Abstract: A precast concrete panel and method for forming the panel are disclosed. A method of forming the panel to be used as a floor, wall, or roof structure includes positioning one or more forming members within a casting bed having a plurality of upright surfaces defining a generally rectangular interior area, the one or more forming members comprising an insulating material extending along a length dimension of the one or more forming members to define a plurality of rectangular-shaped channels in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship, placing uncured concrete within the casting bed and allowing the concrete to cover the one or more forming members and substantially fill the channels, and allowing the concrete to cure.

Abstract: A precast concrete wall structure and method for forming a wall structure are disclosed. A forming member is positioned within a casting bed. The forming member comprises a layer of insulating material defining a plurality of integrally-formed rectangular protrusions extending in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to one another to define a plurality of rectangular-shaped channels therebetween. The forming member also defines at least one cutout for defining a first portion of a fastener for securing the wall structure to a support structure. A second portion of the fastening member is positioned within the cutout. Uncured concrete is placed within the casting bed and allowed to cure.

Abstract: An RV wireless remote control system comprising an HMI including a GUI coupled to an HMI RF transceiver and an HMI dock connector. The HMI RF transceiver receives RV device status signals over an RF fieldbus and the HMI dock connector receives RV device status signals over an RV localbus. The HMI generates control signals in response to the status signals and/or operator input signals. The HMI transmits the control signals to the RV devices over the RF fieldbus via the HMI RF transceiver or over the RV localbus via the HMI dock connector when the HMI dock connector is connected to the RV localbus. The HMI is configured for real time distributive control of the RV devices such that the RV localbus and the RF fieldbus operate in both directions enabling closed-loop control between the HMI and the RV devices.

Abstract: An exemplary line holder comprises a sheet having creases that extend between opposing sides and define a plurality of panels. The creases are foldable in alternating opposite directions such that the sheet is foldable along the creases between an open configuration and a pleated configuration. The line holder further comprises aligned groups of holes that are arranged along a direction substantially transverse to the creases, with each aligned group of holes comprising one hole in each of the panels. The line holder further comprises slots, each connecting a pair of the holes and intersecting one of the creases. When the sheet is in the pleated configuration, each aligned group of holes forms a corridor through the panels, and the slots are aligned to form pathways extending from the intersected creases to the corridors, such that medical lines can be inserted into the corridors.

Abstract: A controller commands a jack drive to extend and retract a jack leg relative to a jack base along a stroke having retraction and extension limits. The controller updates a perceived present leg position value in response to position change signals from a position change sensor. The controller occasionally applies compensation factors to the perceived present leg position value in the extension direction. The controller resets the perceived present leg position value whenever the jack leg reaches the retraction limit.

Abstract: An electric actuator motor drives an actuator leg between inner and outer limits of an actuator stroke relative to an actuator base. A controller detects when the actuator leg is at one of the inner and outer stroke limits by monitoring and comparing actuator motor power draw to known actuator motor power draw values associated with the operation of an electric actuator when its leg has reached an actuator leg stroke limit. A position sensor senses changes in the position of a monitored actuator component and provides corresponding signals to the controller. The controller calculates the position of the monitored actuator component relative to the position that the monitored actuator component was in when the actuator leg was in a predetermined home position. The controller recognizes and records the concurrent position of the monitored actuator component as indicating that the actuator leg is in the home position whenever the leg reaches a stroke limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing platform attitude adjustment range for platforms supported by jacks in which the apparatus includes jacks for supporting a platform at spaced-apart locations, jack drive mechanisms, and a controller connected to each of the jacks through their respective jack drive mechanisms and programmed to adjust platform attitude by coordinating jack movement. The controller coordinates jack movement by selecting and commanding at least one of the jacks to retract and selecting and commanding at least one other of the jacks to extend.

