Abstract: A distributor assembly (12) includes a distributor housing (102) and a valve selector plate (104). The distributor housing (102) includes an axial bore (106) extending in an axial direction through the distributor housing. The valve selector plate (104) is disposed in the axial bore (106) and is rotatable around a rotational axis (130) parallel to the axial direction between a first orientation and a second orientation. The valve selector plate (104) includes a first substantially planar face (132), a second substantially planar face (134), axial passages (136) radially offset from the rotational axis (130) and extending through the valve selector plate (104) from the first face (132) to the second face (134), and at least one fluid blocking section (138) configured to block axial flow through the distributor assembly. Each fluid blocking section (138) is interposed between and radially aligned with the axial passages (136) with respect to the rotational axis (130).

Abstract: A parts carrier assembly for a grinding machine includes an annular parts carrier and a bearing insert. The annular parts carrier includes an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner edge, an outer edge, and a plurality of loading apertures. The inner edge is configured to engage a driving wheel of the grinding machine. The driving wheel rotates about a central axis resulting in rotation of the parts carrier about an offset axis, which is offset from the central axis. The loading apertures are configured to receive parts to be ground by the grinding machine. The bearing insert includes an inner bearing surface complementary in shape to the outer edge of the parts carrier. The outer surface the parts carrier bears against the inner bearing surface of the bearing insert as the parts carrier rotates about the offset axis.

Abstract: A system for safely recharging and charging electrically powered vehicles, including hybrid powered vehicles, includes an electrical charging station for connecting the vehicles to a source of Ground Fault Protected electrical power, an authorization device for permitting an operator of the vehicle to utilize a secure electronic content distributor. The system also includes a metering system for recording the amount of electrical power or electricity utilized to charge or recharge the vehicle. A cover is hinged to the charging station and includes an aperture sized to secure said power cord to said electrical connection output. A locking pin assembly secures the cover in a closed position while said position indicator is engaged and maintains the cover in a closed position until an authorization to release the cover is received.

Abstract: An ID vault computer control program detects when a user's browser navigates to a third-party website that requires a user ID and password. If it hasn't done so already, it automatically requests a decryption key for a local encrypted vault file from a network server by supplying a personal identification number (PIN) from the user through the input device, a copy of the GUID, and a signature of GUID using a private key for the root certificate. If a decryption key is returned from the network server, the local encrypted vault file is unlocked and automatically supplies a corresponding user ID and password to log-on to the third-party website without the user.

Abstract: A flexible shaft having square or helical square tips with thermoplastic felt covering and adherent to the tips including the tip ends. The felt has fused bulges adjacent the ends. When the tips are inserted into mating recesses of driving and driven members, the felt is deformed to improve the fit between the tips and the recesses and reduce noise and vibration when the driving member is rotated.

Abstract: A method is provided for extending useful life of tubing of a peristaltic pump. The method can comprise switching inlet and discharge hoses between respective inlet and outlet ends of the tubing of the peristaltic pump, and reversing a direction of rotation of a rotor of the peristaltic pump. In implementations of methods disclosed herein, the useful life of the tubing of a peristaltic pump can be approximately doubled.

Abstract: A thermal insulating garment for an underwater diving suit has an inner insulating layer or thermal core and an outer elastomeric layer. The inner thermal core layer is larger than the outer layer. The inner thermal core thermal layer is temporarily fixed to the outer elastomeric layer by fastening means such as a hook and loop system. A zipper may be disposed between the two shoulders of the garment and across the chest of the garment to permit the top portion of the garment to be removed and permit diver entry and egress into the dry suit. There is a lamination seal at the ankles, wrists and collar of the garment.

Abstract: A drain valve includes an inlet plenum, a first orifice downstream from the inlet plenum, a second orifice downstream from the first orifice, and a fluid passage between the first and second orifices. A piston having a first position and a second position has a first surface area exposed to the fluid passage when the piston is in the first and second positions and a second surface area exposed to the inlet plenum when the piston is in the second position.

Abstract: A system for operating a locomotive parking brake includes a wheel brake, a coupling connected to the wheel brake, and means for applying force to the coupling. A sensor connected to the coupling measures a force applied to the coupling and generates a signal reflective of the force applied to the coupling. A method for operating a locomotive parking brake includes applying a force to a coupling connected to a wheel brake, measuring the force applied to the coupling, and comparing the force applied to the coupling to a first predetermined limit. The method further includes indicating that the force applied to the coupling is equal to or greater than the first predetermined limit.

Abstract: A grinding wheel dressing assembly includes a driving gear rotatable about a central axis and a dressing ring engaged with the driving gear. Rotation of the driving gear about the central axis results in rotation of the dressing ring about an offset axis, which is offset from the central axis. The dressing ring includes a contact surface generally normal to the offset axis and adapted to remove dull CBN particles from a substantially planar grinding surface of a grinding wheel that comes into contact with the contact surface.

