Abstract: A third rail paddle system includes a support assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle, a pivot connection attached to the support assembly and that defines a range of up and down movement, and a third rail paddle assembly having an arm unit and a paddle. The paddle assembly is attached to the pivot connection for the paddle to contact a third rail and move up and down relative to the third rail when the support assembly is attached to the vehicle. One of the pivot connection, the paddle assembly, or the support assembly includes a stop element that limits the range of the up and down movement and prevents the paddle assembly from moving downwards to a bottom of the range of movement.

Abstract: A tower crane for assembling a wind turbine includes a boom assembly including a boom and a hoisting block coupled to the boom, an extendable tower assembly including a plurality of tower sections, and a transport assembly including a central support frame coupled to the tower assembly, a self-propelled transporter configured to transport the tower crane, and a diagonal brace extending between the central support frame and the transporter, wherein the diagonal brace includes a linear actuator configured to selectably extend and retract the diagonal brace.

Abstract: A tower crane for performing a lifting a load includes an extendable tower assembly having a central axis and including a plurality of separate tower sections, a climbing assembly including a climbing frame positioned on the tower assembly and a latching assembly to transport the climbing assembly vertically along the tower assembly, and a boom assembly atop the tower assembly and including a crane floor, a boom supported on the crane floor, a lifting member coupled to the boom, and a slew bearing coupled to the crane floor and configured to permit the crane floor to rotate about a rotational axis, wherein the slew bearing includes a first bearing position and a second bearing position spaced from the first bearing position relative to the central axis of the tower assembly.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for a solar array includes a top hat assembly including an outer top hat having a longitudinally extending first rail configured to contact a solar module of the solar array, and an inner top having a longitudinally extending second rail also configured to contact the solar module, an actuator arm assembly comprising a pair of actuator arms which extend from the top hat assembly and which form an opening configured to receive a tubular member of the solar array, and a fastener assembly configured to connect the pair of actuator arms and secure the mounting bracket to both the solar module and the tubular member.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a portable hand washing station having a sink with an atomizing nozzle that can provide an ultra-low flow of atomized liquid. The atomizing nozzle can reduce consumption of water and reduce the required supply of power for adequate operation of a heating device and a pump of the portable hand washing station. The heating device can include insulation, such that the heating device can provide heated water during an extended operation period.

Abstract: A tower crane for assembling a wind turbine includes a boom assembly including a boom and a hoisting block coupled to the boom, an extendable tower assembly including a plurality of tower sections, and a transport assembly including a central support frame coupled to the tower assembly, a self-propelled transporter configured to transport the tower crane, and a diagonal brace extending between the central support frame and the transporter, wherein the diagonal brace includes a linear actuator configured to selectably extend and retract the diagonal brace.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a portable hand washing station having a sink with an atomizing nozzle that can provide an ultra-low flow of atomized liquid. The atomizing nozzle can reduce consumption of water and reduce the required supply of power for adequate operation of a heating device and a pump of the portable hand washing station. The heating device can include insulation, such that the heating device can provide heated water during an extended operation period.

Abstract: An audio amplified combustion system is described that has a fuel injector a positioned proximate to a speaker so that a flame moves in concert with audio emitted from the speaker. A projection column and projection top can be positioned above the cone of the speaker to define a volume for the combustion. Various apparatuses, methods, and systems for keeping the speaker cool are also described. Coating on various parts of the system to increase or decrease emissivity or absorptivity of various parts can keep the speaker cool. In addition, a control unit can cause the speaker to “pant” or vibrate at a low or high frequency to induce convective and keep the speaker cool. These and other features of the audio amplified combustion system are described herein.

