Abstract: A transponder-based distributed power train control system using a plurality of transponders located between the track rails or along the track wayside for setting the control functions, for example the brake or throttle controls of the remote power units in a train. Each remote power unit includes a transponder reader and the transponder return signal provides a pointer into a look-up table. The look-up table value represents the control setting for the remote power unit for the read transponder.

Abstract: A brake pipe overcharge detection scheme determines when an overcharge situation occurs followed by an interruption of the brake pipe slow pressure reduction process of the brake system assimilation. When the slow pressure reduction process is interrupted, the rail cars may be left in an overcharged state (i.e., the car braking system is charged to a pressure greater than the normal brake pipe pressure). When the brake pipe pressure is set to its normal brake-release value, the pressure of the car braking systems will be greater than the brake pipe pressure. The car braking system will interpret this positive pressure differential as a request to set the car brakes, and will therefore partially apply the car brakes. As a result, additional drag forces will be encountered by the locomotive as it moves the train, which may result in train separations, and overheating of the car brake shoes and wheels may result in cracked wheels and derailments.

Abstract: A process for scheduling the travel of trains on a rail corridor. The rail corridor includes a plurality of siding tracks onto which trains can be sided when a meet or pass occurs with another train on the corridor. A gradient search process is used with a cost function to determine the optimum schedule by moving each meet and pass to a siding. The individual train schedules are varied by changing train speed and/or the train departure time (i.e., the time at which the train enters the corridor).

Abstract: Catheters for photoablating plaque build-up in blood vessels are described. In one form, the catheter includes a catheter body having a first group of optic fibers and a second group of optic fibers. The first group of optic fibers is adjacent the second group of optic fibers, and each group of optic fibers includes at least one optic fiber having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the respective optic fibers form a substantially rounded hemispherical catheter head. A control element is coupled to the catheter body and is configured to selectively transmit energy through either the first group of optic fibers, or the second group of optic fibers, or both the first and second groups of optic fibers.