Abstract: An interlock monitoring system includes a magnetic proximity sensor within a poppet valve type coupler to detect whether the poppet valve is opened or closed. An open poppet valve indicates a proper connection. The sensor consists of dedicated electronics that prevent cheating, or bypassing, by either shorting out or opening the contacts to the sensor. In addition, a ferrous metal proximity switch is used to provide a redundant confirmation of proper connection of the coupler. The ferrous magnetic proximity switch will indicate whether or not the coupler is actually in contact with an appropriate connection. Each of the magnetic proximity sensor and the ferrous magnetic proximity switch must indicate a respective proper condition in order to determine a valid interlock condition.

Abstract: A fluid overfill detection and control system for controlling the transfer of fluid into a transport vehicle having multiple fluid compartments includes a plurality of overfill sensors that are connected in series with one another and that each produces an output pulse when the fluid level in its associated compartment is below a threshold level. A diagnostic line connected to each of the overfill sensors provides a diagnostic signal indicative of the number of overfill sensors that generate an output pulse, while a module on the vehicle provides an indication of the total number of overfill sensors located in the vehicle. To prevent a hazard due to the possible bypass of a overfill sensor, the controller compares the overfill sensor count signal to the diagnostic signal and inhibits the transfer of fluid into the vehicle if the values do not match.

Abstract: A hand held portable truck safety equipment tester uses loading rack criteria to confirm proper operation of the truck but is contained in a small portable battery operated unit. This unit allows for correlation to a rack controller's test and includes direct readout via an LED screen showing the error condition. Additionally, the tester has the capability to test all types of trucks without the need for adapters to accommodate different connectors and allows for remote diagnostics. The tester automatically determines which type of sensor and what grounding system is used.

Abstract: A hand held portable truck safety equipment tester uses loading rack criteria to confirm proper operation of the truck but is contained in a small portable battery operated unit. This unit allows for correlation to a rack controller's test and includes direct readout via an LED screen showing the error condition. Additionally, the tester has the capability to test all types of trucks without the need for adapters to accommodate different connectors and allows for remote diagnostics. The tester automatically determines which type of sensor and what grounding system is used.

Abstract: A breakaway cable is provided with a plug that has a number of wires that are arranged so as to disconnect in a predetermined sequence. The disconnect plug is designed to fit into a standard plug assembly. This end of the plug presents the same set of pins as a truck, thus extending the existing cable by the extender length. The breakaway cable is configured to break in a controlled manner in the event a vehicle to which the cable is connected should pull away.

Abstract: A breakaway cable is provided with a plug that has a number of wires that are arranged so as to disconnect in a predetermined sequence. The disconnect plug is designed to fit into a standard plug assembly. This end of the plug presents the same set of pins as a truck, thus extending the existing cable by the extender length. The breakaway cable is configured to break in a controlled manner in the event a vehicle to which the cable is connected should pull away.

Abstract: An interlock monitoring system includes a magnetic proximity sensor within a poppet valve type coupler to detect whether the poppet valve is opened or closed. An open poppet valve indicates a proper connection. The sensor consists of dedicated electronics that prevent cheating, or bypassing, by either shorting out or opening the contacts to the sensor. In addition, a ferrous metal proximity switch is used to provide a redundant confirmation of proper connection of the coupler. The ferrous magnetic proximity switch will indicate whether or not the coupler is actually in contact with an appropriate connection. Each of the magnetic proximity sensor and the ferrous magnetic proximity switch must indicate a respective proper condition in order to determine a valid interlock condition.

Abstract: A fluid overfill probe is resistant to failure caused by physical stresses resulting from thermal expansion of probe components. A fluid level detector is connected to circuit components that are mounted on a circuit board located in a housing of the probe. The circuit board is located within a tube that is positioned within, and secured to the housing, and the circuit board is secured to an inner surface of the tube along its edges. The tube has a shape and rigidity sufficient to maintain a gap between the circuit components and the inner surface of the tube such that thermal expansion of probe components result in no physical stress to the circuit components.

Abstract: A fluid overfill detection and control system for controlling the transfer of fluid into a transport vehicle having multiple fluid compartments includes a plurality of overfill sensors that are connected in series with one another and that each produces an output pulse when the fluid level in its associated compartment is below a threshold level. A diagnostic line connected to each of the overfill sensors provides a diagnostic signal indicative of the number of overfill sensors that generate an output pulse, while a module on the vehicle provides an indication of the total number of overfill sensors located in the vehicle. To prevent a hazard due to the possible bypass of a overfill sensor, the controller compares the overfill sensor count signal to the diagnostic signal and inhibits the transfer of fluid into the vehicle if the values do not match.

Abstract: A fluid overfill probe is resistant to failure caused by physical stresses resulting from thermal expansion of probe components. A fluid level detector is connected to circuit components that are mounted on a circuit board located in a housing of the probe. The circuit board is located within a tube that is positioned within, and secured to the housing, and the circuit board is secured to an inner surface of the tube along its edges. The tube has a shape and rigidity sufficient to maintain a gap between the circuit components and the inner surface of the tube such that thermal expansion of probe components result in no physical stress to the circuit components.

Abstract: An I/O structure for use in a digital data processing system of the type in which system components including a processor and a system memory are connected by a system bus. The I/O structure includes a system bus interface connected to the system bus, a synchronous satellite processing unit (SPU) bus connected to the system bus interface, one or more satellite processing units (SPUs) connected to the SPU bus, and peripheral devices attached to the satellite processing units. Each SPU has three main components: control logic including a microprocessor for controlling the SPU, a device adapter specific to the peripheral device for controlling the peripheral device and transferring data between the peripheral device and the SPU, and an interface unit connected to the control logic and the device adapter for providing I/O communications to the SPU bus and responding to I/O communications on the SPU bus. The I/O communications fall into two classes: communications to SPUs and communications to system components.

Abstract: A loosely-coupled computer system certains global resources and is made up of stand-alone systems connected by a data link. Each stand-alone system includes a global identifier list which contains identifiers for global resources and the locations of those resources. The global identifier list in each system is identical to those on other systems. Each system further includes a global identifier list maintenance system, an outbound global resource system, an inbound global resource system, and a communications system. When a request for a global resource is made in a stand-alone system, the outbound global resource system determines whether the resource is local or remote. If the resource is remote, the outbound global resource system makes a resource access message and sends it via the communications system to the remote system where the resource is located.

Abstract: A high speed link used to connect peer computer systems. The link includes data lines and control lines connected to a device adapter in the I/O system of each of the peer computer systems and logic in each device adapter. The data lines carry data words in parallel; the control lines include status lines indicating status of each of the peer systems, arbitration lines for indicating which of the peer systems currently desires to transmit data across the link and whether the link is available, and receiver acquisition lines for specifying which of the peer systems is to receive a transmission and whether the specified system is able to receive the transmission.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reconfiguring a memory in a data processing system to increase the rate of information transfer between system memory and processor. The system memory is comprised of a plurality M of memory banks, each having a separate data output path. In a first configuration a memory controller addresses the memory banks sequentially to read from one address location at a time. The memory is reconfigured by an address translator providing addresses addressing M banks in parallel, so that M locations are read in each read operation, and a bus reconfiguration multiplexer which reconfigures the bank output busses in parallel and selects one or more bank output busses as the memory output to the system processor.

Abstract: A remote control unit for an electrical appliance includes a pair of photocells and one or more threshold devices connected to sense differential illumination of the photocells. The threshold devices, in turn, emit signals that initiate operation of a control device connected to the appliance. The threshold devices are preferably gaseous discharge lamps whose light outputs are sensed by radiation-response switching circuitry.