Abstract: In an off-road vehicle having a resistor grid network and a blower system as part of a braking system operable to determine at least one of a resistor failure and a blower failure, the system including a first series of resistors connected in series, a second series of resistors connected in series, a blower cross to at least one of the first series of resistors and the second series of resistors, a sensor proximate at least one of the first series of resistors, the second series of resistors, and the blower, wherein each individual resistor in the first series connected in parallel to an individual resistor in the second series, and wherein when at least one of a current value, blower speed, and voltage value changes, the grid network is disconnected.

Abstract: A system is provided for enhancing the safety of a sleeping arrangement for a child on a bed. The bed includes a mattress and a boxspring. The system includes a frame to enclose a perimeter of the mattress and the boxspring. The frame includes a plurality of sections, which are removably attached at respective junctures with hook and loop fasteners. An outer surface of the frame is formed from a plush material. The plurality of sections includes a pair of side sections which extend along a respective pair of opposing side surfaces of the mattress and the boxspring. The pair of side sections includes a respective vertical bumper configured to extend from a top portion of the side sections by a predetermined height, to prevent the child on the bed from passing outside the side surfaces of the mattress and falling from the mattress.

Abstract: An adaptable electrical braking system for an electrical propulsion system of a traction vehicle is provided. The electrical braking system is configured to dissipate electrical energy in a plurality of resistor grids. The braking system includes a braking system assembly including a baseline chopper circuit topology. The baseline chopper circuit topology includes a first semiconductor-based circuitry in an enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. The braking system further includes a second semiconductor-based circuitry electrically coupled to the first semiconductor-based circuitry to produce a chopper including a chopper circuit topology fully contained in the enclosure. The second semiconductor-based circuitry includes a circuit topology selectable to adapt the baseline chopper circuit topology to meet distinct operational requirements to be fulfilled by the braking system.

Abstract: A remote control system (10) for a locomotive (16) includes a sensor (e.g. 15) on-board the locomotive for providing locomotive information. The system also includes a transmitter (13) for transmitting the locomotive information from the locomotive to an operator control unit (OCU) (12) off-board the locomotive. A graphical display (24) is associated with the OCU for displaying the locomotive information in a graphical format to an operator of the OCU. A locomotive control unit (LCU) (14) in communication with the OCU is operable to control the locomotive in response to a manipulation of the OCU by the operator.

Abstract: Improved gripping structures for a hand-held umbrella are provided. In one example structure, a first grip is fixedly attached to an end of a shaft of the umbrella, such as the end located distally away from a canopy of the umbrella. A second grip is coupled to the shaft. The second grip may be slidably repositionable along the shaft. The second grip may include an interlocking device to lock the second grip at a desired location along the shaft. The second grip may further include a runner interface. An accessory mount may be disposed at the first grip to couple an accessory, such as a camera, at the end of the shaft distally away from the canopy of the umbrella.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-woven fabric comprising at least two separate but interconnected layers, each of the layers being provided with discrete interconnections so as to provide discrete voids between the two layers of fabric.

Abstract: A rotary-to-reciprocating linear drive conversion device is linked to drive moveable elements of a multi-unit fruit juice extraction machine. At least two co-rotating members drive a reciprocating transverse member by means of respective protruding force-transfer posts of the co-rotating members rotating while disposed to slidingly engage in the groove, so that the rotation of the co-rotating members results in reciprocal movement of the transverse member, and of elements of the multi-unit fruit extraction machine linked thereto. The elements of the multi-unit fruit extraction machine include opposing sets of a plurality of matched peeler cups, forming matched pairs of opposing peeler cups, each peeler cup comprising a plurality of outwardly extending blades cooperatively intermeshing with a corresponding plurality of outwardly extending blades of an opposing peeler cup of the matched pair, one of said cups additionally comprising a filter device.

Abstract: A system is provided for measuring a distance within a railroad system. The railroad system includes a rail vehicle having a plurality of pairs of wheels, where the plurality of pairs of wheels are in respective contact with a pair of rails. The system further includes a transducer positioned on an outer surface location of the rail vehicle. The transducer is configured to emit a signal to an object located the distance away from the transducer. The transducer is configured to receive the signal having reflected from the object along the distance to the transducer. The system further includes a controller coupled to the transducer to receive transmission and reception data of the signal to determine the distance. A method is also provided for measuring a distance within a railroad system, as well as a kit for converting a rail vehicle from a first configuration to a second configuration.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for computing a path, starting velocity, aim angle, and aim points for directing a putted golf ball from a point on a golf course to another point and incorporating such data into easily read charts or electronic media is provided. The invention also provides a means of determining the initial launch conditions and actual path a putted golf ball traveled on given its starting and ending ball positions.

Abstract: An energy management system is provided for use with one of a plurality of hybrid energy diesel electric vehicles. The energy management system includes a position identification device to provide position information of one the plurality of vehicles at incremental positions along one of a plurality of routes. More particularly, the energy management system includes a database to store historical data of a traction and/or auxiliary energy demand for each vehicle at incremental positions along each route, and an energy management processor coupled to the position identification device and the database. The energy management system retrieves historical data of each vehicle at incremental positions along each route to estimate an anticipated traction and/or auxiliary energy demand of the one of a plurality of vehicle at each incremental position along one of a plurality of routes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for swapping functionality of a lead unit and an end-of-train remote unit on a distributed power railroad train. The communications system comprises a swap function that executes through a plurality of process steps to swap the functionality of the lead unit and the end-of-train remote unit. The train operating conditions must first be determined to ensure that the swap function can be executed. The communications system is placed in an idle mode and brakes and safety locks applied to ensure against train movement. Each remote locomotive in the train is commanded to a transition stage and reconfigured to receive commands and messages from the new lead unit. Once the train operator has relocated from the old lead unit to the new lead unit, the old lead unit transitions to remote status and the new lead unit commands an end to the transition period.

