Abstract: Systems and methods for “blinded” messaging, wherein, a user can draft and send targeted communications to groups of other users having specific characteristics selected by the sending user, but the identification of the recipients is not provided to the sender. The system also permits the recipients to respond or engage in interact discussion with the sender, again without revealing any personal or identifying information about the recipient in question. This preserves anonymity and protects privacy. The systems and methods may be implemented in the context of a career or educational opportunity on-line services platform, which matches candidates to opportunities such as schools or jobs. Providers of such positions may also create on the platform career pathway profiles that are linked together to create an emergent, organic web of career paths for students and job-seekers to research and browse.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex access asynchronous transfer mode wireless network wherein network interface units (NIUs) are connected to a base transceiver station (BTS) by way of a radio frequency (RF) wireless link comprising time slots which are grouped into frames, there is presently no method or apparatus to allow dynamic bandwidth allocation while maintaining a minimum bandwidth allocation to NIUs. Using a combined Guaranteed Bandwidth Allocation (GBA) scheme with a Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) scheme, a configurable number of time slots can be permanently assigned to an NIU using GBA while the NIU can request additional timeslots using DBA. Using a queue occupancy threshold and a queuing delay threshold, the DBA scheme takes into account the GBA time slots which have been allocated, so that time slots are not unnecessarily requested by an NIU. At the BTS level, a time slot manager utilizes a frame look ahead procedure to allocate time slots based on the queue occupancy forwarded from the NIU.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a filter head that is adapted to mount a filter between an upstream fluid supply and a downstream fluid pump such as might be used for an oil burner system that includes a combination of the filter head and the safety valve in a single unit that may be interposed at a location along an oil conduit. The filter head comprises a filter head housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and a filter mounting stub that is adapted to mount the filter thereto. The filter mounting stub provides a filter head entrance port and a filter head exit port fluidically between the inlet and the outlet ports for communication with the filter when mounted thereto. A safety valve is mounted in the filter head housing and is arranged fluidically between the inlet and outlet port of the filter head housing. The safety valve has open and closed positions and opens in response to vacuum pressure at the outlet port.

Abstract: A fuel oil supply circuit that includes two bypass mechanisms for burner startup including an electrical valve bypass in parallel circuit with a mechanical valve bypass. The fuel oil supply circuit includes an oil pump that is adapted to pressurize fuel oil and a downstream regulating valve assembly that is adapted to regulate pressurized fuel flow to the nozzles of the burner. A solenoid valve controls flow of pressurized fuel oil through the regulating valve assembly to the nozzles. The solenoid valve has a first state keeping the regulating valve assembly closed, and a second state allowing the regulating valve assembly to open. A diaphragm valve is fluidically connected to the pump in parallel circuit with the regulating piston assembly to provide an alternative bypass mechanism as a backup for the electrical solenoid valve.

Abstract: A fuel oil supply circuit that includes two bypass mechanisms for burner startup including an electrical valve bypass in parallel circuit with a mechanical valve bypass. The fuel oil supply circuit includes an oil pump that is adapted to pressurize fuel oil and a downstream regulating valve assembly that is adapted to regulate pressurized fuel flow to the nozzles of the burner. A solenoid valve controls flow of pressurized fuel oil through the regulating valve assembly to the nozzles. The solenoid valve has a first state keeping the regulating valve assembly closed, and a second state allowing the regulating valve assembly to open. A diaphragm valve is fluidically connected to the pump in parallel circuit with the regulating piston assembly to provide an alternative bypass mechanism as a backup for the electrical solenoid valve.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex access asynchronous transfer mode wireless network wherein network interface units (NIUs) are connected to a base transceiver station (BTS) by way of a radio frequency (RF) wireless link comprising time slots which are grouped into frames, there is presently no method or apparatus to allow dynamic bandwidth allocation while maintaining a minimum bandwidth allocation to NIUs. Using a combined Guaranteed Bandwidth Allocation (GBA) scheme with a Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) scheme, a configurable number of time slots can be permanently assigned to an NIU using GBA while the NIU can request additional timeslots using DBA. Using a queue occupancy threshold and a queuing delay threshold, the DBA scheme takes into account the GBA time slots which have been allocated, so that time slots are not unnecessarily requested by an NIU. At the BTS level, a time slot manager utilizes a frame look ahead procedure to allocate time slots based on the queue occupancy forwarded from the NIU.