Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing residential care and health is disclosed. The method includes providing a residential unit which is transported to a location proximate a residence of a primary health provider. The residential unit is then positioned on a plurality of height adjustable pads which function to retain the residential unit in place and substantially restrict any horizontal movement of the residential unit relative to the underlying ground. The resident is then introduced into the residential unit. The unit is fitted with telemetric monitoring equipment adapted to monitor and relay information regarding the resident's health, vital signs, movement to a remotely located care provider. Upon the resident obtaining a condition which no longer requires the monitoring of his health and vital signs, the residential unit is transported away from the location.

Abstract: An extended range, consistent force rail brake comprising an adjustable wedge assembly operatively situated between the main power spring(s) and the brake shoe(s) for selectively taking up the vertical distance that the brake shoe is required to travel between the brake release position and an initial railhead contact position. The adjustable wedge assembly is thus selectively expandable in the vertical orientation, and may comprise: an upper block that is operatively connected, either directly or indirectly, to the power spring; a lower wedge rigidly affixed to a replaceable brake shoe; and an intermediate wedge that is located by suitable bearings and/or linkages for transverse, generally horizontal slidable engagement between the upper block and the lower wedge.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicles in a platoon includes a lead vehicle controller on a lead vehicle in the platoon and a following vehicle controller on a following vehicle in the platoon. The lead vehicle controller is adapted to determine a braking distance, based on an initial speed of the lead vehicle and a percent of full service brake application of the lead vehicle, and transmit a braking distance signal indicating the braking distance. The following vehicle controller is adapted to identify the braking distance upon receiving the braking distance signal, determine a percent of full service brake application of the following vehicle based on an initial speed of the following vehicle and the braking distance, and transmit a signal to a following vehicle service brake to apply the following vehicle service brake at the determined percent of full service brake application.

Abstract: Provided is a brake device (2) which has reduced manufacturing cost, is compact, and can generate sufficient braking force. Also provided is a crane (1) which comprises the brake device (2). The brake device (2) is installed in a movable body (1) which travels. The brake device (2) is provided with a receiving section (22) affixed to the movable body (1) and is also provided with a brake shoe (21) disposed below the receiving section (21). The brake shoe (21) has a brake shoe upper surface (24) provided with sloped sections (24u, 24d). The receiving section (22) has a receiving lower surface (26) corresponding to the brake shoe upper surface (24) and provided with sloped sections (26u, 26d). The brake device (2) is configured so that, when the brake device (2) is activated, the brake shoe (21) drops, and the receiving section (22) rides over the brake shoe upper surface (24) when the movable body (1) moves.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to ground transportation systems, and more particularly to a fixed guideway transportation system that achieves a superior cost benefit ratio, is lower in net present cost and thus more easily justified for lower density corridors, and can provide passenger carrying capacities appropriate for higher density corridors serviced by mass rapid transit systems today. According to certain aspects, the present invention provides a braking control system and methodology that enables the implementation of related systems and methods that achieve safe headways at higher speeds than conventionally possible, while maintaining collision avoidance capabilities that support necessary MTBH criteria. In embodiments, a brake assembly for an axle of a vehicle provides redundancy and load-sharing such that failures are guaranteed to not occur above required safety criteria.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for safely lowering a user from a structure. The apparatus includes a user support component upon which the user is supported while being safely lowered from the structure. The apparatus includes a brake system that has two hydraulic brakes configured to apply first and second defined pressures on a brake pad against a track situated proximate the structure. The track is configured not to activate the first and second hydraulic brakes at an upper vertical section of the track to allow the apparatus to descend with a positive acceleration; activate only the first hydraulic brake at a middle vertical section of the track to allow the apparatus to descend with a substantially constant velocity; and activate only the second hydraulic brake at a lower vertical section of the track to allow the apparatus to descend with a negative acceleration.

Abstract: A mechanized vent for a dishwasher employs a vent plate moving about a hinge axis as driven by a cam mechanism at a surface of the vent plate removed from the hinge axis.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a moveable component of an aircraft seat. The locking apparatus includes a housing for being slidably received in a track, a first pair of opposed cams pivotally mounted in the housing, and a release member. The cams are moved between a lock position where the cams prevent the housing from sliding within the track and a release position. The release member is selectively moveable between a first position where the cams are maintained in the lock position and a second position where the cams are maintained in the release position.

