Abstract: An apparatus for the gasification of coal or other carbonaceous material is provided for operation at an elevated pressure of at least 30 psia, preferably, between 30 psia and 150 psia. Coal or other carbonaceous material passes downwards through two interconnected sections of a gasifier. In the upper section the coal is dried and partially devolatalized and so converted into a char before it passes into the lower section where it is converted, by reaction with steam and air, into ash and a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, hydrogen sulphide, carbonyl sulphide and small amounts of ammonia and phenols. The coal, ultimately converted to ash, exits the gasifier through a flanged semi-spherical containment section that has an integrated rotating grate, which collects and disposes of the ash and through which pass the air and steam used as reactants in the gasifier.

Abstract: A method of improving the output and efficiency of a pulverized coal plant by integration with a gas turbine and a Heat Recovery Steam Generator. Specifically, embodiments of the invention provide improvements in the performance of an existing coal steam turbine electricity generating plant by the addition of coal gasifiers, a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator.

Abstract: A method of improving the output and efficiency of a pulverized coal plant by integration with an integrated gasification combined cycle plant. Specifically, embodiments of the invention provide improvements in the performance of an existing coal steam turbine electrical generating plant by the addition of coal gasifiers, a gas turbine and a heat recovery steam generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gasification of coal or other carbonaceous material is provided for operation at an elevated pressure of at least 30 psia, preferably, between 30 psia and 150 psia. Coal or other carbonaceous material passes downwards through two interconnected sections of a gasifier. In the upper section the coal is dried and partially devolatalized and so converted into a char before it passes into the lower section where it is converted, by reaction with steam and air, into ash and a gaseous mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, hydrogen sulphide, carbonyl sulphide and small amounts of ammonia and phenols. The coal, ultimately converted to ash, exits the gasifier through a flanged semi-spherical containment section that has an integrated rotating grate, which collects and disposes of the ash and through which pass the air and steam used as reactants in the gasifier.

Abstract: Described is a boundary proximity determining system for wirelessly defining a boundary having a programmable shape and for indicating the occurrence of a rover unit traversing the boundary. The boundary proximity determining system includes a base station unit that generates a plurality of magnetic fields. The boundary proximity determining system also includes a rover unit that is responsive to the generated magnetic fields such that the rover unit defines the boundary in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields. The rover unit determines whether the rover unit is within or outside the boundary by determining the current location of the rover unit in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields and comparing the current location to the boundary.

Abstract: A method of improving the output and efficiency of a pulverized coal plant by integration with an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant.

Abstract: A method of using an apparatus for producing electric power or mechanical drive in which fuel gas produced in a gasifier using air as an oxidant is supplied to the gasifier by extraction from the exit of the air compressor of a gas turbine.

Abstract: Described is a boundary proximity determining system for wirelessly defining a boundary having a programmable shape and for indicating the occurrence of a rover unit traversing the boundary. The boundary proximity determining system includes a base station unit that generates a plurality of magnetic fields. The boundary proximity determining system also includes a rover unit that is responsive to the generated magnetic fields such that the rover unit defines the boundary in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields. The rover unit determines whether the rover unit is within or outside the boundary by determining the current location of the rover unit in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields and comparing the current location to the boundary.

Abstract: A hand brake for a rail car which is adapted to be connected to the actuator which forms a part of the brake system of the car. A chain wheel about which the actuator chain is wrapped is rotated through a hydraulic cylinder causing the chain to actuate the brake system.

Abstract: A brake beam assembly of the present invention includes an elongated beam disposed between railroad car truck sidewalls which carries brake pads at its ends, and is guided under power of an actuator between a standby and a braking position by a pair of pivot arms which swing in a pendulum-like fashion from pins mounted to the truck sidewalls.

