Abstract: A draft gear assembly which is mountable within a yoke of the railway vehicle for cushioning buff and draft dynamic impact forces encountered during make-up and operation of a railway vehicle includes a compressible spring positioned intermediate the front coupler follower and the rear follower in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the yoke. A pair of axially aligned compressible springs may be also provided being either separated by a center plate or by a wall of the yoke.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for a railway car includes a ratchet mounted for rotation on a threaded piston rod of a brake actuator and a holding pawl engageable with the ratchet for maintaining a push rod of the parking brake assembly to apply braking force when the air pressure is lost in the brake pipe and releasing the push rod to accordingly release the braking force when the supply of air pressure in the brake pipe is restored. An operating lever and a cylinder connected thereto are provided for selectively rotating the holding pawl. Valve is provided for supplying air pressure to and evacuating it from the cylinder. Release mechanism is provided for manually releasing the braking force. The parking brake assembly is employed with either truck-mounted or carbody-mounted braking system.

Abstract: A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through “online” networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection.

Abstract: A media wrapper for use in a printing device includes a first end, a second end, and a perforation disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the perforation is configured to split the media wrapper separating the first and second ends.

Abstract: A method is presented for preconditioning fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cell systems which includes exposure to saturated steam at superatmospheric pressures, typically for at least 10 minutes and more typically at least 25 minutes. Typically, the preconditioning method according to the present invention results in reduction of the start up or conditioning time required when the MEA's are first installed in a fuel cell system and improvement of overall performance, as reflected in the achievement of high current density at relatively high voltage. The method may additionally include the step of enclosing the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly in a container which is substantially impervious to water before the fuel cell membrane electrode assembly returns to ambient temperature.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs are provided that facilitate access to a secure application. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes encrypting at least one authentication sequence in a computer system using a network identifier as an encryption key, and storing the encrypted at least one authentication sequence in a memory accessible to the computer system. Next, the encrypted at least one authentication sequence is decrypted using a second network identifier as a decryption key, the second network identifier is procured after storing the encrypted at least one authentication sequence. Thereafter, an expedited login task is performed to access the application with the at least one authentication sequence if the decryption of the at least one authentication sequence is successful.

Abstract: A media wrapper for use in a printing device includes a first end, a second end, and a perforation disposed between the first and second ends, wherein the perforation is configured to split the media wrapper separating the first and second ends.

Abstract: The apparatus for diverting blood from the retro hepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) and internally shunting renal and infra renal IVC blood into the right atrium during surgery on the liver, its vessels, or the retro hepatic IVC is described. It is symmetrical on its mid horizontal axis permitting similar utility whether venous access was above or below the liver. It is a hollow plastic tube with two sidewall openings, one at each end with four intervening completely encircling balloons. It is continuous with a proximal component which serves to remotely manipulate, infuse fluids and inflate the balloons in the distal component. Once introduced into the venous system by right atriotomy or infrarenally by venotomy, the distal component would be advanced and seated in the right atrium and supra renal IVC.

Abstract: A digital signal processing architecture for an audio system combines multiple functions in programmable and reconfigurable blocks to achieve an efficient use of hardware and chip area. AM, FM, and audio functions can be performed using the same reconfigurable hardware while taking into account the different sample rates and processing functions required for each.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of diverting blood from the adult retro hepatic Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) and the shunting of renal and infra renal IVC blood to the right atrium when desired during surgery on the liver, its vessels, or the retro hepatic IVC. The device has a distal component of critical length for the adult supra renal IVC. It is symmetrical on its mid horizontal axis permitting similar utility whether venous access was above or below the liver. It is a hollow plastic tube with two openings, one at each end of the tube, which has four intervening completely encircling balloons and is continuous with a proximal component which serves to manipulate the distal component within the venous system and to remotely inflate the balloons.

Abstract: A digital waveform oscillator generates digitized waveforms without distortion using a lookup table. The frequencies which may be generated using direct lookup tables at their fundamental table frequencies are increased according to this invention by including multiple cycles of the waveform within a single table. The selection of a table length L and a number of cycles N to be stored in a lookup table is done in a manner to optimize corresponding values of the frequencies to be generated and the sample rate.

Abstract: A digital waveform oscillator generates digitized waveforms without distortion using a lookup table. The frequencies which may be generated using direct lookup tables at their fundamental table frequencies are increased according to this invention by including multiple cycles of the waveform within a single table. The selection of a table length L and a number of cycles N to be stored in a lookup table is done in a manner to optimize corresponding values of the frequencies to be generated and the sample rate.

Abstract: A data processing system issuing electronic certificates through "online" networks of personal computers, televisions, or other devices with video monitors or telephones. Each electronic certificate includes transaction data and identification data, and can be printed out on a printing device linked to a consumer's personal input device, or electronically stored in a designated data base until a specified expiration date. The certificate can be used for various purposes, including use as a coupon for a discounted price on a product or service, proof of a gift or award, proof of reservation, or proof of payment. Consumers access the data processing system online, browse among their choices, and make their selections. The data processing system provides reports on the selected certificates and their use following selection.