Abstract: A trainline communication controller for placement on a rail car or locomotive of a train in order form a network having a housing with a front plate assembly which includes a plurality of external electrical receptacles. A plurality of circuits, including surface connectors, are positioned in the housing. A printed circuit board including connectors mating directly with the surface connectors of the circuits and wherein the receptacles are mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Provided are novel, electropolymerizable monomers of the formulae: wherein R1,R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of —H, —O(CH2)nCH3, wherein n has a value of 0 to 11 and m has a value of 1 to 4, and wherein no more than one of R2 and R3 is —H. Also provided are polymers resulting from the electropolymerization of these monomers.

Abstract: A programmable automated turbidimeter/colorimeter system for accurately measuring growth among multiple bacterial specimens is described which in a preferred embodiment includes a motor driven rotatable carousel assembly disposed within an aluminum housing, the carousel assembly including a plurality of evenly spaced peripheral holes for receiving a corresponding plurality of disposable culture test tubes, a light source and a light detector disposed in spaced confronting relationship to each other whereby the culture tubes pass therebetween, and a signal amplifier and a recorder for recording optical densities of each specimen as the carousel is continuously rotated. A concentric magnetic shield may be disposed on one side of the carousel for shielding experimental specimens from control specimens in measurements of magnetic effects on the cultures.

Abstract: A structured packing having a surface area density in the range of about 500 m2/m3 to about 675 m2/m3 includes a plurality of corrugated plates disposed in vertically parallel relation. Each plate has at least one aperture and a plurality of regularly spaced and substantially parallel corrugations disposed in crisscrossing relation to the corrugations of an adjacent plate. The apertures have an equivalent diameter of less than about 4 millimeters but greater than about 2 millimeters. The corrugations have a corrugation angle (∝) relative to horizontal in the range of about 40° to about 60°. Each corrugation, when approximated to be substantially a triangular cross-section, has an included angle (&bgr;) defined by two sides of the corrugation in the range of about 90° to about 100°. The structured packing is used in exchange columns for exchanging heat and/or mass between a first phase and a second phase in processes such as cryogenic air separation.

Abstract: A variable width bariatric bed including a frame having a modular configuration with front end, rear end and middle frame sections that are detachable from one another to facilitate storage, transport and relocation through narrow entrances. A series of electric motors carried by the frame apply pushing forces to raise a plurality of mattress support deck sections to adjust the contour of a mattress. Each of the mattress support deck sections has a pair of pull out extensions that are adapted to slide outwardly and in opposite directions from a retracted position to an extended position at which the mattress support deck sections have a relatively wide width to support a correspondingly wide (e.g. 48 inch) mattress. Such mattress includes a mattress body and a pair of (e.g. foam or air filled) mattress extensions that are releasably connected at opposite sides of the mattress body and seated upon the pair of pull out extensions of the mattress support deck sections.

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: Methods and apparatus are presented using tunable diode lasers for monitoring and/or controlling a high temperature process using an oxidizer containing O2 and organic fuel. Real-time monitoring of key species such as O2, CO, and H2O allow determination of the global or local stoichiometry, gas temperature, particulate concentration, and air entrainment levels into the process. Coupling the measured information with a control system provides a means for optimizing and controlling the process.

Abstract: Compositions having broad effectiveness against bacteria and fungi, which comprise (a) an iodopropynylbutyl compound and (b) one or more formaldehyde donor compounds, the formaldehyde donor compounds being N-formals, O-formals and/or a combination thereof. The compositions are also stable and effective in the form of liquid concentrates. The present invention also relates to the use of such compositions in industrial products and to industrial products which comprise these compositions.

Abstract: A reception simplified, reduced cost spread spectrum transceiver device and method. The transmitting portion of the transceiver antipodally modulates a pseudorandom code and non-antipodally modulates binary bit data onto a carrier wave. The receiving portion of the transceiver performs a mathematical squaring function on the received signal combination of pseudorandom code and data. Squaring the pseudorandom code results in a cancellation of the code and the data remains in the absence of the pseudorandom code. The device and method of the invention eliminates the need for storing or generating a local reference for the spreading code or the need for any knowledge of key signal parameters at the receiver greatly simplifying receiver circuitry and allowing receiver operation at low energy density and low operational cost. Additionally, the device and method of the invention eliminates the synchronization constraint between the transmitted data and spreading code of conventional systems.

Abstract: An open loop liquid spray phase-change cooling system for a laser comprised of an expendable supply of a compressed liquid refrigerant, a laser heat sink, an on/off valve, and a means for controlling the on/off valve in response to the measured heat sink temperature.

