Abstract: An improved process for producing an aromatic carboxylic acid from an aromatic alkyl hydrocarbon is described, wherein the improvement comprises using the same aromatic alkyl hydrocarbon as the azeotropic agent for separation of acetic acid and methyl acetate from water via azeotropic distillation. The process of this invention has considerable advantages over other known processes, particularly in regards to consumption of the azeotropic agent and utilities, formation of undesirable impurities and operating costs.

Abstract: A control arrangement decoupled two driven inputs for driven belt web accumulators using gear trains, gear trains with torque feed-forward control or gear trains with toque feed-forward control and velocity feedback control.

Abstract: A control arrangement decouples two driven inputs for driven belt web accumulators using gear trains, gear trains with torque feed-forward control or gear trains with torque feed-forward control and velocity feedback control.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the direction of locomotive travel while in dynamic braking is disclosed. This direction of travel is derived from current sensors associated with the locomotive traction motors. When in the dynamic braking mode, current flows through the current sensors in a first direction when a train is traveling in the first direction and reverses the direction of flow when the train is traveling in a second direction.

Abstract: A shoot-through protection system for an electric power generating system including a synchronous generator, a bridge rectifier coupled to an output of the generator for converting alternating current (AC) from the generator to direct current (DC) at a rectifier output, and at least one inverter coupled to the rectifier output for converting the DC output to a controlled frequency AC output for application to a load. The generator has a separately excited field winding in which the magnitude of field excitation controls the voltage output of the generator. A microprocessor-based controller regulates generator field excitation in a manner to control the DC output of the rectifier. The generator is protected from a shoot-through in the inverter by detecting a sustained voltage drop in the rectifier DC output and reversing generator field excitation in response to such a voltage drop to rapidly drive generator output voltage to substantially zero volts.

Abstract: A self-test system for a shorted diode protection circuit in an electric vehicle propulsion system includes a series of relays for selectively coupling a battery in circuit with a field winding of a generator, the shorted diode protection circuit being coupled in voltage sensing arrangement with the field winding. The relays are operated to induce current in forward and reverse directions through the winding in separate test stages. At each stage the winding is disconnected from the battery so that inductive reactance creates a voltage on the winding to actuate the protection circuit. A system controller records whether the protection circuit is responsive and therefore operable and alerts a vehicle operator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for isolating failures in a locomotive. In the present invention, the cause of failures occurring in the locomotive sub-systems are determined quickly and efficiently, while minimizing the need for human interaction. However, the present invention can incorporate information provided by an operator to produce a more refined diagnosis. In the present invention, incidents are recorded in an incident log and mapped to indicators, which are sent to a fault isolator for diagnosis. The fault isolator uses a diagnostic knowledge base having diagnostic information between failures occurring in locomotive and observable symptoms happening therein. A diagnostic engine then processes the mapped indicators with the diagnostic information in the diagnostic knowledge base and produces a list of the most likely causes for any failures. The present invention then provides a course of action to correct the failures.

Abstract: A radiator assembly for a locomotive is provided. The locomotive has an engine for driving the locomotive and a cooling water system for circulating cooling water through the engine to operatively control the temperature of the engine, the assembly including a radiator in fluid communication with the cooling system and a fan which selectively draws air through the radiator and into the inlet of the fan. The radiator assembly also includes a shutter for selectively controlling the drawn air flow through the radiator and a control system operatively attached to the shutter for actuating the shutter to control the drawn air flow in dependence on a determined control temperature. The control assembly is also operatively attached to the fan to select and set the speed of the fan in dependence on the determined control temperature.

Abstract: The automatic registration control system of the present invention is a closed loop system including a driving mechanism for feeding a continuous web of disposable absorbent articles, such as diaper pads, toward a cutter. The cutter may separate completed pads from the web. A sensor is positioned along the manufacturing line, and preferably preceding the cutter, for detecting at least one preselected feature of each diaper pad and producing a detection signal when the feature passes by the sensor. A position resolver determines the angular position of the cutter at the moment when the preselected diaper feature is detected, and the average angular position is calculated from a predetermined number of cutter positions. The average cutter position is compared to and subtracted from a target cutter position to produce an error signal. The error signal is then converted into a control signal and supplied to a phase variator which adjusts the position of the cutter in response to the control signal.

Abstract: Connected to the suction pipe leading to a pump inlet is an air eliminator comprising a valve housing defining a chamber and having a first valve seat through which the suction pipe communicates with the chamber and a second valve seat through which the chamber communicates with atmosphere, the chamber increasing in cross-sectional area from the first seat toward the second seat. A ball valve is normally seated on the first seat to prevent air from entering the suction pipe but is displaceable to allow discharge of air under pressure from the suction pipe through the second seat while suspended by the force of the discharging air. The ball valve has a specific gravity less than the liquid, whereby liquid entering the chamber from the suction pipe floats the ball valve against the second seat to block the discharge of liquid.

Abstract: A manually shiftable actuator-position input member and an actuator-operator feedback member cooperate as switch means for controlling the operation of an actuator including a rod connected to be reciprocably driven by a reversible electric motor. The input and feedback members normally occupy neutral positions relative to each other wherein electrical current is disconnected from the motor. Energization of the motor to cause it to drive in the forward and reverse directions may respectively be accomplished by moving the input member in opposite first and second directions from its neutral position. The distance through which the input member is moved preselects the distance through which the motor drives the rod, the motor driving the feedback member via the rod such as to restore the neutral positions of the input and feedback members when the rod has been driven to the preselected position.