Abstract: A low profile transformer comprises a support member for supporting a coil winding, a first elongated conductive tape forming at least one conductor having lead terminals formed integral therewith formed into a first coil of multiple turns, a second elongated conductive tape having lead terminals formed integral therewith forming at least one conductor formed into a second coil of at least one turn interleaved with the first coil, and each terminal lead of each of the tapes extending from the support member and having a portion disposed at a base of the transformer for engagement and surface bonding to a PC board.

Abstract: A consist power monitor provides information to the engineer of a multiple unit consist on the ability of each locomotive to provide traction power and dynamic braking. The consist power monitor is a microprocessor based device which communicates with other locomotive consist power monitors, either through the MU cable or over a wireless link, to display consist status to the engineer. Where the communication is through the MU cable, the communications link is provided by a high frequency carrier superimposed on an existing MU cable wire. No modification is required to the MU cable allowing for easy retrofit of existing locomotives. The alternative wireless communication is accomplished by means of a low power, spread spectrum data link now being incorporated into new locomotives. Information exchanged among the consist power monitors pertains to loading and dynamic brake conditions of the locomotives in the consist. Locomotive consist information is presented continuously.

Abstract: A battery rejuvenator circuit for use in conjunction with automatic start/stop battery generators. The rejuvenator circuit generates a positive voltage pulse train (characterized by a fast rise time spike followed by a non-uniform hump-shaped trail-off) that is combined with a DC charging current output by the charger. Operation of the rejuvenator circuit is controlled by a start-up delay circuit and a disconnect circuit. The start-up delay circuit senses the connection to a battery and delays for a predetermined time period to allow charging to begin before activating the rejuvenation circuit. The disconnect circuit senses the disconnection of the charger from the battery and deactivates the rejuvenation circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for preserving fluid foodstuffs. More particularly, it is directed to methods and apparatuses for extending the shelf life of perishable fluid foodstuffs such as dairy products, fruit juices and liquid egg products, which contain significant levels of microorganisms. The improved methods and apparatuses incorporate a plurality of electric field treatment zones with cooling units between each pair of treatment zones in order to maintain the temperature of the pumpable foodstuff at a level at which microorganisms are killed in sufficient numbers and at which changes in the flavor, appearance, odor, or functionality of the foodstuff remain within acceptable ranges. For a comparable microorganism kill, foodstuffs prepared by the present process have significantly higher quality than foodstuffs prepared with standard thermal processes (e.g., ultra-high temperature pasteurization).

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for automatically generating chain stitching in a computer aided design system in which the shape to be filled is a complex polygon. The medial axis of the polygon is determined, concentric polygons are then constructed and sorted and the chain stitches are placed on the perimeter of the concentric polygons. The chain stitches can be used to completely fill a stitch pattern, such as an embroidery stitch pattern, or in conjunction with other stitching, such as chenille stitching in an embroidery pattern.

Abstract: An improvement in an End-of-Train (EOT) monitor system allows the continuity of the brake pipe of a train to be verified. Obstructions in the brake-pipe, such as, for example, closed angle cocks, kinks, blockages, or breaks, adversely affect brake safety. A pressure sensor is installed in the Locomotive Cab Unit (LCU) to sense brake application. If the brake pipe is intact, a brake application initiated from the locomotive should correspondingly result in a drop in pressure at the EOT unit. The time require for the drop to propagate through the train is a function of train length. If a pressure drop is not sensed at the EOT unit within a predetermined period of time, it is assumed to be due to either a corrupted brake pipe or a communications failure between the LCU and EOT unit. A Microprocessor in the LCU initiates a communications check by interrogating the EOT unit from the LCU. If no reply is received, an alarm sounds warning the engineer of a communications failure.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for automatically generating chenille filled embroidery stitch patterns and/or chain stitching in a computer aided design system in which the shape to be filled is a complex polygon. The medial axis of the polygon is determined, concentric polygons are then constructed and sorted and spirals are placed along the polygons with stitches being placed along the spirals. For chain stitching, rather than placing spirals, the chain stitches are placed on the perimeter of the concentric polygons.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a three dimensional electronic element holder of a non-conducting material having at least one cavity in a first surface and a plurality of lead through holes with inlet guides extending from the cavity to a second surface having a circuit thereon, an electronic element mounted in the cavity and having a plurality of leads, a plurality of the leads extending via the through holes from the element to the second surface, and a plurality of lead terminal recesses formed at the second surface for for receiving and forming terminal ends and connections of the leads to the circuit on the second surface.

