Abstract: A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.

Abstract: In a first aspect, an apparatus may include a first node and a second node. The first node may be configured to transmit packets of data to the second node. A first processor may be associated with the first node and a second processor may be associated with a second node. The second processor may be configured to calculate a severity level. The severity level may then be transmitted to the first node so that the first processor can determined a call admission policy (CAC/SM) policy to regulate the transmission of packets of data from the first node to the second node. In one embodiment, the number of severity levels associated with a particular network configuration may vary according to sensitivity.

Abstract: A brake caliper has a brake pad having a backplate with a friction material attached to one side and a loading face on an opposite side. The caliper further includes a piston that applies a force to the loading face. The brake pad is releasably attached to the piston, thereby eliminating a separate brake pad retaining structure in the caliper.

Abstract: Wireless detonator assemblies (51-59) in use, form a cross-communicating network of wireless “detonator assemblies, such that communication of each wireless detonator assembly (57-59) with an associated blasting machine (50) can occur either directly, or via relay of signals (61-69) between other wireless detonator assemblies (51-56) in the network. Wireless detonator assemblies (51-59) can disseminate information (such as status information, identity information, firing codes, delay times and environmental conditions) among all of the wireless detonator assemblies in the network, while compensating for signal transmission relay delays at nodes in the network, thereby enabling the wireless detonator assemblies to detonate the explosive charges in accordance with the delay times. Various wireless detonator assemblies and corresponding blasting apparatus are disclosed and claimed. Methods of blasting using the wireless detonator assemblies and blasting apparatus are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for capacity analysis in communication networks, particularly for on the move ad hoc wireless packet-switched networks, as well as wide variety of other multimedia networks. The invention seeks to use the same two attributes per link (link capacity and link utilization) as known circuit-switched based analysis tools while incorporating useful aspects of various statistical analyses, such as a Queuing Theory based analysis, among others. In one embodiment, the invention introduces four tests to be implemented per each link, with results of these four tests being used to color code link congestion states to generate the reports for a planner. These four tests may generate an improved analysis of the network utilizing the same number of variables used in simple conventional circuit switched based analysis.

Abstract: A method for deleting expired items in a queue data structure, the queue data structure comprising a sequential list of ordered data items including a queue head at one end of the sequential list and a queue tail at another end of the sequential list, wherein each data item includes an expiry time, the method comprising: generating a maximum interval value corresponding to a maximum time interval between an expiry time of a first item in the queue and an expiry time of a second item in the queue, wherein the second item is nearer the queue head than the first item; sequentially scanning the list of ordered items from the queue head; responsive to a determination that a scanned item is expired, deleting the scanned item; responsive to a determination that a scanned item will not expire for a time interval greater than the maximum interval value, terminating scanning of the list of ordered items.

Abstract: A system and method for capacity analysis in communication networks, particularly for on the move ad hoc wireless packet-switched networks, as well as wide variety of other multimedia networks is disclosed. The invention seeks to use the same two attributes per link (link capacity and link utilization) as known circuit-switched based analysis tools while incorporating useful aspects of various statistical analyses, such as a Queuing Theory based analysis, among others. In one embodiment, the invention introduces four tests to be implemented per each link, with results of these four tests being used to color code link congestion states to generate the reports for a planner. These four tests may generate an improved analysis of the network utilizing the same number of variables used in simple conventional circuit switched based analysis.

Abstract: A wireless detonator assembly (10) for blasting arrangements comprising a detonator with a base charge (18), command signal receiving (11) and processing means (12), a charge storage device (13) with a firing circuit (15) for storing electrical energy, at least one power source (14) to power said command signal receiving (11) and processing means (12), and to charge said charge storage device (13), each of said at least one power source (14) capable of supplying a maximum voltage or current that is less than a threshold voltage or current to actuate said base charge (18), and said base charge (18) actuating if a voltage or current in the firing circuit (15) resulting from discharge of the electrical energy from said charge storage device (13) exceeds said threshold voltage or current.

Abstract: A parking brake system pneumatically actuates an air cylinder to mechanically lock a wheel brake in an applied position in response to a parking demand request. The parking brake system includes a dual hand control that has an electronic control element and a pneumatic control element. The electronic control element communicates with an electronic braking system control unit and the pneumatic control element communicates with a parking brake air reservoir. When the dual hand control is moved to a park position, the electronic control element generates an electronic control signal that applies a parking brake force to the wheel brake. The pneumatic control element generates an air signal that is sent to the air cylinder. The air cylinder includes an extendable shaft that supports a lock member. The air signal moves the lock member into engagement with a brake operating member to lock the wheel brake in the applied condition.

Abstract: A brake system includes a brake disc having a first disc face and a second disc face on a first side and a second side, respectively, of the brake disc. The brake disc is mounted rotatably fast with but longitudinally slidable on a rotatable shaft. The brake disc is clampable between a first friction surface of a fixed brake pad positioned on the first side of the brake disc and a second friction surface of a moveable brake pad positioned on the second side of the brake disc. The system further includes a disc positioner operable to define a running clearance between the first disc face and the first friction surface. The disc positioner is adjustable to maintain the running clearance as the fixed brake pad wears. A biasing member located on the second side of the brake disc maintains contact between the disc positioner and first disc face of the brake disc.

