ni High sensitivity eddy current monitoring system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of chemical mechanical polishing a substrate includes polishing a metal layer on the substrate at a polishing station, monitoring thickness of the metal layer during polishing at the polishing station with an eddy current monitoring system, and controlling pressures applied by a carrier head to the substrate during polishing of the metal layer at the polishing station based on thickness measurements of the metal layer from the eddy current monitoring system to reduce differences between an expected thickness profile of the metal layer and a target profile, wherein the metal layer has a resistivity greater than 700 ohm Angstroms. Full Article
ni Apparatus and method for monitoring glass plate polishing state By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for monitoring a glass plate polishing state. The apparatus may include a location measuring unit for measuring a location on a glass plate being polished by a polishing machine, a current measuring unit for measuring an electric current flowing into the polishing machine, a memory unit for storing a reference value of the electric current flowing into the polishing machine for each polishing location of the glass plate, and a control unit for determining whether a polishing state is faulty, by comparing a value of the electric current measured by the current measuring unit for each polishing location measured by the location measuring unit with a corresponding reference value of the electric current stored in the memory unit for each polishing location. Full Article
ni Reel mower grinder with auto-index mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A grinder for sharpening the blades of reel mowers automatically to grind the underside of the blade of the reel mower. Full Article
ni Tool for selective honing of a cylinders outer-diameter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tool is disclosed for selective honing of the outer diameter of a cylinder using an abrasive belt in semi-circular contact upon the outer-diameter of a cylindrical work-piece to perform a similar function to honing the inner-diameter of a hollow cylinder. The belt is retained within the tool body by U-shaped restraint arms, and a slot in the tool body. A clamp block retains the ends of the belt which exit the slot. Springs on the arms, and contact of the block on the outside of the tool body, force the belt into a triangular shape inside the body. A cylindrical work-piece inserted within the triangular shaped belt causes the belt to deform into three semi-circular areas of contact between the belt and work-piece. When the work-piece is rotated, the belt abrades material from the work-piece. Full Article
ni Method and device for machining shafts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device (1) for machining a stepped shaft (2), having a workpiece rest (6); having a disk arrangement (3) which has a grinding disk (4) and a control disk (5); and having an axial stop arrangement (7), wherein the axial stop arrangement (7) has a contact adapter (8) which can be temporarily placed in contact with an end surface portion (9) of the shaft (2) and which has a punctiform contact surface (10) for contact against a stop part (11) of the stop arrangement (7). Full Article
ni Knife sharpener By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A knife sharpener having an angled bolster for providing predetermined sharpening angles with respect to the sharpening surface is provided. The angled bolster of the knife sharpener preferably includes two different angled surfaces for establishing at least two different predetermined sharpening angles for a cutting implement to be sharpened. The angled bolster is configured to set up the knife sharpening angle at predetermined angles with respect to the sharpening surface. Full Article
ni Method for machining a series of workpieces by means of at least one machining jet By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The method for machining a series of workpieces (21) via at least one machining jet includes the following steps: each workpiece (21) is associated with an identifier for uniquely identifying the workpiece,during the machining of a respective workpiece, the temporal characteristic of the machining jet is detected by at least one sensor (30),the detected temporal characteristic is evaluated so as to obtain at least one comparative value, andfor detecting incorrect machining, the at least one comparative value is compared with at least one threshold value. Full Article
ni Method and apparatus for reconditioning digital discs By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An automated method for reconditioning a plurality of digital discs within a reconditioning apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises holding the digital discs in a load area, and then transferring each of the digital discs from the load area to at least one workstation with a disc transfer mechanism. The method also comprises reconditioning each of the digital discs transferred to the workstation with at least one worktool operable to remove a portion of the protective coating of each of the digital discs without removal of the data underlying the protective coating. The method further comprises transferring each of the digital discs from the workstation to an unload area with the disc transfer mechanism, and then holding the digital discs in the unload area for manual retrieval. Advantageously, the digital discs may be automatically reconditioned within the reconditioning apparatus without manual manipulation of the digital discs during the reconditioning process. Various exemplary embodiments of the reconditioning apparatus and associated method are provided. Full Article