Abstract: A direct braking of a drive shaft for a tracked vehicle that moves on rotating track(s). A disc brake is connected to the same drive shaft that has sprocket(s) for engaging the track(s). Upon activation by a vehicle driver, opposing pistons engage the disc to retard rotation of the drive shaft. This, in turn, causes slower rotation of the tracks and slower movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rail brake element, in particular in connection with rail brake buffer blocks, comprising a pair of clamping plates C-shaped in cross section and having upper and lower leg portions, the clamping plates engaging a rail head on opposite sides, at least one braking block element having a flat lower surface which engages the top surface of the rail head and two upper roof-like tapered surfaces, whereby the block element and the brake linings are pressed against the rail head, characterized in that the tapered surfaces of the block element have an angle relative to a horizontal plane of at least 20° and the block element and the clamping plates are dimensioned such that the end of the upper leg portions of the clamping plates have a significant distance from the upper edge of the associated tapered surface if the rail head is not worn.

Abstract: A linear drive comprising a housing and a rail, which is mounted on the housing such that they can move relatively. Drive elements on the housing and on the rail to produce relative movement between the housing and the rail. The housing has a braking device to interact with a brake track provided on the rail. The brake track is in a groove in the rail. Anti-friction elements between the housing and the rail ride in the groove.

Abstract: A monorail transit system includes transit drive units for supporting a transit car body on a beam and propelling the body along the beam. Improvements to the transit system include a quiet steel rail with vibration isolation for the beam, a vehicle braking system using a fixed plat engaged with a steel rail to arrest motion of the drive unit, a beam stabilizing support structure comprising a column with an insert that extends into a hollow beam portion, a drive unit coupled to the transit car body so as to be able to rotate with respect to the body while the drive unit and transit car body are traversing a curve in the rail, a leveling system for automatically leveling the car body with respect to a loading platform and a mechanism for automatically tilting the car body in response to centrifugal forces and then leveling the body, an articulating car body for accommodating curved beams, and a mechanism for providing positive traction on an inclined steel rail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail brake element, in particular for use in rail brake buffer blocks, comprising a pair of clamping plates extending about a rail head from each side and supported against its top surface, which clamping plates are clamped against the rail head by a clamping device including a clamping bolt and a spring assembly, and include at its portion below the rail head a brake lining portion of suitable rigid friction material for engagement with the rail head, wherein the brake lining layer engages the rail head by means of a raised portion of wear material having a static friction coefficient smaller than that of the brake lining layer.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a railroad locomotive applies a lubricant with great accuracy in computer-controlled, precise quantities behind the last axle of the last locomotive such that the lubricant is consumed by the time the entire train has passed under all track, speed, temperature and train size conditions. Hydraulic pulse-width modulation (PWM or %PWM) controls the quantity of lubricant delivered. Time is divided into a series of windows each consisting of a few seconds. Lubricant delivered from a pressurized tank through long hoses to a solenoid controlled valve is then metered by the duration within this time window for which the computer computes and opens the valve. Compensation is provided for train tonnage and lubricant temperature as well as track curvature and train speed.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a railroad locomotive applies a lubricant with great accuracy in computer-controlled, precise quantities behind the last axle of the last locomotive such that the lubricant is consumed by the time the entire train has passed under all track, speed, temperature and train size conditions. Hydraulic pulse-width modulation (PWM or %PWM) controls the quantity of lubricant delivered. Time is divided into a series of windows each consisting of a few seconds. Lubricant delivered from a pressurized tank through long hoses to a solenoid controlled valve is then metered by the duration within this time window for which the computer computes and opens the valve. Compensation is provided for train tonnage and lubricant temperature as well as track curvature and train speed.

Abstract: A racing-type amusement ride utilizes a self-propelled vehicle which has guide wheels to move along a track having a beginning end, a finish end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a top, a rail along which a guide wheel of the self-propelled vehicle runs situated on the top of the track, and attached to at least one lateral side of said track between the beginning end of the track and the finish end of the track a frictional strip. Deceleration of the self-propelled vehicle is accomplished by having at least one brake pad so attached to the self-propelled vehicle that such brake pad will come into contact with a frictional strip.

