Abstract: In various embodiments, a pressure sensor may be configured to detect pressure information associated with pressure in an eye during an ophthalmic surgical procedure. The pressure information may be wirelessly communicated, through a transmitter coupled to the pressure sensor, to a receiver communicatively coupled to a surgical console. The receiver may provide the received pressure information to the surgical console to use in controlling pressure at a surgical site during the surgical procedure. For example, controlling the pressure may include maintaining a desired IOL pressure level within the surgical site at the eye. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor may include a strain gage coupled to a contact lens or a sleeve of an ocular surgical handpiece. Other pressure sensor configurations are also contemplated.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for positioning at the intake end of a centrifugal pump used for pumping liquids and slurries containing solid matter, including various types of refuse, and for chopping the solid matter which may thereafter be processed for disposal is disclosed. The cutting assembly includes an intake end plate having a body defining the opening to allow the passage of material, such as waste water and the like, therethrough. The intake end plate attaches at the intake end of the chopper pump. The assembly also includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of cutter bars projecting from the body of the intake end plate into the opening, and a nut positioned at the intake end and attached to the chopper pump within the opening of the intake end plate.

Abstract: A method for improving train performance, the method including determining a rail car parameter for at least one rail car to be included in a train, and creating a train trip plan based on the rail car parameter in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train.

Abstract: Method and system embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing fine-granularity access control to data entities within databases. Certain method and system embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing row-and-column-level access control to relational tables, relational views, and other database entities managed by relational database management systems. Certain embodiments of the present invention employ additional database tables, user-defined functions, and automatically created security views to create and maintain a view-based interface to an underlying database through which users access data stored in the underlying database. The view interface includes automated access control features that provide row-and-column access controls to users of the database management system.

Abstract: A system for the communication of data used in the operation of a powered vehicle comprises a plurality of controllers onboard the powered vehicle for controlling operations of the vehicle. At least one of the controllers has a memory in which data is stored and the data is accessible and used by at least two of the controllers for controlling vehicle operations. A communication link is provided between the at least two controllers for sharing data stored in the memory of one of the controllers to control operations of the powered vehicle.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling a braking effort of a braking system in a powered system. The powered system travels along a route. The control system includes a controller coupled to the braking system, where the controller is configured to monitor the braking effort of the braking system at a braking region along the route. The controller is further configured to control the braking effort at the braking region, such that the braking effort approaches within a predetermined range of a braking effort threshold, but does not exceed the braking effort threshold. A method is also provided for controlling a braking effort of a braking system in a powered system.

Abstract: The disclosed solid waste pump is a chopper pump, and preferably a chopper pump having a small rated motor and a semi-open impeller design. Particularly, a chopper pump having an impeller, at least one pump-out vane, an end plate, and a back plate including at least one cutting rib is disclosed. The impeller includes a back shroud and cutting vanes sharpened on a first edge extending opposite the back shroud and fixed on a first surface of the back shroud. The at least one pump-out vane is preferably fixed to a second surface of the back shroud opposite the first surface, while the end plate includes a surface adjacent to and facing the first edge of the cutting vanes and at least one internal cutting rib fixed to the end plate surface for shearing operation in combination with the sharpened edge of the cutting vanes of the impeller.

Abstract: A system for controlling a railroad train over a segment of track. The system comprises a first element for determining a location of the train on the segment of track; a second element for providing track characterization information for the segment of track; the track characterization information related to physical conditions of the segment of track; and a processor for controlling applied tractive forces and braking forces of the train responsive to the location of the train and the track characterization information to reduce at least one of wheel wear and/or track wear during operation of the train over the segment of track.

Abstract: A system is provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along a route. The plurality of powered systems include a constraining powered system and at least one trailing powered system traveling behind the constraining powered system along the route. The system includes one or more controllers configured to control the constraining powered system to travel along the route according to respective predetermined operating parameters at respective incremental locations along the route. The system further includes one of said controllers being configured to control the trailing powered system to travel along the route according to the respective predetermined operating parameters of the constraining powered system at the respective incremental locations along the route. A method is also provided for pacing a plurality of powered systems traveling along the route.

