Abstract: Apparatus for crimping a frame of an implant includes a crimping assembly having a bath having a floor, and one or more side-walls extending upward from the floor to a side-wall height. A crimping mechanism that defines a crimping aperture is attached to the bath such that the crimping aperture is disposed within the bath below the side-wall height. The crimping mechanism further comprises a handle and is actuatable by moving the handle circumferentially around the crimping mechanism. Actuation of the crimping mechanism transitions the crimping aperture from its open state to its narrowed state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of metal micro-forming, and in particular relates to a method for inflating micro-channels. The present invention is aimed at the problems of low process flexibility, single product type, and non-closed structure of the micro-channel when preparing metal micro-channels by micro-plastic forming of ultra-thin metal strips. The present invention uses a method combining numerical simulation and bond rolling experiment to analyze the effect of the hydrogen pressure and bond strength of the metal composite ultra-thin strip after bond rolling on the pore diameter of the micro-channel, and the corresponding relationship between the micro-channel pore diameter and the titanium hydride content, heating temperature, and bond strength of the metal composite ultra-thin strip is obtained.

Abstract: Alignment tools and methods are provided for assembling a planetary gear sets. The alignment tools include a handle, and an elongated pin having a tip configured to be inserted through a mounting hole of a housing of the planetary gear set, through a first hole in a first washer, through a bore of a pinion gear between pinion needle rollers arranged in a tubular pattern within the bore, and through a second hole of a second washer. The elongated pin is configured to align the first washer, the pinion gear, the pinion needle rollers, and the second washer during insertion therethrough. The elongated pin is retractable relative to the handle in response to a force being applied to the tip in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated pin.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, and systems for replacing a drive assembly of a turntable load station. A system includes a structural pier, a track formed on a top surface of the structural pier, a turntable, a bogie assembly detachably coupled to an underside of the turntable, the bogie assembly including a wheeled drive assembly, a swap rail mounted to a radial side surface of the structural pier, and a translating cartridge movably mounted to the swap rail in a serviceable orientation. The translating cartridge is configured to move along the radial side surface of the structural pier via the swap rail while in the serviceable orientation to an unloading position underneath the bogie assembly, pivot from the serviceable orientation to an upright functional orientation to couple with the wheeled drive assembly, and decouple the wheeled drive assembly from the bogie assembly.

Abstract: A spike puller for pulling a railroad spike of a track includes a housing, a linear displacement unit mounted at the housing, and a claw unit for gripping the railroad spike. The claw unit is displaceable in a linear manner relative to the housing in a displacement direction by using the linear displacement unit. The linear displacement unit includes a hollow tube which is guided in the housing. A method for pulling a railroad spike of a track is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a foundation truss for a box spring or mattress foundation frame includes a first truss rail assembly station having a series of block feeders, a top rail hopper and a filler strip hopper that received stacks of truss components such as blocks, top rails and filler strips and feed such truss components into stacked registration. The stacked truss components are moved into engagement with a series of staplers that secure the filler strips, top rails and blocks together to form first truss rail portions, which are then fed to a second truss rail assembly station where a bottom rail is automatically applied thereto.

Abstract: Inflatable devices are disclosed including a surface which has a network of polymer chains and is configured to be inflatable into a therapeutically or diagnostically useful shape, and at least one ultrashort laser pulse-formed modification in the surface. The network can, for example, include a network morphology that is substantially unchanged by modification with the ultrashort pulse laser. Ultrashort laser pulses can be laser pulses equal to or less than 1000 picoseconds in duration. Advantageously, the etching process uses a relatively low-heat laser to avoid significant heating of surrounding polymers while modifying the surface (and other structures) of the device. The process is configured so that the polymer chain morphology adjacent the modification is substantially unaffected by the low-heat laser. The resulting inflatable device has customized surface features while still retaining substantially homogenous polymer network morphology.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses are presented for an ingestible capsule that includes a digital, ingestible sensor component—or ingestible sensor—embedded into the capsule. The ingestible sensor component may be configured to activate upon coming into contact with conductive fluid, such as a body's stomach fluid. Once activated, the ingestible sensor component may be configured to perform various tasks, such as transmitting one or more signals and obtaining biometric data about the body that ingested the capsule.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an assembling device for a rotating joint of rotary drying equipment, including a telescopic upright column; a mounting sleeve is fixed at a top of the telescopic upright column; an inner end of each bevel gear is connected with a first screw rod; the first screw rods are sleeved with fixed rods through threads; a microprocessor is fixed at a bottom of the mounting sleeve; a motor is fixed at a top of the mounting sleeve; an oil slot formed in an inner wall of a top of a detection tooth ring is internally connected with a detection seat through a first elastic telescopic rod; an adjustment rod is embedded into a right bottom of the detection seat in an elastic sliding manner through a spring.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Abstract: A system and method for installing bird flight diverters on wires, such as power lines and guy wires, is described. The system and method include the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle to place a robotic line crawler onto wires where the line crawler is configured to place bird flight diverters on the wire as the line crawler travels along the wire.

