Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of inputs comprising data corresponding to a plurality of network elements, confirming presence of a given network element of the plurality of network elements on at least one network, and adding the given network element to a network element database. The method also includes interfacing with one or more network integration services of a plurality of network integration services to receive data corresponding to the given network element. The network element database is automatically updated with the received data, and the interfacing is performed via a message bus.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of inputs comprising data corresponding to a plurality of network elements, confirming presence of a given network element of the plurality of network elements on at least one network, and adding the given network element to a network element database. The method also includes interfacing with one or more network integration services of a plurality of network integration services to receive data corresponding to the given network element. The network element database is automatically updated with the received data, and the interfacing is performed via a message bus.

Abstract: A furnace damper control system including a furnace having at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation from within the furnace may be sensed, an exhaust duct capable of receiving an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace, and a controllable damper capable of adjusting the pressure in the exhaust duct. A sensor is capable of sensing electromagnetic radiation through one or more of the openings of the furnace and generating a sensor signal corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation, and a processor is capable of processing the sensor signal and generating a monitoring signal responsive to a parameter of the electromagnetic radiation indicative of furnace emissions. A controller is capable of controlling the damper responsive to the monitoring signal indicative of the furnace emissions.

Abstract: An interferometer wherein an incident beam from a radiation source hits a beam splitter at a first oblique angle of incidence and is split into a first, reflected partial beam, and a second, transmitted partial beam, that subsequently travel along separate arms of the interferometer. The first and second partial beams are respectively intercepted, reflected, and re-split to form returning beam portions and reflected and transmitted exit beam portions. A second terminal mirror and a folding mirror, which intercepts the second partial beam at a second oblique angle of incidence, are associated with the second interferometer arm and positioned orthogonal to the reference plane and on opposite sides of the exit path, so that a section of the second partial beam from the folding mirror to the terminal mirror and back to the folding mirror crosses the exit beam twice.

Abstract: A groundwater sampling tool that includes an elongated hollow coring tube having a proximal end and a distal end for collecting groundwater and sediment; a Peltier element located in close proximity to a wall of the elongated hollow coring tube adapted to freeze groundwater and sediment collected by the elongated hollow coring tube.

Abstract: A furnace damper control system including a furnace having at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation from within the furnace may be sensed, an exhaust duct capable of receiving an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace, and a controllable damper capable of adjusting the pressure in the exhaust duct. A sensor is capable of sensing electromagnetic radiation through one or more of the openings of the furnace and generating a sensor signal corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation, and a processor is capable of processing the sensor signal and generating a monitoring signal responsive to a parameter of the electromagnetic radiation indicative of furnace emissions. A controller is capable of controlling the damper responsive to the monitoring signal indicative of the furnace emissions.

Abstract: A furnace damper control system and method thereof including a furnace having at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation from within the furnace may be sensed, an exhaust duct capable of receiving an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace, and a controllable damper capable of adjusting the pressure in the exhaust duct. A sensor is capable of sensing electromagnetic radiation through one or more of the openings of the furnace and generating a sensor signal corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation, and a processor is capable of processing the sensor signal and generating a monitoring signal responsive to a parameter of the electromagnetic radiation indicative of furnace emissions. A controller is capable of controlling the damper responsive to the monitoring signal indicative of the furnace emissions.

Abstract: A groundwater sampling tool that includes an elongated hollow coring tube having a proximal end and a distal end for collecting groundwater and sediment; a Peltier element located in close proximity to a wall of the elongated hollow coring tube adapted to freeze groundwater and sediment collected by the elongated hollow coring tube.

