Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an improved method that utilizes a liquid ladle slag in combination with a crushed material, such as a refractory brick, an alumina ladle brick or an aluminum dross, to manufacture a calcium aluminate product that can be used in the steel refining process.

Abstract: An optical transmitter system supplies a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components to a transmission element which, in operation, is connected to the transmitter system for conveying the different wavelength radiation components to a respective receiver. The supply of the wavelength components is interrupted, preferably in response to a loss of the wavelength components at the respective receiver. A timer provides respective restart times which differ one to another for the wavelength radiation components. The supply of the wavelength components is restarted, following an interruption, at the respective restart times provided by the timer.

Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) stored in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. Furthermore, prerequisite checking, wherein some entities are associated, e.g., by a set of rules, with content objects that are prerequisites to that objects, and wherein selection by the user of an entity having prerequisites causes automatic inclusion of all associated prerequisite objects in the final compilation.

Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure. This file object is stored separately in the data repository.

Abstract: A system and method for loading one or more vehicles onto the cargo bed of a transporting vehicle such as a pickup truck or trailer is presented. The system includes a supporting located at the front of the cargo bed above the plane of the cargo bed and one or more ramps. The ramps and the supporting are adapted to connect to and remove from each other such that the ramps are secured inside the cargo bed at an angle above the plane of the cargo bed of the transporting vehicle. This system provides additional clearance and storage space in the cargo bed. In a preferred embodiment where the transporting vehicle is a pickup truck, the supporting also functions as a headache rack or a ladder rack. A method of using this system to load one or more vehicles is also presented.

Abstract: An optical transmitter system supplies a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components to a transmission element which, in operation, is connected to the transmitter system for conveying the different wavelength radiation components to a respective receiver. The supply of the wavelength components is interrupted, preferably in response to a loss of the wavelength components at the respective receiver. A timer provides respective restart times which differ one to another for the wavelength radiation components. The supply of the wavelength components is restarted, following an interruption, at the respective restart times provided by the timer.

Abstract: A communications network determines for itself its own network topology, that is, the identity and interconnection of nodes comprising the network. The network comprises a plurality of nodes each having at least one port. The ports are interconnected in accordance with the network topology in which communication traffic is conveyed over the network via the interconnected ports. Each port is arranged to transmit first information within the communication traffic including the identity of the port (Section trace identity) from which the communication traffic originates. Second information is transmitted between nodes identifying which first information identity relates to which node and which port. A processor is operative for determining for each node from the first and second information the identity of adjacent nodes and the identity of the ports to which its ports are connected.

Abstract: In a synchronous communications network such as SDH or SONET, traffic signals can be tagged to indicate that a fault condition has already been identified and reported. On examination of the alarm tag at subsequent stages, an alarm is suppressed if the tag indicates that the fault has already been reported.

Abstract: An optical transmitter system supplies a plurality of different wavelength optical radiation components to a transmission element which, in operation, is connected to the transmitter system for conveying the different wavelength radiation components to a respective receiver. The transmitter system detects a loss of a wavelength radiation component at the respective receiver. The supply of the wavelength component is interrupted in response to a detection of loss of the wavelength component at the receiver. A timing circuit provides respective restart times which differ one to another for the wavelength radiation components. The supply of the wavelength component is restarted, following an interruption, at the restart time provided by the timing circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flow verification and validation of mass flow controllers are disclosed. A mass flow controller may be commanded to a specified flow and flow measurement commenced. During an interval, gas is accumulated in a first volume and measurements taken within this volume. The various measurements taken during the interval may then be used to calculate the flow rate. The flow rate, in turn, may be used to determine the accuracy of the mass flow controller relative to a setpoint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flow verification and validation of mass flow controllers are disclosed. A mass flow controller may be commanded to a specified flow and flow measurement commenced. Gas is accumulated in a first volume and while measurements are taken within this volume. Gas may then flow into a second volume while measurements are taken. The various measurements taken during the two intervals may then be used to calculate the flow rate. The flow rate, in turn, may be used to determine the accuracy of the mass flow controller relative to a setpoint. Additionally, these systems and methods may utilize only one volume to perform flow verification by flowing gas into this volume, taking measurements, and calculating the flow rate based only upon this set of measurements.

