track Resolution programmable dynamic IR-drop sensor with peak IR-drop tracking abilities By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data processing system on an integrated circuit includes a core that performs switching operations responsive to a system clock that draws current from the power supply network. An IR-drop detector includes a resistor ladder having outputs representative of an IR-drop caused by the core during the switching operations. The system further includes a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the outputs indicative of the IR-drop, a plurality of flip-flops coupled to the amplifiers, and a variable clock generator. The variable clock generator outputs a sampling clock comprising a group consisting of a variable phase or a variable frequency to the plurality of flip-flops. The flip-flops are triggered by the sampling clock so that the IR-drop at a time during a clock cycle of the system clock can be detected, and the peak IR-drop value for can be tracked. Full Article
track Enabling web page tracking By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods are provided for tracking data corresponding to a mobile device that accesses a web page. Once a mobile device is registered with a network, the mobile device is instructed to request permission before accessing a web page. An access request is received, and based on a user profile, the access request is approved such that the mobile device may access the web page. Access data that corresponds to the mobile device accessing the web page is collected so that it can be added to and stored in a database. Full Article
track ASE swept source with self-tracking filter for OCT medical imaging By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated swept wavelength tunable optical source uses a narrowband filtered broadband signal with an optical amplifier and self-tracking filter. This source comprises a micro optical bench, a source for generating broadband light, a tunable Fabry Perot filter, installed on the bench, for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a narrowband tunable signal, an amplifier, installed on the bench, for amplifying the tunable signal. The self-tracking arrangement is used where a single tunable filter both generates the narrowband signal and spectrally filters the amplified signal. In some examples, two-stage amplification is provided. The use of a single bench implementation yields a low cost high performance system. For example, polarization control between components is no longer necessary. Full Article
track Low friction linear tracking tone arm By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention is provides a means of playing LP records with minimal distortion. Low distortion is achieved by eliminating tracking error normally associated with pickup cartridges mounted to pivoting tone arms. This invention discloses a tone arm that constrains the motion of the stylus to straight radial path, mimicking the cutting path of the record lathe, supported on parallel rails by free rolling spherical bearings. Unlike many previous linear tracking tone arms, this invention does not rely on air pressure or servo motor mechanisms. The use of free rolling bearings or axles between parallel tracks fashioned from rails, rods or tubes, eliminates all sources of lateral friction other than pure static and rolling friction of the balls on the rails, rods or tubes. In the preferred embodiment, the fixed rods or tubes are driven synchronously, thereby eliminating static friction of the supporting rolling balls. Friction is further reduced using magnetic or buoyant support of the tone arm to reduce bearing load to that amount minimally sufficient to maintain full contact between the rolling balls and the upper and lower rods. Full Article
track Counter track joint with axial displacement range By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A joint in the form of a counter track joint is disclosed that comprises a joint outer part with first outer ball tracks and second outer ball tracks; a joint inner part with first inner ball tracks and second inner ball tracks; wherein first aperture angles are respectively formed between tangents to contact points of a ball with the first outer ball track and with the first inner ball track, and second aperture angles are respectively formed between tangents to contact points between a ball with the second outer ball track and with the second inner ball track. The first aperture angles of the first track pairs open towards a first side of the joint, and the second aperture angles of the second track pairs open towards a second side of the joint. Outer axial play is provided between the joint outer part and the ball cage. Inner axial play is provided between the ball cage and the joint inner part. Axial play permits relative axial displacement of the joint inner part with respect to the joint outer part. Full Article
track Multi-layer recording lamination for solid immersion mirror servo track writing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A data storage media may have at least a multi-layer recording lamination with a predetermined coercivity. The multi-layer recording lamination can be configured to record at least one servo format mark for a plurality of data tracks with a solid immersion mirror and program a data bit on the multi-layer recording lamination with a near field transducer. Full Article
track Isolated shingled bands of fractional tracks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are disclosed for isolated bands of fractional tracks in data storage devices, particularly devices employing shingled magnetic recording. In one embodiment, a device may comprise a data storage medium including a first data storage area including tracks overlapped in a shingled manner and having a first circumferential portion of a track to store data, a second data storage area, and a guard area disposed between the first data storage area and the second data storage area, the guard area including a second circumferential portion of the track as a partial guard track. In some embodiments, the guard area may include at least one sector in the first circumferential portion of the track, such that at least one sector of the guard area is interposed between data storage sectors of the first data storage area. Full Article
