Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130186287 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR TENSIONING STRAPS - Described are tensioning devices comprising: a base housing comprising a drive gear, a spindle gear proximate the drive gear, and a pawl proximate the spindle gear; a lever pivotally coupled to the base housing and comprising a lug pivotally coupled to the lever, wherein the lug is configured to interact with the drive gear; a spindle fixedly coupled to the spindle gear; and a brake assembly coupled to the base housing, wherein, the lug is configured to avoid engagement with the drive gear when the lever is rotated in a first direction, but configured to engage the drive gear when the lever is rotated in a second direction, so as to effect rotation of the drive gear in the second direction, and thereby effect a counter rotation of the spindle gear and spindle. Methods of tensioning straps via such tensioning devices are also described. | 07-25-2013 |
20140140784 | STRAP CONNECTOR - Described are connectors comprising: a body; at least four arms extending from the body; a first pair of opposing, substantially closed slots along a first axis of the body, wherein each slot is defined by one or more of the at least four arms and an edge of the body; and a second pair of opposing, substantially closed slots along a second axis of the body, wherein each slot is defined by one or more of the at least four arms and an edge of the body; wherein, each slot comprises an opening defined by at least two of the at least four arms; and wherein, the openings of the first pair of opposing, substantially closed slots are offset and the openings of the second pair of opposing, substantially closed slots are offset. Methods of coupling straps together via such connectors, and the resulting net-like structure, are also described. | 05-22-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090048725 | TRAIN CREW MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY SYSTEM - A locomotive security system (LSS) is provided. The locomotive security system includes a processor located on a locomotive; an I/O device connected to the processor; and a data storage medium reading device connected to the processor. In some embodiments, the I/O device can be configured to obtain personal information from an operator and communicate the personal information to the processor. Additionally, the data medium reading device can be configured to read data stored on a portable data storage medium. | 02-19-2009 |
20090058624 | COGNITIVE ALERTER - A system and method for ensuring that an operator remain alert includes monitoring the operator to determine when the operator is actively working the train controls, and, when the operator has not actively worked the controls for a first period of time, displaying a sequence the repetition of which requires cognitive alertness of the operator. If the operator fails to repeat the sequence, or a corresponding sequence, the train is stopped. In some embodiments, the cognitive alerter is inoperative below predetermined speed levels. | 03-05-2009 |
20090093920 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCATING END OF TRAIN DEVICES - ABSTRACT An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit's location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed. | 04-09-2009 |
20090109013 | DISPLAY OF NON-LINKED EOT UNITS HAVING AN EMERGENCY STATUS - A head of train device is configured to examine messages received from end of train units other than the end of train unit attached to the same train and to alert an operator to the presence of an end of train unit from another train that indicates that the end of train unit from the other train has stopped. The indication can take the form of a zero brake pipe pressure. | 04-30-2009 |
20100253548 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCATING END OF TRAIN DEVICES - An end of train unit includes a positioning system such as a GPS receiver and is configured to transmit a message including the EOT unit's location when the EOT unit detects a loss of air pipe pressure and/or it is tipped over and/or a low battery condition is detected. In highly preferred embodiments, the EOT unit periodically re-transmits the message until an acknowledgment message is received. In some embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to create a signal as a substitute for a motion sensor. In other embodiments, information from the positioning system is used to determine the speed of the end of the train. End of train unit tracking is also performed. | 10-07-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100154318 | RING BEAM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING THE SAME - A ring beam element, a ring beam and a method of constructing a ring beam from a plurality of ring beam elements is disclosed. The ring beam can support a shell or wall of a tank. The ring beam element comprises a reinforced concrete body, preferably having a metal base plate anchored therein, and a plurality of tensile conduits extending circumferentially there through. Ideally, the reinforced concrete body will have interlocking surfaces such that the ring beam elements interlock with one another when circumferentially juxtaposed. Tensile members can be placed through the plurality of tensile conduits and tensioned and anchored by anchors to clamp a plurality of juxtaposed ring beam elements together. Ideally, the base plates of a plurality of the ring beam elements can be connected or welded together to form an annular ring of base plates. The ring beam elements can be mounted upon piles to provide level surfaces to the base plates so that the metal base plates can be readily connected together to form an annular ring beam. | 06-24-2010 |
