Abstract: A system and method for monitoring at least one characteristic of a vehicle is provided, wherein the method includes generating a data set that includes data responsive to the at least one characteristic. The method further includes comparing the data set against predetermined parametric data and creating trend data for a plurality of the data sets. Furthermore, the method includes analyzing the trend data to determine if action should be taken regarding the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetically geared generator including an inner winding unit having a first number of pole pairs, an outer winding unit arranged coaxially around the inner winding unit and having a second number of pole pairs, and a rotatable magnetic flux modulator arranged coaxially between the inner winding unit and the outer winding unit. The inner winding unit, the outer winding unit and the rotatable magnetic flux modulator are adapted to convert rotational input energy provided at the rotatable magnetic flux modulator into electrical output energy provided as an alternating output current at one of the inner winding unit and the outer winding unit, and to control an output frequency of the alternating output current by communicating output energy as an alternating feedback current to the other one of the inner winding unit and the outer winding unit and by adjusting a feedback frequency of the alternating feedback current.

Abstract: A device for the computer-assisted analysis of mammograms. Said device comprises means for detecting a contour line that surrounds an object area of the mammogram, which is defined by an object. The device also comprises a means for positioning and scaling the mammogram. The device is configured to determine the contour line of the object area of the mammogram and to automatically position and scale the mammogram based on the contour line. A method for the computer-assisted analysis of mammograms is also disclosed. The disclosed device and method make it easier for a doctor to comparatively analyze and diagnose mammograms.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present innovation provide a method and system for providing supplemental services to telematics systems. The method and system receives data from a telematics provider in a non-proprietary format, parses the data, stores the data, provides the data to a third party application, obtains an output from the third party application, and transmits the output to a customer. The method and system may also receive data from any portable device, parse the data, store the data, provide the data to a third party application, obtain an output from the third party application, and transmit the output to a customer.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for securing a mezzanine card in a stacked single board computer includes a main body that includes a first end, an opposite second end, a first side surface, and an opposite second side surface. The main body is sized to be positioned along a side surface of the mezzanine card, wherein the first side surface or the second side surface contacts the side surface of the mezzanine card to facilitate securing the side surface of the mezzanine card with respect to a top PCB. The mounting bracket also includes a first arm formed at the first end of the main body, a second arm formed at the second end of the main body, and at least one top rail coupled to the main body, wherein the top rail is configured to secure a top surface of the mezzanine card with respect to a top PCB.

Abstract: A method for servicing a refrigeration system is disclosed. The refrigeration system contains a refrigerant and has a compressor, a high-side section and a low-side section. The method includes the steps of releasing the refrigerant from the refrigeration system from the high-side section; collecting the released refrigerant with a recovery container containing a refrigerant adsorptive substance; charging the refrigeration system with inert gas from the low-side section; and discharging the inert gas from the refrigeration system from the high-side section.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for operating a wind turbine having an electrical system, the electrical system comprises a permanent magnet generator having a rotor and a stator, and a power electronic device electrically connected to the permanent magnet generator, wherein the power electronic device and a circuit breaker are electrically disposed in series between the permanent magnet generator and a grid, wherein the permanent magnet generator has permanent magnets and a generator winding into which a voltage is induced by the permanent magnets when the rotor is rotating, the method comprising: generating a signal for tripping the circuit breaker based on a field modification that is modifying the field of the permanent magnets of the permanent magnet generator. Further, the disclosure concerns a method for determining the temperature of at least one permanent magnet of a permanent magnet machine and a controller for a wind turbine.

Abstract: Embodiments of a lighting apparatus comprise a barrier coating with multiple layers. Each layer comprises metal oxide particles such as gamma alumina particles and alpha alumina particles. In one embodiment, the barrier coating comprises a first layer that reduces mercury depletion and a second layer that improves opacity.

Abstract: A communication system for controlling sharing of data across a plurality of subsystems on a locomotive, the communication system including an open defined interface unit configured so that a plurality of applications may access locomotive control system data in a common defined manner with predictable results.

