Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure is provided, including an open patient support frame suspended above a floor and a base for supporting and suspending a the frame during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced vertically translatable subassemblies reversibly attachable to the frame by a pair of fail-safe rotatable connector attachment mechanisms to prevent inadvertent uncoupling of a first and second outer end of the frame from the base structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved personal flotation devices and their methods of use. Advantageously, the devices and methods of the invention eliminate the need for a pyrotechnical firing mechanism, and compared to current devices, are less apt to be spontaneously activated by deterioration that is caused by storage in a humid environment or the passage of time. Instead, the devices and methods of use of the present invention incorporate electronic circuitry to activate automatic operation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure is provided, including an open fixed frame suspended above a floor and a pair of spaced opposed radially sliding joints cooperating with the frame, each joint including a virtual pivot point and an arc of motion spaced from the virtual pivot point, the joints being movable along the arc providing a pivot ship mechanism for a pair of pelvic pads attached to the joints. A base for supporting and suspending a patient support structure above the floor, for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced opposed vertical translation subassemblies reversibly attachable to a patient support structure, a cross-bar, and a rotation subassembly having two degrees of rotational freedom; wherein a location of each vertical translation subassembly is substantially constant during operation of the patient support structure.

Abstract: A rotary ditching attachment for an articulated boom of an excavator type machine includes two rotary excavating heads supported in spaced relation on opposite sides of a central support. The heads rotate about a common axis. The rotary ditching attachment is rotatably coupled to the boom by a rotating tool mount. The rotating tool mount is connectable to the central support such that the central support and attached excavating heads are rotatable about an axis extending through the central support and perpendicular to the common axis of the excavator heads. Excavating assemblies are mounted on outwardly facing and inwardly facing surfaces of rotors forming each excavating heads. Rotating the rotary ditching attachment relative to a direction of movement of the rotary ditching tool relative to the ground increases the width of cut of the excavating heads when used to form or rehabilitate a ditch.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure is provided, including an open fixed frame suspended above a floor and a pair of spaced opposed radially sliding joints cooperating with the frame, each joint including a virtual pivot point and an arc of motion spaced from the virtual pivot point, the joints being movable along the arc providing a pivot ship mechanism for a pair of pelvic pads attached to the joints. A base for supporting and suspending a patient support structure above the floor, for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced opposed vertical translation subassemblies reversibly attachable to a patient support structure, a cross-bar, and a rotation subassembly having two degrees of rotational freedom; wherein a location of each vertical translation subassembly is substantially constant during operation of the patient support structure.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure is provided, including an open fixed frame suspended above a floor and a pair of spaced opposed radially sliding joints cooperating with the frame, each joint including a virtual pivot point and an arc of motion spaced from the virtual pivot point, the joints being movable along the arc providing a pivot ship mechanism for a pair of pelvic pads attached to the joints. A base for supporting and suspending a patient support structure above the floor, for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced opposed vertical translation subassemblies reversibly attachable to a patient support structure, a cross-bar, and a rotation subassembly having two degrees of rotational freedom; wherein a location of each vertical translation subassembly is substantially constant during operation of the patient support structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing rail ties are disclosed. A method of distributing rail ties at a side of a track comprises providing a plurality of rail tie distribution cars in a consist. Each of the plurality of rail tie distribution cars has a distribution car controller and a discharge means configured to selectively distribute a rail tie on at least one side of the track. The method comprises generating a rail tie distribution plan identifying a plurality of rail tie drop off locations and selecting, from the plurality of rail tie distribution cars in the consist, one rail tie distribution car to distribute a rail tie at one of the plurality of rail tie drop off locations. The distribution car controller and the discharge means of the selected one of the plurality of rail tie distribution cars distributes the rail tie at the drop off location.

Abstract: A system for distributing rail ties along the side of a track from a rail car and consist of the rail cars is disclosed. Each rail car includes a floor conveyor conveying rail ties to a singulating conveyor assembly which advances rail ties individually to a dealer having an indexing mechanism which selectively releases individual rail ties onto a discharge chute. The discharge chute is oriented so ties dropped on the discharge chute are discharged out a selected side of the rail car. A controller on each rail tie distribution car communicates with a computing resource which implements a plan for selectively discharging ties from cars selected by the computing resource to discharge ties at selected drop off locations.

Abstract: A rail-lifting and ballast-spreading apparatus that may be employed to rehabilitate damaged tracks or aid rough in of new tracks, is described. The apparatus includes a track-lifting unit at a forward end thereof that includes an arm that is pivotable to extend forwardly and over a section of track in need of repair or ballast replenishment. Rail clamps are provided on a distal end of the arm that engage and travel along the rails as the apparatus moves forward. A conveyor provides a stream of ballast across the width of the tracks while the tracks are lifted and as the apparatus moves forward onto the now repaired tracks. A surge bin is provided to increase a rate of distribution of the ballast material by the conveyor over that available from the ballast-delivery consist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved personal flotation devices and their methods of use. Advantageously, the devices and methods of the invention eliminate the need for a pyrotechnical firing mechanism, and compared to current devices, are less apt to be spontaneously activated by deterioration that is caused by storage in a humid environment or the passage of time. Instead, the devices and methods of use of the present invention incorporate electronic circuitry to activate automatic operation.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure is provided, including an open fixed frame suspended above a floor and a pair of spaced opposed radially sliding joints cooperating with the frame, each joint including a virtual pivot point and an arc of motion spaced from the virtual pivot point, the joints being movable along the arc providing a pivot ship mechanism for a pair of pelvic pads attached to the joints. A base for supporting and suspending a patient support structure above the floor, for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced opposed vertical translation subassemblies reversibly attachable to a patient support structure, a cross-bar, and a rotation subassembly having two degrees of rotational freedom; wherein a location of each vertical translation subassembly is substantially constant during operation of the patient support structure.

