Abstract: The present invention is a technique for locating and identifying a failed filter/arrester in an underground conveyance such as a fiber optic cable. A sensor is installed in the filter/arrester housing to sense grounding of a cable locating frequency. The sensor will monitor the cable locating signal that is normally on the cable and blocked by the filter arrester to ground. A small radio frequency oscillator (85 to 88 Hz), also installed inside the filter housing, is activated by the sensor. The RF signal is detected above ground with standard cable locating equipment. A warning indicator such as an indicator light may also be installed on the outside of the filter housing. The indicator is also activated by the sensor. In that way, the particular failed filter can be identified if multiple filters are installed at that location. The power that will be required to operate the RF transmitter and indicator will be obtained from the voltage passing through the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. The reference trace may be replaced or an alarm may be transmitted under certain conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is a vertical wind turbine having a turbine with a plurality of blades or wind vanes. The blades are constructed and attached to the shaft of the turbine so as to allow them to twist open to present more surface area to wind currents when a threshold rotational velocity is reached. Also presented are a novel outer shell that is placed over at least part of the shaft and a novel turbine blade.

Abstract: Protein structures 1 repeating regularly in one, two or three dimensions comprise protein protomers 2 which each comprise at least two monomers 5, 6 genetically fused together. The monomers 5, 6 are monomers of respective oligomer assemblies 3, 4 into which the monomers are assembled to assembly of the protein structure. The first oligomer assembly 3 has rotational symmetry axes including a set of rotational symmetry axes of order N, where N equals 2, 3, 4 or 6. The second oligomer assembly 4 has a rotational symmetry axis of the same order N as said set of rotational symmetry axes of said first oligomer assembly 3. Due to the symmetry of the oligomer assemblies 3, 4, the rotational symmetry axis axes of each second oligomer assembly 4 is aligned with one of said set of rotational symmetry axes of a first oligomer assembly 3 with N protomers being arranged symmetrically therearound.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for protecting an optical fiber cable stored on a fiber cable reel. A wrapping member is placed around the circumference of the fiber cable in the reel. The wrapping member includes insulating members that may be bonded to the wrapping member or installed in pockets of the wrapping member. The insulating members may be ceramic blocks.

Abstract: A passive optical arrangement for indicating the presence of a change in ownership along a fiber optic cable span uses an attenuation unit at a splice location that will severely attenuate an optical signal propagating along the span at a predetermined “marker” wavelength. Particularly well-suited in combination with determining the physical location of a fault along a fiber optic cable, the arrangement allows a technician to use an OTDR at the marker wavelength to determine both the physical location of the fault as well as the physical location of a change in ownership (if any) between the technician and the fault location, since the presence of the attenuation unit will register as a large step-wise change in signal propagation.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for repairing an isolation gap in a fiber cable after removing an isolation closure from the cable. A flexible, curable polymeric material is first applied in the gap over the fiber buffer tube. A flexible wire mesh strengthening member is then placed over the gap and over the exposed metallic elements of the fiber cable on both sides of the gap. The strengthening member is closed around the fiber cable and is woven with the metallic elements of the cable. A heat shrink material is then applied over the strengthening member and is sealed by heating. The heat shrink material may be sealed with a polymer sealant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a whether a reference trace is valid by comparing that trace to a more recent test trace. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array.

Abstract: A fire retardant intumescent coating composition comprises: (a) 30 to 60% by weight of a phosphorous containing material which decomposes to produce phosphoric acid when the coating is exposed to fire; (b) 10 to 30% by weight of a thermosetting binder; (c) 2.5 to 10% by weight of a curing agent for the thermosetting binder; and (d) 5 to 40% by weight of a thermoplastic binder, wherein the active groups of the thermosetting and thermoplastic binders are chosen so as to impart charring and blowing functions to the intumescent coating composition. The thermosetting binder is advantageously a hydroxylated thermosetting binder, suitably an epoxy resin. The thermoplastic binder is advantageously an oxygenated heterocyclic thermoplastic binder, suitably an aldehyde and/or ketone resin. The coating composition may contain 1 to 10% by weight of a colouring agent, suitably titanium dioxide. The coating composition may contain 0.1 to 10% by weight of melt viscosity modifier, suitably hydrogenated castor oil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for installing a utility conveyance. A tractor which includes sensors, a plow locator and a monitor system is presented. The sensors are used to locate markers, which identify the boundaries of a right of way or a preexisting utility conveyance. The plow locator is used to determine the location of a plow relative to a preexisting utility conveyance. Sensing information produced by the sensors and plow location information produced by the plow locator are communicated to the monitor system. A visual representation of the markers and the position of the plow relative to the markers, is displayed on a screen associated with the monitor system. As such, a tractor operator may navigate an engineered path and install a utility conveyance.

