Abstract: A flooring system includes a board (6) having a lower surface (2) in which arcuate grooves (3) are formed. Grooves (3) are arranged in a grid, having points of intersection (5). Each groove (3) extends from one edge of the board to the opposite edge of the board. The grooves serve to enable the passage of electrical wire which might be used for telephones, computers, hi-fi systems or other applications. The system makes such cabling unobtrusive and is particularly suitable where access to an under floor area is limited or non-existent.

Abstract: A system verifies the authenticity of input signals used in the operation of an apparatus. The system includes two input registers, a microprocessor, and one circuit network for each input signal. Each circuit network generates twin binary signals in response to its input signal. Specifically, twin logic one signals are generated by a circuit network when its input signal goes active state. Conversely, twin logic zero signals are generated when the input signal goes inactive. Each circuit network conveys the first binary signal to a dedicated location in one input register and the second binary signal, after inversion, to a dedicated, mirror-imaged location in the other input register. Whenever any bit in either or both input registers changes, the microprocessor reads both input registers to ascertain the state of the bits they contain.

Abstract: A process for treating which contains carbonaceous solids, includes subjecting the water to hydrolysis in a biological hydrolysis reaction stage, in the presence of sulfate ions, thereby to produce treated water, a slurry component, and a sulfur-containing component. Treated water, the slurry component, and the sulfur-containing component are withdrawn from the reaction stage.

Abstract: A pneumatic system serves as a backup to the electronic system that normally provides load compensation on a railcar truck during both service and emergency applications of the brakes. The pneumatic system compensates for the load railcar bears during service and emergency brake applications whenever the electronic load compensation system fails due to a loss of power or other electrical failure. Ideal for railcar trucks equipped with brake pipe controlled brake equipment, the pneumatic system provides load compensation through use of a four-port variable load valve in combination with a low complexity MC-30A-1 control valve.

Abstract: A conveyance system is provided which includes a conveyance for conveying cargo and guide to which the convenience is displaceably mounted for guiding displacement of the conveyance. The system further includes a winding element connected via a cable to the conveyance and a linear motor for at least assisting displacement of the conveyance along a portion of the guide.

Abstract: Composition for impregnating porous materials, in which the composition contains at lease one component having preservative properties or which release a component having preservative properties on heating, the composition comprising an emulsion of water and oil containing a primary surfactant and an amphoteric additive, the pH of the emulsion being equal or approximately equal to the iso-electric point of the amphoteric additive. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the preservation of timber.

Abstract: In combination with a sewer and drain pipe plug testing device including an expandable plug having a flexible strap-like member secured at a one end of the expandable plug which enables removal of the expandable plug from a sewer or drain pipe after testing is complete. The improvement comprises a handle-like member secured to the opposite end of the strap-like member. The handle-like member would have a predetermined size which is at least large enough to prevent entry into the open sewer and drain pipe. There is at least one aperture formed through the handle-like member that has a predetermined shape substantially identical to a nut-like portion of a plug member disposed in the sewer and drain pipe to enable tightening and loosening the plug member into and from, respectively, the sewer and drain pipe. Also, there is at least one round threaded aperture drilled into the handle-like member that intersects the aperture formed into the handle-like member for engaging the nut of a threaded closure plug.

Abstract: A vehicular coupler comprises a head for coupling to an opposed, generally identical coupling head of a vehicle for mechanically connecting two vehicles together. Such coupler includes a beam member for connecting to the underside of one of such vehicles. A housing is slideably connected to the beam member and a cushioning device is connected to the coupling head. The coupling head has a rearward extension located in the housing. Primary shear bolts or pins extend through walls of the housing and into the rearward extension of the cushioning device. Secondary shear bolts or pins extend through the beam member and into the housing. Retaining bolts are secured to the housing and have upper portions located above an upper surface of the housing. A longitudinal relief area is provided in the beam member, with the upper portions of the retaining bolts being located in the relief area.

Abstract: Gasket for sealing between flanges in a pressurized fluid system. A central opening is disposed within an inner periphery of the gasket, the inner periphery being curved toward the central opening. Fluid pressure on the inner periphery is reacted by hoop tension in the gasket. The outer periphery of the gasket has concave segments between fastener holes so the area of the gasket is substantially less than the area of the flanges. In this manner, the clamping pressure exerted by the flanges on the gasket is increased.

Abstract: A lightweight backing plate for use with at least one of a railway brake shoe and a disc brake pad. Such lightweight backing plate being formed from a predetermined polymeric material selected from a group consisting of unsaturated polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, glass epoxy, phenolic polymers and various combinations thereof.

