Abstract: The invention provides a harvester or other such vehicle with front wheel, and front and rear wheel steering. Steering, at various times, is only provided by the front wheels and at other times provided by the front and rear wheels. For four wheel vehicles, this is called two wheel and four wheel steering.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which functions in two distinct yet interrelated modes. In a modeling mode the system provides a customized multi-body model, wherein problem specific functions are created for analysis of complex real-world machines. A preprocessor facilitates the multi-body model description and a symbolic generator then generates model specific code in FORTRAN of some other convenient computer language. The model code is portable and self contained. In a numerical simulation mode actual multi-body system data are combined with the model code, whereby the system is manageable by a user not necessarily familiar with the modeling techniques, but familiar with the multi-body system modeled. Simulation operations by the system produce outputs descriptive of the multi-body system without redundancy, which outputs may then be utilized by the user through a post processor to compute further quantities of interest and to apply visualization to interpret results.

Abstract: A cartridge-carrier is disclosed for maintaining at least one filled and sealed, plastic container within at least two segments which are joined together to define a tubular cartridge having at least one container supporting plate therein for receiving a body of said at least one sealed container and thereafter closing at least the two segments for encompassing at least one container within a tubular cartridge which is then moved into a cylindrical carrier that enables the containers to be processed within a reel and spiral sterilization system.

Abstract: A grabber for a wheel clamp of a wheel aligner has a tip including a body shaft with first and second wheel engagement ends. The body shaft includes a circumferential groove formed thereon. A barrel attached to a carrier of the wheel clamp has a bore sized to slidingly receive the body shaft. The bore has a groove formed in its wall. An elastic "O" ring is fitted within the body shaft groove and, when an engagement end of the shaft is inserted in the bore, the "O" ring resiliently retains the shaft within the bore. Alternatively the grabber tip includes first and second cross shafts, each with first and second wheel engagement ends. The first and second cross shafts and body shaft have axes which are mutually perpendicular.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which operates to collect high resolution three-dimensional surface mesh data from mechanical components which are used for component evaluation. The system includes a multidimensionally movable fixture mount for holding the mechanical components. A structured light pattern emitting projector is provided together with an image sensing camera for detecting impingement of the light pattern on the mechanical component and for generating the surface data. A set of software tools analyzes the data to provide numerical or quantitative component analysis and further presents the data in display form to allow intuitive or qualitative analysis for product and process improvement.

Abstract: A method for processing compacted data without converting the data into uncompacted form. A first set of digital data is converted into compact form by recording a set of points at which the signal level changes. A second set of digital data is likewise converted into compact form by recording the points of signal level change. A logic function is then used to compare the first set of compact data with the second set of compact data.

Abstract: The apparatus disclosed herein relates to plasma injection and distribution systems which release high energy plasma into a combustible mass to promote efficient combustion and maximize the muzzle velocity of a projectile. The devices inject plasma streams into a combustible mass in a coherent and directed manner such that pressure peaks and the resultant thermal and dynamic stresses are eliminated. Particularly, strategically positioned outlet orifices and nozzles enable the invasion of a propellant mass by plasma jet streams to create controllable uniform ignition and combustion therein.

Abstract: The apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to the generation of primary and fuel-enriched plasma to provide ignition and delivery for large amounts of electrical and electrothermal power to a propellant mass. Particularly, the present invention enables the creation of zones of controlled combustion by initially incubating primary plasma in a capillary chamber and mixing the primary plasma with fuel in a fuel chamber thus creating a fuel-enriched plasma. The primary plasma and the fuel-enriched plasma are segregatively, collectively and substantially simultaneously injected into the propellant mass via outlet ports and nozzles. The capillary and fuel chambers, and the nozzles and outlet ports undergo staged disintegration at reaching predetermined pressures and temperatures and are thereby consumed in the combustion process.

Abstract: A wheel alignment system is disclosed which measures the angles between the planes of the wheels on the same side, at the front and diagonally opposite on a four wheel vehicle. The measurements are processed to provide wheel toe, relative wheel plane orientation, front wheel offset and front and rear wheel setback relative to the vehicle frame to assist in damage assessment.