Abstract: A part assembling system of an automation line includes: a station frame in which a part assembling tool is installed and that includes at least one mounting part; at least one positioner mounted on the at least one mounting part; a part conveying pallet including at least one positioning pin coupled to the at least one positioner; and a moving carriage that transports the part conveying pallet to a predetermined position on a floor of a process work area.

Abstract: A fastener locating tool equipped with a sensor head having one or more probes and a method for operating such a tool for precisely locating a fastener that is hidden or buried under a thick coating applied on a surface of a structure. The fastener locating tool may be manually or automatically operated. The fastener locating tool includes a platform having a central opening, means for temporarily attaching the platform to a coated surface, and a sensor head that may be easily mechanically coupled to and then later decoupled from the platform. Optionally, the fastener locating tool also includes a multi-stage positioning system with X and Y stages which may be used to adjust the position of the sensor head. The sensor head includes at least one probe which generates electrical signals indicating the presence of a fastener beneath a coating when the probe is within a detection range.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for use in the installation of wire fencing, including a frame mountable to a skid steer or tractor loader, a pair of spinning jenny support posts supporting a plurality of spinner support bars, each support bar provided to receive and support a spinning jenny dereeler. At a distal end of the frame is provided a hinged wire guide including at opposing ends an inner pair of grooved rollers and an outer pair of grooved rollers. Compartmentalized tool chests may be secured to portions of the frame as well as gate racks, to transport gates, equipment and supplies to the installation site. Guide sticks are provided, each presented with differing numbers of apertures positioned at pre-determined heights along the stick, for use in efficiently installing fencing along the fence line. A method for installing fencing along a fence line is also provided, using a portable apparatus supporting a plurality of spinning jenny dereelers, a hinged wire guide, and a guide stick.

Abstract: In particular, some embodiments provide shunts having a plurality of individually actuatable flow control elements that can control the flow of fluid through associated ports and/or flow lumens. For example, each individually actuatable flow control element can be actuated to modify a flow of a corresponding port and/or flow lumen. The individually actuatable flow control elements may be actuated along a given actuation axis. A flow control assembly may include a plurality of flow control elements arranged about a collection region. Accordingly, the shunts described herein can be manipulated into a variety of configurations that provide different drainage rates based on a degree to which the ports and/or flow lumens are blocked or unblocked, therefore providing a titratable glaucoma therapy for draining aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: A surface evaluation system that includes one or more vision systems that generate target surface data during evaluation of a surface, the one or more vision systems comprising two or more of: at least one light, a camera, a structured light camera, a laser scanner and a 3D scanner.

Abstract: A swage mechanism operable to expand an inner diameter of tubing including a housing defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of jaws coupled to the housing and movable radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis for selectively gripping an interior of the tubing. The jaws each include a first cam surface. The swage mechanism further includes a ram having a cylindrical portion and a frusto-conical head portion, and an arbor that is coupled to the housing and having a second cam surface. The frusto-conical head portion of the ram is insertable into the tubing to expand the inner diameter of the tubing. The second cam surface of the arbor is engageable with the first cam surface of each of the jaws to move the jaws toward or away from the longitudinal axis, wherein the second cam surface moves in a direction along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Manufacturing methods are described for a goggle having an outrigger system where each outrigger includes a first segment coupled to a second segment at a fixed joint. Portions of the first segment may interlock or join with complementary portions of the second segment, such as through interlocking shapes, a solid friction lock, or via co-molding. The joining portions of the first and second segments may include complementary shapes that interlock together to secure the first and second segments together. The second segment may be molded onto or around at least a portion of the first segment, or vice versa, to secure the first and second segments together.

Abstract: An automated insertion system for inserting or combining one or more fastener components with a molded part. The automated insertion system can handle multiple fastener components repeatedly, and do so faster and more safely than current processes.