Abstract: A brake rigging comprising first and second brake beams. A brake shoe assembly including a brake shoe adjacent each end of brake beams. A first force transfer mechanism connected intermediate first and second ends thereof to the first brake beam for moving a brake shoe into engagement with confronting wheels during braking. A second force transfer mechanism connected intermediate first and second ends thereof for moving brake shoes into engagement with confronting wheels during braking. A first force transmitting device engageable with such second brake beam for rotating such second force transfer mechanism. An adjustable length second force transmitting device having one end connected to the first force transfer mechanism and another end connected to the second force transfer mechanism and an apparatus engageable with such second force transmitting device and a portion of such brake rigging for changing a length of the second force transmitting device.

Abstract: An illuminated touch switch has a touch sensitive area and a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a predetermined pattern. The touch switch includes a first rigid circuit board with a first electrical conductor and a second flexible circuit board with a second electrical conductor separated by a spacer of a predetermined thickness. Both conductors are aligned with the touch sensitive area and are coupled from the applied pressure providing an output signal. Light emitting diodes illuminate a single color light to indicate an enabled condition of the touch sensitive area.

Abstract: A human machine interface (10) for use in situations requiring authorized access. The human machine interface (10) includes a validator controller (12) and a data transmitter (14). The validator controller (12) includes a validator status actuator (16) in communication with a validator receiver (18) via a validator logic circuit (20). The validator status actuator (16) is configured to process and perform actions based upon data signals (22) received by the validator receiver (18). The data transmitter (14), which is in contact with a human nail (24), transmits the data signal (22) to the validator controller (12).

Abstract: An automatic application hand brake mechanism is provided for automatically applying at least one brake member secured to a railway vehicle with the hand brake assembly. The mechanism comprises an operating member having at least one ratchet engageable with at least one gear of the hand brake assembly for operating the gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of the at least one brake member. The apparatus also includes an application cylinder and a drive arm extending from an end thereof having a first portion which is connected to the operating member. The drive arm is capable of reciprocating with respect to the application cylinder upon the application of a force thereto to supply a predetermined pressure to the operating member to cause an automatic application of the at least one brake member.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system is disclosed which includes an injector (40) having an end region (43). The end region (43) is provided from heat conducting material such as metal so that the end region can be heated by exhaust gas to heat the temperature of fuel in the injector end region so that the increase in temperature and pressure within the end region causes the fuel to flash into a vapor state immediately the fuel is ejected from the injector. The exhaust gas is supplied by an exhaust gas supply line (70, 402) and can be returned by an exhaust return line (405).

Abstract: The turbocharged exit air from a turbocharger flows through an intercooler, and then into an air intake manifold of a diesel engine. The intercooler exchanges heat with a liquid coolant in the intercooler when the coolant is cooler than the charge air, and substantially does not exchange heat with the liquid coolant in the intercooler when the coolant is warmer than the charge air. A controller located on the coolant tubing leading into the intercooler compares the temperature of the charge air to the temperature of the coolant, and at least partially stops the coolant from circulating by at least partially closing a valve in the coolant tubing when the charge air is cooler than the coolant.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables movement of a bicycle with either a damaged wheel or a flat tire. The apparatus consists of a support member which has an upper surface to engage the outside of a bicycle tire. The support member also provides a device to secure the apparatus to the disable tire and rim. The support member also provides for attaching at least one wheel thereto in order to provide rolling contact with the ground surface during the movement of the bicycle with a damaged wheel or a flat tire.

