Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle is provided. The method includes generating a digital control signal, generating a digital simulated signal based on the control signal, the digital simulated signal simulating one of a mechanical or analog input signal, converting the digital simulated signal into an analog signal, and controlling a control device of the vehicle using the analog signal.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, by a controller device from a master device operably connected to the controller device, a memory access request configured to request access to computer-readable memory of the controller device. The method further includes sampling, by the controller device, time-varying data received from a controlled device operably connected to the controller device, and generating, by the controller device in response to receiving the memory access request, an access key using the sampled time-varying data received from the controlled device. The method further includes transmitting, by the controller device, the generated access key to the master device, and enabling, by the controller device, access to the computer-readable memory of the controller device in response to data write commands received from the master device that include an access code based on the access key.

Abstract: A tamper apparatus configured for being transportable upon a road is provided. A chassis is configured for supporting the tamper apparatus. A retractable turntable unit is connected to the chassis. The turntable unit has a generally quadrilateral configuration with side walls, and is rotatably attached at substantially a center of mass of the tamper apparatus. A tamping unit is connected to the chassis and configured for performing packing of a ballast under railroad ties for correcting cross and longitudinal levels of a pair of rails of a railroad track. A buggy lift assembly is removably attached to the chassis and configured for providing track alignment of the rails. At least one set of retractable rail wheels is connected to the chassis such that the chassis is towable by an automobile.

Abstract: In one example, a method includes receiving, by a controller device from a master device operably connected to the controller device, a memory access request configured to request access to computer-readable memory of the controller device. The method further includes sampling, by the controller device, time-varying data received from a controlled device operably connected to the controller device, and generating, by the controller device in response to receiving the memory access request, an access key using the sampled time-varying data received from the controlled device. The method further includes transmitting, by the controller device, the generated access key to the master device, and enabling, by the controller device, access to the computer-readable memory of the controller device in response to data write commands received from the master device that include an access code based on the access key.

Abstract: Multiple positions within a mechanical system are measured with a plurality of sensors including at least one 4-wire and at least one 5-wire sensor. The 5-wire sensor has two output voltage signals sent to a signal conversion processor, and the 4-wire sensor also sends a signal. A sum is created of the two voltage signals from the 5-wire sensor. An excitation voltage supply supplies a common excitation voltage to both sensors. Feedback of the excitation voltage is measured by the signal conversion processor. The excitation voltage feedback is utilized to ratio-metrically correct a position feedback signal from the 4-wire sensor at the signal conversion processor. The signal conversion processor is able to synthesize a signal indicative of the excitation voltage from the two voltage signals sent from the 5-wire sensor in the event the excitation voltage feedback is not received at the signal conversion processor.

Abstract: A multi-processor system includes a first processor that includes a first time base counter that outputs a first time base count, a second processor that includes a second time base counter that outputs a second time base count, and a communication bus. The first and second processors exchange the first and second time base counts on the communication bus. The first and second processors determine a skew based upon a difference between the first and second time base counts, and the first and second processors synchronize with each other based upon the skew.

Abstract: A tamper apparatus configured for being transportable upon a road is provided. A chassis is configured for supporting the tamper apparatus. A retractable turntable unit is connected to the chassis. The turntable unit has a generally quadrilateral configuration with side walls, and is rotatably attached at substantially a center of mass of the tamper apparatus. A tamping unit is connected to the chassis and configured for performing packing of a ballast under railroad ties for correcting cross and longitudinal levels of a pair of rails of a railroad track. A buggy lift assembly is removably attached to the chassis and configured for providing track alignment of the rails. At least one set of retractable rail wheels is connected to the chassis such that the chassis is towable by an automobile.

Abstract: A Human Machine Interface includes a flight control system operable to communicate display data directly to a cockpit display system.

Abstract: An aircraft control system includes an effector module connected to a control input and a primary control module connected to the effector module. A microprocessor in the effector module provides a backup control path bypassing the primary control module when the primary control module is in a failed state.

Abstract: A multi-processor system includes a first processor that includes a first time base counter that outputs a first time base count, a second processor that includes a second time base counter that outputs a second time base count, and a communication bus. The first and second processors exchange the first and second time base counts on the communication bus. The first and second processors determine a skew based upon a difference between the first and second time base counts, and the first and second processors synchronize with each other based upon the skew.

