me Printer credit management By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jul 2015 08:00:00 EDT A printer credit management method is disclosed, the method includes receiving a code at a printer. From the code, a printer identifier and a credit value are discerned. It is determined if the printer identifier corresponds to a unique identifier assigned to the printer. Only upon a positive determination, a credit balance maintained by the printer is updated to include the credit value. Full Article
me Negotiable instruments with intelligent microprint By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT A negotiable instrument such as a check includes a unique microprint identifier that allows for authentication while preventing unauthorized reproduction and alternation. A printing system generates the identifier after receiving a customer order for printing a plurality of negotiable instruments, to allow inclusion of information that is specific to the customer order and/or the printing process. In various embodiments, the identifier is unique to each or each subset of the plurality of negotiable instruments and facilitates authentication of each of the negotiable instruments when needed. Full Article
me Electronic transaction verification system with biometric authentication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic transaction verification system for use with transaction tokens such as checks, credit cards, debit cards, and smart cards that gathers and transmits information about the transaction token and biometric data. Customers can be enrolled in the system by receiving customer information that includes at least a biometric datum, associating the received customer information with a transaction instrument issued to the customers and storing the received customer information and the issued transaction instrument information in a database for future reference. Full Article
me Method for operating a brushless electric motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for operating a brushless electric motor, the windings being energized by an inverter with the aid of six switches. A detection unit for detecting defective switches, a unit for measuring voltage at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling the switch and for generating a pulse width modulated voltage supply for the windings are provided. A short-circuited switch causes a torque in the electric motor opposite the actuating direction of the electric motor. The method proposes that after detecting a short-circuited switch, the windings (U. V. W) are energized to generate a motor torque that is, on the whole, positive. An actuating period of the electric motor is divided into a plurality of sectors, wherein, in accordance with the defective switch, individual sectors are deactivated for the actuation of the windings (U, V, W), while other sectors are used to actuate the windings (V, W). Full Article
me Methods of testing a connection between speakers and a power amplifier and devices therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides methods and devices for testing a connection between speakers and a power amplifier. The disclosed methods and devices solve a problem that, upon a connection test for a power amplifier which has a booster power source, when a midpoint potential of the power amplifier and the voltage of the speaker connection terminal are compared, and it is determined that short-circuiting occurs on a ground side when the potential of the speaker connection terminal is lower than the midpoint potential, a wrong test is conducted if a midpoint potential is higher than a battery voltage. Full Article
me Sequential state elements for triple-mode redundant state machines, related methods, and systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The disclosure relates generally to sequential state elements (SSEs), triple-mode redundant state machines (TMRSMs), and methods and systems for testing triple-mode redundant pipeline stages (TMRPSs) within the TMRSMs using triple-mode redundant SSEs (TMRSSEs). The SSEs, TMRSMs, TMRPSs, and TMRSSEs may be formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate. Of particular focus in this disclosure are SSEs used to sample and hold bit states. Embodiments of the SSEs have a self-correcting mechanism to protect against radiation-induced soft errors. The SSE may be provided in a pipeline circuit of a TMRSM to receive and store a bit state of a bit signal generated by combinational circuits within the pipeline circuit. More specifically, the SSEs may be provided in a TMRSSE configured to perform self-correction. Also disclosed are methods for using the TMRSSE to test redundant pipeline stages of the TMRSM. Full Article
me Control device and method for actuating a semiconductor switch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control device for influencing a flow of energy in a load circuit between an electrical voltage source and an electrical load, having a semiconductor switch including a conductive section which is formed between an input connection and an output connection, can be looped into the load circuit, and has an electrical resistance adjustable by means of an electrical potential which can be applied to a control connection associated with the semiconductor switch, and having a control circuit which is coupled to the control connection and includes a freewheeling means connected in parallel to the load. The control circuit is designed to supply a control current at the control connection which is proportional to a voltage via the freewheeling means. Full Article
