Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for operating a railway network comprising a first railway vehicle (400) during a trip along track segments (401/412/420).

Abstract: A configurable diesel powered system is provided for controlling engine emissions of a diesel-fueled power generating unit. The diesel-fueled power generating unit includes an engine operating on at least one fuel type. The system includes a plurality of operational input devices coupled with a processor to generate operational input signals to the processor. A plurality of end use devices include fuel tanks for each respective fuel type and are controlled by the processor to control the engine emissions. A configuration input device in communication with the processor generates a respective configuration signal for each particular location along the predetermined course comprising a mission.

Abstract: A method for authenticating appliance messages sent between an appliance and an appliance communication center over an appliance communications network includes maintaining a shared message counter at both the appliance communication center. A shared message counter at both the appliance communication center and the remotely located appliance. An authentication algorithm is applied to the appliance message and the shared message counter to generate an authentication word. The appliance message is then transmitted to the appliance or the communication center along with the authentication word. Upon receiving the appliance message, the appliance or the communication center will apply an authentication algorithm to the appliance message and the shared counter to generate an authentication word. The generated authentication word may be compared to the word received with the appliance message to determine authenticity of the message.

Abstract: A low cost frequency shift keying communications system for communication between utility meters within a local area network and for communication with a central database. Transmitters coupled to the utility meters transmit utility meter data measurements over power lines to at least one power line receiver associated with another utility meter within the local area network. The power line receiver communicates the data measurements from each utility meter to the central database via telephone or radio frequency transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between an appliance and a power line carrier communication system includes at least one power line carrier connection, at least one appliance connection, and processing circuitry for translating between an appliance communication protocol and a power line carrier communication protocol. The method and apparatus allow bidirectional communication between power line carrier and apparatus.

Abstract: A system for use with a locomotive or an off-highway vehicle (OHV) processor controlling an auxiliary device. A driver selectively energizes the auxiliary device. A driver switch for selectively activates the driver. A driver controller area network (CAN) microcontroller controls the driver switch. A panel switch selectively supplies power to the driver CAN microcontroller and the driver switch. A power distribution system connects the driver CAN microcontroller and the driver switch to the panel switch. A panel CAN microcontroller responsive to the processor controls the panel switch.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a railroad train having a locomotive consist comprising one or more railroad locomotives to improve locomotive consist fuel efficiency, the method including calculating on-board the locomotive consist a load of the train being moved by the locomotive consist based on measuring the movement of the train in response to locomotive consist power settings, determining on-board the locomotive consist a current location of the train, identifying on-board the locomotive consist a change in condition of the track prior to the train reaching the change in track condition, and adjusting on-board the locomotive consist the locomotive consist power setting to optimize locomotive consist fuel consumption based on the calculated load of the train as the train is proximate to the change in track condition.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains instruments for use in nuclear spin tomography comprising a metal alloy comprising aluminum, vanadium, and titanium. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to cardiovascular stents which can exhibit a low incidence of artifacts and are viewable in a nuclear spin tomography unit. The subject invention also pertains to a method for processing instruments for use in nuclear spin tomography. Spin processing can comprise application of a wet chemical etching solution. In a specific embodiment, the wet chemical etching solution can comprise three parts hydrochloric acid and two parts saltpeter acid.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product are provided for reporting and processing information relating to railroad assets to user entities that form part of a railroad transportation network. The entities may comprise a plurality of entity groups performing distinct functions relative to the railroad assets, such as forming, operating, maintaining and/or servicing the assets of the railroad transportation network.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a train (T) for passage of the train through a tunnel. The train has a plurality of locomotives (L1-Ln) pulling the train. The position of the lead locomotive relative to the tunnel entrance is determined, as is the amount of time before the train enters the tunnel. Each locomotive is separately configured for passage through the tunnel as a function of performance characteristics of the locomotive and the locomotive's current operating status, as the train approaches the tunnel. Once the train enters the tunnel, the performance characteristics of each locomotive are continually monitored. The performance requirements for one or more of the locomotives are then dynamically changed as a function of conditions within the tunnel and the current performance characteristics of each locomotive. This is done to maintain a sufficient combined performance capability from the locomotives to move the train through the tunnel.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for targeted delivery of thermotherapy. These devices are useful in the treatment of diseased tissue in conjunction with magnetic compositions. Further disclosed are methods for treating diseased tissue, which involve the administration of a thermotherapeutic magnetic composition to a patient or a portion of a patient, and the application of an alternating magnetic field to inductively heat the thermotherapeutic magnetic composition. The devices and the methods disclosed herein are useful for the treatment of a variety of indications, such as cancer, diseases of the immune system, pathogen-borne diseases, hormone-related diseases, non-cancerous diseased cells or tissue, and undesirable matter, such as toxins and reaction-by-products associated with organ transplants.