ni Soybean plant and seed corresponding to transgenic event MON87769 and methods for detection thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides transgenic soybean event MON87769, and cells, seeds, and plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the soybean event. The invention also provides compositions comprising nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for said soybean event in a sample, methods for detecting the presence of said soybean event nucleotide sequences in a sample, probes and primers for use in detecting nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for the presence of said soybean event in a sample, growing the seeds of such soybean event into soybean plants, and breeding to produce soybean plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the soybean event. Full Article
ni Additives and lubricating oil compositions containing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Para-alkylated substituted diphenylamines are made by catalytically alkylating diphenylamine with a branched-chain alkene, such as propene, oligomer mixture in which the oligomer present in the greatest percentage has 15-24 carbon atoms. The alkylated diphenylamines are useful crankcase lubricant additives such as for reducing piston deposits and engine sludge. Full Article
ni Lubricating oil compositions containing epoxide antiwear agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubricating oil composition comprising (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) an oil soluble epoxide compound having the following structure: wherein X is hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 hydrocarbyl group, wherein the substituted hydrocarbyl group is substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxyl, alkoxy, ester or amino groups and Y is —CH2OR, —C(═O)OR1 or —C(═O)NHR2, wherein R, R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or C1 to C20 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and further wherein the oil of lubricating viscosity does not contain a carboxylic acid ester. Full Article
ni Lubricant composition using ionic liquid as a base oil and having excellent rust prevention properties By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a lubricant composition containing (A) an ionic liquid having an anion represented by formula 1: (Rf1-SO2) (Rf2-SO2) N− or formula 2: (Rf3) (Rf3) (Rf3) PF3− wherein Rf1 and Rf2 in formula 1 may be the same or different and are each F, CF3, C2F5, C3F7 or C4F9, and Rf3 in formula 2 may be the same or different and is CF3, C2F5, C3F7 or C4F9; and (B) a fatty acid amine salt in an amount of 0.1 to 5.0 mass %. The lubricant composition of the invention can favorably be used under a high vacuum or an ultra high vacuum, or under high temperatures, and exhibits excellent rust prevention properties. Full Article
ni Molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate compositions and lubricating compositions containing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A novel molybdenum dithiocarbamate composition is produced by preparing a di-tridecylamine (DTDA) intermediate from a butylene feedstock comprising greater than 50% 2-butylene, and preparing a molybdenum dithiocarbamate composition from the DTDA intermediate. The resulting molybdenum dithiocarbamate composition are according to formula (1), wherein R1 to R4 are C11-C14 isoalkyl groups, and X represents oxygen and/or sulfur atoms, and R1 to R4 comprise, on average, greater than 98% C13: Full Article
ni Grease composition for hub unit bearing employing an angular contact ball bearing and hub unit bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a grease composition for a hub unit bearing employing an angular contact ball bearing, containing (a) as a thickener a mixture of diurea compounds represented by formula (I): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R1, formula (II): R1—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3, and formula (III): R3—NHCONH—R2—NHCONH—R3 wherein R1 is cyclohexyl group, R2 is a divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 15 carbon atoms, R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and (R1/(R1+R3))×100=85 to 95 mol %; (b) a base oil; (c) a molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate; and (d) a calcium sulfonate. The grease composition of the invention, when used in the hub unit bearing, shows minimum leakage, excellent anti-flaking properties and satisfactory bearing lubrication life. Full Article
ni Method and system for screening lubricating oil compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for screening a lubricating oil composition having at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity and at least one lubricating oil additive is provided, the method comprising the steps of (a) inputting into a computational device an amount of each of the at least one lubricating oil additive, based on the total weight of the lubricating oil composition and, optionally, a value of at least one property associated with each of the at least one base oil of lubricating viscosity; (b) computing a prediction of at least one lubricating oil composition property-determining test result for the lubricating oil composition; (c) computing a cost for the lubricating oil composition; and (d) outputting the results. Also provided are systems and computer program devices for screening lubricating oil compositions. Full Article
ni Nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT [Object] To provide a nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition which demonstrates a low friction coefficient and realizes a further fuel economy. [Solving Means] A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an additive having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. A nanoparticle-containing lubricating oil composition comprising a base oil, an ashless friction modifier having hydroxyl group, and nanoparticle having a particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm. Full Article