Abstract: A safety system for a walkway of a locomotive. The safety system includes an operator cabin adjacent to a front end of the locomotive, and a walkway extending from the operator cabin along a first side of the locomotive to facilitate a locomotive operator performing regular maintenance. More particularly, the safety system includes a resistive grid exhaust in a sidewall of the first side of the locomotive for directing hot air along a path from a resistive grid within the sidewall to external the locomotive during a self-load mode of the locomotive. A barrier bar is positioned adjacent to the base of the resistive grid exhaust, and is extendable to an extended position over the walkway during the self-load mode to prevent the operator from walking into the path of the hot air from the resistive grid exhaust.

Abstract: A filtration system for a motorized wheel off-highway vehicle transmission that is proximate a sun pinion bore within the transmission, the system includes a helix shaped element that traverses along a longitudinal axis of the sun pinion bore, a magnet proximate the helix shaped element, and a housing proximate the helix shaped element and magnet.

Abstract: A system for mounting a pair of signal-receiving devices recessed within a building surface includes a base housing having an inner chamber and positionable behind a building surface. A front has a first opening, and a wall has a second and third opening. A secondary housing is positionable adjacent the base housing and has an interior space. A first aperture is positionable in communication with the second opening. A second aperture is positioned in spaced relation from the base housing's wall. A first signal receiver is positionable within the interior space and is connectable to a first signal carrier. A second signal receiver is positionable within the inner chamber and has a second connector positionable adjacent the third opening and connectable to a second signal carrier.

Abstract: A ship and associated methods of operation. In an example embodiment, a method of operating a ship includes providing multiple vessels each having a first deck attached to two spaced-apart hull sections. The deck and hull sections define a cavity when the vessel is afloat. A plurality of like coupling mechanisms are provided, each suitable for joining two of the vessels. First and second vessels are joined along starboard and port sides of the deck of the second vessel with one of the coupling mechanisms. Joining is effected by attaching a first of the hull sections on the first vessel to the deck of the second vessel along the port side of the second vessel, and attaching a second of the hull sections on the first vessel to the deck of the second vessel along the starboard side of the second vessel. When coupled to one another the deck of the second vessel is positioned between the first and second hull sections of the first vessel.

Abstract: A rapid assay concentration device. In one form, the device includes a substrate and a plurality of elongated membranes on the substrate. At least one capture zone is formed in each membrane. Each capture zone is responsive to the presence of a target chemical in the fluid. Capture zones on different membranes have different threshold levels of response to the chemical. In a method for monitoring temporal changes of analyte levels in a source multiple test devices are provided, with each device including a plurality of regions. Each region is responsive at a different sensitivity level to indicate presence of the analyte. A source sample is brought into contact with a first of the test devices to determine whether the source contains a level of analyte sufficient to induce a response thereto in one or more of the test unit regions.

Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A gaseous product detecting device (1; 20; 30; 40; 70) has a measuring cell (6; 59; 60), a filtering element (3; 45) for retaining particulate present in the air entering the measuring cell (6; 59, 60), and a detecting element (13; 50, 56) housed inside the measuring cell (6; 59, 60). A wall (9; 49, 61; 79, 82) of the measuring cell (6; 59, 60) is movable in fluidtight manner between a withdrawn position, in which the measuring cell (6; 59, 60) has a maximum volume, and a forward position, in which the measuring cell (6; 59, 60) has a minimum volume and the detecting element (13; 50, 56) is prevented from being impressed by resting against a shutter surface (5a; 43a, 49b; 82a) of the measuring cell (6; 59, 60).

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises a tray insert for a medication dispenser, the dispenser permitting access to a medication dose after a minimum dosing interval has elapsed since presentation of an immediately previous dose. The dispenser comprises a dispenser cover having an opening through which a patient accesses the medication dose presented through the opening and a carousel for receiving the tray insert. The tray insert comprises a substrate, a plurality of medication retention areas in the substrate each for holding at least one medication dose, each medication retention area received within a depression of the carousel and a cover removably affixed to an upper surface of the substrate for retaining the medication doses in the medication retention areas prior to use, wherein after the tray insert is mated with the carousel the cover.

Abstract: A distributed power train (10) communications system for sending and receiving signals between a lead locomotive (14) and remote locomotives (12A/12B/12C) in the train (10). A lead (14) initiated message is received by at least the remote locomotive (12A/12B) nearest to the lead unit (14). The receiving remote unit (12A/12B) retransmits the message for receiving by the next remote unit (12C) in the train. Thus the message leapfrogs down the train from the lead unit (14) to the remote units (12A/12B/12C). When the last remote unit (the nth remote unit) (12C) receives the message, the last remote (12C) transmits a status or other response message to the lead unit's message. The status message is received at the (n-1)th remote unit (12A/12B), which appends its status message and transmits the combined status messages toward the lead unit (14).