Abstract: System and methods for recycling a material comprising a polymer in an expanded state is disclosed. The system can include a shredder, a heating chamber operatively connected to the shredder, a condenser operatively connected to the heating chamber, a solvent tank operatively connected to the condenser, and a circulation unit operatively connected to the solvent tank and the heating chamber.

Abstract: System and methods for recycling a material comprising a polymer in an expanded state is disclosed. The system can include a shredder, a heating chamber operatively connected to the shredder, a condenser operatively connected to the heating chamber, a solvent tank operatively connected to the condenser, and a circulation unit operatively connected to the solvent tank and the heating chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting hidden encoding of text strings, such as Internet web-domain addresses or email addresses, using optical character recognition (OCR) techniques. In some embodiments, a first set of digital data having a first string of text character codes are converted into an image. Optical character recognition (OCR) is applied to the image to generate a second set of digital data having a second string of text character codes based on detection of the image. The first string of text character codes are compared to the second string of text character codes to detect the presence or absence of hidden codes in the first set of digital data. In some cases, a smoothing function such as Gaussian blurring is applied to degrade the image prior to the application of OCR.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting hidden encoding of text strings, such as Internet web-domain addresses or email addresses, using optical character recognition (OCR) techniques. In some embodiments, a first set of digital data having a first string of text character codes are converted into an image. Optical character recognition (OCR) is applied to the image to generate a second set of digital data having a second string of text character codes based on detection of the image. The first string of text character codes are compared to the second string of text character codes to detect the presence or absence of hidden codes in the first set of digital data. In some cases, a smoothing function such as Gaussian blurring is applied to degrade the image prior to the application of OCR.

Abstract: A repair sleeve has first and second end portions, each of which has a substantially cylindrical outer surface. The end portions are bored to receive a cable of a particular diameter. The inner surface of each end portion may be stepped or tapered. The center portion of the repair sleeve, between the two end portions, has an interior diameter substantially larger than the nominal diameter of the cable so that the repair sleeve can be use on a frayed cable or a cable with a failing splice. The repair sleeve is split longitudinally into two interlocking portions, which, when separated, allows the damaged cable or failing splice under repair to be inserted into a first one of the portions in a radial direction. The other portion is then inserted into the first portion and the repair sleeve is swaged onto the cable.

Abstract: A family of swaged connectors has particular application for joining segments of copper cable that make up a subterranean grounding grid in an electrical utility substation. The connectors have a body member with at least one swage region having a trough for receiving an electrical conductor. The swage region has an opening extending the length of the trough to allow insertion, in a radial direction, of the electrical conductor into the trough. An insert is configured for mating engagement with the opening in the swage region, such that, when the insert is mated with the body member, an electrical conductor disposed within the trough is radially entrapped in the connector. The connector body and insert have a cylindrical outer surface in the swage region to facilitate swaging the connector to secure it to the electrical conductor. The connector may be configured as a lap splice, tee or elbow.

Abstract: An improved cable connector includes a connector insert having an axial bore dimensioned to receive the core of a reinforced cable. A connector body has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a substantially cylindrical cavity. A distal portion of the cavity is dimensioned to receive the connector insert. A second portion of the cavity proximally displaced from the distal portion is dimensioned to receive the conductor strands of the cable. The connector body may be configured with one or more additional portions of the cavity having progressively increasing diameters, the number of such portions depending on the size of the cable. Alternatively, the inner surface of the cavity may have a slight taper. Using a single die, the connector body is compressed with a swaging tool at several axially spaced-apart locations to grip the conductor strands and also to grip the connector insert.

Abstract: A family of swaged connectors has particular application for joining segments of copper cable that make up a subterranean grounding grid in an electrical utility substation. The connectors have a body member with at least one swage region having a trough for receiving an electrical conductor. The swage region has an opening extending the length of the trough to allow insertion, in a radial direction, of the electrical conductor into the trough. An insert is configured for mating engagement with the opening in the swage region, such that, when the insert is mated with the body member, an electrical conductor disposed within the trough is radially entrapped in the connector. The connector body and insert have a cylindrical outer surface in the swage region to facilitate swaging the connector to secure it to the electrical conductor. The connector may be configured as a lap splice, tee or elbow.

Abstract: A repair sleeve has first and second end portions, each of which has a substantially cylindrical outer surface. The end portions are bored to receive a cable of a particular diameter. The inner surface of each end portion may be stepped or tapered. The center portion of the repair sleeve, between the two end portions, has an interior diameter substantially larger than the nominal diameter of the cable so that the repair sleeve can be use on a frayed cable or a cable with a failing splice. The repair sleeve is split longitudinally into two interlocking portions, which, when separated, allows the damaged cable or failing splice under repair to be inserted into a first one of the portions in a radial direction. The other portion is then inserted into the first portion and the repair sleeve is swaged onto the cable.

Abstract: An improved connector for ACSR cable includes a connector core having an axial bore dimensioned to receive the steel core of the cable. A connector body has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a substantially cylindrical cavity. A distal portion of the cavity having a first substantially cylindrical inner surface is dimensioned to receive the connector core. A second portion of the cavity proximally adjacent to the distal portion has a substantially cylindrical second inner surface dimensioned to receive the aluminum conductor strands of the cable. The connector body may be configured with one or more additional portions of the cavity having substantially cylindrical inner surfaces with progressively increasing diameters, the number of such portions depending on the size of the cable. The connector body is compressed with a swaging tool at several axially spaced-apart locations to grip the aluminum conductor strands and also to compress the connector core.

Abstract: An improved cable connector includes a connector insert having an axial bore dimensioned to receive the core of a reinforced cable. A connector body has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a substantially cylindrical cavity. A distal portion of the cavity is dimensioned to receive the connector insert. A second portion of the cavity proximally displaced from the distal portion is dimensioned to receive the conductor strands of the cable. The connector body may be configured with one or more additional portions of the cavity having progressively increasing diameters, the number of such portions depending on the size of the cable. Alternatively, the inner surface of the cavity may have a slight taper. Using a single die, the connector body is compressed with a swaging tool at several axially spaced-apart locations to grip the conductor strands and also to grip the connector insert.

Abstract: An improved full tension connector for electrical conductors has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a stepped series of substantially cylindrical inner surfaces with progressively smaller inside diameters. The design of the connector allows for improved control of the compression of the cable inside the fitting. A series of swages, progressing successively from a light compression to a heavier compression, ensures that the connector will sustain the required tensile load.

Abstract: An improved full tension connector for electrical conductors has a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a stepped series of substantially cylindrical inner surfaces with progressively smaller inside diameters. The design of the connector allows for improved control of the compression of the cable inside the fitting. A series of swages, progressing successively from a light compression to a heavier compression, ensures that the connector will sustain the required tensile load.