Abstract: A life indicator for a component of a machine is disclosed. The life indicator includes at least one sensor operably associated with the machine and configured to sense a property associated with the machine. The sensor is configured to output the sensed property as a data signal. The life indicator also includes a memory element having a first data structure that determines a damage factor for the component of the machine based at least in part on the data signal received from the at least one sensor. A processor executes the first data structure to determine the damage factor.

Abstract: A method and system for determining one or more desired communication services for an application. The method and system includes determining at least one application operating parameter, at least one communication operating parameter, at least one cost factor, and at least one value factor. The method and system further includes assigning a priority level to each application operating parameter, communication operating parameter, cost factor, and value factor. Additionally, the method and system includes comparing the priority levels to each other, and determining a desired communication service based on the compared priority levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audible alarm signal. The method and apparatus includes creating a rectangular pulse signal having a desired period and a desired first amplitude, adding a shaped modulation component to the rectangular pulse signal from the desired first amplitude to a desired second amplitude to create a modulating waveform, creating a carrier signal, and combining the carrier signal and the modulating waveform to create the audible alarm signal.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and analyzing anomalies in a machine during operation. The system and method includes at least one sensor configured to detect characteristics of the machine indicative of machine vibration, at least one other sensor configured to detect characteristics of the machine indicative of other than machine vibration, a plurality of neural networks to receive input data, at least one neural network receiving vibration data from the at least one sensor, and at least one other neural network receiving non-vibration data from the at least one other sensor, and an expert system to receive output data from the neural networks and responsively analyze machine operation for anomalies.

Abstract: A method for providing a process model for a material in a manufacturing process. The method includes the steps of receiving stress and distortion information of the material from a previous manufacturing process, determining updated stress and distortion information of the material from a process model for the present manufacturing process, the updated stress and distortion information being a function of the stresses and distortions caused by the present manufacturing process and the stresses and distortions from the previous manufacturing process, and providing the updated stress and distortion information of the material to a subsequent manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a work tool. The method and apparatus includes receiving a command to engage a vibratory mode of the work tool, actuating the vibratory mode, and increasing at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of vibration as a function of time during receipt of the command.

Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The engine valve actuation system includes an intake valve that is moveable between a first position to prevent a flow of fluid and a second position to allow a flow of fluid. A cam assembly is configured to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. A fluid actuator is configured to selectively prevent the intake valve from moving to the first position. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with the fluid actuator. A directional control valve is configured to control a flow of fluid between the source of fluid and the fluid actuator. A check valve is disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, only allowing fluid flow from the fluid source to the directional control valve. A bleed orifice may be disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, in parallel with the check valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming a fuel injector located on an engine. The method and apparatus includes modifying an engine speed control, interrupting at least one injection event, monitoring a change associated with an engine speed, and responsively trimming the injector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing a combustion phasing between a plurality of cylinders located in an engine. The method and apparatus includes a determining a combustion timing in each cylinder, establishing a baseline parameter for a desired combustion timing, and varying actuation of at least one of a plurality of intake valves, each intake valve being in fluid communication with a corresponding cylinder, such that the combustion timing in each cylinder is substantially equal to the desired combustion timing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a simulation of a welding process using integrated models which are interconnected by an interconnection tool to determine stresses and distortions of a material being welded. The method and apparatus includes determining a model of a geometry of a set of materials to be welded, defining a set of coordinates of elements and nodes of the geometry model for a finite element analysis mesh, delivering the finite element analysis mesh coordinates to a thermal analysis model, the thermal analysis model including an analytical solution model and a finite element analysis model, and determining a thermal analysis of the welding process, the thermal analysis responsively providing a thermal history of the welding process. The method and apparatus further includes delivering the thermal history of the welding process to a structural analysis model, and providing a structural analysis of the welding process as a function of the thermal history.

Abstract: A method for determining a model for a welding simulation, and the associated model. The method includes the steps of determining a history annihilation model of a material being welded, determining a strain hardening model of the material being welded, determining a three-dimensional virtual elements detection model of the material being welded, and incorporating the above models into a constitutive model for the welding simulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a value of torque at a desired location on a machine. The method and apparatus includes choosing the desired location, determining an operating condition relevant to the desired location, determining a plurality of parameters of the machine, and determining a value of torque at the desired location as a function of the operating condition and the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing earthwork design templates in an on-board system on a work machine. The machine operator may select one or more of the templates and place and orient the template on a topographic map displayed on a screen. The operator may adjust the position and heading in the x-y plane and adjust the elevation, slope, and cross slope of the template relative to the map.

Abstract: A valve unit having a needle valve member, a control valve, a control line extending between the control valve and the needle valve member. Pressurized actuation fluid may be applied to the needle valve member via the control valve and the control line, in order to bias the needle valve member in a first direction. A vent passage is provided, which is fluidly connected to the control line between the needle valve member and the control valve. A valve element which is movably disposed in the control line and has a first position in which said vent passage is closed, and a second position in which said vent passage is open to the control line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a desired position of a pseudolite at a site. The method and apparatus includes predicting an area of coverage of the site by at least one GPS satellite, determining a condition of reduced coverage as a function of the predicted area of coverage, displaying the area having reduced coverage on a terrain map, and placing a pseudolite at a location at the site to provide coverage in the area having reduced coverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a profile of a pavement. The method and apparatus includes determining a slope of a mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the pavement, and determining a change in elevation of the pavement as a function of the slope and a distance from a first ground engaging member on the mobile machine to a second ground engaging member on the mobile machine, the change in elevation being indicative of a profile of the pavement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hydrogen enriched fuel to a combustion prechamber. The method and apparatus includes reforming a quantity of fuel to produce a hydrogen enriched fuel, delivering the reformed fuel to the combustion prechamber, and combining the hydrogen enriched fuel with a fuel/air mixture to less than stoichiometric.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling timing of an internal combustion engine having a piston located in a cylinder. The method and apparatus includes determining a first angular position of a crankshaft at a first location along a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft, determining a second angular position of the crankshaft at a second location along the longitudinal axis, determining a level of deformation of the crankshaft as a function of a difference between the first and second angular positions, determining an actual position of the piston as a function of the crankshaft deformation, comparing the actual piston position to a desired piston position, and controlling timing of an event to initiate combustion in the cylinder as a function of a difference between the actual and desired piston positions.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a set of desired machine specifications. The method and system includes inputting a set of data to a processor, the data including information relevant to a machine, a machine tool, and a machined part, determining a required set of specifications of the machine as a function of the data, and outputting the required set of specifications to a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a bearing member with an actuator. The apparatus includes an actuator having a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed about an axis, a substantially spherical end on the actuator, a bearing member having a substantially spherical opening for housing the spherical end, the spherical end and the spherical opening being configured such that the bearing member is held in swiveling contact by the spherical end, a spring retainer located on the actuator a desired distance from the spherical end, and a spring located about the actuator from the spring retainer to the bearing member such that a spring force is placed on the bearing member to maintain alignment of the bearing member with the axis.