Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing and diagnosing the operational condition and malfunctions of snow removal equipment. A diagnostic interface coupled to snow removal equipment and to an analysis module retrieves and analyzes data and compares the data to a set of reference data. The apparatus and method can further comprise a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are mobile or facilitate servicing networks.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring an industrial process and a sensor. The method and system include generating a first and second signal characteristic of an industrial process variable. One of the signals can be an artificial signal generated by an auto regressive moving average technique. After obtaining two signals associated with one physical variable, a difference function is obtained by determining the arithmetic difference between the two pairs of signals over time. A frequency domain transformation is made of the difference function to obtain Fourier modes describing a composite function. A residual function is obtained by subtracting the composite function from the difference function and the residual function (free of nonwhite noise) is analyzed by a statistical probability ratio test.

Abstract: A dock leveler for providing a bridge into the rear end of a truck trailer over which a fork vehicle can travel in loading the truck trailer. The dock leveler includes a ramp with a rear section and an extendible forward section. The forward section telescopically extends from and retracts into the rear section under power from a hydraulic cylinder. The forward section can be locked in place to prevent retraction of said forward section relative to said rear section under the traction developed by the drive wheels of a fork vehicle as the fork vehicle travels over the dock leveler. Various structures for indicating the amount of overlap of the dock leveler on the truck trailer are also provided.

Abstract: A dock leveler is mounted in a pit formed in the floor of the loading dock area of a factory, warehouse or similar facility. The loading dock includes an overhead door adjacent the dock leveler. The dock leveler is retractable so that, when it is not in use, it can be stored fully within the facility inboard of the overhead door. To prevent vehicles from inadvertently falling off the end of the stored dock leveler, the dock leveler includes a raisable barrier. When raised, the barrier is located between the end of the dock leveler and the overhead door. In addition to preventing vehicles from accidentally running off the end of the dock leveler, the barrier also protects the overhead door from accidental collisions with such vehicles. When the dock leveler is in use, the barrier folds away to a position below the extendible ramp. Alternatively, the dock leveler can be non-retractable and the barrier can be raised and lowered in from of the ramp.