Abstract: A shared ledger operated by a group of network participants according to a set of consensus rules manages and resolves subrogation claims between a clamant and a defendant with arbitration. Evidence regarding the value of the subrogation claim is sent to the shared ledger by the parties to the subrogation claim such as sending data to a smart contract deployed on the shared ledger. The parties to the subrogation claim or entities that are not parties to the subrogation claim may broadcast data relating to fault to the blockchain. The data relating to fault may be evaluated by the parties or entities acting on the parties' behalf to determine fault. A fault determination may be broadcast to the blockchain based upon the analysis of the data relating to fault. Once the claim is resolved, arbitrator may release funds on the chain to the prevailing party or may accept confirmation that any payments have been made between the parties off-chain.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyurethane dispersion that can be used to prepare polyurethane polymers which have moisture resistant properties. Moisture resistant polymers of the present invention are obtained by preparing the polymers from a polyurethane dispersion using a prepolymer formulation which includes an aliphatic mono, di or polyhydroxy compound which has an aliphatic side chain substituent which contains from 5 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable aqueous polyurethane latexes prepared from prepolymer formulations including a polyisocyanate component and polyol component, wherein from 5 to 40 percent of the weight of the polyol component is ethylene oxide in the form of ethylene oxide applied as an end cap onto a propylene oxide or higher oxyalkylene polyoxyalkylene polyol, and no more than 45 percent of the weight of polyol component is ethylene oxide. These latexes are prepared without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyurethane dispersion that can be used to prepare polyurethane polymers which have moisture resistant properties. Moisture resistant polymers of the present invention are obtained by preparing the polymers from a polyurethane dispersion using a prepolymer formulation which includes an aliphatic mono, di or polyhydroxy compound which has an-aliphatic side chain substituent which contains from 5 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyurethane dispersion that can be used to prepare polyurethane polymers which have moisture resistant properties. Moisture resistant polymers of the present invention are obtained by preparing the polymers from a polyurethane dispersion using a prepolymer formulation which includes an aliphatic mono, di or polyhydroxy compound which has an aliphatic side chain substituent which contains from 5 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is a polyurethane backed carpet having a backing prepared by application of an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane or a polyurethane-forming material to the back of a carpet substrate. The present invention can eliminate the need to prepare a polyurethane backing from its monomeric components at the carpet manufacturing site. The polyurethane backed carpet of the present invention can be efficiently prepared by a continuous process.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable aqueous polyurethane latexes prepared from prepolymer formulations including a polyisocyanate component and polyol component, wherein from 5 to 40 percent of the weight of the polyol component is ethylene oxide in the form of ethylene oxide applied as an end cap onto a propylene oxide or higher oxyalkylene polyoxyalkylene polyol, and no more than 45 percent of the weight of polyol component is ethylene oxide. These latexes are prepared without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed are stable aqueous polyurethane latexes prepared from prepolymer formulations including a polyisocyanate component and polyol component, wherein from 5 to 40 percent of the weight of the polyol component is ethylene oxide in the form of ethylene oxide applied as an end cap onto a propylene oxide or higher oxyalkylene polyoxyalkylene polyol, and no more than 45 percent of the weight of polyol component is ethylene oxide. These latexes are prepared without the use of organic solvents.

Abstract: An enclosure installation assembly comprises a support base and a mounting pad adapted to be secured to the support base. The support base, having a lower portion slightly larger than its upper portion, is placed in a hole in the ground. Dirt is compacted around the support base to secure the support base in place. The mounting pad is then secured to the support base using support braces that internally engage the support base and fasteners that engage the mounting pad. Finally, an enclosure is installed on the mounting pad, with fasteners located inside the enclosure. The resulting enclosure is securely and easily installed, and is tamper resistant.

Abstract: A method of bonding glass-based optical elements comprising the steps of positioning a first glass-based optical element relative to a second glass-based optical element, applying a glass-based bonding compound about the first and second optical elements, and applying sufficient localized heat to the glass-based bonding compound to cause the glass-based bonding compound to soften and fuse with the optical elements.

Abstract: A method of bonding glass-based optical elements comprising the steps of positioning a first glass-based optical element relative to a second glass-based optical element, applying a glass-based bonding compound about the first and second optical elements, and applying sufficient localized heat to the glass-based bonding compound to cause the glass-based bonding compound to soften and fuse with the optical elements.