ni Strong base amines to minimize corrosion in systems prone to form corrosive salts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Corrosion by ammonia/amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as distillation overhead streams that contain a mineral acid and water can be prevented, avoided or minimized by adding certain strong amines to the streams. The amines have a pKa between about 10.5 to about 12 and include, but are not necessarily limited to, dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamine, diisopropyl-amine, di-n-butylamine, diisobutylamine, di-sec-butylamine, di-tert-butylamine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, and combinations thereof. If the hydrocarbon stream further includes a nitrogen-containing compound such as ammonia, a tramp and/or a residual amine which can form a corrosive salt with the mineral acid, then the added amine is a stronger base than the tramp or residual amine, if present. The amount of added amine is greater than total amount of nitrogen-containing compound, so that any corrosive salts formed are less corrosive than the salts that would otherwise form from the ammonia and/or tramp amine. Full Article
ni Friction and wear management using solvent partitioning of hydrophilic-surface-interactive chemicals contained in boundary layer-targeted emulsions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Lubrication additives of the current invention require formation of emulsions in base lubricants, created with an aqueous salt solution plus a single-phase compound such that partitioning within the resulting emulsion provides thermodynamically targeted compounds for boundary layer organization thus establishing anti-friction and/or anti-wear. The single-phase compound is termed “boundary layer organizer”, abbreviated BLO. These emulsion-contained compounds energetically favor association with tribologic surfaces in accord with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and will organize boundary layers on those surfaces in ways specific to the chemistry of the salt and BLO additives. In this way friction modifications may be provided by BLOs targeted to boundary layers via emulsions within lubricating fluids, wherein those lubricating fluids may be water-based or oil-based. Full Article
ni Universal synthetic lubricant additive with micro lubrication technology to be used with synthetic or miner host lubricants from automotive, trucking, marine, heavy industry to turbines including, gas, jet and steam By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is known by the inventor that a universal synthetic lubricant additive that can greatly enhance the performance standards of existing lubricants, petroleum based or synthetic, imparts a new and desirable property not originally present in the existing oil or it reinforces a desirable property already possessed in some degree can greatly benefit the consumer. Although additives of many diverse types have been developed to meet special lubrication needs, their principal functions are relatively few in number. This universal synthetic lubricant additive (invention) with micro lubrication technology, when used as directed will reduce the oxidative or thermal degradation of the host oil, substantially reduce the deposition of harmful deposits in lubricated parts, minimize rust and corrosion, control frictional properties, reduce wear, temperature, sludge, varnishes and prevent destructive metal-to-metal contact, reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions while improving performance through increased horsepower and torque. Full Article
ni Precision roll turning lathe and automatic tool changer therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST There is provided an automatic tool changer which, in a precision roll turning lathe which feeds a tool post at a high speed, can automatically change a tool, such as a cutting tool, without stopping the machine, thereby enabling highly efficient ultra-Precision machining of a roll mold for molding of a large-sized plastic sheet. The automatic tool changer includes: a change device including a vertically movable pivot arm having a pivot axis and which pivots in a horizontal plane, a hand portion, mounted at the front end of the arm, for detachably gripping a tool holder, a pivot drive section for pivoting the pivot arm, and a lifting drive section for vertically moving the pivot arm; a tool holder stocker, having a plurality of circumferentially-arranged stages disposed at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, each stage detachably holding a tool holder; a holder base, mounted to the tool post, for fixing and unfixing a tool holder through the rotation of a clamp shaft; and a clamp shaft operating device including an operating portion for clamping/unclamping the tool holder by rotating the clamp shaft. Full Article
ni Machining installation for workpieces By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Apr 2014 08:00:00 EDT A machining installation for workpieces comprises a workpiece positioning device comprising a workpiece holder pivot unit as well as a tool positioning device comprising a tool holder pivot unit. The workpiece holder pivot unit is designed such that a workpiece holder is pivotable about at least three and no more than four workpiece holder pivot axes. Moreover, the tool holder pivot unit is designed such that a tool holder is pivotable about no more than two tool holder pivot axes. The machining installation has a simple design and ensures flexible and accurate machining of workpieces. Full Article
