Abstract: A packaged fused-fiber device includes a fused-fiber device having at least one input fiber and at least one output fiber, and a fused portion between the input fiber and output fiber. A concave shaped substrate has an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein a minimum distance from the inside surface to the outside surface that is generally set by the substrate thickness is substantially constant throughout the substrate. An affixment material secures the first and second ends of the fused portion to the inside surface of the substrate. A thermally conductive housing is in thermal contact with the outside surface of the substrate. In one embodiment the substrate has an L-shaped cross section and the housing is a hollow housing that has a rectangular cross section.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for client development. Some embodiments may include receiving a client roster for an entity, the client roster including a plurality of clients, receiving client billing data for the plurality of clients, and computing billing trend data for the plurality of clients. Similarly, some embodiments are further configured to generate a user interface for display that provides the billing trend data according to a plurality of fields. The user interface may include a filtering user option to alter the user interface by filtering at least one of the plurality of fields and a report option to generate a report that comprises at least a portion of the billing trend data. Similarly, some embodiments are configured to generate the report in response to selection of the report option and alter the report in response to selection of the filtering user option.

Abstract: A stopper rod comprises an elongate body having an inlet at an upper first end and an outlet at a lower second end. The second end of the body defining a nose for insertion into a tundish outlet. A continuous axial bore extends through the body from the inlet in the first end to the outlet in the second end. A restrictor having an inlet, an outlet and a passageway therebetween, is positioned in the axial bore such that the inlet of the restrictor is closer to the first end than the second end. A gas supply conduit is arranged to supply gas into the axial bore above the inlet of the restrictor.

Abstract: Seal, particularly for use with a ladle shroud in the casting of molten metal from a ladle, having an intumescent composition containing expandable graphite from which some, but not all, of interstitial water present therein has been removed. The interstitial water can be driven off from known expandable graphite by heating it to between approximately 230° C. and 280° C. for approximately 30 minutes. Once part of its interstitial water has been removed, the expandable graphite is used to produce the intumescent composition, which is then formed/shaped into the required seal.

Abstract: Oil-water dispersions and emulsions derived from petroleum industry operations are demulsified and clarified using anionic polymers. Formation of such oil-water dispersion and emulsions is inhibited and mitigated using the anionic polymers. The anionic polymers comprise: A) 2-80% by weight of at least one C3-C8 ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer; B) 15-80% by weight of at least one nonionic, copolymerizable ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; C) 1-50% by weight of one or more of the following monomers: C1) at least one nonionic vinyl surfactant ester; or C2) at least one nonionic, copolymerizable ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated monomer having longer polymer chains than monomer B), or C3) at least one nonionic urethane monomer; and, optionally, D) 0-5% by weight of at least one crosslinker.

Abstract: A packaged fused-fiber device includes a fused-fiber device having at least one input fiber and at least one output fiber, and a fused portion between the input fiber and output fiber. A concave shaped substrate has an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein a minimum distance from the inside surface to the outside surface that is generally set by the substrate thickness is substantially constant throughout the substrate. An affixment material secures the first and second ends of the fused portion to the inside surface of the substrate. A thermally conductive housing is in thermal contact with the outside surface of the substrate. In one embodiment the substrate has an L-shaped cross section and the housing is a hollow housing that has a rectangular cross section.

Abstract: A quasi-PM fused optical coupler device and method for forming the same. The optical coupler device includes a first polarization maintaining (PM) input section providing a first PM input for the fused optical coupler device for receiving a linearly polarized signal and a first PM input section output. A non-PM fiber including fusion region has an input optically coupled to the first PM input section output, the fusion region including a fusion region output. A first intermediate non-PM output and a second intermediate non-PM output are both optically coupled to the fusion region output. A first support structure is provided for securing the fusion region thereto, wherein the first intermediate non-PM output includes a cleaved output near an outer edge of the first support structure to provide a shortened first intermediate non-PM output.

Abstract: One embodiment of a locking device for first and second mold plates of an injection molding machine comprises a base attached to the first mold plate, the base having first and second bores extending therethrough, the first and second bores having first and second bore centerlines, respectively, wherein the first bore centerline substantially intersects the second bore centerline, an actuator having an actuator first end, wherein the actuator is within the first bore, a member which at least partly covers the first bore, a biasing element between the actuator and the member, a block attached to the second mold plate, the block having a projection with projection first and second ends and a projection longitudinal axis, wherein the projection first end is substantially rigidly connected to the block, wherein the projection second end fits within the second bore, the projection second end comprising a projection contact surface.

