Abstract: An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second couplings are mounted to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the couplings so as to fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The couplings are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.

Abstract: A boom mountable breaker system and a method of using same for interrupting electrical transmission through a portion of an energized conductor downstream of a desired break location. The method includes: mounting the jumper onto the energized conductor across the desired break location so as to form an electrically conductive first parallel electrical path; installing an in-line opener in the energized conductor at the desired break location on the energized conductor; positioning the breaker at the desired break location on the energized conductor, and electrically connecting the breaker, while open, across the desired break location and across the opposite ends of the jumper so as to form a second parallel electrical path when the breaker is closed; closing the breaker to thereby complete the second parallel electrical path; removing the jumper from across the desired break location; and, opening and then removing the breaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replacing conductors in a high-voltage power transfer system. The method provides, for example, a method for maintaining sections of electrically conductive phases in a three-phase power conductor line, wherein the three phases are parallel and spaced apart in an ordered sequence. The phases are strung between support structures and supported above the ground. Maintenance work, which include replacement or repair, is performed on sections of the three phases without interrupting a power load in any one of the three phases and without transposing the relative positions of the phases out of their ordered sequence.

Abstract: The invention is a system comprising an electrically controlled valve and subsystems that convert sound to electrical signals such that they can be compared to stored control signatures, and when a match occurs, convey a commensurate control signal to the valve. The valve also contains sensors for its state as well as pressure. That data is converted to sound signals and conveyed to remote sound-to-electric transducers. The invention permits remote control of underwater systems without wires that could include control, valve-state, valve pressure, depth, and location.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable most valuable players (MVPs) of a gameplay session to play a bonus gameplay session where other players (non-MVP players) participate as player-spectators in online video games and, through a collective voting mechanism or through active interaction, determine the occurrence of certain events or contents of the bonus gameplay in real time. In this manner, non-MVP players are able to directly affect the course of the bonus gameplay.

Abstract: A grounding clamp includes a safety lock-out which locks the operation of the clamp in the absence of a cooperating hot-stick. The lock-out employs a clutch which prevents the translation of the clamping members relative to one another until the clutch is disengaged. The cooperating hot-stick is required for the disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A manipulator for separating sub-conductors in an energized single phase bundle includes a rigid support member and first and second actuators mounted on the support member, wherein each actuator is independently actuable of the other. Insulators are mounted on each actuator. A selectively releasable coupler is mounted on each insulator for selectively releasable coupling of each insulator to a corresponding sub-conductor. The actuators extend corresponding insulators independently of one another from the support member to thereby separate from each other by an optimized separation distance the distal ends of each insulator. When the corresponding sub-conductors of the single phase bundle are releasably coupled to the corresponding distal ends of the insulators the surge impedance loading of the single phase bundle may be improved by separation of the corresponding distal ends of the insulators and the sub-conductors by the optimized separation distance.

Abstract: An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second couplings are mounted to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the couplings so as to fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The couplings are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replacing conductors in a high-voltage power transfer system. The method provides, for example, a method for maintaining sections of electrically conductive phases in a three-phase power conductor line, wherein the three phases are parallel and spaced apart in an ordered sequence. The phases are strung between support structures and supported above the ground. Maintenance work, which include replacement or repair, is performed on sections of the three phases without interrupting a power load in any one of the three phases and without transposing the relative positions of the phases out of their ordered sequence.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a video game system comprising a video game console and an object or toy used in connection with the video game console, wherein the object or toy has a rewritable data storage device, and wherein the video game console stores information in the rewritable data storage device in response to game play events occurring in a first gaming session. The stored information is subsequently retrieved by the video game console in a second gaming session, and the retrieved information is used to conduct the game play of the second gaming session.

Abstract: A grounding clamp includes a safety lock-out which locks the operation of the clamp in the absence of a cooperating hot-stick. The lock-out employs a clutch which prevents the translation of the clamping members relative to one another until the clutch is disengaged. The cooperating hot-stick is required for the disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: The invention is a system comprising an electrically controlled valve and subsystems that convert sound to electrical signals such that they can be compared to stored control signatures, and when a match occurs, convey a commensurate control signal to the valve. The valve also contains sensors for its state as well as pressure. That data is converted to sound signals and conveyed to remote sound-to-electric transducers. The invention permits remote control of underwater systems without wires that could include control, valve-state, valve pressure, depth, and location.

