Abstract: A system processes and communicates URL data to enable network (including Internet) compatible applications to be securely integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A first application employs a system for encoding URL link data for use in detecting unauthorized URL modification. The system includes an input processor for receiving an encryption key and a URL processor for processing a URL link to a second application using the received encryption key. The URL processor identifies URL type and adaptively encrypts a URL link address portion based on the identified type to produce a processed URL. A communication processor includes the processed URL in data representing a web page and communicates the web page representative data including the processed URL to a requesting application.

Abstract: A system and associated communication protocol enables network compatible applications to be integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A system for use in a first application concurrently operating together with a plurality of network compatible applications includes an entitlement processor. The entitlement processor enables user access to the first application in response to validation of user identification information. The system also includes a communication processor for intermittently communicating an activity indication to a managing application within a timeout window and the activity indication is communicated sufficiently often to prevent an inactivity timeout of the first application. The managing application receives activity indications from multiple concurrently operating applications sufficiently frequently to prevent an inactivity timeout of the individual applications and maintains corresponding activity monitoring indicators.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine including a bearing centering sub-assembly that facilitates reduces an effect of radial forces transmitted to a bearing assembly is described. The bearing assembly supports a rotor shaft with a rolling element positioned radially inward from an outer race. The bearing centering sub-assembly is coupled to the outer race and includes a plurality of first springs and a plurality of second springs extending circumferentially in rows. Each first springs is coupled between a second spring and the outer race such that each first spring is radially aligned with respect to each second spring.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine including a bearing centering sub-assembly that facilitates reduces an effect of radial forces transmitted to a bearing assembly is described. The bearing assembly supports a rotor shaft with a rolling element positioned radially inward from an outer race. The bearing centering sub-assembly is coupled to the outer race and includes a plurality of first springs and a plurality of second springs extending circumferentially in rows. Each first springs is coupled between a second spring and the outer race such that each first spring is radially aligned with respect to each second spring.

Abstract: A system and associated communication protocol enables Internet compatible applications to be integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A system employed by a first application for supporting concurrent operation of a plurality of network compatible applications involves an entitlement processor for authorizing user access to the first application in response to validation of user identification information. The system also involves a communication processor for communicating a session initiation request to a managing application to initiate generation of a session identifier particular to a user initiated session and for use by a plurality of concurrently operating applications to uniquely identify the user initiated session in response to validation of user identification information.

Abstract: A URL processing system and associated communication protocol enables network compatible applications to be securely integrated into any process involving concurrent operation of applications. A system employed by an application for encoding URL link data for use in detecting unauthorized URL modification includes a link processor for processing URL data. The link processor adaptively identifies and encrypts an address portion of a URL and incorporates the encrypted address portion of the URL together with the non-encrypted portion of the URL into a single processed URL data string. The system also includes a communication processor for incorporating the processed URL data string into formatted data for communication to a request device. The link processor compresses the identified URL address portion (e.g., with a hash function) prior to encryption.

Abstract: A system and associated communication protocol facilitates management of user access to network (including Internet) compatible applications. An authentication system used by a first application for managing user access to at least one of a plurality of network compatible applications uses an authentication processor. The authentication processor receives user identification information including a user identifier and initiates authentication of the user identification information using an authentication service. The authentication system also includes a communication processor for communicating an authentication service identifier and a corresponding user identifier to a managing application. The authentication service identifier identifies an authentication service used to authenticate identification information of the corresponding user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compression and restoration of images, videos, surfaces, curves and, generally, pixel-based data sets, including: feature-based quantization using a set of N isocontours; compressing each of these N contours using a level set-based compression of curves or surfaces—and/or combining the quantization with a conventional method for compression of surfaces; and decompressing the compressed data using a nonoscillatory reconstruction. The method is naturally multiscale, but does not use wavelets or other multiscale-basis functions. The method performs compression and decompression (1) without excessive computational complexity, even in the presence of topological changes such as merging or breaking of isocontours as the scale changes, (2) with excellent image fidelity, (3) without unacceptable artifacts such as ringing, blurring, or blocking, (4) with simple and natural grid based ways of calculating geometric features such as normals, principal curvatures.

Abstract: A cellular material, preferably a low density foam material, having an initial average normal incidence sound absorption coefficient for a selected frequency range is perforated to form a perforated cellular sound absorption material. The perforated cellular sound absorption material formed has an average normal incidence sound absorption coefficient for the selected frequency range greater than the initial average normal incidence sound absorption coefficient of the cellular sound absorption material. The depth(s), diameter(s), shape(s) and pattern of the perforations provide the cellular sound absorption material with the improved sound absorption properties that are reflected in the increased average normal incidence sound absorption coefficient of the material.