Abstract: A polymer polyol is prepared by polymerizing one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers in a polyol. A high molecular weight stabilizer having polymerizable ethylenic unsaturation and a low hydroxyl functionality is used, which leads to improved dispersion stability at reduced stabilizer level.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams can be prepared which have improved retention of insulative properties. The foams are prepared from formulations including a glycerine initiated ethoxylated polyol prepared from a formulation including from about two to about three moles of ethylene oxide per mole of glycerine initiator and/or a tri- to octa-functional substantially linear hydroxy alkane initiated ethylene carbonate ethoxylated polyol prepared from a formulation including from about 2 to about 15 moles of ethylene carbonate per mole of initiator wherein the ratio of moles of ethylene carbonate to initiator functionality is from 0.5 to less than 2.

Abstract: A broadband optical fiber coupler comprising at least three continuous optical fibers fused at a region of coupling, at least one of the continuous optical fibers being dissimilar to others of the continuous optical fibers in the region of coupling, the region of coupling being of a length and the dissimilarity being of a degree to provide broadband response over a predetermined range of wavelengths. A related method for making a broadband optical fiber coupler is also disclosed.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams having improved retention of insulative properties can be prepared using one or more of two novel polyols. One of the polyols is a polyether prepared by reacting a monoepoxide with a compound having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein X is H, Li, Na, K; A is N, S or O; L is a covalent bond or a connecting group having from 1 to 10 carbons; M is any group capable of reacting with an ethylene oxide molecule in the presence of a basic catalyst; and J is an integer from 2 to 8. The other polyol is prepared by (1) admixing ethylene carbonate and one or more hydroxyl functional compounds under reaction conditions sufficient to react the ethylene carbonate and the hydroxyl functional compounds to produce a polyol precursor, and (2) admixing the polyol precursor with diethylene glycol and an anhydride, a dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid or mixtures thereof, optionally in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: An enclosure for selectively cooperating with embedded securing bars prevents unauthorized access to above ground portions or underground piping networks. The enclosure employs a pivot channel and a retainer channel separated by a distance substantially equal to the distance separating the securing bars. The pivot channel and the retainer channel are configured so as to require rotational and horizontal motion of the enclosure so as to operatively disposed the enclosure relative to the securing bars. The locking member of the enclosure is used to secure a securing bar within the retainer channel so as to prevent rotation of the enclosure relative to either securing bar.

Abstract: A multimode fiber optic coupler includes a first multimode optical fiber having a core and cladding surrounding the core and having a first longitudinal segment in which the cladding has been substantially removed exposing the core and in which a portion of the exposed core forms a first biconical taper segment; a second multimode optical fiber having a core and a cladding surrounding the core and having a second longitudinal segment in which the cladding has been substantially removed exposing the core and in which a portion of the exposed core forms a second biconical taper segment; and a coupling region formed by portions of the first and second biconical taper segments being fused together in parallel juxtaposition with one another.

Abstract: Poly(1-oxy-3-lactam vinylenes) of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1, 2, or 3 are disclosed formed by the polymerization of 1-(2-chloroacetyl)lactams having 5, 6, or 7 carbon atoms in the lactam ring. The polymers are useful reactants in polyester and polyurethane formation.

Abstract: This is an electronic organ which economically simulates long duration aperiodic musical waveforms, such as the clash of cymbals. It employs the digital waveform generation technique, in which successive instructions are read out of a memory to determine the amplitude of the waveform at successive sample points. To save memory capacity, the memory addresses are rescanned; and to avoid audible discontinuities the scan direction recirculates numerically back and forth across the address field. Despite the bidirectionality of the scan, monotonic decreases in amplitude and in higher harmonic content are achieved. The monotonic decrease in amplitude is accomplished by impressing an exponentially declining envelope upon the digitally generated amplitudes. The monotonic decrease in higher harmonic content is accomplished by preventing the rescan from returning to a memory region of greater harmonic content after it has once entered a region of lesser harmonic content.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a chorale or vocal effect in an electronic musical instrument comprises means responsive to the playing keys of the instrument for producing an indexing signal and means responsive to the indexing signal for sequentially developing a plurality of control signals. A programmable filter is responsive to each sequentially developed control signal for modifying the harmonic content of a tone signal to simulate a different vowel-like sound for producing a vocal effect consisting of a sequence of different vowel-like sounds as the keys are played. The modified tone signal may be coupled through a chorus generator to simulate a chorale effect and the programmed characteristics of the filter may be modulated to further animate the performance as well as being made responsive to a glide signal for producing two different vowel-like sounds in succession at two different pitches in response to a glissando or portamento command.