Abstract: A coupled building wire comprising a first length of non-metallic cable having a top surface and a bottom surface and a second length non-metallic cable having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the first length of non-metallic cable is coupled to the top surface of the second length of non-metallic cable, and wherein at least the top surface of the first length of non-metallic cable and at least the bottom surface of the second length of non-metallic cable are comprised of sheath material having a lubricant material incorporated therein. The first length of non-metallic cable comprises at least one circuit conductor having a first gauge. The second length of non-metallic cable comprises at least one circuit conductor having a second gauge. The first gauge of the at least one circuit conductor of the first length of non-metallic cable may be substantially equal or unequal to the second gauge of the at least one circuit conductor of the second length of non-metallic cable.

Abstract: A coupled building wire comprising a first length of non-metallic cable having a top surface and a bottom surface and a second length non-metallic cable having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the first length of non-metallic cable is coupled to the top surface of the second length of non-metallic cable, and wherein at least the top surface of the first length of non-metallic cable and at least the bottom surface of the second length of non-metallic cable are at least partly covered with a lubricant coating. The first length of non-metallic cable comprises at least one circuit conductor having a first gauge. The second length of non-metallic cable comprises at least one circuit conductor having a second gauge. The first gauge of the at least one circuit conductor of the first length of non-metallic cable may be substantially equal or unequal to the second gauge of the at least one circuit conductor of the second length of non-metallic cable.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to techniques for time acquisition, synchronization and location estimation when the GPS signal condition deteriorate or when the signal is unavailable. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a processor for detecting clock error of a wireless location sensor (WLS) in a communication network having several wireless sensors, the processor programmed with instructions for determining clock error of an asynchronous WLS.

Abstract: A method for flushing gas pockets from a manifold that forms a part of a liquid sampling system that is compatible with a chemical-mechanical polishing system is described. A flushing liquid, e.g., ultra pure water, is introduced into, and expelled from, the manifold to expel gas pockets from the manifold. The method comprises the steps of opening a manifold vent, filling the manifold with the flushing liquid, and closing the vent to increase the velocity of the flushing liquid flowing through the manifold. The introduction of the flushing liquid is discontinued, and thereafter, resumed. The discontinuation and resumption steps are preferably repeated The manifold is thus flushed of gas pockets.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the positioning of mobile-appliance location determining sensors in a mobile-appliance communications network by estimating the positioning accuracy of the sensors.

Abstract: A folding tray assembly is provided and includes a support member and a tray member, whereby the tray member is pivotably supported by the support member and moveable relative thereto between a use position and a stowed position. The folding tray assembly further includes a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the tray member to the support member in one of either the use position or the stowed position. The locking mechanism is housed within the tray member such that the mechanism is not visible or accessible by an occupant, but rather remotely actuated by a handle or lever. In addition, the tray assembly eliminates external supports by providing support within the tray member, thereby providing an open space below the tray member and giving the tray assembly a generally L-shape in the use position.

Abstract: The coupled building wire of the present invention comprises a first length of non-metallic cable having a top surface and a bottom surface and a second length non-metallic cable having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the first length of non-metallic cable is coupled to the top surface of the second length of non-metallic cable. The first length of non-metallic cable comprises at least one circuit conductor having a first gauge. The second length of non-metallic cable comprises at least one circuit conductor having a second gauge. The first gauge of the at least one circuit conductor of the first length of non-metallic cable may be substantially equal or unequal to the second gauge of the at least one circuit conductor of the second length of non-metallic cable.

Abstract: A Private Network Access Point (PNAP) packet switched network is provided where two customers connected to the same PNAP exchange traffic through the PNAP without transiting over the backbones of the Internet. In addition, a multi-homed customer connected to the PNAP is provided with access to the PNAP optimized routing table so that the customer will also have the ability to know the best route for a particular destination. In this way, if a multi-homed customer connected to a particular National Service Provider (NSP) to which a destination is also connected, the PNAP customer can use the PNAP information regarding the NSP to send the information to the destination through that commonly connected NSP in the most direct fashion.

Abstract: A method for use in a wireless communication system with a network overlay geolocation system having a sparse deployment network in which base stations of the wireless communication system may or may not have a co-located wireless location sensor (WLS). The method uses U-TDOA measurements on the uplink (reverse) signal and E-OTD measurements on the downlink (forward) signals to estimate a location for a mobile appliance.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an antenna and signal processing system enabling angle or arrival (AOA) determination for a frequency hopping signal, in which a calibration coefficient is determined in response to one or more calibration signals injected into the system at one or more of the frequencies in the hopping sequence and proximate in time to reception of the communication signal. The calibration coefficients are reflective of a frequency and time dependent parameter of a path between the antenna and wireless location sensor. The AOA is determined as a function of the calibration coefficient and the radio frequency energy of the received communication signal. Several embodiment of the method are illustrated.

