone unit to disconnect from the telephone line. If one of the remote speakerphone units is off-hook, it will not interfere with the functioning of the emergency call unit. The emergency call unit is also arranged to dial a predetermined emergency telephone number when the button on the pendant is actuated and the telephone line is available for an outbound call.

Abstract: Piling, apparatus and methods for pouring a concrete piling in situ around pre-positioned reinforcing rods inside removable hollow pipe sections that have been screwed into the ground. A final coupler pipe section including a removable coupler device is releasably attached to a reducer section and helical screw anchor that are left in the ground. The pipe sections are connected end to end by helical flanges and are screwed into the ground using the helical screw anchor. Once the pipe sections are screwed into the ground to a desired depth, the coupler device is operated to release the coupler section from the reducer section and the coupler device is extracted from the pipe sections. Reinforcing rods are disposed inside the pipe sections and reducer section. Concrete is poured into the pipe sections and reducer section to encase the reinforcing rods. The pipe sections including the coupler section are then removed from the ground and reused.

Abstract: There is provided a fiber optic connector holder adapted to selectively retain two or more fiber optic connectors that include a dust cap on the ferrule. The connector holder comprises a boot retainer to selectively retain a portion of the boot of the connector, and the connector holder comprises a dust cap retainer to selectively retain a portion of the dust cap of the connector. The connector holder is provided in a telecommunications enclosure to provide convenient parking for fiber optic connectors that are not optically connected within a distribution field or the like or that are generally not in service at the time. The connector holders may be selectively installed and/or removed from the telecommunications enclosure to assist in the installation of new fiber optic hardware, such as splitter modules.

Abstract: A quick connector coupling comprising a connector body, a primary retainer, a secondary retainer and a male member having a radially enlarged upset. The connector body includes a stem and a separate cap permanently secured to the stem. The stem defines an axially extending through bore and includes an annular rib located radially outward of the bore. The cap defines an annular groove located radially outward of the bore. The annular rib of the stem is positioned in the annular groove of the cap. The cap is spin welded to the stem to permanently secure the cap to the stem. The connector body further defines two annular abutment surfaces. The primary retainer and the secondary retainer are located axially in between the two annular abutment surfaces of the connector body. The primary retainer has a ring and two primary retainer arm located axially forward of the ring. Each primary retainer arm is in abutting relationship with the upset.

Abstract: The present technique utilizes microwave radiometry to detect the presence of vulnerable plaques engrained in the wall of a blood vessel. In accordance with the technique, an intravascular catheter containing at least one microwave antenna is moved along the suspect vessel. The antenna, in combination with an external microwave detection and display unit, is able to detect and display thermal anomalies due to the difference in the thermal emissivity (brightness) of vulnerable plaques as compared to normal tissue even though the two may have a common temperature.

Abstract: A scanner includes a first illuminant device having a first power associated therewith, and a second illuminant device having a second power associated therewith. The first power is greater than the second power, and each of the first illuminant device and the second illuminant device is configured to selectively scan a document. The scanner is configured to select one of the first illuminant device and the second illuminant device based, at least in part on, a level of power supplied to the scanner via a power source, and perform a single scan of the document using only the selected one of the first illuminant device and the second illuminant device.

Abstract: An improved nebulizer places a venturi in a rainfall chamber and in close proximity to or inside a patient's oral cavity. One or more medicine feed lines feeds the medicine to a location proximate to a venturi. The rainfall chamber contains a sump communicating with the venturi for collecting medication not delivered to the patient and for recycling that medication for delivery to the patient. A medicine receiver may be pre-filled with a standard unit dose of medication.

Abstract: An enabling unit for activating a feature in an electronic control unit on a vehicle includes a port for communicating with an electronic control unit included on the vehicle. A processor, which communicates with the port, includes a message for enabling a dormant feature included on the electronic control unit.

