Abstract: A CAD/GIS system that dynamically updates planar topologies through incremental updating techniques. Rather than batch processing all of the changes to every geometrical feature in a given site map, the changes are made in incremental fashion and only enclosures or faces/parcels that are affected by changes are updated.

Abstract: A CAD/GIS system that automatically discovers hierarchical relationships between root faces/parcels, smaller faces/parcels, and other defined areas of land. As the definitions are entered into the system, hierarchical relationships are created by the system to ease data management functions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of a grading transition. Advantageously, the method for generating a 3D model of a grading transition may be used to generate generating a CAD drawing that includes realistic grading transitions, both in terms of a visual appearance and in terms of volumetric calculations related to the excavation/fill of grading materials.

Abstract: A system for mounting heatsinks, in particular, high-mass heatsinks, on printed circuit boards, such as motherboards. The mounting system includes a backplate, disposed beneath the motherboard, with pins protruding up through the motherboard, and a linkage assembly, which is fixably attached to a base portion of a heatsink assembly. The linkage assembly includes scoops, for grasping the pins during engagement, and a ratcheting system, for compressing the heatsink and thermal interface material onto the package. The mounting system is designed to effectively distribute the heatsink weight, as well as the forces caused by chronic and dynamic stresses, through, rather than upon the motherboard, such as to a chassis. The mounting system thus alleviates stress cracks, component pullout, solderball stress, and other damaging conditions to the motherboard. The mounting system may be engaged and disengaged without the use of tools.

Abstract: A system to connect cards in a chassis is provided. The system includes a chassis frame having a slot to receive a card. A rocker is coupled to the chassis frame and positioned in a closed state when the card is in the slot. A magnetic element is positioned on the rocker and a sensor positioned to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnetic element. The sensor then determines whether the rocker is positioned an open state or said closed state.

Abstract: A toilet device for providing a toilet which allows a person in a wheelchair to slide from the wheelchair directly onto the toilet. The toilet device includes a toilet bowl having a seat portion and a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the seat portion. The peripheral wall includes a back side, a front side, and a pair of lateral sides. The back side has a height greater than the front side. The seat portion generally has an L-shape such that the seat portion has a generally horizontal portion and a generally vertical portion. A chamber is defined between an inner surface and an outer surface of the peripheral wall. The inner surface comprises a bowl and a drain. A flushing system is in fluid communication with the toilet bowl. A user wheels a wheelchair to the front side and slides from the wheelchair and onto the seat portion.

Abstract: A dual disc spreader attachment utilizing a specific direction of disc rotation, pinpoint control of the impact point of material onto the disc and blade design to provide an optimal scatter pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hot plug method and a hot plug cartridge assembly for a card component (e.g., peripheral component interconnect compliant card). The cartridge assembly includes a carrier, a holder for the card component and a lever, the holder and lever being movably retained on the carrier. The lever has a camming surface, and the carrier has a protrusion following on the camming surface. Due to the configuration and positioning of the camming surface, lateral motion of the lever causes vertical movement of the lever and holder, to cause vertical movement of the card component. Lateral motion of the lever after introduction of the cartridge assembly into a system causes the card component to move vertically to cause connector structure of the card component to enter into contact with connectors of a circuit board of the system.

Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing the output frequencies of a multimode laser of the type which operates in at least three optical cavity modes includes detecting the intermodulation product frequency, using a suitable photodetector. The optical cavity modes may be either purely longitudinal for a single transverse mode, or may include radiation from multiple transverse cavity excitations, also with possible longitudinal plurality. The detector output is monitored for the intermodulation product beat signal which is contained in the detector current at the differences of the primary difference frequencies of the optical modes. A signal derived from the frequency of the intermodulation product term is compared with a reference signal, and the resulting error signal is driven to zero by varying the optical length of the laser oscillator cavity in response to the error signal, thereby causing the operating modes of the laser to be stabilized.