Abstract: A high temperature, gas-tight seal is formed by utilizing one or more compliant metallic toroidal ring sealing elements, where the applied pressure serves to activate the seal, thus improving the quality of the seal. The compliant nature of the sealing element compensates for differences in thermal expansion between the materials to be sealed, and is particularly useful in sealing a metallic member and a ceramic tube art elevated temperatures. The performance of the seal may be improved by coating the sealing element with a soft or flowable coating such as silver or gold and/or by backing the sealing element with a bed of fine powder. The material of the sealing element is chosen such that the element responds to stress elastically, even at elevated temperatures, permitting the seal to operate through multiple thermal cycles.

Abstract: A method of optimizing train operation and training in a moving train includes determining the train's conditions and calculating a desired response to the present conditions of the train to achieve a goal. The engineer's response is determined and the train's conditions resulting from the engineer's response is determined and may be displayed on the train. The desired response, for example brake and propulsion settings, may be displayed after determining the engineer's response. The engineer is qualified from the comparison of the engineer's response to the desired response to the condition. Access to the locomotive controls may be controlled using a user identification and determining the qualification level of the user. The qualification level can be updated based on the training session.

Abstract: A process for gas liquefaction, particularly nitrogen liquefaction, which combines the use of a nitrogen autorefrigeration cooling cycle with one or more closed-loop refrigeration cycles using two or more refrigerant components. The closed-loop refrigeration cycle or cycles provide refrigeration in a temperature range having a lowest temperature between about −125° F. and about −250° F. A nitrogen expander cycle provides additional refrigeration, a portion of which is provided at temperatures below the lowest temperature of the closed-loop or recirculating refrigeration cycle or cycles. The lowest temperature of the nitrogen expander cycle refrigeration range is between about −220° F. and about −320° F. The combined use of the two different refrigerant systems allows each system to operate most efficiently in the optimum temperature range, thereby reducing the power consumption required for liquefaction.

Abstract: A compact, modular limited-scan phased array is disclosed. The entire array, combining the feed and the radiating elements, is fabricated as a multilayer, planar substrate structure, with vias incorporated as layer interconnects. Furthermore, the desired degree of control over the array pattern can be exercised by inclusion of additional feed circuit layers. The feed can be used in systems requiring limited scan in one of the principal scan planes and wide-angle scan in the other plane, as well as in phased arrays with limited field-of-view in both principal scan planes. The planar circuit implementation of the array makes in inherently amenable to integration with state-of-the-art solid-state active components.

Abstract: A jointed hand brake release handle for a railway car hand brake mechanism, having a lever arm with an inner end attachable to a rotatable hand brake release post of a hand brake mechanism, and an extension arm pivotally attached to the outer end of the lever arm and adapted for pivotal movement such that a contact face on the inner end of the lever arm can be brought into contact with a contact face on the outer end of the lever arm, and such that continued pivotal movement of the extension arm will cause rotational movement of the lever arm and rotation of the hand brake release post.

Abstract: Provided are chromophores with very large two-photon absorption cross-sections. One group of these chromophores has the formula: (T—Q)n—N—Phm wherein Q is a single bond or 1,4-phenylene, Ph is a phenyl group, n has a value of 1-3 and m has a value of 3−n, and wherein T is wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, provided that when Q is a single bond, the value of n is 2 or 3. Another group of these chromophores has the formula: (T—Q)n—G—Phm wherein T is as defined above, Q is a single bond or 1,4-phenylene, Ph is a phenyl group, n has a value of 1-4 and m has a value of 4−n, and wherein G is a 4-arm core unit. Yet another group of these chromophores has the formula: (T—Q)n—G—Phm wherein T is as described previously, Q is a single bond or 1,4-phenylene, Ph is a phenyl group, n has a value of 1-6 and m has a value of 6−n, and wherein G is a 6-arm core unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball cock for a railway vehicle which comprises a main body possessing a primary-side opening and a secondary-side opening which face one another and an air exhaust aperture which is formed between these openings. Such ball cock further includes a ball-shaped valve body which is rotatably provided inside such main body and in which there is formed a communication aperture which connects the primary side opening and the secondary-side opening and a side aperture which, consequent to its rotation, connects the air exhaust aperture and either the primary-side or secondary-side opening. There is formed in the main body's air exhaust aperture a pipe connection to which is be connected a restrictor. In another embodiment a extension pipe is connected to such pipe connection in such air exhaust aperture.

Abstract: A wall organizer system for storing items on a wall, includes at least one panel of wire mesh including a plurality of spaced, parallel, vertical rods joined to a plurality of spaced, parallel horizontal rods to define a plurality of quadrilateral mounting points, at least one wall bracket for mounting the at least one panel to the wall, at least one universal mounting plate configured for being secured in one of the mounting points and for accommodating at least one suspending member, and at least one suspending member configured for engagement on at least one of the at least one universal plate and directly to the panel.

Abstract: An inflatable evacuation slide for use in aircraft, watercraft, buildings, and other structures, includes a first inflatable tubular member, a second inflatable tubular member spaced from the first inflatable tubular member, and a floor extending between the first and second inflatable tubular members. At least one adjustable deceleration tube is connected to the floor. The at least one deceleration tube is adjustable in height in response to the distance between the exit opening and ground. With this arrangement, the rate of descent of an evacuee descending the evacuation slide can be regulated based on the height of the exit opening.

Abstract: PET with low gas permeability and good mechanical properties is produced utilizing strain-induced crystallization. This strain-induced crystallization process is utilized to produce PET films and sheets, among other products.