Abstract: A biocompatible osteosynthesis plate operable for being enhanced in a substantially secured relation to a plurality of adjacent bone portions is provided. The biocompatible osteosynthesis plate includes an elongated section having a top face and a bottom face, at least one fastener opening disposed between the top face and the bottom face, and means disposed upon elongated section to permit the formation of additional fastener openings therethrough during a surgical procedure. The osteosynthesis plate is in a first configuration at a first thermochemical state and is operable to be converted to a second thermochemical state so that it may be deformed prior to fixation. The osteosynthesis plate may further include means disposed upon the elongated section for enhancing structural rigidity, which may be provided as one or more raised surfaces, or rails, disposed upon the top face of the osteosynthesis plate.

Abstract: A low-density filler material for cigarettes from either a low-density tobacco composition or an extruded grain or starch composition. The low-density tobacco composition and a method of making the low-density tobacco composition by extruding a mixture of tobacco and flour or tobacco and starch under conditions whereby the solvent in the extruded mixture flashes into vapor upon release from the extrusion head. The low-density tobacco composition is formed without the aid of an added binder. The low-density flour or starch material and a method of making it by extruding flour or starch with a filler material such as calcium carbonate under conditions whereby the solvent in the extruded mixture flashes into vapor upon extrusion through the orifice die. The extruded composition can then be cut and used in place of cut tobacco filler.

Abstract: The present system discloses a universal wheel trim attachment system in which a wheel liner is attached to a wheel under the wheel lug nuts. Universal wheel trim attachment system has a center piece which can act as a hub cover. Surrounding the opening is a plateau on substantially an X-axis and perpendicular to a Y-axis. Around the plateau there is placed a first incline. Around the first incline there is placed a ledge which merely shows the change in direction between a first incline and a second incline which surrounds the first incline. A valley surrounds the second incline. A ridge surrounds the valley. A lip surrounds the ridge and rests upon the outer portions of the wheel. The wheel liners are also provided with lug holes, oval holes, and hand holes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system that uses a continuous attachment ring having mounting brackets which are pivotally and/or slidably attached to it thereby allowing it to be adjustable for different configurations of wheels. Additionally, the pivoting allows use for either a large diameter such as a spoked wheel or a small diameter such as a standard wheel. The attachment bracket receives an existing lug. Jam nuts are then placed over the bracket to hold the attachment bracket onto the existing lugs. Attachment screws are placed through holes in the liner and are received by mounting lips attached to the attachment ring to coordinate and correspond to the holes in the liner.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for attaching a wheel liner to a wheel having a hub. In both preferred embodiments, a spring clip is attached to a hub. The spring clip then has a biased finger which can engage a hub cover fictionally and hold it in place. However, this biased finger also allows the hub cover to be easily removed. In the first preferred embodiment, the spring clip is attached either at a screw on the hub, under a ring attached to the screws on the hub, or attached to the screws under a ring on the hub. The second embodiment attaches to a lip of the hub.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system for trailer wheels. In the present invention, a bracket is provided having a cloverleaf hole which can receive lugs sized and spaced for a six lug, eight lug, and ten lug variety. Additionally, a mounting orifice is provided which can be placed on the wheel at a constant radius from the center of the wheel to allow a single wheel liner to be attached to different sized wheels. Attachments can be used to attach the wheel liner to the bracket. The wheel liner can have lug covers and hub covers.

Abstract: A long-life solar reflector includes a solar collector substrate and a base layer bonded to a solar collector substrate. The first layer includes a first reflective layer and a first acrylic or transparent polymer layer covering the first reflective layer to prevent exposure of the first reflective layer. The reflector also includes at least one upper layer removably bonded to the first acrylic or transparent polymer layer of the base layer. The upper layer includes a second reflective layer and a second acrylic or transparent polymer layer covering the second reflective layer to prevent exposure of the second reflective layer. The upper layer may be removed from the base reflective layer to expose the base layer, thereby lengthening the useful life of the solar reflector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system that attaches to a yoke having a pair of collars, substantially half-moon shaped, separated by a tab. The collar is sized to fit within the offset of lug nut pairs. A bias member such as a rubber band can be used or any other kind of elastic member can be used to keep the yoke on the lug nut pairs. A mounting orifice is attached to or placed into the tab. Screws are then used to attach the wheel liner to the yoke.