Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery including a rolling diaphragm configured to move to accommodate an internal volume change of one or more components of the battery. Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide a battery housing including a rolling diaphragm seal disposed between an interior volume of the battery and an electrode assembly within the battery. Various embodiments may provide an air electrode assembly including an air electrode supported on a buoyant platform such that the air electrode is above a surface of a volume of electrolyte when the buoyant platform is floating in the electrolyte.

Abstract: An article of jewelry is provided that includes a base with one or more channels in an outward facing surface portion of the base. One or more inlays can be placed in the one or more channels. The inlays can be formed of an elastomeric material that elastically holds the inlays intension within the channel and allows repeated removal and addition to the channel without fracturing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using selective resolution reduction on images to be transmitted and/or used by a playback device are described. Prior to transmission one or more images of an environment are captured. Based on image content, motion detection and/or user input a resolution reduction operation is selected and performed. The reduced resolution image is communicated to a playback device along with information indicating a UV map corresponding to the selected resolution allocation that should be used by the playback device for rendering the communicated image. By changing the resolution allocation used and which UV map is used by the playback device different resolution allocations can be made with respect to different portions of the environment while allowing the number of pixels in transmitted images to remain constant. The playback device renders the individual images with the UV map corresponding to the resolution allocation used to generate the individual images.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods by which a warped workpiece is reconfigured in a pre-determined manner to reduce a separation between the warped workpiece and a joining workpiece. The warped workpiece is reformed/reshaped, prior to joining, by softening material of the warped workpiece through application of a predetermined amount of energy at or near warping and using a directional force applied to a first surface of the warped workpiece, thus reducing a separation space at a joining interface of the warped workpiece and joining workpiece.

Abstract: A method for classifying a known object in a field of view of a digital camera includes developing a plurality of classifier feature vectors, each classifier feature vector associated with one of a plurality of facet viewing angles of the known object. The digital camera captures an image in a field of view including the known object and an image feature vector is generated based upon said captured image. The image feature vector is compared with each of the plurality of classifier feature vectors and one of the plurality of classifier feature vectors that most closely corresponds to the image feature vector is selected. A pose of the known object relative to the digital camera is determined based upon the selected classifier feature vector.

Abstract: A system includes a first camera defining a first camera coordinate system (C1) and configured to acquire a first image of a scene. A range sensor is spaced a first distance from the first camera and defines a range sensor coordinate system (R). A controller is operatively connected to the first camera and range sensor. The controller has a processor and a tangible, non-transitory memory device on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for obtaining a two-dimensional region of interest (u1*, v1*) in the first image, which is a two-dimensional intensity image. The first image is represented by a plurality of first points (u1, v1) in a first image plane. The controller is configured to acquire a range image of the scene with the range sensor. The range image is represented by a plurality of second points (u2, v2, d) in a second image plane.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods by which a warped workpiece is reconfigured in a pre-determined manner to reduce a separation between the warped workpiece and a joining workpiece. The warped workpiece is reformed/reshaped, prior to joining, by softening material of the warped workpiece through application of a predetermined amount of energy at or near warping and using a directional force applied to a first surface of the warped workpiece, thus reducing a separation space at a joining interface of the warped workpiece and joining workpiece.

Abstract: A method for classifying a known object in a field of view of a digital camera includes developing a plurality of classifier feature vectors, each classifier feature vector associated with one of a plurality of facet viewing angles of the known object. The digital camera captures an image in a field of view including the known object and an image feature vector is generated based upon said captured image. The image feature vector is compared with each of the plurality of classifier feature vectors and one of the plurality of classifier feature vectors that most closely corresponds to the image feature vector is selected. A pose of the known object relative to the digital camera is determined based upon the selected classifier feature vector.

Abstract: A robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle includes a base plate, a riser coupled with the base plate and extending substantially transverse to the base plate, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm extends from the riser and supports an end effector. The end effector includes a plurality of electrical contacts configured to couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle. The robotic arm is configured to move the end effector in three degrees of motion.

Abstract: A system for assembling a first component and a second component comprises a support operatively supporting the first component without any fixtures, a vision system configured to view the supported first component and the second component and determine the locations thereof, a robotic system configured to move and position the second component relative to the first component, and a controller operatively connected to the vision system and to the robotic system and operable to control the robotic system to position the second component relative to the first component based on the locations determined by the vision system. Various methods of assembling the first component and the second component are provided to create a process joint prior to creation of a structural joint in a subsequent assembly operation.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture and method for holding a sheet metal part for processing, assembly, or inspection is provided. The reconfigurable fixture includes a holding container made of a flexible material, and holding granules at least partially filling the holding container. The holding container and the holding granules cooperate to conform to the sheet metal part when the sheet metal part is placed on the holding container.