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 is responsive to an emission profile associated with the locomotive location. A value of a locomotive emission parameter corresponding to the emission profile is monitored and saved in a storage device (e.g., 104).

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a device for inserting medical instruments into the human body. In a specific embodiment, the subject device can be made from a material which is invisible under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The subject device can incorporate three or more MRI compatible marks. The imaging of these three or more markers can allow the determination of the orientation of the device. A virtual image of the device can then be shown in an MRI image.

Abstract: A new method and design for a percutaneous biopsy system that cuts only the tissue lesion specimen and that does not penetrate through or beyond the targeted tissue into intact tissue. The proposed mechanism operates only in the targeted lesion space and leaves healthy or unsuspicious tissue intact. The proposed biopsy mechanism will cut the specimen in front of the tip of the guiding needle. The device may be image guided by ultrasound, any x-ray based modality or magnetic resonance (MRI).

Abstract: A system (400) and method of determining fuel demands of a locomotive engine (10) based upon engine speed and power produced by the engine at a given time, so to optimize the engine's power output for a load while reducing engine emissions. The engine control architecture comprises three interrelated control loops (100–300). A primary feedback control loop (100) employs integral type control with gain scheduling to regulate engine speed to commanded slew rated based upon the locomotive's operator commands. A second control loop (200) provides an active, feed forward or predictive control consisting of a plurality of correction functions each utilizing a Taylor series having coefficients for each term in the series, the coefficients being modified to adapt the system to the engine with which it is used.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a device for inserting medical instruments into the human body. In a specific embodiment, the subject device can be made from a material which is invisible under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The subject device can incorporate three or more MRI compatible marks. The imaging of these three or more markers can allow the determination of the orientation of the device. A virtual image of the device can then be shown in an MRI image.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting flashback occurrences in a premixed combustor system having at least one fuel nozzle includes at least one photodetector and at least one fiber optic element coupled between the at least one photodetector and a test region of the combustor system wherein a respective flame of the fuel nozzle is not present under normal operating conditions. A signal processor monitors a signal of the photodetector. The fiber optic element can include at least one optical fiber positioned within a protective tube. The fiber optic element can include two fiber optic elements coupled to the test region. The optical fiber and the protective tube can have lengths sufficient to situate the photodetector outside of an engine compartment.

Abstract: A method for controlling the activity of drugs on or in drug-coated or drug-loaded implantable devices, such as stents or other metallic devices, uses non-invasive, inductive heating of such device. The heating of a device, such as stent, can be used to release drugs applied to the stent in release layers, to activate drugs on the stent that have little or no activity at body temperature and to enhance for defined periods the reaction environment at the stent for drug-adjacent tissue interactions. Reverse effects of deactivation of drugs upon heating are also possible.

Abstract: Electronic devices coupled together via a communications network having date and time functions which are synchronized using an arbitration scheme so that any device in the network may have its date and time set after the clock on any respective electronic device has been set.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for renting or purchasing and viewing moving digital images, such as movies, entertainment or sporting events, via a wireless telephony device, such as a mobile phone, a personal communication system, Blackberry® or a Bluetooth® device. Also disclosed are methods for renting or purchasing and viewing moving digital images, and for making payments for said rentals or purchases.