Abstract: A current collector for a non-track-bound, electrically driven vehicle for feeding electrical energy from a two-pole overhead line system with two contact wires. Two upper arms are rotatably connected to an adjustable lower arm by toggle joints. Each upper arm carries a contact rocker for contacting the contact wires. Coupling bars are rotatably connected to the upper arms and articulated so that adjustment of the lower arm forces adjustment of the upper arms. A compensating rocker compensates for a height difference between the contact rockers with a rocker stand and a rocker beam. The rocker stand can be rotatably connected to the vehicle and the rocker beam is connected to the coupling bars by way of compensating joints on either side of the rocker joint. At least one stop element limits a rotational movement of the rocker beam about a rocker joint axis of the rocker joint.

Abstract: An obstacle detection device installed in a train includes: a sensor that monitors surroundings of the train and generates a range image that is a result of monitoring; a storage unit that stores map information including position information of structures installed along a railroad track on which the train travels; a correction unit that corrects, using the range image acquired from the sensor and the map information stored in the storage unit, first train position information that is information acquired from a train control device and indicates a position of the train, and outputs second train position information that is a result of correction; and a monitoring condition determination unit that determines a monitoring range of the sensor using the second train position information and the map information.

Abstract: A pontoon boat includes port and starboard pontoons and cross members connecting the pontoons. A shock absorber may be installed at each point of connection of the pontoons to the cross members. A cross member may be embodied as a double-webbed beam having first and second parallel flanges and first and second webs disposed between and connected to the flanges. Each pontoon may include a two-stage lifting strake having a first surface and a second surface inclined from the first surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments may be of spearfishing apparatus fitted with at least one magnet configured to repel sharks away from the spearfishing apparatus. The spearfishing apparatus may be one or more of: a spearfishing shaft, a spearfishing tip, and/or a spearfishing gun. Such magnets may be electromagnets powered by batteries in some embodiments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for lifting and stowing water-borne vessels. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to lift a small vessel, such an inflatable dinghy, onto a larger water-borne vessel equipped with an outboard motor; and to stow the dinghy above the outboard motor. The systems and methods permit the dinghy to be lifted out of the water from a position behind the larger vessel, with any need to remove, disassemble, or move the outboard motor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connecting apparatus for supplying power to cars which are coupled to one another, including a first plug-in connector to which at least one cable is connected, and a corresponding second plug-in connector which is intended to be fastened to a car wall, in particular in a vertical lateral wall. The first plug-in connector and the second plug-in connector are each provided with one or more corresponding first contact elements or second contact elements which can be plug-connected in an insertion direction (A), and the cable of the first plug-in connector exits from the first plug-in connector in a first cable outlet direction (B) which is angled away in relation to the insertion direction (A). Also disclosed is a rail vehicle having at least two coupled cars, wherein each of the two coupled cars is provided with at least one electrical connecting apparatus as above described.

Abstract: A marine vessel and method for carbon capture and sequestration are described. The marine vessel includes a buoyant hull, a cryogenic storage tank within the hull, and a gaseous carbon dioxide loading manifold. The marine vessel also includes a carbon dioxide liquefaction system in fluid communication with the cryogenic storage tank downstream of the carbon dioxide liquefaction system and with the gaseous carbon dioxide loading manifold upstream of the carbon dioxide liquefaction system. Finally, the marine vessel includes a carbon dioxide supercritical system in fluid communication with the cryogenic storage tank. In operation, the marine vessel moves between multiple locations, where gaseous carbon dioxide is onboarded, liquified and stored. Thereafter, the marine vessel transports the liquified carbon dioxide to a location adjacent an offshore geological reservoir.

Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: The roller coaster with separable cars and multiple paths is a mechanical structure. The roller coaster with separable cars and multiple paths incorporates a plurality of trolleys, a track structure, and a control structure. The control structure controls the motion of the plurality of trolleys through the track structure. Each individual trolley selected from the plurality of trolleys travels along the track structure either as a train or as in individual trolley. Each individual trolley can both separate from the train and rejoin the train as the individual trolley travels through the track structure. The track structure is a multipath structure. The track structure forms a circuit. The track structure forms the path that guides each the plurality of trolleys through the circuit formed by the track structure. Each individual trolley can take an individual path selected from the multipath structure of the track structure.

Abstract: A life jacket includes a main body defining a neck opening, a left arm opening and a right arm opening. The life jacket further includes at least one strip of reflective material; at least one lighting element electrically coupled to a power source; and at least two illuminating regions arranged on the main body. For each of the at least two illuminating regions, the at least one strip of reflective material forms a perimeter thereof and surrounds at least one of the at least one lighting element. The at least one of the at least one lighting element is configured to emit light rays to illuminate the respective area surrounded by the at least one strip of reflective material.

