Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening a fuse formed on a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus comprises a thyristor formed from CMOS device regions and having a one or two control terminals for permitting current to flow through the thyristor into the fuse, for opening the fuse.

Abstract: The invention features a method of producing a grape somatic embryo having resistance to a plant pathogen, the method including the steps of (a) culturing a grape somatic embryo in a first liquid culture medium that includes a plant growth regulator and a phytotoxin from a plant pathogen; (b) exchanging the first liquid culture medium for a second liquid culture medium not including the phytotoxin; (c) recovering a living grape cell or grape cell cluster from the second liquid culture, the living cell or cell cluster being resistant to the pathogen; and (d) culturing the grape cell or grape cell cluster in a third culture medium to produce a grape somatic embryo.

Abstract: A rotor valve (10) having a rotor seal (34) containing a centrally disposed opening (52) for directing an external pressure (Pe) to a rear surface (35) of the seal for applying a sealing force against a sealing surface (36). A projection (38) of the seal surrounding the opening is disposed within a bore (40) formed in a rotor (14) of the valve. An O-ring seal (44) defines the portion of the rear surface exposed to the external pressure. The rotor may be supported on one end by a bearing assembly (80) and may be open at the opposed end for receiving incoming water. Circumferentially distributed slip-surface plugs extend radially beyond the diameter of the rotor to support the rotor along an interior surface (39) of the valve body (12).

Abstract: The present invention provides method, data transfer controller and system for asynchronously transferring data. The method allows to provide a buffer device. The method further allows to define in the buffer device a plurality of buffer segments. Respective ones of the buffer segments are filled with data from at least one data source device operating in a respective clock domain. Upon any respective buffer segment being filled up, the method allows to generate an indication of availability of the contents of the respective buffer segment to at least one data destination device operating in a respective clock domain. The clock domain of the at least one source device is distinct than the clock domain of the at least one destination device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disseminating weather products, based on raw weather data provided by various weather condition sensors, to a mobile vehicle. The weather products are formed as web pages and transmitted to the mobile vehicle during the vertical blanking interval of a broadcast television signal. The weather products are received and displayed within the vehicle under control of a web browser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining when to close a problem case associated with a machine that includes identifying at least one failure condition associated with the problem case, determining whether the failure condition is repeated after a recommended fix instruction is executed and closing the problem case if the failure condition does not repeat within a predetermined amount of time after the fix instruction has been executed. The machine may be a remote machine such as a locomotive and electronic data indicative of the failure condition may be transmitted from the remote machine to a control center over a telecommunications medium such as the Internet. The control center may include a processor for managing the electronic data that may be transmitted from a plurality of remote machines.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for equipping a locomotive with a modular radio communication system capable of being expanded to incorporate future improvements in radio and data communication electronics. The modular radio communication system provides for the installation of a standardized mounting plate and housing onto the rooftop of the locomotive to reduce the need to make extensive mechanical and electrical modifications to the locomotive when the radio communications system is updated. Sunscreens and vent openings in the standard mounting plate and housing work to reduce the temperature of the internal components of the modular radio communications system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses system and method for analyzing operational parameter data from a malfunctioning locomotive or other large land-based, self-powered transport equipment. The method allows for receiving new operational parameter data comprising a plurality of anomaly definitions from the malfunctioning equipment. The method further allows for selecting a plurality of distinct anomaly definitions from the new operational parameter data. Respective generating steps allow for generating at least one distinct anomaly definition cluster from the plurality of distinct anomaly definitions and for generating a plurality of weighted repair and distinct anomaly definition cluster combinations. An identifying step allows for identifying at least one repair for the at least one distinct anomaly definition cluster using the plurality of weighted repair and distinct anomaly definition cluster combinations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the condition of a vehicle has at least one wireless transmitter in on the vehicle, and in communication with the vehicle computer system. Data representative of operating parameters generated during the operation of the vehicle is downloaded to the transmitter, which transmits the data to a wireless receiver positioned proximal to a path of travel of the vehicle. The receiver is linked to a processor for transmission of the data to the processor for storage and processing if necessary. The system may also include at least one sensor, positioned proximal the path of travel, for detecting a physical phenomenon emanating from at least one vehicle component. The sensor generates a signal, which is transmitted to the processor. The processor is capable of analyzing the signal generating data indicative of operating condition of the vehicle component. The sensor, and/or receiver, mounted to a structure positioned proximal the path of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: Silencing equipment is provided for an air-cooling assembly in a large off-road vehicle having wheels, traction motors for the wheels that operate in a motoring mode to propel the vehicle and a power generating dynamic braking mode, resistor grids for dissipating the dynamic braking power, and a blower for moving cooling air past the grids to cool them. The silencing equipment may include a resistor grid housing 24 and at least one upper inlet 22 for passing cooling air to the interior of the housing. The inlet includes noise-absorbing material. A conduit 28 is provided for directing cooling air from the upper inlet through a transition chamber to reach the blower and at least one resistor grid in the housing. The conduit is lined with noise-absorbing material. A removable cover 30 is provided for the conduit for accessing the air blower in the housing through the transition chamber, whereby servicing of the blower may be performed without removal of the entire upper inlet.