track Method and system for reading closely-spaced data tracks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for reading a track of data may include positioning a read head at an initial position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial track signals, filtering the initial track signals, positioning the read head at an initial subsequent position relative to the track of data and obtaining initial subsequent track signals, and filtering the initial subsequent track signals. In an initial equalization, the filtered initial track signals and the filtered initial subsequent track signals are equalized to obtain equalized track signals. The read head is positioned at a further subsequent position relative to the track of data and further subsequent track signals are obtained The further subsequent track signals are filtered. In a subsequent equalization, previously obtained equalized track signals and the filtered further subsequent track signals are equalized. A storage device operating according to the method may have an equalizer in hardware or firmware. Full Article
track Systems and methods for asynchronous-frequency tracking of disk drive rotational vibration (RV) performance with position error signal (PES) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are provided that may be implemented to provide a mechanical indicator to correlate magnetic disk drive IOP performance with features of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational frequencies that are generated and captured or sensed outside of the disk drive itself. In one example, disk drive PES data may be collected concurrently with the capture of mechanical and/or acoustic vibrational data at different and progressive locations of vibration source, vibration path and vibration receiver in a disk drive operating environment, e.g., such as for disk drives installed within a server and/or storage chassis enclosure. In such case, PES threshold may be utilized to correlate performance of Drive IOP or drive servo-mechanical performance as a function of measured characteristics of vibration source/s that impart vibration to a disk drive. Full Article
track Use of a warning track interruption facility by a program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A program (e.g., an operating system) is provided a warning that it has a grace period in which to perform a function, such as cleanup (e.g., complete, stop and/or move a dispatchable unit). The program is being warned, in one example, that it is losing access to its shared resources. For instance, in a virtual environment, a guest program is warned that it is about to lose its central processing unit resources, and therefore, it is to perform a function, such as cleanup. Full Article
track Providing by one program to another program access to a warning track facility By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A program (e.g., an operating system) is provided a warning that it has a grace period in which to perform a function, such as cleanup (e.g., complete, stop and/or move a dispatchable unit). The program is being warned, in one example, that it is losing access to its shared resources. For instance, in a virtual environment, a guest program is warned that it is about to lose its central processing unit resources, and therefore, it is to perform a function, such as cleanup. Full Article
track Providing by one program to another program access to a warning track facility By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A program (e.g., an operating system) is provided a warning that it has a grace period in which to perform a function, such as cleanup (e.g., complete, stop and/or move a dispatchable unit). The program is being warned, in one example, that it is losing access to its shared resources. For instance, in a virtual environment, a guest program is warned that it is about to lose its central processing unit resources, and therefore, it is to perform a function, such as cleanup. Full Article
track Warning track interruption facility By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A program (e.g., an operating system) is provided a warning that it has a grace period in which to perform a function, such as cleanup (e.g., complete, stop and/or move a dispatchable unit). The program is being warned, in one example, that it is losing access to its shared resources. For instance, in a virtual environment, a guest program is warned that it is about to lose its central processing unit resources, and therefore, it is to perform a function, such as cleanup. Full Article
track Use of a warning track interruption facility by a program By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT A program (e.g., an operating system) is provided a warning that it has a grace period in which to perform a function, such as cleanup (e.g., complete, stop and/or move a dispatchable unit). The program is being warned, in one example, that it is losing access to its shared resources. For instance, in a virtual environment, a guest program is warned that it is about to lose its central processing unit resources, and therefore, it is to perform a function, such as cleanup. Full Article
track Deployment apparatus for use with track systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A track system may include a plurality of connected slat members that may form rollable tracks. The rollable tracks may be used in moving vehicles across sensitive ground. The rollable track may be deployed using various methods and/or apparatus such as, e.g., deployment apparatus including one or more spool portions for rolling and unrolling the rollable tracks. Full Article
track Device and method for controlling tracking information, and radar device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure provides a tracking information control device. The device includes a receiver for receiving, from two radar devices, data relating to a target echo received by a radar antenna of one of the radar devices, and data relating to a target echo received by a radar antenna of the other radar device, the data being obtained from tracking the target echoes, respectively, a determiner for determining whether the target echoes indicate the same target object, an ID applier for applying the same ID to the target echoes when the determiner determines that the target echoes indicate the same target object, and a transmitter for transmitting the same IDs to the radar devices in order to inform whether the target echoes displayed by the radar devices, respectively, indicate the same target object. Full Article
