Abstract: A method and apparatus to automatically produce blocks of solid CO.sub.2 at low pressure. The apparatus includes at least one closed mold coupled to a liquid CO.sub.2 conditioner and a CO.sub.2 gas recovery system, and a control panel for automatic operation. The method consists in supplying liquid CO.sub.2 to this mold at a low pressure in order to fill the mold with CO.sub.2 snow of low density during a definite period of time, to then raise the pressure inside the mold to an intermediate pressure by supplying liquid CO.sub.2 at this pressure (and at a temperature of approximately -40.degree. C.) to form a dense mass of solid CO.sub.2 which after a definite time will block the admission of CO.sub.2 to the mold, causing a significant pressure drop that is used to create a signal to automatically close off the supply of liquid CO.sub.2 and finalize the production cycle of the block.

Abstract: A solid state event recorder having particular application to railroad locomotives has a plurality of interface modules to allow the collection of desired data over a period of time. Radio downloading of the data provided by a telemetry transmitter to wayside receivers is the primary way of downloading data. Alternate data downloading are provided by a removable memory module, a portable wireless data extractor and a laptop computer. The removable memory module is provided with its own backup battery power supply but normally derives its power from an inductive coupling to the solid state recorder. Data is read into the removable memory module from the solid state recorder via an inductive coupling, and data is read out of the removable memory module to the telemetry transmitter via another inductive coupling. Both the portable wireless data extractor and the laptop computer are used for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A railroad brake pressure recorder for use with both analogue and digital break pressure manifolds monitors the signal on its analogue air brake pressure input connector. If the signal on this input exceeds a predetermined frequency, inputs are processed as coming from an analogue manifold. If it is less than this frequency, the inputs are processed as coming from a digital manifold.

Abstract: A solid state event recorder having particular application to railroad locomotives has a plurality of interface modules to allow the collection of desired data over a period of time. Radio downloading of the data provided by a telemetry transmitter to wayside receivers is the primary way of downloading data. Alternative data downloading are provided by a removable memory module, a portable wireless data extractor and a laptop computer. The removable memory module is provided with its own backup battery power supply but normally derives its power from an inductive coupling to the solid state recorder. Data is read into the removable memory module from the solid state recorder via an inductive coupling, and data is read out of the removable memory module to the telemetry transmitter via another inductive coupling. Both the portable wireless data extractor and the laptop computer are used for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: An improved timer circuit for engineman monitoring devices allows a "drag operation" without frequent operation of the audio/visual alarms of the monitoring devices. The circuit receives an input from an existing switch in the locomotive to select the drag input state, but this input state does not necessarily select a longer time period for the reset window. More particularly, if drag is off and the speed is between approximately 1/3 and 31/2 mph, the timeout period is long (e.g., 123 seconds), but if drag is on for this speed, the timeout period is doubled (e.g., 246 seconds). Over 31/2 mph, the state of the drag switch is ignored, and the timeout period is long until a predetermined speed is reached and thereafter decreases with increasing speed. In addition, at "zero" speed, i.e., below 1/3 mph, the timeout period is reduced to 20 seconds to prevent defeat of the system by tampering with the axle drive wires.

Abstract: A user interactive mass storage data access system includes a personal computer (10) and a simulated book (30). A mass storage device, such as a compact disk (CD) read only memory (ROM) (22), is connected to the personal computer, and the computer and the simulated book are connected by an infrared (IR) data communications link including IR transceivers (26, 48). The simulated book includes a display screen (34) and a microprocessor (43) with memory (44, 46). The microprocessor is programmed for storing data received and decoded by its IR transceiver (48) in memory (46) and responsive to user input for displaying a page of data on the display screen. In addition, the microprocessor is programmed to cause its IR transceiver (48 l ) to transmit to the IR transceiver (26) connected to the personal computer (10) a data request command, and the personal computer is in turn programmed to transmit data from the CD ROM (22) to the simulated book (30).

Abstract: A paging device includes a radio receiver (10-20) and decoding circuitry (22) for receiving an encoded transmitted signal and operates an indicator (26) to alert a user that a call has been received. A signal strength detector (30) monitors the strength of a carrier for a transmitted signal and provides a voltage level proportional to the carrier signal strength. A switch (33), when enabled, connects the voltage level from the detector (30) to a voltage controlled oscillator (32) which provides an output having a frequency proportional to the monitored strength of the carrier signal. The output of the variable frequency oscillator (32) is connected to the indicator (26) to provide the user with an indication of whether transmissions may be reliably received.