Abstract: An electric actuator motor drives an actuator leg between inner and outer limits of an actuator stroke relative to an actuator base. A controller detects when the actuator leg is at one of the inner and outer stroke limits by monitoring and comparing actuator motor power draw to known actuator motor power draw values associated with the operation of an electric actuator when its leg has reached an actuator leg stroke limit. A position sensor senses changes in the position of a monitored actuator component and provides corresponding signals to the controller. The controller calculates the position of the monitored actuator component relative to the position that the monitored actuator component was in when the actuator leg was in a predetermined home position. The controller recognizes and records the concurrent position of the monitored actuator component as indicating that the actuator leg is in the home position whenever the leg reaches a stroke limit.

Abstract: A controller commands a jack drive to extend and retract a jack leg relative to a jack base along a stroke having retraction and extension limits. The controller updates a perceived present leg position value in response to position change signals from a position change sensor. The controller occasionally applies compensation factors to the perceived present leg position value in the extension direction. The controller resets the perceived present leg position value whenever the jack leg reaches the retraction limit.

Abstract: An electric jack load balancing method and device for reducing the difference in load carried by each jack of a pair of electric jacks while adjusting the attitude of a platform. The device includes a controller configured to reduce the difference in load carried by each jack of a pair of electric jacks. The method includes monitoring the power draws of the jack motors of the pair of electric jacks, comparing the ratio of the power draws of the jack motors to a predetermined desirable power draw ratio, and when the jack motor power draw ratio differs from the desirable power draw ratio, modifying the operation of the jacks in such a way as to decrease the difference between their actual power draw ratio and the predetermined desirable power draw ratio.

Abstract: A method and device for detecting the stroke limit of an electric motor-driven jack while the jack is being used to adjust the attitude of a mobile platform. A controller is programmed to detect when an electric jack motor has driven a jack to a jack stroke limit by monitoring one or more jack motor power draw characteristics and comparing those values to known values associated with the driving of a jack at or near the end of a jack stroke.

Abstract: An electric jack ground contact detection method and device for detecting ground contact of an electric motor-driven jack as the jack is being extended to adjust the attitude of a mobile platform. The device includes a controller that monitors the electrical power draw of an electric motor-driven jack while the jack is being extended for use in adjusting the attitude of a mobile platform. The controller recognizes jack ground contact when the monitored power draw value exceeds a ground contact power draw value consistent with jack ground contact. The controller calculates the ground contact power draw value as equaling the sum of a dynamically-adjusted threshold power draw value associated with jack extension before ground contact and a power draw increase value equaling an amount of additional power that the jack is known to draw as a result of jack ground contact.

Abstract: A portable carrier includes a base housing and a cover member secured to the base housing. The base housing is provided with an internal cavity defined by a bottom wall and an enclosing wall extending substantially upwardly from the bottom wall. The cover member is adapted for selectively reconfiguring the portable carrier between a first, closed position preventing access to the internal cavity and a second, open position providing access to the internal cavity. The cover member is dimensioned to closely conform an outer peripheral surface of the base housing so that in the second position the cover member is nested under the base housing over and around the outer peripheral surface thereof. The portable carrier further includes a child-resistant locking device provided for preventing the portable carrier from being open.

Abstract: An autocalibration method for use within an electronic compass in a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes steps of initializing variables and then retrieving sensor readings from at least two axis. The method then compares the compass tilt to a predetermined threshold. Next the method will determine if the sensor reading is a minimum or maximum for the current calibration cycle. Next the method will determine if the maximum value of the sensor readings is greater than the predetermined minimum spread. Then the method will calculate an offset value for each axis and calculate a sensor value for each axis. Then the method will calculate an azimuth value with the new sensor values and determine the heading using the azimuth.

Abstract: A leveling assembly for analyzing the attitude of a structure such as a motor vehicle in two axes. The assembly drives leveling devices on the structure to correct the attitude of the structure relative to a calibrated reference point or attitude. The assembly includes a controller connected to the leveling devices and a proportional two-axis tilt sensor that is connected to the controller and supported on the structure. The tilt sensor provides analog signals to the controller that represent the attitude of the structure about longitudinal pitch and lateral roll axes. The controller also uses those signals to determine the attitude of the structure relative to a calibrated sensitivity factor and a user-defined zero point. This allows an operator or installer to determine which portion of the structure will be leveled without regard to the location of the tilt sensor and allows an installer to mount the tilt sensor at any point on the structure.