Abstract: A computerized stock control system having a refrigerated carousel dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a user identification device, an article identification output device to provide identification of articles to be dispensed, and an article identification input device to provide identification of restocking articles prior to the dispensing process. The user must enter user identification data through the user identification device and be acknowledged by the dispensing station as an authorized user prior to the dispensing process. The user must also enter identification data of the article to be dispensed through the article identification output device which then clears the system for dispensing the requested article. The dispensing station logs the user identification data and the identification data of article(s) to be dispensed and conveys the data to a central computer. The central computer also provides reports via the output device concerning article dispensing.

Abstract: A spring applied parking brake assembly for a railroad vehicle braking system is provided for an automatic application of the parking brake in the absence of an air source. The spring applied parking brake assembly comprises a cylindrical casing containing a piston assembly. The piston assembly is mounted for longitudinal movement within the casing upon the application and/or removal of pneumatic pressure to the piston assembly. The piston assembly is associated with a force transfer lever of the braking system so as to apply a force to this force transfer lever upon longitudinal movement of the piston assembly. At least one spring member is provided within the cylindrical casing.

Abstract: A release valve apparatus for use on freight railcars equipped with ECP brake equipment comprises a spool valve assembly and a control valve assembly. The control valve assembly features a lever with which a railroad worker can affect the pressure in a brake cylinder to which the spool valve assembly is connected. By operating the lever after a brake application, a worker can not only manually release the pressure from the brake cylinder but also lock the brake cylinder in a release state until the spool valve assembly is reset. The spool valve assembly can be reset merely by commanding the ECP brake equipment to depressurize a control chamber underneath the spool valve assembly, in response to which the ECP application and release valves are again placed in communication with the brake cylinder. The lever can also be used to manually blow down the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs.

Abstract: A combined bearing plate and stator frame for an air compressor powered by an electric motor. The air compressor includes a crankshaft rotationally supported by a rotational bearing, and the electric motor includes a rotor and a stator substantially surrounding the rotor. The rotor is mounted on a portion of the crankshaft for rotation therewith. The combined bearing plate and stator frame is adapted for integration into the air compressor so as to provide a bearing plate for mounting of the rotational bearing and a stator frame for mounting of the stator therein and an aligning the stator with the rotor mounted on the portion of the crankshaft. The combined bearing plate and stator frame includes a bearing plate member and a stator frame member, the bearing plate member and the stator frame member being integrally formed from a single piece of material.

Abstract: A modified system of an adsorption/regeneration type dehumidifier that is equipped with a dehumidification case that internally supports an adsorption/regeneration type dehumidification cartridge that is inserted from an opening part. A check valve is provided on this dehumidification case that blocks the back flow from the secondary side by its being arranged in the passage that connects with the dry air discharge part of the dehumidification cartridge. A regeneration restrictor is arranged inside fastening holes formed inside the dehumidification case parallel to the check valve. A bottom cover supports the dehumidification cartridge while covering the opening part of the dehumidification case and a modified system of a dehumidifier that includes a hollow-fiber membrane type dehumidification cartridge that can be supported on the interior of the dehumidification case. There is a stopper plug for stopping up the fastening holes of the regeneration restrictor.

Abstract: A mop is provided which has an elongate handle (3), a mop head (5), for carrying a squeezable mop material (13). The mop has arms (27, 29, 37, 39) which can be moved to effect squeezing of the mop material (13). The mop has a two axis swivel connector (7) which has two mutually perpendicular axis (57 and 59). The arrangement is such that the mop head (5) can be swung to various angular orientations relative to the handle (3) at the same time. A stop (56) is provided on the mop head (5) to act with the handle (3) when the arms (27, 29, 37, 39) are moved to effect squeezing, thereby allowing a squeezing force to be applied to the mop material (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for a quick release mechanism in a railcar hand brake. The hand brake has a housing having a front casing with an inside wall of a predetermined size and shape, and a back plate. An operating shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing. The operating shaft includes a first end and a second end. The operating shaft further includes a ratchet wheel rotatable with the operating shaft intermediate the first and second ends thereof, and a release shaft rotatably mounted in the housing. The apparatus comprises a projection of a predetermined size and shape disposed substantially perpendicular to the ratchet wheel, and a flexible clamp of a predetermined size and shape mounted inside the housing.

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: An endplate for attachment to a stator frame of an electric motor used to drive an air compressor. The air compressor has a crankshaft rotationally supported by at least one rotational bearing, and the electric motor includes the stator frame, a stator element mounted to and within the stator frame, and a rotor element rigidly mounted on a portion of the crankshaft for rotation therewith. The crankshaft projects through the stator element and terminates in a distal end. The endplate is adapted for mounting to the stator frame so as to provide support for mounting an additional rotational bearing for rotationally supporting the distal end of the crankshaft on an opposite side of the rotor from the at least one rotational bearing.