me Method of forming electronic components with reactive filters By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic component comprising a half bridge adapted for operation with an electrical load having an operating frequency is described. The half bridge comprises a first switch and a second switch each having a switching frequency, the first switch and the second switch each including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first switch and the second terminal of the second switch are both electrically connected to a node. The electronic component further includes a filter having a 3 dB roll-off frequency, the 3 dB roll-off frequency being less than the switching frequency of the switches but greater than the operating frequency of the electrical load. The first terminal of the filter is electrically coupled to the node, and the 3 dB roll-off frequency of the filter is greater than 5 kHz. Full Article
me Output buffer and signal processing method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An output buffer comprises a series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor, wherein the first field effect transistor is connected to a first supply potential terminal and the second field effect transistor is connected to a second supply potential terminal. An output terminal is connected to a common connection of the first transistor and the second transistor. The output buffer has a series connection of a resistive element and a capacitive element, wherein the capacitive element is connected to the output terminal, and a control circuit, to which an input signal is provided. The control circuit controls the transistors in such a way that turning off of a transistor is performed immediately, while turning on of a transistor is performed depending on the charging or discharging of the capacitive element, thus achieving a defined slew rate of the output signal at the output terminal. Full Article
me Semiconductor device and method for driving the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device including an integrator circuit, in which electric discharge from a capacitor can be reduced to shorten time required for charging the capacitor in the case where supply of power supply voltage is stopped and restarted, and a method for driving the semiconductor device are provided. One embodiment has a structure in which a transistor with small off-state current is electrically connected in series to a capacitor in an integrator circuit. Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, a transistor with small off-state current is electrically connected in series to a capacitor in an integrator circuit; the transistor is on in a period during which power supply voltage is supplied; and the transistor is off in a period during which supply of the power supply voltage is stopped. Full Article
me Digital phase-locked loop using phase-to-digital converter, method of operating the same, and devices including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A digital phase locked loop (DPLL), a method of operating the same, and a device including the same are provided. The DPLL includes a digitally-controlled oscillator configured to change a frequency and a phase of an output oscillation signal in response to a digital control code; a main divider configured to divide the frequency of the output oscillation signal and generate a first feedback signal based on the divided frequency; and a phase-to-digital converter configured to subdivide the phase of the output oscillation signal and to generate a quantized code by converting a phase difference between a reference signal and the first feedback signal using a phase-subdivided signal resulting from the subdivision. The digital control code is generated based on the quantized code. Full Article
me Time-to-digital convertor-assisted phase-locked loop spur mitigation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for compensating for an undesired fractional spur due to a PLL in a communication system. The communication system includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) that is configured to execute in parallel to the PLL. The TDC is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference frequency and an output oscillation signal provided by the PLL. The phase difference is received by a processor to estimate particular characteristics of the undesired fractional spur, and the estimate of the characteristics is used to construct an estimate of the undesired fractional spur. Full Article
me Power savings mode for memory systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method are disclosed to accomplish power savings in an electronic device, such as a memory chip, by performing selective frequency locking and subsequent instantaneous frequency switching in the DLL (delay locked loop) used for clock synchronization in the electronic device. By locking the DLL at a slow clock frequency, the operational frequency may be substantially instantaneously switched to an integer-multiplied frequency of the initial locking frequency without losing the DLL lock point. This DLL locking methodology allows for faster frequency changes from higher (during normal operation) to lower (during a power saving mode) clock frequencies without resorting to gradual frequency slewing to conserve power and maintain DLL locking. Hence, a large power reduction may be accomplished substantially instantaneously without adding complexity to the system clock generator. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims. Full Article
me Flip-flops in a monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) (3DIC) and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Flip-flops in a monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC)(3DIC) and related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single clock source is provided for the 3DIC and distributed to elements within the 3DIC. Delay is provided to clock paths by selectively controllable flip-flops to help provide synchronous operation. In certain embodiments, 3D flip-flop are provided that include a master latch disposed in a first tier of a 3DIC. The master latch is configured to receive a flip-flop input and a clock input, the master latch configured to provide a master latch output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one slave latch disposed in at least one additional tier of the 3DIC, the at least one slave latch configured to provide a 3DIC flip-flop output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one monolithic intertier via (MIV) coupling the master latch output to an input of the slave latch. Full Article
