Abstract: An elongated rail fastener apparatus for use near an obstacle such as a guard rail, or other location where space is restricted. The fastener preferably extends past the obstacle and is provided with a shoulder having at least one elevated notch, positioned to allow installation of the clip with a vertical and lateral movement, and without the application of a large force perpendicular to the rail. A U-shaped embodiment of the fastener is also described.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a user device, a transaction request associated with a first entity and identify a distributed ledger associated with the first entity, the distributed ledger including a set of blocks recording work data associated with the first entity. The set of blocks may include: a first subset of blocks including data specifying work performed by the first entity, and a second subset of blocks including data verifying a portion of the work performed by the first entity and specified by the data included in the first subset of blocks. The device may determine that a transaction, associated with the transaction request, is associated with the first subset of blocks and the second subset of blocks. Based on predetermined instructions that correspond to the transaction and the distributed ledger, the device may perform the transaction.

Abstract: Cold check gas pressure readings for the landing gear tires of an aircraft are obtained automatically during normal operation of the aircraft. The automated system (S1, e.g.) includes monitoring aircraft data to determine that the aircraft is at rest on the ground (32,345,36), and electronically monitoring the tire pressure (24). When predetermined cold check conditions have been met; the tire pressure values are automatically stored with a timestamp (38) for later access by a user.

Abstract: A device may receive, from a user device, a transaction request associated with a first entity and identify a distributed ledger associated with the first entity, the distributed ledger including a set of blocks recording work data associated with the first entity. The set of blocks may include: a first subset of blocks including data specifying work performed by the first entity, and a second subset of blocks including data verifying a portion of the work performed by the first entity and specified by the data included in the first subset of blocks. The device may determine that a transaction, associated with the transaction request, is associated with the first subset of blocks and the second subset of blocks. Based on predetermined instructions that correspond to the transaction and the distributed ledger, the device may perform the transaction.

Abstract: A boltless brace assembly for a rail includes a base block interlocked with a brace, and further includes a wedge to be inserted between an upper surface of the base block and a lower surface of the brace, thereby applying an upward force to the brace and a resultant downward force to secure the rail base. The brace assembly may be modified to provide a universal brace assembly, a resilient brace assembly, or a frog base clamp.

Abstract: Systems and method for providing staggered offers to a group of users are discussed herein. The system can receive an offer from a partner, which can include a maximum distribution rate (MDR) or a desired time over which the offer will run. Based on the MDR or the desired time, the group of users can be divided into an appropriate number of subgroups, with each subgroup receiving the offer during their respective time period. The system can enable users to receive, claim and redeem offers via a variety of user equipment (UE). Once claimed, an offer can be placed in an electronic prize wallet stored on the UE. The prize wallet can include offers that have been claimed, as well as details to enable the user to redeem the offer with the respective partner.

Abstract: A bearing and seal arrangement for joints in heavy duty vehicles includes two spherical bearing each having an outer ring surrounding an inner member with lubricious liner disposed therebetween. One of the spherical bearings has a seal receiving area having an axially extending width that is greater than that of the other spherical bearing. The spherical bearings are aligned coaxially with one another. One seal receiving areas has a flexible double lipped annular seal and a scraper seal positioned therein. The scraper seal is positioned radially outward from the flexible double lipped annular seal. The other seal receiving area has a boot seal positioned therein.

Abstract: Referring to the figures generally, rotating filter cartridges (e.g., a rotating coalescers) for a rotating filtration system (e.g., rotating coalescer crankcase ventilation systems) are described. The described filter cartridges use mechanically created seals to seal the filter media to the endcaps of the filter cartridges. Accordingly, the described filter cartridges eliminate the need to use a potting or embedding material during manufacturing of the filter cartridge, thereby eliminating the costs and potential manufacturing defects associated with the potting or embedding material and process.

Abstract: A computing device can be programmed to, upon determining that a location of a vehicle is within a set of boundaries associated with a wireless network and that a user device is authenticated to the network, authorize the user device to control the vehicle. The computing device can be further programmed to, upon determining that the vehicle is not within the boundaries, authorize the user device to control the vehicle based on transmitting an authentication credential to a server and receiving an authorization certificate.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and method of making a frozen confectionary product such as ice cream or sorbet in which a confectionary mix is churned in a vessel whilst a liquid gas such as liquid nitrogen is added. Existing churning apparatus moves a stirrer through the ice cream mix in an epicyclical motion. This tends to splash liquid nitrogen so that it evaporates without contributing to the freezing of the ice cream. In the improved mixing method, the stirrer is repeatedly drawn against the inside wall(s) of the vessel. This reduces splashing of the liquid nitrogen. The drawing action also removes build up of frozen confectionary product on both the stirrer and the vessel walls and allows unfrozen confectionary mix to move to the edges of the vessel and be preferentially frozen.

