Abstract: A method for manufacturing, transporting and installing on a building site a prefabricated structure made of reinforced concrete for the replacement of a structure such as a manhole, access chamber, access vault, junction box or other, which is buried in the ground and is part of an underground network such as a sewer, aqueduct, gas, electrical distribution, telecommunications, cable television and the like. In this method, concrete is poured in factory against the external surfaces of an integrated removable handling system, which is used as top part of a mold for manufacturing the prefabricated structure. The handling system is fixed to the prefabricated structure in a removable manner. The handling system remains in place during the subsequent steps of unmoulding, transporting and installing the prefabricated structure to the building site. Finally, once the installation is completed, the handling system is removed from the structure.

Abstract: A goggle lens comprises a first surface (210) and a second surface (220) separated by a thickness (230, 240) of the goggle lens. The goggle lens is made up of a central region (121), a first lateral region (122) on a first side of the central region, and a second lateral region (123) on an opposite side of the central region. The first surface of the goggle lens is a portion of a first ellipse (211) and the second surface of the goggle lens is a portion of a second ellipse (221). The goggle lens complies with at least one of a MIL-PRF-31013 standard, a EA-L-1381B standard, and a FNS/PD 86-20 standard, all of which define particular specifications for impact resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a framing system devised to fit around cables and conduits entering into a concrete structure via an opening through which one wants to pour concrete. The system includes angle-bars, modules fitting into each other and panels. In practice, one incorporates the anchor sleeves in the concrete structure on two opposite sides of the opening where the cables or conduits extend. The angle-bars are then connected to these anchor sleeves. The modules which have recesses adapted to the geometry and size of the cables or conduits, are subsequently attached to the angle-bars. After the cables or conduits are covered with plastic tubes, the panels may be installed outside the structure to complete the framing and concrete may be injected through the opening.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing, transporting and installing on a building site a prefabricated structure made of reinforced concrete for the replacement of a structure such as a manhole, access chamber, access vault, junction box or other, which is buried in the ground and is part of an underground network such as a sewer, aqueduct, gas, electrical distribution, telecommunications, cable television and the like. In this method, concrete is poured in factory against the external surfaces of an integrated removable handling system, which is used as top part of a mold for manufacturing the prefabricated structure. The handling system is fixed to the prefabricated structure in a removable manner. The handling system remains in place during the subsequent steps of unmoulding, transporting and installing the prefabricated structure to the building site. Finally, once the installation is completed, the handling system is removed from the structure.

Abstract: A visual indicator includes a solar panel, a rechargeable battery operatively connected to the solar panel for charging the rechargeable battery with power from the solar panel, a light emitting diode (LED) operatively connected to the rechargeable battery to emit light, and a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable battery and the LED to control operating characteristics of the LED. A method of operating a visual sensor includes recharging a battery from a solar panel, emitting light with a light emitting diode (LED) from power provided by the battery, sensing ambient light conditions proximate to the visual sensor, varying an intensity of light emitted from the LED based on the sensed ambient light conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus in a spatially distributed, multicomponent audio system uses an ultrasonic test signal for function assurance. The signal is detected in multiple signal routing devices within the audio system. Each device is equipped with a sensor that detects the test signal. A centralized polling station receives a test report from a device and generates a status report. The testing can be performed at scheduled intervals or by operator command. The results can be displayed graphically where the public address system supports this, and can include alerting processes in event of a fault.

Abstract: In a system for performing public-address announcing, a software implementable process integrates the functions of a processor equipped with a graphical user interface, a communications interconnection system, one or more dedicated control devices, and a multiplicity of sound emitters. The process allows a user to automatically reconfigure the control devices while maintaining detailed display of status and configuration, thereby obviating manual operations for configuration and control.

Abstract: A digitally enabled speaker amplifier system not only offers substantial numbers of analog loudspeaker outputs in response to a command to emit a selected tone or alarm signal but also supports regionalized and unit-by-unit control of the selected signals. The functionality disclosed herein further allows external command signals to configure a master system panel that controls the speaker amplifier system.

Abstract: A software-based initialization method allows a user to initialize a speaker amplifier system panel rapidly and reliably. An inventive routine uses a personal computer to generate the command sequences required for a master system panel and any number of satellite and extended satellite system panels configured at user option, allowing previously determined features of the speaker amplifier system to be accommodated without reference to procedure charts or lookup tables. The improved method reduces training time and avoids error-prone manual initialization procedures.

Abstract: A programmable event driver/interface has timekeeping and scheduling functions and tone and voice capabilities. A software-based interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. System state of health can be ascertained periodically for each annunciator, displayed in a visual summary, stored, and time tagged. Both tones and audio signals such as voice and radio can be commanded to be output by individual annunciators as well as by zones and by all annunciators at once. Schedules, including time-of day, day-of week, and date for annunciator outputs can be programmed for any or all annunciators.

Abstract: A floating bench saw guide for guiding a portable circular saw along a workpiece while sawing the workpiece, has a cradle for retaining a portable circular saw, a saw plane across the cradle, and a guide lip movably affixed to the cradle. A pair of gage blocks are affixed to the cradle along the saw plane. The gage blocks are advantageous for allowing the use of a straight edge for easily positioning the blade of a circular saw along the saw plane. In another feature of the invention, a pair of spaced-apart parallel rails are affixed to the cradle. The guide lip is movably affixed to the rails and is reversible relative to the saw plane. The guide lip overhangs its mountings to the rails such that it is positional relative to the saw plane over a distance which is longer than the length of the rails.

Abstract: A floating bench saw guide for guiding a portable circular saw along a workpiece while sawing the workpiece, has a cradle for retaining a portable circular saw, a saw plane across the cradle, and a guide lip movably affixed to the cradle. A pair of gage blocks are affixed to the cradle along the saw plane. The gage blocks are advantageous for allowing the use of a straight edge for easily positioning the blade of a circular saw along the saw plane. In another feature of the invention, a pair of spaced-apart parallel rails are affixed to the cradle. The guide lip is movably affixed to the rails and is reversible relative to the saw plane. The guide lip overhangs its mountings to the rails such that it is positional relative to the saw plane over a distance which is longer than the length of the rails.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chimney access structure which is particularly well adapted for use in grounds subject to freezing. This structure incorporates chimney provided with an upper end on which is mounted an adaptor provided with a vertical through-hole and with a countersink hole of greater diameter that the through-hole. The countersink hole is preferably frusto-conical and extends coaxially within the through-hole at a given depth from the upper face of the adaptor. This countersink hole defines a sleeve with upper portion of the adaptor which is provided with an inwardly projecting flexible sealing ring. A floating head is slidably mounted into the sleeve. This head has a vertical through-hole coaxial with the one of the adaptor. The floating head also has a lower portion provided with an outer lateral surface whose shape and size are selected to fit into the countersink hole of the adaptor and sealingly slide within the same thanks to the sealing ring.

Abstract: A rotary/reciprocating liquid dispensing pump for dispensing liquids in the nanoliter range has a narrow radial slot extending longitudinally from an end of a reciprocating, rotating cylindrical piston sliding in a smooth cylindrical bore of a pump housing at a closed end thereof, which slot extends outwardly to the periphery of the piston. The piston is selectively positioned in alignment with one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced small diameter radial passages within the housing opening directly to the cylindrical bore in the path of rotation of said slot. The ports thereof opening to the cylindrical bore are spaced circumferentially a distance in excess of the width of the slot. A linear liquid dispensing pump apparatus including such pump includes a stepping motor and an electromagnetic clutch/braking mechanism concentrically surrounding a lead screw, and the lead screw is threadably engaged with a stepping motor tubular rotor shaft.