Abstract: A simulated rail car identification system including a plurality of coded labels mounted at spaced apart locations on an endless conveyor. The conveyor produces horizontal movement of the labels sequentially through a zone viewed by an optical scanner. A control system monitors and controls operation of the endless conveyor and generates block signals responsive to the relative position thereof and wheel signals responsive to the entry of individual labels into the viewing zone. Processing and decoding of the information retained by the moving labels is accomplished by a data processor that receives the output of the scanner and the block and wheel signals from the control system. The effectiveness of the scanner and processor are determined by comparing their output to the data programmed into the control system and encoded on the moving labels.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for use in measuring vertical deviation of the surface of a rail from a reference plane. The measuring device includes a pair of guide beams and a hand-powered carriage which move along the beams. A sensor, which follows undulations resulting from rail wear, is mounted on the carriage and is coupled to the pen of a recorder.

Abstract: The measurement of small differential temperatures over a wide range of absolute temperatures is accomplished by cyclically switching the excitation polarity to a bridge circuit including the temperature sensors. Additionally, the measuring circuitry includes a differential-differential amplifier configuration and a pair of compensating conductors in the cable to each sensor to achieve equal resistance in each excitation path.

Abstract: The invention is a system for measuring the gage of railroad tracks and includes a pair of sensor probes mounted a fixed distance apart on a wheeled vehicle traveling along two rails and each located in positions horizontally adjacent to one of the rails. Each of the probes retains spaced apart first and second collimated light sources that direct first and second light beams at incident angles against the inner surface of the adjacent rail head at points five-eighths of an inch from the top surface thereof. After reflection from the rail head the first and second beams produce images in an optical receiver also retained by the probe. A detector produces an output dependent upon the spacing between the first and second beam image centers which is in turn dependent upon the distance between the probe and the adjacent rail head.

Abstract: A gas sensor unit designed to indicate the presence of hydrocarbon vapors but be insensitive to carbon monoxide. The unit comprises two TGS sensors, one covered by a semi-permeable membrane and the other uncovered; the uncovered sensor responds to both crude oil and carbon monoxide, the covered sensor responds only to carbon monoxide. In one embodiment, the two sensors are connected in series; the total response of both sensors and the difference in response between the two sensors are measured, and changes in the parameters indicate the presence of an oil spill. In another embodiment, each sensor's output is compared with its reference voltage; if the uncovered sensor has an output that is higher than its reference while the covered one does not, the presence of an oil spill is indicated.

Abstract: A laterally movable ultrasound transducer, comprising the sensor of a rail fault detection device, is automatically centered on the rail as the detection device moves along the rail. The sensor includes a pair of ultrasound receiving transducers positioned to either side of a transducer which generates and receives ultrasonic energy. Signals provided by the receiving transducers are compared and any difference therebetween employed to control the lateral position of the sensor with respect to the rail.

Abstract: A method of detoxifying organotin-containing paint residues that are sandblasted from the bottom of a ship's hull comprising cleaving the tincarbon bond by application of an oxidizing agent, preferably nitric acid.

Abstract: Automated gain control in rail flaw detection which includes attenuation of echoes from rails pulsed with a burst of sonic energy, comparing said attenuated signals over discrete intervals, and reducing or increasing said attenuation in response thereto to develop a uniform signal from which an evaluation of flaw indicating echoes can be obtained.

Abstract: A tire bead inspection machine comprises a base on which a tire may be mounted for inspection. A frame is mounted on the base from which a first roller is cantilevered with a generally vertical axis and a pair of rollers on either side of the first roller are cantilevered in a direction transverse to the first roller, that is with generally horizontal axes. The frame is moveable on the base in a fashion to insert the first roller into the tire and force the bead outward, and at the same time swing the pair of rollers toward the vertical against their spring mountings in such a way that they exert force against the sidewall of the tire. In this fashion, the bead is grasped somewhat scissor fashion between the first roller and the pair of rollers. The first roller exerts a force against the inner part of the bead and the pair of rollers resist the force exerted by the first roller.

Abstract: A hose testing system comprising a source of pressurizing fluid, a distribution system for supplying the fluid from the source to a hose under test, a pump for pumping fluid through the distribution system into the hose under test, a regulator for maintaining a constant volume flow rate for the fluid being pumped into the hose and a gauge for indicating the fluid pressure existing in the hose at any specific time. Because of the constant volume flow rate provided by the test system, the monitored pressure vs. time of the hose under test is indicative also of its pressure vs. volume. Consequently, the system can be used to dynamically measure the internal pressure vs. volume characteristic of a given hose which measurements can in turn be employed to predict its structural integrity.