Abstract: A parking braking system for a brake in a vehicle wherein, upon moving a parking brake selector to a park position, the brake is arranged to be mechanically locked or latched into place by means of a variable position park latch mechanism which is adapted to co-operate with an operating member of the brake so as to set the park load on the brake at a desired level. The parking braking system includes a control system which has a brake level determining means (134) to determine the brake load level at which the brake is to be parked and a control means (136) for controlling the actuation of the latching mechanism, or a combination of several latching mechanisms, to selectively maintain that brake load level during a parking phase. In order to determine the park load level to which the brake should be applied in a given situation, there is provided a static mode 1 which generates a signal representative of the static condition of the vehicle or a static compensation signal.

Abstract: An adjuster for an air disc brake assembly is used to drive tappet members on opposing sides of a rotating brake disc to adjust brake pad position in response to pad wear. The adjuster includes a one-way clutch that permits the tappet members to be driven for adjustment in a brake apply direction and prevents adjustment in a brake release direction. The adjuster includes an adjuster input shaft, which is actuated by a brake operating shaft, and an adjuster body that supports first and second adjuster members. The one-way clutch couples the adjuster input shaft to the adjuster body such that the first adjuster member drives a first tappet assembly to adjust a first brake pad on one side of the rotating brake disc, and the second adjuster member drives a second tappet assembly to independently adjust a second brake pad on an opposite side of the rotating brake disc.

Abstract: A parking braking system for a vehicle uses an electronic braking system (EBS) as a primary source for generating a parking brake force via pneumatic brake actuators. Each pneumatic actuator actuates a piston that is adapted to rotate a pivoted lever, which moves to apply brake pads against a brake disc. The parking braking system includes a hand control that controls actuation of the pneumatic brake actuators. Vehicle brakes for non-parking braking purposes are controlled by electronic signals generated in response to a driver's foot-generated braking demand. An electronic controller is adapted to control a supply of pressurized air to the pneumatic brake actuators in accordance with the driver's braking demand.

Abstract: A parking brake system uses a pneumatically controlled brake actuator to provide both service and parking brake functions. The parking brake system for a vehicle includes a hand control that is manually movable between a plurality of operational positions. A valve is responsive to movement of the hand control and controls air flow from a parking brake air supply to the pneumatically controlled brake actuator. The valve includes a gate that defines the plurality of operational positions, which include a park position, a release position, and an off position. When the hand control is moved out of the off position and into the park position, the pneumatically controlled brake actuator remains pressurized and a latching mechanism is activated to mechanically lock the vehicle brake. When the hand control is moved to the release position, the vehicle brakes are re-applied to unload the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A brake actuating apparatus includes a force transmission element operable to transmit a brake actuating force and an abutment member moveable to abut the force transmission element. A piezo-electric device operable on expansion applies a force between the abutment member and the force transmission element to move the force transmission element in a direction of brake actuation. A support member moveable independently of the abutment member supports the force transmission element in the new position following expansion of the piezo-electric device.

Abstract: Featured are methods for writing file systems write data operations to storage medium as well as system and program embodying such a methodology. According to one aspect, the method includes storing a file systems write data operation to a first temporary data store and mirroring the file systems write data operation in a second temporary data store. The method further includes deleting the mirrored file systems write data operation from the second temporary data store if it is successfully written from the first temporary data store to the storage medium and writing the mirrored file systems write data operation from the second temporary data store to the storage medium if it is not successfully written from the first temporary data store. In another aspect, the method includes storing the file systems write data operation in the first temporary data store of one server and mirroring it in the second temporary data store of another server.

Abstract: An electronic brake system for a tractor-trailer vehicle includes a front electronic brake system for braking a front axle assembly and a rear electronic brake system for braking a rear axle assembly. During normal vehicle operation, front and rear air reservoirs supply air to actuate front and rear brake actuators, respectively. In response to a failure of the front electronic brake system, an electronic control unit automatically activates a trailer control valve to supply air to actuate the front brake actuator in addition to actuating the rear brake actuator from the rear air reservoir. The trailer control valve receives air supply from an independent reservoir.

Abstract: A vehicle parking brake system pneumatically actuates an air cylinder to mechanically lock a wheel brake in an applied position in response to a parking demand request. The air cylinder includes an extendable shaft that supports a lock member. When a parking demand request is initiated by moving a hand control, an air chamber is pressurized with air from a parking reservoir via a valve assembly to apply the wheel brake. Air pressure is released from the air cylinder and the lock member is moved into engagement with a brake component to lock the wheel brake in the applied condition. The wheel brake remains locked even if pressure is released from the air chamber. When a release command is initiated, the air cylinder is pressurized and the lock member is moved out of engagement with the brake component.

Abstract: A game wherein a limited number of players have gained entry by purchasing rights of use and, after all purchases have been made, one and only one player wins and obtains the benefits of all of the rights of use of all players. The winning player is selected by a random process originated by both a predictable and a non-predictable event.

Abstract: A tube, preferably a centrifuge tube, molded of a blend of 25-35 weight percent of polystyrene and 75-65 weight percent of styrene-butadiene rubber block copolymer has improved performance compared to a tube of pure copolymer.