Abstract: A gully arrangement comprises a housing (1) having an inlet (17) at an upper end thereof, a reservoir (3) in a lower region thereof, and an outlet (7) in a side of the housing at a level between the reservoir and the inlet. A valve (19) is provided in an upper region of the housing and is adapted to close the inlet in the event liquid in the housing rises substantially to the level of the valve.

Abstract: An approach for load balancing is disclosed. A user load is determined based upon data queued for transmission at each of the terminals. In addition, an inroute load corresponding to loading of inroutes serving the terminals is determined. A user-to-inroute distribution that minimizes variation of the inroute load is generated. The user-to-inroute distribution maps the user load to the inroutes. The user load is reassigned to the inroutes based on the determined user-to-inroute distribution. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: A closable throughflow member comprises a housing (1, 101) which defines a flow path for moisture and/or liquid through the housing. A check valve (17, 117) is provided within the housing and is adapted to close in the event of substantial liquid flow in one direction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system can be configured to communicate to and from a media device. The media device can include a first controller. The system can include: (a) a software module configured to run on the first controller; (b) a physical device module configured to run on the first controller; (c) a virtual host module configured to run on the first controller; and (e) a docking station having: (1) a second controller; (2) an electrical connector configured to couple to the media device; (3) a physical host module configured to run on the second controller; (4) a virtual device module configured to run on the second controller; and (5) one or more accessory devices configured to communicate with the media device using the virtual device module. In some examples, the physical host module and the physical device module are configured to establish a physical communications pipe between the media device and the docking station.

Abstract: A vent comprises a vent body (1) having at least one air flow channel through the body between a front face and a rear face (2) of the body. At least one float controlled flap valve (13) is pivotably mounted within the body, the or each valve having a first, normal position in which air is permitted to flow through an air flow channel and a second position in which the valve pivots in the presence of water to seal the air flow channel.

Abstract: An airfoil root fillet having a predetermined compound curve profile can be flank milled with a single flank milling cutter having a generally conical flank milling portion and a rounded tip portion defining a compound curve.

Abstract: A frequency mistuned integrally bladed rotor (IBR) for a gas turbine engine comprises a hub and a circumferential row of blades of varying frequency projecting integrally from the hub. Each blade in the row alternate with another blade having a different pressure surface definition but similar suction surface, leading edge and trailing edge definitions.

Abstract: An approach is provided for obtaining load of a terminal operating in a communication system. A query is transmitted for a cumulative load of the terminal, wherein the terminal belongs to a group of terminals having a common service level. The cumulative load for the terminal is determined based on load information supplied by the terminal and bandwidth allocation information, wherein the cumulative load represents a total amount of data sent over a communication channel of the communication system. The determined cumulative load is provided in response to the query. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: A frequency mistuned integrally bladed rotor (IBR) for a gas turbine engine comprises a hub and a circumferential row of blades of varying frequency projecting integrally from the hub. Each blade in the row alternate with another blade having a different pressure surface definition but similar suction surface, leading edge and trailing edge definitions.

Abstract: A communication system balances message traffic between return channel groups and within the groups, so that the user does not control the specific transmission frequency used. Uplink frequencies and bandwidths for the return channels are set by the system in a return channel control message in the broadcast signal so as to account for system and return channel group loading, and to account for user message backlogs. An initial transmission from a remote user may be made using an ALOHA-type burst signal that provides a message backlog to the control station, and is made on a frequency determined from a randomly weighted, load-based frequency selection process. The system, and not the individual users determine the frequency and channel allocations. For large backlogs or priority users, periodic bandwidth is provided.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting monitoring of network load. An allocation state is determined based on a bandwidth allocation value, a group load, and a guaranteed portion of capacity of a communication channel. The bandwidth allocation value specifies an actual amount of capacity of the communication channel allocated to one of a plurality of groups of terminals. The group load indicates loads of the terminals belonging to the one group. Capacity of the communication channel is assigned according to the determined allocation state. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: An airfoil root fillet having a predetermined compound curve profile can be flank milled with a single flank milling cutter having a generally conical flank milling portion and a rounded tip portion defining a compound curve.

Abstract: An approach for providing secure access to inroutes or return channels in a radio communication system including a hub communicating with terminals is disclosed. A quality of service level (QoS) corresponding to one of the terminals is determined. An identifier is assigned to the one terminal for communicating over a set of return channels that are in the direction of the one terminal to the hub. The identifier associates a subset of the terminals with the QoS level; the subset includes the one terminal. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: A two-way satellite communication system for providing a scalable architecture is disclosed. A plurality of transceivers transmit signals over a plurality of return channels, wherein the plurality of return channels are partitioned into a plurality of return channel groups. A hub communicates with the plurality of transceivers via the plurality of return channel groups. The hub is connected to a packet switched network. Each of the plurality of transceivers performs a random weighted selection of a return channel group among the plurality of return channel groups.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting retrieval of a web page over a data network from a web site is disclosed. A downstream proxy communicating with a host executing a browser receives a request message from a browser to retrieve the web page. An upstream proxy parses the web page to determine an object embedded in the web page, wherein a promise list is generated specifying the embedded object that is to be pre-fetched according to a criterion. The promise list is transmitted to the downstream proxy, wherein the upstream proxy pre-fetches the embedded object from the web site. The upstream proxy determines whether to forward one of the pre-fetched embedded object to the downstream proxy based on a comparison of cookies associated with one of the pre-fetched objects supplied, respectively, by the browser and the web site. This approach as particular applicability in relatively high latency networks, such as a satellite communications system.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing bandwidth in a data network. Capacity is allocated on a communication channel, which can be utilized for transporting data traffic or support network administrative functions (e.g., ranging), for a terminal to transmit data over the communication channel. In anticipation of the terminal having to transmit additional data, additional capacity is allocated on the communication channel for the terminal prior to receiving a request for bandwidth by the terminal. The anticipatory allocation is determined according to loading of the data network. This approach as particular applicability to shared capacity systems, such as a satellite communication system.

Abstract: A two-way satellite communication system is disclosed. A transceiver transmit signals over a return channel to a satellite and receives signals over a downlink channel from the satellite. A hub communicates with the transceiver over the return channel, wherein the hub provides connectivity between the transceiver and a packet switched network.

Abstract: A communications system includes a plurality of communications channels for transporting packets. The system also includes a gateway that is coupled to the communications channels. The gateway is configured to buffer a packet that is received over one of the communications channel from a first host in a queue and to determine a window value for maximizing transmission rate based upon occupancy of the queue. The gateway is configured to a second host according to a prescribed protocol to force use of the determined window value in the second host over another one of the communications channels. The present invention has particular applicability to an asymmetric bandwidth network, such as a two-way satellite system.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for a satellite terminal to utilize a lower transmit rate when transmission conditions do not permit the terminal to successfully transmit at a higher, preferred service rate. The terminal monitors retransmissions to determine whether transmission is possible at the higher rate. As an initial measure, the terminal first tries another inroute (or inroute group) at the preferred service rate before any attempt to switch to a lower service rate. If this other inroute group still poses a problem for successful transmission, the terminal switches to a lower service rate. The terminal remains at the lower service rate for a predetermined, configurable amount of time. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.

Abstract: An approach for load balancing is disclosed. A user load is determined based upon data queued for transmission at each of the terminals. In addition, an inroute load corresponding to loading of inroutes serving the terminals is determined. A user-to-inroute distribution that minimizes variation of the inroute load is generated. The user-to-inroute distribution maps the user load to the inroutes. The user load is reassigned to the inroutes based on the determined user-to-inroute distribution. This arrangement has particular applicability to a satellite network that provides data communication services.