Abstract: A system for creating an image with a wide dynamic range includes an imaging unit, a processing unit and a control unit operatively connected to each other. The imaging unit is configured to acquire a plurality of images of a scene at respective exposure times such that each of the respective exposure times are different from one another. The images are each represented by a set of pixels, each defining a respective pixel intensity. The processing unit is configured to combine the plurality of images to produce a combined image based at least in part on weighting factors assigned to each pixel and a mapping graph.

Abstract: The invention relates to safety improvements for mowers incorporating a chipper, and/or catcher. In one aspect the invention provides safety improvements that only allow operation of the chipper when the mower is below a predetermined threshold ride height. In another aspect, the mower includes one or more side skirts to prevent body parts from entering the cutting zone under the mower. In a still further aspect, the mower has a rear flap including a sub-flap. The mower is arranged so that the sub flap remains closed when a catcher is installed.

Abstract: A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting first data at a first rail vehicle of the consist over a power supply conductor to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where at least one rail vehicle of the consist receives direct electrical power from the power supply conductor. The method also includes monitoring the power supply conductor for second data at the first rail vehicle and receiving the second data over the power supply conductor at the first rail vehicle for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle. In one aspect, the transmitting step comprises transmitting the first data over one or more of a catenary line or a third rail that supplies the electrical power.

Abstract: A method for communicating data in a rail vehicle consist includes transmitting, at a first rail vehicle in the consist, first data over a running rail to a second, different rail vehicle in the consist, where the running rail guides and supports the rail vehicles of the consist as the rail vehicles travel along the running rail. The method also includes monitoring the running rail for second data and receiving the second data over the running rail for use by a first system onboard the first rail vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to safety improvements for mowers incorporating a chipper, and/or catcher. In one aspect the invention provides safety improvements that only allow operation of the chipper when the mower is below a predetermined threshold ride height. In another aspect, the mower includes one or more side skirts to prevent body parts from entering the cutting zone under the mower. In a still further aspect, the mower has a rear flap including a sub-flap. The mower is arranged so that the sub flap remains closed when a catcher is installed.

Abstract: A form for creating a pattern in uncured concrete during a vertical column casting process includes an end wall and at least one side wall, extending from an edge of the end wall with the side wall and end wall cooperatively defining a corner therebetween. A pliable liner is attached to the end wall and the side wall and operably joins the side wall to the edge of the end wall to define a mold cavity. At least one patterned surface is formed on or in the pliable liner and is operable to form a corresponding pattern into concrete disposed in an uncured form in the old cavity. A notch is formed in the pliable liner and extends along the corner and forms a pivotable joint between the end wall and the side wall to facilitate removal of the form device from about the concrete after the concrete has at least partially cured.

Abstract: A lawn mower with an integral chipper including a deck that has a volute shape with a rearwards-facing funnel along one side, expanding towards and exiting at the rear of the deck, a skirt is arranged around the perimeter of the deck to enclose a cutting space, a handle, front and rear wheel sets, and a motor having a drive shaft extending downwards through the deck. The mower also having grass cutting blades and shredder blades connected to the drive shaft, and the chipper blades located above the grass cutting blades. The mower also having a chipper tube running through the deck and opening above the chipper blades. The mower also having a power take-off mechanism connecting to the rear wheels and the motor, and adapted to drive the rear wheels in use.

Abstract: A control system for a rail vehicle system including a lead powered unit and a remote powered unit is provided. The system includes a user interface, a master isolation module and a slave controller. The user interface is disposed in the lead powered unit and is configured to receive an isolation command to turn on or off the remote powered unit. The master isolation module is configured to receive the isolation command from the user interface and to communicate an instruction based on the isolation command. The slave controller is configured to receive the instruction from the master isolation module. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to supply tractive force to propel the rail vehicle system when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn on the remote powered unit. The slave controller causes the remote powered unit to withhold the tractive force when the instruction directs the slave controller to turn off the remote powered unit.

Abstract: A support gasket for use with a concrete panel mold system comprises an inner stiffener bar and engagement structure, attached to or formed integrally with the stiffening bar. The engagement structure is operable to engage an adjacent material. A pliable gasket material is disposed about the inner stiffening bar and is positively engaged with the engagement structure to secure the gasket material to the stiffening bar.