track Target tracking apparatus, storage medium stored a target tracking program, target tracking system, and target tracking method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a target tracking apparatus acquires a first determination result by determining which combination of N-dimensional tracks is for the real target, acquires a second determination result by determining which combination of N-dimensional angular observation values is for the real target, selects the first determination result when an observation environment is an environment other than a dense environment, selects the second determination result when the observation environment is a dense environment, and calculates distance information to thereby generate an (N+1)-dimensional track for each target. Full Article
track RF based tracker for rotating objects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An RF beam is used to probe the presence or absence of a rotating blade in a known field of view. Timing of appearance or disappearance or “zero-crossing” of a reflected signal is correlated with timing of the blade movement. Blades which are leading or lagging versus other blades will produce different timing signatures representative of alignment of the blades. Full Article
track RFID system and method for tracking environmental data By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for tracking a body's bio-readings and environmental information in which such bio-readings are generated is disclosed. Conventional bio-reading sensor technology may be used in combination with technology for receiving information from electronic tags associated with items in a body's environment. Such technology may include RFID smart tags associated with items in an environment. Such smart tags store information describing the item associated with the smart tag. An RFID smart tag reader may be provided for retrieving item description information stored in such smart tags. The combination of bio-reading data and environmental data provide a power tool in evaluating behavioral and environmental variables that affect a body's bio-readings. Full Article
track Methods, systems and devices for activity tracking device data synchronization with computing devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST Methods, devices and system are provided. One method includes capturing activity data associated with activity of a user via a device. The activity data is captured over time, and the activity data is quantifiable by a plurality of metrics. The method includes storing the activity data in storage of the device and, from time to time, connecting the device with a computing device over a wireless communication link. The method defines using a first transfer rate for transferring activity data captured and stored over a period of time. The first transfer rate is used following startup of an activity tracking application on the computing device The method also defines using a second transfer rate for transferring activity data from the device to the computing device for display of the activity data in substantial-real time on the computing device. Full Article
track E-track connector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An improved e-track connector, or lockdown, is presented that can be installed in single locations instead of provided in tracks as in the industry. It also possesses a finished slot that accepts logistics straps buckles. The slot is a complete rectangle with no excess material folded under it and has been deburred and finished smooth. The device also possesses a drain slot along the side of the tang and drain holes in the buckle receiver such that liquid will drain out of the connector when it is mounted horizontally. Full Article
track Tunable tracking filter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT An integrated tuner circuit has an arbitrary IF (intermediate frequency) output. The tuner includes an integrated circuit with a fixed-frequency control loop and a matched external variable capacitance Ct, to achieve tracking of a tuned LC band-pass filter with an arbitrary oscillator. Full Article
track Intelligent board game system with visual marker based game object tracking and identification By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A board game system comprises one or more game objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the game objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the game object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the game object. As a result, during the course of game play, the location and identification of the game objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the game objects on the game board. The processing device is able to compare the data of the visual markers to a table stored in the memory device that associates the data with a specific game object. Full Article
track 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
track 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
track Revolution daddy rock super track By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:00:00 EST The Revolution Daddy Rock Super Track is a salt sifting tank that dispenses rock salt directly to the front of the vehicle wheels followed by the rear wheels which would prevent the automobile from sliding side to side and also aiding the vehicle to go up and down hills in the winter time with super traction. Full Article
track Sliding track and pivot mounting system for displays on anesthesia machines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An anesthesia workstation includes a sliding track system attached to the front of the anesthesia workstation for the mounting of one or more displays. The displays are horizontally slidable along the front of the anesthesia workstation along the sliding track. In addition, the sliding track system includes pivot points which enable outward pivoting of the displays up to 90 degrees. Sliding and pivoting of the displays is possible both independently and simultaneously. The sliding track system allows the anesthetist to slide and pivot the displays across the front of the workstation along the length of the track to the most preferable viewing position. Additional storage space is positioned within the anesthesia workstation behind the displays and becomes exposed and accessible when the displays are manipulated via the sliding track system. Full Article
