Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the effectiveness of a heat exchange unit, which comprises at least one or more sensors for taking a plurality of temperature readings of a heated fluid, a coolant and fluids passing through the heat exchange unit. The temperature readings are transmitted and/or entered into a processor capable of comparing the temperature readings and calculating a measure of effectiveness of the heat exchange unit. The processor is in communication with a database that maintains at least one predetermined parameter limit associated with the effectiveness of the heat exchange unit. The processor analyzes the data and is also capable of generating a signal indicative of the health or condition of the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: Method for controlling the level of tractive efforts in a train having a first locomotive at a head end of the train, constituting a lead locomotive, and a second locomotive positioned in the train behind the lead locomotive, constituting a remote locomotive, with the remote locomotive being configured to selectively operate in either of two modes of operation, such as a first mode in which the locomotive operates at a full tractive effort level of operation and a second mode in which the locomotive operates in a partial tractive effort level of operation producing a tractive effort which is less than the full tractive effort of the locomotive. The method allows selecting (e.g., at the lead locomotive) one of the two modes of operation for producing a level of tractive effort appropriate for conditions as the train moves along a length of track. The method further allows transmitting a signal indicative of the selected mode of operation from the lead locomotive to the remote locomotive.

Abstract: An arm pillow comprising a pillow having an elastic support sleeve attached to a backside of the pillow. The support sleeve fits snugly over a user's elbow so the pillow will not move on the elbow.

Abstract: An acetabular reamer including a reaming head having arcuately-shaped segments generally symmetrically distributed about a center point. The arcuately-shaped segments are extendable or retractable about the center point to create a variable dimensioned recess in an acetabular region. The reamer may also include an actuator for selectively extending or retracting the segments so that the segments remain generally symmetrically distributed about the center point as the segments are expanded or retracted. The segments may further include cutting surfaces having a shape corresponding to a portion of a surface of a hemisphere. In one form, the segments may be configured in a narrow symmetrical “slice” of a hemispherical surface that provides an adjustable hemispherically shaped cutting arc.

Abstract: An ultra-wide bandwidth antenna. The antenna comprises a serially electrically connected top radiator, side radiator and bottom radiator. Geometrically, the top radiator, side radiator and bottom radiator form a U-shaped structure. A meanderline conductor is connected between the bottom radiator and ground. The top radiator is connected to a signal feed.

Abstract: In a utility power distribution system having at least one primary electric power source and at least one secondary electric power source, each of said primary and secondary sources being connected to the distribution system through respective controllable circuit breakers, the improvement comprising communication signal generating apparatus arranged for introducing a communication signal into the power distribution system from the connection of the primary power source, communication signal receiving apparatus arranged for receiving the communication signal via the power distribution system at the secondary power source, and apparatus responsive to the interruption of receipt of the communication signal at the receiving apparatus for operating the circuit breakers at the secondary power source for disconnecting the secondary power source from the power distribution system.

Abstract: A vessel monitoring and control system. Data indicative of operational conditions for vessel systems is transmitted from the vessel to one or more remote sites and commands are received from the one or more remote sites for controlling the vessel systems. Multiple transmitting and receiving components are available on the vessel for communicating with a variety of different communications systems at the remote sites.

Abstract: An antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency energy. The antenna comprises a conductive top plate formed in the shape of a spiral. In one embodiment a sidewall meanderline extends from an edge of the top plate in the direction of a ground plane. A shorting meanderline connects the top plate and the ground plane. A first region of the top plate overlies the ground plane. A second region of the top plate extends beyond the ground plane. Tuning is provided by adjusting the length and other dimensions of the meanderlines.

Abstract: A hand-held device for applying a layer of fluid droplets on a target or subject is provided. The device includes a housing with a fluid reservoir. The device further includes an inlet port in the housing for receiving pressurized fluid. A rotatable brush roll in the housing includes a plurality of bristles. The brush roll is configured for rotation along an axis positioned to have a selected spatial relationship relative to an exit window in the housing. A conduit for delivering the pressurized fluid to the bristles in the brush roll is provided. At least one flipper element is positioned to contact the tips of the bristles extending over a corresponding section of the rotatable roll so that fluid collected therein is propelled through the exit window in the housing with a pattern at least in part based on the selected spatial relationship between the rotation axis of the brush roll and the exit window. An outlet port is provided for draining fluid that accumulates in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the smoke emissions of a railroad locomotive during throttle notch changes. For certain throttle notch increases the present invention advances the engine timing angle and controls application of the load at the new throttle notch position, according to certain predetermined parameters. These strategies, when used together or separately, minimize visible smoke during transient operation.

Abstract: The Duffel Bag Airplane is an inflatable flying wing unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV). The fuselage will house everything but the wings. The wing can be rolled up around the fuselage into a small package when deflated for easy transportation, such as by being carried in a duffle bag. Fabric construction, a small internal combustion engine with cooled exhaust, and wing warping controls combine to make the airplane inexpensive and extremely stealthy. All the usual signatures have been suppressed, which allow it to be used to make observations from close range under combat conditions. Control of this airplane is accomplished by warping the wings and is supplemented with stability augmentation.

