Abstract: A diesel engine (E) has a combustion chamber (C), a piston (T) movable in the chamber, air intake and exhaust valves (IV, EV), and a nozzle (N) injecting fuel into the combustion chamber. By controlling characteristics of an air-fuel mixture, emissions produced by combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the chamber are reduced to levels which satisfy the Tier 2 requirements established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the engine. This may include controlling hydraulic flow characteristics through the nozzle, increasing the compression ratio within the combustion chamber, lowering the manifold air temperature (MAT), and retarding the start of fuel injection (SOI) within the chamber.

Abstract: A monolithic surface mountable monopole antenna. The antenna comprises a top plate having a plurality of conductive regions and a like plurality of legs extending away from a plane of the top plate in a direction of a ground plane. Each leg is disposed between two adjacent conductive regions. In an embodiment wherein the top plate comprises four conductive regions, two of the four legs are connected to an underlying ground plane and two of the legs are connected to a signal feed conductor.

Abstract: This invention provides helper-dependent adenovirus cloning vectors and helper adenoviruses, and methods for making and Using such preparations, wherein the helper adenoviruses contain recombinase target sites that are useful in reducing the level of contamination of helper virus in helper-dependent adenovirus vector preparations.

Abstract: The oral medication delivery device provides patient access to medications prescribed to be available on an as-needed basis, but with a minimum time intervals between doses. The required time interval between drug accessibility is programmed into the device when the medication tray carrying the multiple doses is loaded into the device. The device allows access to a single dose of the medication after each minimum time interval has elapsed. When the drug dose is removed from the device, the medication tray locks until the next minimum time interval has elapsed.

Abstract: A railroad distributed power communication method and system for wireless transceiver units at spaced locations along a train having remote units that may be out of direct communication with the lead unit for indicating that at least one of a plurality of such remote units is in receipt of a command message from the lead unit. The method and system including transmitting a status reply message from each of the plurality of remote units in response to that unit's receipt of the command message. Each of the status reply messages may include at least status information of the respective remote that corresponds to command instructions of the command message. At least one of the status reply messages of one of the other respective remote units may be received at an intermediate unit. The received status reply messages may be compared to the command message to determine whether the respective remote unit has received the command message and/or is following the set of command instructions.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling traction of a locomotive (V) having a plurality of axles (A1–A6) on each of which are mounted wheels (W) for moving the locomotive over a set of rails (R). A creep control signal (creep_n) is provided to a controller (TMTC) for each axle to move the locomotive over the rails, the creep control signal being a function of adhesion operation characteristics (tractive effort, torque, creep) for that axle. An advisory signal (ccc_n) combining values representative of the adhesion quality of the two axles is provided to the controller to maximize the tractive effort of the axle if the adhesion quality of the other axle is a maximum for the current rail conditions. This reduces the amount of time for the axle to attain its maximum tractive effort when rail conditions change.

Abstract: A method for preventing use of an unapproved fuel in a diesel engine uses a fuel tank that does not have a conventional fueling opening and has a puncturable fitting for connection to fuel lines of the engine. The engine fuel lines terminate in a mount that has fangs adapted for puncturing the fuel tank fitting. The tank is against the mount so that the fangs puncture the fitting to allow fuel to flow from the tank to the fuel line. Since the tank does not have a fuel filling opening, it cannot be refilled without special equipment and must be removed from the engine for refilling.

Abstract: A method of transferring CD ROM formatted files independently of operating systems. The method includes booting a computer with an operating system kernel loaded from a bootable CD ROM, and loading a file transfer application. The application can recognize CD ROM formatted files and can write selected files to a writeable CD ROM. The method further includes replacing the bootable CD ROM with a writeable CD ROM after the file transfer application is loaded, and copying the CD ROM formatted files from the computer to the writeable CD ROM. The method may also include selecting files on a computer's hard drive, converting the files to a CD ROM format and writing the files to a writeable CD ROM. A bootable CD having a bootable hard disk data structure, an operating system kernel, and an application for reading and burning ISO 9660 images and hard drive content to a writeable CD ROM is described.

