Abstract: A prosthetic knee includes a hydraulic resistance system with an extension hydraulic circuit and a flexion hydraulic circuit. The flexion hydraulic circuit includes a switchable resistance assembly with a mechanical switch. The mechanical switch has an engaged position and a released position. The switchable resistance assembly provides a first level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the released position and a second level of hydraulic resistance when the mechanical switch is in the engaged position, the second level being less than the first level. The mechanical switch moves to the engaged position when the hydraulic resistance element reaches a predetermined extension position and moves back to the released position when fluid flow falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A material loading apparatus includes a movable material support surface that is pivotally mounted to the frame. The loading apparatus also includes a first link that extends between the support surface and the frame and is pivotally connected to the support surface at a first end of the first link and pivotally connected to the frame at a second end of the first link. The loading apparatus also includes a second link that extends between the support surface and the frame and is pivotally connected to the support surface at a first end of the second link and pivotally connected to the frame at a second end of the second link. The loading apparatus also includes an actuator that is pivotally connected to the frame and configured to move the support surface between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position.

Abstract: A prosthetic finger includes a main body and a terminal gripper at an end of the main body for enabling fine-motor grasping skills. The terminal gripper has at least two tongs movable relative to one another. The prosthetic finger includes a gripping mode and a flexion mode. In the gripping mode, the tongs of the terminal gripper are able to move relative to one another while the main body is not able to flex, and in the flexion mode, the main body is able to flex while the at two tongs is not able to move relative to one another.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a control system that monitors operating parameters so as to protect the drilling machine from damage and increases drilling operation efficiency. A method of using a hydraulic system of a percussive drill as a sensing system includes sensing a drill bit blow-out event by measuring changes in the operating hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic system used to operate the percussive drill.

Abstract: A material loading apparatus includes a movable material support surface that is pivotally mounted to the frame. The loading apparatus also includes a first link that extends between the support surface and the frame and is pivotally connected to the support surface at a first end of the first link and pivotally connected to the frame at a second end of the first link. The loading apparatus also includes a second link that extends between the support surface and the frame and is pivotally connected to the support surface at a first end of the second link and pivotally connected to the frame at a second end of the second link. The loading apparatus also includes an actuator that is pivotally connected to the frame and configured to move the support surface between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position.

Abstract: A multicapacitor sensor system facilitates the measurement of applied shear and moment forces. In one disclosed configuration, moments may be detectable in x, y and z directions, resulting in a full, 3-axis load cell with 6 degrees of freedom. The system may further include electrical circuitry to generate electrical drive pulses, sense amplify and buffer the voltages induced on the sense plates, and compute applied forces. An array of multicapacitor sensors that can be addressed individually without cross-talk and globally produce a map of forces and moments applied to the whole array. A MEMS implementation enables in vivo application.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting corner pieces formed of stone or other materials for use as building faces or for cutting flat pieces is disclosed herein. The cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached to the frame. The first and the second conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith.

Abstract: A material shaping machine and a method of mounting a table top to the material shaping machine is disclosed. The machine includes first and second support members extending generally in a vertical direction. A bridge longitudinally extends between the first and the second support members. A carriage is configured to move longitudinally along the bridge. A rotary cutting tool is mounted on the carriage. A work table including a table top having a silicon/epoxy combination material supports a workpiece to be cut by the cutting tool. An actuator moves the rotary cutting tool toward and away from the workpiece positioned on or above the table top and a motor provides rotational motion to the rotary cutting tool.

Abstract: Prosthetic joint and limb components utilize a single, curved dampening cylinder to reduce component count and wear. A prosthetic foot/ankle requires only three major components; namely, a housing adapted for coupling to a foot blade, an ankle component adapted for coupling to a pylon, and a piston that moves within a curved cylinder in the housing during ambulation. The ankle component is pivotally attached to the housing at the center of curvature of the cylinder. The piston defines front and rear, variable volume chambers in the cylinder. The chambers are in fluid communication with one another via a port, such that fluid is exchanged between the chambers through one-way check valves as the ankle pivots between plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Fluid flow is independently adjustable to establish and maintain desired levels of dampening during plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, including different levels of dampening.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting corner pieces formed of stone or other materials for use as building faces or for cutting flat pieces is disclosed herein. The cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached to the frame. The first and the second conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith.

Abstract: A multicapacitor sensor system facilitates the measurement of applied shear and moment forces. In one disclosed configuration, moments may be detectable in x, y and z directions, resulting in a full, 3-axis load cell with 6 degrees of freedom. The system may further include electrical circuitry to generate electrical drive pulses, sense amplify and buffer the voltages induced on the sense plates, and compute applied forces. An array of multicapacitor sensors that can be addressed individually without cross-talk and globally produce a map of forces and moments applied to the whole array. A MEMS implementation enables in vivo application.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached thereto. The conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end a second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith. A first cutting blade is operatively attached to the frame and is positioned generally parallel to the first conveyor and a second cutting blade is operatively attached to the frame and is positioned generally parallel to the second conveyor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sensing forces, moments, temperature, inclination, acceleration and other parameters associated with prosthetic limbs. The system is capable of measuring forces in three designated axes, and moments about the same designated axes, for a total of six possible degrees of freedom. The system can be readily fitted onto a conventional prosthetic limb with no, or relatively minor, modification thereto. A plurality of sensor arrays are disposed on a support member, each array including a plurality of strain gauge sensors, each sensor outputting an electrical signal responsive to loading imposed on the support member through the prosthetic limb. Electronic circuitry in communication with the gauges is operative to receive the electrical signals from the strain gauges and provide a signal useful in the form, fit or function of the prosthetic limb.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached thereto. The conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end a second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith. A first cutting blade is operatively attached to the frame and is positioned generally parallel to the first conveyor and a second cutting blade is operatively attached to the frame and is positioned generally parallel to the second conveyor.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting corner pieces formed of stone or other materials for use as building faces or for cutting flat pieces is disclosed herein. The cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached to the frame. The first and the second conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot having an adjustable height heel includes a frame portion with an ankle link pivotally supported on the frame portion at a first pivot axis. A detent rod is pivotally connected to the ankle at a second pivot axis, and a detent member is pivotally affixed to the frame portion at a third pivot axis. The detent member is selectively operable to receive and releasably retain a length of the detent rod therein so that the length of the detent rod extending between the second and third pivot axes may be selectably adjusted. When the length of the rod is so adjusted, the angular relationship of the frame portion and the ankle link is changed thereby changing the heel height of the foot. The detent mechanism may be activated by various means including fluidic means, mechanical means, electromechanical means, and the like.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for cutting corner pieces formed of stone or other materials for use as building faces or for cutting flat pieces is disclosed herein. The cutting apparatus includes a frame with a first and a second conveyor operatively attached to the frame. The first and the second conveyors are configured to carry a workpiece from a first end of the frame to the second end of the frame. The first conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to a ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus. The second conveyor is disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees to the ground surface supporting the cutting apparatus, wherein the second conveyor is positioned perpendicularly to the first conveyor so as to form a V-shaped channel therewith.