Abstract: A system is provided for controlling at least one fuel delivery characteristic during a combustion event within an engine. The system includes an accumulator having a variable volume, where the accumulator is configured to hold fuel at a variable pressure based on the variable volume. The system further includes a combustion chamber coupled to the accumulator. The variable volume is varied during the combustion event such that at least one fuel delivery characteristic of the fuel delivered from the accumulator into the combustion chamber is varied during the combustion event. A method and computer readable media are also provided for controlling at least one fuel delivery characteristic during a combustion event within an engine.

Abstract: A system for reducing wheel sliding on a locomotive is provided for a locomotive including a plurality of axles. The system includes one or more speed inferring systems coupled to each axle to detect rotation of each axle and generate detection signals based upon detecting rotation of each axle. The detection signals include one of speed signals indicative of locomotive speed and non-rotating signals indicative of a non-rotating axle. More particularly, a main controller is coupled to each speed inferring system and is responsive to each detection signal. The main controller identifies non-rotating signals of the detection signals to initiate one or more alert signals of one or more respective non-rotating axles of the plurality of axles. Additionally, the main controller is coupled to an operator panel to alert a locomotive operator of an applied status of a locomotive parking brake in response to the alert signal.

Abstract: A system for providing architecture for controlling a powered system having at least one power generating unit so that information provided to a user is not halted when a change in information to at least one of a subsystem and a system occurs, the system including a first control device configured for controlling the powered system, a second control device configured for controlling the power generating unit, and a communication system configured to provide information to the first control device independent of the second control device and the second control device independent of the first control device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical device, system and methods for restoring spinal disc function. The invention provides a curved path trough the vertebra into the disc through which the disc can be filled with an augmenting substance, balloon, or pallets. Further can the delivery device be used to access the disc with surgical instrumentation. The invention furthermore discloses a responsive disc augmentation system.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one powered system having at least one power generating unit that may be a part of at least one of a fleet and a network of powered systems, the method including evaluating an operating characteristic of the at least one power generating unit, comparing the operating characteristic to a desired value related to a mission objective, and autonomously adjusting the operating characteristic in order to satisfy a mission objective. A computer software code is also disclosed for operating at least one powered system having at least one power generating unit that may be a part of at least one of a fleet and a network of powered systems.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for placing a minimally-invasive access with respect to a patient's bone or other non-soft tissue. The subject invention can use a drilling machine incorporating an ultrasound motor. The subject drilling machine can be applied to sample, for example, bone biopsies under MRI control. In a specific embodiment, the subject ultrasound motor can be completely manufactured of non-magnetic materials, such as plastics, titanium, and titanium alloy, or ceramics and piezoceramics. The subject drilling apparatus can be placed into an MRI near field without influencing the image quality, and without the drilling apparatus itself being disturbed by the MRI magnet, gradient, or high-frequency field. The subject invention can incorporate good shielding with the subject drilling apparatus use of these materials, and can achieve minimal, if any, image distortions or so-called artifacts.

Abstract: A method for operating a train having at least one locomotive vehicle, the method including controlling operation of the train via a first crew member located on-board the locomotive unit, providing information that may be required for operation of the train to a second crew member located remote from the first crew member, and using the information to enable the second crew member to assist the first crew member in the controlling of the train.

Abstract: A method for operating a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the method including evaluating an operating characteristic of the diesel powered system, comparing the operating characteristic to a desired value to satisfy a mission objective, and adjusting the operating characteristic to correspond to the desired value with a closed-loop control system that operates on a feedback principle to satisfy a mission objective. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for operating a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit.

Abstract: A method of scheduling the movement of trains using the creation and the pre-allocation of virtual resources in order to develop an optimized schedule of actual train movement.

Abstract: A method for minimizing emission output from a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the method including determining at least one power level required from the diesel powered system in order to accomplish a specified mission, determining an emission output based on the power level required, and using at least one other power level that results in a lower emission output wherein the overall resulting power is proximate the power required.

Abstract: A method of scheduling the movement of trains as a function of the predicted crew behavior and predicted rail conditions.

Abstract: A reconfigurable appliance control system includes a dedicated appliance control (DAC) for controlling operation of an appliance. The system further includes an appliance communication control (ACC) for communicating with at least one appliance. The system includes an appliance communication connection for interfacing the ACC to the appliance. The system also includes an external host control (EHC) for communicating with a remote system. The system further includes a host communication connection for interfacing the external host control with the ACC.

Abstract: In a railway network a method for linking at least one of train parameters, fuel efficiency emission efficiency, and load with network knowledge so that adjustments for network efficiency may be made as time progresses while a train is performing a mission. The method includes dividing the train mission into multiple sections with common intersection points, and calculating train operating parameters based on other trains in a railway network to determine optimized parameters over a certain section. The method further includes comparing optimized parameters to current operating parameters, and altering current operating parameters of the train to coincide with optimized parameters for at least one of the current track section and a pending track section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoforming machine including: a frame; a first plate and a second plate for receiving form sections, wherein at least one of the plates is adjustable relative to the frame; drive means for adjusting the plates relative to each other; and a pulling mechanism for pulling the second plate in the direction of the first plate, wherein the pulling mechanism includes at least one pulling device mounted to one of the plates, the pulling device including a pulling rod, which can be clamped by a friction locked coupling with an associated clamping device, mounted at the other one of the plates, when adjusting the first and second plates relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of scheduling network resources in a first domain by transforming the problem to a second domain, solving the problem and transforming back to the first domain.

Abstract: A locomotive (10) is operable in two or more distinct configurations, with the change in configuration being response to a configuration input signal (35). A locomotive configuration is represented by the set of end use device control signals (13) that are generated by the locomotive control systems (22) in response to the respective set of operational input values (27). For a given set of operational input values, a first set of end use device control signals is generated when a configuration input has a first value, and a second set of end use device control signals is generated when a configuration input has a second value. The configuration input variable may be responsive to the locomotive location, a wayside device signal, an operator action or the health of the locomotive, for example. Locomotive configuration changes may include peak horsepower rating, number of engine cylinders fueled, number of throttle notch settings, adhesion limits, mission priorities or emission profile, for example.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the movement of plural trains using a front end cost function that evaluates the costs of each railcar in the consist of a train.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a system for operating a railway vehicle (8) comprising a lead powered unit (14/15) and a non-lead powered unit (16/17/18) during a trip along a track The system comprises a first element (65) for determining a location of the vehicle or a time from the beginning of a current trip, aa processor (62) operable to receive information from the first element (65) and an algorithm embodied within the processor (62) having access to the information to create a trip plan that optimizes performance of one or both of the lead unit (14/15) and the non-lead unit (16/17/18) in accordance with one or more operational criteria for one or more of the vehicle (8), the lead unit (14/15) and the non-lead unit (16/17/18).

Abstract: A control system for operating a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the system including a mission optimizer that determines at least one setting be used by the diesel-fueled power generating unit, a converter that receives at least one of information that is to be used by the diesel-fueled power generating unit and converts the information to an acceptable signal a sensor to collect at least one operational data from the diesel powered system that is communicated to the mission optimizer, and a communication system that provides for a closed control loop between the mission optimizer, converter, and sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining the configuration of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the method including a step for determining a minimum power required from the diesel powered system in order to accomplish a specified mission, and a step for determining an operating condition of the diesel-fueled power generating unit such that the minimum power requirement is satisfied while yielding at least one of lower fuel consumption and lower emissions for the diesel powered system.