Abstract: A sample collection system including a container including container walls that enclose a container cavity; a fluid inlet extending through one of the container walls; a fluid outlet extending from outside the container into the container and into the container cavity through the one of the container walls; a sample tray configured to be removably insertable through one of the container walls into the container below the fluid inlet and including a filter portion, the tray being insertable below the fluid inlet to provide a fluid path that flows from the fluid inlet through the filter portion of the sample tray to the fluid outlet during suctioning, wherein a bottom portion of the fluid outlet extends away from the one of the container walls into the container cavity below the filter portion.

Abstract: A fastening for an elastic band comprising an attachment for a first end of the band and a cleat comprising a cleat slot into which a second end of the band can be jammed, and such a fastening in combination with an elastic band, which may constitute a tourniquet.

Abstract: A pipe insulating section includes a generally cylindrical hollow phenolic foam body of substantially uniform cross section with an inner facing web and an outer facing web. The phenolic foam body is slit longitudinally to provide section halves which can be opened to facilitate wrapping around a pipe to insulate the pipe. The section halves are linked by the outer web at one side and facing ends of the section halves at the other end are faced with the inner facing web. The inner web may be of paper and the other web may be of an aluminum foil. An apparatus used in manufacturing the elongate shaped phenolic section includes an outer mold for forming the outer facing into a cylindrical shape and an inner mandrel for forming the inner facing into a cylindrical shape, which is of smaller diameter than that of the cylinder defined by the outer facing. The facings define a hollow core therebetween into which liquid foam reactants are injected through an injector.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes selectively engaging impedance circuits one at a time from a plurality of selectable impedance circuits in-line with a communication channel. Each of the plurality of selectable impedance circuits includes a hybrid circuit responsive to a modem and to the communication channel. The method further includes determining a performance characteristic for each of the impedance circuits and selecting one of the plurality of selectable impedance circuits for transmission based on the respective performance characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method that provides intra-day confirmation of non-anonymous trade transactions made at an exchange includes the entry into a computer system of first data relative to the trade transaction on behalf of one party to the trade transaction, wherein the first data include a code identifying an opposing party to the transaction. A message is sent to the designated opposing party prior to submitting the trade transaction for matching prior to end-of-day clearing. The trade transaction is matched to second data relative to the trade transaction entered into the system based on identity between certain elements of the first data and the second data, and a confirmation is sent to at least one of the parties to the trade transaction.

Abstract: A system and method that provides a message engine to facilitate intra-day receiving of first data relative to the trade transaction on behalf of one party to the trade transaction, wherein the first data include a code identifying an opposing party to the transaction; sending a message to the designated opposing party prior to submitting the trade transaction for matching prior to end-of-day clearing; and monitoring a message queue for a response and sending a message to at least one of the parties based on the response.

Abstract: A pipe insulating section (1) comprises a generally cylindrical hollow phenolic foam body (2) of substantially uniform cross section with an inner facing web (3) and an outer facing web (4). The phenolic foam body (2) is slit longitudinally to provide section halves which can be opened to facilitate wrapping around a pipe to insulate the pipe. The section halves are linked by the outer web (4) at one side and facing ends of the section halves at the other end are faced with the inner facing web (3). The inner web (3) may be of paper and the other web (4) may be of an aluminum foil. An apparatus used in manufacturing the elongate shaped phenolic section comprises an outer mould (10) for forming the outer facing (4) into a cylindrical shape and an inner mandrel (11) for forming the inner facing (3) into a cylindrical shape, which is of smaller diameter than that of the cylinder defined by the outer facing (4).

Abstract: A system and method for determining a phase offset in a system having at least two rotating shafts moving in relation to each other is provided including a scheme, wherein two sets of registers having a first set of registers associated with the first rotating shaft, and the second set of registers associated with the second rotating shaft, providing at least one flag for directing or pointing at a particular register for storing values relating to the consecutive pulses; providing a controller for controlling the flag and the storage of values; determining a register among the set of registers shall store data; and pointing the flag to the register, thereby the information relating to phase shall not be lost or overwritten by using a single set of register for a single type of information.