Abstract: System and method for controlling an appliance for drying clothing articles is provided. The appliance has a container for receiving the clothing articles. A motor is provided for rotating the container about an axis. A heater is provided for supplying heated air to the container during a dry cycle. A sensor is provided for providing a signal indicative of moisture content of the articles. Memory is provided memory for storing historical stop time data of respective dry cycles. A noise-reduction filter is coupled to receive the signal from the moisture sensor to provide selectable filtering to that signal. A timer provides a signal indicative of elapsed time upon start of the dry cycle. A module is responsive to the historical data in the memory for determining an initial estimate of the stop time of the dry cycle to be executed. A processor allows for estimating the stop time of the dry cycle as the cycle is being executed.

Abstract: A self cleaning birdbath with a bowl (10) which is shaped for easy cleaning and fixed to a support pole (14) that has a water supply pipe (13) inside it, connected to a gear driven lawn sprinkler (12) with a converter nozzle (11), that will produce a cleaning water jet (15) aimed downward into the bowl (10) which quickly empties the bowl (10) then the cleaning water jet (15) strikes the water holding surface of the bowl (10) directly and pressure washes it, the entire water holding surface of the bowl (10) is cleaned as the gear driven lawn sprinkler (12) rotates a full 360 degrees for as long as is needed for satisfactory cleaning. When the cleaning is done the water pressure is reduced so the water coming from the converter nozzle (11) will not have enough inertia to go over the rim, the bowl (10) will refill until the water is turned off.

Abstract: A cup-dispensing apparatus and system is disclosed that utilizes a front piece that comprises a side-access port into which is reversibly inserted a cup-dispensing insert. This front piece/cup-dispensing insert assembly may be manufactured separately from or integral with other components of a cup-dispensing unit. The cup-dispensing unit comprises a flexible gasket or other cup retaining means that retains the last of a stack of cups in place, against an opposing cup-advancing force developed within the cup-dispensing unit. The use of the side-access port provides for improved performance, maintenance, repair, and aesthetic qualities.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are cap (120), skullcap (200), hat (270), and hat insert (350) devices comprising a weight-increasing layer, such as an elastomeric weight layer (114, 214, 350, 414, 454, 514). The elastomeric weight layer (114, 214, 350, 414, 454, 514) is comprised of an elastomer and weighted bodies. In some embodiments the weight-increasing layer is shaped to conform to the crown of the head of a person wearing headwear of the present invention. In other embodiments a weighted component fits within a hat. Other forms of the weight-increasing layer include a double-walled bladder structure (700), shaped to conform to a person's head, into which weighted material is added. Exercise with such devices serves to increase the bone strengthening weight stress experienced by the wearer's spinal column and to encourage the wearer to maintain an improved, healthier posture.

Abstract: An analysis scheduler for scheduling the automatic processing of performance data through a plurality of analysis tools is disclosed. Performance data provided to some of the tools by the analysis scheduler may be specified to be within a predetermined (but variable) look-back period. The analysis tools identify faults and anomalous conditions and also create repair recommendations, and automatically create problem cases when conditions warrant, or update existing problem cases with additional data, all under control of the analysis scheduler. The problem cases are reviewed by a human user and then forwarded to the railroad for implementation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating an active crank series of signals that is derived from at least two series of signals, wherein one or both of the series of signals have been modulated to produce two series of signals that resemble each other. Also disclosed herein is a crankshaft positioning system for determining the rotational position of a crankshaft of an engine that utilizes at least two crank angle sensors 10 and 12. The signal information from the two crank angle sensors 10 and 12 is processed by a signal processor 150 such that the series of signals 220 from the second crank angle sensor 12 emulates the series of signals 210 from the first crank angle processor 10. The signal processor generates an active crank series of signals 230 based on the two series of signals 210, 220. The active crank series of signals 230 is sent to an engine control processor 120 which directs the injection and/or ignition of fuel into cylinders of an engine.