Abstract: A distributed network management system and method of operation. The system includes at least one hub server and at least one remote server, where the hub server and the remote server communicate with each other. The remote server additionally communicates with and monitors one or more network devices. In the event that the remote server becomes inoperational, the hub server assumes monitoring of the network device. For redundancy, primary and secondary hub servers can be provided, wherein the primary and secondary hub servers communicate with each other and are capable of communicating with the remote server. For further redundancy, primary and secondary remote servers can be provided, wherein the primary and secondary remote servers communicate with each other but independently monitor the network devices. In the peered remote configuration, the hub server is capable of communicating with either of the remote servers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing a sample of a chemical-mechanical polishing slurry for analysis of at least one property, e.g., particle size distribution, is described.

Abstract: A flow-indicating device is provided, comprising a tubular body adapted to direct a flow therethrough. The body has opposed ends, with one end being a downstream end, and has a flow element disposed therein. A shaping block is operably engaged with the body so as to form a constricted portion between the ends, the constricted portion of the body defining a constricted orifice having a downstream side. The constricted orifice is configured to prevent the flow element from passing therethrough. The flow element is disposed on the downstream side of the constricted portion and is configured to engage the constricted orifice when the flow is below a flow rate and to move toward the downstream end of the body as the flow increases over the flow rate to thereby indicate the flow through the body.

Abstract: A horizontal grinder is disclosed herein. The grinder includes a grinding structure and upper and lower feed conveyors for feeding material toward the grinding structure. The upper feed conveyor is positioned above the lower feed conveyor such that the material fed toward the grinding structure travels between the upper and lower feed conveyors. The grinder also includes a power source for rotating the grinding structure. A controller is provided for controlling the speed of at least one of the lower and upper feed conveyors in proportion to an operating characteristic of the power source.

Abstract: A flow-indicating device is provided, comprising a tubular body adapted to direct a flow therethrough. The body has opposed ends, with one end being a downstream end, and has a flow element disposed therein. A shaping block is operably engaged with the body so as to form a constricted portion between the ends, the constricted portion of the body defining a constricted orifice having a downstream side. The constricted orifice is configured to prevent the flow element from passing therethrough. The flow element is disposed on the downstream side of the constricted portion and is configured to engage the constricted orifice when the flow is below a flow rate and to move toward the downstream end of the body as the flow increases over the flow rate to thereby indicate the flow through the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing a sample of a chemical-mechanical polishing slurry for analysis of at least one property, e.g., particle size distribution, is described.

Abstract: A method for flushing gas pockets from a manifold that forms a part of a liquid sampling system that is compatible with a chemical-mechanical polishing system is described. A flushing liquid, e.g., ultra pure water, is introduced into, and expelled from, the manifold to expel gas pockets from the manifold. The method comprises the steps of opening a manifold vent, filling the manifold with the flushing liquid, and closing the vent to increase the velocity of the flushing liquid flowing through the manifold. The introduction of the flushing liquid is discontinued, and thereafter, resumed. The discontinuation and resumption steps are preferably repeated The manifold is thus flushed of gas pockets.

Abstract: A container access system and method for accessing the contents of a container within a sealed containment vessel. A preferred embodiment of the access system includes a sealable vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a remotely operated container valve actuator within the vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the containment vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be made with access mechanisms and the target container. An access mechanism capable of inserting a dip tube into the container to facilitate liquid removal.

Abstract: An inspection method for evaluating the hermeticity of integrated circuits and micro-electromechanical devices having a cavity. The method includes submerging one or more of the devices in a liquid, under pressure, for a given time period in order to allow the liquid to seep into any cavities that have leak paths. After the pressure soak, the devices are transferred to another liquid and observed under a microscope for signs of the liquid in any of the devices cavities, thereby determining if hermeticity is present.

Abstract: A container access system and method for accessing the contents of a container within a sealed containment vessel. A preferred embodiment of the access system includes a sealable vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a remotely operated container valve actuator within the vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the containment vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be made with access mechanisms and the target container. An access mechanism capable of inserting a dip tube into the container to facilitate liquid removal.