Abstract: A method for assembling at least one seal assembly to a turbine having a casing extending at least partially around a rotor is provided. The method includes coupling the seal assembly to the casing such that the seal assembly extends into a fluid flow passage defined between the rotor and the casing and coupling at least one spring between the seal assembly and the casing to bias each seal assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric nanoparticles comprising triblock and optionally diblock copolymer chains. The architecture of the polymeric nanoparticles may be controlled, resulting in nanoparticles having non-spherical shapes. The present invention also provides a method of preparing the polymeric nanoparticles and a rubber article such as a tire manufactured from a formulation comprising the polymer nanoparticles.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning and/or forming holes, the tool having a shaft, the shaft having a lower end and at least two buckets attached adjacent to the lower end of the shaft, each bucket having an open mouth which extends radially from the axis of the shaft, consequently rotation of the shaft about its axis causes rotation of the buckets, causing dirt to pass through the mouth of each bucket.

Abstract: A system such as in a networked computer system comprising a user, an application server, a gatekeeper server and an authentication server. Communication within the system is managed by the gatekeeper server, wherein the user communicates with the authentication server and the application server through the gatekeeper server. Once the user has been initially authenticated by the authentication server, the user may request application services from a plurality of application servers within the networked computer system without having to be re-authenticated.

Abstract: An optical amplifier is disclosed comprising a signal semiconductor optical amplifier having a waveguide, forming at least part of a signal path between an input and an output, extending along a signal active region for amplification of a signal. The amplifier also includes a control active region of semiconductor material having a gain which is controllable independently from the gain of the signal active region. The amplifier also includes a laser cavity containing both the signal active region and the control active region and being capable of clamping the gain of the signal active region, and the control active region is arranged not to amplify a signal in the signal path within a predetermined signal band.

Abstract: A radio frequency antenna for embedding within a conductive, dielectric material (such as tire rubber) is provided along with a method of embedding a radio frequency antenna in such a material. For very high frequency transmission, improved communication ranges are provided along with improvements in both antenna processing and tuning.

Abstract: A timing device monitors an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for an object in a process of traversing a predetermined range of distance by computing the estimated time of arrival based on a time the object has spent completing at least one interval during the course of traversing the distance. The computation is invoked each time a signal is received by the timing device indicating the completion of an interval. The signal can be sent by a user of the device of by a transmitter placed near an end of the interval.

Abstract: A semiconductor optical device comprises an active waveguide having a tapered portion, and a passive waveguide extending beyond the end of the active waveguide and optically coupled to the tapered portion of the active waveguide. The passive waveguide beyond the end of the active waveguide supports an optical mode of larger size than the optical mode supported by the active waveguide. The tapered portion of the active waveguide is truncated and the separation between the active waveguide and the passive waveguide is greater than in previously known devices in order to minimize or at least reduce the truncation loss at the truncation.

Abstract: A system such as in a networked computer system comprising a user, an application server, a gatekeeper server and an authentication server. Communication within the system is managed by the gatekeeper server, wherein the user communicates with the authentication server and the application server through the gatekeeper server. Once the user has been initially authenticated by the authentication server, the user may request application services from a plurality of application servers within the networked computer system without having to be re-authenticated.

Abstract: System, method and program product for scheduling meetings. Two or more invitees for a meeting are identified. Each of the invitees has a wireless device with a GPS or other geographic locating unit. Locations of the wireless devices are tracked. When the wireless devices of the two or more invitees are within a specified proximity of each other or a specified proximity of a specified location, then an attempt is made to schedule a meeting with the two or more invitees. A user specifies the proximity. The user can specify a greater proximity if the meeting is not scheduled by a certain date to increase the chance that the meeting will be scheduled. Another system, method and program product for reminding a person. A business or residence containing an object of a reminder is identified. A wireless device of a person to be reminded of the object is identified. A location of the wireless device is tracked.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning and/or forming holes, the tool having a shaft, the shaft having a lower end and at least two buckets attached adjacent to the lower end of the shaft, each bucket having an open mouth which extends radially from the axis of the shaft, consequently rotation of the shaft about its axis causes rotation of the buckets, causing dirt to pass through the mouth of each bucket.

