Abstract: A selective WDM add-channel system and method for adding channels to a WDM (wavelength division multiplexed) signal input to produce a WDM signal output while protecting against signal collisions are provided. The method protects against signal collisions by determining channel wavelengths of add-channel signals and at least one of the WDM signal input and the WDM signal output to ensure that channels that are added to the WDM signal input have different channel wavelength than each other and the channels that are already part of the WDM signal input. The selective WDM add-channel system comprises a selective combiner and a controller and is operable to selectively combine a plurality of add-channel inputs with a WDM input signal to produce a WDM output signal based on the channel wavelengths of the add-channel input signals and at least one of the WDM input signal and the WDM output signal.

Abstract: A dynamic dispersion compensation system and method are provided. The method dynamically compensates for dispersion in an optical signal by recovering a first clock and a second clock from a first polarization component and a second polarization component of the optical signal respectively, determining a delay time between the first clock and the second clock, determining the dispersion based on the delay time and dynamically compensating for the determined dispersion. The system comprises a polarization beam splitter, a clock recoverer, a dispersion determiner and a tunable dispersion compensation module and is operable to dynamically compensate for the dispersion in an optical signal.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and program extracts energy from organic residual materials produced by the manufacturing of biofuels.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and program for effecting thef decomposition of organic waste material comprises: providing a treatment tank for decomposition of organic waste material, the treatment tank containing an active biomass comprising at least one bacteria that decomposes organic material; providing at least two inlets to the treatment tank, a first inlet comprising an inlet for organic material and a second inlet comprising an inlet for an aqueous stream; a processor that receives and stores information on: the status of chemical oxygen demand of the active biomass; and the oxygen provision capability of a first organic material that can be fed into the treatment tank through the first inlet; a mass flow control system controlled by the processor which feeds the at least one organic material through the first inlet at a rate based at least in part upon the status of chemical oxygen demand in the treatment tank as recognized by the processor.

Abstract: An optical component package is disclosed. The package has a housing. The interior of the housing is adapted to house an optical component. The package includes at least two fiber optic connectors, each comprising an component side adapted to connect to the optical component and each having a pluggable exterior element. Each of the at least two fiber optic connectors are mounted in the housing with their component side accessible from the interior of the package and their pluggable exterior element accessible from the exterior.

Abstract: A trigonometric teaching aid for providing students with real life applications for the principles of trigonometry includes a transit assembly having a sight tube with cross hairs, a level and an upper protractor pivotally connected to an upper end of a vertical scale, and a base assembly including a lower protractor pivotally connected to a lower end of the scale member. By leveling the transit assembly and measuring the angles of inclinations at the protractors, student using trigonometric formulas, tables and classroom lessons can determine physical measurements of real life objects.

Abstract: A storm drain filter is provided for filtering trash and debris from a stream of water passing through a storm drain. The storm drain filter comprises a panel having a multiplicity of openings formed therein and is adapted to mount adjacent to a sidewall of a storm drain such that the filter lies adjacent an outlet through which water passing from the storm drain flows. When installed in a storm drain, the filter fits relatively close to the outlet and the adjacent sidewall and permits water to flow through the openings thereof, but filters trash and debris.

Abstract: A method and system for error prevention and recovery of voice activated navigation through a menu having plural nodes provides situation dependent utterance verification by relating confirmation to utterance determination confidence levels. In one embodiment, a high confidence level results in implicit confirmation, a medium confidence level results in explicit confirmation and a low confidence level results in a concise interrogative prompt of a single word that requests the user to repeat the utterance. In situations where voice recognition is difficult, dual modality with DTMF navigation is provided as an option for menu selections.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing a call by receiving caller input in a speech format and utilizing phonemes to convert the speech input into word strings. The word strings are then converted into at least one object and at least one action. A synonym table is utilized to determine actions and objects. Objects generally represent nouns and adjective-noun combinations while actions generally represent verbs and adverb-verb combinations. The synonym table stores natural language phrases and their relationship with actions and objects. The actions and objects are utilized to determine a routing destination utilizing a routing table. The call is routed based on the routing table.

Abstract: A drafting device creating perspective views from horizontal base lines with remote horizontal vanishing points and with a remote skyline vanishing point. The drafting device includes articulated arm assemblies on opposite sides of the board. Each arm assembly includes a lower straight edge that is pivotally connected by primary and secondary arms to a pivot arm pivotally mounted at opposed sides of the drawing board, thereby establishing an adjustable four-bar linkage that allows the straight edge to be oriented at vertically varying horizontal base lines with horizontal vertical vanishing points remote from the drawing board and variable perspective angles. In combination with ordinary drafting tools and scales, the drafter can create three dimensional objects as viewed from a horizontal base line perspective.

