Abstract: Methods and systems for PMD compensation in an optical communication system are implemented by transmitting multiple optical signals through a common optical conduit to an optical compensator that adjustably rotates the polarization states of the multiple optical signals and transmits the rotated optical signals to an optical receiver. The receiver, upon sensing an excessive error condition, commands the optical compensator to change the polarization state of rotation, which changes the PMD profile of the received optical signals.

Abstract: A performance-enhancing fuel nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle suitable for use in combustors which combine high-swirl-number combustion in a pilot zone with low-swirl-number combustion in a main combustion zone. The nozzle includes a fuel delivery member adapted for fluid communication with a fuel source and a flow conditioning member having a fuel exit port. The fuel exit port is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is adapted to ensure that the recirculation region adjacent the nozzle tip remains flame free. In one aspect of the invention, the fuel concentration profile of the nozzle is characterized by a radially-outward region that is flammable and a radially-inward region that is substantially non-flammable. In another aspect of the invention, the fuel exit port being is disposed a radially-outward portion of the flow conditioning member. In another aspect of the invention, the flow conditioning member is characterized by a swirl number lower than about 0.5.

Abstract: A flame-holding nozzle for a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle includes several elongated sleeves in a substantially-concentric arrangement. The sleeves cooperatively provide distinct passageways for fluids to move through the nozzle. The nozzle includes conduits that advantageously direct fluids to designated regions of the nozzle, allowing fuel and cooling fluid to move within the nozzle without becoming commingled. Portions of the nozzle sleeves are also strategically arranged to transmit fluids in a manner that provides substantially-uniform thermal expansion, thereby eliminating the need for sliding joints or bellows arrangements.

Abstract: A flame-holding nozzle for a combustion turbine engine is disclosed. The nozzle includes several elongated sleeves in a substantially-concentric arrangement. The sleeves cooperatively provide distinct passageways for fluids to move through the nozzle. The nozzle includes conduits that advantageously direct fluids to designated regions of the nozzle, allowing fuel and cooling fluid to move within the nozzle without becoming commingled. Portions of the nozzle sleeves are also strategically arranged to transmit fluids in a manner that provides substantially-uniform thermal expansion, thereby eliminating the need for sliding joints or bellows arrangements.

Abstract: Water dispersible solid granular agrochemical formulations, typically in the form of wettable powders, particularly having an average particle size from 5 to 50 &mgr;m, or water dispersible granules, particularly having an average particle size of from 200 &mgr;m to 5 mm, include one or more water dispersible agrochemical active components; and a dispersing agent including a water dispersible styrene (meth) acrylic copolymer. The copolymeric dispersing agent may include monomer residues which include strongly acidic, particularly sulphonic acid groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions having a superior stability and flavor profile, despite the presence of a fatty acid material (and even without use of a surfactant or emulsion), and may be utilized as a variety of different finished compositions, for example, cosmetic, health care, food, and beverage compositions, preferably food and beverage compositions, and most preferably beverage compositions.

Abstract: Water dispersible solid granular agrochemical formulations, typically in the form of wettable powders, particularly having an average particle size from 5 to 50 &mgr;m, or water dispersible granules, particularly having an average particle size of from 200 &mgr;m to 5 mm, include one or more water dispersible agrochemical active components; and a dispersing agent including a water dispersible styrene (meth) acrylic copolymer. The copolymeric dispersing agent may include monomer residues which include strongly acidic, particularly sulphonic acid groups.

Abstract: Apparatus for replacing an electromagnetic device that senses vehicle wheel rotation by detecting slots in a rotary device, where the replacement apparatus avoids interaction with stray magnetic fields. A replacement apparatus (24) includes a connector frame (60) that holds a pair of optical fibers (40,42) having parallel front end portions. The frame forms a pair of highly reflective surfaces (70,72) that are angled so light moving forwardly from the first optical fiber tip is reflected through the slots to the tip of the second optical fiber. The optical fibers of the connector have rear end portions (110) where a sheath (44) of the optical cable has been stripped away. A metal ferrule (54) has a rear portion (112) that closely receives the bare optical fiber rear portion in a sliding fit therewith, the ferrule having a forward portion that is crimped around the sheath in a circular crimp (122).

Abstract: Sterol ester compositions having fatty acid moieties comprising greater than 50% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), preferably from about 55% to about 80% MUFAs, and more preferably from about 60% to about 75% MUFAs. Preferably, the fatty acid moieties comprise less than about 6% saturated fatty acids (SFAs), more preferably from about 0.1% to about 4% SFAs, and most preferably from about 0.5% to about 2% SFAs. The fatty acid moieties of the sterol ester compositions comprise 50% or less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Also disclosed are methods for preparing the sterol ester compositions and the products comprising them.