me Resonant clock distribution network architecture for tracking parameter variations in conventional clock distribution networks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resonant clock distribution network architecture is proposed that enables a resonant clock network to track the impact of parameter variations on the insertion delay of a conventional clock distribution network, thus limiting clock skew between the two networks and yielding increased performance. Such a network is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with various clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs. Full Article
me Circuit and method of clocking multiple digital circuits in multiple phases By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A circuit includes a power supply terminal and a clock parsing circuit configured to produce multiple clock signals having a common clock period and different phases. The circuit further includes a plurality of digital circuits coupled to the clock parsing circuit and the power supply terminal. Each digital circuit includes an input to receive data and logic to process the data. Each digital circuit is responsive to a phase associated with a respective clock signal of the multiple clock signals to draw current from the regulated power supply terminal to process the data to produce a data output. Additionally, the circuit includes an output timing management circuit coupled to each of the plurality of digital circuits and configured to control data outputs of each of plurality of digital circuits to prevent timing violations at one or more destination circuits. Full Article
me Universal filter implementing second-order transfer function By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus includes a biquad filter having first and second lossy integrators and multiple input networks. Each lossy integrator includes an amplifier, and each input network is coupled to an input of the amplifier in one of the lossy integrators. Each input network includes multiple resistors and a capacitor arranged in a T-structure. In a single-ended configuration, each input network includes a grounded capacitor. In a fully-differential configuration, each input network includes one of: a grounded capacitor and a floating capacitor coupled to another input network. The amplifiers and resistors could form a portion of an integrated circuit chip, which also includes multiple input/output pins. A single grounded capacitor could be coupled to a single input/output pin of the integrated circuit chip for an input network. A single floating capacitor could be coupled to two input/output pins of the integrated circuit chip for a pair of input networks. Full Article
me Power management device of a touchable control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power management device of a touchable control system includes a boost circuit, a storage circuit, a detection circuit and a loading circuit. The boost circuit has an output terminal and generates an output voltage. The storage circuit electrically connects to the output terminal of the boost circuit and stores the output voltage. The detection circuit electrically connects to the storage circuit so as to detect the output voltage. The loading circuit electrically connects or disconnects to the output terminal of the boost circuit according to a predetermined value of the output voltage. Full Article
me Charge pump redundancy in a memory By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated circuit includes a circuit block to utilize a load current at a load voltage from a power input and two or more charge pump arrays. The outputs of the charge pump arrays are coupled to the power input of the circuit block. The integrated circuit includes one or more modifiable elements to disable one or more of the two or more charge pump arrays. Full Article
me Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filtering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filtering are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filter that splits a filter input signal into first and second input signals, modifies the first input signal to produce a first output signal, modifies the second input signal to produce a second output signal having an intermediate frequency response, and combines the first and second output signals while adjusting their relative phases and/or amplitudes to produce a filter output signal with the target frequency response. Adjustment includes splitting the second input signal into third and fourth input signals, which are modified and then combined to produce the second output signal having the intermediate frequency response. Full Article
me Method and semiconductor apparatus for reducing power when transmitting data between devices in the semiconductor apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor apparatus is provided herein for reducing power when transmitting data between a first device and a second device in the semiconductor apparatus. Additional circuitry is added to the semiconductor apparatus to create a communication system that decreases a number of state changes for each signal line of a data bus between the first device and the second device for all communications. The additional circuitry includes a decoder coupled to receive and convert a value from the first device for transmission over the data bus to an encoder that provides a recovered (i.e., re-encoded) version of the value to the second device. One or more multiplexers may also be included in the additional circuitry to support any number of devices. Full Article