Abstract: An electronic sensor for a quick release mechanism in a railcar vertical hand brake having a housing equipped with a flexible clamp mounted on an inside wall, and a release shaft having a member disposed perpendicular to and about the circumference thereof. A first element is disposed on the member and interposes with the flexible clamp when the release shaft is rotated to achieve and maintain a full brake release. A second element engages a projection on a ratchet wheel when the operating shaft is rotated to disengage the first element from the flexible clamp. A sensing device is disposed in a predetermined position for detecting when the release shaft is rotated into a release position, and for communicating a signal, indicating that the hand brake is in the release position. A device for activating the sensing device when the release shaft is rotated is disposed in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A brake cylinder piston travel indicator for monitoring an amount of piston travel in a brake cylinder assembly in a railway braking system is provided. The railway braking system includes a brake beam and a brake cylinder piston within the brake cylinder assembly which is in engagement with an end of a brake cylinder force transfer lever. The brake cylinder piston travel indicator of the invention comprises a rod member which is rotatably secured to and extends substantially parallel with at least a portion of the brake beam. A member is provided which operationally interconnects the rod member with the cylinder force transfer lever and is capable of transferring a rotational force to the rod member. This rotational force is caused by activation of the piston in the brake cylinder assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for securing a predetermined fitting to a mating surface. Such apparatus comprises a flange member having a predetermined profile and a swivel member connected to the flange member and having a well defined flange to swivel interface wherein the defined flange to swivel interface is conical with respect to an axis through the centerline of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the presence of a third rail disposed between parallel railroad tracks as a train progresses along said parallel railroad tracks and further for determining the relative direction of motion of said third rail with respect to said first two rails and further for determining the rate at which the third rail moves with respect to the first rails is disclosed, which is a low power radar sensor disposed underneath the rail vehicle and directed toward the rail on the opposing side of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, two rail detectors are shown which are disposed on opposite sides of the rail vehicle. The radar detectors are coupled with an onboard computing device and with other components of an advanced train control system which can be used for precisely locating the train on closely spaced parallel tracks and further for updating and augmenting position information used by the advanced train control system.

Abstract: A seat includes a seat portion connected to a base so that it can be supported on the ground. In addition to a front, a rear and two sides, the seat portion has an upwardly inclined portion, an inclined support portion, and a substantially flat horizontal portion. The upwardly inclined portion inclines upwardly from the front of the seat portion to a first intermediate position between the front and rear of the seat portion. The inclined support portion extends between a second intermediate position and the rear of the seat portion. The horizontal portion extends from the first intermediate position to the second intermediate position. The upwardly inclined portion supports the femurs and knees in a position below a person's acetabulum. The horizontal portion receives and holds the ischial bones when the person sits down, and the inclined support portion supports the gluteal muscles and sacra iliac ligaments.

Abstract: A door system for a transit vehicle provided with a door opening has a full height sliding door for covering and uncovering the door opening, and a threshold which is disposed within the sliding door when the sliding door is closed. The threshold is positioned at substantially the elevation of the floor. A retention mechanism is attached to the threshold, the retention mechanism is activated when the trap door is in the deployed position to engage the trap door and release the sliding door so that when the sliding door is opened, the threshold is retained to fill a gap between the trap door and the platform. When the trap door is in the stowed position, the retention mechanism disengages the trap door and engages the sliding door so that the threshold moves with the sliding door and does not interfere with street level street level boarding.

Abstract: In a method of sterilizing containers the container is first sealed and then subjected to electron irradiation. The ozone generated in this way is then retained in the closed container for the purpose of sterilizing the same.

Abstract: A method of changing between two operator stations in a cab of a locomotive for controlling the brakes of the locomotive and of a train of railway cars connected to the locomotive. The stations each have at least one brake handle and an associated selector switch, with each of the switches being electrically connected to a brake control computer. The method includes stopping the train if the train is in motion and placing the brake valve handles of the stations in a position to apply the brakes at full service. One of the operator stations is selected as an active station for braking the train while the other station is selected to be inactive. Signals are directed from the selector switches at the operator stations to the computer, the signals indicating which of the two stations is active and inactive. The computer is provided with the software that accepts a valid transition to the station selected by the operator as the active station.

Abstract: A method is provided for final rinsing in a dish washing machine with clean hot water from a water heater having an elongated standing flow tank which has a cold water inlet with a shut-off valve at the bottom and a hot water outlet at the top and a heating element in the lower part. The temperature of the water is sensed at a location above the lower end of the tank. The shut-off valve is opened for supply of cold water under pressure to the lower end of the tank. Hot water is delivered from the upper end of the tank. The period from opening of the shut-off valve to the time of sensing a temperature decrease in a boundary layer between hot and cold water at the above-mentioned location is measured and on the basis thereof the flow and the period for movement of the boundary layer from this location to a desired position in the tank is calculated.

Abstract: An air inlet valve assembly for a rotary scroll compressor is disclosed. The rotary scroll compressor includes stationary and orbiting scroll elements which are intermeshed and nested to form at least one spiraling compression pocket therebetween, a drive mechanism drives the orbiting scroll element in an orbit about the stationary scroll element, and an anti-rotation bearing device maintains the orbiting scroll element substantially non-rotational with respect to the stationary scroll element. The air inlet valve assembly supplies an uncompressed gas (e.g., ambient air) to the compression apparatus and prevents backward rotation of the orbiting scroll element when power to the drive mechanism is terminated. The air inlet valve assembly includes a valve piston positioned within an air intake channel leading to the suction region of the rotary scroll compressor, the valve piston having a first position blocking the air intake channel and a second position unblocking the air intake channel.