Abstract: Electronically agile optical filtering modules for equalizing light propagation differences in at least two spaced optical beam pathways in the modules. The modules use optical polarization rotation devices that may include acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) devices, liquid crystal devices, and magneto-optic devices. Such devices may be subject to polarization dispersion losses (PDL) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) that may be different for when light travel along different light paths through the device. By redirecting light beams back along a different bi-directional path through the devices which may exhibit non-uniform performance across orthogonal polarizations, PDL and PMD may be reduced.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel injector remover for removing a fuel injector from a cylinder head wherein the fuel injector is located within a counterbore of the cylinder head. The remover includes a primer mover having a piston defining a central bore. A snout portion is attached to the prime mover and defines a central bore. The snout portion has a first end attached to the prime mover and a second end defining a tapered portion sized such that when the tapered portion abuts an outer diameter of the cylinder head counterbore, the prime mover is centered over the fuel injector. A puller rod extends through the central bores of the piston and the snout. A thumbscrew is provided for attachment to the threaded end of the puller rod after the puller rod has been inserted through the central bore of the cylinder.

Abstract: Method and system for processing fault log data from a machine comprising a plurality of respective pieces of equipment are provided. Operational parameter data indicative of operational and/or environmental conditions for the respective pieces of equipment is further processed. The method allows collecting fault log data comprising a plurality of faults from any malfunctioning piece of equipment. The method further allows collecting operational parameter data relatable to each respective time of occurrence of the plurality of faults from the malfunctioning equipment. Respective identifying actions allow identifying a plurality of distinct faults in the fault log data and a plurality of data buckets indicative of respective levels of quantization of each operational parameter. At least one distinct fault cluster is generated from the plurality of distinct faults.

Abstract: The invention claims a class of adenovirus vectors for delivering recombinases to a large number of cells of different origins, and methods for regulating the expression of a gene in transfected mammalian cells in culture and in cells of transgenic animals, comprising infecting said cells with an Ad vector encoding a recombinase whose target site is present at or adjacent to the gene, wherein the action of the recombinase regulates the expression of said gene.

Abstract: A kit for detecting upper respiratory conditions. The kit includes a container for collecting nasal secretions. The kit further comprises a means for providing a differential readout upon contact with the nasal secretions.

Abstract: There is disclosed an antenna exhibiting resonance over a broad frequency band or over a plurality of closely-spaced frequency bands, comprising a ground plane, a non-driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane, a driven element affixed substantially perpendicular to the ground plane and a horizontal conductor electrically connected between the driven and the non-driven elements and disposed substantially parallel to the ground plane. The non-driven and the driven elements further comprise periodic slow wave structures. The periodic slow wave structures are configured to provide a substantially constant propagation factor with respect to the applied signal frequency, such that the antenna exhibits broad resonance characteristics.

Abstract: Squelch circuit and method useful in frequency-scanned radio receivers are provided. Generally, the squelch circuit includes an audio-removal filter coupled to receive an audio signal. The passband of the audio-removal filter is selected sufficiently high relative to frequency components of the audio signal. An absolute value detector is coupled to the audio-removal filter to supply an output signal having a positive polarity regardless of the polarity of the signal supplied by the audio-removal filter. An integrating filter is coupled to receive the output signal from the absolute value detector and supply an integrated signal. The integrating filter has at least one selectable filter coefficient indicative of the response time of the integrating filter.

Abstract: A diagnosis and repair recommendation system for a railroad locomotive is disclosed. The system uses generalized repair recommendations and instantiates them to a specific repair process for a unique road number locomotive. In addition to repair steps to be executed by the technician, the method and system remotely provides supporting documentation specifically tailored for each step in the repair process. As the repair is being conducted, feedback information is entered by the technician. The repair recommendations and the supporting documents are available to the technician via a remote unit, thereby allowing the technician to access the repair steps and supporting documentation while the repair is in progress.

Abstract: A waterproof deck includes a deck subflooring supported on joists adjacent a building, a flashing adjacent a building, and a drip edge attached along the edge of a subflooring where the water runs off the deck. An elastomeric waterproofing material covers the subflooring and a strip of T-bar edging is attached along the edge of the subfloor and has a portion extending over the elastomeric waterproofing material and over the drip edge and another portion extending above the subfloor to form a raised edge therealong. Concrete covers the elastomeric waterproofing material and subfloor to the top edge of the T-bar raised edge so that water on the concrete flooring runs off the deck over the T-bar drip edge and drains from beneath the concrete floor over the drip edge to prevent collection of water over the concrete flooring.