Abstract: A method for implementing a high-availability system that includes a plurality of controllers that each includes a shared memory. The method includes storing in the shared memory, by each controller, status data related to each of a plurality of failure modes, and calculating, by each controller, an availability score based on the status data. The method also includes determining, by each controller, one of the plurality of controllers having a highest availability score, and identifying the one of the plurality of controllers having the highest availability score as a master controller.

Abstract: A device for conducting rail car inspections including an inspection module, an imaging module, a scanner module, a location module, a printer module and a communication module.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of accessories in a home energy management system which manages a plurality of communication networks. The schedules are generated by using a central controller and interacting with a user interface found on a device separate from the central controller. The plurality of schedules are stored in the storage of the central controller, and a current schedule is selected from the stored schedules. The selected schedule is loaded onto an accessory through one of the communication channels for controlling the associate accessory.

Abstract: A system for operating a remotely controlled powered system, the system including a feedfoward gains element configured to provide information to the remotely controlled powered system to establish a velocity, and a feedback gains element configured to provide information from the remotely controlled powered system to the feedforward gains element. A method and a computer software code are further disclosed for operating the remotely controlled powered system.

Abstract: A power conversion system comprises a power converter comprising a plurality of semiconductor power switches, an LC filter coupled between an output of the power converter and an electric grid, and a power conversion control system. The LC filter comprises an inductor coupled in series to the electric grid, and a capacitor. The LC filter and the grid result in an equivalent LC circuit comprising an impedance of the LC filter and an impedance of the electric grid. The power conversion control system comprises a damper and a converter controller. The damper receives an LC filter signal and an equivalent LC circuit impedance signal and generates a damping signal. The converter controller receives a current or voltage reference signal, a current or voltage command signal, and the damping signal to generate control signals for driving switching operations of the semiconductor power switches.

Abstract: A method includes providing a standard supply of electrical power to a defrost heater during a standard defrost cycle for a refrigeration system of an appliance, detecting a high energy demand period during the standard defrost cycle, and enabling a reduced consumption of electrical power by the defrost heater in a low power defrost cycle.

Abstract: A spinner configured to be mounted on a hub of a wind turbine to which at least one rotor blade is connected. The spinner defines a front portion configured to be positioned in front of an inner portion of the at least one rotor blade, and is structurally configured to cover a substantial portion of the inner portion of the at least one rotor blade in a wind direction during operation of the wind turbine. Further described is a wind turbine comprising the above-described spinner and a method for increasing the efficiency of an existing wind turbine, wherein the method includes mounting the above-described spinner to the hub of a wind turbine.

Abstract: A method for determining a mission plan for a powered system having at least one primary power generating unit when a desired parameter of the mission plan unobtainable and/or exceeds a predefined limit, the method includes identifying a desired parameter prior to creating a mission plan which may be unobtainable and/or in violation of a predefined limit, and notifying an operator of the powered system and/or a remote monitoring facility of the desired parameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein a device, method and system of connecting a first circuit board and a second circuit board using an interface connector. In one aspect, an interface connector is described that is comprised of a casing and a plurality of electrically conductive connectors insulated from one another within the casing. Each connector has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to a first circuit board and the second end connects to a second circuit board. The plurality of connectors form a first row and a second row of the interface connector. The first row is comprised of evenly-numbered connectors and the second row is comprised of odd-numbered connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for measuring material thickness of a test object. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a measurement probe that can have a plurality of transducer elements that can include transmitter elements and receiver elements arranged, respectively, in on a first side and a second side of a gap. The first side and the second side can form a scan area with at least one active group that can have at least one transmitter element and at least one receiver element, which can be separated from the transmitter element in a spaced relationship.

Abstract: A spill proof shelf, a refrigerator using the same and a method for assembling a shelf are disclosed. The shelf has a frame, which has a peripheral frame portion for defining a central opening. The shelf further has a plate supported by the peripheral frame portion for providing a containment region in cooperation with the opening. The shelf further has a bracket mountable to the frame. The shelf further has a pivotable tab formed in the peripheral frame portion, which pivots to engage the plate upon mounting of the bracket to the frame.