Abstract: The present teachings is generally directed to facilitating satellite and terrestrial internet communications. In some embodiments, configuration information for configuring a communications device may be retrieved. The configuration information may be provided to the communications device, and the communications device may be caused to be configured based on the configuration information. Responsive to receiving a first data signal from a first satellite, the communications device may be configured to generate and output a second data signal based on the first data signal, the first data signal including first data encoded using one or more space-based communication protocols, and the second data including second data encoded using one or more terrestrial-based communication protocols.

Abstract: A connection system for one or more heating cables includes an end termination plug and a module. The end termination plug is configured to be coupled to an end of a heating cable and includes a plug body portion configured to electrically connect to a conductor of the heating cable and an end plug portion adjacent the plug body portion. The module includes a mating plug portion configured to plug into the end plug portion of the end termination plug, electrically and mechanically coupling together the end termination plug and the module, and a module body portion comprising a sensor.

Abstract: The present teachings is generally directed to facilitating satellite and terrestrial internet communications. In some embodiments, configuration information for configuring a communications device may be retrieved. The configuration information may be provided to the communications device, and the communications device may be caused to be configured based on the configuration information. Responsive to receiving a first data signal from a first satellite, the communications device may be configured to generate and output a second data signal based on the first data signal, the first data signal including first data encoded using one or more space-based communication protocols, and the second data including second data encoded using one or more terrestrial-based communication protocols.

Abstract: The present teachings is generally directed to facilitating satellite and terrestrial internet communications. In some embodiments, configuration information for configuring a communications device may be retrieved. The configuration information may be provided to the communications device, and the communications device may be caused to be configured based on the configuration information. Responsive to receiving a first data signal from a first satellite, the communications device may be configured to generate and output a second data signal based on the first data signal, the first data signal including first data encoded using one or more space-based communication protocols, and the second data including second data encoded using one or more terrestrial-based communication protocols.

Abstract: The present teachings is generally directed to facilitating satellite and terrestrial internet communications. In some embodiments, configuration information for configuring a communications device may be retrieved. The configuration information may be provided to the communications device, and the communications device may be caused to be configured based on the configuration information. Responsive to receiving a first data signal from a first satellite, the communications device may be configured to generate and output a second data signal based on the first data signal, the first data signal including first data encoded using one or more space-based communication protocols, and the second data including second data encoded using one or more terrestrial-based communication protocols.

Abstract: The present teachings is generally directed to facilitating satellite and terrestrial internet communications. In some embodiments, configuration information for configuring a communications device may be retrieved. The configuration information may be provided to the communications device, and the communications device may be caused to be configured based on the configuration information. Responsive to receiving a first data signal from a first satellite, the communications device may be configured to generate and output a second data signal based on the first data signal, the first data signal including first data encoded using one or more space-based communication protocols, and the second data including second data encoded using one or more terrestrial-based communication protocols.

Abstract: The present teachings is generally directed to facilitating satellite and terrestrial internet communications. In some embodiments, configuration information for configuring a communications device may be retrieved. The configuration information may be provided to the communications device, and the communications device may be caused to be configured based on the configuration information. Responsive to receiving a first data signal from a first satellite, the communications device may be configured to generate and output a second data signal based on the first data signal, the first data signal including first data encoded using one or more space-based communication protocols, and the second data including second data encoded using one or more terrestrial-based communication protocols.

Abstract: Mine dust in underground coal mines is potentially explosive and must be sampled and tested for sufficient inert content regularly. The present invention comprises a pneumatic mine dust sampling instrument equipped with a specially designed nozzle arrangement that delivers a controlled pulse of air which entrains the mine dust, similar to the entrainment process that happens during a mine explosion. The entrained mine dust can then be collected and tested for compliance with applicable federal standards.

Abstract: Solid state lasers emitting at first and a second wavelengths include an additional a conversion amplifier for converting photons having the first wavelength into photons having the second wavelength, thereby improving output efficiency of a preferred wavelength. Erbium lasing materials such as erbium doped garnets and fluorides, are employed, along with the conversion amplifier formed of a transition metal doped II-VI semiconductor, e.g., Cr:ZnSe.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the properties of an electrical grid including an electrical connector for coupling to the electrical grid through a wall socket, a detector for detecting at least one property of electricity provided by the electrical grid, a receiver for receiving clock signals, and a sampler for sampling a respective detected property and recording sampled values in a memory, wherein the variation of the values with time represents a waveform of the respective property and the sampler samples at a rate sufficient to record variations of the property within a period of the waveform, wherein the device associates at least a portion of the sampled values with at least one clock signal.

Abstract: Mine dust in underground coal mines is potentially explosive and must be sampled and tested for sufficient inert content regularly. The present invention comprises a pneumatic mine dust sampling instrument equipped with a specially designed nozzle arrangement that delivers a controlled pulse of air which entrains the mine dust, similar to the entrainment process that happens during a mine explosion. The entrained mine dust can then be collected and tested for compliance with applicable federal standards.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the properties of an electrical grid including an electrical connector for coupling to the electrical grid through a wall socket, a detector for detecting at least one property of electricity provided by the electrical grid, a receiver for receiving clock signals, and a sampler for sampling a respective detected property and recording sampled values in a memory, wherein the variation of the values with time represents a waveform of the respective property and the sampler samples at a rate sufficient to record variations of the property within a period of the waveform, wherein the device associates at least a portion of the sampled values with at least one clock signal.