Abstract: A fuel measuring system of the bubble type is adaptable for use with a plurality of tanks of predetermined differing geometries. The system employs at least two bubbling tubes located at predetermined locations in a tank. A predetermined volume flow of air is made to pass through each tube. Pressure transducers are used to periodically measure the air pressures supplied to the bubbling tubes. Temperature is also periodically sampled, and the pressure and temperature data is used by a microprocessor to make the necessary computations to first determine the averaged normalized air pressure and then the height of the fuel in the tank. In order to correlate the computed value of fuel height with the actual quantity of fuel in the tank, the microprocessor accesses data in a table lookup memory for the particular tank and performs calculations in order to derive the instantaneous volume of fuel in the tank.

Abstract: A gravity operated switching circuit, having particular application in end of train equipment, allows the microprocessor circuit board in the equipment to be turned off. The circuit turns the power off when the equipment is laid on its side after a predetermined time constant, and when the equipment is again mounted in an upright position, the power is turned on after a different predetermined time constant. A modification of the basic circuit requires a reset button to be manually pressed to restore power after the equipment is again mounted in an upright position.

Abstract: An improved automatic train-line air brake pressure monitoring system includes circuits that emulate an automatic brake valve and cause an automatic brake manifold release whenever a four psi increase in pressure is sensed. The system includes a pressure sensor amplifier (10) which provides a signal proportional to the sensed pressure in a brake pipe. This signal is tracked by a peak hold circuit (12) that stores the peak value of the signal. The output of the sensor amplifier is subtracted from the output of the peak hold circuit in a subtractor (14) to provide a difference signal. The difference signal is tracked by a reduction hold circuit (22) which stores the minimum value of the difference output from the subtractor. An increase in measured pressure from the stored minimum value is compared in a comparator (24) with a reference value representing the four psi level, and when the increased pressure exceeds the reference value, a system reset is generated.

Abstract: A marker light using an array (2) of light emitting diodes (12) in combination with lenses (3) provides a light beam of required intensity, shape and color for railroad applications. The light emitting diodes are arranged in various configurations to form the array (2). The lenses may be Fresnel lenses. Control circuitry (C) energizes the light emitting diodes at predetermined or variable flashing rates. Sensing circuitry (222) senses the failure of light emitting diodes in the array and provides an indication of such failure.

Abstract: A battery condition indicator provides an indication of both the charge used and the life remaining in a rechargeable battery. The time of use of the battery between charges is measured to provide an indirect measure of the charge remaining. The total time of service of the battery is measured to provide an indirect measure of the age or life of the battery.

Abstract: Device for bringing into register a tool mounted on a rotary cylinder for processing products in sheet form, such as a tool for cutting out, creasing, or printing sheets of cardboard in a machine for making and printing corrugated cardboard boxes, comprising a coder (22) providing information representing the theoretical advance of the sheets (10, 11), a coder (23) providing information representing the angle of adjustment given to the tool holder (1), a detector (20) of the passage of a reference mark (15) on the sheet (11) to a point situated upstream of the tool holder, a detector (36) of the theoretical passage of this reference mark at a selected distance slightly downstream of the first detector (20), and a computer (33) supplying correction commands to the correction motor (8) of the tool holder in order that the tool will arrive in phase with the incident sheet (11).

Abstract: An improved attaching device is provided for securely mounting railroad signalling and monitoring equipment (10, 12) on the coupler (36) of a railroad car. A package including a supporting frame (22) to which the equipment is fastened by a draw pull (16) rests on the top surface of the coupler. The supporting frame includes a mounting bracket (32) having an integral rod (50) which extends through the flag hole in the coupler knuckle. The end of the rod projects beyond the bottom of the coupler so that it can be secured. In the second embodiment (FIGS. 8 and 9), the rod (111) has bifurcated extensions (116, 118) which serve to strengthen the supporting frame (80). This embodiment also includes shock absorbing elements (108, 110 and 122). In a third embodiment, a post (162) slidably carries a shaft or rod (188) that is retractable into a locking position with the coupler. A crank (176) is used to retract the shaft into a locking position.

Abstract: A beam emitter type speed sensor for railroad rolling stock is calibrated by positioning an endless belt between rails of the track for the railroad rolling stock. The endless belt has a speed which is controllable. The endless belt is so positioned so that the railroad rolling stock can maneuver the speed sensor in proximity thereover having an antenna-to-belt distance comparable to the antenna-to-roadbed distance. A method of calibrating the indicator in the cab includes rotating the belt at a known speed.