me Apparatus and methods for ultrasound transmit switching By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Nov 2015 08:00:00 EST Apparatus and methods for ultrasound transmit switching are provided. In certain implementations, a transmit switch includes a bias polarity control circuit, a bias circuit, a first high voltage field effect transistor (HVFET), and a second HVFET. The sources of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a source node, the gates of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a gate node, and the drains of the first and second HVFETs are connected to an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively. The bias circuit and the bias polarity control circuit are each electrically connected between the source node and the gate node. The bias polarity control circuit can turn on or off the HVFETs by controlling a polarity of a bias voltage across the bias circuit, such as by controlling a direction of current flow through the bias circuit. Full Article
me Sand dispensing device having plural compartments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Nov 1990 08:00:00 EST A sand dispensing device designed to be carried in the trunk of a vehicle includes a housing having a partition forming two interior compartments. A supply of sand is stored in a first compartment and an electric air compressor is situated in a second compartment. A remote switch is operatively connected to a relay in the second compartment for energizing the compressor. An induction nozzle has a sand inlet extending through an aperture in the partition into the first compartment and is connected to an air supply tube connected to an output of the air compressor. An outlet tube in the second compartment has a first end connection to an outlet of the induction nozzle and a second end extending through a side wall of the housing. A pair of discharge tubes are connected by a quick release fitting to a second end of the outlet tube and a pair of discharge nozzles are provided on the discharge tubes for spraying a sand and air mixture adjacent drive wheels of the vehicle, to enhance traction on icy road surfaces. The device is conveniently removable from the vehicle trunk for replenishing the sand supply or for transferring between vehicles. Full Article
me ***WITHDRAWN PATENT AS PER THE LATEST USPTO WITHDRAWN LIST***Bendable tubular item and method of manufacture By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jun 1992 08:00:00 EDT A flexible tubular item having an outer flexible section of hollow tubing with a first end and a second end, a flexible wire positioned within the hollow tubing, a flexible paint layer covering an exterior surface of the flexible wire, and a viscous liquid contained within the hollow tubing. The hollow tubing is a transparent vinyl tube. The flexible wire is copper wire having a bend resistance greater than the bend resistance of the hollow tubing. The liquid is mineral oil filling the area around the flexible wire within the hollow tubing. Ball members are affixed in liquid-tight relationship within the first and second ends of the hollow tubing. These ball members are acrylic spheres having a diameter greater than the interior diameter of the hollow tubing. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for reducing vehicle rollover By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 08:00:00 EST A sensor detects force or other indications of an impending rollover of a motorized land vehicle. Upon detection of a threshold force value, the sensor actuates an applicator that delivers traction reducing fluid to the contact patch between at least one of the vehicle tires and the ground. The vehicle is enabled to dissipate the rollover inducing force by sliding laterally in preference to rolling over. Full Article
me Locomotive rail conditioning system alignment verification By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2003 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus (40,60) for aligning a rail conditioning system, such as a sanding system or a compressed air snow removal system of a locomotive. A source of light (50,70) is removeably and unmovingly attached to a conduit (44,62) of the rail conditioning system to direct a beam of light (53) toward a rail (46) to verify a location of impingement (56) of a spray of rail conditioning material (45,66). The source of light may be a battery operated laser pointer, and it may be attached to a fixture (48,72) that is removeably secured to the conduit. The fixture may be attached over an outlet nozzle (42,62) of the conduit, or it may be threaded onto the conduit in place of the nozzle when the nozzle is removed for cleaning and inspection. Full Article
me Wheel/rail adhesion enhancement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Oct 2003 08:00:00 EDT If the wheel/rail adhesion for a railway vehicle is insufficient then the wheels may slip when braking. If slipping is detected, a control system may reduce the brake pressure to permit a controlled level of slip and so to optimize the braking force for the available adhesion. By determining the pressure supplied to the brake cylinder, a signal may be obtained which indicates the value of the adhesion. Alternatively the adhesion may be monitored by detecting any discrepancy between the braking deceleration demanded by the driver and the observed deceleration. The adhesion signal may activate a warning. It may also be used to adjust the rate at which sand is supplied by a sander to the wheel/rail interface. The rate at which sand is supplied may also be adjusted in accordance with other parameters such as the train speed. Full Article
