Abstract: A liquid level sensing module for sensing a high liquid level in a sump container rising comprises a first liquid-actuated switch which provides a first output signal upon the liquid level reaching a first level, and a second liquid-actuated switch which provides a second output signal upon the liquid level reaching a second level above the first. A delay circuit delays the first output signal by a period if time sufficient for the liquid to rise from the first switch level to the second switch level to produce a delayed output signal. An alarm circuit produces a fault signal indicating a switch module fault upon the occurrence of the second output signal.

Abstract: A test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having two electrically-powered pumps in a sump container wherein each, when actuated by rising liquid in the container, pump water from the container to a dispersal site. A test control module initiates a first test cycle in which the operation of the second pump is inhibited and fresh water is admitted into the container until the first pump, if functional, pumps liquid from the container. The test control module then initiates a second test cycle in which operation of the first pump is inhibited and fresh water is again admitted into the container until the second pump, if functional, pumps liquid from the container. A separate indication of a satisfactory of unsatisfactory test is given for each sump pump.

Abstract: A test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having a battery-powered sump pump which pumps liquid from a sump container when the liquid level in the container rises. A current probe operatively associated with the electrical circuit between the battery and the pump provides an output signal indicative of current flow to the motor. The system includes a control module which is periodically actuated to initiate a test cycle wherein a valve is actuated open to admit liquid into the pit. If the pump is operative, the pump pumps liquid from the container, causing the liquid level in the sump container to fall, and the control module in response to the output signal of the current probe to terminate the test cycle and indicate a successful test. If the sump pump is inoperative, the liquid level in the container continues to rise and the test cycle is terminated, the valve is closed and an unsuccessful test is indicated.

Abstract: A self-monitoring valve module responsive to an actuating signal for admitting liquid into a sump container to test a sump pump includes an electrically-actuated valve responsive to the actuating signal to establish flow into the container, and a flow sensor which provides an output signal indicative of liquid flow through the valve, and a monitoring circuit which provides a fault signal indicating failure of the valve when the actuating signal is not calling for actuation of the valve and the flow sensor output signal indicates flow through the fluid conduit, or when the actuating signal is calling for actuation of the valve and the flow sensor output signal indicates no flow in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An automated system for monitoring and testing a sump pump installation includes an electrically-actuated valve which admits liquid into the liquid container in response to a valve control signal. A test control module supplies a valve control signal to initiate a test cycle during which liquid is admitted to the container to cause the liquid level in the container to rise after which the pump, if functional, discharges liquid from the container and the test cycle is terminated. The test control module includes a timer circuit which, if the test cycle is not terminated by the pump, terminates the test cycle and terminates application of the valve control signal to the valve after a predetermined time out period following initiation of the test cycle. The test control module further includes an indicator circuit which indicates upon termination of the test cycle whether the test was successful or unsuccessful.

Abstract: A self-protecting valve assembly for use in conjunction with a sump pump test and monitoring system having a test control module which generates a valve control signal for opening the valve to initiate a test cycle. The valve assembly includes an electrically-actuated valve which is responsive only to a valve-actuating signal and not to the valve control signal. A conversion circuit in the valve assembly converts the valve control signal to a valve actuating signal to actuate the valve. This protects the valve from receiving a false actuating signal in the event of a failure in the test control module.

Abstract: An automated battery-powered backup AC power supply system for a sump pump installation of the type having a sump pump and a pump controller which connects the sump pump motor to the AC line to operate in response to a rising liquid level in the sump container. The system includes a standby battery and an inverter operable from the battery for supplying AC power to the sump pump installation in the event of AC power failure or during periodic testing of the sump pump installation. A power controller senses whether the sump pump motor is connected to the AC line by the pump controller and connects the AC inverter to the backup battery to supply AC power to the installation only when the pump is connected, thereby minimizing idle current drain on the battery and prolonging the backup availability of the system.

