Abstract: A real-time thermal imaging apparatus and method includes multiple digital infrared cameras mounted to an automated composite material layup device to record digital infrared images of the composite material surface on a real-time basis during a composite material layup process. The digital infrared cameras are triggered periodically to produce digital images of the composite material. The digital image data is sent to an image analyzer which detects edges of and anomalies in the composite material and generates alarm and other process control signals. The image analyzer also aggregates the digital images from the multiple cameras and the digital images recorded over a sequence in time to produce a continuous virtual digital image of the composite material surface. The digital image data and associated analysis results are saved and may be displayed on a real-time basis or at a later time.

Abstract: A wheel spinner for mounting on a rim of a vehicle wheel and enhance ornamental features of a tire. Direct current motors cause rotation of the spinner independently from rotation of the tires. A user operates a remote control for sending a message to the drive motors to regulate the speed and direction of rotation of the spinner independently from the tire rotation. A cover plate secures the spinner to the rim of the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a solid electro-optic medium and an electrically conductive layer is tested by passing it over a pair of electrodes at different potentials, with the electrically conductive layer lying on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the electrodes. An article which can be tested by this method, and which is useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays, comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium and a release sheet comprising an electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises, in order, a backplane comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium; a main adhesive layer; and at least one of a light-transmissive protective layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. The electro-optic layer may be in direct contact with the backplane or separated therefrom by a thin auxiliary layer of adhesive. The main adhesive layer may be colored to provide a color filter array. An inverted front plane laminate useful in forming such a display comprises the same layers except that the backplane is replaced by a release sheet. The display combines good low temperature performance and good resolution at higher temperatures.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a layer (130) of a solid electro-optic material, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the layer (130) of electro-optic material, and a layer (180) of a lamination adhesive interposed between the layer (130) of electro-optic material and the electrode, the lamination adhesive (180) having a higher electrical conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the layer of lamination adhesive than in the plane of the layer.

Abstract: A real-time thermal imaging apparatus and method includes multiple digital infrared cameras mounted to an automated composite material layup device to record digital infrared images of the composite material surface on a real-time basis during a composite material layup process. The digital infrared cameras are triggered periodically to produce digital images of the composite material. The digital image data is sent to an image analyzer which detects edges of and anomalies in the composite material and generates alarm and other process control signals. The image analyzer also aggregates the digital images from the multiple cameras and the digital images recorded over a sequence in time to produce a continuous virtual digital image of the composite material surface. The digital image data and associated analysis results are saved and may be displayed on a real-time basis or at a later time.

Abstract: A monolithic optical head facilitates reading and writing optical data on an optical recording medium. The optical head includes a monolithic substrate formed of an optically transparent material. The substrate has a first side and a second flat side opposing the first side. The first side includes a central region that has a curved surface to produce a lensing effect, and a peripheral region. The second flat side has a central portion opposing the curved surface to couple radiation from and to the curved surface through the substrate. The second flat side also has a peripheral portion opposing the peripheral region of the first side.

Abstract: Optical heads having a monolithic layer for interfacing storage media and methods for manufacturing such heads. In one embodiment, the substrate has first and second surfaces to define a through hole which forms an optical path and a lens with a spherical surface and a flat surface opposing the spherical surface is disposed in the optical path in the through hole. The flat surface is coplanar with a flat portion of the second surface. The optical head also includes a transparent layer contiguously formed over both the flat surface of the lens and the second surface of the substrate to form a monolithic layer. The refractive index of the additional layer may match that of the lens. In addition, the additional layer may have a material hardness greater than that of the lens to protect the lens and to reduce wear.

Abstract: An actuator for controlling a pitch angle and a yaw angle of a mirror in a fiber-optic switch includes a piezoelectric strip having a first and second arm. The first arm extends from a substrate in a first direction. The second arm, which is for attachment to the mirror, extends from the first arm in a second direction different from the first direction. A pitch-electrode, in electrical communication with the first arm, controls pitch angle by causing deflection of the first arm. A yaw-electrode, in electrical communication with the second arm, controls the yaw angle by deflecting the second arm.

Abstract: A railroad gondola car having improved side sills, internal horizontal tension braces and diagonal braces with cast metal connectors at the ends of the braces and doubler plates on the side wall post flanges for reinforcement purposes where posts are connected to the ends of the body bolsters and where the braces are connected to the car side walls opposite a side wall post.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car having bottom discharge doors, an elongated beam assembly along the bottom of the car, door operating levers to open and close the doors connected to the beam assembly and doors, and lost motion timing connections in the beam assembly which permits displacement of beam sections to open and close pairs or sets of doors in a sequential but substantially simultaneous and automatic order so ast to permit reduction of air pressure required to open the doors, or permit use of smaller diameter air cylinder, a pneumatic drive to move the beam in opposite directions to open and close the doors, and a secondary lock to maintain the beam stationary unless pneumatic pressure intentionally operates the pneumatic drive, with the lock being positioned to be readily seen when locked and safely operated if necessary from the wayside.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car having bottom discharge doors, an elongated beam assembly along the bottom of the car, door operating levers to open and close the doors connected to the beam assembly and doors, and lost motion connections in the beam assembly which permit displacement of beam sections to open and close pairs of doors in a sequential but substantially simultaneous and automatic order, and a pneumatic drive to move the beam in opposite directions to open and close the doors.

Abstract: A railroad car for transporting double stacked shipping containers capable of supporting top containers of at least two different lengths against longitudinal and lateral movement comprising a car which supports a lower container, each end of the car body having a bulkhead structure which includes a lateral end wall and a pair of side walls extending longitudinally inwardly from the end wall, each side wall of a pair of such walls having a container restraining member mounted for rotation about a vertical axis from a stored position where it does not reduce the clearance between opposing side walls to an operating position where it at least projects laterally inwardly of the side wall to be positioned adjacent a vertical end corner of a top container, a rotatable shaft extending laterally across the car body and having a handle at each end for manual rotation of the shaft from about track grade, and drive means interconnecting the shaft and a container restraining member on each side wall whereby rotation of

Abstract: A railway flatcar for carrying a highway trailer, the flatcar having been converted from a conventional railway box car. The sides, ends and roof of a conventional box car are cut and removed therefrom substantially at the floor line. The side sill assemblies of the car are reinforced substantially throughout their length. At the bogie end of the car, those portions of the out-board floor stringers spanning between adjacent cross ties and cross bearers are reinforced. The cross ties are also reinforced and/or additional cross ties added at the bogie end of the car. At the hitch end of the car, appropriate reinforcement and mounting means are located along the bolster and center sill to which a conventional trailer hitch is affixed.