ni Horizontal machining center By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A horizontal machining center includes: a table driven in first and second directions (directions indicated by arrows 530p and 530q, respectively) allowing the table to approach and move away from a spindle, respectively; a magazine having a plurality of tool gripping claws; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the table and the magazine together and moving the magazine in one of the first and second directions when the table is driven in the other of the first and second directions. When a tool attached to the spindle is removed from the spindle, the table is driven in the first direction, and when a tool accommodated by the magazine is attached to the spindle, the table is driven in the second direction. A horizontal machining center having a simple structure and prevented from having a bulky structure can thus be accomplished. Full Article
ni Turning tool holder used for a combined lathe apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A carriage is moved in a direction including a Y axis component in order to move a turning process tool that is attached to a tool spindle along a horizontal line that is perpendicular to a Z axis, and thus, a turning process is carried out on a workpiece which is attached to a workpiece spindle. Full Article
ni Electrode management device for electrical discharge machining machine tools By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Device for managing the electrodes for electrical discharge machining EDM machine tools comprises at least one magazine (1) that has a series of individual housings (33) designed to accept and hold exchangeable elements (5) consisting of electrodes (6, 22) mounted on an electrode holder (11a, 11b), and a changer device (2) equipped with a gripper (2) intended to move the exchangeable elements (5) from the individual housings (33) towards the machine and vice versa. A first adapter piece (21) is associated with each of the exchangeable elements (5). This adapter piece (21) surrounds the electrode holder (11a, 11b) and is gripped around its periphery by the gripper (9) of the changer (2) so as to guarantee that the exchangeable element (5) is held precisely. The device further comprises a second adapter piece (32) associated with each of the individual housings (33) of the magazine (1) that are likely to be used. Full Article
ni Combination machining lathe By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a combination machining lathe, a workpiece holding device holds a workpiece in a manner that permits the workpiece to rotate around an axis parallel to a direction of a horizontal Z axis. A tool post holds a tool that comprises a holder and a bit. The tool held by the tool post is indexed to a position in which the longitudinal axis of the holder is parallel to an X axis direction. The bit of the tool held by the tool post is angled such that a longitudinal axis of the bit is disposed in a position tilted away from the X axis direction closer to a horizontal axis in a plane containing the X axis and the Y axis. A turning operation is performed while the tool and/or the workpiece are moved relative to each other in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the bit. Full Article
ni Method and apparatus for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed. Full Article
ni Communication media multi-switch system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Exemplary systems and methods for testing communication media and devices are disclosed herein. An exemplary system may include a transmitting media support and a receiving media support, each including a plurality of communication media. The system may further include a movement support configured to selectively translate the receiving media support relative to the transmitting media support between a transmission position and a free position. In the transmission position, a receiving media may be engaged with the transmitting media to receive an initiated signal from the transmitting media. In the free position, a first end face of the receiving media may be spaced apart from a second end face of the transmitting media, thereby preventing contact between the first and second end faces. The movement support may be further configured to align the at least one of the receiving media with the transmitting media. Full Article
ni Redundancy and interoperability in multi-channel optoelectronic devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-channel optoelectronic device is configured to establish a redundant status link with a remote device. The optoelectronic device can transmit N transmit optical signals to the remote device over a plurality of transmit channels and receive N receive optical signals from the remote device over a plurality of receive channels. The optoelectronic device includes one or more spare transmit and receive channels. When used with a remote device having spare transmit and receive channels, each device can establish a status link with the other and use the status link to switch out transmit and/or receive channels to identify and permanently switch out the worst transmit and/or receive channels. Alternately, the device can interoperate with a non-status-link enabled remote device by determining that the remote device is not status-link enabled, transitioning to a low transmit power mode, and transmitting and receiving over a plurality of default transmit and receive channels. Full Article
ni Optical transceiver having an OTDR mode, and a method of obtaining test data for testing an optical fiber By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical transceiver has a communications mode and an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) mode. The transceiver comprises a transmitter channel and a receiver channel operable, in the communications mode, to respectively transmit and receive communications signals through respective external optical fibers. The transceiver also comprises a guide arrangement for guiding, in the OTDR mode, a reflected OTDR signal along a path from the transmitter channel into the receiver channel. A method of obtaining test data for an optical fiber in an optical data communications subsystem is also disclosed. Full Article