Abstract: A rail-lifting and ballast-spreading apparatus that may be employed to rehabilitate damaged tracks or aid rough in of new tracks, is described. The apparatus includes a track-lifting unit at a forward end thereof that includes an arm that is pivotable to extend forwardly and over a section of track in need of repair or ballast replenishment. Rail clamps are provided on a distal end of the arm that engage and travel along the rails as the apparatus moves forward. A conveyor provides a stream of ballast across the width of the tracks while the tracks are lifted and as the apparatus moves forward onto the now repaired tracks. A surge bin is provided to increase a rate of distribution of the ballast material by the conveyor over that available from the ballast-delivery consist.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for supporting a patient in a prone position during a surgical procedure is provided, including an open fixed frame suspended above a floor and a pair of spaced opposed radially sliding joints cooperating with the frame, each joint including a virtual pivot point and an arc of motion spaced from the virtual pivot point, the joints being movable along the arc providing a pivot ship mechanism for a pair of pelvic pads attached to the joints. A base for supporting and suspending a patient support structure above the floor, for supporting a patient during a surgical procedure, the base including a pair of spaced opposed vertical translation subassemblies reversibly attachable to a patient support structure, a cross-bar, and a rotation subassembly having two degrees of rotational freedom; wherein a location of each vertical translation subassembly is substantially constant during operation of the patient support structure.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for supporting multiple elongate rails in a rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: As described herein, a system for inspecting a component includes an ultrasonic inspection probe with a component surface interface, and a robotic device with an end effector coupled to the ultrasonic inspection probe. The robotic device is automatably controllable to move the ultrasonic inspection probe across a surface of the component. Additionally, the system includes an angle sensor subsystem coupled between the ultrasonic inspection probe and the end effector. The angle sensor subsystem is configured to operably detect an actual orientation of the end effector relative to a presently inspected portion of the surface of the component. The system includes a controller configured to receive orientation data from the angle sensor subsystem, the orientation data comprising the actual orientation of the end effector, compare the actual orientation to a desired orientation, and control the robotic device to adjust an orientation of the end effector to be in the desired orientation.

Abstract: As described herein, a system for inspecting a component includes an ultrasonic inspection probe with a component surface interface, and a robotic device with an end effector coupled to the ultrasonic inspection probe. The robotic device is automatably controllable to move the ultrasonic inspection probe across a surface of the component. Additionally, the system includes an angle sensor subsystem coupled between the ultrasonic inspection probe and the end effector. The angle sensor subsystem is configured to operably detect an actual orientation of the end effector relative to a presently inspected portion of the surface of the component. The system includes a controller configured to receive orientation data from the angle sensor subsystem, the orientation data comprising the actual orientation of the end effector, compare the actual orientation to a desired orientation, and control the robotic device to adjust an orientation of the end effector to be in the desired orientation.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a workpiece are provided. According to one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of illumination sources positioned proximate to the workpiece and each operable to generate at least one respective illumination beam to illuminate at least a portion of the workpiece, wherein each beam has a different respective color. The system also includes at least one camera positioned proximate to the workpiece and operable to capture at least one image of at least a portion of the workpiece including the illumination beams incident thereon. In addition, the system includes a data system capable of providing simultaneous two-dimensional and three-dimensional information indicative of the workpiece based on the image acquired by the camera.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for supporting multiple elongate rails in a rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A feature of a workpiece can be identified. Two-dimensional data of at least a region of a workpiece and three-dimensional data of a portion of the region of the workpiece are acquired, such as by illuminating at least the region with at least a first light source disposed at a first angle of incidence relative to a plane of the region and illuminating the portion with a second light source, such as at least one laser, disposed at a second angle of incidence greater than the first angle of incidence. An estimated location of an attribute of a feature of the workpiece is determined from the three-dimensional data, and the feature is identified by analyzing the two-dimensional data in an area surrounding the estimated location of the attribute. Attributes of features can include without limitation a point along a line of an edge.

Abstract: A rail unloading vehicle is self-propelled and able to travel either over-the-road on conventional roadway tires or along railway tracks on railway wheels. Threading mechanisms for unloading the rails are arranged to retract so they provide a narrow profile for transport over the road. The threading mechanisms have thread boxes with jaws that open to accommodate easy reception of rails, and close to apply rollers to the rails for unloading operations. A special rail clamp has a pair of oppositely pivoting dogs to allow rail manipulation in opposite directions without slippage. A special saw allows safe on-site cutting of rails.