Abstract: Multiple positions within a mechanical system are measured with a plurality of sensors including at least one 4-wire and at least one 5-wire sensor. The 5-wire sensor has two output voltage signals sent to a signal conversion processor, and the 4-wire sensor also sends a signal. A sum is created of the two voltage signals from the 5-wire sensor. An excitation voltage supply supplies a common excitation voltage to both sensors. Feedback of the excitation voltage is measured by the signal conversion processor. The excitation voltage feedback is utilized to ratio-metrically correct a position feedback signal from the 4-wire sensor at the signal conversion processor. The signal conversion processor is able to synthesize a signal indicative of the excitation voltage from the two voltage signals sent from the 5-wire sensor in the event the excitation voltage feedback is not received at the signal conversion processor.

Abstract: A controller has an output for supplying power to an output device. The controller monitors the supplied power to provide short-circuit protection to the output device. The controller also receives discrete inputs at the output based on the introduction of temporary short-circuit conditions introduced by a momentary switch connected between outputs of the controller in parallel with the output device. The controller detects short-circuit conditions in the output and distinguishes between short-circuit fault conditions and discrete inputs generated by activation of the momentary switch based on measured characteristics of the detected short-circuit conditions.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to a finger for use in a rail plate inserter machine workhead and for positioning a rail plate predisposed on a rail tie under a rail, having a planar body having an upper arm with a hook-shaped end and including an opening for accommodating a spring, the end being configured for being contacted by a bar operatively associated with a finger lift assembly; a lower arm having a depending tip; and a middle portion joining the upper and lower arms to define an obtuse angle.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a dual stage actuator for moving a control surface. Each stage includes several control valves that are controlled independently to provide a desired redundancy. A flight controller generates a position command that is indicative of the position desired for the control surface. A first communication link is provided between several flight controllers to share information. Each of the flight controllers forwards the position command to actuator remote processing unit. The actuator remote processing unit receives position commands and generates a command signal that controls movement of the actuator using the control valves. Each of the actuator remote processing units is linked through a second communication link. Feedback and balancing of the different control valves is provided by the visibility accorded each actuator remote processing unit by the second communication link.

Abstract: A method (300) for fault detection in a system under control includes monitoring a command value and a wraparound signal (301) by a fault detection module (203); determining a standard deviation of the command value (302) by the fault detection module; determining a standard deviation of the wraparound signal (303) by the fault detection module; determining a ratio of the standard deviation of the command value to the standard deviation of the wraparound signal (304) by the fault detection module; and determining the presence or absence of a fault in the system under control by the fault detection module based on the ratio (305) by the fault detection module. A fault detection module (203) and a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium containing computer code that, when executed by a computer, implements a method (300) for fault detection are also provided.

Abstract: A Human Machine Interface includes a flight control system operable to communicate display data directly to a cockpit display system.

Abstract: A flight control system includes a dual stage actuator for moving a control surface. Each stage includes several control valves that are controlled independently to provide a desired redundancy. A flight controller generates a position command that is indicative of the position desired for the control surface. A first communication link is provided between several flight controllers to share information. Each of the flight controllers forwards the position command to actuator remote processing unit. The actuator remote processing unit receives position commands and generates a command signal that controls movement of the actuator using the control valves. Each of the actuator remote processing units is linked through a second communication link. Feedback and balancing of the different control valves is provided by the visibility accorded each actuator remote processing unit by the second communication link.

Abstract: A controller has an output for supplying power to an output device. The controller monitors the supplied power to provide short-circuit protection to the output device. The controller also receives discrete inputs at the output based on the introduction of temporary short-circuit conditions introduced by a momentary switch connected between outputs of the controller in parallel with the output device. The controller detects short-circuit conditions in the output and distinguishes between short-circuit fault conditions and discrete inputs generated by activation of the momentary switch based on measured characteristics of the detected short-circuit conditions.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to a finger for use in a rail plate inserter machine workhead and for positioning a rail plate predisposed on a rail tie under a rail, having a planar body having an upper arm with a hook-shaped end and including an opening for accommodating a spring, the end being configured for being contacted by a bar operatively associated with a finger lift assembly; a lower arm having a depending tip; and a middle portion joining the upper and lower arms to define an obtuse angle.