Abstract: A portable mounting assembly is provided comprising a mounting disc comprising at least one magnetic component for attaching the mounting disc to an axle bearing on a vehicle such as a locomotive, for determining speed; and a stabilizer bar attached at a first end to the mounting disc and at a second end to an outrigger comprising at least one magnetic component for attaching to a stationary component of the vehicle. A method of providing speed control to a portable remote control system for a locomotive is also provided. A method of overriding a speed control mode operated by a portable remote control system for a locomotive is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a muffle (1) of an oven or a similar household appliance, wherein the heating element employed is a heating wire (15) made of carbon, carbon fiber or the like, which can provide thermal energy by electric dissipation and infrared irradiation within the muffle heating temperature range.

Abstract: A system is provided for powering a locomotive. The system comprises a plurality of traction motor assemblies, each assembly comprising an armature and a field; a first power source connected in series to each armature; and in specific circumstances, a second power source connected across the fields. A method of controlling traction power in a locomotive is also provided, the method comprising: identifying which of a plurality of traction motor armatures in the locomotive has a highest current reading; and ramping a traction motor field current to equal the highest current reading for the traction motor armatures.

Abstract: To avoid a locomotive from travelling with a disabled sanding system, a method and system are provided for ensuring that the sanding system is not disabled if a primary speed reference used to detect the locomotive's speed is faulty. The method comprises determining a first speed measurement from a primary speed source; if the first speed measurement is below a setpoint, determining a second speed measurement from a secondary speed source; and if the second speed measurement is below the setpoint, disabling the automated and/or emergency initiated sanding control system on the locomotive.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a locomotive such that the braking effort is maintained at its optimal maximum level throughout the extended range. The method comprises detecting a first reduction in speed of the locomotive; energizing at least one solid state device connected across one or more grid resistors for a first predetermined amount of time to divert current away from the one or more grid resistors for the first predetermined amount of time; and de-energizing the solid state device after the first predetermined amount of time. The solid state device may be an Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and a plurality of solid state devices are energized, each solid state device being connected across a corresponding resistor grid.

Abstract: By taking a pressure reading at a particular port on a multiple-unit braking valve, e.g. the MU-2-A valve, and comparing such a reading to a main reservoir pressure, one can identify whether the locomotive in which the valve is situated is in trailing mode or leading mode. In particular, it was found that the pressure on port 63 of the MU-2-A valve is indicative of which mode the locomotive is in since port 63 is exhausted to atmosphere in lead mode whereas it is at or near the pressure in the main reservoir which is readily distinguishable from atmosphere.

Abstract: A portable mounting assembly is provided comprising a mounting disc comprising at least one magnetic component for attaching the mounting disc to an axle bearing on a vehicle such as a locomotive, for determining speed; and a stabilizer bar attached at a first end to the mounting disc and at a second end to an outrigger comprising at least one magnetic component for attaching to a stationary component of the vehicle. A method of providing speed control to a portable remote control system for a locomotive is also provided. A method of overriding a speed control mode operated by a portable remote control system for a locomotive is also provided.

Abstract: By taking a pressure reading at a particular port on a multiple-unit braking valve, e.g. the MU-2-A valve, and comparing such a reading to a main reservoir pressure, one can identify whether the locomotive in which the valve is situated is in trailing mode or leading mode. In particular, it was found that the pressure on port 63 of the MU-2-A valve is indicative of which mode the locomotive is in since port 63 is exhausted to atmosphere in lead mode whereas it is at or near the pressure in the main reservoir which is readily distinguishable from atmosphere.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a locomotive such that the braking effort is maintained at its optimal maximum level throughout the extended range. The method comprises detecting a first reduction in speed of the locomotive; energizing at least one solid state device connected across one or more grid resistors for a first predetermined amount of time to divert current away from the one or more grid resistors for the first predetermined amount of time; and de-energizing the solid state device after the first predetermined amount of time. The solid state device may be an Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and a plurality of solid state devices are energized, each solid state device being connected across a corresponding resistor grid.

Abstract: A system is provided for powering a locomotive. The system comprises a plurality of traction motor assemblies, each assembly comprising an armature and a field; a first power source connected in series to each armature; and in specific circumstances, a second power source connected across the fields. A method of controlling traction power in a locomotive is also provided, the method comprising: identifying which of a plurality of traction motor armatures in the locomotive has a highest current reading; and ramping a traction motor field current to equal the highest current reading for the traction motor armatures.

Abstract: To avoid a locomotive from travelling with a disabled sanding system, a method and system are provided for ensuring that the sanding system is not disabled if a primary speed reference used to detect the locomotive's speed is faulty. The method comprises determining a first speed measurement from a primary speed source; if the first speed measurement is below a setpoint, determining a second speed measurement from a secondary speed source; and if the second speed measurement is below the setpoint, disabling the automated and/or emergency initiated sanding control system on the locomotive.

Abstract: By taking a pressure reading at a particular port on a multiple-unit braking valve, e.g. the MU-2-A valve, and comparing such a reading to a main reservoir pressure, one can identify whether the locomotive in which the valve is situated is in trailing mode or leading mode. In particular, it was found that the pressure on port 63 of the MU-2-A valve is indicative of which mode the locomotive is in since port 63 is exhausted to atmosphere in lead mode whereas it is at or near the pressure in the main reservoir which is readily distinguishable from atmosphere.

Abstract: A consist controller is provided that enables an operator to take advantage of all horsepower combinations for locomotives in a consist. The consist controller provides a fractional increase option and a fractional decrease option that enables the operator to increase or decrease horsepower output with finer adjustments. In a preferred implementation, the fractional increases and decreases are used in conjunction with a fuel optimization routine such that the target setpoint, from which a range of horsepower values is computed, can be increased or decreased in steps that are less than a full notch increase or decrease.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling operation of a syringe. The system comprises a controller having an interface and at least one input mechanism; and a syringe gun communicably connected to the controller. The syringe gun comprises an elongated body with an open faced barrel cradle and open faced plunger bay for holding a syringe in the body, a plunger cradle moveable within the plunger bay for operating on a plunger of the syringe, and an actuating device for moving the plunger cradle according to a control signal. The controller generates the control signal for controlling the syringe gun.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated and precise administration and documentation of medical drugs. An identification mechanism such as barcodes or RFID technology is incorporated into a syringe that can be loaded into a syringe gun having an appropriate reader. The syringe gun includes or communicates with a control system that can store or communicate with a database comprising drug, patient and inventory information. The information can be used by the control system to control the administration of the drug, provide suitable safeguards based on the nature of the drug and the patient, and to update inventory and initiate billing as required.

Abstract: A consist controller is provided that enables an operator to take advantage of all horsepower combinations for locomotives in a consist. The consist controller provides a fractional increase option and a fractional decrease option that enables the operator to increase or decrease horsepower output with finer adjustments. In a preferred implementation, the fractional increases and decreases are used in conjunction with a fuel optimization routine such that the target setpoint, from which a range of horsepower values is computed, can be increased or decreased in steps that are less than a full notch increase or decrease.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for remotely capturing, processing and displaying spot electricity pricing information that enable a consumer to conveniently monitor market prices and use such information to determine when and how to consume electricity. A terminal is conveniently located within the residence of the consumer, and is preferably designed to be ergonomic in its human interface, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The terminal provides a convenient, intelligent and thus useful device so as to enable the consumer to take advantage of favourable spot pricing offered by an electricity supplier using data that has already been transmitted to a smart meter, or similar data provided by an independent entity.