Abstract: A radio frequency antenna for embedding within a conductive, dielectric material (such as tire rubber) is provided along with a method of embedding a radio frequency antenna in such a material. For very high frequency transmission, improved communication ranges are provided along with improvements in both antenna processing and tuning.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to an evaporative humidifier having a water distribution system capable of quietly maintaining a continuously saturated wicking element through the use of a pump and water distribution troughs that allow water to be continuously flushed onto the tops of the wicking elements such that greater humidification of the air is achieved and the life of the wicking elements are extended.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to an evaporative humidifier having a water distribution system capable of quietly maintaining a continuously saturated wicking element through the use of a pump and water distribution troughs that allow water to be continuously flushed onto the tops of the wicking elements such that greater humidification of the air is achieved and the life of the wicking elements are extended.

Abstract: A radio frequency antenna for use with a radio device embedded in a tire for operation in a frequency range of at least 130 MHz, comprises an antenna body, and an insulating coating surrounding the antenna body, the insulating coating having a dielectric constant less than a dielectric constant of the rubber material, and preferably less than 3, and having a thickness of at least 0.02 mm. The coating material preferably has a surface resistivity of at least 1012 ohms/sq and a volume resistivity of at least 109 ohms*cm. In addition, the coating material preferably has a dissipation factor less than 0.03. The antenna body is preferably a wire formed of spring steel, brass coated spring steel, or spring brass.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and un-loading a recreational vehicle from a truck. The truck has a front and rear and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween. The apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, a vehicle receiving ramp and a lifting mechanism engaged with the underside of the ramp. The lifting mechanism is mounted to the rear of the truck and is selectively operable to arcuately move the ramp between a lowered position that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis and a raised position that is parallel with the longitudinal axis. The ramp is longitudinally mobile in the raised position between a foremost and rearmost position and is selectively lockable in the foremost and rearmost positions using a locking mechanism. To load the recreational vehicle, the ramp is preferably locked in the rearmost longitudinal position and placed in the lowered position for receiving the vehicle.

Abstract: An automatic power control system for automatic power control of a semiconductor optical amplifier arranged to amplify a signal has an automatic power control loop which provides automatic power control of the power of the amplified signal for maintaining the power of the amplified signal in the output from the semiconductor optical amplifier at a desired level. The automatic power control loop compensates for, an estimated level of amplified spontaneous emission in the detected output power using stored characteristics of the semiconductor optical amplifier. In one type of embodiment, a photodiode detects the output power of the semiconductor optical amplifier and a current detector detects the drive current of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the automatic power control loop uses both the detected output power of the semiconductor optical amplifier and the detected drive current.

Abstract: An array of SOAs integrated in a semiconductor chip 1 is optically coupled to an array of waveguides 12 arranged on a substrate 10 of a passive device by mounting the semiconductor chip 1 on the substrate 10 to form a hybrid optical assembly. The semiconductor chip 1 is manufactured with a redundant array of SOAs. In a first aspect, the array of SOAs A1, A2, etc are arranged with a pitch equal to the predetermined pitch at which the array of waveguides 12 are arranged on the substrate 11 divided by an integer greater than 1. In a second aspect, the SOA A, B, C are arranged at the same predetermined pitch at which the array of waveguides 12 are arranged, but the number of SOAs A, B, C in the array on the semiconductor chip 1 is greater than the number of waveguides 12 arranged on the substrate 10.

Abstract: An improved electronics component assembly in a tire is provided. The assembly includes a tire and an electronics package for communicating information from the tire to a remote location. The electronics package is located inside of the tire and is connected to an inner portion of the tire. At least a first antenna wire is located inside of the tire and is connected to a portion of the tire. The first antenna wire is connected to the electronics package. The at least first antenna wire is connected to the electronics package so that tension in the at least first antenna wire imparts compression on the electronics package. Additionally, other exemplary embodiments of the present invention exist as previously stated were a second antenna wire is present in order to help impart compression on the electronics package. Also, other arrangements of the improved electronics component assembly are possible that impart shear or torsion alternatively or in addition to compression on the electronics package.