Abstract: A mechanical sensor for a hand brake quick release mechanism having a housing, flexible clamp, and release shaft having a member with first and second elements. A housing member has open and closed ends. The open end is engageable with a housing outside wall at a point radially opposed to the flexible clamp. A first aperture formed through the closed end is in axial alignment with a second aperture through the housing wall and a third aperture through the flexible clamp. A first portion of the slidable member is disposed within the housing member. A second portion extends through the first aperture, and a portion of the first portion extends through the second and third apertures, engaging with the first element when the release shaft is rotated to achieve and maintain full brake release. A device is provided for urging the slidable member inwardly when the hand brake is applied.

Abstract: An electronic vent valve for an electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP”) braking system having a plurality of braking sites at which a braking force can be applied. The ECP braking system includes a master controller processing circuit, individual braking control units located proximate each of the braking sites and a brake pipe supplying compressed air to the braking sites. The electronic vent valve is in fluid communication with the compressed air carried by the brake pipe and has an open position for substantially venting the compressed air from the brake pipe and a closed position for substantially retaining the compressed air within the brake pipe. The electronic vent valve includes a control circuit for causing the valve to open during emergency braking operations, thereby assuring a rapid decrease in the brake pipe pressure.

Abstract: A potted timer and circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative desiccant air dryer. The potted timer and circuit board assembly comprise a support member of a predetermined size and shape having a first surface and a second surface. A conductive pattern of a predetermined material and thickness is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the support member. A predetermined quantity and arrangement of electronic components of a predetermined voltage is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the support member for providing a timed electronic signal to a solenoid valve that pneumatically operates an air dryer. A non-conductive material of a predetermined composition encases the electronic components on the support member for insulating the electronic components from environmental elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides in combination with a ball-valve, an improvement comprising a threadless metallic fitting that incorporates both a male portion and a female portion formed as an integral unitary structure extending from at least one end wall of a housing portion of the ball-valve. The threadless metallic fitting includes a sleeve portion having a female interior surface adapted for receiving one of a tube and a pipe section therein and a male exterior surface having at least two distinct cylindrical sections. There is also a driver member having at least two distinct cylindrical sections for engaging the male exterior surface of the sleeve portion for deforming the sleeve portion and concurrently deforming such one of such tube and pipe section engaged within the sleeve portion when the driver member is forced longitudinally along the male exterior surface of the sleeve portion so as to effect an air tight seal between the pipe section and the female interior surface of the fitting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination utility retractable saw and knife device that comprises a handle member having a predetermined configuration and a knife blade disposed within a cavity formed in the handle member when in a retracted position. The knife blade member has a predetermined configuration. It further includes a saw blade disposed within a radially opposed cavity of such handle member when in a retracted position. Such combination device further includes a means engageable with the saw blade for connecting it with the handle and a means engageable with the knife blade for connecting it with the handle. There is also a means engageable with the saw blade for at least one of slidably moving and pivotably rotating the saw blade to an operable position, the means being at least partially disposed within the handle and a means engageable with the knife blade for slidably moving the knife blade member to an operable position, such means also being at least partially disposed within the handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting and holding a building panel during installation onto an overhead building structure. The apparatus comprises a bar member for supporting at least a portion of such building panel. The bar member has an elongated portion to be disposed substantially parallel to such overhead building structure when secured to at least one of such overhead building structure and a building wall in a working position, the elongated portion has each of a predetermined length and a predetermined shape. There is an arcuately shaped portion connected to the elongated portion of the bar member adjacent a first end thereof and at least one means disposed adjacent a second end of the elongated portion of the bar member for anchoring the apparatus to such overhead building structure and such building wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating solid particles from a liquid in a dish-washer. For the separation a filter (19) of expanded metal is provided, which forts openings (21) the bounding surfaces (22) of which are inclined in relation to the plane of the filter. The liquid with particles entrained therein is directed towards descending bounding surfaces in the filter for guiding the liquid flow through the filter under separation of the particles from the liquid.

Abstract: Method of detecting obstructions encountered by a motorized door. The method includes providing a signal processor with one or more signals indicative of a predetermined door trajectory profile for at least a segment of a stroke of the door, the door trajectory profile providing an ideal speed and/or position versus an elapsed time since a beginning of the segment of the stroke. A door position signal from a position encoder for the door is received into the signal processor. The method includes generating one or more signals indicative of the velocity and/or position of the door from the door position signal and generating a trajectory discrepancy signal based on the velocity and/or position in relation to the ideal speed and/or position. A motor control signal is generated based on the trajectory discrepancy signal and the motor control signal is connected to motor control circuits connected to drive the motor for the door.

Abstract: Door operator for opening, closing and locking at least one door panel on a transit vehicle. The door operator has at least one base portion for mounting on the vehicle and at least one fixed support member attached to the base portion. The door operator has door hangers for attachment of the door panel to the fixed support member and moveable door support members attached to the door hangers. The moveable door support members engage the fixed support member to support the door panel while permitting opening and closing motions of the panel. The operator includes at least one door drive having a base mounted portion and a hanger mounted portion engaging the base mounted portion to be moved thereby to move the panel in opening and closing directions.