track Railway track switch cover system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides a track switch cover system and method. The system and method allows for easy installation and removal of track switch covers as well as quick and easy access to the switch mechanism shrouded by the covers. Full Article
track Toy vehicle track set By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A track set for toy vehicles is provided herein, the track set having: a first track segment coupled to a first curved track segment; a second track segment coupled to a second curved track segment; a third curved track segment having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end being wider than the outlet end, the inlet end being configured to receive the toy vehicles traveling on the first curved track segment and the second curved track segment; and a snare trap mechanism located at the outlet end of the third curved track segment, wherein the snare trap mechanism is configured to capture a first one of the toy vehicles traveling through the outlet end of the third curved track segment. Full Article
track Adjuster for track-mounting assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A mounting plate fixed to a longitudinally extending rail is secured by a plurality of bolts in a substrate. The mounting plate is formed at each bolt with an array of ridges. An adjuster plate formed with a vertically throughgoing transversely elongated slot through which the respective bolt extends has a lower face formed with an array of downwardly projecting generally complementary to the ridges of the mounting plate and an upper face formed with a central recessed seat defined between two longitudinally extending and parallel edges at a predetermined transverse spacing. A gauge plate formed with two parallel outer edges spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the transverse spacing of the seat edges and with an eccentric circular hole of a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the shank of the respective bolt that extends vertically through the circular hole fits in the seat. Full Article
track Trackbed liner and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A trackbed liner which has a particular utility in a railway trackbed, as well as in other trackbeds such as tram trackbeds. The trackbed liner may include an upper support layer; a lower support layer; and at least one middle filtration layer of a material having a plurality of pores and which is normally impermeable to liquid water. In use and under the load of a vehicle acting on the trackbed, the filtration layer permits passage of liquid water upwardly therethrough but restricts the passage of solids materials, so as to restrict pumping erosion of material located beneath the liner. The trackbed liner may be used to renovate a trackbed comprising ballast contaminated with clay particles. The method includes removing contaminated ballast; laying the trackbed liner; and locating fresh ballast on an upper surface of the liner to provide a renovated trackbed. Full Article
track Rail cover and clip system for embedded track systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly to hold a rail boot to a rail during embedded track construction comprising: a cover having a bottom surface, a first portion of the bottom surface generally conforming to a length of a top surface of a rail head; the bottom surface having a second portion defining a convex shape adjacent to and generally parallel to the length of the top surface of the rail head; the bottom surface further defining a hook to engage a gauge side of the rail boot; and a clip having first and second ends, wherein the first end engages a gauge side of the cover; and the second end engages a field side of the cover and/or the rail boot. Full Article
track Real-time, on-line and offline treatment dose tracking and feedback process for volumetric image guided adaptive radiotherapy By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:00:00 EST A method of treating an object with radiation that includes generating volumetric image data of an area of interest of an object and emitting a therapeutic radiation beam towards the area of interest of the object in accordance with a reference plan. The method further includes evaluating the volumetric image data and at least one parameter of the therapeutic radiation beam to provide a real-time, on-line or off-line evaluation and on-line or off-line modification of the reference plan. Full Article
track Interactive system and method for shooting and target tracking for self-improvement and training By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device configured to track and capture the movement data of a target as well as shooting and firearm movement activity of a hunter includes a housing, a camera, sensors, a processor, a memory, and a battery. The camera is disposed in close proximity to the housing to capture the movement of a target. One or more sensors are disposed in the housing and interfaced with the processor to capture the velocity and orientation of a gun. A trigger activation sensor is also in communication with the processor. The memory stores camera activity, trigger activity, sensor activities, and also stores an alarm setting on the device. The processor activates the alarm setting when predefined criteria are met. Radar can be incorporated to determine the distance of the target from the user. GPS can also be included to provide precise location and time information. Full Article
track Method and apparatus for calibrating an envelope tracking system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of calibrating an envelope tracking system for a supply voltage for a power amplifier module within a radio frequency (RF) transmitter module. The method includes deriving a mapping function between an instantaneous envelope of a waveform signal to be amplified by the power amplifier module and the power amplifier module supply voltage to achieve a constant power amplifier module gain based on a gain compression factor, setting an envelope tracking path of the transmitter module into an envelope tracking mode in which mapping between the instantaneous envelope of the waveform signal and the power amplifier module supply voltage is performed using the derived mapping function, applying a training signal comprising an envelope that varies with time to the RF transmitter module, measuring a battery current, modifying the gain compression factor based on the measured battery current, and re-deriving the mapping function based on the modified gain compression factor. Full Article