Abstract: An onboard hydrogen storage unit for a hydrogen powered vehicle including one or more hydrogen storage vessels at least partially filled with a hydrogen storage material which stores hydrogen in metal hydride form. During operation of the hydrogen powered vehicle heat is provided to the hydrogen storage material within the one or more hydrogen storage vessels to aid in desorption of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage material. During hydrogen refueling, heat of hydride formation is removed from the hydrogen storage material within the one or more hydrogen storage vessels to aid in absorption of hydrogen into the hydrogen storage material. The heat of hydride formation is removed from the one or more hydrogen storage vessels via a heat transfer fluid circulated and/or cooled by a stream of compressed air.

Abstract: A method of facilitating mid-span access of an optical fiber ribbon cable, and the resulting cable, that provides for redeveloping and/or modifying excess ribbon length with the accessed cable structure. The method includes the use of a form placed within the cable structure that controls the excess ribbon length. The method may further include the reconstitution of severed strength members.

Abstract: Fuel tank system for a direct ethanol injection octane boosted gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine and a main fuel tank that contains a mix of gasoline and gasoline E85. A smaller secondary tank is provided to contain ethanol or E85. An injector directly injects in a separately controlled fashion ethanol or E85 into a cylinder of the engine to boost octane. A control module controls the relative amounts of gasoline and ethanol used and structure is provided for fueling the main and secondary fuel tanks.

Abstract: Flexible closures and other flexible optical assemblies that are installed within a factory, or in the field, and then deployed using cable installation methods, wherein the flexible closures and assemblies have the ability to bend and twist without incurring physical damage to their structure, optical fibers and splices disposed within, and without significant attenuation in the optical fibers when exposed to conventional installation stresses. Flexible closures that replace conventional substantially rigid closures in order to facilitate pre-engineered and assembled distribution cable installation within an optical network, and the physical, bending and material properties of such closures, and methods of manufacturing and installing the same.

Abstract: A custom designed drive mechanism to be utilized in conjunction with an ink jet printer having a motor, transmission, and gripping apparatus to transmit articles of manufacture to be printed upon through an enclosure having a linear bearing and spring system, an optical sensor, digital encoder and print mechanism such that the articles of manufacture travel in a single direction.

Abstract: A connection apparatus for securing a facing to a soil reinforcing element wherein the soil reinforcing element has a pair of adjacent longitudinal wires with horizontally extended converging portions, a stud having a first end attached to the horizontally extended converging portions, and a second end bent upwards and terminating at a head, a facing anchor having a pair of vertically disposed loops adjacently extending from the facing and having an opening for receiving a vertical portion of the stud, and a device configured to secure the vertical portion of the stud against separation from the opening between the vertically disposed loops, wherein the stud and the attached soil reinforcing element are capable of swiveling in the horizontal and vertical directions.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly includes a fitting having first and second fitting ends and a fitting opening therethrough, wherein the fitting is formed from a conductive material. The cable connector assembly further includes a ferrule having first and second ferrule ends, a ferrule opening therethrough, and one or more teeth disposed axially along the ferrule opening, wherein the ferrule is formed from a conductive material. The first ferrule end is disposed over the second fitting end. The cable connector assembly further includes a tube including an outer nonconductive layer and an inner conductive layer. The tube is disposed between the second fitting end and the first ferrule end and the ferrule is secured around the fitting so that at least one of the one or more teeth pierce the outer nonconductive layer and make contact with the inner conductive layer to create an EMI/RFI shield across the fitting, the ferrule, and the tube.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the rectangular coordinate position of a first object spaced apart from and opposing a second object by placing at least three three-dimensional structures at different known locations on the top surface of the first object and a corresponding number of pulse transceivers at known locations on the bottom surface of the second object, directing a series of pulses having a known speed from each of the transceivers along a path crossing the highest point of a corresponding one of the structures, determining the shortest and second shortest distances travelled by the transmitted pulses and using that data together with other known data to locate edges of the first object and calculate the rectangular coordinate position of the first object with respect to the second object.