Abstract: A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and retain equipment to be decontaminated. The system also includes a solar reflector configured to reflect solar energy towards the containment vessel in order to heat the containment vessel. The system further includes end supports configured to receive and retain the solar reflector and the containment vessel. The system also includes a base having or coupled to multiple side supports, where each side support is configured to contact and support a corresponding one of the end supports. In addition, the system includes one or more semi-transparent solar shades configured to reduce the solar energy reaching the solar reflector and the containment vessel.

Abstract: An empty/load valve brake control device for a railway vehicle includes a body and a valve member disposed within the body. The body defines an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway, an exhaust passageway, and a secondary passageway. The valve member has an empty position, a load position, and a partial load position. The inlet passageway is connected to the outlet passageway when the valve member is in the empty position, the outlet passageway is connected to the exhaust passageway when the valve member is in the load position, and the inlet passageway is connected to the secondary passageway when the valve member is in the partial load position.

Abstract: An empty/load valve brake control device for a railway vehicle includes a body and a valve member disposed within the body. The body defines an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway, an exhaust passageway, and a secondary passageway. The valve member has an empty position, a load position, and a partial load position. The inlet passageway is connected to the outlet passageway when the valve member is in the empty position, the outlet passageway is connected to the exhaust passageway when the valve member is in the load position, and the inlet passageway is connected to the secondary passageway when the valve member is in the partial load position.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for use with a raisable and lowerable folding ramp having a bridge section and a toe section, such ramp being carried on one end of a railway car. The latching mechanism comprises an arm-like member pivotally connected at one end thereof to a predetermined structure of such railway car and a latch means attached to and extending outwardly from one of the bridge section and toe section of such folding ramp. A latching head portion is disposed at a radially opposed end of such arm-like member, and the latching head portion including a means for securing the latch means. A rotatable latching member is disposed in the latching head portion to engage and lock such latch means when such folding ramp reaches a fully raised position.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for use with a raisable and lowerable folding ramp having a bridge section and a toe section, such ramp being carried on one end of a railway car. The latching mechanism comprises an arm-like member pivotally connected at one end thereof to a predetermined structure of such railway car and a latch means attached to and extending outwardly from one of the bridge section and toe section of such folding ramp. A latching head portion is disposed at a radially opposed end of such arm-like member, and the latching head portion including a means for securing the latch means. A rotatable latching member is disposed in the latching head portion to engage and lock such latch means when such folding ramp reaches a fully raised position.

Abstract: A measured suction system utilizes a tracheostomy tube apparatus includes a tracheostomy tube, Tracheostomy collar, and swivel adapter. The tracheotomy tube includes an internal channel within the Tracheostomy tube allowing for all suctioning of the patient. The system will insure that all negative suction pressure is maintained within the Tracheostomy tube, which eliminates any trauma that may be caused by using excessive negative suction pressures when the standard methods of suctioning are employed. The new system also reduces the risk of infection caused by using the sterile invasive suction techniques.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure control device for an empty/load changeover valve on a railway car, which enables an empty/load changeover valve to have a lower profile. The pneumatic pressure control device comprises a mounting member having a first surface, a second surface, and further having an actuating push rod. A sensor arm of a predetermined size and shape has a first end and a second end. A first disposed adjacent at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the mounting member pivotally supports the sensor arm in a predetermined position on the mounting member. A second is engageable with the sensor arm and the actuating push rod on the mounting member for moving the push rod in response to a movement of the sensor arm. A load sensing has at least a portion thereof disposed on the second end of the sensor arm for determining a rate of brake cylinder pressure required relative to an actual weight of a railway car. The sensor arm and the load sensing have a predetermined travel limit.

Abstract: A lightweight loading ramp deck and a method for forming such deck is provided. This loading ramp deck is capable of being used in a retractable loading ramp in the loading and unloading of intermodal cars. The loading ramp deck comprises a plurality of tubular members. Each of these tubular members comprises a first end, a second end, a top wall, a bottom wall, and longitudinal side walls. The top, bottom and side walls extend between the first and second ends. The tubular members are positioned such that the side walls are adjacently disposed with respect to each other and joined to form a loading deck which is inexpensive, lightweight, exceptionally strong and has excellent shear flow.

Abstract: A pneumatically driven electric power generator includes a cylinder having one end connected to an air supply passage for receiving pressurized air and a piston having an associated magnetic moment. A portion of the piston is free to move into and out of the open end of the cylinder. An O-ring prevents airflow between the piston and the cylinder when a portion of the piston is located within the cylinder. A spring forces the piston from a position outside of the cylinder to a position inside the cylinder, so that the piston oscillates, moving into and out of the cylinder, driven by air supplied through the air supply passage. One or more electric coils are placed to enclose changing magnetic flux caused by the magnetic moment associated with the oscillating piston whereby an emf is generated in the coil(s) so that an external circuit connected to the coil(s) to complete a circuit through the coil(s) may receive electric power from the coil(s).

Abstract: A lightweight loading ramp deck and a method for forming such deck is provided. This loading ramp deck is capable of being used in a retractable loading ramp in the loading and unloading of intermodal cars. The loading ramp deck comprises a plurality of tubular members. Each of these tubular members comprises a first end, a second end, a top wall, a bottom wall, and longitudinal side walls. The top, bottom and side walls extend between the first and second ends. The tubular members are positioned such that the side walls are adjacently disposed with respect to each other and joined to form a loading deck which is inexpensive, lightweight, exceptionally strong and has excellent shear flow.