Abstract: A communication and control system for use by the disabled and their caretakers. The system has at least two communication modules, each module having a processing unit which has a unique identification code. Each communication module also has a unique hierarchical address corresponding to the identification code, the address defining the physical location of the module. The hierarchical address represents at least two physical domains. Each commnunication module further includes a processing unit having coupled to it one or both of a signal receiver and a signal transmitter, and at least one transducer for detecting a physical parameter and for broadcasting packets of data indicative of the status of a module or for controlling a remote module.

Abstract: Protein lattice (1) having a regular structure with a repeating unit repeating in three dimensions may have many uses, for example to support an array of macromolecular entities for x-ray crystallography. The repeating unit comprises protein protomers (2) which each comprise at least two monomers (5, 6) fused together. The monomers (5, 6) are each monomers of a respective oligomer assembly (3, 4) into which the monomers are assembled for assembly of the protomers into the lattice. The first oligomer assembly (3) has a set of rotational symmetry axes extending in three dimensions. In said protomers (2), further monomers (6) fused to said first monomers (5) are monomers of respective further oligomer assemblies (4) which have a rotational symmetry axis of the same order as a respective one of said set of rotational symmetry axes of said first oligomer assembly (3).

Abstract: A method for treating eating disorders by repeatedly administering naloxone in a dosage sufficient to block the effects of opiate agonists to a subject suffering from an eating disorder caused by one or more related problem responses; while the amount of naloxone in the subject's body is sufficient to block opiate effects, having the subject make one of the problem responses from which the subject suffers in the presence of stimuli similar to those to which it had been learned, after the amount of naloxone is no longer sufficient to block opiate effects, having the subject make healthy eating responses to food items that do not trigger the problem responses; and continuing the steps of administration of naloxone and having one after another of the problem responses made, followed by having a naloxone-free period in which healthy eating occurs, until the problem responses are extinguished.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for interpreting data obtained by measuring a length of optical fiber using an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), and comparing that measurement to a reference measurement. The technique uses statistical inference to determine a likely cause for a length measurement to be shorter than a reference length. One technique uses a chi-squared best fit of an array reflectance spike occurrences along the fiber to a historical reference array. In that way, it can be determined whether the missing portion of the tested fiber is at an end or between the ends, providing evidence that the short length measurement results from a fiber break or from the intentional removal of a reserve loop.

Abstract: An elongate electrical conductor (2) is disclosed that is adapted for electrically connecting with an electrical contact, the conductor (2) includes a longitudinally extending elongate body (61) for defining a first contact surface (62); and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart ribs (66) that extend from the body (61) to respective free ends (67) that are spaced apart from the first contact surface (62) for allowing the contact to be progressed between the body (61) and one or more of the ribs (66), each rib (66) including a respective second contact surface (68) that is opposed with the first surface (62) wherein, upon progression of the contact between the body (61) and the one or more ribs (66), the first surface (62) and the respective one or more second surfaces (68) are resiliently biased into engagement with the contact.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a buried utility conveyance, such as an undersea cable, beneath a body of water. The apparatus generally comprises a submersible housing that contains a variable ballast system for selectively controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus, operator-controlled maneuvering apparatus, and a detector assembly for locating the conveyance. The detector assembly includes first and second signal generators and first and second signal detectors for vectoring the location of the conveyance. An operator guides the detector relative to a target search location through cables attached to the housing and the variable ballast system. A camera generates images of the target search location for use by the operator to control the apparatus through an umbilical cable connected to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus method and system are described for categorising Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) when accessing the Internet 20 from a client 12. A request message 500 is generated to request categorisation of a specified URL, and a category is provided in a reply message 600. The specified URL and the category are added to a category cache. In a second or subsequent instance of a URL request referring to the specified URL, the category is determined from the category cache. This reduces communication traffic in a network such as the Internet 20.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing filter/protector units positioned along a fiber optic cable are disclosed. The fiber optic cable includes a metallic sheath surrounding the cable and several filter/protector units positioned along the cable. A cable locating unit generates an electric signal. The metallic sheath conducts the electrical signal. The electric signal creates a voltage within the metallic sheath. The voltage level is below a specified flashover point or threshold of a normally operating filter/protector unit. As a result, any filter/protector units that are triggered by the electric signal are considered faulty.

Abstract: A system method and apparatus are provided for use in monitoring or controlling internet access at a client device 12. A request message 500 is generated to request categorisation of a specified URL, and a reply message 600 is returned denoting a category of the specified URL amongst a predetermined set of categories. The request message 500 comprises a UDP package including a sequence number, a time stamp, and a data section carrying the specified URL. The reply message 600 comprises a UDP packet and includes the sequence number and the time stamp from the request message 500, and a data section identifying the category. The request message 500 and the reply message 600 are economical and provide efficient communication across a local area network or the Internet 20.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for use in categorising Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) when controlling or monitoring access to the Internet 20 from a client 12. A request message 500 is generated to request categorisation of a specified URL. The request message 500 comprises a licensing field carrying a licence key. A remote server 40 receives the licence key and, if valid, generates a reply message 600 denoting a category of the specified URL. The licence key enables workload at the server 40 to be managed efficiently.