Abstract: Shown is a fence post system and a coupling used in such a system for coupling the fence rails and fence posts of metal tubular fences such as those used in horse and cattle ranching operations. A clamp ring is secured about the vertical tubular metal fence post. A pair of clamping body components fit about the horizontal fence rail and are secured by top and bottom tightening bosses and tightening elements. When tightened, the assembly nearly completely circumscribes the exterior surface of the fence rail, providing near 360 degree circumferential contact. The coupling can be articulated in various ways. It can be rotated about the fence post before tightening. It can also be pivoted in a vertical plane to adjust for changes in the elevation of the fence line.

Abstract: Shown is a fence post system and a coupling used in such a system for coupling the fence rails and fence posts of metal tubular fences such as those used in horse and cattle ranching operations. A clamp ring is secured about the vertical tubular metal fence post. A pair of clamping body components fit about the horizontal fence rail and are secured by top and bottom tightening bosses and tightening elements. When tightened, the assembly nearly completely circumscribes the exterior surface of the fence rail, providing near 360 degree circumferential contact. The coupling can be articulated in various ways. It can be rotated about the fence post before tightening. It can also be pivoted in a vertical plane to adjust for changes in the elevation of the fence line.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for laser bond inspection of an angled or compact bonded article.

Abstract: Cache line replacement in a symmetric multiprocessing computer, the computer having a plurality of processors, a main memory that is shared among the processors, a plurality of cache levels including at least one high level of private caches and a low level shared cache, and a cache controller that controls the shared cache, including receiving in the cache controller a memory instruction that requires replacement of a cache line in the low level shared cache; and selecting for replacement by the cache controller a least recently used cache line in the low level shared cache that has no copy stored in any higher level cache.

Abstract: A process for the coating of substrates comprising insertion of a substrate into a process oven, dehydration of the substrate, withdrawal of a metered amount of one or more chemicals from one or more chemical reservoirs, vaporizing the withdrawn chemicals in one or more vapor chambers, and transfer of the vaporized chemicals into a process oven, thereby reacting with the substrate. An apparatus for the coating of substrates comprising a process oven, a metered chemical withdrawal subsystem, and a vaporization subsystem.

