Abstract: A wireless network based location system and method uses an existing wireless communication network to locate the position of any active phone or transceiver unit in the network. The system includes a plurality of agile vector sensor units, one each installed at each antenna site in the network, and a remote central monitoring station to which wireless network users can call for assistance in the event of an emergency. The system is designed to locate a portable phone transceiver unit using the reverse voice channel signal transmitted by the transceiver unit. Each agile vector sensor unit locks onto the reverse voice channel to determine azimuth and signal strength in the reverse voice channel, and also tracks any changes in voice channel by monitoring the forward voice channel. In the event of a voice channel change, the sensor unit tunes to the new voice channel. The azimuth, signal strength, and reverse voice channel information collected is used to track the location of a transceiver unit in real time.

Abstract: An alarm system for protecting premises comprises a fully integrated, alarm detecting cellular phone unit which is linked to various sensors in order to detect the sensor outputs. The cellular alarm unit includes, in addition to cellular phone functions, a formatter or processor for generating an emergency signal on detection of a sensor output, the emergency signal including information on the type of emergency detected. The unit is programmed to establish a cellular connection to a remote monitoring station. The connection is wireless at least from the premises to a local cell site. Once connection is established, the emergency signal is transmitted to the monitoring station via the local cell site.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for use on a railcar moving vehicle designed to couple with European-type railway cars having an end sill at each end of the car which supports a centrally disposed draft hook and a pair of buffers mounted one at each end of the end sill, the coupling mechanism including a casting which moves laterally on a plurality of rollers, a crossbar or lifting beam carried on the end of the casting and pivotal relative thereto about a vertical axis, a pair of lifting forks carried on the respective ends of the crossbar, and a pair of buffer plates carried at opposite ends of the crossbar and positioned to push against corresponding buffers on a railway car. The coupling mechanism also includes a sensing device which controls lateral movement of the casting during a pushing or pulling operation in accordance with relative lateral movement of the railcar end sill and buffers.

Abstract: A railcar moving vehicle having a hydraulic system for raising the vehicle coupler while coupled to a railroad car or the like to transfer weight from the railcar to the vehicle. By this invention, fluid pressure in the hydraulic power line is sensed, to monitor an increase in the fluid pressure as the hydraulic system raises the vehicle coupler while coupled to a railcar. Then, when a substantial termination of the increase in fluid pressure is sensed as the hydraulic coupler is raised, an indicator signals the occurrence of this event, typically by automatically terminating the hydraulic raising of the vehicle coupler. Thus, weight may be transferred without overraising the railcar, without the need for estimating the weight of the railcar prior to the weight transfer process.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a selected vehicle from which an alarm signal is generated which includes a fixed array of cellular sites each site having a wireless signal detecting and generating units each of which is capable of receiving an input alarm signal having a signal strength which is a function of the distance between the position of the vehicle generating the alarm signal and the position of each of the wireless signal detecting units. Each unit also is capable of transmitting an output signal which is a function of the strength of the input alarm signal.

Abstract: Rail wheels and road wheels of vehicles may be easily modified to differing axle lengths, so that, typically, the vehicle may roll on rails of differing gauges. An easily installable and removable spacer is provided to the axle systems of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of a selected vehicle from which an alarm signal is generated which includes a fixed array of cellular sites each site having a wireless signal detecting and generating units each of which is capable of receiving an input alarm signal having a signal strength which is a function of the distance between the position of the vehicle generating the alarm signal and the position of each of the wireless signal detecting units. Each unit also is capable of transmitting an output signal which is a function of the strength of the input alarm signal.

Abstract: A railcar moving vehicle having rail wheels for operating on railroad track and having retractable road wheels for operating on road, the vehicle having a main frame and a pivotable frame which is connected to the main frame by a longitudinal pivot, there being mounted on the pivotable frame one rail wheel axle, a pair of driven road wheels, and hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the driven road wheels between inoperative and operative positions, whereby both the driven road wheels as well as the rail wheels are capable of oscillating or pivoting action to maintain equal wheel loadings on both the rail wheels and the road wheels.