Abstract: Filter cartridge for insertion in a cartridge opening in a plate, where the filter cartridge includes a predominantly cylindrical filter and an outer, annular collar which is made of an elastomer or rubber, which seals against the predominantly cylindrical filter, and where the annular collar has a flange which, when the collar is inserted, lies up against a first side of the plate with the cartridge opening. The filter cartridge also includes an expansion part which is configured to be inserted in the outer annular collar, in that the expansion part is inserted into the collar in the axial direction from that side on which the flange is disposed, and that the expansion part is made of a material which is relatively stiff in comparison to the collar, and includes a first ridge and a second ridge which, when the expansion part is inserted in the collar, lies opposite the first side of the plate in which the cartridge opening is provided.

Abstract: An aircraft weapons bay acoustic suppression apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus reduces or eliminates acoustic resonance within an open cavity of an aircraft such as a weapons bay of an aircraft in flight. The apparatus includes an oscillatable spoiler plate which is extended into the airstream. At least one shaker is placed in operative engagement with the spoiler plate in order to oscillate the spoiler plate at high frequencies and high amplitudes to seed the shear layer with frequencies which directly complete with the natural frequency of the shear layer vortices. In this way, the damage arising from natural shear layer vortices can reduced or canceled within the weapons bay.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit adapted for mounting on the roof of a bus or similar vehicle. The HVAC unit is self-contained, lightweight and provides adequate cooling, heating and ventilation to a bus passenger compartment or the occupant compartment of a similar vehicle. The HVAC unit has a unique cross-pattern arrangement of evaporator and condenser assemblies which enables air distribution from the system to function in a ducted system or a free blow system depending upon orientation of the condensers and evaporators. The HVAC unit is of compact construction and includes modular characteristics provided by the allocation of one fan to one condenser and one blower to one evaporator to enhance system performance and system redundancy. The HVAC units include diagonal symmetry of components which further improves modularity, commonality and serviceability.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation process wherein one or more pressurized product streams enriched in oxygen, nitrogen and argon are produced by cryogenic distillation. One or more of the product streams are pressurized above the operating pressure of the distillation column by introducing a pressurizing fluid into a vessel containing a lower pressure product liquid. In the design of the system the pressurizing fluid can be air or streams enriched in oxygen, nitrogen or argon. Product stream pressurization is accomplished without the use of mechanical pumping devices.

Abstract: A dynamic displacement sensor for detecting an out-of-fluid condition in a liquid delivery system detects an increased amplitude of pump motion of a reciprocating air pump and provides an output signal upon detecting the increased amplitude motion. The detector includes a spring-mass combination supported within a housing such that the mass is movable along a defined axis of the housing, with the spring applying a restoring force to the mass when the mass moves away from its static position. The detector is attached to the pump with its defined axis aligned parallel with the pump axis. A sensor within the housing is triggered to change state when the mass is displaced by pump motion of a predetermined amplitude and frequency, thereby providing an output signal indicating an out-of-fluid condition.

Abstract: A process and installation for the regulation of the vacuum level prevailing in a network of vacuum conduits in a hospital building comprises one or several vacuum pumps connected pneumatically to the vacuum conduits (CV); elements (C2) for determining the pressure to determine the underpressure prevailing in the vacuum conduits (CV); a pilot device (MP) controlling at least one vacuum pump, at least one line for connection to the atmosphere (L1, L2) having a first end connected pneumatically to the vacuum conduits and having a second free end; and control elements (EV1, EV2) for the flow of fluid arranged in the line for connection to the atmosphere (L1, L2) to permit controlling the passage of air in the line connecting to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating artificial atmospheres in a furnace for the heat treating of materials. The furnace includes a substantially isolated chamber having a discharge receiving orifice for accepting a bi-phasic cryogen into a hot/work zone of the chamber. A low pressure cryogen source feeds a bi-phasic inert gas into the chamber in order to allow the volumetric expansion of the evaporating liquid constituent of the bi-phasic cryogen to purge a substantial portion of the ambient oxygen from the chamber and to allow a substantial residual concentration of the inert gas to blanket the process area without significant dissipation during the heat treating process. Oxidizable materials heat treated in artificial atmospheres generated by use of bi-phasic cryogens show no signs of scaling or staining through the process and thus do not need to undergo acid bathing prior to subsequent processing.

Abstract: A passively cooled electromechanical actuator is disclosed. The passively cooled electromechanical actuator includes a rotor having an output shaft rotatably received within a stator. A pair of inner supports connect the stator to a pair of mounting platforms. The mounting platforms are attached to the inner surfaces of an aircraft wing and are in thermal communication therewith. A pair of closed, capillary tube thermosyphons containing a working fluid are in thermal communication with the stator, the inner supports and the mounting platforms. During operation, the thermosyphons receive heat from the stator and transport it to the mounting platforms whereupon it is convected or radiated to the atmosphere from the aircraft wings. The inner supports have a phase change material received within for providing temporary thermal energy storage during transient conditions.

Abstract: A micro channel heat pipe and method of fabrication are disclosed. The micro channel heat pipe includes a wire cloth wick having micro capillary channels formed by a corrugation extrusion process. The wick is inserted into the heat pipe housing in a shrink fit, enhancing heat transfer. The porous nature of the wire cloth wick permits free passage of the working fluid within both the closed and open micro capillary channels, doubling the number of micro capillary channels available for heat transference.