Abstract: A handling apparatus pulls a group of lightweight cargo carrying sleeves out of a container in which they have been transported onto a storage bed. The collapsed sleeves are individually supported in an upright orientation on the bed by fingers which can be selectively withdrawn from a sleeve when it is to be removed. An overhead crane has a carriage that translates across the sleeves on the storage bed and a sleeve loading and unloading apparatus that is positioned beside the bed. The carriage can also be raised and lowered. The carriage carries hooks which engage the sidewalls of the sleeves and can be moved toward and away from one another. After the hooks engage the sidewalls of a sleeve the carriage is raised to lift the sleeve out of the group. The carriage is then moved above the loading apparatus and the hooks are moved apart from one another to expand the sleeve. Finally, the carriage is lowered to place the expanded sleeve on the loading apparatus and the hooks are disengaged from its sidewalls.

Abstract: A railway traffic control system in which accurate vehicle information is effectively available in real-time to facilitate control of traffic flow. Unlike prior art methods of precisely monitoring train location, the current invention is dependant only on equipment on-board the vehicle and position updates provided by external benchmarks located along the track route. The system's dynamic motion capabilities can also be used to sense and store track rail signatures, as a function of rail distance, which can be routinely analyzed to assist in determining rail and road-bed conditions for preventative maintenance purposes. In presently preferred embodiments, the on-board vehicle information detection equipment comprises an inertial measurement unit providing dynamic vehicle motion information to a position processor.

Abstract: A rotary fluid machine suitable for transferring energy between a fluid and a rotor assembly is disclosed. The rotor assembly contains a shaft carrying one or more impellers which are located between axially spaced radial bearings in a beam-type arrangement. The rotary fluid machine is of the beam type--i.e. it has one end of the shaft extending beyond one end wall of the housing and one end of the shaft terminating within the housing. Two passages are formed in the housing to allow fluid to flow in and out of the machine. One passage is formed in the housing parallel to and coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotor assembly. Fluid moving between the passage parallel to and coaxial with the rotational axis does not have to be redirected thus reducing fluid turbulence and improving machine efficiency.

Abstract: A handling apparatus pulls a group of lightweight cargo carrying sleeves out of a container in which they have been transported onto a storage bed. The collapsed sleeves are individually supported in an upright orientation on the bed by fingers which can be selectively withdrawn from a sleeve when it is to be removed. An overhead crane has a carriage that translates across the sleeves on the storage bed and a sleeve loading and unloading apparatus that is positioned beside the bed. The carriage can also be raised and lowered. The carriage carries hooks which engage the sidewalls of the sleeves and can be moved toward and away from one another. After the hooks engage the sidewalls of a sleeve the carriage is raised to lift the sleeve out of the group. The carriage is then moved above the loading apparatus and the hooks are moved apart from one another to expand the sleeve. Finally, the carriage is lowered to place the expanded sleeve on the loading apparatus and the hooks are disengaged from its sidewalls.

Abstract: A method of correcting quadrature signal errors comprises the steps for generating an error function signal E by summing the squares of the quadrature signals and subtracting a constant K therefrom, saving the value of the error function E at .theta. equals approximately 0, .pi./2, .pi., and 3.pi./2, using the saved values of the error function to generate signals indicative of the quadrature errors, and generating corrected quadrature signals by processing the quadrature signals to eliminate the errors.

Abstract: A sub-miniature circuit breaker particularly suited for use with aircraft simulators is shown which has the same look and feel of circuit breakers used in aircraft. The circuit breaker has a push-pull/actuator and ball latch mechanism and a solenoid operated trip mechanism.

Abstract: A gas compressor, particularly of the kind for boosting pressure in gas transmission and petro chemical process, has an impeller mounted on an impeller shaft of the overhung type mounted on front and rear bearings and having at least one impeller mounted between the front bearing and a front end of the shaft. Annular seals are provided co-axial with the shaft which separate an inner space communicating with the shaft front end from the suction end gas space which lies outside the seals. The seals include an outer seal and an inner dry gas seal. Pressurized process gas is supplied between these seals at a pressure higher than suction pressure and is vented from the inner gas space at a pressure well below suction pressure to limit gas pressure forces on the front end of the shaft.

Abstract: A gas compressor, particularly of the kind for boosting pressure in gas transmission lines, has an impeller mounted on a shaft located between two bearings with the gas space surrounding the impeller being separated from the bearings by dry gas seals, including a least primary dry gas seals. The primary dry gas seal adjacent the discharge end of the compressor is of larger diameter than the corresponding seal at the inlet end of the compressor so that pressurized gas acting on the respective rotary parts of the dry gas seals urges the shaft towards the discharge end of the compressor and thus counteracts dynamic forces on the impeller.

Abstract: A watertight, buoyant container for carrying on the person. An integral body cooperates with a reversible cap adapted to be received by the body to effect watertight closure of a compartment in either of two orientations. A clip is provided extending outwardly from one end of the cap, disposed so that in the first orientation the clip is received in the compartment and, in the second orientation, the clip is operatively exposed for securing the container to an extrinsic object. A tapered compartment configuration to facilitate receiving the clip in the compartment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A refuse compactor having a packing blade hinged under the cover of a container and movable through an automatic refuse packing cycle involving initial downward extension of the blade through a packing stroke by atmospheric pressure and gravity, to effectively compact refuse within the container, and final upward return of the blade by air pressure to a normal retracted position against the underside of the cover each time the cover is locked in closed position. The compactor embodies a safety feature whereby the packing blade is securely latched in the retracted position and positively inactivated against extension through its packing stroke except when the compactor cover is locked in closed position.

Abstract: A refuse compactor having a container with a refuse compression space on one side of a pressure plate which is movable by atmospheric pressure, upon evacuation of the refuse space, in one direction through a compression stroke to compress refuse in the space. The pressure plate is movable in the opposite direction through a return stroke by either pressurizing of the refuse space or evacuation of a space, which may be a second refuse compression space, at the opposite side of the plate. The refuse compactor is adapted to be emptied by a conventional trash collection vehicle equipped with a trash bin elevating and inverting mechanism, e.g., a fork lift. The plate includes a wiper for prolonging the life of the pressure plate seal and the compactor includes a novel vacuum pump and valve system for operating the pressure plate.

Abstract: A target game comprising a rollable sheet member having a surface and at least one edge adapted to be removably supportive from a support means is disclosed. The target game further includes indicia means on the surface of the sheet member, having target aperture means therein associated with the indicia means. The target aperture means are adapted to accommodate a target displayed in the context of the indicia means.

Abstract: The cover of a refuse container, adapted to be sealed upon the container, is internally provided with a bellows having a pressure plate to bear against the material being compacted as the plate moves downwardly in the container in response to expansion of the bellows. The plate assembly and container define a collapsible chamber from which air is evacuated by a power means to reduce the internal pressure while air at atmospheric pressure expands the inside of the bellows. Automatic means to vent the evacuated collapsible chamber to atmosphere is provided in a control system that includes the power means to evacuate air. The container may be independent of the other elements of the invention and may be supported for translatory movement in and out of operative connection to the power means and cover whereby a plurality of containers may be employed with a single power system.