Abstract: An optical fiber arrangement has at least two optical fiber sections, each optical fiber section defining an outside longitudinally extending surface. The outside longitudinally extending surfaces are in optical contact with each other. The invention further provides for an amplifying optical device have an optical fiber arrangement as just described, and a pump source. The amplifying optical device is configured such that the pump source illuminates the amplifying optical fiber. A amplifying arrangement is also disclosed. The amplifying arrangement includes a plurality of amplifying optical devices as just described, and each amplifier also has at least one input fiber and a first multiplexer connected to the input fiber. Each amplifier is configured such that at least one of the amplifying optical fibers is connected to the first multiplexer. The amplifying arrangement also has a second multiplexer connected to each of the first multiplexers.

Abstract: The angular displacement of an inclined cam about the compressor slide valve shaft rotates an annular surface having a helically inclined face aligned with and spaced apart from a sensor head of a magnetic sensor mounted to the compressor. The rotation provides a linear variation in the size of the gap between the sensor head and the inclined ramp which directly corresponds to the compressor slide valve position between its fully closed and fully open positions. Linear variation in the size of the gap produces a correspondingly linear output signal from the magnetic sensor which provides the input for an analog input card in an associated programmable logic controller to determine the slide value position.

Abstract: A data processing system, comprising a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE) servers located at a plurality of different active sites, each of the CPE servers comprising a local storage unit, wherein each of the CPE servers is configured to collect one or more copies of one or more servers, applications or data of the active site at which that CPE server is located and to store the copies in the local storage unit of that CPE server; a data storage and compute unit that is coupled to the CPE servers through a network, wherein the data storage unit is configured to receive transmissions of the copies, to verify the copies, and to store the copies in online accessible secure storage that is segregated by business entity; logic stored in a computer-readable storage medium and coupled to the data storage unit and to the CPE servers through the network, wherein the logic is operable to receive a request from a particular active site to restore one or more data elements contained in the secure storage of t

Abstract: A rate shaper between a transmit queue and a transmitter regulates the flow rate of packets through a resequencing broadband transmission device, such as a cable modem, toward a user device, such as a computer. When the resequencing device receives packets out of order that belong to a program flow spread across multiple links, or channels, the rate shaper regulates the flow of packets by imposing a delay to the flow of resequenced packets by a factor that is inversely proportional to the number of out of sequence packets buffered in a message storage buffer. A setpoint signal may be input to the shaper to provide a target flow rate to the shaper.

Abstract: A name that means something to a human can be used to provision multiple channels, multiple times after a one-time association of an binary integer mask bit pattern with the name, or mnemonic. Typically, the one performing the one-time association of the mask pattern with the mnemonic will choose a name that reflects the channel attributes represented by the mask pattern. Thus, rather than remembering a bit pattern for a single attribute, or even the more difficult task of remembering the pattern for multiple attributes, and having to make sure ‘1’ is placed in a correct bit position among many ‘0’s when entering bit patterns, the one provisioning only enters a mnemonic that textually refers to the attribute, or attributes, to be provisioned for a given channel.

Abstract: An optical fibre arrangement has at least two optical fibre sections, each optical fibre section defining an outside longitudinally extending surface. The outside longitudinally extending surfaces are in optical contact with each other. The invention further provides for an amplifying optical device have an optical fibre arrangement as just described, and a pump source. The amplifying optical device is configured such that the pump source illuminates the amplifying optical fibre. A amplifying arrangement is also disclosed. The amplifying arrangement includes a plurality of amplifying optical devices as just described, and each amplifier also has at least one input fibre and a first multiplexer connected to the input fibre. Each amplifier is configured such that at least one of the amplifying optical fibres is connected to the first multiplexer. The amplifying arrangement also has a second multiplexer connected to each of the first multiplexers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of combustion chambers (41,42,43,44); an air induction system (45,45A,45B,46,47) for delivering air to each combustion chamber (41,42,43,44); a fuel system for delivering fuel to each combustion chamber (41,42,43,44); an exhaust system (48,50) for relaying combusted gases from the combustion chambers (41,42,43,44) to atmosphere; and an exhaust recirculation system (49,51) to relay combusted gases from the exhaust system (48,50) to at least one of the combustion chambers (42,43). The engine has a chamber deactivation operating mode in which at least one combustion chamber (41,44) is active and receives fuel and air which are combusted therein and at least one other combustion chamber (42,43) is deactivated and is supplied with no fuel by the fuel system. In the chamber deactivation operating mode the exhaust gas recirculation system (49,51) supplies combusted gas to the (or each) deactivated combustion chamber (42,43).

