Abstract: A loopback device utilizing bend insensitive optical fiber to facilitate deployment of a connectorized fiber optic distribution cable through small-diameter conduit. A loopback device utilizing bend insensitive optical fiber for use within an optical network to route optical signals transmitted downstream along one or more optical fibers back upstream along the same or other optical fibers for the purpose of the determining the integrity of the downstream and upstream optical paths from a single upstream location. A loopback device including one or more bend insensitive optical fibers, a multi-fiber loopback ferrule and a dust cap for sealing engaging a connector plug attached to a distribution cable or a tether of a pre-engineered distribution cable assembly prior to installation of the distribution cable.

Abstract: A bracket assembly includes a bracket including a flexible hinge, and a furcation assembly attached to the bracket.

Abstract: An elbow rotator apparatus for rotating an integrally formed section of an elbow workpiece includes a pair of gripping arms which are selectively positionable in a first position displaced from the elbow workpiece, and a second position in which the gripping arms are in contact with the integral section of the elbow workpiece. A rotary actuator is operatively connected to the gripping arms to selectively rotate the gripping arms by a predetermined amount when the gripping arms are in the second position.

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 splice connector for verifying an acceptable splice termination includes a ferrule having a stub optical fiber, a ferrule holder for receiving the ferrule, opposed splice components within the ferrule holder for receiving and aligning the stub optical fiber and a field optical fiber, a cam member for engaging one of the splice components to terminate the field optical fiber, and means for viewing an amount of glow emanating from a termination area. In one embodiment, a splice component and the portion of the ferrule holder disposed between the splice component and the cam member are optically transmissive. The cam member has a first array of wells and a second array of wells for viewing the amount of glow before and after the field optical fiber is terminated. In another embodiment, the ferrule holder is opaque and has a view port, while the cam member has a first well having a first depth and a second well having a second depth.

Abstract: A network is configured to transmit data using only one color, the one color being associated with a community of interest. At least one network device is attached to the network, the at least one network device being associated with the community of interest and configured to receive data from the network using only the one color.

Abstract: An installation closure having fiber management apparatus includes an outer shell and at least one cable centralizer disposed within the outer shell at a factory-assembled access location on a fiber optic distribution cable. The cable centralizer has a central channel for retaining the distribution cable and at least one routing slot for routing an optical fiber preterminated from the distribution cable at the access location. At least a portion of the outer shell is removed following deployment of the distribution cable and replaced with a conventional closure. An optical connector may be mounted upon the end of the preterminated optical fiber and the installation closure may further include an end centralizer having a central channel for retaining the distribution cable and at least one connector slot for retaining the connector. The replacement closure includes at least one connector port for receiving the connector from the inside of the installation closure.

Abstract: In an opto-acoustic measuring device for thin films and solid surfaces, the probe beam is split into a first probe beam portion and a second reference beam portion. The splitting of the probe beam is achieved using a phase mask that also splits the excitation beam. The probe beam is aligned using a retro-reflector on a motorized stage to control the beam angle. Excitation and probe/reference beams are overlapped at the sample surface. The first probe beam portion gets diffracted by material disturbances generated by excitation beams. The diffracted part of the first probe beam portion is collinear with the second reference beam portion, resulting in heterodyning. The heterodyne signal measured by the detector is analyzed in order to determine thickness and/or other properties of a thin film or solid surface. The invention improves magnitude and reproducibility of the opto-acoustic signal which results in enhanced precision of measurements.

Abstract: This invention relates to any fossil fueled thermal system, and especially relates to large commercial steam generators used in power plants, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining fuel chemistry in essentially real time based on effluents resulting from combustion, associated stoichiometrics, and the genetics of the fossil fuel. Knowing the system's fuel chemistry, the fuel calorific value, the fuel flow and the thermal performance associated with the thermal system may then be determined in essentially real time.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a site or contained volume includes providing an aqueous biocide solution containing a biocide agent such as hydrogen peroxide. A mist of reactive biocide droplets is generated by atomization at ambient pressure from the biocide solution and a flow of carrier medium or air is provided in communication with the mist. The flow of carrier medium is controlled to generate a biocide mist comprising a concentration of stable mist droplets within the carrier medium. By controlling aersolization, extraction and delivery of the stable mist droplets, a sufficient portion of the stable mist droplets for a sterilizing treatment of a designated site do not coalesce prior to treatment interaction with the treatment site. The process of formation, stabilization and extraction are done in-situ so that droplets do not coalesce during transport.