Abstract: An audio amplified combustion system is described that has a fuel injector a positioned proximate to a speaker so that a flame moves in concert with audio emitted from the speaker. A projection column and projection top can be positioned above the cone of the speaker to define a volume for the combustion. Various apparatuses, methods, and systems for keeping the speaker cool are also described. Coating on various parts of the system to increase or decrease emissivity or absorptivity of various parts can keep the speaker cool. In addition, a control unit can cause the speaker to “pant” or vibrate at a low or high frequency to induce convective and keep the speaker cool. These and other features of the audio amplified combustion system are described herein.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator for high voltage applications exhibits reduced corona and arcing by utilizing dielectric-coated electrodes in conjunction with a non-centrosymmetric crystal. The inclusion of an insulative coating (i.e., a dielectric material) on at least a portion of the electrodes reduces the possibility of arcing or corona, without requiring the application of any type of coating material directly on the crystal itself. Thus, the birefringent response of the crystal is not impacted by this coated electrode configuration of the present invention. In one configuration, the exposed surfaces of the electrodes are coated with an insulative material, while maintaining a direct contact between the electrodes and the surface of the crystal.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting and positioning stay in place metal decking between support girders which have a substantially horizontal top surface with opposite side edges defining a width of the substantially horizontal top surface, includes a plurality of straps for placement on the substantially horizontal top surface of the support girder and having substantially vertical end portions at the ends thereof substantially aligned with the opposite edges of the substantially horizontal top surface, and a pair of angle irons, one side of each angle iron forming the height of the angle iron adapted to be adjustably attached to and to be adjustably vertically positioned with respect to the vertical end portions of the strap, and the width of the angle iron being sufficient for holding the edge of a metal decking pan. Wind clips can be installed to hold the assembly in position in high wind conditions.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator for high voltage applications exhibits reduced corona and arcing by utilizing dielectric-coated electrodes in conjunction with a non-centrosymmetric crystal. The inclusion of an insulative coating (i.e., a dielectric material) on at least a portion of the electrodes reduces the possibility of arcing or corona, without requiring the application of any type of coating material directly on the crystal itself. Thus, the birefringent response of the crystal is not impacted by this coated electrode configuration of the present invention. In one configuration, the exposed surfaces of the electrodes are coated with an insulative material, while maintaining a direct contact between the electrodes and the surface of the crystal.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder including directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on. Fluid from a main pump is directed to a torque converter, which fluid is directed to at least one of a lube operation, a tank or a cooler when the retarder is turned off. Fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter is directed to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled, and to the tank or the lube operation when the retarder is filled.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder includes directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on, directing fluid from a main pump by way of a torque converter to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled. When the retarder is off or is on and filled, the method includes directing fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter to at least one of a lube operation, the tank or a cooler.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting and positioning stay in place metal decking between support girders which have a substantially horizontal top surface with opposite side edges defining a width of the substantially horizontal top surface, includes a plurality of straps for placement on the substantially horizontal top surface of the support girder and having substantially vertical end portions at the ends thereof substantially aligned with the opposite edges of the substantially horizontal top surface, and a pair of angle irons, one side of each angle iron forming the height of the angle iron adapted to be adjustably attached to and to be adjustably vertically positioned with respect to the vertical end portions of the strap, and the width of the angle iron being sufficient for holding the edge of a metal decking pan. Wind clips can be installed to hold the assembly in position in high wind conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting and positioning stay in place metal decking between support girders which have a substantially horizontal top surface with opposite side edges defining a width of the substantially horizontal top surface, includes a plurality of straps for placement on the substantially horizontal top surface of the support girder and having substantially vertical end portions at the ends thereof substantially aligned with the opposite edges of the substantially horizontal top surface, and a pair of angle irons, one side of each angle iron forming the height of the angle iron adapted to be adjustably attached to and to be adjustably vertically positioned with respect to the vertical end portions of the strap, and the width of the angle iron being sufficient for holding the edge of a metal decking pan. Wind clips can be installed to hold the assembly in position in high wind conditions.

Abstract: A golf training aid with removably attached weights, wherein the golf training aid includes putters and non-putters. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a putter having an elongated shaft with a putter head attached thereto. The putter head includes a recess centrally located thereon. The recess is configured to store one or more weights therein in a side-by-side orientation. Alternatively, the weights can be attached along the shaft, preferably so that the weights are biased toward the putter head. The weights are composed of a strong magnetic material so that the weights are secured in place and prevented from shifting during a swing.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder including directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on. Fluid from a main pump is directed to a torque converter, which fluid is directed to at least one of a lube operation, a tank or a cooler when the retarder is turned off. Fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter is directed to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled, and to the tank or the lube operation when the retarder is filled.

Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder includes directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on, directing fluid from a main pump by way of a torque converter to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled. When the retarder is off or is on and filled, the method includes directing fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter to at least one of a lube operation, the tank or a cooler.