ni Optical communication system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical communication system includes an optical-signal transmission unit transmitting an existing optical signal and a low-rate-signal superimposition unit superimposing a low-rate signal on the existing optical signal by intensity modulation. It further includes: a low-rate-signal extraction unit that extracts the low-rate signal from the existing optical signal on which the low-rate signal is superimposed and converts the extracted low-rate signal into a low-rate electric signal; an add-on optical-signal transmission unit that transmits an add-on optical signal; a low-rate-signal superimposition unit that superimposes a low-rate signal on the add-on optical signal by the intensity modulation based on the low-rate electric signal; and a repeater that repeats the add-on optical signal on which the low-rate signal is superimposed, to a transmission destination. Full Article
ni Frame/symbol synchronization in coherent optical OFDM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT One aspect provides an optical communication system. The system includes an optical-to-digital converter, a frequency estimator and a symbol synchronizer. The optical-to-digital converter is configured to receive an optical OFDM bit stream including an OFDM symbol bearing payload data and a symbol header preceding the OFDM payload data. The frequency estimator is configured to determine a carrier frequency offset of the payload data from the symbol header. The symbol synchronizer is configured to determine a starting location of the payload data within the bit stream by cross-correlating a synchronization pattern within the symbol header with a model synchronization pattern stored by the symbol synchronizer. Full Article
ni Wave-division multiplexing telecommunications system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fiber optic data transmission system includes an optical fiber and a data transmitter having a first laser having a first wavelength, a first phase modulator for phase modulating light from the first laser as a function of a first data input stream so as to create a first phase-modulated output data stream, a second laser having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and a second phase modulator for phase modulating light from the second laser as a function of a second data input stream so as to create a second phase-modulated output data stream. The transmitter also includes a combiner combining the first and second output data streams into a phase-modulated optical signal for transmission over the optical fiber. Full Article
ni Method and apparatus of decoding low-rate visible light communication signals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus related to the detection of low-rate visible light communication (VLC) signals and the recovery of information communicated by the VLC signals are described. Various methods and apparatus are well suited for embodiments in which a device, e.g., a smartphone, including a camera which uses a rolling shutter. The rolling shutter facilitates the collection of different time snapshots of a received low rate time varying VLC signal with different pixel rows in the image sensor of a frame corresponding to different time snapshots. In some embodiments, demodulation is used to recover and identify a single tone being communicated in a frame from among a plurality of possible alternative tones that may be communicated, each different tone corresponding to a different set of information bits. Full Article
ni Optical channel monitor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one example, an optical channel monitor includes a tunable filter, a deinterleaver, first and second optical receivers, and a control module. The tunable filter is configured to receive an optical signal having a plurality of channels spaced at a nominal channel spacing. The deinterleaver has an input with an input channel spacing Fi, an even output, and an odd output, the input being connected to an output of the tunable filter. The nominal channel spacing is between about one and two times the input channel spacing Fi. A −20 dB bandwidth of the tunable filter is between about two and four times the input channel spacing Fi. The first and second optical receivers are coupled to the deinterleaver even and odd outputs, respectively. The control module is coupled to the tunable filter and is configured to tune the tunable filter to a desired center frequency. Full Article
ni Photonic monitoring for optical signals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention concerns real-time multi-impairment signal performance monitoring. In particular it concerns an optical device, for instance a monolithic integrated photonics chip, comprising a waveguide having an input region to receive a signal for characterization, and a narrow band CW laser signal. A non-linear waveguide region to mix the two received signals. More than one output region, each equipped with bandpass filters that extract respective discrete frequency bands of the RF spectrum of the mixed signals. And, also comprising (slow) power detectors to output the extracted discrete frequency banded signals. Full Article
ni Layer 1 fast provisioning and right sizing of bandwidth for layer 2/3 By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Additional bandwidth is provisioned to layer 2/3 networks by initially provisioning optical wavelength channels to meet incremental needs for additional capacity. When bandwidth requirements grow large enough, a wavelength-sized channel is provisioned to meet the bandwidth needs, and the previously provisioned optical wavelength channels are freed up to be reused for additional growth. The optical wavelength channels may be channelized VLANs mapped to resizable optical channel data units such as ODUflex units. Full Article