Abstract: The separation between aircraft approaching a common runway is minimized by measuring the existing wind conditions at a preselected point relative to the runway threshold and basing a prediction of the movement of wake vortices on the measured conditions. The prediction of vortex movement is based upon a vortex advisory algorithm prepared from a plot of wind conditions which predictably remove vortices from the flight path.

Abstract: An automatic base gate positioning circuit for use in rail flaw detection is disclosed which includes the generation of a string of uniformly spaced pulses corresponding to known rail depth, correlating said pulses with sonic echoes averaging and storing the correlated signals and developing a signal representing the rail depth for comparison with an echo from the rail base.

Abstract: A system for dynamically measuring and displaying track curvature information to a locomotive engineer on a real-time basis. A car mounted sensor produces a variable output responsive to changes in the car's orientation caused by variation in track curvature, a control circuit converts the sensor output into an electrical signal representative of the changes in orientation, and an indicator receives the signal and provides a dynamic display of the derived track curvature information. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor comprises an extendable line having one end attached to a bracket that is connected to the center of a supporting truck cross-frame, while the other end is wound on a retractable supply reel mounted on the car's frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a test subject's level of intoxication. Included is a display visible to the test subject and in which is produced by test equipment a pair of randomly moving, spaced apart objects. The test subject operates an actuator to indicate his selections of changing imaginary positions in the display having a predetermined constant spatial relationship to the moving objects. Dynamically determined by a computer system are the actual locations of those positions which are compared with the test subject's selections. Because of the requirement for determining imaginary positions by mental extrapolation, a very rigorous test of the subject's psychomotor capability is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in the measurement of changes in the spacing between objects includes a rotatable wire storage reel coupled, by means of replaceable gears, to the drive shaft of a potentiometer. The apparatus is mounted on a first object and a wire on the storage reel is extended and attached to a second object spaced a variable distance from the first object. Constant tension is applied to the wire storage reel by means of a spring extending between a spring supply reel and a spring take-up reel coupled to the wire storage reel.

Abstract: Wind conditions along the projected flight path of an aircraft are measured and displayed. Wind velocity and direction at the aircraft and at the projected touchdown or takeoff point of the aircraft are compared and the existence of a wind gradient or wind shear line along the flight path is predicted. The possible presence of a wind shear line and the velocity differential there across is used, in cooperation with altitude and airspeed information and the performance characteristics of the aircraft, to determine whether the planned maneuver may be successfully completed under the instantaneously existing wind conditions.

Abstract: The direction and/or distance between a fixed point and a vehicle or between two vehicles located on a common vehicle way are measured by an intermediate frequency interferometric technique wherein signals are transmitted from a single antenna to a receiver system comprising three equally spaced linearly arranged antennas. The technique encompasses determination of the path length differences between the transmitting antenna and each of the receiving antennas. The path length differences are thereafter employed to compute the distance to and/or direction between the transmitting antenna and the linearly aligned receiving antennas.

Abstract: A method and means of interrupting multiphase supply current to selected electronic equipment at selectable phase angles, and restoring said supply again at preselected phase angles, in order to test and study equipment performance under controlled interrupt-restore conditions.

Abstract: The computation of visual range is performed by a compact and comparatively inexpensive analog circuit which receives, as primary input information, a signal corresponding to atmosphere extinction coefficient. The circuit simultaneously solves Allard's and Koshmieder's equations and provides an output voltage, corresponding to the instantaneous visual range, by sampling the output of a ramp voltage generator upon solution of both equations.

Abstract: A transport vehicle with a front end that leads the vehicle during normal movement thereof and a substantially planar surfaced rear end that trails the vehicle during such movement. Mounted on the rear end is an inflatable enclosure that when inflated possesses convergent contoured surfaces that extend from the edges of the rear end's planar surface. An inflation mechanism is operable by a driver of the vehicle to inflate the enclosure and thereby reduce the effects of base drag during relatively high speed movement of the vehicle. Also operable by the driver is a deflation mechanism that can be operated to deflate the enclosure into a stowed position when the vehicle is not in use or operating at low speeds in confined areas.