Abstract: A filter that is retained in a shell housing by the use of a snap connection. The filter includes an endplate having snap features that interact with a groove in an inner portion of the shell housing. The groove may extend 360 degrees around an inner circumference of the shell housing. Accordingly, when the shell is unthreaded From the head service (e.g., during a filter replacement service), the shell only needs to be displaced the length of the inner radial seal interface between the shell and the head, not the entire length of the filter media thereby minimizing the stroke length needed to service the filter assembly.

Abstract: A boltless brace assembly for a rail includes a base block interlocked with a brace, and further includes a wedge to be inserted between an upper surface of the base block and a lower surface of the brace, thereby applying an upward force to the brace and a resultant downward force to secure the rail base. The brace assembly may be modified to provide a universal brace assembly, a resilient brace assembly, or a frog base clamp.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for validating content scheduled to be transmitted from a content source. The system may generate a media fingerprint of the content that is transmitted during a specific time from a specific content source. The system may then compare the media fingerprint with media fingerprints in a database of known media assets. When a match is found, the system may retrieve a unique identifier associated with the matched fingerprint. The system may further determine a unique identifier associated with generated media fingerprint. The system may then compare the two identifiers and if the unique identifiers match the media asset is validated. If the unique identifiers do not match, a discrepancy is found and various actions may be taken in response.

Abstract: An attachment and retaining mechanism is described for removably attaching a rotating filter element to a rotating shaft. The rotating filter element includes a filter media that is driven by a drive mechanism that rotates the rotating shaft. The filter element is removably attached to the rotating shaft such that the filter element and filtration system can be periodically replaced and/or serviced. In some arrangements, the drive shaft includes a D-shaped section that interacts with a mating section of the filter element sleeve of the rotating filter element. In other arrangements, the drive shaft includes at least one flat drive surface.

Abstract: A filter that is retained in a shell housing by the use of a snap connection. The filter includes an endplate having snap features that interact with a groove in an inner portion of the shell housing. The groove may extend 360 degrees around an inner circumference of the shell housing. Accordingly, when the shell is unthreaded from the head for service (e.g., during a filter replacement service), the shell only needs to be displaced the length of the inner radial seal interface between the shell and the head, not the entire length of the filter media thereby minimizing the stroke length needed to service the filter assembly.

Abstract: An electrical generation system based on tidal flow includes a reservoir and a fluid inlet tube extending between a tidal source and the reservoir. The inlet tube has at least one inlet turbine generator disposed therein. The fluid inlet tube extends along a first level. A fluid outlet tube extends between the reservoir and the tidal source. The fluid outlet tube has at least one outlet turbine generator disposed therein. The fluid outlet tube extends along a second level vertically lower than the first level. During high tide at the tidal source, tidal fluid flows from the tidal source, into the fluid inlet tube, past the at least one inlet turbine generator, and into the reservoir and during a low tide at the tidal source, the tidal fluid flows from the reservoir, into the fluid outlet tube, past the at least one outlet turbine generator, and to the tidal source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire and insert seal which advantageously provides visible evidence of tampering therewith and/or tampering with the device to which the seal having a hollow body is attached with a moveable insert to block molded openings of where the key is inserted. Due to its flexibility, the present invention requires a minimal amount of steps to install.

Abstract: Cold check gas pressure readings for the landing gear tires of an aircraft are obtained automatically during normal operation of the aircraft. The automated system (S1, e.g.) includes monitoring aircraft data to determine that the aircraft is at rest on the ground (32,345,36), and electronically monitoring the tire pressure (24). When predetermined cold check conditions have been met; the tire pressure values are automatically stored with a timestamp (38) for later access by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for validating content scheduled to be transmitted from a content source. The system may generate a media fingerprint of the content that is transmitted during a specific time from a specific content source. The system may then compare the media fingerprint with media fingerprints in a database of known media assets. When a match is found, the system may retrieve a unique identifier associated with the matched fingerprint. The system may further determine a unique identifier associated with generated media fingerprint. The system may then compare the two identifiers and if the unique identifiers match the media asset is validated. If the unique identifiers do not match, a discrepancy is found and various actions may be taken in response.

Abstract: An electrical generation system based on tidal flow includes a reservoir and a fluid inlet tube extending between a tidal source and the reservoir. The inlet tube has at least one inlet turbine generator disposed therein. The fluid inlet tube extends along a first level. A fluid outlet tube extends between the reservoir and the tidal source. The fluid outlet tube has at least one outlet turbine generator disposed therein. The fluid outlet tube extends along a second level vertically lower than the first level. During high tide at the tidal source, tidal fluid flows from the tidal source, into the fluid inlet tube, past the at least one inlet turbine generator, and into the reservoir and during a low tide at the tidal source, the tidal fluid flows from the reservoir, into the fluid outlet tube, past the at least one outlet turbine generator, and to the tidal source.