Abstract: An apparatus and method for a remote diagnostic system for motorized vehicles. Apparatus according to this aspect of the invention includes a base station having a processor associated with a transceiver and a remote unit installed in a vehicle. The remote unit includes a controller associated with a transceiver, where the controller gathers diagnostic data. The remote unit controller transmits a vehicle identification signal in conjunction with diagnostic data to the base station transceiver such that the base station processor monitors the diagnostic data for the vehicle. Another aspect of the invention further includes a mapping processor associated with a memory. The memory stores a virtual map of a local operating area having areas that are allowable and restricted. The controller is coupled to the mapping processor and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver is coupled to the mapping processor.

Abstract: A perforated pipe network beneath a playing surface. A blower connected to the pipe network drawing an air flow through the pipe network to create a vacuum. A drain pipe connecting to the pipe network. An air/water separator connected upstream of the blower for separating water from the air flow prior to entering the blower and channeling the water into the drain pipe for discharge. A flow control unit having a unit inlet connected to the drain pipe downstream of the air/water separator and a unit outlet discharging water to a drain outlet. The flow control unit blocking air flow through the unit inlet into the drain pipe when the blower is in the vacuum mode, and opening the unit inlet when a waterhead buildup at the unit inlet exceeds the vacuum level established by the blower to discharge water through the drain outlet.

Abstract: A perforated pipe network beneath a playing surface. A blower connected to the pipe network drawing an air flow through the pipe network to create a vacuum. A drain pipe connecting to the pipe network. An air/water separator connected upstream of the blower for separating water from the air flow prior to entering the blower and channeling the water into the drain pipe for discharge. A flow control unit having a unit inlet connected to the drain pipe downstream of the air/water separator and a unit outlet discharging water to a drain outlet. The flow control unit blocking air flow through the unit inlet into the drain pipe when the blower is in the vacuum mode, and opening the unit inlet when a waterhead buildup at the unit inlet exceeds the vacuum level established by the blower to discharge water through the drain outlet.

Abstract: The invention is a battery powered source for an air handling system that provides subsurface aeration services when an available power source provides insufficient power. The system comprises a subsurface aeration duct, a motor, an air pump, a storage battery, a battery charger, and a control circuit responsive to commands. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the storage battery to control a connection of the storage battery to provide power to the motor. In response to a command, the control circuit connects the storage battery to provide power to the motor, and the storage battery provides sufficient power to operate the motor and air pump satisfactorily for operation of an air handling system used for subsurface aeration. The system further comprises a reversing valve to provide air under pressure with air flow in a first direction, and partial vacuum with air flow in a second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a remote diagnostic system for motorized vehicles. Apparatus according to this aspect of the invention includes a base station having a processor associated with a transceiver and a remote unit installed in a vehicle. The remote unit includes a controller associated with a transceiver, where the controller gathers diagnostic data. The remote unit controller transmits a vehicle identification signal in conjunction with diagnostic data to the base station transceiver such that the base station processor monitors the diagnostic data for the vehicle.

Abstract: A discharge ignition apparatus for use with a small internal combustion engine has built-in overspeed disable capability. At operating speeds below an overspeed threshold, revolution of a magnet assembly past a stator unit having a magnetically permeable core causes accumulation of charge across a storage capacitor. When the capacitor has reached a fully charged state, a triggering signal is applied to the gate of a SCR device to cause rapid discharge through the primary coil of a step-up transformer. The higher voltage produced at the secondary coil of the step-up transformer is then applied across the gap of a spark plug. At operating speeds exceeding the overspeed threshold, a second trigger circuit renders the SCR conductive prior to substantial accumulation of charge across the storage capacitor. The second trigger circuit includes a zener diode or other voltage threshold element in circuit with a trigger coil operative to produce a speed dependent voltage signal.

Abstract: A slag detector apparatus for detecting onset of 5% or less slag entrainment in a stream of molten metal employs a detection coil having an axial length at least equal to the length of a globule of molten metal in the stream being composed of a continuous succession of recurring cyclical globules of molten metal, and an impedance detector for periodic sampling and smoothing of the fluctuations of the terminal impedance of the detector coil corresponding to the fluctuating cross-sectional dimension of the stream. The detector coil is part of a signal sensitivity enhancement circuit in the apparatus which also includes a tunable capacitor connected with the detector coil. The capacitor is used for tuning the circuit to its resonance frequency so that the capacitive reactance of the circuit due to the presence of the capacitor cancels the inductive reactance of the circuit due to the presence of the coil so as to leave only an impedance that is due to resistance of the coil.

Abstract: The electromagnetic pump comprises specially shaped magnetic pole extensions disposed around the duct along the line of flow of the fluid. The pole extensions increase the magnetic field along the axial center line of the duct, thereby increasing the mid-duct fluid body forces which in turn increase mid-duct velocity. The pole extensions decrease both viscous drag along the electrode walls and turbulent mixing in the exit regions of the duct. Both of these reductions increase pump efficiency. Moreover, the nearly uniformed velocity profile obtained with these pole extensions reduces current leakage in the end regions of the electrodes.

Abstract: An interactive, real time elevator bank simulation system including a display panel, dispatcher control, and a processor unit. The display panel includes illuminable control devices and illuminable display devices which are controlled to represent movement of the various elevator cars of the bank. The control devices enable an operator to interact with the system, such as by entering traffic requests, and to observe in real time the results of the requests on the operation of the elevator bank. The operator initiated requests are processed by the processing unit, and the processing unit controls the illumination of the operator actuated control devices on the display panel. This positive feedback arrangement provides optical acknowledgment to the operator that his request has been received by the processor unit.

Abstract: A brush having at least a portion thereof adjacent the trailing end made up of a plurality of individually insulated strands of highly conductive material.

Abstract: A switching circuit electrically connected to a brush and collector bar of a DC dynamoelectric machine utilizing a high current rectifier and a source of electromotive source which produces a current in the circuit which is generally equal to the current flowing between the brush and the collector bar and which can be forced to zero as the brush separates from the collector bar to reduce degradation of the trailing edges of the brushes and collector bars and improve the machine efficiency.

Abstract: An elevator system, and method of operating same, including a plurality of elevator cars mounted in a building to serve the floors therein. A system processor, having instructions stored in a memory, responds to predetermined system information to provide output signals for controlling the movement of the elevator cars. Predetermined lobby functions, such as quota control of elevator cars at the floor and dispatching therefrom, are provided by the instructions for a floor identified in the instructions. The floor for which such lobby functions are performed is changed in response to predetermined conditions, to any selected floor of the building, by means which changes the number of the identified floor in the associated instructions.

Abstract: A new and improved elevator system, and method of directing a plurality of elevator cars to serve floor calls in an elevator system. Service is provided for floor calls which cannot be allocated to a suitably conditioned car already busy serving calls, by specifically assigning non-busy or available cars to serve such calls. The floor calls are each timed from registration and when their registration time reaches a first value the strategy for assigning available cars to non-allocated calls is changed. The timing of a call continues following the reaching of the first value, until the call reaches a second timed value. The strategy for assigning available cars to non-allocated calls is changed again, in response to a call registered for the second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A monitoring system for off-site monitoring, traffic study and/or trouble shooting of elevator installations. Communication between the remote monitoring site and a selected elevator installation is established via a direct dial telephone link. The remote monitoring site includes visual display means for displaying the operation of the selected elevator installation in real time, means for storing and analyzing status signals from the elevator installation, as well as for printing out the results of such an analysis, and control means for entering commands to be executed by the elevator system.