Abstract: Marine electronic device thermal transfer assemblies and methods of assembling same. A marine electronic device includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the second housing portion releasably coupled with the first housing portion to define an enclosed space therein. Marine electronics are disposed within the enclosed space and include at least one heat source component. The at least one heat source component is spaced apart from the second housing portion by a first distance. A substrate is disposed between the at least one heat source component and the second housing portion, and a graphite-based thermal transfer material is disposed between the at least one heat source component and the substrate and between the substrate and the second housing portion. The thermal transfer material defines a heat transfer path along the thermal transfer material from the at least one heat source component to the second housing portion.

Abstract: A retrofit assembly for installing a fuel quality sensor with a fuel level probe having a shaft extending through a tank interface into a fuel storage tank. The shaft, which comprises a magnetostrictive element extending therealong, is coupled with the fuel quality sensor. An isolation sheath is sized for receipt over the shaft and to extend between the fuel quality sensor and the tank interface. The sheath has a cross-sectional profile configured to define at least one passage between the sheath and the shaft when the sheath is received over the shaft. The passage(s) extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the sheath. Also provided is a product-level float comprising at least one product-level magnet for measuring the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank. The product-level float is configured to translate along the sheath with the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A retrofit assembly for installing a fuel quality sensor with a fuel level probe having a shaft extending through a tank interface into a fuel storage tank. The shaft, which comprises a magnetostrictive element extending therealong, is coupled with the fuel quality sensor. An isolation sheath is sized for receipt over the shaft and to extend between the fuel quality sensor and the tank interface. The sheath has a cross-sectional profile configured to define at least one passage between the sheath and the shaft when the sheath is received over the shaft. The passage(s) extend between a proximal end and a distal end of the sheath. Also provided is a product-level float comprising at least one product-level magnet for measuring the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank. The product-level float is configured to translate along the sheath with the level of fuel in the fuel storage tank.

Abstract: A variable decision threshold apparatus includes a comparator for receiving the electrical signal and for comparing it to a threshold level. A signal strength monitor monitors the strength of the electrical signal and a scaler scales the decision threshold level to the measured amplitude of the electrical signal so that the percentage set as the threshold level is maintained.

Abstract: An avalanche photodiode having an operating voltage greater than a DC power supply rail is connected to the rail via a controlled DC-DC converter having an output voltage that drives the photodiode and meets the photodiode voltage supply needs. A measure of the current flowing from the rail to the converter determines the value of a control signal for the converter output voltage. The photodiode current is computed from the current measure and the control signal value.

Abstract: A web-based business-condition reporting system that enables a plurality of users to enter into a database, via an Intranet or the Internet, status information as to the impact of an event on performance of a business entity. The information can be retrieved for analysis from a plurality of disparate locations.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an electronic assembly that has a circuit board and an electrical component includes laying a first terminal of the electrical component upon a conductive region of the circuit board, providing solder paste contacting the first terminal of the component and the circuit board, and heating the solder paste so as to liquefy the solder paste thereby permitting a second terminal of the component to rise above the first terminal so as to erect the component substantially perpendicular to the conductive region. The method further includes curing the liquefied solder paste in order to fix the first terminal of the component to the conductive region of the circuit board.

Abstract: 1) Fungicidal compositions comprising: a) at least one pyridylmethylbenzamide derivative of formula (I): in which the various radicals are as defined in the description, and b) at least one compound (II), which is propamocarb. 2) Method of curatively or preventively combating phytopathogenic fungi in crops, characterized in that an effective, nonphytotoxic amount of one of these fungicidal compositions is applied to the aerial parts of the plants.

Abstract: A variable decision threshold apparatus includes a comparator for receiving the electrical signal and for comparing it to a threshold level. A signal strength monitor monitors the strength of the electrical signal and a scaler scales the decision threshold level to the measured amplitude of the electrical signal so that the percentage set as the threshold level is maintained.

Abstract: In an optical communications system, it is known for system diagnosis, to label a data stream with a data tag signal comprising information such as the originating laser device of the data stream. In order to recover the data tag signal from the data stream it is known to remove the data tag signal using a sense resistor in the voltage bias path of a photodetector employed to receive the data stream. Such a method complicates accurate biasing of the photodetector. The present invention therefore provides a data tag recovery apparatus (50) comprising a photodetector (54) to receive an optical signal (120) comprising a data input signal and a data tag input signal. The photodetector (54) is coupled to an amplifier (58) having outputs (60, 62) coupled to a data output module (64) and a data tag output module (90) arranged to recover the data input signal and the data tag input signal respectively from the data path of the photodetector (54).

Abstract: An avalanche photodiode having an operating voltage greater than a DC power supply rail is connected to the rail via a controlled DC-DC converter having an output voltage that drives the photodiode and meets the photodiode voltage supply needs. A measure of the current flowing from the rail to the converter determines the value of a control signal for the converter output voltage. The photodiode current is computed from the current measure and the control signal value.

Abstract: Apparatus for optical communications, the apparatus being adapted for mounting on a circuit pack and including, as a single, self-contained module, circuitry comprising at least one of an optical receiver for converting a received optical signal into a received electrical signal and an optical transmitter for converting an electrical transmission signal into an optical transmission signal, at least one electrical connector for conveying at least one of said received electrical signal and said electrical transmission signal, and at least one optical connector for conveying at least one of said received optical signal and said optical transmission signal. The circuitry further comprises at least an optical detector for detecting said received optical signal based on a decision level, and the receiver includes at least one decision block having a selectively variable decision level.