Abstract: A seal, particularly for use with a ladle shroud in the casting of molten metal from a ladle, comprises an intumescent composition containing expandable graphite from which some, but not all, of interstitial water present therein has been removed. The interstitial water can be driven off from known expandable graphite by heating it to between approximately 230° C. and 280° C. for approximately 30 minutes. Once part of its interstitial water has been removed, the expandable graphite is used to produce the intumescent composition, which is then formed/shaped into the required seal.

Abstract: A method and a computer program product that enable an existing operating system (OS) to provide a non-failure response to an application's reference to an OS service that is not currently defined/available within the existing OS. The loader of the OS responds to each reference to an undefined service by mapping the reference to an undefined service response utility (USRU). USRU is a specialized service designed to provide a response that a requested service is not yet available. When the OS loader detects that an application is referring to an OS service that is undefined, the OS loader resolves the reference to the USRU, which, when invoked returns an indication that the requested service is not yet available.

Abstract: A networkable engine-generator control system for use with mobile generators mounted on a frame with ground engaging wheels enabling air transport. Each control system consists of a microprocessor based controller and associated field inputs and outputs. Each processor also includes asynchronous communications allowing it to poll external devices from one port and communicate over a network out of another port. Each onboard generator is operated based on runtime hours and system load. The controller monitors engine and generator parameters and makes this information available to an operator using an external monitoring software package. Local operation of each generator is also available on the trailer itself. When operated in conjunction with other systems any one of the controllers may be made the master. The other controllers then automatically are polled by the master. The master coordinates generator operations on all networked systems. The frame utilizing a spine truss and outer frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thickening composition comprising a “co-processed” combination of modified starch and flour. In addition, the invention relates to the process for providing such “ready-for-use” compositions and the improved food products prepared from the co-processed compositions.

Abstract: A networkable engine-generator control system for use with mobile generators mounted on a frame with ground engaging wheels enabling air transport. Each control system consists of a microprocessor based controller and associated field inputs and outputs. Each processor also includes asynchronous communications allowing it to poll external devices from one port and communicate over a network out of another port. Each onboard generator is operated based on runtime hours and system load. The controller monitors engine and generator parameters and makes this information available to an operator using an external monitoring software package. Local operation of each generator is also available on the trailer itself. When operated in conjunction with other systems any one of the controllers may be made the master. The other controllers then automatically are polled by the master. The master coordinates generator operations on all networked systems. The frame utilizing a spine truss and outer frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thickening composition comprising a “co-processed” combination of modified starch and flour. In addition, the invention relates to the process for providing such “ready-for-use” compositions and the improved food products prepared from the co-processed compositions.

Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.

Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.

Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.

Abstract: A spring assembly having a coil containing a core and methods and apparatus for manufacturing same are disclosed. The coil includes a core between reduced portions of the coil. One device for manufacturing the coil includes a coiling machine having an insert device operable with a coiler. The coiler is programmed to form coils of appropriate diameter along the length of the coil, including a diameter sufficiently large to contain the core and two diameters sufficiently small to retain the core in the coil. The insert device transfers the core to the coil after the first small diameter is formed and before the second small diameter is formed. The coil with the core contained between the two small diameters is thereby manufactured in a unified automated process.

Abstract: A one piece positive contact bowling ball retriever device, having no moving parts. It is secured to the inside of the ball return wheel and circum rotates with the wheel. It has a lead finger guide designed to assist in the differentiating of pins and the ball, as the pins go their way the lead finger guide captures, guides and holds the ball in its concave radius to be lifted and deposited in one smooth continuous flowing motion for subsequent discharge into the bowling ball return. This positive contact device nether contributes to nor is it affected by slippage and drag caused by the oil and dust normally associated with automatic bowling machinery. By using this positive contact device, ball friction will no longer have to be artificially supplied by the use of temporary rubber ball kickers and the machine r.p.m.s can be reduced for longer equipment life and more economical operation. Ball retriever 1 eliminates the need for manufactures to friction compensate by operating at 36 r.p.