Abstract: A blender comprises a jug and a cutting assembly having an upwardly inclined main blade portion. The jug has an interior portion, and the lower portion has a profile that includes an upwardly reaching portion conforms to the blade shape of the cutting assembly to reduce food accumulation below the main blades.

Abstract: A system and method for planning and monitoring rail yard processes and performance including compiling historical information, real time status display of rail yard activity, the development of parameters and metrics to evaluate rail yard performance, collection of rail yard status from various sensors, and the planning and assigning of work tasks for enhanced productivity and car processing capability.

Abstract: A chiller for a container such as a wine bottle is disclosed. The chiller includes an insulated reservoir. Located within the reservoir are one or more reusable cold storage packs, known as freezer bricks. The bricks define a cooling ring that conforms to the interior of the container and define an annular gap between an exterior surface of the ring and an interior surface of the reservoir. An impeller is located at the bottom of the reservoir. The combination of ring and impeller establishes a vertical recirculation pattern that achieves rapid chilling.

Abstract: A method of scheduling network resources in a first domain by transforming the problem to a second domain, solving the problem and transforming back to the first domain.

Abstract: A method is provided improving fertility in a mammal using glucosamine based composition. The composition is effective to improve fertility in mammals, including humans and stallions.

Abstract: A device for conducting rail car inspections including an inspection module, an imaging module, a scanner module, a location module, a printer module and a communication module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: a sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by a sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring trains in a railyard. These methods and systems detect an incoming train entering a geographic area defined by a railyard, store an entry time indicative of a time at which the incoming train entering the railyard was detected, detect the incoming train coming to a stop in a subyard of the railyard, store a stop time indicative of a time at which the incoming train came to a stop in the receiving subyard, calculate an incoming train latency time by subtracting the entry time from the stop time, and store the incoming train latency time as an incoming train latency time record.

Abstract: A method for tracking assets within a rail yard, the method comprising: creating a track layout database for the rail yard, the track layout database providing a map of rail tracks and switches within the rail yard, wherein the track layout database includes machine readable data identifying discrete locations of the rail tracks and switches of the rail yard, each discrete location corresponding to a geographical position of a portion of a rail track or switch; associating rail yard processing steps with portions of the track layout database; receiving a geographical position signal corresponding to an asset within the rail yard; comparing the geographical position signal to the machine readable data of the track layout database in order to identify the location of the asset within the map; and presenting a graphical representation of the location of the asset on the map along with the yard process steps associated with the track section occupied by the asset, wherein the geographical position signal is recei

Abstract: A wireless position sensing device is provided for monitoring railyard equipment status. The device comprises a gravity sensing mechanism for sensing an angular displacement with respect to a substantially vertical line, and for generating a displacement signal upon sensing a change in angular displacement exceeding approximately 40 degrees. A processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the gravity sensing mechanism, receives the displacement signal. A radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, transmits a data signal indicative of the angular displacement. The processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the displacement signal. The gravity sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a manually operated rail switch or a safety indicator.

Abstract: An electronically controlled grade crossing gate system and method. The system includes a gate arm, a gate arm moving assembly, a position sensor assembly and a controller. The gate arm moving assembly is configured to move the gate arm and the position sensor assembly is configured to sense a position of the gate arm. The position sensor assembly is a non-contact position sensor assembly. The controller is coupled to the gate arm moving assembly and the position sensor assembly and it is configured to receive an incoming command related to the gate arm. The controller activates the gate arm moving assembly in response to the incoming command and communicates with the position sensor assembly to monitor the position of the gate arm.

Abstract: A method for accessing a wireless railroad data network includes sensing presence of a rail vehicle on a rail track. Determination of rail vehicle presence is used as a primary authentication mechanism to permit temporary access to the wireless railroad data network based on sensed presence of the rail vehicle on the rail track. The rail vehicle is permitted temporary access to the wireless railroad data network based on sensed presence and authentication of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A chiller for a container such as a wine bottle is disclosed. The chiller includes an insulated reservoir. Located within the reservoir are one or more reusable cold storage packs, known as freezer bricks. The bricks define a cooling ring that conforms to the interior of the container and define an annular gap between an exterior surface of the ring and an interior surface of the reservoir. An impeller is located at the bottom of the reservoir. The combination of ring and impeller establishes a vertical recirculation pattern that achieves rapid chilling.

Abstract: An operational status detection system for a railroad warning device having a warning light, comprising: a photodiode configured to generate a signal corresponding to a light output of the warning light of the railroad warning device; an amplifier for increasing a signal strength of the signal and providing an output corresponding to the signal; a filter for receiving the output, the filter being configured to only allow portions of the output corresponding to the light output of the warning light to be presented as an output signal of the warning light; and a microcontroller receptive to the output signal and for comparing the output signal to a threshold value, the threshold value corresponding to an acceptable light output of the warning light.

Abstract: A fence section has upper and lower brackets that mount to one side of a post. Each bracket has a pair of rail mounting plates extending from opposite side edges of a post mounting plate. Upper and lower rails extend between the upper and lower mounting brackets. Each of the rails has a pair of sidewalls and an offset skirt extending from a base section, defining an elongated slot. The rails have ends that slide over and receive the rail mounting plates of the brackets. A panel has upper and lower edges that fit in the slot of the upper and lower rails.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that relates to mobile platform navigation through landmark recognition. The method including capturing images with at least one imaging device on the mobile platform and recognizing the captured images by comparing the captured images to images of landmarks stored in a database of location labeled landmark images. The method further including, navigating the mobile platform through tracking a location of the mobile platform relative to locations of the location labeled landmark images.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling activation of a warning system includes a sensor module locally coupled to the warning system for sensing and controlling a flashing light of the warning system, a transceiver responsive to a microcontroller, and a power line interface for interfacing between the transceiver and the power line servicing the warning system. The sensor module includes a sensor arranged for sensing the flashing light, the microcontroller coupled to the sensor, and a power supply for providing power to the sensor module.