Abstract: Hunting blinds and devices for attaching hunting blinds to secure structures are provided. A portable hunting blind, according to one implementation, includes a hub, a plurality of spokes extending outward from the hub, and a concealment cover supported by the plurality of spokes. The portable hunting blind further includes a central pole including an upper pole segment, a lower pole segment, and a joint connecting the upper pole segment with the lower pole segment. The upper pole segment is connected to the hub, and the lower pole segment has an end configured to contact a ground surface. The joint enables the lower pole segment to pivot with respect to the upper pole segment.

Abstract: In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system configurable in a starting mode for cranking the diesel fueled power unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, the synchronous machine having a field winding connected in a parallel relationship with a current conditioner, a method for reconfiguring a baseline circuit topology of the electrical power system for controlling a voltage being developed across the field winding including uncoupling the field winding from the parallel relationship with the current conditioner, and coupling the field winding in a series relationship with the current conditioner.

Abstract: In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system configurable in a starting mode for cranking the diesel fueled power unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, the synchronous machine having a field winding connected in a parallel relationship with a current conditioner, a method for reconfiguring a baseline circuit topology of the electrical power system for controlling a voltage being developed across the field winding including uncoupling the field winding from the parallel relationship with the current conditioner, and coupling the field winding in a series relationship with the current conditioner.

Abstract: In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine including a field winding being coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, a battery for selectively providing a starting current during a starting mode of the electrical power system, and an inverter receiving the starting current for driving the synchronous machine and generating an inverter current, a circuit and method for reducing a voltage being developed across the field winding is described. The circuit includes a current conditioner for conditioning the inverter current and a parallel circuit interposed between the inverter and the current conditioner comprising a first branch including a resistance and a second branch including the field winding of the synchronous machine so that the parallel circuit is isolated from a voltage developed across the current conditioner during cranking.

Abstract: A blind for concealing an individual includes an annular support, a curtain, a first securing means, and a second securing means. The curtain is suspended from the support for surrounding the individual. The first securing means secures a rear of the support to an upright object, and the second securing means secures a front of the support to the upright object at a height higher than the first securing means such that the support is suspended from the upright object in a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: In an electrical power system of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generation unit, the electrical power system having a synchronous machine including a field winding being coupled to the diesel-fueled power generation unit, a battery for selectively providing a starting current during a starting mode of the electrical power system, and an inverter receiving the starting current for driving the synchronous machine and generating an inverter current, a circuit and method for reducing a voltage being developed across the field winding is described. The circuit includes a current conditioner for conditioning the inverter current and a parallel circuit interposed between the inverter and the current conditioner comprising a first branch including a resistance and a second branch including the field winding of the synchronous machine so that the parallel circuit is isolated from a voltage developed across the current conditioner during cranking.

Abstract: A method for predicting a low battery voltage condition includes calculating a minimum battery capacity required to start an engine, determining a first capacity of a battery at a first time, determining a second capacity of the battery at a second time, and predicting, based on the first and second determined capacities, when a remaining capacity of the battery will be less than the minimum battery capacity. A control system programmed with the above method and a locomotive included the programmed control system are also described herein.

Abstract: A blind for concealing an individual includes an annular support, a curtain, a first securing means, and a second securing means. The curtain is suspended from the support for surrounding the individual. The first securing means secures a rear of the support to an upright object, and the second securing means secures a front of the support to the upright object at a height higher than the first securing means such that the support is suspended from the upright object in a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A shoot-through protection system for an electric power generating system including a synchronous generator, a bridge rectifier coupled to an output of the generator for converting alternating current (AC) from the generator to direct current (DC) at a rectifier output, and at least one inverter coupled to the rectifier output for converting the DC output to a controlled frequency AC output for application to a load. The generator has a separately excited field winding in which the magnitude of field excitation controls the voltage output of the generator. A microprocessor-based controller regulates generator field excitation in a manner to control the DC output of the rectifier. The generator is protected from a shoot-through in the inverter by detecting a sustained voltage drop in the rectifier DC output and reversing generator field excitation in response to such a voltage drop to rapidly drive generator output voltage to substantially zero volts.

Abstract: A self-test system for a shorted diode protection circuit in an electric vehicle propulsion system includes a series of relays for selectively coupling a battery in circuit with a field winding of a generator, the shorted diode protection circuit being coupled in voltage sensing arrangement with the field winding. The relays are operated to induce current in forward and reverse directions through the winding in separate test stages. At each stage the winding is disconnected from the battery so that inductive reactance creates a voltage on the winding to actuate the protection circuit. A system controller records whether the protection circuit is responsive and therefore operable and alerts a vehicle operator.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an electrical connector having substantial shielding effectiveness against EMI energy and especially against EMP energy. The invention improves on known EMI shielded connectors by adding a conductive spring washer, such as a wave washer made from beryllium copper alloy. The spring washer is seated in the plug portion of the connector so as to make electrical contact with the receptacle portion when the plug and the receptacle are mated.

Abstract: A method of making an annular biased frequency interference shielding member having securement tabs for mounting between plug and receptacle shells of an electrical connector, and having folded resilient fingers having base and distal portions respectively engageable with said plug and receptacle shells under resilient pressure engagement. The folded resilient fingers are precisely dimensioned and formed about an axis such that minimal space intervals are provided between adjacent edges of adjacent resilient fingers whereby virtually 360.degree. shielding integrity is afforded.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a plug means with a plug shell and a receptacle means with a receptacle shell receivable within said plug shell in coaxial relation for interconnecting a plurality of electrical conductors; and an annular resilient member between said plug and receptacle shells for providing a low resistance electrical connection between said shells, bridging the annular space therebetween, and shielding against transmission of radio frequencies. An annular biased frequency interference shielding member having securement tabs for mounting said annular member in said plug shell, and having folded resilient fingers having base and distal portions respectively engagable with said plug and receptacle shells under resilient pressure engagement.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a coupling assembly breech retaining means carried by one of the mating sections of the connector to maintain a coupling ring housing, a coupling sleeve nut within the housing, and a spring means biasing said coupling nut in assembly in the coupling ring housing. The retaining means comprises an annular ring having outer circumferentially spaced locking lugs axially movable with respect to the coupling housing and within one end portion for engagement with spaced recesses in the end portion of the housing and biased in locking position by the spring means.

Abstract: A control for a helicopter having dual, coaxial, counterrotating rigid rotors which varies the cyclic control phase angle of each rotor in flight as a function of vehicle forward speed to thereby control the coupling of lateral cyclic pitch with longitudinal cyclic pitch so as to introduce differential cyclic pitch inputs which automatically produce aerodynamic moments in each rotor to minimize maneuver generated gyroscopic precession moments, which also produce optimum lateral lift vector displacement for all flight speeds.