Abstract: A network protection switching mechanism comprises a plurality of optical switches located at a plurality of nodes; a plurality of optical communication paths between said switches; switch based fault detectors located as part of at least two switches which generate detection results representative of the identification of a fault; switch based controllers located as part of said at least two switches; and internal switch-communication means between said fault detectors and said controllers which facilitate the transmission of detection results from said fault detectors to said controllers; wherein said controllers directly cause switching to an alternative optical communication path dependent upon the receipt of said detection results; whereby autonomous switch based protection without dependence on either inter-switch control communication or higher level network control communication is achieved.

Abstract: The purpose is to extract conditioned air through the use of a saddle tap fitting made of sheet metal or other material for attaching a rectangular or square discharge to registers or duct to a round or the round sides of an oval HVAC main trunk line or short sections of pipe of many different sizes as well as tapers, reducers or fittings. With the use of this fitting will reduce huge amounts of manufacturing and inventory. This saddle tap which flexibly conforms tightly to the arcuate surface to which it is attached will deliver less turbulent conditioned air to desired locations. A key feature of the fitting is several attachment tabs typical of (30) with restraining holes (31) in them. Together tabs and restraining holes, keep the attachment screws from drifting when the screws are installed through said holes and angled away from the large hole cut in the main line to secure the tap to the main trunk line.

Abstract: The purpose is to extract a large volume of regulated conditioned air thru use of a saddle tap fitting made of sheet metal, and for tightly attaching a HVAC branch line to a circular or arcuate sides of a flat or short sections of pipe as well as tapers, reducers or oval main trunk lines and their fittings of many different sizes at an angle. This fitting includes 2 cylindrical collars rotatably attached to a body having a skirt which flexibly conforms, to the arcuate surface to which it is attached. Manually rotating the two canted collars smoothly changes the angles and compound angles, to the branch lines from a range of approx 107 degrees when attached to the main line thus directing a controlled volume of conditioned air to desired locations all of this can be achieved with the use of this one fitting.

Abstract: A network protection switching mechanism comprises a plurality of optical switches located at a plurality of nodes; a plurality of optical communication paths between said switches; switch based fault detectors located as part of at least two switches which generate detection results representative of the identification of a fault; switch based controllers located as part of said at least two switches; and internal switch-communication means between said fault detectors and said controllers which facilitate the transmission of detection results from said fault detectors to said controllers; wherein said controllers directly cause switching to an alternative optical communication path dependent upon the receipt of said detection results; whereby autonomous switch based protection without dependence on either inter-switch control communication or higher level network control communication is achieved.

Abstract: An integral self-leveling gas shock strut with dual spring rates as a structural load support between a vehicle chassis and wheel. When the vehicle is driving at an inclined longitudinal pitch a gravity sensitive device within the strut governs a pilot valve which opens to allow a pressure input signal from strut piston compression deflection to close a high flow volume slave valve located between primary and secondary volumetric chambers, trapping gases within the primary chamber to provide a hard spring rate for the strut mounted on the vehicle's downhill side. Contrarily, a similar valve sequence in a companion strut mounted on the vehicle's uphill side opens gas flow communication to combine its primary and secondary chamber volumes, thus providing a soft spring rate and consequent leveling effect of the vehicle using only the pumping action of the strut pistons as a power source, requiring neither external power nor inputs.

Abstract: An integral self-leveling gas shock strut with dual spring rates as a structural load support between a vehicle chassis and wheel. When the vehicle is driving at an inclined longitudinal pitch a gravity sensitive device within the strut governs a pilot valve which opens to allow a pressure input signal from strut piston compression deflection to close a high flow volume slave valve located between primary and secondary volumetric chambers, trapping gases within the primary chamber to provide a hard spring rate for the strut mounted on the vehicle's downhill side. Contrarily, a similar valve sequence in a companion strut mounted on the vehicle's uphill side opens gas flow communication to combine its primary and secondary chamber volumes, thus providing a soft spring rate and consequent leveling effect of the vehicle using only the pumping action of the strut pistons as a power source, requiring neither external power nor inputs.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an optical response signal from a repeater to a terminal requesting status information pertaining to the repeater. In accordance with the method, in response to a command signal, a bias current applied to a laser pump within the repeater is modulated such that the laser pump generates modulated optical output power. The said modulation reflects the status information that is requested. An average value of the bias current applied to the laser pump is reduced while the bias current is being modulated. The modulated optical output power is applied to a doped optical fiber located within the repeater to amplitude modulate a communication signal traversing the doped optical fiber. A portion of the amplitude modulated communication signal is directed to the requesting terminal. The portion of the amplitude modulated communication signal may be received to detect a response signal embodied in the amplitude modulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for locating an intermittent fault occurring in an optical transmission system that includes a plurality of repeaters extending along first and second optical transmission paths for supporting bi-directional communication. In accordance with the method, a measurement is obtained of the gain imparted to a test signal along a round trip path between its originating point and each repeater. For each repeater there are identified changes in gain beyond a prescribed threshold and the time when the gain changes occur. A record of transmission performance data occurring over time is received. The performance data may be a bit error rate, SONET overhead data, or forward error correcting metrics, for example. For each repeater, a correlation in time is established between the identified gain changes and the transmission performance data. A fault location is identified based on the established correlation.