me Railway train friction management and control system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 May 2005 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for friction management for managing and controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. The system comprises a sensor for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor and controls the application of a friction modifying agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. The invention also includes a method for railway train friction management for managing and controlling the application of friction modifying agent to an area of contact between railway wheel and railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. The method comprises sensing a parameter related to the operation of the railway train and applying the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail as a function of the sensed parameter. Full Article
me Metering device for sand spreading devices, especially for rail vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Sep 2005 08:00:00 EDT Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results. Full Article
me Vehicle movement stabilizing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Oct 2005 08:00:00 EDT A vehicle movement stabilizing device is provided which in effectively functioning braking, acceleration and turning movement during travel of the vehicle by activating the frictional force adding device, reliably controls the start and end of the operation of the frictional force adding device and prevents repetition of unnecessary operations. The vehicle movement stabilizing device is provided with frictional force adding device for increasing the frictional force of the wheels to the road surface by scattering particles and a controller. The controller is structured to start the operation of the frictional force adding device when it detects the operation start conditions based on signals from wheel speed sensors, a hydraulic pressure sensor and a step-in force sensor during braking, and to stop its operation if signals indicating disappearance of the state are detected, thereby preventing repetition of unnecessary operations. Full Article
me System and method for improved detection of locomotive friction modifying system component health and functionality By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 08:00:00 EST A system and method for assessing a health and functionality of a locomotive friction modifying system wherein the locomotive has a friction modifying applicator associated with a wheel of the locomotive for applying a friction modifying agent to a rail on which the wheel is traversing. The system and method comprise a sensor detecting a predetermined operational condition of the locomotive. The system and method also comprise a controller associated with the sensor and responsive to input from the sensor determining a per unit creep of an axle of the locomotive. The controller also determines a tractive effort of the axle of the locomotive and determines a friction modifying applicator state for the applicator associated with the axle. The controller further compares the determined per unit creep of the axle, the tractive effort of the axle and the state of the friction modifying applicator associated with the axle to a predetermined value indicative of the health and functionality of the locomotive friction modifying system. The controller provides an indication of the health and functionality of the locomotive friction modifying system. Full Article
me Method and system of limiting the application of sand to a railroad rail By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:00:00 EST A method and computer program product of limiting sand use in a railroad locomotive sanding system applying sand to railroad rails to enhance adhesion of wheels of a railroad locomotive on a track having a pair of railroad rails, the sanding system including a plurality of sand applicators for each rail for directing sand flow toward the rail and with the locomotive having two trucks carrying the wheels for supporting and propelling the locomotive along the track. The method and computer program product may include steps of automatically controlling a flow of sand applied to the rail by the locomotive sanding system to limit the application of sand to situations in which applying sand to the rail would be effective to increase the adhesion of at least one of the railroad locomotive wheels on the rail by a predetermined incremental amount. The operation of each of the plurality of sand applicators may be independently controlled for selectively operating those sand applicators whose operation will result in at least the predetermined incremental increase in adhesion of the locomotive wheels on the rail, while not operating the other sand applicators so as to limit the amount of sand applied to the track. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for applying liquid compositions in rail systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface. Full Article
me Metering device for sand spreading devices, especially for rail vehicles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for controlled application of railway friction modifying agent By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. A sensor is used for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor for selecting one or more of a plurality of friction modifying agents and controls the application of the agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. A second application of the agent may be predicated upon the effectiveness of a first application of the agent. The selection of the appropriate agent may include a consideration of a current location of the railway vehicle. Full Article
