Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexibly positioned power drive unit (“PDU) system. The flexibly positioned PDU system may comprise a flexibly positioned PDU comprising a PDU hinged portion and a track coupled to the flexibly positioned PDU, wherein the flexibly positioned PDU is configured to move along a cargo deck and the PDU hinged portion is configured to move a cargo unit from a first location to a second location via the track.

Abstract: A hard disk cache includes entries to be written to a disk, and also includes ordering information describing the order that they should be written to the disk. Data may be written from the cache to the disk in the order specified by the ordering information. In some situations, data may be written out of order. Further, in some situations, clean data from the cache may be combined with dirty data from the cache when performing a cache flush.

Abstract: Measuring mechanical propulsive power includes establishing a first power and a second power. The first power is associated with a first rate of energy conversion by a device in a fluid, where the device is in the wake of a self-propelled conveyance moving with respect to the fluid. The average distance between the device and self-propelled conveyance may remain substantially unchanged. The second power is associated with a second rate of energy conversion by the device in the fluid without the self-propelled conveyance, where the other physical factors are substantially similar to that associated with the first power. The difference between the first power and the second power is calculated. The mechanical propulsive power for the self-propelled conveyance is determined using mappings, where a mapping associates the difference with the mechanical propulsive power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting roll-off containers is disclosed wherein a special trailer is fabricated with longitudinally extending main rails and a plurality of inside rollers and outside rollers rotatively affixed to the main rails. A plurality of six roll-off containers are stacked to form two similar nests of three containers each, with the lowermost container of each nest oriented in horizontal alignment. The two nests of containers are placed upon the trailer in longitudinal juxtaposition in a location wherein the bottom rails of the lowermost containers rest upon either the inside or outside rollers. During unloading, the trailer is backed and suddenly stopped in stages to employ inertial forces to move the nests of containers relative to the trailer.

Abstract: Tie down system for a three wheeled motorcycle which uses a pair of securing plates in conjunction with tie down straps to be located about the axle which supports the rear wheels of the motorcycle and a spaced apart locking plate which utilizes a movable clamping bar to be tightly connected over a bracing bar mounted on the frame of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A rail car having an interior cavity defined partially by vertical rail car side walls and a roof structure with an inwardly and upwardly directed portion to improve car clearance is disclosed. Access to the cavity for loading and unloading lading is through an end opening. A pair of door assemblies, each of which includes a plurality of panels, each panel of which is pivotally movable with respect to the others, are included for closing the end opening. Pivot means for mounting each of the door assemblies are provided to move the door assemblies between their respective folded open positions and unfolded closed positions. The pivot means are mounted for movement toward and away from the interior of the rail car to permit storage of the folded door assemblies within the rail car along the car side walls. Top panel portions extend from the top of the door assemblies angularly inwardly relative to the opening and in spaced relation with each other and the roof structure.