Abstract: A welding apparatus has a guide rail arrangement with at least one guide rail attachable to a welding target. A carriage has a carriage housing and a rail follower assembly that is movably mountable to the guide rail arrangement for relative movement along the at least one guide rail. A feedstock source is disposed within the carriage housing and configured to deposit a feedstock material on a target surface of the welding target. An ultrasonic weld head is partially disposed within the carriage housing and has a sonotrode that extends toward the target surface so as to engage the deposited feedstock material and apply a normal welding force to the deposited feedstock material and the target surface. The sonotrode is operable to conduct ultrasonic vibrations into the deposited feedstock material and the target surface to weld the feedstock material to the target surface.

Abstract: An anchor is provided for securing a strand from a wall aperture having a maximum height dimension and a maximum width dimension greater than the maximum height dimension. The anchor has an anchor body member having a first wall engagement surface on a lateral side there-of and a strand-securing aperture. A first hook member is attached to the anchor body member, extends laterally therefrom, and has a second wall engagement surface that intersects and is perpendicular to the first wall engagement surface. A second hook member attached to the first hook member has a longitudinal hook length and a third wall engagement surface parallel to, spaced apart from and opposing the first wall engagement surface. The first and third engagement surfaces define a slot with a width greater than the wall thickness. The longitudinal hook length is less than the maximum aperture width and greater than the maximum aperture height.

Abstract: In a method of applying a weld to a target surface, a guide rail arrangement is attached to the target, the guide rail arrangement including at least one guide rail. A weld head carriage having a carriage housing, a rail follower assembly, and a sonotrode is movably mounted to the guide rail arrangement so that the follower assembly engages each guide rail for movement there-along. The weld head carriage is positioned adjacent the target surface, feedstock material is deposited onto the target surface, and the sonotrode is extended to engage the deposited feedstock material and apply a welding force to the feedstock material and the target. Relative movement between the carriage and the guide rail arrangement is initiated and ultrasonic vibrations are conducted into the feedstock material and the target, thereby welding the feedstock material to the target surface.

Abstract: An inspection system for in situ evaluation of an additive manufacturing (AM) build part is provided. The inspection system comprises a build plane induction coil sensor configured and positionable so that during construction of the build part, the sensor's magnetization and sensor coils surround at least the last-produced layer of the AM build part in the build plane. The inspection system further comprises an energization circuit and a central processing system. The central processing system comprises a communication processor configured for sending command signals to the energization circuit and receiving impedance data from the build plane induction coil sensor, and energization controller configured for determining energization commands for transmission to the energization circuit, and an induction data analyzer configured for processing build part impedance data using complex impedance plane analysis and for identifying anomalies in the AM build part.

Abstract: A welding apparatus has a guide rail arrangement with at least one guide rail attachable to a welding target. A carriage has a carriage housing and a rail follower assembly that is movably mountable to the guide rail arrangement for relative movement along the at least one guide rail. A feedstock source is disposed within the carriage housing and configured to deposit a feedstock material on a target surface of the welding target. An ultrasonic weld head is partially disposed within the carriage housing and has a sonotrode that extends toward the target surface so as to engage the deposited feedstock material and apply a normal welding force to the deposited feedstock material and the target surface. The sonotrode is operable to conduct ultrasonic vibrations into the deposited feedstock material and the target surface to weld the feedstock material to the target surface.

Abstract: An inspection system for in situ evaluation of an additive manufacturing (AM) build part is provided. The inspection system comprises a build plane induction coil sensor configured and positionable so that during construction of the build part, the sensor's magnetization and sensor coils surround at least the last-produced layer of the AM build part in the build plane. The inspection system further comprises an energization circuit and a central processing system. The central processing system comprises a communication processor configured for sending command signals to the energization circuit and receiving impedance data from the build plane induction coil sensor, and energization controller configured for determining energization commands for transmission to the energization circuit, and an induction data analyzer configured for processing build part impedance data using complex impedance plane analysis and for identifying anomalies in the AM build part.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing target object information to a mobile interface device user in a dynamic structural environment. The method includes receiving from the mobile interface device a request for target object information associated with a target object in the dynamic structural environment. A pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target object is determined accounting for spatial differences in the environment coordinate system resulting from changes in the dynamic structure. The method also includes assembling AR target object information for transmission to and display on the mobile interface device and transmitting the AR target object information to the mobile interface device for display in conjunction with a real-time view of the target object.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing target object information to a mobile interface device user in a dynamic structural environment. The method includes receiving from the mobile interface device a request for target object information associated with a target object in the dynamic structural environment. A pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target object is determined accounting for spatial differences in the environment coordinate system resulting from changes in the dynamic structure. The method also includes assembling AR target object information for transmission to and display on the mobile interface device and transmitting the AR target object information to the mobile interface device for display in conjunction with a real-time view of the target object.