Abstract: A collapsible container configured to lay substantially flat in a collapsed position and maintain an extended or usable position by utilizing load-bearing means rigidly disposed among and affixed to various support members. The load-bearing means are adapted to receive support members and sustain the container in its usable position when a load is placed therein. The load bearing means resist movement of support members in the direction caused by the load exerted on the container. When the load is removed, the load-bearing means is adapted to permit the support members to be withdrawn there from so that the container may be transitioned to a substantially flat collapsed position.

Abstract: The time difference of arrival for a signal received at two or more receiving sites as transmitted from a wireless communications device, is determined by a frequency domain technique. The constituent frequencies of the signals received at the two or more receiving sites are determined, including the phase, or a value representative of the phase, of each frequency component. The phase values for the same frequency are subtracted to yield a phase difference values as a function of frequency. The slope of the function represents the time difference of arrival for the wireless communications device signal as received at the two receiving sites. To determine the mobile location based on the determined time difference of arrival values, a seed or initial location is first assumed for the wireless communications device and the distance difference of arrival (the time difference of arrival multiplied by the speed of light) is calculated.

Abstract: A method for controlling start of a compression ignition engine having a plurality of cylinders without a cam sensor is provided. Each cylinder includes a respective piston reciprocally movable between respective top and bottom positions along a cylinder longitudinal axis. The method comprises providing a respective fuel delivery assembly for each cylinder. In one embodiment the method further comprises retrieving from memory a set of fuel delivery assembly firing rules and then processing the firing rules so that a firing signal is delivered to each fuel delivery assembly on every crank revolution during a cranking mode of operation. The fuel delivery assembly is arranged to be responsive to any firing signal received during an injection window leading to the top position along the longitudinal axis so as to supply fuel to each cylinder during that injection window.

Abstract: In a railroad locomotive having a plurality of systems which collectively are used for locomotive operations, a method of self-healing a system of the plurality of systems comprising monitoring operational conditions of the system, detecting at least one of a pending and a current failure, determining a self-healing procedure to correct the failure, and applying the self-healing procedure comprising at least one of a safe mode technique, a redundancy technique, and an automatic configuration technique.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for containing and displaying a plurality of objects, such as compact discs and/or digital video discs for example, that may include a back cover and a tray front coupled with the back cover in a hinged relation so that the back cover and tray front may be articulated between an open position and a closed position. A tray seated in a hinged relation within a base portion of the tray front may be provided wherein the tray may be articulated between a first position and a second position when the apparatus is in the open position. A cartridge may be included that may be removably inserted within the tray. The cartridge may include a base portion have a first plurality of slots for receiving a lower edge of a plurality of respective discs.

Abstract: An antenna providing circular polarization for received and transmitted signals. The antenna comprises a vertical conductive surfaces oriented to form a closed structure and horizontal conductive surfaces forming a top face of the closed structure. Connection of selected vertical panels to a feed and ground, causes current flow in the vertical and horizontal surfaces that results in a circular polarized signal.

Abstract: Unique multi-diffraction structures using electronically controlled Bragg diffraction devices such as acousto-optic (AO) devices to accomplish optical beam attenuation control functions. These variable optical attenuator (VOA) modules can be fully inertialess as they can use electronically programmable sub-microsecond speed AO devices to implement optical gain controls. These VOAs deliver desirable capabilities in one optically reversible unit, making high dynamic range, low loss, high power handling, ultra-fast, high optical isolation, broadband operation, self-aligning robust modules. These VOAs can be made essentially independent of the optical polarization of the incident light by the use of a unique fixed waveplate compensation technique within the VOA configuration that suppresses polarization dependent loss. Broadband gain control operation over several wavelengths can be achieved by controlling the frequency and electrical drive power of the chosen frequencies feeding the acousto-optic devices.

Abstract: Method and computer-readable medium are provided for controlling signaling and channel assignment in a decentralized trunked radio system to operationally mimic a centralized trunked radio system. The method allows monitoring a parameter indicative of elapsed time of channel activity, such as control channel or working channel activity or both, presently being carried in a respective one of a plurality of radio frequencies assigned to the radio system. Upon the parameter indicative of elapsed time of channel activity reaching a respective target value, the method allows determining whether there is another radio frequency in the plurality of radio frequencies assigned to the radio system available for carrying the channel activity presently being carried by the one radio frequency. If the determining action indicates the presence of an available radio frequency for carrying the channel activity, the channel activity is shifted from the one radio frequency to the available radio frequency.

Abstract: A process for scheduling the travel of trains on a rail corridor. The rail corridor includes a plurality of siding tracks onto which trains can be sided when a meet or pass occurs with another train on the corridor. A gradient search process is used with a cost function to determine the optimum schedule by moving each meet and pass to a siding. The individual train schedules are varied by changing train speed and/or the train departure time (i.e., the time at which the train enters the corridor).