ni Minimizing bandwidth narrowing penalities in a wavelength selective switch optical network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to provisioning wavelength-selective switches and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers to minimize the bandwidth narrowing effect from the optical filters. Novel architectures and methods are disclosed that can significantly reduce bandwidth-narrowing on channels in a reconfigurable WDM network where a large number of optical filter elements are cascaded. Instead of blocking unused channels as in the prior art, unused channels are selectively provisioned depending on the state of their adjacent channels. Unused adjacent channels of an active channel are provisioned to follow the same path as the active channels. As each channels is deployed, the channel frequency is selected so as to minimize bandwidth narrowing. Full Article
ni Providing digital data services in optical fiber-based distributed radio frequency (RF) communication systems, and related components and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Optical fiber-based distributed communications systems that provide and support both RF communication services and digital data services are disclosed herein. The RF communication services and digital data services can be distributed over optical fiber to client devices, such as remote antenna units for example. In certain embodiments, digital data services can be distributed over optical fiber separate from optical fiber distributing RF communication services. In other embodiments, digital data services can be distributed over common optical fiber with RF communication services. For example, digital data services can be distributed over common optical fiber with RF communication services at different wavelengths through wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) and/or at different frequencies through frequency-division multiplexing (FDM). Power distributed in the optical fiber-based distributed communications system to provide power to remote antenna units can also be accessed to provide power to digital data service components. Full Article
ni Laser relay for free space optical communications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laser relay module for free space optical communications including an optical telescope for receiving and transmitting optical beams; an optical diplexer for separating transmitting and received optical beams; an optical amplifier; a modulated beacon laser for line of sight control of a plurality of communicating remote network nodes; a beacon beam detector for detecting an incoming beacon optical beam for line of sight control of the optical telescope and receiving data from other network nodes; and means for inserting an output of the modulated beacon laser into the optical telescope for transmission to another network node, and for transporting the incoming beacon optical beam to the beacon detector. Full Article
ni Optical transceiver having an extra area in circuit board for mounting electronic circuits By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical transceiver of one embodiment includes a transmitter optical subassembly to transmit an optical signal, a receiver optical subassembly to receive an optical signal, a mother board, a daughter board, and a housing. The mother board mounts electronic circuits that electrically communicate with the optical transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly. The daughter board mounts other electronic circuits that electrically communicate with the optical transmitter optical subassembly and the receiver optical subassembly. The daughter board has an extra area mounting a portion of the other electronic circuits. The housing defines a space for installing the optical transmitter optical subassembly, the receiver optical subassembly, the mother board, and the daughter board. The extra area is disposed outside the space. Full Article
ni Intrapersonal data communication systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Intrapersonal communication systems and methods that provide an optical digital signal link between two or more local devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a first signal converter disposed at a first end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from a first local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. The system can include an optical connector having a non-contact portion configured to couple optical digital signals between the first signal converter and the optical digital signal link across a gap. The system can include a second signal converter disposed at a second end of the optical digital signal link and configured to convert between electrical digital signals from the second local device and optical digital signals from the optical digital signal link. Full Article
ni Clock and data recovery unit and power control method therefor and PON system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In the present invention, wasted power consumption caused when a clock and data recovery unit in an optical network unit in a PON system is activated from a power-saving state is reduced and rapid, secure communication is performed. A clock and data recovery unit includes a phase-locked loop that can be set to normal mode or power-saving mode and that includes a voltage-controlled oscillator and recovers a clock signal and a data signal from input signals. The clock and data recovery unit includes a reference clock multiplier circuit that multiplies a reference clock signal and outputs the multiplied reference clock signal; and a frequency training loop that includes the same voltage-controlled oscillator and performs synchronous oscillation training by the voltage-controlled oscillator using the reference clock multiplier circuit before the phase-locked loop transitions from power-saving mode to normal mode. Full Article