Abstract: A braking mechanism according to the present invention for braking the wheels of a wheeled truck assembly includes a handle mounted to one beam which, when braking force is applied, urges a rod toward the other beam. The rod operates a lever mounted to the other beam which engages the actuation rod of the vehicle's pneumatic braking system, thereby operating the linkage included in the pneumatic system to separate the beams, bringing the brake pads into contact with the wheels to brake the wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for optimising the design of a manufacturing process in order to achieve predetermined goals including: A computer simulation model of the structural elements of a manufacturing process pre-programmed to operate according to predetermined flow and sequencing rules and data describing the required product mix and to output, during operation, data on request relating to breakdowns and queues at various resources within the process. A calculator received the data and calculates first values of complexity and constituent elements thereof from the output data of the computer simulation model and second values of complexity and constituent elements thereof from similar data relating to the real manufacturing process in operation.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for retaining a shipping container on a transport vehicle includes a fixed support and a latching member mounted on the fixed support for engagement into a latching receptacle on the container. A pivot pin slidably engages a pivot surface on the latching member, and an alignment pin slidably engages a wedging or camming surface on the latching member, thereby causing the latching member to rotate into the released position when loads are applied along the axis of the latching member. A spring yieldably urges the latching member to the latching or engaged position after the latching receptacle moves past a pawl on the end of the latching member.

Abstract: An anti-rotation extension for a railcar braking system. The extension is connected to a brake beam and rides in a frame located guide channel. The channel is preferably oriented offset from the center axis of rotation of the roller wheels. The extension preferably includes flattened portions to prevent rotation of the beam as the brakes are applied.

Abstract: A slack adjuster adapted for use in railroad truck car braking mechanisms. The slack adjuster compensates for wear of the truck car brake shoes by automatically adjusting the length of travel of the brake cylinder piston rod as the shoes wear. The slack adjuster of this invention includes a linkage connected between the air cylinder piston rod and one end of the slack adjuster. The invention also includes a bolster mounted linkage stabilizer which interconnects the other end of the slack adjuster, the brake lever, and the piston rod to eliminate oscillation of the piston rod during operation.

Abstract: A brake beam assembly for railroad cars. The brake beam includes a clevis rotatably connected to a channel member with the clevis having depending tabs which allow the clevis to be positioned in a right hand or left hand orientation. The clevis is connected to a leaf spring which is positioned in the channel member to accommodate excessive force during braking. The brake head is connected to an adaptor which allows the brake head and shoe to float and accommodate wheel wear or the misalignment of the brake beam and wheelset.

Abstract: A container locking arrangement including a pivoting lock arm and a load plate connected together by a bolt and spring combination. Upper and lower retaining members project outwardly of the lock arm to engage with container casting holes to effect locking of the two containers. A cammed lock release lever is attached to the lock arm and serves to unlock the container by pivoting of the lock arm.

Abstract: Cold start-up of a engine fueled by alcohol or hydrogen dissociated from alcohol by vaporizing alcohol in a first vaporizer contacting that vapor with methanation catalyst in a methanation reactor to form methane, passing methane and alcohol delivered through a by-pass conduit to the engine, starting the engine, vaporizing alcohol in a second vaporizer to form additional alcohol vapor, contacting the additional alcohol vapor and a dissociation catalyst in a dissociation reactor to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide, conveying the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to the engine.

Abstract: In a system including an alcohol fuel container, a first catalyst containing reactor, an internal combustion engine, alcohol is passed from the container through the first reactor which contains dissociation catalyst. The alcohol is dissociated in the first reactor to form a combustible gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen. The hydrogen is then fed to the engine. The improvement includes passing alcohol through a second reactor containing dehydration catalyst to form ether. Then passing that ether to the engine for start-up. Thus, the engine may be started using a mixture of ether formed in the second reactor and alcohol and then operated using hydrogen formed in the first reactor.

Abstract: A fuel treatment and distribution apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine comprising an alcohol storage tank,a vaporizer,a catalyst containing reactor,a dissociated alcohol storage tank,and a by-pass conduit means,said alcohol storage tank being in fluid flow communication with said vaporizer means,said alcohol storage tank being in fluid flow communication with said by-pass conduit means,said vaporizer being in fluid flow communication with said catalyst containing reactor means,said catalyst containing reactor means being in fluid flow communication with said dissociated gas storage tank,said dissociated gas storage tank being in fluid flow communication and internal combustion engine said by-pass conduit means being in fluid flow communication with said internal combustion engine whereby peak operating capacity being handled by addition of liquid alcohol through said by-pass conduit.