Abstract: A tiller-based watercraft steering system is responsive to tiller release to lock a watercraft's steered element in the last commanded position upon tiller release. The system is locked by closing a valve assembly to prevent flow to opposed chamber of a hydraulic lock coupled to the steered element. The tiller preferably comprises an actuator portion which is movable relative to the remainder of the tiller. The actuator portion may, for example, be a grip on an articulating outer end portion of a tiller arm. The valve assembly may be connected to the hydraulic lock to form a combined module. It may be actuated by a mechanical link such as one or more cables leading from the actuator portion of the tiller to the valve assembly. The system may be used as either a manual or a power-assisted steering system.

Abstract: A composite proton exchange membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite proton exchange membrane comprises a proton exchange membrane which has been modified by replacing membrane protons in desired areas of the membrane with a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is preferably formed by introducing a quaternary salt monomer into the membrane and then effecting the polymerization of the monomer. The modified areas of the proton exchange membrane exhibit increased strength, reduced water and gas permeability, reduced proton conductivity and reduced acidity. Accordingly, by modifying the periphery of the membrane, one can obtain an integral sealing edge for the membrane, and by modifying certain interior regions of the membrane, one can divide the membrane into a plurality of sealed segments.

Abstract: A spinning impingement multiphase contacting device and method for heat or mass transfer are disclosed. A first fluid, from which the transfer is to occur, is caused to impinge and be entrained in a spinning permeable element, creating a highly dispersed phase. The highly dispersed phase contacts the second fluid to cause the desired heat or mass transfer.

Abstract: A fluid sensor assembly is provided for sensing a fluid property in-line. The assembly includes a body with a port for connecting the body to a fluid line and internal passage connecting the first port to a second port. The assembly also includes a sensor interface portion attached to the body and a fluid sensor that interfaces with the sensor interface portion. The fluid sensor includes a sensing element that communicates with the internal passage via the second port. The sensor and the body are fixably attached by an attaching portion to form a single, integrated part.

Abstract: Methods of loading cartons in a packaging machine are provided. A method comprises providing cartons with an end opening having a width less than a pitch of flight bars of a packaging machine, and detachably affixing the cartons so that one carton is horizontally adjacent another and the combined end opening width of the horizontally adjacent cartons is substantially equal to the pitch of the flight bars. The method also includes placing the cartons between the flight bars so that the horizontally adjacent cartons are disposed within the pitch of flight bars and detaching the plurality of cartons from one another after the cartons have been loaded. Other embodiments are claimed and disclosed.

Abstract: A parking braking system for a brake in a vehicle wherein, upon moving a parking brake selector to a park position, the brake is arranged to be mechanically locked or latched into place by means of a variable position park latch mechanism which is adapted to co-operate with an operating member of the brake so as to set the park load on the brake at a desired level. The parking braking system includes a control system which has a brake level determining means (134) to determine the brake load level at which the brake is to be parked and a control means (136) for controlling the actuation of the latching mechanism, or a combination of several latching mechanisms, to selectively maintain that brake load level during a parking phase. In order to determine the park load level to which the brake should be applied in a given situation, there is provided a static mode 1 which generates a signal representative of the static condition of the vehicle or a static compensation signal.

Abstract: A heads-up speed sensing display and control system for apprising an operator of the risk of operating a vehicle at various speeds has a risk indicator display with a plurality of illuminable elements, such as three different colored LEDs, illuminable in a plurality of patterns, each of the plurality of patterns having a predetermined correlation to vehicle speed, such as green for safe, yellow for caution and red for hazardous. A speed sensor, such as a Hall-effect device is coupled to a driven element of the vehicle, like a speedometer cable, and causes the speed sensor to generate a signal indicative of vehicle speed. A control unit receives the speed signal and selects an illumination pattern to indicate the risk of operation at the speed the vehicle is then traveling. The display may be wired or wireless and be attached to a windshield, face guard or helmet.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of articles, comprises a top wall, a base wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls. A divider structure for separating adjacent articles is formed from at least one of the end walls. The divider structure includes first and second inwardly folded divider panels and an inwardly folded support panel. The divider panels are hinged together and to the opposed side walls respectively while the support panel is hinged to and extending between the respective lower portions of the first and second divider panels.

Abstract: In a method of playing a game, a player plays a main game in which a first set of indicia are displayed. The game may be slots, keno, bingo, pull-tabs, a lottery or the like. If the player receives a special symbol or combination of symbols while playing the main game, the outcome of the game is a guaranteed win. A second set of indicia which represent or correspond to that guaranteed win are displayed to the player, whereby the player is made aware of the particular winning result. If the player does not receive the special symbol or combination of symbols, the play of the main game continues and it is determined if the outcome thereof is a winning result.

Abstract: A bioremediation device for liquid waste includes a medium for forming a microbial film and for exposing the microbial film to an effluent to decompose a first substance in the effluent and to produce a second substance from the decomposition of first substance. An aerator is coupled to the medium to supply the microbial film with oxygen and to accelerate the effluent around the microbial film.