ni Milling cutter and method of operating same, and other machine tools, and an adjustment mechanism therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Milling cutter and method of operating same, and other machine tools, and an adjustment mechanism therefor. A cutting insert is adjusted by moving a resilient web with an adjusting screw. Full Article
ni Sintered cubic boron nitride compact and sintered cubic boron nitride compact tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST It is an object of the present invention to provide a sintered cBN compact having excellent wear resistance and fracture resistance even in machining centrifugally cast iron having a property of being difficult to machine, and to provide a sintered cBN compact tool. A sintered cBN compact of the present invention contains 20% by volume or more and 65% by volume or less of cBN and, as a binder, 34% by volume or more and less than 80% by volume of Al2O3, at least one selected from the group consisting of nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides, and boronitrides of Zr and solid solutions thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “X”), and ZrO2, the total amount of X and ZrO2 being 1.0% by volume or more and 6.0% by volume or less, the volume ratio of ZrO2 to Al2O3, ZrO2/Al2O3, being 0.010 or more and less than 0.100, in which the ratio Itetragonal ZrO2(101)/IαAl2O3(110) is 0.1 or more and 3 or less, where Itetragonal ZrO2(101) is the intensity of the (101) plane of tetragonal ZrO2 and IαAl2O3(110) is the intensity of the (110) plane of αAl2O3 among X-ray diffraction peaks of the sintered cBN compact. Full Article
ni Cutting tool, an arrangement and a method for chip removing machining with spring members for biasing a clamping body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a cutting tool for chip removing machining a holder for a cutter has a body received therein and movable with surfaces to bear against the cutter for defining the position of the cutter in the direction of an intended axis of rotation of the holder as well as a screw which may be screwed in a threaded bore in the holder. Spring members are arranged to act between the holder and the body for biasing the body against said screw portions. Full Article
ni Cutting insert, cutting body and clamping mechanism of a cutting tool assembly for chip removal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cutting insert (14) is formed with an insert aperture (32) opening out to insert top and bottom surfaces (14A, 14B) of the cutting insert (14). In a plan view of the insert top surface (14A), the cutting insert (14) and the insert aperture (32) both have oblong shapes which are elongated along a common insert longitudinal axis (AIL). The aperture (32) includes first and second side surfaces (32A1, 32A2) which each extend along the insert longitudinal axis (AIL), and aperture first and second end surfaces (32B1, 32B2) which each extend transverse relative to the insert longitudinal axis (AIL). At least one of the aperture first and second end surfaces (32B1, 32B2) is formed with a clamping lip (32C1, 32C2). Full Article
ni Analyte monitoring devices and methods therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Method and apparatus for performing a discrete glucose testing and bolus dosage determination including a glucose meter with bolus calculation function are provided. Full Article
ni Apparatus for closed tube sampling and open tube sampling for automated clinical analyzers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A centrifuge to which sample tubes can be introduced while the centrifuge is in motion. The centrifuge comprises a carousel having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the carousel has a plurality of positions for sample tubes for a centrifugation operation, a plurality of drive mechanisms attached to the upper portion of the carousel, a movable element mounted upon each drive mechanism, the movable element capable of traversing the length of the drive mechanism when the drive mechanism is actuated, a sample tube-holding assembly comprising a sample tube holder and a bearing attached to each movable element, and at least one balancing element capable of contributing to a force vector that cancels an imbalance vector generated by rotation of the centrifuge. Full Article
ni Emissions treatment system with ammonia-generating and SCR catalysts By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Apr 2016 08:00:00 EDT Provided are emissions treatment systems for an exhaust stream having an ammonia-generating component, such as a NOx storage reduction (NSR) catalyst or a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst, and an SCR catalyst disposed downstream of the ammonia-generating catalyst. The SCR catalyst can be a molecular sieve having the CHA crystal structure, for example SSZ-13 or SAPO-34, which can be ion-exchanged with copper. The LNT can be layered, having an undercoat washcoat layer comprising a support material, at least one precious metal, and at least one NOx sorbent selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth elements, rare earth elements, and combinations thereof and a top washcoat layer comprising a support material, at least one precious metal, and ceria in particulate form, the top washcoat layer being substantially free of alkaline earth components. The emissions treatment system is advantageously used for the treatment of exhaust streams from diesel engines and lean burn gasoline engines. Full Article
ni Apparatus and method for in-flight detection of airborne volcanic ash By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of optically determining the presence of volcanic ash within a cloud comprises emitting a circularly polarized illuminating beam within a cloud and analyzing backscatter light to identify the presence of volcanic ash within the cloud. The method further includes determining the degree to which the cloud has altered the polarization state of the emitted beam. The index of refraction of the backscatter light and the opacity of the backscatter light are also analyzed. Full Article