Abstract: A bearing cartridge which is constructed not to be disassembled for re-packing with grease or otherwise and which may be quickly and easily replaced in the field. For high temperature applications such as sinter or pellet car wheels, the bearing cartridge is lubricated by a high temperature solid lubricant, and the rolling elements preferably comprise cylindrical rolling elements for bearing radial loads and spherical rolling elements for bearing axial loads. For ultra high temperature applications such as furnace car wheels, the bearing cartridge is lubricated by a ultra high temperature lubricant composed of a graphite and molydenum paste. In order to economically provide small furnace car bearing cartridges, a two-piece bearing cartridge is provided with rolling elements, preferably having cylindrical central portions for bearing radial loads and conically shaped axially outer end portions for bearing axial loads, between the races, the rolling elements insertable by means of a feeder slot.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use as a back-up roller for work rolls. The roller assembly comprises an axle, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the axle and roller, and at least one bushing which is eccentric to the axle and which is fixedly mounted on the axle. The eccentric bushing is rotatable for translating the roller in a radial direction thereof. In order to rotate the bushing in one of opposite circumferential directions, preferably, force is applied to a respective one of a pair of terminal ends of a groove which extends circumferentially in a radially outer surface of the eccentric bushing. Each of the axle and roller, which serve as inner and outer races respectively, preferably has a thickness radially of at least about 1 inch to provide high bearing capacity.

Abstract: A work platform for use on bridges or other structures wherein a plurality of cables extend in spaced relation along a section of the structure and are supported by the structure and wherein a floor comprising a plurality of corrugated flooring panels or sections is supported on the cables and removably secured to the cables. The positions of the cables are adjustable in vertical and horizontal directions. A connector assembly releasably connects each of the platform flooring sections to a respective supporting cable on which it rests. Each connector assembly comprises a first part which rests on a bottom wall of the panel and has a portion which extends through an opening in the bottom wall and back through the opening and is connected to a second part to form an eyelet through which the cable passes. In aspects of the present invention, the first and second parts are connected by a lever or a wedge.

Abstract: A compliant foil seal comprising at least one smooth resilient foil for facing a rotor and at least one bump foil for providing film riding stiffness and controlled deformation of the smooth resilient foil for providing an effective seal which is capable of operating reliably in the presence of large rotor excursions.

Abstract: A high capacity and easy to maintain insert for a cooling bed plate transfer grid. In order that the inserts may be installed or replaced at a remote location thereby requiring removal of the grid to the remote location, the height of the grid is adjustable so that it may be easily re-installed after the servicing at the remote location. The roller height is set to a fixed non-adjustable height during initial insert installation so that, during the subsequent re-installation, there is advantageously no requirement for adjustment of the roller height. This allows the grid and inserts to be easily and quickly re-installed in the field.

Abstract: A reliable bearing wheel assembly comprising a shaft, an inner race, an outer race, and rollers or other bearing elements between the inner and outer races, wherein the inner race is reliably prevented from both rotating and moving axially relative to the shaft, even when there is bearing failure. A first pair of axially extending grooves are provided in the outer surface of an end portion of the shaft and in the inner surface of the inner race respectively which in combination define a first keyway. A second pair of axially extending grooves are provided in the outer surface of the shaft end portion and in the inner surface of the inner race respectively which in combination define a second keyway. A first key is received in the first keyway. A fastener having a threaded shank portion threadedly engages a threaded bore which extends axially in the shaft end portion. A head portion of the fastener engages the inner race and at least partially covers the first keyway to block escape of the first key therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for more precisely determining mean left atrial pressure. A catheter including a balloon is inserted into an esophagus with the balloon positioned adjacent the left atrium and inflated to provide a signal of balloon pressure oscillations effected by the left atrium. By use of the fast Fourier transform, the amplitude of each of simple harmonic wave forms (or a corresponding portion thereof) making up the balloon pressure oscillation signal is corrected for characteristics of the catheter and the corrected wave forms combined into a corrected signal of balloon pressure oscillations. The balloon pressure is measured when the amplitude of the corrected balloon pressure oscillation signal is at a peak, wherein the measured balloon pressure is determined to be mean left atrial pressure.

Abstract: A coating for roofs and the like to inexpensively provide protection from ultraviolet light and for wood or steel substrates to inexpensively provide flame or chemical resistance respectively. The coating comprises an adhesive and a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material. An additive to sealants, caulking, and other construction materials to inexpensively provide improved fire resistance and insulation and other enhanced properties. The additive comprises a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material.

Abstract: An axle mounting assembly for a vehicle. The assembly comprises a yoke (24) including a generally U-shaped member defining a slot (26) for receiving an axle with the slot extending vertically and having an upper opening. A member (54) is removable attachable to the yoke to close the opening for removably retaining the axle in the yoke. A block (56) is disposed in the slot and spring biased to effect bearing of the block against the axle for distributing the load between the assembly and other axle mounting assemblies.

Abstract: A work platform for use on bridges or other structures wherein a plurality of cables extend in spaced relation along a section of the structure and are supported by the structure and wherein a floor comprising a plurality of corrugated flooring panels or sections is supported on the cables and removably secured to the cables. The positions of the cables are adjustable in vertical and horizontal directions. A connector assembly releasably connects each of the platform flooring sections to a respective supporting cable on which it rests. Each connector assembly comprises a first part which rests on a bottom wall of the panel and has a portion which extends through an opening in the bottom wall and back through the opening and is connected to a second part to form an eyelet through which the cable passes. In aspects of the present invention, the first and second parts are connected by a lever or a wedge.

