Abstract: A rotary knife cutter is provided. The rotary knife cutter has a flywheel to which knife blades are attached at the circumference of the flywheel. The flywheel is directly driven by a gear reducer that is directly connected to a servo-motor. The servo-motor may be operated to rotate the flywheel at a constant speed for cutting or the servo-motor may cause the flywheel to stop after each revolution to regulate the cutting desired. One or more blades may be attached to the flywheel depending upon the desired type of cuts to be made. Cutter bushings varying in size and cross-sectional shape may be utilized to guide a particular cross-sectional size and shape of material to the cutter knives.

Abstract: An ECG electrode and method of making and using such. The electrode can have a domed electrode element attached to a housing containing an interface disk to which the concave side of the domed electrode connects. Within the housing a signal lead wire has one end attached to the non-skin-contacting side of the dome and another end connected to a signal transition circuit and a buffer amplifier circuit. The domed electrode element can be made by forming a metal disk into a dome and providing an oxide layer over the convex surface of the dome. The convex surface of the domed electrode can ensure reliable ECG signal acquisitions with lower radial forces generally than other electrode types, when positioned adjacent the skin of the patient and when coupled to cardiac activity monitoring equipment and a defibrillator for cardiac sensing capabilities.

Abstract: A method for producing depressed center railcars involves a combination of casting and fabrication. Transition members of the railcar can be casted, preferably with interlocking ledges on the ends of the transition members. The center section can be fabricated from, preferably precambered, longitudinal stringers which can then be connected between the casted transition members via the interlocking ledges. Standard steel warehouse plates can be attached to the fabricated framework of longitudinal stringers to form the surface of the center section. The transition members can be cast with integral provision to accept a center plate member. The fabricated framework of stringers can include reinforcement members for added strength. The framework can also be constructed to allow for the placement of the parts of the brake system and other components on the underside of the railcar.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed. The valve includes at least two valve bodies that each have an annular chamber for operably supporting a flow control member. An adjoining member is attached between the valve bodies and houses an adaptor for engaging a portion of each flow control member such that rotation of one flow control member rotates the other flow control member. Each flow control member can engage the adaptor at a plurality of orientations about an actuation axis that extends through the valve. A method for reorienting to interconnected valve bodies relative to each other is disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable frequency multiphase power supply providing low harmonics to the line and load. The power supply having a plurality of power cells in each phase output thereof, each cell having an input side, and an output side. The input side is capable of converting single-phase AC into DC and for converting DC into AC to said source. The output side is capable of converting DC into a controlled AC output and for converting AC from said load to feed said DC bus. The respective outputs and respective inputs of the cells are series connected. Each cell can have a single-phase transformer connected either to the input side or the output side. The output side of each cell can be controlled to limit the harmonic content of the output AC to the load, and the input side of each cell can be controllable to limit harmonic content of the AC power feed to the source.

Abstract: A self-locking beam clip for attaching an end of a beam to a column can having a vertical array of apertures with wide upper regions and narrow lower regions. The beam clip can be angle shaped having a front flange with one or more fixed connecting pins mounted thereon. Each fixed pin can have a shank sized to pass through both the upper and lower regions and an inner head sized to pass only through the upper region. A latch is provided which can be a bent member, having a flat lower portion connected to the front flange and an upper portion extending at an angle to the lower portion and away from the front flange. The lower portion can be configured to pivot about the front flange where it is connected. The lower portion also has a locking portion which projects through a hole in the front flange. In a locked position, when the beam clip is connected to a column, the locking portion automatically projects through an aperture common with one of the fixed pins.

Abstract: A low power ECP trainline communication method is provided wherein power consumption by each freight car's on-board ECP transceiver is minimized such that it can be powered indefinitely by a standard locomotive battery. The low power communication method includes normally maintaining each car's ECP transceiver in a sleep mode until signaled by the locomotive master controller to wake it up. The wake-up command for the ECP transceiver can be sensitive to the length of the message sent by the MC. Alternative, or additional methods of identifying a wake-up message from the MC can include using the signal strength of the message and making the wake-up command sensitive to the ECP trainline power status. In the latter case, detection of zero trainline power is a signals to wake-up the ECP transceiver.

Abstract: A Venetian type blind has a bottomrail, a headrail positioned above the bottomrail, a tilting slat, and two sets of slats carried on either upper ladders or lower ladders. The tilting slat has a center segment and an end segment pivotably attached to each end of the center segment by a common axle that runs through the center segment. The first set of slats is carried on a set of upper ladders extending from the headrail to the center segment of the tilting slat. The second set of slats are carried on a set of lower ladders extending from the end segments of the tilting slat to the bottomrail. To change the lower slats to a position different from the upper slats an operator turns an end segment relative to the center segment. Since the end segments are on a common axle they will turn together. A locking tab may be provided on each end segment which will lock the end segments to the center segment.