Abstract: A measured suction system utilizes a tracheostomy tube apparatus includes a tracheostomy tube, Tracheostomy collar, and swivel adapter. The tracheotomy tube includes an internal channel within the Tracheostomy tube allowing for all suctioning of the patient. The system will insure that all negative suction pressure is maintained within the Tracheostomy tube, which eliminates any trauma that may be caused by using excessive negative suction pressures when the standard methods of suctioning are employed. The new system also reduces the risk of infection caused by using the sterile invasive suction techniques.

Abstract: This invention is a pneumatically driven electric power generator. It includes a cylinder having one end connected to an air supply passage for receiving pressurized air and it has another end open. The invention has a piston having an associated magnetic moment. A portion of the piston is free to move into and out of the open end of the cylinder. Sealing means are provided to prevent airflow between the piston and the cylinder when a portion of the piston is located within the cylinder. Piston return means are provided which tend to force the piston from a position outside of the cylinder to a position having a portion of the piston inside the cylinder, so that the piston oscillates, moving into and out of the cylinder, driven by air supplied through the air supply passage.

Abstract: A release valve apparatus for use on freight railcars equipped with ECP brake equipment comprises a spool valve assembly and a control valve assembly. The control valve assembly features a lever with which a railroad worker can affect the pressure in a brake cylinder to which the spool valve assembly is connected. By operating the lever after a brake application, a worker can not only manually release the pressure from the brake cylinder but also lock the brake cylinder in a release state until the spool valve assembly is reset. The spool valve assembly can be reset merely by commanding the ECP brake equipment to depressurize a control chamber underneath the spool valve assembly, in response to which the ECP application and release valves are again placed in communication with the brake cylinder. The lever can also be used to manually blow down the auxiliary and emergency reservoirs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for dispensing a lubricant. The assembly comprises a housing with a cavity and a nozzle member connected to the housing. The housing further includes a lubricant passage connectable to a source of pressurized lubricant and a fluid pressure inlet passage connected to a source of fluid pressure. The assembly further includes a piston member having a predetermined configuration with a first side in fluid communication with the fluid pressure passage and a second side and having a piston cavity formed within. There is a first bore extending through the piston. A retainer member is connected to such first side of the piston member. A valve device is biased by an urging device against the first bore preventing grease from exiting. Another urging device biases the piston to such closed position. A push rod is disposed within the first bore and extends a predetermined distance beyond an end of the second side of the piston.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrically activated valve assembly for control of a fluid. It has a diaphragm with a control chamber on one side and a flow barrier on the second side. Portions of a first flow passage and a second flow passage are on the second side of the diaphragm, with the flow barrier between them. When the control chamber has a relatively high pressure, the diaphragm is pressed against the flow barrier, isolating the first flow passage from the second flow passage. When the control chamber has a relatively low pressure, the diaphragm moves away from the flow barrier, so flow may occur between the first flow passage and the second flow passage. The position of the diaphragm is determined by pressure in the control chamber so the pressure in the control chamber controls the fluid flow connection between the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting includes first and second valve bodies. The first body defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. In the passage, a first valve atop a valve stem features a poppet head that is seatable against an outer valve seat. A first biasing mechanism compels the poppet head against the outer valve seat so that the first valve is normally closed. The second body defines a bore between its upper and lower threaded ends which communicates with the passage. The upper threaded end connects with the threaded end of the first body whereas the lower threaded end is designed to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. In the bore, a second valve features a retainer whose top defines a recess that retains a seal element that is seatable against an inner valve seat.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables quick measurement of pressure contained within a housing. The fitting includes a valve body, a valve retainer, first and second sealing rings and a biasing mechanism. The valve body defines a flow passage within which is situated the valve retainer. The valve body is designed at its protuberant end to mate with a female coupler of a quick connect device and at its threaded end to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. The valve retainer defines around itself first and second annular recesses each of which spaced apart from the other to match the spacing of outer and inner annular valve seats formed in the flow passage. Forming a first valve, the first sealing ring retains in the first annular recess so as to be seatable against the outer valve seat. Forming a second valve, the second sealing ring retains in the second annular recess so as to be seatable against the inner valve seat.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. The threaded end screws into the housing. In an upper section of the passage, a first valve atop a valve stem features a poppet head that is seatable against an outer valve seat. A first biasing mechanism compels the head against the outer seat to keep the first valve normally closed. In a lower section of the passage, a second valve features a seat piece and a valve retainer. On its periphery, the seat piece carries an o-ring which sealingly secures the piece within the passage. The piece defines an inner bore between its ends and has an inner valve seat on its bottom. The top of the retainer is extendable through this inner bore to a point a dead space apart from a bottom of the stem. Around its bottom, the retainer carries an annular check valve.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting includes a single valve body that defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. The threaded end is designed to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. In an upper section of the passage, a first valve features a poppet head atop a valve stem. The poppet head is seatable against an outer annular valve seat formed in the protuberant end of the passage. A first biasing mechanism compels the poppet head against the outer valve seat so that the first valve is normally closed. In a lower section of the passage, a second valve features a retainer whose top defines a recess that retains a check seal element used for seating against an inner annular valve seat formed in the passage. A second biasing mechanism acts upon the retainer so that the check seal element seats against the inner valve seat thereby rendering the second valve normally closed.

Abstract: Choke for connection to a fluid flow passage for controlling fluid flow through the passage in a predetermined direction. The choke has structure for attachment to the fluid passage. It also has an internal fluid flow passage, which has at least one constriction. One or more mesh filters are located in the internal fluid flow passage of the choke, upstream of the constriction, to remove debris from the fluid which would otherwise interfere with fluid flow through the orifice.