track Eye tracking system and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tracking system for tracking an eye including a light source projecting light toward a display surface in a sequential pattern, one or more reflectors associated with an optical device, where the one or more reflectors reflect the pulses of light from the display source, one or more photo detectors, where the photo detectors detect reflected pulses of light from the light source, and a system that measures pulse timing relative to horizontal and vertical pattern to compute a gaze angle of the eye. Full Article
track Method and apparatus for envelope tracking By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit that includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and an adder. The first circuit is configured to generate a first signal by outputting and holding, at a first timing, a first stream in response to an input stream of data. The second circuit is configured to generate a second signal by outputting and holding, at a second timing, a second stream in response to the input stream of data. The adder is configured to add the first signal with the second signal to generate an up-sampled stream for the input stream of data and reduce a frequency component in the up-sampled stream generated by the up-sampling. Full Article
track Methods and devices for identifying, sensing and tracking objects over a surface By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 08:00:00 EST Methods and devices are disclosed for identifying objects over a surface and for tracking the position of said objects in relation to the sensing surface. The methods include the steps of providing an array of electrodes or coils that generating electromagnetic radiation having a individual characteristic frequencies of oscillation. Objects in proximity to the sensing surface(s) couple electromagnetically to the array of electrodes or coils, which then alters the characteristic frequency of one or more elements in the array. By monitoring the individual frequency shifts among the array elements, one or more objects in proximity to the surface can be sensed and identified. Quantitative identification and enhanced detection of the objects is achieved through the use of electromagnetic markers affixed or embedded in the objects in specified geometric patterns. In addition, a method is presented for scanning the sensing array, through the use of a second layer of electrodes that selectively mask or modulate the sensing field. Full Article
track Image enhancement method and system for fiducial-less tracking of treatment targets By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT A method and system are presented for enhancing one or more images of an object, so as to increase the visibility within the images of one or more structures within the object. The object may be an anatomical region of a patient, and may include one or more reference structures, for example skeletal structures or vertebral structures, and one or more treatment targets, for example tumors or lesions. An operator, for example a top-hat filter operator, selects at least a first neighborhood and a second neighborhood within the images. The operator selects within each neighborhood one or more pixels having an optimal pixel value, and eliminates the remaining pixels in these neighborhoods. When the operator is applied to the selected neighborhoods, only the pixels having the greatest pixel values remain in the selected neighborhoods, and the remaining pixels are eliminated in the selected neighborhoods. As a result, desired features can be located and enhanced in the images. Full Article
track Electrical contact coupling for a track-borne vehicle, particularly a railway vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Feb 2014 08:00:00 EST An electrical contact coupling for a track-borne vehicle has a coupling housing and a protective flap articulated to the coupling housing. In order to ensure a reliable sealing of the coupling housing in the closed state of the electrical contact coupling, a seal is utilized which exhibits an upper sealing area running parallel to the axis of rotation and a lower sealing area running parallel to the axis of rotation. The upper sealing area associates with a sealing face aligned perpendicular to the housing end face and the lower sealing area associates with a sealing face aligned substantially parallel to the housing end face. Full Article
track Coupling arrangement for the front of a tracked vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A coupling arrangement for the front of a tracked vehicle is disclosed, comprising a central buffer coupling having a gladhand, a coupling shaft supporting the gladhand and a bearing, via which the coupling shaft can be joined with the undercarriage of the vehicle pivotable in a horizontal and/or vertical direction. An energy consuming device allocated to the central buffer coupling having at least one energy consuming element with a destructive design is provided. To ensure maximum energy consumption in a crash with a course of events definable in advance, the coupling arrangement additionally comprises a supporting structure with two longitudinal beams arranged on the sides of the central buffer coupling and a crossbeam joined with the two longitudinal beams, said crossbeam beam being arranged above the central buffer coupling such that a vertical deflection of the coupling shaft relative to the undercarriage of the vehicle is limited by the crossbeam. Full Article