me Apparatus and method for lubricating railroad tracks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EDT A system for increasing the efficiency of the movement of a railroad car over a length of rail, including a fluid reservoir for containing a quantity of efficiency enhancing fluid, a fluid dispensing member, a fluid pump connected in fluidic communication between the reservoir and the fluid dispensing member for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid through the fluid dispensing member, a microprocessor operationally connected to the fluid pump, and a first sensor for generating a first sensor signal in response to a railroad car crossing a predetermined section of track and operationally connected to the microprocessor. The fluid dispensing member is positioned along a railroad portion substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel to provide a substantially continuous flow of efficiency enhancing fluid substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel onto the rail portion when the predetermined quantity of fluid is dispensed. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for monitoring sand supply to a scattering device for a rail vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST A method, and an apparatus, for monitoring the sand supply in a sand tank (2) of a sand-scattering device in vehicles, in particular in express trains. To prevent an insufficient sand supply, the sand-supply level is monitored by a inspection point. Full Article
me Method and apparatus for applying liquid compositions in rail systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface. Full Article
me Method and device for de-icing of trains By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EDT Method and device for de-icing of trains is provided in which a glycol heated treatment medium is sprayed against the underside of units in the train such as locomotive and carriages in order to remove ice which has been built up in the base frames of the units. Full Article
me Conditioning device and method for drying and controlling the temperature of a ballast bed By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Conditioning device (24) and method for drying and/or controlling the temperature of a ballast bed (12) of a railway track system (10), wherein the railway track system (10) has sleepers (14) resting on the ballast bed (12) and rails (16) resting on the sleepers, wherein the conditioning device has a bogie (30) for moving the conditioning device (24). An outlet nozzle (36) for blowing temperature-controlled air into the ballast bed (12) via at least one blowing-in region (26) positioned between two adjacent sleepers (14) is connected to the bogie (30), as is at least one cover plate (42) for essentially air-tight coverage of an upper side, pointing essentially in the direction counter to the direction of gravity, of a side strip (20), provided next to the sleepers (14) in the direction of travel, of the ballast bed (12). In a method for drying and controlling the temperature of a ballast bed (12) of a railway track system (10), an upper side of the ballast bed (12) and/or at least one sleeper (14) and at least one rail (16) are sealed in an essentially air-tight fashion outside a blowing-in region (26) before temperature-controlled air is blown into the ballast bed (12) via the blowing-in region (26). Full Article
me Ultra violet irradiating device for alignment of liquid crystal, and water-cooling coaxial tube By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides an ultra violet irradiating device for aligning liquid crystal and also an water-cooling coaxial tube. The ultraviolet irradiating device includes a water-cooling coaxial tube configured with an inter tube and an external pipe enveloping the internal pipe. A light tube is disposed within the internal pipe, and an infrared filter layer is disposed between the internal and external pipes; and an ultra violet filter layer is coated over an external surface of the external pipe so as to filter out an ultra violet light beam having wavelength lower than 320 nm. The breakage of the unit filters resulted from inter pushing with each other or leakage resulted from overlapping of the unit filters can be readily resolved. Full Article
me Spark plug and production method therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A technique of reducing occurrence of multiple discharge in a spark plug. The spark plug has a main ground electrode and three auxiliary ground electrodes. The position at which first auxiliary ground electrode is joined to a metallic shell is located opposite the position at which main ground electrode is joined to the metallic shell, with respect to a center electrode. The positions at which second and third auxiliary ground electrodes are joined to the metallic shell are located opposite to each other with respect to the center electrode. When the width of first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by W, the shortest distance between second auxiliary ground electrode and third auxiliary ground electrode is represented by T, and a distance which is a component of the shortest distance T in a direction orthogonal to first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by Tp, a relation W≧Tp is satisfied. Full Article
me Curved-surface display panel fabrication method, curved-surface display panel using same, and multi-image display device using same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A curved-surface display panel fabrication method for fabricating a curved-surface display panel using a flat display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate includes: paring partially outer surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate so as to reduce thicknesses thereof to a predetermined thickness; bending the pared flat display panel to a desired curved shape; attaching a first guide member which has a shape corresponding to the desired curved shape to the first substrate with a predetermined gap from the pared outer surface thereof and attaching a second guide member with has a shape corresponding to the desired curved shape to the second substrate with a predetermined gap from the pared outer surface thereof; and forming light transmitting reinforcing layers respectively in a space between the first guide member and the first substrate and a space between the second guide member and the second substrate. Full Article