Abstract: Devices and methods for suspending a vehicle are disclosed. A suspension mechanism in accordance with the present invention includes a suspension arm having a first end and a second end, a swing arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the first end of the suspension arm and a second end pivotably coupled to a slide frame, a pivot arm having a first end pivotably coupled to the suspension arm proximate the second end thereof, the pivot arm further including a pivot axle and a second end, the second end of the pivot arm being pivotably coupled to the slide frame, a cradle pivotably coupled to the suspension arm between the first end and the second end thereof, an air spring having a first end seating against the cradle and a second end seating against a seating portion of the slide frame.

Abstract: A wholly aromatic copolyester having repeating units of the formula: wherein Ar1 is wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH3, —CF3, —Cl, —Br, and —C6H5; wherein Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of wherein X is selected from the group consisting of —Br, —Cl, —CH3 and —C6H5; wherein Ar3 is wherein Ar4 is selected from the group consisting of wherein m has a value of 0.05 to 0.95 and n has a value of 100-m, is characterized by accessible nematic-isotropic transition temperatures providing outstanding orientational order and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A grade speed control system and method for a railway freight vehicle can include a microprocessor receiving input from, for example, the dynamic and independent brakes on the locomotive, and the brakes on each rail car. The microprocessor can store values for desired train speed and actual train speed as well as constants and equations for converting raw data to derive brake cylinder pressure adjustments for implementing train speed control functions. The grade speed control system can also include communicate with brake cylinder control devices on articulated rail cars to increase or decrease the brake cylinder pressures to control the train speed. If actual speed differs from target speed by more than a predetermined amount, a target acceleration can be calculated and brake cylinder pressures adjustments can be derived to achieve the target acceleration to bring the actual speed of the train to the target speed in a reasonably brief time period.

Abstract: A process for destroying fluorine in a gas containing such fluorine by contacting the gas with a fluidized bed of metal particles capable of reacting with such fluorine wherein the metal particles have a particle size essentially no greater than approximately 300 microns. The process can be conducted in parallel connected switching fluidized beds wherein the beds are switched based upon achieving a predetermined bed height expansion based upon the reaction of the metal particles with such fluorine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wobble piston and seal assembly for an oil free compressor. An upwardly directed curvature is provided on a piston surface which supports the seal. The curvature is located adjacent the perimeter of the surface to impart a slight dish shape to the surface. Preferably, the curvature has the same radius as the bend radius of the seal when the piston head is inserted into a cylinder. When the seal is initially clamped to the support surface, the seal is formed to take on the curvature of the support surface. Consequently, the seal is preformed into a shallow cup shape prior to final forming when the piston and seal assembly are inserted into a cylinder.

Abstract: A highly efficient and compact ammonia refrigerator, whose safety is further improved, is obtained. The ammonia refrigerator uses ammonia as refrigerant and has an ammonia refrigerating cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are connected through piping. The refrigerator comprises a casing in which the compressor and a motor for driving the compressor are accommodated and the refrigerant flows, a stator winding of the motor made of an aluminum wire, and a brine cooled by the refrigerant which is compressed in the casing and then evaporated in the evaporator.

Abstract: Dephlegmator system without headers, collectors, or distributors at the bottom end of feed circuits in plate and fin exchangers operating in condensing or rectifying service. Each dephlegmator is installed within a pressure vessel, thereby eliminating the need for headers, collectors, or distributors at the bottom end of the feed circuits. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, upper and lower segments of the pressure vessel are isolated by a mid-vessel seal between the vessel and dephlegmator walls, and headers or collectors are not required at the upper and lower ends of the feed circuits.

Abstract: Provided is a novel method and system for preparing ultra-high-purity buffered-hydrofluoric acid or ammonium fluoride controlled concentration The method comprises bubbling purified ammonia vapor into ultra-pure hydrofluoric acid. The inventive method and system can be used as an on-site subsystem in a semiconductor device fabrication facility for supplying the buffered-hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride to points of use in the semiconductor device fabrication facility.

Abstract: A portable aircraft pneumatic system test cart includes a cart having a surface with a pneumatic testing device, having a plurality of test gauges and a plurality of regulators, and a temperature test oven, having an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, both disposed thereon.

Abstract: A method of freezing a product, which method comprises the steps of vaporizing a cryogenic liquid and warming the vapor thus formed in indirect heat exchange with a product to be frozen, work expanding the warmed vapor, and using the work expanded vapor thus obtained to refrigerate the or another product.