Abstract: In a vessel containing a filter bed and containing a mixed liquor containing suspended solids, a system disturbs/dislodges a sludge mat that settles on the filter bed. Thus, the system controls the sludge mat on the filter bed that otherwise may blind the filter bed and significantly reduce or stop process liquid flow into and through the filter bed. The system helps maintain effective vessel effluent flowrates with reduced requirements for filter bed backwashing or other filter bed maintenance. The system includes a sludge mat dislodging member that moves along the filter bed surface, preferably on but substantially not inside the filter bed, to disrupt/dislodge the sludge mat and/or prevent formation of the sludge mat. Preferably, the dislodging member is carried inside the vessel on a moving arm or arms that rotate in a plane parallel to the filter bed surface. The preferred sludge mat dislodging member(s) hang from the rotating arm(s) to slide along the top of the filter bed through the sludge mat.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a one-step process for the preparation of fructopyranose sulfamate derivatives of the general formula (I) wherein X, R1, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as described in the specification.

Abstract: A rotor (10) for a centrifugal separator (12) for circulated engine lubricant formed by end walls (44, 46) and radially outer and inner side walls (42, 52) that define a separation and containment region (82). Wall (52) is defined by a tubular tension member (50) that surrounds a rotation axis (30) and extends between and through the end walls to keep them in position. Mounted within first and second ends (72, 74) of the tubular tension member are respective first and second end closure plugs (86, 88). Plug (88) has a passage (90) to admit liquid into the tubular member, but otherwise each plug is seated to inhibit passage of liquid from the member end. Each plug comprises a body seated by interference fit and an integral axially extending component (86?, 88?) that forms a mounting pin for mounting the rotor within bearing parts (24, 28) of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a customer call routing menu employing an interactive voice response system (IVR) to process a call in a customer service center. The menu messages are provided in terms of customer tasks to be performed, rather than in terms of corporate units. Further, the menu messages are arranged and played to the caller in the order of the most frequently requested tasks and include terminology commonly used by customers.

Abstract: A floor panel for a vehicle compartment includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface and the second surface have different material properties. One of the surfaces is provided with a plurality of rollers disposed to project above the surface when the surface is uppermost. Both of the first and said second surfaces are capable of being uppermost while the floor panel is located in the vehicle compartment.

Abstract: In a vessel containing a filter bed and containing a mixed liquor containing suspended solids, a system disturbs/dislodges a sludge mat that settles on the filter bed. Thus, the system controls the sludge mat on the filter bed that otherwise may blind the filter bed and significantly reduce or stop process liquid flow into and through the filter bed. The system helps maintain effective vessel effluent flowrates with reduced requirements for filter bed backwashing or other filter bed maintenance. The system includes a sludge mat dislodging member that moves along the filter bed surface, preferably on but substantially not inside the filter bed, to disrupt/dislodge the sludge mat and/or prevent formation of the sludge mat. Preferably, the dislodging member is carried inside the vessel on a moving arm or arms that rotate in a plane parallel to the filter bed surface. The preferred sludge mat dislodging member(s) hang from the rotating arm(s) to slide along the top of the filter bed through the sludge mat.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing phosphate from swimming pool waters are disclosed. The compositions include both soluble and substantially insoluble lanthanide carboxylates, preferred examples being lanthanum glycolate and lactate. The methods include the addition of the lanthanide compounds to the bulk of the pool water, but preferably involve the loading of the pool filter with the composition and the circulation of pool water through the filter to effect the removal of dissolved phosphate in the water.

Abstract: A centrifuge purification filter is provided for purifying a fluid, such as engine lubricating oil. A housing with an integrally cast top portion contains a centrifuge rotor supported on a spindle, which in turn is supported at its top by the integrally formed housing top and retained and radially supported at its opposite end by a removable housing cover. The rotor includes a shell which receives contaminated fluid from the housing inlet via a hollow bore in the spindle. Fluid is discharged through tangential rotor outlet nozzles on the rotor cause the shell to rotate at high speed and thereby cause contaminants in the fluid to migrate to the shell wall. The integrally formed housing top portion may include a bore intersecting the inlet passage, wherein a flow control valve prevents flow into the rotor until inlet pressure reaches a predetermined level and in the event of excessive inlet pressure.

Abstract: An actuator for a motor vehicle transmission has a shift cylinder performing rotary actuating movements. An electric motor is arranged inside the shift cylinder and drives the latter either through a harmonic drive mechanism or a planetary drive mechanism. The arrangement provides a high reduction ratio and an efficient use of limited space.

Abstract: In a vessel containing a filter bed and containing a mixed liquor containing suspended solids, a system disturbs/dislodges a sludge mat that settles on the filter bed. Thus, the system controls the sludge mat on the filter bed that otherwise may blind the filter bed and significantly reduce or stop process liquid flow into and through the filter bed. The system helps maintain effective vessel effluent flowrates with reduced requirements for filter bed backwashing or other filter bed maintenance. The system includes a sludge mat dislodging member that moves along the filter bed surface, preferably on but substantially not inside the filter bed, to disrupt/dislodge the sludge mat and/or prevent formation of the sludge mat. Preferably, the dislodging member is carried inside the vessel on a moving arm or arms that rotate in a plane parallel to the filter bed surface. The preferred sludge mat dislodging member(s) hang from the rotating arm(s) to slide along the top of the filter bed through the sludge mat.