Abstract: A method for creating a self-generating embroidery design pattern, which may be provided alone or merged with an existing pattern comprising the steps of defining a predetermined fractal shape having an associated axiom and production rules; parsing the axiom and production rules associated with the defined fractal shape and performing the production rules a selectable predetermined number of times for providing a plurality of stitch or outline points in accordance with a desired finished embroidery design pattern size, the stitch points being in either an outline data format or a stitch data format; converting the outline data format into a stitch data format; and translating the stitch data format into a predetermined embroidery language machine code for controlling an associated embroidery machine responsive to the predetermined embroidery language machine code.

Abstract: Characteristic parameters of a torque of a stepping motor and its associated driving current or voltage are measured in advance to providetorque vs. characteristic information data representative of the torque vs. driving current/voltage characterisitcs. Then, the above characteristic parameters are measured again when a real load is applied to a stepping motor as installed with associated mechanical coupling components. An actual load torque is determined by referencing the subsequently measured characteristic parameters to the previously obtained torque vs. characteristic information data. A load inertia moment can be determined by subtracting the motor's rotor inertia moment from a determined inertia moment of the entire system. Efficiency of the motor can be determined by multiplying the output of the measured load torque by the nuber of revolutions per second thereof and dividing this by the power supplied to the motor or driving circuit.

Abstract: A fitness impairment tester implements a self-administered screening test to determine whether a subject is physically impaired. The tester is fully automated to respond to the entering of a subject's personal identification on a keypad. By superposing two different colored lights as viewed through an eyepiece, the subject aligns his or her pupil on the optical axis of pupil imaging optics which focuses an image of the subject's pupil on an image plane. The tester automatically recognizes this condition and audibly signals the subject that the test is about to begin. Light stimuli are provided to cause the pupil to change size and the eye to move. Pupil diameter measurements are made of the image of the subject's pupil in response to on axis light stimuli. Eye tracking of the subject's eye in response to moving light stimuli provide a measure of eye movements.

Abstract: An improved eye tracking system capable of accurately measuring fast eye movements, is controlled by a microprocessor and software to rapidly track a subject's eye movements. The hardware for the electro-optical tracking system includes a quadrant detector which detects the relative direction of movement of the subject's eye. The output of the quadrant detector is processed by the microprocessor under the control of three software subsystems. The first software subsystem is the servo tracking software which controls positioning motors that rapidly move a mirror mechanism which reflects light that forms an image of the subject's eye on the quadrant detector. The second software subsystem is the pupil recognition software which recognizes that an image of a pupil is present. The third software subsystem is the blink detection software which recognizes the presence of a blink and disables the servo tracking subsystem.

Abstract: A brake control mechanism allows the engineman in a lead locomotive to control the brakes of a helper locomotive and does not require a manual connection of the brake pipe of the train to that of the helper locomotive. The End of Train (EOT) unit is used to effect this control. The EOT transmits brake pipe pressure data sensed at the end of the train. Both the lead locomotive and the helper locomotive are equipped with Head of Train (HOT) units which receive the transmitted data from the EOT unit. In the case of the HOT unit in the lead locomotive, this data is processed and displayed for the engineman in that locomotive, as is the normal operation in those units. However, in the case of the HOT unit in the helper locomotive, that unit is first of all set to receive the transmitted data from the EOT unit by dialing in the identification (ID) of the EOT unit using thumbwheels on the HOT unit provided for that purpose.