Abstract: A railcar retarder assembly for use in a railroad trackwork such as a railcar classification yard is provided with a fixed base plate, a vertically-oriented pivot shaft secured to the base plate, an elongated and curved cam member mounted on the pivot shaft, and a horizontally-oriented hydraulic subsystem piston element that induces reaction hydraulic damping forces which are transmitted horizontally to the wheel flanges of a passing railcar to thereby reduce the rolling velocity of the railcar.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a railroad locomotive applies a lubricant with great accuracy in computer-controlled, precise quantities behind the last axle of the last locomotive such that the lubricant is consumed by the time the entire train has passed under all track, speed, temperature and train size conditions. Hydraulic pulse-width modulation (PWM or % PWM) controls the quantity of lubricant delivered. Time is divided into a series of windows each consisting of a few seconds. Lubricant delivered from a pressurized tank through long hoses to a solenoid controlled valve is then metered by the duration within this time window for which the computer computes and opens the valve. Compensation is provided for train tonnage and lubricant temperature as well as track curvature and train speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Personal Rapid Transit system for transporting passengers along a pre-set guideway, and more particularly relates to a future Personal Rapid Transit vehicle braking system. A conventional braking system can not provide the large braking force required for very short headway operation under the effect of weather and environmental conditions due to variations in the available coefficients of friction at the running surfaces. In particular, the Personal Rapid Transit which is a public transportation system can not adopt the conventional braking system since the vehicles are powered by linear motors and are independent of traction. The PRT brake system comprises brake reaction rails (120) mounted on each inside of the guideway and brakes (300) acting on these brake reaction rails (120) as calipers. The brakes are automatically actuated when electric power supply is cut off, and thus can serve as parking brakes and emergency brakes.

Abstract: A safety apparatus includes a safety device and a centrifugal force speed governor for preventing overspeed conditions of an elevator car in both the downward direction and the upward direction. A bracket attached to the elevator car slidably retains a shaft at right angle to a guide rail attached to an elevator shaft wall. A U-shaped frame is attached to an end of the shaft and rotatably carries a running wheel. A compression spring extends over the shaft between the bracket and the frame to bias the running wheel against the web of the guide rail. On each side of the running wheel, a pair of release levers are rotatably supported to rotate during travel of the car in normal operation. In response to an overspeed condition, the release levers pivot into engagement with a pair of stationary ratchet wheels which are connected with a pair of actuating levers. The ratchet wheels are rotated by the running wheel which movement rotates the actuating levers.

Abstract: An unwind stand for positioning and controlling the unwinding of large paper rolls to processing machines is mounted on wheels riding on rails and motor driven through hydraulic motor to providing gripping and longitudinal movement of the rolls. Swinging gripping arms are mounted on the stand and disposed to grip the ends of the roll and raise it above the floor and hold it in position and provides for unwinding. The arms are capable of longitudinal movement along the axis of the roll, either individually or simultaneously, for flexibility in picking up the roll and locating it into operating position. A device is provided for final axial adjustment in alignment with the processing machine in a transverse direction and a device for gripping the rails to hold the machine in a fixed position and to prevent its tipping over.

Abstract: A hydraulic decelerator having a waterbrake cylinder positioned within a reservoir wherein the cylinder is made up of a plurality of cylinder segments which are secured to a solid block member with four rods. The interfaces of the segments are ground and polished to provide a smooth close fit. Each segment includes bore holes in a predetermined pattern in the top and two sides with orifice or plug inserts being threaded into the holes. Internally threaded captive ring members are held between semicircular channels at the adjoining surfaces of the channels. Transition orifice inserts are threaded into the ring members. A frangible membrane is secured between the first segment and piston guide assembly secured to the first segment. The reservoir is filled with water, including a rust inhibiter, to a level of about 1/4 inch above the segmented waterbrake cylinder such as to completely fill the cylinder with water.

Abstract: A railway track brake comprising a series of segments connected together in pairs and installed transversely between the rails of the track, each segment including a top beam with a shaft rotatably installed inside the top beam and provided at its ends with projecting arms carrying contact rollers for engagement with the wheels of the vehicle to be braked. The top beam is rotated with the shaft when the vehicle wheels contact the rollers and rotate the arms. The top beam is connected to a bottom beam which is linearly displaceable by means of a crank and a connecting rod. The bottom beam is connected to an energy absorbing device including a strip having a friction lining in contact with rotatable rolls. The bottom beams of each pair of segments are interconnected by a double-arm lever such that the bottom beams move in opposite directions.