Abstract: A packaging for a food product that is configured to be easily openable includes a film substantially surrounding a food product and formed from a sheet having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, and a seam formed by the first longitudinal side overlapping and bonding to the second longitudinal side. The film may be formed to have directional tear properties generally perpendicular to the seam, the directional tear properties defining at least one tear path in the film.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying foreign objects and debris (FOD) and defects during fabrication of a composite structure. The system includes at least one light source positioned to emit light that illuminates a portion of the composite structure with bright field illumination and that also illuminates another portion of the composite structure with dark field illumination. The bright field illumination is reflected differently by defects in the composite structure than from portions of the composite structure that are defect free. The dark field illumination is reflected differently by FOD on the composition structure than from surfaces of the composite structure that are FOD free. The system also includes at least one camera for receiving images of the illuminated portions of the composite structure. The images received by the camera may be processed by a processor which then outputs a response identifying defects and foreign objects and debris based on the images.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying defects in a composite structure is provided. The system includes a camera for receiving images of the composite structure, a processor for manipulating the images and outputting a response based on the images, and a light source for illuminating the composite structure. Advantageously, the light source is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the composite structure and comprises an infrared component that is differently reflected by defects in the composite structure than from portions of the composite structure that are defect free. Based on the response provided by the processor, defects that meet predetermined criteria can be identified.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus is disclosed, where that hand-held apparatus comprises a hand piece having an output end, a switch disposed on that hand piece, wherein that switch includes “on” position and an “off” position, and wherein a laser beam is directed outwardly from the output end of the hand piece when the switch is disposed in the “on” position. In certain embodiments, a lasing device is disposed within the hand piece. In other embodiments, a lasing device is disposed external to the hand piece, wherein that lasing device is interconnected with the hand piece by a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A connector for a weapons test set circuit has a case with an open end and electrical conductors extending from the open end into and through the case. The connector is designed to connect to a rail and has coupling legs for this purpose. Each coupling leg has a base portion located in the case and an extension portion that extends out of the case and diverges from the other extension portion. The base portions can move toward each other or apart from each other along guides and are biased in the apart position. Buttons extend from the base portions out of the case; an operator depresses the buttons to converge the legs to allow insertion or removal of the connector from the rail. Releasing the buttons causes the legs to move to the apart position.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the integrity of a bonded joint in an article includes a laser configured in a laser shock processing arrangement to perform a laser shock processing treatment on the article. A beam delivery system employs an articulated arm assembly to communicate the radiant energy emitted by the laser to a process head proximate the article. The laser shock processing treatment causes the formation of shockwaves that propagate through the article, inducing internal stress wave activity that characteristically interacts with the bonded joint. A sensor detects a stress wave signature emanating from the article, which is indicative of the integrity of the bond. A detector such as a non-contact electromagnetic acoustic transducer provides a measure of the stress wave signature in the form of surface motion measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system for identifying defects in a composite structure by providing a light source such that defects, and in particular dark defects on a dark background and/or light defects on a light background, can be identified by capturing images of the illuminated composite structure. In particular, the improved system for identifying defects in a composite structure may provide a reflective surface, dispersion elements, and multiple and/or moveable light source(s) and/or camera(s) in order to ensure that the most accurate images of any area of the composite structure, even curved or contoured areas, are captured and processed. As a result, the system of the present invention permits the operator to quickly identify and correct defects which would otherwise create structural flaws or inconsistencies that may affect the integrity of the composite structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying foreign objects and debris (FOD) and defects during fabrication of a composite structure. The system includes at least one light source positioned to emit light that illuminates a portion of the composite structure with bright field illumination and that also illuminates another portion of the composite structure with dark field illumination. The bright field illumination is reflected differently by defects in the composite structure than from portions of the composite structure that are defect free. The dark field illumination is reflected differently by FOD on the composition structure than from surfaces of the composite structure that are FOD free. The system also includes at least one camera for receiving images of the illuminated portions of the composite structure. The images received by the camera may be processed by a processor which then outputs a response identifying defects and foreign objects and debris based on the images.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system for identifying defects in a composite structure by providing a light source such that defects, and in particular dark defects on a dark background and/or light defects on a light background, can be identified by capturing images of the illuminated composite structure. In particular, the improved system for identifying defects in a composite structure may provide a reflective surface, dispersion elements, and multiple and/or moveable light source(s) and/or camera(s) in order to ensure that the most accurate images of any area of the composite structure, even curved or contoured areas, are captured and processed. As a result, the system of the present invention permits the operator to quickly identify and correct defects which would otherwise create structural flaws or inconsistencies that may affect the integrity of the composite structure.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus for making an accessible connection between a cable and a coupler, wherein electrical wires extend between the cable and the coupler. A removable stop is provided which is adapted to engage the cable and the coupler to hold the cable and the coupler apart to form a gap therebetween wherein the electrical wires extend between the cable and the coupler by way of the gap. A sleeve is provided which is movable between a closed position wherein the sleeve engages the cable and the coupler and surrounds the wires and the stop, and an open position wherein the gap is exposed and the wires are accessible. Also provided is a fastening mechanism for removably fastening the sleeve in the closed position and for allowing the sleeve to be moved from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying defects in a composite structure is provided. The system includes a camera for receiving images of the composite structure, a processor for manipulating the images and outputting a response based on the images, and a light source for illuminating the composite structure. Advantageously, the light source is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the composite structure and comprises an infrared component that is differently reflected by defects in the composite structure than from portions of the composite structure that are defect free. Based on the response provided by the processor, defects that meet predetermined criteria can be identified.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a telecommunications network through near real time analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) is provided. The system and method of the invention reports how a particular call service is performing and how its performance deteriorates as a result of any type of network event, including both hardware and software related events. A feature of the invention is that it provides several levels of service impact reporting, thus providing users with more versatile and detailed network management capabilities.

Abstract: The fire extinguisher includes a container filled with a fire extinguishing liquid and having a normally closed main outlet and support structure extending through an opening of the container wall. A compressed gas cartridge located in the container is supported by the support structure. The support structure has an opening formed therethrough which leads to the end of the compressed gas cartridge. A plunger, an explosive charge, and a heat sensitive fuse, the latter of which has a portion is exposed to the exterior of the container, are located in the opening of the support structure. In the presence of high temperature, the fuse causes the explosive charge to explode and force the plunger to rupture the cartridge which release the gas into the liquid in the container by way of a normally closed gas outlet formed through the wall of the support structure. This causes the liquid to be forced out of the container by way of the normally closed main outlet.

Abstract: The feed tube for the gun has an inlet with an outlet transverse to the inlet and which is adapted to be coupled to the ball inlet of the gun barrel. The feed robe wall opposite the outlet effectively is closed. The feed tube also has a gas outlet in the feed tube opposite its outlet for directing gas toward the feed tube outlet for enhancing movement of a ball in the feed tube out of its outlet into the gun barrel.