Abstract: A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.

Abstract: A continuously variable load responsive brake pressure control valve controls the amount of brake pipe pressure for a railway vehicle. The system also includes an isolator therefor for isolating the load sensor therefor from transient inputs caused by normal vehicle motion. A spring loaded isolator coupled with a matched hydraulic cylinder isolate wheel truck deflections with respect to the car body, preventing erroneous inputs to the load sensor of the variable load braking system so as to provide more accurate brake cylinder pressure according to vehicle load weight. The variable load limiting valve is continuously operable between an empty vehicle condition and a fully loaded vehicle condition and assures a minimum braking pressure, while also helping prevent sticking of the brakes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for low power ECP brake emulation in a freight train having ECP equipped cars and one or more non-ECP equipped locomotives wherein power for the ECP equipment is provided by the 74 VDC locomotive battery. The apparatus includes an adapter for interfacing the locomotive MU cable and the ECP wire to supply sufficient power to operate the ECP equipment on each car indefinitely in a low power emulation mode. The method includes interfacing the locomotive MU cable to the ECP wire, implementing a low power emulation mode wherein pneumatic signals sent via the brake pipe are detected by pressure sensors and communicated to ECP control valves for changing the brake cylinder pressure accordingly. The method further includes minimizing power consumption by providing power only to the brake pipe sensors and minimal electronics to monitor pressure changes and thereafter activating other sensors and controls only as needed.

Abstract: A siphon adapter is disclosed. The siphon adapter is comprised of a pipe configured so that one end of the pipe fits inside of a container through the opening and is in very close proximity with the lowest portion of container. The other end of the pipe is outside the container and connected to a shut-off device. It is lower than the first end so that after liquid starts to flow out of the container through the pipe and the shut-off device, the pipe forms a siphon and the liquid continues to flow out of the container even after the level of the liquid is below the opening until substantially all of the liquid has flowed out of the container or the shut-off device is turned off.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic brake control valve for performing electronic emulation is provided wherein multiple electronic valves control braking operations on freight cars. Multiple pressure sensors are preferably used, and particularly a brake pipe pressure sensor for detecting pneumatic brake commands. In addition to using electronic valves to control brake application and release operations, an electronic quick service valve can selectively exhaust brake pipe to the atmosphere in a controlled rate and amount to assist the propagation of a quick service application and an electronic accelerated release valve can selectively connect emergency reservoir to brake pipe to assist in restoring brake pipe pressure and in propagating a direct release of the brakes. The electro-pneumatic control valve also preferably includes a microprocessor for signal and command interpretation and valve control.

Abstract: An in-furnace method and apparatus reduces nitrogen oxides in flue gas by injecting an oil water emulsion into flue gas so that the oil and water mixes with said flue gas. The emulsion has from 35% to 80% water and is injected in sufficient quantities to provide enough oil to promote a reaction between the nitrogen oxides in the flue gas and the oil, so as to reduce nitrogen oxide content of the flue gas and to maintain overall fuel lean conditions above the primary combustion zone. The emulsion preferably is atomized before injection and may also be injected in jet streams. Other materials such as limestone, ammonia and urea could be added to the oil water emulsion prior to injection.

Abstract: A cleaning card for cleaning the magnetic heads of magnetic card readers is disclosed. As the card is pushed through the reader, the magnetic head protrudes through the card and then as the card continues to move the sides of the hole in the card scrub both sides of the head effectively removing dirt.

Abstract: Broadband RF circuits in which multiple circuit elements are interconnected by microstrips arranged in regular patterns on printed circuit boards have the microstrips laid out in randomly meandering paths such that adjacent paths are non-parallel and non-symmetrical about a common axis, to increase the isolation between adjacent signal paths in broadband splitters, combiners, routers, switching systems and control systems operating up to the GHz frequency range.

Abstract: A cellular window covering is made from multiple seamless tubular cells which are preferably extruded, cut to the desired length, stacked and glued together. The method can include extruding a plurality of tubular cells then stacking and bonding the cells together to form the fabric of the window covering. The extrusion step can include continuously extruding the tubular cell material and cutting the material at the desired length of the cells. Additional steps can include applying an adhesive to the outer surface of the cell after or sequentially with the extrusion and subsequently coating the outer surface with chopped fibers or powder after the adhesive is applied. The tubular cells can be extruded as single tubes or multiple tubes having internal ligaments which divide the extrusion into two or more connected tubular cells. Alternatively, each tubular cell can be formed from extruded half-cells which are joined together form the tubular cell.