me Display device with flexible substrate and manufacturing method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display of the present invention includes a flexible substrate, a display layer, a protecting layer, an electronic unit, and a filling glue. The flexible substrate has a carrying surface. The display layer is disposed on the carrying surface and has a side edge. The protecting layer is disposed on the opposite side of the display layer corresponding to the carrying surface. The electronic unit is disposed on the carrying surface with a space formed between the electronic unit and the side edge of the display layer. The filling glue is filled in the space and connected with the side edge of the display layer, the electronic unit, and the carrying surface. Full Article
me Light guide plate having uniform light emission and manufacturing method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A light guide plate includes a main body and a number of micro protrusions. The main body includes a light emitting surface, a bottom surface, and a light incident surface. The bottom surface is opposite to the light emitting surface. The light incident surface connects the light emitting surface and the bottom surface. The protrusions are randomly positioned on the light emitting surface, and are used for reflecting light rays towards random directions. Full Article
me Method for repairing white defect of liquid crystal display panel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for repairing white defect of liquid crystal display panel includes: (1) providing a laser repairing platform and a liquid crystal display panel that contains a white defect to be repaired, wherein the white defect contained liquid crystal display panel comprises a substrate, a first insulation layer formed on the common wiring layer, a metal layer formed on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer formed on the metal layer, and a transparent conductive layer formed on the second insulation layer; and (2) applying the laser repairing platform to carry out multi-spot welding on the common wiring layer, the metal layer, and the transparent conductive layer at a location corresponding to a white defect of the liquid crystal display panel so as to have the common wiring layer, the metal layer, and the transparent conductive layer electrically connected at sites corresponding to the multiple welding spots. Full Article
me Method of aligning liquid crystals in a process of manufacturing liquid crystal display By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes: preparing a lower mother substrate, where lower cells, each including a thin film transistor, are provided on the lower mother substrate, and a lower alignment layer is disposed on the lower cells; preparing an upper mother substrate, where upper cells corresponding to the lower cells are provided on the upper mother substrate, and an upper alignment layer is disposed on the upper cells; providing a mother substrate assembly by providing a liquid crystal mixture layer between the lower and upper mother substrates and combining the lower and upper mother substrates; providing a pretilt of the liquid crystals by applying a voltage to a voltage application unit of the lower mother substrate; and curing an alignment supporting agents in the liquid crystal mixture layer or the lower and upper alignment layers by irradiating light to a side of the mother substrate assembly. Full Article
me Substrate attachment device of display device and method for manufacturing display device using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A substrate attachment device of a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device using the same are disclosed. The substrate attachment device of the display device includes a guide unit which is curvedly disposed, a first support unit which moves forward and backwards along the guide unit and transfers a cover substrate having a curved surface, a second support unit which is disposed on the guide unit, moves forward and backwards, and transfers a display panel, and a roller unit which rotates so that the cover substrate having the curved surface is attached to the display panel. Full Article
me Spark plug for internal combustion engine and method for manufacturing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The spark plug has a configuration satisfying the relationships of B≧0.7A and 0.3 mm≦A≦0.6 mm, where B is an axial thickness along the central axis line Q of the weld portion formed between the base material electrode and the noble-metal chip, and A is an axial distance along the central axis line Q between the intersection points P3 and X. The intersection point P3 is a point at which a phantom axis line radially distant from the central axis line Q by D/2 (D being a diameter of the noble-metal chip) intersects with the boundary line between the weld portion and the noble-metal chip. The intersection point X is a point at which an extension of the contour line of the base material electrode in the vicinity of the weld portion intersects with a boundary line between the weld portion and the base material electrode. Full Article
me Organic light emitting display device and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An organic light emitting display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The organic light emitting display device includes: a substrate including a display portion displaying an image as a plurality of sub-pixels that are arranged, and a non-display portion extending at an edge of the display portion; and a sealant formed along a periphery of the display portion, wherein an organic film having an emissive layer is formed on the plurality of sub-pixels, and an emissive layer storage unit storing an emissive layer coated on the non-display portion is formed between the display portion and the sealant. By forming the emissive layer storage unit by removing at least a part of a pixel defining layer on an edge of the substrate, a raw material of the emissive layer coated on the non-display portion on the substrate is easily processed via the emissive layer storage unit. Full Article