track Device for automatically controlling signals and multiple trans traveling on the same track By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An electrical device not only controls train signals as trains advance, but also alters the voltage in the tracks leading up to the signals so that the trains will actually stop at a red signal, slow at an amber aspect and continue on at full speed when the signal is showing green. The electrical device of the present invention can change the “block signal” from “green” to “red”, thereby signaling the engineer behind the train to come to a stop. In addition, the electrical device can simultaneously change the voltage in the tracks to stop the approaching train at the red signal. Only when the forward train has cleared will the approaching train get a clear signal and voltage to resume its forward progress. Full Article
track Railroad signaling and communication system using a fail-safe voltage sensor to verify trackside conditions in safety-critical railroad applications By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor. Full Article
track Method and sequential monitoring overlay system for track circuits By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sequential monitoring system is for an interlocking logic system and a track circuit system including a plurality of track circuits. The sequential monitoring system includes an interface between the interlocking logic system and the track circuit system; and a processor structured to monitor a state of each of the track circuits, validate a sequence of state changes of the track circuits, and interrupt and correct invalid track circuit state indications between the track circuit system and the interlocking logic system. The interface normally passes inputs from the track circuit system to outputs to the interlocking logic system. When an out of sequence event occurs, the processor applies a quarantine to a minimum of three of the track circuits in a quarantined area, thereby inhibiting use of an unoccupied track circuit in the quarantined area. Full Article
track On-train rail track monitoring system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An automatic inspection system is provided for monitoring rail track for detecting and generating alerts for certain hazards to the operation of trains that may cause various safety concerns and even derailment. The monitoring is during normal railway service runs without interrupting the normal railway services. In one implementation, an imaging module is used on a passenger or freight train to capture video images of the rail track under the train in motion. In one implementation, the captured video images are automatically processed in a computer using a software module which is based on digital image processing techniques and algorithms to determine whether an irregularity is present on the rail track. In one implementation, video images containing detected irregularities on the rail track are transmitted to a control center for further analysis and possible alert. Full Article
track Wall mounted toy track set By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A track set configured to be mounted to a wall by a plurality of wall mounts, the track set having: a tower: a first upper track section configured to receive toy vehicles from a top portion of the tower; a second lower track section, wherein the first upper track section is angularly positioned such that toy vehicles traveling along the first track section move towards a second lower track section, wherein the second lower track section is configured to direct the toy vehicles towards a bottom portion of a tower; a corkscrew rotationally secured to the tower; and a motor coupled to the corkscrew, wherein operation of the motor causes the corkscrew to rotate, wherein rotation of the corkscrew causes the toy vehicles to move from the bottom portion of the tower to the top portion of the tower. Full Article
track Inductrack III configuration—a maglev system for high loads By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Inductrack III configurations are suited for use in transporting heavy freight loads. Inductrack III addresses a problem associated with the cantilevered track of the Inductrack II configuration. The use of a cantilevered track could present mechanical design problems in attempting to achieve a strong enough track system such that it would be capable of supporting very heavy loads. In Inductrack III, the levitating portion of the track can be supported uniformly from below, as the levitating Halbach array used on the moving vehicle is a single-sided one, thus does not require the cantilevered track as employed in Inductrack II. Full Article
track Urban transport installation using track ropes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Overhead public transport installation for urban and peri-urban environment using track ropes with overhead stations, each comprising a platform situated below the level of the boarding/disembarkation platforms and consistent with the overhead clearance of the road transport system in terms of the difference in level that corresponds to the sag in the track ropes. Full Article
track Closed loop tracking system using signal beam By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a system and method for heliostat mirror control. Here, each heliostat mirror generates a low intensity “signal beam”, directed at an angle off from the heliostat mirror's high intensity and sensor blinding “main beam” of reflected solar energy. The low intensity signal beams may be created by reflecting a small portion of the incident solar light at an angle from the main beam, by reflected artificial light, or from lasers shinning onto mirrors from known locations. The signal beams are detected by optical sensors mounted way from the main heliostat receiver focus, and can be used in a closed loop control system to efficiently ensure that individual heliostat mirrors in a heliostat array accurately track sunlight and direct the sunlight to a central receiver. Because heliostat mirrors need not be taken “off sun” for positioning, the system allows heliostat arrays to be run at high efficiency. Full Article
track Tire changer with rotational position and tracking control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tire changer machine includes a control system that monitors a rotational position of a sensitive feature associated with a wheel rim and tire during a tire change procedure. The system adjusts operation of the machine to avoid damaging the sensitive feature, which may be a valve stem or a wheel sensor such as a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor. Full Article