Abstract: The apparatus and method disclosed herein relates to axially aligned electrical contacts which connect a high electrical power pulse forming network to an electrothermal ammunition integrated plasma injector in a combustion augmented plasma gun for launching projectiles thereof. The contacts transfer high energy, intermittent pulses without arcing because structure provides for axially preloading the contacts to reduce contact resistance, for axially stiffening the contacts to eliminate contact bounce and for providing complementary conical contact surfaces to facilitate a high current density transfer.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to apparatus and method for finding the orientation of a steering pivot axis for a wheel in a pair of steerable wheels in a vehicle suspension system, wherein arbitrary steering directions are imparted to the wheels and measurements are taken of the steering directions and the other steerable wheel alignment characteristics of interest. The measurements are transmitted to a computer which serves to calculate caster, steering axis inclination and the orientation of the steering pivot axis relative to a defined three dimensional alignment coordinate system.

Abstract: The invention provides a rotary processor which is able to both cook and cool containerized food in a single vessel. The rotary processor comprises a single vessel with a rotatable reel, which has barrier walls disposed within the reel. The barrier walls allow one side of the vessel to heat and another side of the vessel to cool.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to an alignment system and method which provides improved accuracy measurement of vehicle wheel alignment characteristics, guidance for an operator through known yet obscure adjustment procedures, an interface between system alignment sensors and the system controller which provides efficient handling of system generated data and system inputs and outputs, and live measurements and display of all alignment quantities so that interdependent changes between adjustable alignment quantities are observable.

Abstract: A force sensing apparatus and method in a vehicle wheel balancer is disclosed which in one embodiment includes use of a voltage controlled oscillator connected to drive a piezoelectric crystal at an oscillation frequency which is compared in phase to a frequency generated by the wheel balancer spin shaft encoder. When unbalance force imposed changes occur in the crystal oscillation frequency, an unbalance output is provided by the comparison which contains the unbalance force magnitude and angular orientation information. The unbalance output is processed to provide operator indications for facilitating application of counterweights to the vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A carrier for holding irregularly shaped containers for movement through a hydrostatic sterilizer. The carrier adapts irregularly shaped containers for movement through a sterilizer which can also process contents of cylindrical food cans. A plurality of openings in the carrier allows fluid and steam to surround the containers for uniform processing of the contents of the containers.

Abstract: An induction heating coil with a conical base for fusing a plastic lid to a plastic container. A generally cylindrical container is placed in a generally cylindrical hollow nest having a conical upper wall portion. A plastic lid having a metallic layer is placed on an upper portion of the container. A portion of the lid and a portion of the container are pressed together between the conical wall and the conical coil base during a fusing operation. Container and lid are formed by pressure and heat to provide a uniform seal.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention provides a tined reel which separates vines to allow disengaged fruit caught between the vines to be released. In addition, the invention provides a blowing and pinching means to blow and pull vines from the collected fruit. The invention also provides feeder bars which direct vines to a shaker brush and provides improved separation.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a detection system for a profile line on an observed body which uses a linear array of sequentially energized energy beam emitters to project beams toward the body. Reflections of the beams are detected by a linear array of energy beam receivers which monitor wedge shaped sectors within a field of view. The known sequence of beam projection and the known sector of reception of reflected beams are used to identify points in space on the profile line.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting the presence of ice on a surface. The invention uses cameras to allow ice detection over a large area instead of a single point. The detecting apparatus provides an improved deicing apparatus.

Abstract: A transmit-receive station connected to a high speed ring bus carrying data signals that may be received from and sent to each station on the ring bus has two sources of transmit clocking signals. One source is based on the frequency and phase of data signals received on the ring bus from another station and the other source is a local crystal oscillator having essentially the same frequency as the first source but in an indeterminate phase. When changing the source of clocking signals for transmission of data originating at the station, bit slippage may be minimized by providing the local oscillator output signal in four phases and using the phase most nearly aligned with the other clocking signal when the change is made.Control of access to transmit by a station employs a token having a message field of seven bits and a access control bit.