Abstract: A system is provided for processing images of wayside equipment adjacent to a route. The system includes a video camera configured to collect visible spectral data of the wayside equipment. The video camera is positioned on an external surface of a powered system traveling along the route. Additionally, the system includes a controller coupled to the video camera, where the controller is configured to process the visible spectral data, and is further configured to transmit a signal based upon processing the visible spectral data. Additionally, a method and computer readable media are provided for processing images of wayside equipment adjacent to a route.

Abstract: A system is provided for pacing a powered system traveling along a route separated into a plurality of block regions. Each block region has a respective signal. The system includes a controller configured to receive a status of the signal in an adjacent block region to a current block region of the powered system. The controller is configured to determine a time duration between a change in the status of the signal in an adjacent block region. The controller is further configured to determine an expected status of the signal to be experienced by the powered system in the plurality of block regions, based upon the time duration and a route parameter of the plurality of block regions.

Abstract: A method for operating a train includes: (a) using a processor carried by the train, creating a trip profile which is computed at so as to substantially optimize an operating parameter of the train which depends on multiple operating variables; (b) operating the train along a route at speeds determined by the trip profile; (c) identifying a target location ahead of the train which cannot be cleared in a desired time if the train operates in accordance with the trip profile; and (d) operating the train at a clearing speed substantially faster than determined by the trip profile until the target location is cleared. A computer program product is provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A route defect detection system for a powered system, the route defect detection system including a control system connected to the powered system for application of tractive effort, and a processor to determine an unplanned change in the application of tractive effort and/or otherwise associated with the tractive effort of the powered system. Based on the unplanned change, the processor determines a type of defect encountered along a mission route. A method and computer software code stored on a computer readable media and executable with a processor are also disclosed for a powered system to detect a defect along a mission route.

Abstract: A blow moulding machine for blow moulding a container having an integrally formed handle; said container blow moulded from a previously injection moulded preform; said preform comprising a body portion and said integrally formed handle; said machine including a preform loading station at which said preform is oriented by a preform orienting apparatus.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powered system, the method including operating the powered system to perform a mission based on an optimized mission plan, identifying when the powered system is approaching a location in the mission where the powered system may change from a first route to a second route, obtaining information about whether the first route or the second route will be taken, and if the second route is taken, adjusting the mission plan to optimize reduced emissions output and/or reduced fuel consumption based on the route change.

Abstract: A method for operating a powered system, the method including determining whether a mission plan of the powered system is correct to satisfy at least one mission objective of the powered system, if not, updating information used to establish the mission plan, revising the mission plan based on the updated information to satisfy the at least one mission objective, and operating the powered system based on the revised mission plan. A system and a computer software code for operating a powered system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pet restraint for restraining a pet to a vehicle. The restraint includes an elongated member having a first portion proximate the vehicle for mounting the elongated member to the vehicle and a second portion distal of the vehicle for engaging a pet. The first portion comprises at least one fastening means adapted to engage the vehicle and the second portion extends away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a location determination unit for determining a geographic location of a mobile asset having an engine that produces one or more emissions during use; a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined characteristic profiles, the characteristic profiles including information regarding geographic location and at least one of engine emission levels, noise emission levels, fuel usage levels, power output, load manifest, or speed level; a processor in communication with the memory for accessing the characteristic profile for the determined location of the mobile asset and generating a control command responsive to a selected characteristic profile; and a control unit on board the mobile asset controlling an operation of the mobile asset responsive to the control command. Associated methods are provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of a power system having at least one internal combustion power unit includes: (a) identifying a plurality of discrete potential dynamic events; (b) for each potential dynamic event, computing an optimization profile which describes power settings for the power system to follow in order to optimize at least one operating parameter of the at least one power unit; (c) selecting one of the optimization profiles based on the potential dynamic event with the highest current probability; and (d) operating the system in accordance with the selected optimization profile.