Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, systems, methods, computer readable storage media and other means for performing overhead service of machines. A staging assembly may be used that includes one or more platforms, each having a bottom surface, a floor, and two or more railing support structures. The staging assembly can be suspended, using a suspension system, from one or more support structures disposed on a ceiling. One or more driving means can also be used to drive the staging assembly or other equipment (such as a hoist assembly) along a path that may be defined by a support structure. The driving means can also be automated and/or activated in response to, for example, one or more commands generated by a central control processor. The central control processor, staging assemblies and/or other equipment can all include computer readable media which comprises instructions to perform various tasks, some examples of which are discussed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a magnetized element for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a magnetized element on the arm and an electromagnet on a vehicle bumper, the magnetized element and electromagnet disposed so as to engage the arm in a retracted position. When the reciprocating arm is moved to an extended position, current is passed through the electromagnet to repel the magnetized element, thereby allowing the arm to move to the extended position by a motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a magnetized element for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a magnetized element on the arm and an electromagnet on a vehicle bumper, the magnetized element and electromagnet disposed so as to engage the arm in a retracted position. When the reciprocating arm is moved to an extended position, current is passed through the electromagnet to repel the magnetized element, thereby allowing the arm to move to the extended position by a motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a lock for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a rotor provided with retaining fingers for engaging the reciprocating, rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. When the reciprocating arm is retracted the rotor rotates to the locked position, and drive circuitry deactivates the device in response to stalling of the rotor drive motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a reciprocating arm vehicular safety device with a lock for preventing inadvertent deployment of the reciprocating arm. The apparatus has a rotor provided with retaining fingers for engaging the reciprocating, rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. When the reciprocating arm is retracted the rotor rotates to the locked position, and drive circuitry deactivates the device in response to stalling of the rotor drive motor.

Abstract: A warning system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus which prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for passengers when shutting down the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment the system is activated when the vehicle safety flasher system is activated. Following activation an alarm sounds when the vehicle electrical system is deactivated by shutting off the engine unless the bus driver activates an alarm delay switch and within a preset time interval activates a disarming switch located near the back of the passenger compartment. Thus, in order to deactivate the warning system of the invention the bus driver must walk through the passenger area of the vehicle at least twice, inspecting the passenger area of the vehicle in the process. The time taken to inspect the vehicle serves as a cool-down period for the vehicle engine, which is desirable in the case of turbo charged vehicle engines.

Abstract: A molded ridge tolerance compensator for use in a disc drive shipping apparatus comprising opposing first and second molded anti-static holding members having a plurality of receptacles recessed in a first face of each member, each of the receptacles including molded ridges for receiving, fixably maintaining and protecting a plurality of disc drives in a container. The first and second molded anti-static holding members each having four sides with a centrally located T-shaped cushion pad having smooth first facing sides extending from each side for conforming to the interior of a container for shipment. The union of each side is formed by a pair of inverted L-shaped cushion pads joined at the top and whose junction is chamfered for ease of insertion and removal from a container.

Abstract: A window shade assembly is provided that includes a pair of independently movable shades, which are located in a front-to-back relationship. The front shade is made of a substantially translucent or light passing material while the back shade is made of a substantially opaque or light blocking material. The user of the window shade assembly is able to adjust one or both of the front and back shades to control where outside light is able to pass through the assembly including the amount of outside light that passes through the front shade or passes directly into the room without passing through the front shade.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of providing TV surveillance without the need for cumbersome pan and tilt mechanisms. The method involves underscanning a conventional TV camera and dynamically moving the resultant reduced size raster over the photo conductive surface. Movement of the raster over the photo conductive surface emulates the vertical and horizontal movement provided by the pan and tilt mechanism.

Abstract: In an optical guidance system, body fixed electronic image stabilization of television imaging is used to allow strapdown seeker guidance in a missile. Electronic image stabilization eliminates the need for a stabilized sensor or seeker platform while providing the same line-of-sight information that would have been obtained from the platform. Body fixed electronic image stabilization compensates for routine vibrational and rotational motion experienced by a missile airframe during flight. This compensation is accomplished by deliberately underscanning the camera and driving the camera's deflection coils with signals from pitch and yaw body rate sensors on the missile. The image developed on the camera detector raster is thereby moved in an equal and opposite direction to the sensed, experienced, motion during the same instant that the motion is occuring. Compensation thus stabilizes the resultant image, which would otherwise be a blur of motion on the display screen.

Abstract: A multi-fuel system which will operate the usual factory-manufactured gasoline powered internal combustion engine efficiently on any one of a number of different fuels without modifying or changing the engine. The system involves a non-venturi type of carburetor having a metered inlet and means for controlling the pressure of each fuel delivered to the inlet in accordance with the stoichiometric ratio of that fuel which assures that the proper fuel/air ratio is delivered to the mixing chamber of the carburetor without requiring any change in either the carburetor or engine when a different fuel is used. Additionally, the fuel delivered to the fuel inlet is then directed into the fuel/air mixing chamber without subjecting the fuel to the suction in the intake manifold of the engine.

Abstract: A method of controlling a process off-gas system by generating a model of the input to the system as a function of the gas generating inputs to the process vessel served by the off-gas system and feeding forward this flow representation as the set point for a feedback flow control loop for the downstream off-gas system fans. The feed forward signal is trimmed by a process off-gas pressure feedback loop which when applied to a TBRC off-gas system assures a minimum flow of leakage air to prevent puffing. The flow control feedback loop employs a mass spectrometer to provide on line computation of the true off-gas flow at the fans. Since the input model can be generated as a simple linear function of the SCFM of the gas generating inputs to the process, the flow control loop is operated on the same basis although it can also be operated on the basis of mass flow.

Abstract: Two series connected fans driving a variable throat venturi are controlled by a single flow control feedback loop yet are decoupled by modifying the common flow control signal by separate but complementary piecewise linear characterizations of the flow characteristics of each fan. Both fans are protected from surging and overcurrent by their own differential pressure and current limiting control loops respectively which automatically assume control when conditions warrant. The venturi is controlled by its own differential pressure control loop which is operated to generate the maximum differential pressure allowed by the flow rate without surging the fans.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the prevention of injury to the operator of a chain saw, which saw includes on-off actuating means, a housing, an engine within said housing, a guide bar, connected to the housing, a cutting chain carried by said bar, said engine having a drive shaft operably connected thereto, and to a centrifugal clutch, a flywheel, gear means meshed in driving engagement with said cutting chain and said flywheel, said clutch engageable with said flywheel for driving said cutting chain, a brake system for slowing the speed of the flywheel to a stop during operation of the saw, and a secondary brake to prevent the re-engagement of the clutch with the flywheel while the on-off actuating switch is on. The brake becoms operative as a result of an electromechanical sensing of a kickback condition, as does the secondary brake.

Abstract: A window shade assembly is provided that includes a pair of independently movable shades, which are located in a front-to-back relationship. The front shade is made of a substantially translucent or light passing material while the back shade is made of a substantially opaque or light blocking material. The user of the window shade assembly is able to adjust one or both of the front and back shades to control where outside light is able to pass through the assembly including the amount of outside light that passes through the front shade or passes directly into the room without passing through the front shade.