Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling the use of airspace over a specified area and assessing fees (24) and issuing citations related to the type of use of the controlled air space. A receiver (14) means is provided for capturing a periodic signal generated by an aircraft (16). The signal includes a unique identifying number for the aircraft (16) and the location of the aircraft. Means are provided for identifying locations within the volume of airspace above the specified area. Means are provided for comparing the location of the aircraft (16) with volume of controlled air space above the specified area. Means are provided for generating a fee assessment for billing (24) if the aircraft (16) has entered the controlled airspace. Means are provided for determining whether the aircraft (16) has violated rules or regulations applied to the controlled air space and for issuing citations for violations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fluid displacement apparatuses and methods. The inventive apparatus comprises: a housing having an interior space; a crankpin positionable in the interior space; and a plurality of articulated displacement members positionable in the interior space such that the articulated displacement members extend from the crankpin and define in the interior space a plurality of displacement zones. The inventive apparatus can be embodied as a pump, a compressor, a fluid flow meter, a stirling-type engine, a relay system, an actuator, and many other devices.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to calculate the gross weight of a moving vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer combination, from measurements acquired exclusively on the tractor. Measurements of force and acceleration are taken from, for example, the engine and or drive shaft. A related object of this invention is to accurately measure the weight distribution on the axles or tandems of a tractor-trailer combination based on measurements taken from either tractor suspension air bags or from tractor fifth wheel load, given the gross weight of the combination. The weight distribution on the axles is determined by combining sensor information taken from the fuel tank with sensor data taken from either the vehicle air springs of the vehicle or, alternatively, from a weight sensor on the fifth wheel with a known gross weight of the vehicle. Another object of the invention is to determine gross vehicle weight, in motion, using a single digital sensor to simultaneously determine force and acceleration.