Abstract: Dispersion shifted fiber having low dispersion slope comprising a center core, two claddings, a ring core and the outer glass region, wherein the first cladding is provided onto the outer periphery of the center core, the second cladding is provided onto outer periphery of the first cladding and the ring core is provided onto outer periphery of the second cladding, and the outer glass region surrounds the ring core, and the center core and the ring core have higher refractive indices, and the claddings have lower refractive indices than the outer glass region, and the refractive indices are constrained by the equation n1>n4>n5>n2>n3.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for suspending slats of a bed base, the device being constituted by a one-piece unit presenting a top section having two housings for receiving the ends of two parallel slats, a bottom section provided with anchor means to anchor said unit to a bed frame, and an intermediate section connecting the top section to the bottom section and constituting the resilient suspension element, said bottom section having a vertical bottom wall for bearing against an inside face of said frame and a horizontal top wall for resting on the top face of said frame, and said unit presenting a vertical plane of symmetry perpendicular to said top wall and to said bottom wall, wherein the intermediate section is constituted by semicylindrical wall portions that are substantially bodies of revolution about axes perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, said wall portions connecting the top section to the bottom section, and said axes of revolution being disposed inside the volume defined by said top sect

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring suspension system comprising a helical spring, a sheath, and at least one centering and bearing cup, said spring having an end turn with at least a fraction thereof being covered by said sheath, and which is centered on and bears against said centering and bearing cup. The sheath presents an opening extending around the inner periphery of the sheath and facing towards the spring axis. The fraction of the end turn covered by the sheath is centered on and bears against the centering and bearing cup via spacer means between said sheath and said centering and bearing cup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber/cement composite, the cementitious matrix of which has a water/binder ratio of less than 0.25 and consisting of cement, aggregate elements, fine pozzolanic elements and a plasticizer. The reinforcement consists of three types of fiber: a) metal fibers having a length of between 15 and 25 mm and a diameter of between 0.25 and 0.3 mm, in a percentage by volume of between 0.5 and 3%; b) metal fibers having a length of between 5 and 10 mm and a diameter of between 0.15 and 0.2 mm, in a percentage of between 4 and 7%; and c) 1.5 to 5% of short metal fibers having a length of less than 3 mm. The strength of this composite in uniaxial tension is greater than or equal to 30 MPa. It exhibits positive work-hardening and ductile behavior in uniaxial tension.

Abstract: A coin discriminator has a coin path along which a coin, containing a first portion and a second portion made of different metals and/or metal alloys, is arranged to pass. An electrical mechanism supplies time-varying drive signals to the coil mechanism. A detection mechanism detects eddy currents induced in the coin by the coil mechanism. The coil mechanism is arranged to induce in the coin an eddy current loop, which in a predetermined region of the coin crosses a bond between the first and the second portions of the coin.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly for automatically applying at least one brake device secured to a railway vehicle with such hand brake assembly. The apparatus includes an operating mechanism having at least a portion thereof engageable with at least one gear of a gear assembly disposed in a housing member of the hand brake assembly for operating such gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of such brake device. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a predetermined pressure to such operating mechanism for the application of the brake device. An activating device is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism thereby causing an automatic application of such brake device by the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: In combination with a railway locomotive brake valve which has an exhaust valve assembly, a spring housing and a range spring, there is a device for providing enhanced damping capabilities. The device minimizes spring oscillation during operation of the locomotive brake valve.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for drilling trenches in the ground, the apparatus comprising a frame and a drilling assembly having a horizontal support plate connected to the bottom end of the frame, said plate supporting drilling tools disposed beneath said plate, said trench being filled with a drilling mud. The periphery of said plate has resilient sealing means for co-operating with the walls of the trench so as to provide at least partial sealing between said plate and the walls of the trench, and means for adjusting drilling mud flow rates from the portion of the trench situated above said plate to the portion of the trench situated beneath said plate, and also in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling trenches in the ground comprising a main frame having two vertical main faces, a drilling assembly comprising a support disposed at the bottom of said frame, means for causing said drilling assembly to move in vertical translation relative to said main frame by applying a predetermined force to said drilling assembly relative to said main frame, and anchoring means mounted on said main faces for anchoring the main frame to the walls of said trench. The anchoring means comprise a plurality of deformable elements secured to said main faces of the top frame, means for injecting a fluid under pressure into said inflatable elements thereby applying a force between said main frame and the walls of the trench, and means enabling said fluid under pressure to escape from said inflatable elements whereby no force is transmitted between said main frame and the walls of the trench.