Abstract: A conductor lifter adapted to be mounted to a tower for temporarily supporting an energized conductor comprises a support arm having a base end and an opposite cantilevered end and a crank arm pivotally mounted on the cantilevered end, the crank arm having lower and upper crank arms. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm, and an elongate member is mounted to, so as to extend between, the upper crank arm and a first driver of the first actuator so as to rotate the crank arm about the pivotal coupling when the first actuator is actuated. A lower end of the lower crank arm is selectively elevatable by a second actuator relative to the upper crank arm so as to elevate a conductor when held by a conductor retainer on an insulator mounted to the lower crank arm. A method for using the conductor lifter is also provided.

Abstract: A recurrent neural network including an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer, wherein the hidden layer includes hybrid memory cell units, each of the hybrid memory cell units including a first memory cells of a first type, the first memory cells being configured to remember a first cell state value fed back to each of gates to determine a degree to which each of the gates is open or closed, and configured to continue to update the first cell state value, and a second memory cells of a second type, each second memory cell of the second memory cells including a first time gate configured to control a second cell state value of the second memory cell based on phase signals of an oscillatory frequency, and a second time gate configured to control an output value of the second memory cell based on the phase signals, and each second memory cell of the second memory cells being configured to remember the second cell state value.

Abstract: A method of using a temporary conductor as a re-usable tool in maintaining, repairing or re-conductoring at least one energized phase, includes stringing the temporary conductor between support structures at either end of a first section, then energizing the said temporary conductor by bringing the temporary conductor to the voltage potential of the phase and electrically paralleling the temporary conductor with the energized phase, de-energizing and then maintaining, repairing or reconductoring the de-energized energized phase, re-energizing and electrically paralleling said energized phase, de-energizing and removing the temporary conductor for later re-use as the re-usable tool in a second section of the energized phase.

Abstract: A boom mountable breaker system and a method of using same for interrupting electrical transmission through a portion of an energized conductor downstream of a desired break location. The method includes: mounting the jumper onto the energized conductor across the desired break location so as to form an electrically conductive first parallel electrical path; installing an in-line opener in the energized conductor at the desired break location on the energized conductor; positioning the breaker at the desired break location on the energized conductor, and electrically connecting the breaker, while open, across the desired break location and across the opposite ends of the jumper so as to form a second parallel electrical path when the breaker is closed; closing the breaker to thereby complete the second parallel electrical path; removing the jumper from across the desired break location; and, opening and then removing the breaker.

Abstract: An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second couplings are mounted to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the couplings so as to fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The couplings are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.

Abstract: A remotely controlled unmanned aerial device for use in proximity or in contact with high voltage powerlines, includes an unmanned aerial vehicle and an electrically conductive shield forming part of or operatively coupled to so as to encapsulate the unmanned aerial vehicle. When in the presence of a high voltage powerline, the unmanned aerial vehicle either when bonded-on or within the corresponding magnetic fields of the powerline, so as to transfer the powerline potential in whole or in part to the unmanned aerial vehicle, electrically energizes the conductive shield around the unmanned aerial vehicle while leaving components of the unmanned aerial vehicle within the shield substantially electrically unaffected by the voltage potential.

Abstract: A grounding clamp includes a safety lock-out which locks the operation of the clamp in the absence of a hot-stick. A clamping member cooperates with a frame having an arm, and is selectively biasable by a user to translate the clamping member relative to the frame to clamp a conductor between the clamping member and arm. The lock-out cooperates with the clamping member to prevent the translation of the clamping member unless in the presence of an insulating tool such as a hot-stick.

Abstract: A rotating conductor holder includes at least a first and second conductor retainer, which are mounted to and spaced apart along a rotating base member at a distance substantially corresponding to the separation distance between the two or more existing sub-conductors that are to be replaced during a restringing procedure. The base member is rotatably attached to a support, which may be mounted on at least one insulator. The at least one insulator may be mounted on an arm on the end of a boom. An actuator and linkage may be provided to rotate the base member about its support.