Abstract: An ergonomic computer mouse workstation includes a base operable to rest on a surface defining a reference plane having a normal surface axis extending perpendicular thereto and a platform secured to the base. The platform has a work surface operable to support a computer mouse, the work surface being disposed at an angle to the reference plane, the base being moveable relative to the platform to position the work surface at an angular orientation relative to the reference plane, to provide a slope to the work surface. The ergonomic computer mouse workstation may further include a counterbalance for providing a force to the computer mouse to oppose the tendency of the computer mouse to move down the inclined surface.

Abstract: A structural member of the kind including a strip of metal sheet folded over onto itself at its lateral edges so that the member has respective boxed edge formations (20, 21) which extend between a pair of notional substantially parallel planes and are linked by a web (30). At least one of the boxed edge formations defines a longitudinally extending ridge (40) at one of the planes and, behind the other plane; an outwardly open longitudinally extending groove (34) complementary to the ridge, whereby the structural member may be stacked on another similar member and the stack be laterally stabilized by co-operation of the groove (34) on one member and the ridge (40) on the other.

Abstract: A unique method and apparatus automatically switches between a voice mode and a data mode in a wireless communication device. In particular, a communication device (200) adapted to voice and data signals monitors a data network for data traffic for a first predetermined period of time (506), then monitors a cellular control channel (516) for cellular traffic during a sleep mode of the data network before establishing normal cellular operation. The method and apparatus increases efficient use of channel capacity by selectively switching between systems during periods of nonuse. Finally, according to other novel aspects of the present invention, user prompts (606, 618) enable efficient use of a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving both voice and data.

Abstract: A terminal insertion machine (10) includes a feed unit (14) for feeding a strip (16) of terminals into a workstation (12) for inserting a terminal into a housing. The feed unit (14) includes a feed finger (56) for intermittently feeding the strip and an anti-backup finger (84) for preventing movement of the strip while the feed finger (56) is retracted preparatory to feeding the next terminal. A single release member (100) is arranged to pivot into first, second, and third positions (140, 142, 144) for moving the feed and anti-backup fingers into and out of engagement with the strip of terminals when loading the strip, when operating the insertion machine, and when removing the strip from the insertion machine, respectively.

Abstract: An ergonomic computer mouse workstation includes a base operable to rest on a surface defining a reference plane having a normal surface axis extending perpendicular thereto and a platform secured to the base. The platform has a work surface operable to support a computer mouse, the work surface being disposed at an angle to the reference plane, the base being moveable relative to the platform to position the work surface at an angular orientation relative to the reference plane, to provide a slope to the work surface. The ergonomic computer mouse workstation may further include a counterbalance for providing a force to the computer mouse to oppose the tendency of the computer mouse to move down the inclined surface.

Abstract: A hand support apparatus has a mechanism for positioning it adjacent a computer input device on a work surface. The apparatus includes a first connector connectable to the computer input device, the hand support itself and a coupler connected between the first connector and the hand support. The coupler couples the first connector to the hand support while permitting extension and retraction of the first connector relative to the hand support, in an operating space adjacent to the hand support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering packet data with unknown delays and error transients is disclosed that includes a received waveform containing a desired information signal relative to a fixed reference, for eliminating an undesired error in the received waveform where the error is localized in time relative to the received waveform to a transient interval, and recovering the desired information signal. Included also is a sampler, responsive to the received waveform, providing a series of time samples representative of the received waveform. A buffer, responsive to the time samples, for providing a plurality of representations of the received waveform at different instants of time, where the length of time is an appreciable duration of a transient interval. A reference slicker, responsive to the plurality of representations, for providing an estimate of a fixed reference.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering data in the presence of error transients is disclosed that includes a received waveform containing an information signal encoded at periodic time instants of a known period for eliminating an undesired amplitude error in the received waveform, where the error is slowly varying with respect to the known periods and recovering the desired periodic time instants. A delay element for delaying the received waveform by an amount equal to the period is included and a subtracting element for comparing the received waveform with the delayed waveform, and providing a timing recovery signal with zero crossing substantially less corrupted by the undesired amplitude error, and an averaging circuitry operating on the timing recovery signal for purposes of recovering the desired periodic time instants aids in recovering data in the presence of error transients.

Abstract: A spark ignition system for a vehicle produces pulses representing the engine crankshaft angle. These pulses are counted, and compared with a datum signal which varies in accordance with engine conditions. When the two signals compared are equalled, then a spark is produced.