Abstract: A proactive test and monitoring system for a sump pump installation of the type having an electrically-powered sump pump which pumps water from a sump pit to a dispersal site when the water level in the pit rises to a predetermined level. The system includes a control module which is periodically actuated by an event timer to initiate a test cycle wherein a valve is actuated open to admit water into the pit. If the pump is operative, the pump operates and the water level in the pit falls, the test cycle is terminated and a successful test is indicated. If the pump is inoperative, the water level continues to rise and the test cycle is terminated, the valve is closed and an unsuccessful test is indicated. Thus the sump pump installation is periodically tested to improve the reliability of the pump and to signal pump inoperability in advance of any potential flood event requiring operation of the pump installation.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method to provide the highest possible stored energy density (Watt-hour/kg) in rotating composite flywheels, which in turn will enable an increased application of said devices. Segmented high density (mass loading) materials are positioned and bonded against all free inner surfaces of a high strength low density composite rotor/rim. Traditional composite flywheels do not incorporate mass loading of the composite rotor, i.e., most of the stored energy is contained in the rotating composite rotor. The segmented materials do not fail under the high centrifugal loads, thereby contributing significantly to the overall stored energy density of the composite flywheel system. The high strength composite rotor is engineered to withstand the additional centrifugal loading effects imparted from the segmented masses. An additional benefit from completely loading the inner surface of the composite rotor as uniformly as possible is that it minimizes any unwanted rotor dynamic instabilities.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for determining the vertical alignment of an infrastructure corridor having a certain horizontal alignment involve using a processor to model the cost of constructing the infrastructure corridor as a function of cost variables that vary with the vertical alignment of the infrastructure corridor. The processor looks up the cost variables at vertical offsets corresponding to certain vertical alignments of the infrastructure corridor and determines the cost of constructing the length of road at elevations located between pairs of the vertical offsets by interpolating from the cost variables at the vertical offsets; the interpolation may be linear. The processor determines, subject to infrastructure corridor design constraints, the vertical alignment of the infrastructure corridor from the cost of constructing the infrastructure corridor at the vertical offsets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to synchronization of communication equipment are disclosed. Synchronization information received from a bonded communication link can be used to synchronize local and/or remote communication equipment, such as femtocell sites coupled to nodes in a ring network. This may involve isolating a frequency reference signal from a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) communication link which is a constituent link of a bonded communication link, for example. In a ring network, received synchronization information could be used in synchronizing a locally connected installation of communication equipment, and passed for transmission in the ring network for synchronizing other communication equipment. Such dropping and passing of an analog frequency reference signal could be applied in networks having other topologies as well. At least some embodiments of the invention are applicable to optical links.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of remote powering of DSL ADMs are disclosed. In a subscriber communication node, at least communication components that enable the subscriber communication node to communicate with a network switching device, and possibly also subscriber communication components that enable one or more subscriber communication devices to communicate with the network switching device, can be powered either by a local power source or remotely through an electrically conductive twisted wire pair. A network node may derive its own power and also supply power to subscriber communication nodes through twisted wire pairs. A linear or ring topology of subscriber communication nodes can thus be kept operational, and subscriber communications can potentially also be maintained, when a local power source at one or more subscriber nodes becomes unavailable.

Abstract: Dynamic, asymmetric rings and related communication equipment and methods are disclosed. Various features may be implemented to provide any or all of several degrees of freedom for managing resources in a communication network. Communication rates may be optimized on a node-to-node basis or overall on a network level. Different rates may be configured and possibly dynamically adjusted between different nodes, and/or for different directions of traffic transfer. Bandwidth can be dynamically allocated along a string of the communication nodes in a ring or linear topology in some embodiments. Direction of traffic transfer represents an additional possible degree of freedom in a ring topology, in that traffic can be transferred in either direction in a ring, such as the direction of least delay.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for determining the vertical alignment of an infrastructure corridor having a certain horizontal alignment involve using a processor to model the cost of constructing the infrastructure corridor as a function of cost variables that vary with the vertical alignment of the infrastructure corridor. The processor looks up the cost variables at vertical offsets corresponding to certain vertical alignments of the infrastructure corridor and determines the cost of constructing the length of road at elevations located between pairs of the vertical offsets by interpolating from the cost variables at the vertical offsets; the interpolation may be linear. The processor determines, subject to infrastructure corridor design constraints, the vertical alignment of the infrastructure corridor from the cost of constructing the infrastructure corridor at the vertical offsets.

Abstract: A DSL network topology is provided for the interconnections between a telecom carrier and households. Each household is provided with an HCC (Home Communications Centre) for facilitating digital communication. The digital communication includes DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) communication. A method of forming a DSL network such that existing copper pair wire is reused is also provided.

Abstract: A database system storing a data structure. The data structure includes a plurality of data nodes that each store a type and a value. None of the data nodes are linked directly to one another. The data structure also includes a plurality of context nodes that are each linked to at least two data nodes. The context nodes do not store data. Instead, each of the context nodes indicates a relationship exits between the data nodes connected to it.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to bonded interconnection of local communication networks are disclosed. Bonded communication links, including multiple constituent links that have been bonded together, are terminated to enable communications over the bonded links using bandwidth available on the constituent links. A cross-connect function determines whether received communication traffic is to be forwarded to one or more of a local communication network and the terminated bonded links. The received communication traffic is forwarded in accordance with the determination. The local communication networks may include ring networks, linear networks, or both. The bonded links and links between nodes in a local communication network are bonded DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) links in some embodiments. Bonding of DSL links in this manner can be used, for instance, to extend the reach of DSL service without sacrificing bandwidth.

Abstract: A Veil program analyzes the source code and/or data of an existing sequential target program without user interaction and determines how best to distribute the target program and data among the processing elements of a multi-processing element computing system. The Veil program analyzes source code loops, data sizes and types to prepare a set of distribution attempts or strategies, whereby each strategy is run under a run-time evaluation system and evaluated to determine the optimal decomposition and distribution across the available processing elements.