20100154319 | TANK SHELL FOR AN OUTER LNG CONTAINMENT TANK AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - A shell for an outer LNG containment tank and a method of making the shell from a plurality of precast reinforced concrete shell elements are described. The shell elements having a precast concrete body to which are anchored a radially inwardly facing liner plate and a pair of circumferentially spaced apart side plates which depend radially outwardly from the liner plate. The shell elements can be arranged upon a ring beam with side plates abutting one another. The side plates are welded together to form radially and vertically extending stiffener ribs which are circumferentially spaced around the shell. As these stiffener ribs provide great structural support, the shell can be constructed with minimal or no cast in place structural joints being needed to construct the shell. Ideally, the shell elements have bottom base plates welded to a ring beam or foundation and top end plates that are welded together to form an annular ring thus enhancing the structural strength of the shell. A roof can be mounted to the shell to create an outer LNG containment tank. | 06-24-2010 |
20100154320 | COMPOSITE CONCRETE ROOF FOR AN OUTER LNG CONTAINMENT TANK AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A method for constructing a composite concrete roof on an outer LNG containment tank is disclosed. The roof includes a roof assembly and a plurality of precast reinforced concrete roof elements. The roof assembly is mounted on a tank shell. At least some of the roof elements including a concrete body and embedded metal plates adapted to be welded to the roof assembly. The roof elements are welded to the roof assembly to provide additional strength and stiffness to the roof assembly. Preferably, no or minimal cast in place concrete structural joints are needed to join the roof elements to the roof assembly and or top of the shell. Ideally, the roof assembly includes a membrane and mounting beams connected to the membrane. The embedded plates of the roof assemblies are welded to the mounting beams on the roof assembly. The method may further include mounting or welding the roof elements to the roof assembly while workers access the interior of the shell to perform work therein. A tank having a composite concrete roof made according to the above method is also disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100154332 | BASE MAT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING THE SAME - A precast reinforced concrete base mat element, a base mat assembly and method for constructing a base mat assembly from a plurality of the base mat elements are described. The base mat element comprises a concrete body having first and second conduits extending there through in first and second generally perpendicular directions and a liner plate anchored in the concrete body. Preferably the concrete bodies have interlocking surfaces formed there on. A plurality of the base mat elements may be juxtaposed together with the interlocking surfaces interlocking with one another and with the tensile members extending through the first and second tensile conduits and being post-tensioned and anchored about the base mat elements to clamp the base mat elements together. The liner plates may then be welded together to form a a generally planar membrane. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second tensile conduits is located above and one below the horizontal center planes of the concrete bodies to limit the base mat elements from displacing vertically relative to one another. | 06-24-2010 |
20110283638 | Ring Beam and Method for Constructing the Same - A ring beam element, a ring beam and a method of constructing a ring beam from a plurality of ring beam elements is disclosed. The ring beam can support a shell or wall of a tank. The ring beam element comprises a reinforced concrete body, preferably having a metal base plate anchored therein, and a plurality of tensile conduits extending circumferentially there through. Ideally, the reinforced concrete body will have interlocking surfaces such that the ring beam elements interlock with one another when circumferentially juxtaposed. Tensile members can be placed through the plurality of tensile conduits and tensioned and anchored by anchors to clamp a plurality of juxtaposed ring beam elements together. Ideally, the base plates of a plurality of the ring beam elements can be connected or welded together to form an annular ring of base plates. The ring beam elements can be mounted upon piles to provide level surfaces to the base plates so that the metal base plates can be readily connected together to form an annular ring beam. | 11-24-2011 |
20120023845 | Base Mat Assembly And Method For Constructing The Same - A precast reinforced concrete base mat element, a base mat assembly and method for constructing a base mat assembly from a plurality of the base mat elements are described. The base mat element comprises a concrete body having first and second conduits extending there through in first and second generally perpendicular directions and a liner plate anchored in the concrete body. Preferably the concrete bodies have interlocking surfaces formed there on. A plurality of the base mat elements may be juxtaposed together with the interlocking surfaces interlocking with one another and with the tensile members extending through the first and second tensile conduits and being post-tensioned and anchored about the base mat elements to clamp the base mat elements together. The liner plates may then be welded together to form a generally planar membrane. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second tensile conduits is located above and one below the horizontal center planes of the concrete bodies to limit the base mat elements from displacing vertically relative to one another. | 02-02-2012 |