Abstract: An aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicle comprises a chassis module, a cab module, and a control system. The control system further comprises a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, a plurality of interface modules, and a communication network. The plurality of interface modules is distributed throughout the fire fighting vehicle and are coupled to each other by way of the communication network. The plurality of interface modules are each coupled to the plurality of input devices and output devices. The plurality of interface modules are operative to control the output devices based on input status information from the plurality of input devices. Some of the plurality of interface modules are mounted on the chassis module and other ones of the plurality of interface modules are mounted on the cab module.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for use with a mounting surface includes an arm, a pin, a pair of clamping blocks and a fastener. The arm has a cylindrical bore at one end. The pin extends through the bore. Each block of the pair of clamping blocks includes a central opening and is circumferentially discontinuous about the central opening. Each clamping block further includes a slot defined by portions of the block. The slot is dimensioned to allow the pin to pass through the slot when the block is in an unclamped position and to tightly grip the pin when the block is in a clamped position. The fasteners extend across the slots and are configured to engage the mounting surface to mount the blocks to the mounting surface.

Abstract: An airport rescue fire-fighting vehicle comprising a support structure coupled to at least two wheel sets. The support structure has a front end and a back end with one wheel set coupled to the front end of the support structure and one wheel set coupled to the back end of the support structure. A power source is mounted on the support structure and coupled to at least one wheel set. Each wheel of the vehicle is coupled to a modular independent suspension. A mechanical steering apparatus is coupled to the front wheel set and at least one rear wheel set.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing arrangement and skid pan for use with a fire fighting vehicle, with the vehicle defining an under-vehicle volume. The fluid dispensing arrangement comprises a fluid source, a nozzle support coupled to the vehicle and movable within at least a part of the under-vehicle volume. A nozzle assembly is supported by the nozzle support and is in fluid communication with a fluid source. An actuator is coupled to the nozzle support to move the nozzle support within at least a part of the under-vehicle volume.

Abstract: An aircraft rescue fire fighting vehicle comprises a chassis module, a cab module, and a control system. The control system further comprises a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, a plurality of interface modules, and a communication network. The plurality of interface modules is distributed throughout the fire fighting vehicle and are coupled to each other by way of the communication network. The plurality of interface modules are each coupled to the plurality of input devices and output devices. The plurality of interface modules are operative to control the output devices based on input status information from the plurality of input devices. Some of the plurality of interface modules are mounted on the chassis module and other ones of the plurality of interface modules are mounted on the cab module.

Abstract: An airport rescue fire-fighting vehicle comprising a support structure coupled to at least two wheel sets. The support structure has a front end and a back end with one wheel set coupled to the front end of the support structure and one wheel set coupled to the back end of the support structure. A power source is mounted on the support structure and coupled to at least one wheel set. Each wheel of the vehicle is coupled to a modular independent suspension. A mechanical steering apparatus is coupled to the front wheel set and at least one rear wheel set.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a rotating arm, such as a control arm of an independent suspension. The mounting assembly includes a pin which passes through a cylindrical bore in one end of the arm. The pin is gripped at each end by a clamping block. Each block has a main pin-gripping opening for one end of the pin, and the opening has an initial size which allows the end of the pin to pass easily through the opening. However, when the clamping block is tightened, such as by mounting the block to a support, the opening is made smaller so as to grip the end of the pin. The arrangement allows easy removal of the pin and therefore easy replacement of the control arm of a vehicle suspension.

Abstract: A computer system includes a host processor coupled to a host bus. A bridge controller is coupled to the host bus and to a plurality of first buses. The computer system also includes one or more bus bridges, each coupled to the bridge controller via one or more of said first buses. Each bus bridge is connected to one or more second buses. Either the first buses or the second buses are each configurable in either an independent mode in which the bus operates independently, or a combined mode in which two or more of said first buses or said second buses are combined to create a single bus.

Abstract: A modular independent coil spring suspension for steerable/non-steerable wheel assemblies and driven/non-driven axles having a single coil spring with a low spring rate secured (a) to the lower of two vertically spaced control arms which connect the chassis to wheel assembly on one end, and (b) to the chassis at an upper location approximately level with a tire of the wheel assembly at the other end which provides maximum wheel travel, decreased rearward thrust, and tire/ground mobility.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system and method for minimizing perturbations while monitoring parallel applications. Perturbations due to monitoring the application are minimized by synchronizing all the nodes within the system to a very accurate global time clock such that all the nodes running the application stop and restart running the application at the same time. Within the time period bounded by the stop and restart time, all the performance monitoring data is transferred from performance monitoring data buffers to a secondary memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a work vehicle having a frame and an auxiliary axle system having an arm assembly including a pair of arms, an elongate tube extending between the arms and having an end attached to each of the arms, a pair of levers attached to the tube, and cylinder blocks extending between the levers; a cylinder assembly including a first cylinder shaft extending between the cylinder blocks and having an end attached to each of the cylinder blocks, a cylinder cross member attached to the frame, a second cylinder shaft attached to the cylinder cross member, and a hydraulic cylinder having one end attached to the first cylinder shaft and another end attached to the second cylinder shaft; and a rear assembly including a rear cross member attached to the frame, a pair of pivot blocks attached to the rear cross member, and a pivot shaft extending between the pivot blocks and having an end attached to each of the cylinder blocks.

Abstract: A modular independent coil spring suspension for steerable and non-steerable wheel assemblies and driven and non-driven axles. The suspension is of the general type in which each wheel has an upper and a lower control arm, and a single coil spring secured between the lower of the two control arms and the chassis. The upper and lower control arms each have inner ends split into two segments, each of which is connected to the vehicle frame by a special bushing assembly. The suspension has a novel upper control arm which is split into two segments, each segment being bent to accommodate an edge of the frame of the vehicle, thereby allowing the frame of the vehicle to be mounted lower with respect to the wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A collimator for producing an array of non-overlapping parallel microbeams of radiation of adjustable width, from a single wide beam of radiation. The invention comprises two grid assemblies arranged in juxtaposition with each other, each comprising a number of alternating parallel leaves of contrasting X-ray permeability. Each leaf of one grid assembly is of substantially the same thickness as the corresponding leaf of the other grid assembly such that passage of a wide beam of radiation through the grid assemblies results in microbeams of radiation. By offsetting the two grid assemblies slightly, the width of the microbeams may be altered. A housing apparatus is provided to ensure the leaves within one grid assembly remain parallel to one another, and that the leaves of one grid assembly remain parallel to those of the other. A micrometer adjustment apparatus allows precise control of the position of one grid assembly in relation to the other.

Abstract: A computer system having at least a first microprocessor for processing information and a first memory coupled to the first microprocessor via a first point-to-point interface. The first point-to-point interface provides communication of signals between the first microprocessor and the first memory irrespective of the phase of the signals received by either the first microprocessor or the first memory. The first point-to-point interface includes a first point-to-point circuit in the microprocessor for receiving the signals from the first memory. The first point-to-point circuit and the microprocessor comprise a single integrated circuit in some implemented embodiments, providing ease of construction and design of systems having a variety of topologies.

Abstract: A modular independent coil spring suspension for steerable/non-steerable wheel assemblies and driven/non-driven axles having a single coil spring with a low spring rate secured (a) to the lower of two vertically spaced control arms which connect the chassis to the wheel assembly on one end, and (b) to the chassis at an upper location approximately level with a tire of the wheel assembly at the other end which provides maximum wheel travel, decreased rearward thrust, and tire/ground mobility.