Abstract: A furnace damper control system and method thereof including a furnace having at least one opening through which electromagnetic radiation from within the furnace may be sensed, an exhaust duct capable of receiving an exhaust gas stream emerging from the furnace, and a controllable damper capable of adjusting the pressure in the exhaust duct. A sensor is capable of sensing electromagnetic radiation through one or more of the openings of the furnace and generating a sensor signal corresponding to the electromagnetic radiation, and a processor is capable of processing the sensor signal and generating a monitoring signal responsive to a parameter of the electromagnetic radiation indicative of furnace emissions. A controller is capable of controlling the damper responsive to the monitoring signal indicative of the furnace emissions.

Abstract: A method of making steel in an electric arc furnace is provided. The method comprises the steps of charging a steelmaking furnace with an iron source, wherein the iron source is melted and refined in the steelmaking furnace during a campaign, providing a source of lime that is screened by a first screening device, compacting the lime material adjacent to the steelmaking furnace to a predetermined size, charging the compacted lime to the steelmaking furnace within a short period of time to avoid degradation of the compacted lime, and adding additional fluxing agents and additives to the steelmaking furnace to produce refined steel in the campaign.

Abstract: Novel spectrometer arrangements are described. They may employ a resin-based preconcentration system to sample chemical vapors. A field-widened interferometer modulates radiant energy. The signal generated by the interaction of the radiant energy with the sample is detected and processed by a computer. A variety of enhancements to the basic design are described, providing a family of related spectrometer designs. These spectrometers have applications in spectrometry, spectral imaging and metrology.

Abstract: A novel tilt-insensitive interferometer geometry is described. The design uses tilt-insensitive optics to simultaneously maintain high throughput and precise interferometric alignment, even in the presence of non-ideal scanning motions. A variety of enhancements to the basic design are described, providing a family of related interferometer designs. These spectrometers have applications in spectrometry, spectral imaging and metrology.

Abstract: A method of making steel in an electric arc furnace is provided. The method comprises the steps of charging a steelmaking furnace with an iron source, wherein the iron source is melted and refined in the steelmaking furnace during a campaign, providing a source of lime that is screened by a first screening device, compacting the lime material adjacent to the steelmaking furnace to a predetermined size, charging the compacted lime to the steelmaking furnace within a short period of time to avoid degradation of the compacted lime, and adding additional fluxing agents and additives to the steelmaking furnace to produce refined steel in the campaign.

Abstract: A novel variation of Michelson's interferometer uses tilt- and shear-compensation optics together with a beamsplitter and parallel reflector assembly to allow various mirror motions to produce variation of path difference. The tilt-compensation mechanism consists of two complementary reflections from a single plane mirror to produce a beam having a constant angle of propagation, typically the same as the input beam. Using a retroreflector to invert the image of the single plane mirror before the second reflection produces the complementary reflections. A particularly efficient embodiment of the present invention uses a balanced disk-shaped mirror to effect very rapid variation of path difference by nutation or precession. Other advantages of tilt-compensation include photometric stability. This interferometer has applications in spectrometry, spectral imaging and metrology.

Abstract: A Coriolis effect fluid flow meter comprises a tube curved about a first axis and mounted for oscillatory motion about a second axis, means to drive the tube in a controlled oscillatory motion about said second axis to generate in fluid flowing in the tube a measurable bi-direction force, a pair of flexible couplings through which fluid flow passes arranged to minimise forces on the tube due to the inherent stiffness of the tube, and means arrange to measure the bi-directional force in the direction of said first axis and to derive the fluid flow therefrom.

Abstract: A fire-retardant roof construction in a building wherein a fire-resistant wall separates a first room from a second room and supports purlins which carry a roof cladding fire-retardant roof construction. A first set of parallel purlins extends over the first room, each having one end pivotally mounted over a horizontal axis parallel to the wall adjacent the top of the wall. A set of upright cleats of sheet metal are secured to the top of the wall, each providing the pivotal mounting for a respective purlin. A second set of parallel purlins extends over the second room, and is mounted on cleats in the manner of the first set. The pivotal mountings are so located that each purlin, if deprived of support elsewhere, can collapse to hang down from its pivot without structural damage to the wall or the respective cleat.