Abstract: A thruster includes a current loop, a magnetic circuit within the current loop, a channel, a propellant reservoir and an ejection outlet. The channel forms an ejection path from an output of the propellant reservoir to the ejection outlet. The current loop is driven by a tuned current density based on at least a selected propellant. The selected propellant is ejected down the channel due to an applied electric field.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and/or a method of location and event capture circuitry to facilitate remote vehicle location predictive modeling when global positioning is unavailable. In one embodiment, a predictive circuit of a vehicle includes event detection circuitry to initiate a timer circuit of the vehicle when a wheel of the vehicle is in a stationary state beyond threshold amount of time during an event; an event categorization circuitry to monitor a telemetry data of the vehicle to assign a category to the event; a data communication circuitry to communicate the event, the category, and/or a set of other events and categories to a predictive recommendation server on a periodic basis; and a repossession detection circuitry to determine that the vehicle is pending repossession based on the event, the category, the set of other events and categories, and/or a message communicated from the predictive recommendation server to the predictive circuit.

Abstract: A spreading device for a pneumatic application of brake sand on rail-mounted vehicles, comprising an air source and a sand container as storage container for the brake sand or the spreading material, an outlet at the lower end of the sand container, a connecting pipe to a mixing container provided for air-charged swirling of the spreading material to form a sand stairway and a dispensing device disposed on the mixing container for the specific dispensing of the spreading material onto the rails in front of the wheels.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and/or a method of location and event capture circuitry to facilitate remote vehicle location predictive modeling when global positioning is unavailable. In one embodiment, a predictive circuit of a vehicle includes event detection circuitry to initiate a timer circuit of the vehicle when a wheel of the vehicle is in a stationary state beyond threshold amount of time during an event; an event categorization circuitry to monitor a telemetry data of the vehicle to assign a category to the event; a data communication circuitry to communicate the event, the category, and/or a set of other events and categories to a predictive recommendation server on a periodic basis; and a repossession detection circuitry to determine that the vehicle is pending repossession based on the event, the category, the set of other events and categories, and/or a message communicated from the predictive recommendation server to the predictive circuit.

Abstract: A spreading device for a pneumatic application of brake sand on rail-mounted vehicles, comprising an air source and a sand container as storage container for the brake sand or the spreading material, an outlet at the lower end of the sand container, a connecting pipe to a mixing container provided for air-charged swirling of the spreading material to form a sand stairway and a dispensing device disposed on the mixing container for the specific dispensing of the spreading material onto the rails in front of the wheels.

Abstract: The invention is a method for making a fungal-resistant sheet of paper or paperboard for use in building materials. The method comprises adding a hydrophobic fungicide with a solubility in water of less that 0.3 g/L at 25° C. to a paper slurry during manufacture of the paper or paperboard, and processing the paper slurry in a paper machine to create a sheet. Addition of a second process additive, especially a cationic fixative, synergistically improves the efficacy of the hydrophobic fungicide. A preferred fungicide is diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone.

Abstract: A framework facilitating the implementation of access of data from disparate databases accessible by corresponding user applications. The framework includes pre-specified procedures (contained in corresponding interfaces) which may be easily implemented on a user application to enable access of other databases accessible through other applications, as well as providing other applications access to the databases accessible from the user application. According to another aspect of the present invention, a user may specify an operation associated with the displayed data, and the operation is executed on the displayed data.

Abstract: Interactive instructions in sequential control modules in controllers supports the integration of manual operations with automated process actions in the sequential control module function block, which executes in various controller platforms. Also supported is a table view operator display for effective interaction with the manual instructions. Manual interactions and changes are journaled so that a record of all actions is recorded.

Abstract: A method for extracting a connector secured in a rail comprising a body member having a chamber for receiving the body of the connector to be extracted and an actuator coupled to the body member and including a bolt which is externally operated for applying force to a shoulder portion of the connector and counter bearing force to the rail to axially extract the connector from the rail.

Abstract: An extractor device for extracting a connector secured in a rail comprising a body member having a chamber for receiving the body of the connector to be extracted and an actuator coupled to the body member and including a bolt which is externally operated for applying force to a shoulder portion of the connector and counter bearing force to the rail to axially extract the connector from the rail.