Abstract: Methods and systems for uploading, managing and delivering digital content, including streaming media. The system according to one embodiment allows receives digital content from the client, assigns a stream identifier (ID) to the content and stores the content. The client is given a playlist uniform resource locator (URL) for publishing on its web site, the URL including the stream ID. Activation of the URL by an end user causes the stream to be served to the end user, without the client receiving or providing an indication of the specifics of where the content was stored. An embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method that defines one or more remote sites associated with each client.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synchronisation arrangement (10) for driven member (12) and a driveable member (14). The arrangement (10) comprises a driven input member (12) and a driveable output member (14) rotatable about a common axis, the input member (12) being provided with a plurality of drive teeth (52) and an axially movable clutch member (16), and the output member (14) being provided with an axially movable piston (42) having a plurality of drive teeth (50) arranged to mate with the drive teeth (52) of the input member (12). The piston (42) is rotationally fixed to the output member (14) at all axial positions of the piston (42) relative to the output member (14), while the clutch member (16) is movable between an axial position relative to the input member (12) where the clutch member (16) is rotationally fixed to the input member (12) and an axial position relative to the input member (12) where the clutch member (16) is rotatable relative to the input member (12).

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A hybrid heating and/or cooling system may combine different energy sources (e.g., solar and geothermal) into a single system. The hybrid heating and/or cooling system may include one or more heat pumps, a heat exchanger system, a solar and/or waste energy system, and a delivery system for delivering heat (and/or cool air) to a space such as a building. These systems may be interconnected and controlled using various conduits, pumps, valves and controls. The solar energy system may provide heat (e.g., low grade heat) to the working fluid at the input to the source side of the heat pump and/or may provide heat (e.g., high grade heat) to the delivery system for direct solar and/or waste energy heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display support device comprising a holder having a groove preferably shaped to receive a sign insert and a gasket having a tapered end, the gasket being connected to a portion of the inner surface of the groove. The gasket is preferably connected to the groove so as to project away from the connected portion of the groove's inner surface. Optionally, the groove can include a T-shaped slot on its inner surface, and the gasket can include a T-shaped end that can be inserted into the T-shaped slot of the groove. Furthermore, the holder can include one or more grooves each having at least one gasket, thereby enabling the holder to receive at least one insert in each respective groove.

Abstract: An optical fiber arrangement has at least two optical fiber sections, each optical fiber section defining an outside longitudinally extending surface. The outside longitudinally extending surfaces are in optical contact with each other. The invention further provides for an amplifying optical device have an optical fiber arrangement as just described, and a pump source. The amplifying optical device is configured such that the pump source illuminates the amplifying optical fiber. A amplifying arrangement is also disclosed. The amplifying arrangement includes a plurality of amplifying optical devices as just described, and each amplifier also has at least one input fiber and a first multiplexer connected to the input fiber. Each amplifier is configured such that at least one of the amplifying optical fibers is connected to the first multiplexer. The amplifying arrangement also has a second multiplexer connected to each of the first multiplexers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that allows users to customize audible and visible signals, such as music or video, to maintain a pre-determined or specified pace or to achieve a new pace in repetitive motion activities such as, but not limited to, running, walking, swimming, cycling, aerobics, and the like. Other applications of the system and method include, but are not limited to, enhancing the results of medical rehabilitation programs, physical therapy, weight loss programs, disc jockey services, and industries or manufacturing settings where repetitive motion is common and where audible cues designed to help users maintain a consistent pace are useful.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I: I which are agonists of the M-1 muscarinic receptor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalyst system for the production of polyolefins comprising: (A) a Group IV B transition metal component represented by one of the two general formulae wherein (C5H5-y-xRx) is a cylopentadienyl ring (JR?z-l-y) is a heteroatom ligand in which J is an element with a coordination number of three from Group V-A or an element with a coordination number of two rom Group VI-A of the Periodic Table of Elements, each Q is independently, hydride, C1—C20 hydrocarbyl radicals, substituted hydrocarbyl radials wherein one or more hydrogen atoms is replaced by an electron withdrawing group, or C1—C20 hydrocarbyl-substituted metalloid radicals wherein the metalloid is selected from the group consisting of germanium and silicon, provided that Q is not a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ring, or both Q together may be an alkylidene, olefin, acetylene or a cyclometallated hydrocarbyl; “y” is 0 or 1; when “y” is 1, T is a covalent bridging group containing a Group IV-A or V-A element

Abstract: A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a valve assembly having a supply of a fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the drill bit. The first and second members define a first and a second chamber for holding the fluid. Fluid can flow between the first and second chambers in response to the movement of the second member in relation to the first member. The valve assembly can also include a coil or a valve for varying a resistance of the fluid to flow between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for rotating and guiding a drill bit in an underground bore includes a drilling motor and a drive shaft coupled to drilling motor so that drill bit can be rotated by the drilling motor. The system further includes a guidance module having an actuating arm movable between an extended position wherein the actuating arm can contact a surface of the bore and thereby exert a force on the housing of the guidance module, and a retracted position.

Abstract: An optical fibre including a waveguide and at least one stress applying region is described. The waveguide is defined by a numerical aperture, and the stress applying region is defined by a depressed refractive index. The optical fibre is configured such that the waveguide supports at least two polarised fundamental modes, two polarized first second-order modes, and two polarised second second-order modes. The waveguide includes comprises a gain medium. The stress applying region, the waveguide and the disposition of the gain medium are such as to provide preferential guidance to at least one of the modes at an operating wavelength.

Abstract: A method for interception of encrypted end-to-end (12, 14) communication data stores encryption keys (42, 44) of secure communication users. Upon intercept activation (47) a decrypt function (20) provides plain text data to an authorized appropriate law agency (30).