Abstract: A security assessment method for assessing security of a computerized system under development, the system including assets and being managed in accordance with an organization policy, the method including providing an organizational computerized system development policy; classifying said assets in said system under development, thereby to generate asset classification information; and automated creation of at least one security requirement based on said asset classification information and said organization policy.

Abstract: A system for testing a rail car brake system includes a valve manifold having valves that selectively supply and vent test air to or from the brake system. A control circuit is operatively connected with the valve manifold and configured to operate in a first mode to automatically position the valves according to a prescribed test and to operate in a second mode to allow manual positioning of the valves. A method for testing a rail car brake system includes connecting test air to a valve manifold, connecting the valve manifold to the brake system, and testing the brake system using a control circuit configured to automatically position valves in the valve manifold according to a prescribed test. The method further detects a failed test result in the brake system and troubleshoots the brake system using the control circuit to manually position valves in the valve manifold.

Abstract: A rotary flexible shaft for coupling between driving and driven member having female couplings has ends of noncircular cross-section. A strand of compressible material such as flocked yarn is helically wrapped around each end so as to leave spaces between turns which expose portions of the lateral surfaces of the ends. A coating of a silicone adhesive or other elastomer, or of a highly ductile material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, covers and is adherent to the strands and the exposed portions of the lateral surfaces of the shaft ends. Instead of a strand, the compressible material may constitute spaced ridges, islands, and/or protuberances adhering to the shaft ends.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing roller pockets in a stator of a gerotor device generally includes providing a stator having a cavity including a generally cylindrical section defining a central axis and a plurality of roller pockets angularly spaced around a periphery of the cylindrical section. Each roller pocket is configured to receive a respective roller, which acts as an internal tooth of the gerotor device. Each roller pocket defines a generally cylindrical roller pocket bearing surface. The method further includes grinding each roller pocket bearing surface of each roller pocket with a grinding wheel rotating about a rotational axis perpendicular to the central axis. A stator for a gerotor device is also described.

Abstract: A bypass/flushing valve for a hydrostatic system includes a valve body including a central bore, a shuttle valve located in the central bore, and a valve spindle disposed within the central bore. The valve body includes four ports each in communication with the central bore. The shuttle valve blocks flow through the central bore between a first port and a second port. When pressure at the second port is higher than at the first port, the shuttle valve moves to allow flow passage between the first port and the third port. When pressure at the first port is higher than at the second port, the shuttle valve moves to allow flow passages between the second port and a third port. The spindle is movable between a first position to block communication between the second port and the fourth port and a second position to allow for communication between the second port and the fourth port.

Abstract: A cable tray connector that allows for the adjustment of cable trays attached thereto to permit adjustable, angular redirection of the cable tray path within a horizontal plane. Such connector comprises a bed having cable tray attachment zones, where the respective cable trays may be attached; side walls positioned around portions of the bed; and, optionally, a cable guide disposed centrally within the bed. Each cable tray attachment zone may include a first, circular aperture for pivotal attachment of a cable tray and at least one arcuate slotted aperture for adjustable attachment of the same cable tray.

Abstract: A modular multi bag propagation unit to facilitate easy handling of the process elements and efficient use of equipment, services and resources for small-scale yeast production is disclosed. The equipment and method comprises the steps of producing and inoculating a bag, propagating yeast within the bag, and concentrating the yeast in a section of the bag that is the removed from the remainder of the bag whilst not exposing any portion of the yeast therein to an external environment. Consequently the yeast may be propagated in the very bag in which it is prepared for transportation and transported or shipped to the purchaser. In order to remove only the bag containing the most concentrated slurry of yeast, a smaller bag is heat-sealed off of the larger bag, thereby creating a separate bag for the living sediment but that is still the bag in which the sediment was propagated.

Abstract: In an ultrasound imaging system that applies a beamformer to received ultrasound signal samples to form one or more beams represented by arrays of beamformed samples, a method and an apparatus compress each array of beamformed samples independently of the other arrays to form compressed beams. A plurality of analog to digital converters sample multiple analog ultrasound signals produced by a transducer array to provide multiple streams of ultrasound signal samples to the beamformer. The compressed beams are transferred via a digital interface to a signal processor. At the signal processor, the compressed beams are decompressed to form decompressed beams. The signal processor further processes the decompressed beams for diagnostic imaging, such as for B-mode and Doppler imaging, and scan conversion to prepare the resulting ultrasound image for display. This abstract does not limit the scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor having a cooling system includes a stator, a rotor that rotates and orbits in the stator, a drive link connected to the rotor, and a housing connected with the stator. The housing includes a working fluid inlet port, a working fluid outlet port, a cooling fluid inlet port, and a cooling fluid outlet port. Each port extends through the housing and is configured to connect with a different associated external fluid line. Pressurized fluid enters the working fluid inlet port to rotate and orbit the rotor en route to the working fluid outlet port. The cooling fluid ports are isolated from the working fluid inlet port and the working fluid outlet port within the housing.