Abstract: A cut lever apparatus that automatically actuates a lock lift assembly to either lock or unlock a coupler knuckle of a freight car coupler. The apparatus includes a cylinder member having a piston disposed therein. A bracket member is attachable to the freight car coupler to support the cylinder. A linkage member is connected to the piston of the cylinder and the lock lift assembly to convert a lateral motion of the piston to a curvilinear motion of the lock lift assembly to either lock or unlock the coupler knuckle. A valve member is connected to the cylinder for communicating a pressurized fluid to the cylinder when a predetermined signal is sent to the valve and preventing pressurized fluid from entering the cylinder in an absence of the predetermined signal. Pressurized fluid in the cylinder is vented to atmosphere when the valve shuts off supply of pressurized fluid thereto.

Abstract: A method of determining an encryption key used by two or more parties for encrypted communications in a manner that prohibits any of the parties from forcing the final value of the encryption key. The encryption key is determined based on numbers exchanged by the parties using a key generation function, such as the Diffie-Hellman algorithm. To prevent any party from forcing the final value of the encryption key to a desired value, a first party divides its number into a plurality of parts, which are transmitted incrementally to the another. After transmitting a first part, the first party waits for receipt of at least a part of a second exchanged number from another party before the first party transmits the remaining parts of its exchanged number.