Abstract: An Internet Protocol address manager creates data containers for managing Internet Protocol addresses. Each data container can store one or more address blocks of Internet Protocol addresses and includes a container policy for managing the address blocks. Additionally, the Internet Protocol address manager creates links between the data containers to organize the data containers into a container hierarchy. The Internet Protocol address manager can then allocate the address blocks or portions thereof among the data containers in the container hierarchy according to the container policies. Moreover, each data container can be associated with a network or subnet of a computer network. Further, the Internet Protocol address manager can allocate or assign multiple Internet Protocol addresses of multiple Internet Protocol versions to subnets or hosts in the computer network.

Abstract: A method for determining damage in a structural health monitoring system comprising a plurality of sensors distributed across a structure is disclosed. The method includes decomposing the plurality of sensors into a plurality of sub-arrays. Each sub-array is associated with a current sensor. For each sub-array, data is collected, the data corresponding to electrical signals produced by waves initiated by the current sensor and detected by a receiving sensor. The data is used to calculate a damage measurement for the sub-array. Then, the damage measurement determined for each sub-array is combined to determining an overall damage assessment from the combined damage measurements.

Abstract: A structural health management system is disclosed. The structural health management system comprises a zone of sensors. A first sensor data collector is coupled to a first subset of the sensors in the zone; and a second sensor data collector coupled to a second subset of the sensors in the zone. In the present invention, loss of a sensor data collector does not result in the loss of ability to perform nondestructive testing in an entire zone.

Abstract: In the present invention, a method is provided for installing and locating a plurality of sensors distributed on a structure as part of a structural health monitoring system. The method includes verifying the proper installation of the plurality of sensors and determining the location of the plurality of sensors. In one aspect of the present invention, the step of verifying the proper installation further comprises verifying that each of the plurality of sensors are properly coupled to a sensor data collector and verifying that each of the plurality of sensors are installed in a proper location. In another aspect of the present invention, the step of determining the location of the plurality of sensors further comprises determining the positioning of each sensor in reference to fixed structures in the structure.

Abstract: Caster assemblies and a method of operating a caster assembly is provided. In some aspects, the caster assembly includes a housing, a plate movably positioned within the housing between a retracted position and an extended position, the plate in the extended position being parallel to the plate in the retracted position, a caster wheel rotatably coupled to the plate, and a cam arm pivotally coupled to the housing, the cam arm is pivotable to cam against the plate to move the plate from its retracted position to its extended position. In some aspects, the caster assembly includes a housing, a plate movable within the housing and having two ends, a caster wheel rotatably coupled to the plate, and a cam arm pivotally coupled to the housing to pivot relative to the housing, the cam arm cams against the plate to move the two ends of the plate vertically downward relative to the housing.

Abstract: A conduit coupling device for joining conduits including a lock ring, a lock nut and a body, the body have an end adapted to receive the lock nut and the lock ring. The lock ring has an anti-shear and pull-out resisting construction adapted for resisting lock ring shear and conduit pull-out. The lock nut is adapted to receive the lock ring and compress the lock ring onto the conduit as the lock nut is received by the body end. The lock ring has proximal and distal ends with a bore being adapted to receive the conduit said bore having an inner surface F with an inner liner bonded to the inner surface of the bore. The anti-shear and pull-out resistant construction may include the inner liner having sawtooth ridges or grit particles to help resist lock ring shear and conduit pull-out and convert the conduit pull-out force to a shear force. In addition, the lock ring may include an annular flared rim forming an annular, concave shear engagement surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a container, mixing the contents contained in the container, and cleaning the container by removing its contents using a single tool. In removing the contents, the tool has a sharpened edge with a radial curvature for scraping the sides of the container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a safety belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.

Abstract: An applicator head apparatus disposable on the end of a handle, including an applicator valve and a wiper head. The applicator valve further including a socket mounted on the wiper head and a coupling assembly with one end connected to the handle and the other end having a cylinder member rotatably mounted in the socket, the applicator valve having a first position preventing flow and a second position permitting flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening a container, mixing the contents contained in the container, and cleaning the container by removing its contents using a single tool. In removing the contents, the tool has a sharpened edge with a radial curvature for scraping the sides of the container.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling data congestion affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network. The system and method employs a congestion detector adapted to determine that data congestion exists in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and a congestion controller, adapted to control downlinking of data from the network controller to at least one select group of the user terminals and uplinking of data from at least one select group of the user terminals to the network controller, in response to the data congestion. The congestion controller and control downlinking and uplinking of data to and from the select group or groups of terminals based on criteria such as user terminals which are all located within a single uplink cell or user terminals which are located within all uplink cells in said network.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling interference affecting user terminals in a communications network, such as satellite terminals in a satellite communications network, by establishing and using virtual cells which are independent of the cells formed by the spot beams generated by the satellite. The system and method employs an interference detector which is adapted to detect interference in the network which interferes with an ability of at least one user terminal to communicate in the network, and an interference source identifier which is adapted to identify a source of the interference by deactivating at least one select group of the user terminals based on criteria independent of the respective cell or cells in which the user terminals reside, to locate those terminals whose ability to communicate in the network is being interfered with by the detected interference.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the availability of a satellite communications system is provided. A spare satellite is brought online by loading updated software in the satellite while the satellite is moving toward a new orbital position. The time required to bring the spare satellite into operation, and therefore restore service in the communication system, is thereby reduced.

Abstract: An applicator head apparatus disposable on the end of a handle, including an applicator valve and a wiper head. The applicator valve further including a socket mounted on the wiper head and a coupling assembly with one end connected to the handle and the other end having a cylinder member rotatably mounted in the socket, the applicator valve having a first position preventing flow and a second position permitting flow.

Abstract: A transport mechanism for open or closed flap diskettes is provided wherein the diskettes are singulated and withdrawn from the bottom of a stack of diskettes disposed in a hopper, transported to a work station where the diskette is duplicated and tested, then withdrawn from the work station and deposited in one of several bins depending upon the results of testing.The diskettes are supported in a hopper upon first and second support surfaces, the first being at the front of the hopper and slightly above the second. The lowermost diskette is moved rearwardly from beneath the stack until its front edge is deposited onto a third support surface below the first support surface, then engaged by a clamp and advanced beneath the first support surface to the work station.