Abstract: Improvements relating to railroad telemetry and control system address problems in compatibility between HOT and EOT units, implement an automatic UDE location procedure, and automate calibration of EOT units. An improved two way protocol that allows EOT units having different code formats to be used with a HOT unit. A method is implemented by a HOT unit, cooperating with an EOT unit, for locating a fault which causes a UDE brake operation. An automatic calibration procedure for the EOT unit that does not require the operator to have access to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: Motion and direction sensors for end of train (EOT) telemetry equipment employ a piezoelectric film as the sensing element. The motion sensor has a mechanical design which is optimized for detecting vibration on a railroad car. The electrical circuitry of the motion sensor generates output pulses to the EOT microprocessor which are processed according to an algorithm to make a determination of train motion based on detected vibration levels and rates of occurrence. Also, the EOT microprocessor dynamically adjusts the sensitivity of the motion sensor as a function of detected motion. The direction sensor uses a pendulum aligned with the axis of train motion to stress the piezoelectric film and, like the motion sensor, generates output pulses to the EOT microprocessor. These pulses are processed by a direction sensing algorithm implemented on the EOT microprocessor to determine the direction of train motion.

Abstract: Improvements relating to railroad telemetry and control system address problems in compatibility between HOT and EOT units, implement an automatic UDE location procedure, and automate calibration of EOT units. An improved two way protocol that allows EOT units having different code formats to be used with a HOT unit. A method is implemented by a HOT unit, cooperating with an EOT unit, for locating a fault which causes a UDE brake operation. An automatic calibration procedure for the EOT unit that does not require the operator to have access to the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A direct sequence digital spread spectrum receiver acquires and maintains synchronization in a reliable, yet simple manner, even under severe multipath and interference conditions. A sliding correlator and a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) cooperate to acquire initial synchronization, and once synchronization is acquired, the VCXO is linearly frequency modulated (FM) for accurate tracking. The difficult problem of keeping the receiver code clock synchronized to that of the transmitter under severe multipath and interference conditions is solved by virtue of a dual switched bandwidth low pass filter section of the tracking circuit, allowing a wide bandwidth for initial acquisition and tracking but once the clocks are aligned, a narrow loop takes over that follows the transmitter closely. A commercially available intermediate frequency (IF) integrated circuit (IC) is used as an amplitude modulated (AM) detector to achieve the large dynamic range required.

Abstract: An electronic component adapted for surface mounting on a PC board has an elongate bobbin made of a dielectric material. A coil of wire is wound about the winding support surface of the bobbin. The coil has a pair of lead terminations which are wrapped around a pair of T-shaped lead termination support members extending from the same side of the bobbin. When the bobbin rests on top of a PC board, the support members position the wrapped lead terminations slightly above solder pads.

Abstract: An interactive system and method for creating and modifying embroidery designs is disclosed. The system provides a user with numerous functions for interactively creating and modifying embroidery designs, and generating the necessary stitch commands for recreating the embroidery design on an embroidery stitching machine. The system is preferably operative on an IBM PC. The system is menu-based, and may be used for modifying embroidery designs in either outline-format or stitch-format. Once a design has been entered, the user may utilize predetermined functions to quickly alter a design and visualize the resulting design. The system further provides a method for modifying embroidery designs in an outline format into bridge type lettering.

Abstract: A self leaded holder for surface mounting of a circuit element to a PC board comprises a generally box-like support body having a cavity for mounting a circuit element, the support body having a base and a plurality of lead support members having a generally spool configuration extending generally horizontally outward from the support body adjacent the base, lead ports extending from the cavity through the sides, an inductance coil mounted in the cavity, and a lead extending from the coil via the lead ports to and wound a partial turn around each of the lead support members and disposed for surface bonding to a PC board.