Abstract: A method that provides increased flexibility to measure dynamic range of a rotating system is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a first rotating member; providing a second rotating member suitably engaged to the first rotating member; providing a set of sensors disposed to sense variations in characteristics along a circumference of the first member and the second member respectively; providing a controller for receiving information sensed by the sensors; determining a rate of rotation of the rotating members; selectively using the sensed information thereby at different rate of rotation different amount of the sensed information is used.

Abstract: A method that provides increased flexibility to measure dynamic range of a rotating system is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a first rotating member; providing a second rotating member suitably engaged to the first rotating member; providing a set of sensors disposed to sense variations in characteristics along a circumference of the first member and the second member respectively; providing a controller for receiving information sensed by the sensors; determining a rate of rotation of the rotating members; selectively using the sensed information thereby at different rate of rotation different amount of the sensed information is used.

Abstract: A real-time control system having a fixed loop time is provided. The system includes an input having frequency ranging both above and below the fixed loop time; and a method for utilizing information provided by a pulse wheel and sensed by a sensor. The method includes the steps of: providing a rotating shaft; providing a pulse wheel rigidly affixed onto the rotating shaft; providing a sensor sensing an information out of the pulse wheel, the sensed information comprising a first information and a second information; and when the rotating rate of the rotating shaft is greater than a predetermined value, averaging at least two pulses wherein one of the at least two pulses being related to the first information and at least one pulse being related to the second information; thereby, the second information is used along with the first information for a more accurate representation of the information.

Abstract: a real-time control system having a fixed loop time is provided. The system includes an input having frequency ranging both above and below the fixed loop time; and a method for utilizing information provided by a pulse wheel and sensed by a sensor. The method includes the steps of: providing a rotating shaft; providing a pulse wheel rigidly affixed onto the rotating shaft; providing a sensor sensing an information out of the pulse wheel, the sensed information comprising a first information and a second information; and when the rotating rate of the rotating shaft is greater than a predetermined value, averaging at least two pulses wherein one of the at least two pulses being related to the first information and at least one pulse being related to the second information; thereby, the second information is used along with the first information for a more accurate representation of the information.

Abstract: In a VCT system having a phaser and pulse wheels on driving and driven shafts respectively in which the pulse wheels have known tooth distribution thereon, a device and method is used for adjusting values of a controller that controls the timing between the driving and driven shaft. Additional subroutines are performed with respect to the driving shaft tooth wheel and the driven shaft tooth wheel respectively. The known tooth distribution includes non-symmetric tooth distribution.

Abstract: An insulated foam board is manufactured by leading a first facing from a reel and laying down liquid foam reactants. A second facing from a supply reel is laid over the reactants forming a sandwich. The foam is expanded in an oven and the board is cut to a desired length. One or both facings are removed and re-wound onto a reel for re-use. A coating in the form of a metallized paint is applied in-line to one or both faces of the foam core, after removal of the facings. The painted boards have enhanced heat insulation properties.

Abstract: An insulated foam board is manufactured by leading a first facing (1) from a reel and laying down liquid foam reactants. A second facing (2) from a supply reel is laid over the reactants forming a sandwich. The foam is expanded in an oven (12) and the board is cut to a desired length. One or both facings (21, 22) are removed and re-wound onto a reel (24, 25) for re-use. A coating in the form of a metallized paint is applied (30, 35) in-line to one or both faces of the foam core (23), after removal of the facings (21, 22). The painted boards have enhanced heat insulation properties.

Abstract: A method for sealing joints, gaps, and surfaces in an electrical busway distribution system comprises selecting a self-leveling sealant, applying the self-leveling sealant directly to joints, gaps, or surfaces of the busway system, and allowing the sealant to cure to form continuous seal between the joints, gaps, and surfaces. After applying the sealant, it subsequently flows into the joints, gaps, and across the surfaces solely under gravitational influence so that the joints, gaps and other surfaces are sufficiently filled by the sealant.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a condition of a hand brake system on a railway car which has both a hand brake system and a service brake system. The change of hand brake system is made in response to one or more of a group of predetermined conditions. The apparatus has one or more sensors for detecting predetermined conditions requiring a change in the hand brake system, and for generating a signal indicating need for a change. The signal is used to trigger an electromechanical device for operating a quick release mechanism for the hand brakes.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.