Abstract: A metallurgical vessel having a cylindrical upper end section and a top section fitted to the upper end of another section to form a top closure of the vessel about a central opening through which to extend a gas injection lance for injecting gas into the vessel. Top section is formed as a two-part domed construction comprising an outer annular panel welded to the vessel top section and an inner annular panel removably fastened to outer panel, both panels being formed with inwardly concave curvature so as to form together the continuously domed top section. The two panels are fastened together by clamping bolts extended through outturned flanges formed on annular flanges standing up from the panels. On release of bolts panel is removable to provide access to the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure. This file object is stored separately in the data repository.

Abstract: A telecommunications interface network card, such as the type which is inserted into a suitable slot in a rack forming a network node, to provide an interface to the node for telecommunications traffic entering and leaving the node, typically carries a receptacle to receive a plugable module which contains a laser and receiver as optical interface, allowing one card to be used with a number of optical interfaces, to avoid the need for a range of cards to be produced, each dedicated to one particular type of traffic, for example, a particular distance and data rate. The invention provides a module which is compatible with existing optical modules, but which carries an electrical interface.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an improved method that utilizes a liquid ladle slag in combination with a crushed material, such as a refractory brick, an alumina ladle brick or an aluminum dross, to manufacture a calcium aluminate product that can be used in the steel refining process.

Abstract: A loop fastener product is provided including a generally planar nonwoven base of fibers, and a field of loop structures extending from the generally planar nonwoven base of fibers. The field includes (a) generally parallel engageable bands in which the loop structures are exposed on a front surface of the nonwoven base for releasable engagement by hooks; and (b) generally parallel bond area bands, separating the bands of loop structures, in which a major proportion of the loop structures are bonded together in the plane of the nonwoven base. Methods of forming loop fastener products are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for combining at least two data signals having an input data rate into a single data stream having an output data rate being higher than the input data rate for transmission on a shared medium or vice versa, particularly, to a single SDH/SONET framer capable of handling a large range of SDH/SONET frames from STM-i to STM-j with an aggregated total capacity corresponding to an STM-j frame where i and j are integers in the range from 1 to 64 or higher according to the STM-N definition of the SDH/SONET standards. More over, the present invention can also be extended to work with STS-1 as lowest range. STS-1 exists in SONET only not SDH and corresponds to a data rate of 51.5 Mb/s a third of the 156 Mb/s of STM-1.

Abstract: An inbred corn line, designated SE8505, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line SE8505, to the plants of inbred corn line SE8505 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing the inbred line SE8505 with itself or another corn line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from the inbred SE8505.

Abstract: Methods of forming a loop product are provided. Some methods include (a) introducing a sheet-form substrate and a layer of polymeric fibers into a needle loom, with the fibers disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and (b) needling the fibers through the substrate to form hook-engageable loop structures of the fibers extending from a second surface of the substrate through holes formed in the substrate by the needling. Needling the fibers includes piercing the substrate with a plurality of needles while advancing the substrate in a machine direction at a predetermined speed, while cyclically advancing the needles in the machine direction, during piercing of the substrate, in a manner that causes the needles to travel in a substantially elliptical path, such that while the needles extend through the substrate the needles are moving in the machine direction.

Abstract: A molded voltage sensor is provided that achieves excellent sensing accuracy over a wide temperature range by molding primary and secondary capacitances of a voltage divider into a solid dielectric material and wherein the capacitances are preferably fabricated from the same material, or at least materials having nearly identical temperature coefficients of permittivity. In a preferred arrangement, a first member of dielectric material includes a conductive pattern on the outer surface thereof and an electrical connection attached to the conductive pattern. The first member is then molded into a predetermined location with respect to a central conductor and a layer of the dielectric molding material is also molded over the exterior of the first member. Another conductive pattern is formed on the over-molded layer. The overall assembly is then molded to form a body of the desired shape and provides insulation between the conductor and the conductive patterns.