Abstract: A method for bearing a rotor in which load is shared between a foil bearing part and a magnetic bearing part without using a calculated rotor trajectory corresponding to various rotor spin speeds. Power input to the magnetic bearing part is controlled in response to feedback of rotor position. In order to share the load on the fly so that the load is shared quickly as the rotor speed is changed, the power input is modified in response to rotor spin speed to reduce load capacity of the magnetic bearing part as rotor spin speed is increased and increase load capacity of the magnetic bearing part as rotor spin speed is decreased. Alternative methods of modifying power input include modifying integral gain and inputting rotor spin speed to an adaptive filter to continually reset the adaptive filter at the rotor spin speed. For use of the process with a thrust bearing, the magnetic and foil bearing parts are disposed on opposite sides of the thrust runner.

Abstract: A bridge platform and method of erecting the same wherein a plurality of cables extend longitudinally of the bridge in spaced relation below the deck or roadway and steel support structure of the bridge, which cables are supported at opposite ends by the spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the cables, extend laterally of the bridge, are arranged side-by-side along the length of the bridge between the piers and are removably secured to the cables. The cables are attached to the bridge piers by compression clamp structures. The platform flooring sections comprise elongated rectangular corrugated decking panels and are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the bridge, side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally along the bridge and with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables.

Abstract: A work platform for use on bridges or other structures wherein a plurality of cables extend in spaced relation along a section of the structure and are supported by the structure and wherein a floor comprising a plurality of corrugated flooring panels or sections is supported on the cables and removably secured to the cables. The positions of the cables are adjustable in vertical and horizontal directions. A connector assembly releasably connects each of the platform flooring sections to a respective supporting cable on which it rests. Each connector assembly comprises a first part which rests on a bottom wall of the panel and has a portion which extends through an opening in the bottom wall and back through the opening and is connected to a second part to form an eyelet through which the cable passes. In aspects of the present invention, the first and second parts are connected by a lever or a wedge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing operation of devices on a vehicular trailer without the necessity of a truck being connected thereto. A digital signal which is different for each device to be tested is encoded and wirelessly transmitted. Upon receipt of the signal, a power source is connected to the respective device to be tested. In order to reliably apply the signal in a multiplexed system in the trailer, the signal is mixed with a pseudorandom digital sequence to provide a direct sequence spread spectrum for the signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for noninvasively determining cardiac performance parameters including 1) lengths of systolic time intervals, (2) contractility index, (3) pulse amplitude ratios while performing the Valsalva maneuver, (4) cardiac output index, and (5) a pulse wave velocity index. A catheter having at least one balloon is inserted into the esophagus and pressurized and positioned adjacent the aortic arch to sense aortic pressure. The effects of aortic pressure on the balloon are utilized to determine at least one of the cardiac performance parameters. The catheter may include a second balloon which is spaced from the aortic balloon a distance such that when the second balloon is in a position adjacent the left atrium to sense left atrial pressure the aortic balloon is in a position adjacent the aortic arch to sense aortic pressure, this distance being related to the distance between the left atrium and aortic arch in most adult persons.

Abstract: A bridge platform and method of erecting the same wherein a plurality of cables extend longitudinally of the bridge in spaced relation below the deck or roadway and steel support structure of the bridge, which cables are supported at opposite ends by the spaced-apart vertical piers of the bridge, and wherein a plurality of platform flooring panels or sections are supported on the cables, extend laterally of the bridge, are arranged side-by-side along the length of the bridge between the piers and are removably secured to the cables. The cables are attached to the bridge piers by compression clamp structures. The platform flooring sections comprise elongated rectangular corrugated decking panels and are arranged in end-to-end overlapping relation transversely of the bridge, side-to-side overlapping relation longitudinally along the bridge and with the corrugations extending transversely of the cables.

Abstract: An article and method of making sandwiches. The article has a floor and a pair of side walls and is open along the top and at least one end and is sized to have a floor width which is equal substantially to the width of a sandwich to be made therewith and a side wall height which is at least equal to about the height of a sandwich to be made therewith. A bread portion of a sandwich is placed on the floor and between the side walls, and additional sandwich portions are stacked on the bread portion and between the side walls whereby the side walls constrain the sandwich over its height from falling apart as it is being stacked so that sandwiches may be made faster and with greater efficiency.

Abstract: In order to provide a blood pump bearing having a suitable stiffness, magnetic rings for a journal bearing are provided on each of the stationary portion and the rotor and disposed in magnetically interacting facing relationship on opposite sides of a gap, and a thrust bearing is provided on the stationary portion and the rotor and disposed with magnets in magnetically interacting facing relationship on opposite sides of the same or another gap. The pump motor preferably has a bearing span which is at least about 2½ times greater than an average radius of the distributed magnetic force. In accordance with one embodiment, the stator has at least one axial extension, an axially extending gap is provided between the stator and rotor, and a journal bearing has magnets interactively disposed on opposite sides of the gap.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing wherein a stator is magnetically interacted with a rotor and is movable in response to feed-back of rotor position to thereby use the magnetic interaction between the stator and rotor to effect movement of the rotor toward a predetermined rotor position for bearingly controlling the rotor position. The bearing may be a radial or thrust bearing.

Abstract: In order to protect a pole from low-speed impacts, an inner shell of impact-absorbing material is wrapped about the pole and an outer shell of a tough material is wrapped about the inner shell for protecting the inner shell from damage while intactly resisting the low-speed impacts.