Abstract: A network-based service creation platform automates and simplifies many tasks associated with defining new network service offerings to network users, publishing the new service offerings to the users, handling the subscription and registration of subscribers to the new service, billing for the service, and otherwise managing the service. In one embodiment, once a user is authenticated a first time, the user is then automatically authenticated for multiple network-based services without having to perform separate manual logins for each service. Moreover, the user is authenticated for a plurality of networking devices and/or computing devices used to provide the services.

Abstract: A method of controlling an engine 12 during engine shutdown to reduce evaporative emissions is provided. The method includes a step 50 of shutting off a fuel pump 28 of the engine 12. The method also includes a step 52 of burning off the fuel from a fuel rail 24 in a cylinder 18 of the engine 12 after the fuel pump 28 is shut off. During the burning off of the fuel, a duty cycle of each fuel injector 22of engine 12 is controlled to allow the engine 12 to operate generally cyclically about a predetermined air/fuel ratio. The predetermined air/fuel ratio is preferably stoichiometric. By burning off the fuel in the fuel rail 24 after the fuel pump 28 is shut off, the fuel pressure in the fuel rail 24 is reduced. The reduced fuel pressure in the fuel rail 24results in reduced evaporative emissions from the engine 12.

Abstract: A “policy distribution point” (PDP) allows service drivers to be installed remotely and automatically without rebooting the PDP or otherwise interrupting existing network-based services. The exposure of sensitive configuration data to non-secure networks is minimized by placing PDPs close to the devices to be configured. Service drivers on the PDP can be reused to configure multiple devices of the same type. The PDP receives an “activation” and uses a service driver on the PDP to translate the activation into “device-specific instructions.” The device-specific instructions are sent to a device and configure the device to set up the network-based service. One or more PDPs can be used to configure both computing device and networking devices to provide a single service.

Abstract: A system and method automates and simplifies tasks associated with setting up a user self-activating network-based service. A configurable input engine is configured to define the service. The service may, for example, use a plurality of networking devices and/or computing devices. After the service is defined, an offer of the service is published to a user. The offer includes values of commercial terms and/or values of configuration parameters associated with the offer. Upon receiving an acceptance of the offer from the user, the configurable input engine automatically generates activations for the devices to be used by the service. The activations are sent to policy distribution points (PDPs) where the activations are translated into device-specific instructions. The device-specific instructions are in turn sent to the devices (networking devices and/or computing devices) to be configured. The device-specific instructions configure the devices, thereby automatically setting up the service for the user.

Abstract: A system for securing a rail to a concrete railroad tie employing a two-piece insulator spacer that improves the resistance of the insulator spacer to the crushing deterioration induced by laterally-directed compressive forces during service. The insulator spacer comprises an upper member and a post member. The post member is subjected to high compressive loads in service and consists of composite material that is sufficiently electrically insulating to operably electrically insulate the rail with which the insulator spacer is in contact from the shoulder insert with which the improved insulator spacer is also in contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines that the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel and spark within the engine to create combustion. Measuring devices are then used to determine the ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark gap in the engine. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured ion current/breakdown voltage exceeds a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel flow and spark within the engine to create combustion. A measuring device is then used to determine the crankshaft speed. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured variations in crankshaft speed exceed a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is determined to be occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.

Abstract: A method of determining an operating state of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid electric vehicle drive system comprising an internal combustion engine having an output shaft which is coupled to a generator. The engine includes a fuel injector responsive to a fuel command. The method comprises the steps of determining an ON/OFF status of the fuel command and determining the generator torque. The generator torque provides an indication of the actual engine torque. An engine running flag is set ON when the fuel command is ON and the generator torque value is greater than a predetermined value. Otherwise, the engine running flag is set OFF.

Abstract: A central Service Creation Platform (SCP) is located at the service provider's premises. The SCP gives service providers a common platform from which to create and deploy new services, manage services, and record and aggregate billing records. The SCP includes a (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) LDAP database that stores policies associated with the various distributed network elements. The SCP is connected to Service Delivery Agents (SDAs) distributed throughout the network, which in turn are connected to Managed Elements (MEs). The MEs are hardware or software elements that provide the services to users. The SDAs control the MEs and, depending on the type of ME, can monitor the activity of the ME.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include processing for providing reliable internetworking services that begins by determining whether identified internetworking resources and identified intranetworking resources provide a reliable intranetworking service. For example, the internetworking service may be a communication, data transfer, file share, etc., between two or more users affiliated with different networks. The identified intranetworking resources are those links within each network to support the communication (i.e., the internetworking service) and the identified internetworking resources are those that couple the networks. The processing continues by determining whether the reliable internetworking service cannot be provided due to a failure of one of the identified intranetworking resource. When this occurs, the identified internetworking resources that are associated with the failed intranetworking resource are flagged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel flow and spark within the engine to create combustion. A measuring device is then used to determine the crankshaft speed. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured variations in crankshaft speed exceed a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is determined to be occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining “engine on” status in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. A controller determines that the engine is necessary and then checks the current “engine on” status. If the engine is not currently running, the controller proceeds to start the engine by commanding the generator to spin or “motor” the engine. The controller then starts fuel and spark within the engine to create combustion. Measuring devices are then used to determine the ion current/breakdown voltage across a spark gap in the engine. The controller receives this measurement and determines whether the measured ion current/breakdown voltage exceeds a calibratable threshold. If the calibratable threshold is exceeded, combustion is occurring and the engine is on. The controller then turns on the “engine on” status flag.

Abstract: A system for securing a rail to a concrete railroad tie employing an improved insulator spacer that improves the resistance of the insulator spacer to the crushing deterioration induced by laterally-directed compressive forces during service. The improved insulator spacer has at least one composite insert located in an area that is subjected to high compressive loads in service. The composite insert or inserts are sufficiently electrically insulating to operably electrically insulate the rail the improved insulator spacer is in contact with from the shoulder insert the improved insulator spacer is also in contact with.

Abstract: A releasable joint for joining two construction elements of a transportable construction. Also a construction element adapted for use in making the releasable joint, and a construction, such as a portable building or stage assembly, comprising a plurality of construction elements joined by the releasable joint.

Abstract: A system for spraying accurately controlled quantities of a liquid mixture of two or more fluids from a plurality of fixedly positioned spray nozzles is disclosed. The nozzles are spaced to provide a substantially uniform flow pattern over a predetermined width. The fluids are supplied to separate manifolds and are distributed to the nozzles by separate feed lines running from the manifolds. All of the feed lines from a given manifold are of equal length to maintain essentially identical pressure drops. A holding tank is provided in the line between a fluid supply and its manifold to provide a fixed static pressure head from which to draw fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber testing device for thermomechanical testing of fibers which preferably includes a linear step motor coupled to a first fiber gripping jaw. A second fiber gripping jaw is positioned in linear relation to the first gripping jaw and is coupled to a load cell. Advantageously, the apparatus includes a chamber for maintaining a fiber test specimen in a substantially thermally isolated environment during testing of the fiber. A heating means and a cooling means are connected to the chamber. The heating means and cooling means are controlled by a control means which also controls the position of the linear step motor. The fiber testing device of the invention is capable of performing complicated mechanical and thermal fiber testing protocals without operator involvement except for initiation of the testing sequence.