Abstract: A docking or mooring system for a boat includes a horizontal shaft mounted with respect to a structure at which docking the boat may be desired. The system also includes at least one hitch mounted forward of the bow of a boat and defining a tapering recess configured to receive the shaft. The shaft is spring biased at a predetermined height but is selectively movable vertically. The hitch includes a latching mechanism with cams that automatically engage the shaft using the forward motion of the boat.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a joystick device (100) operable to provide speed, direction and steering commands for controlling a marine vessel (300). The present disclosure also relates to a marine propulsion control system controlling a set of propulsion units (308, 310, 312 and 314) carried by a hull of a marine vessel (300), wherein the marine propulsion control system is adapted to receive an input command from such a joystick device (100).

Abstract: A current collector for a non-rail-bound, electric traction vehicle has an articulated support linkage, which, on the contact wire side, supports rocker assemblies with contact strips and, on the vehicle side, has a base joint for articulation to the traction vehicle. A pneumatic reciprocating drive is coupled to the support linkage for raising the rocker assemblies from a lower parking position into an upper contact position when the reciprocating drive is pressurized and for lowering into the parking position under its own weight when depressurization occurs. An exhaust air line connects the reciprocating drive to the environment to lower the rocker assemblies. An air accumulator and a downstream throttle valve are connected between the reciprocating drive and an environment opening of the exhaust air line. The rocker assemblies can be quickly lowered and nevertheless brought into the parking position without damage in order to disengage the current collector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for tamping sleepers of a track by means of a tamping assembly comprising at least two tamping units which have tamping tools lying opposite one another in each case and supported on a lowerable tool carrier, wherein the tamping tools—actuated with a vibration—are lowered into a ballast bed during a tamping operation and squeezed towards one another via squeezing drives. In this, for tamping an obliquely-lying sleeper, the tamping tools or tamping tool pairs in a raised position are moved via a control by means of the squeezing drives in the squeezing direction with different adjustment paths in such a manner that the free ends of the tamping tools or tamping tool pairs rotate approximately about a common vertical rotation axis in order to adapt themselves to the oblique position of the sleeper. With this method according to the invention, the necessity of a separate mechanical rotation device is eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention is a grinder head for attaching to a track cleaner. The present invention also includes the grinder head attached to a track cleaner. Preferably, the present invention will continuously grind and load hard frozen minerals like taconite or ice. In addition, the present invention preferably aids in removal of hard-to-handle material such as wet, sticky bentonite from tracks which can be difficult in the summer months. The grinder head attachment will preferably allow operators to use a track cleaner to remove materials, preferably in one pass, during the colder months when the bentonite is frozen and much easier to handle. Preferably, the present invention will also be able to remove concrete or asphalt surfaces at road crossings.

Abstract: A ground-engaging track shoe includes a shoe plate having link-side fixturing surfaces and ground-side fixturing surfaces. The link-side fixturing surfaces and the ground-side fixturing surfaces are raised in profile relative to a link-facing surface and a ground-facing surface, respectively. The fixturing surfaces enable a fixture to clamp the track shoe for support during processing, enabling improvements in maintaining portions of the track shoe flat and reducing part to part variation.

Abstract: A mount for a trolling motor pivots the trolling motor between a deployed position and a stowed position. The mount includes a base coupled to a deck of a watercraft and upper and lower arms pivotably coupled to the base. A bracket also couples the upper arm to the lower arm. The mount includes a pivotable latch and an associated latch blocker on the upper or lower arm or the base and a corresponding striker pin configured to engage with the pivotable latch in the deployed and/or stowed position of the trolling motor to lock the upper or lower arm to the base.

Abstract: A water mat for a boat and a boat. The boat may be a pontoon boat. The water mat may include a cut-out. The cut-out may be formed in a forward side of the water mat, with the forward side of the water mat is connected to the stern of the boat such that the outboard motor is positioned in the cut-out of the water mat. A flexible connecting sheet, that is configured to connect the water mat with the boat, may be attached to a connection side of the water mat and extend along the connection side of the water mat.

Abstract: Varying implementations of adjustable marine fender holders are disclosed, which may receive a length of rope and hold it in place so that a marine fender may be adjusted to a desired height and then fixed in place without having to untie or retie the length of rope. Holders include a friction fit feature for engaging with a nautical cleat, and a rope channel through which a rope may be passed so that a proximal end of the rope may be wedged into a set of teeth or ridges to hold the rope in place. Another holder includes a single wedged arm that may be wedged underneath a cross bar of a cleat. Yet another holder includes a collapsible friction pad that may be wedged into a cleat. Yet another holder includes a compressible friction pad that may be wedged into a cleat.

Abstract: A deck extender for a personal watercraft can include a deck member supported in a cantilevered configuration over an edge of the deck of the personal watercraft. The deck extender can include mounting sleeves fixed to an upper deck of a personal watercraft with mounting tabs of the deck member received within the mounting sleeves. The deck member can include mounting mechanisms having a receptacle and a pivoting cleat mounted above the receptacle configured for mounting accessories to the deck member. The deck member can have recessed channel members for mounting accessories.