Abstract: A linkage mechanism is disclosed that produces high travel advantage in one phase of linear actuator motion and high mechanical advantage in another phase of linear actuator motion. The linkage mechanism may be powered by a hydraulic actuator system and is capable of producing high preloads and a high amount of travel with minimal actuator motion or force. The linkage mechanism may be used to secure a hatch door to a pressure vessel housing or may be used in any environment involving high pressure differentials, for example.

Abstract: A method for providing electrical system status information to a mobile device user is presented. The method comprises receiving a request for target area electrical system status information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target area, obtaining target area electrical system status information for a target electrical system at least partially disposed within the target area, and assembling AR electrical system status information for transmission to and display on the mobile interface device. The AR electrical system status information is assembled using the target area electrical system status information and is configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target area captured by the mobile interface device. The AR electrical system status information is then transmitted to the mobile interface device.

Abstract: An asset information management system is provided for obtaining and storing information on assets disposed within a structural environment. The system comprises at least one mobile interface device for capturing information about a target object in the structural environment. An information management operating system operates on a central processor in communication with the mobile interface device and a local positioning system. The domain coordinate management system comprises one or more computers configured for establishing spatial addresses for spaces and points within the structural environment. The asset log comprises one or more data storage modules configured for storing information associated with objects disposed within the structural environment. The spatial indexing engine is configured for assigning a spatial address to the target object and for storing information associated with the target object in the asset log.

Abstract: Circuit breaker lockout devices are disclosed that effectively lock one or more circuit breakers in a circuit breaker panel in a safe or open circuit position. Embodiments of the circuit breaker lockout devices are robust, utilize few loose parts, and are easily installed. The devices are also short in profile, thereby allowing them to be installed in a circuit breaker panel having minimal clearance between the circuit breakers and a closed panel door cover.

Abstract: A method for providing environment information to a mobile device user is presented. The method comprises receiving a request for target environment information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target environment, and obtaining target environment data for one or more measurable environment parameters (e.g., radiation level). The target environment data is used to assemble augmented reality information configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target environment captured by the mobile interface device. The target augmented reality information is then transmitted to the mobile device for display to the user.

Abstract: A method for providing information associated with a lift process to a mobile device user is presented. The method comprises receiving a request for lift environment information from a mobile device, determining a pose of the mobile interface device relative to a lift process target area, and obtaining lift environment information for at least a portion of the lift process target area. The lift environment information is used to assemble AR lift information for transmission to and display on the mobile interface device. The AR lift information is configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the lift process target area captured by the mobile interface device. The AR lift information is then transmitted to the mobile interface device for display.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the amount of processing that an augmented reality platform needs to perform in order to provide an augmented reality experience to a user. The present invention enhances the efficiency of augmented reality processing by reducing the amount of tracking cues and images that need to be processed to determine the narrow pose of a mobile device that outputs the augmented reality experience.

Abstract: A method for providing target object surface information to a mobile device user is presented. The method includes receiving a request for target object surface information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target object, and obtaining target object surface information for one or more measurable target object surface parameters. The target object data is used to assemble augmented reality surface information configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target object captured by the mobile interface device. The target object augmented reality surface information is then transmitted to the mobile device for display to the user.

Abstract: A method for providing target object information to a mobile device user is presented. The method includes receiving a request for target object information from a mobile device, determining the pose of the mobile interface device relative to the target object, and obtaining target object data for one or more measurable target object parameters (e.g., surface topography). The target object data is used to assemble augmented reality information configured for viewing in conjunction with a real-time view of the target object captured by the mobile interface device. The target object augmented reality information is then transmitted to the mobile device for display to the user.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for use in conjunction with a knife switch disposed in a switch well. The safety device comprises an elongate base member having a head end and an insertion portion extending distally away therefrom. The insertion portion is configured for at least partial insertion into the switch well between the knife switch and an internal wall of the switch well when the knife switch is in its open configuration. The device further comprises a slot formed in at least a portion of the insertion portion of the base member. The slot is sized and positioned to receive at least a portion of the blade when the knife switch is in its open configuration and the insertion portion is inserted into the switch well between the knife switch and the internal wall.

Abstract: A method for impedance measurement using chirp signal injection is provided. The method includes injecting at least one chirp signal into the three-phase AC system, and collecting at least one response to the at least one chirp signal. The method further includes transferring the at least one response from abc coordinates to dq coordinates. At least one impedance is calculated based on the at least one response to the at least one chirp signal.

Abstract: A method for impedance measurement in a three-phase AC system is provided. The method includes injecting a shunt perturbation signal into the three-phase AC system and collecting a response to the shunt perturbation signal, and injecting a series perturbation signal into the three-phase AC system and collecting a response to the series perturbation signal. The response to the shunt perturbation signal and the response to the series perturbation signal are then transferred from abc coordinate to dq coordinates. At least one impedance of the three-phase AC system is calculated based on the response to the shunt perturbation signal and the response to the series perturbation signal.