Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein a flow of elongated product, such as wooden boards, oriented transverse to the direction of travel; having abutted stacks or piles with numerous layers in a variously misaligned fashion, is received onto the first and uppermost of a series of generally horizontal conveyors arranged in a single vertical array one above the other with each subsequent level operating in a direction opposite of the level above it.

Abstract: A system and method configured to direct the braking energy from a high-pressure port at the motor side of a hydraulic circuit to emergency steering, braking, accumulator(s) charging, and/or various work functions. The system and method are also configured to return hydraulic fluid back to the same high-pressure port when the motor is running as a pump.

Abstract: A control system that uses an algorithm to control the fan speed in a cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The algorithm is adapted to maintain a cooling medium at a set temperature instead of an operating temperature range of the cooling medium. The algorithm is also adapted to maintain a cooling medium at a set temperature and to build a cooling safety margin in response to an engine output torque percentage that is below an output torque percentage setpoint.

Abstract: An illustrative control system for a precision agricultural implement includes a controller having a convolutional neural network, an imaging device, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of actuators in communication with the controller, the controller configured for detecting and tracking objects of interest in a commodity field, such a commodity plants, and the plurality of actuators including a plurality of agricultural tool actuators the controller operates based on the detection and tracking of object of interest in the commodity field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect breaks in tracks and/or detect the presence of a vehicle, which can include for example a train, in a monitored section of the track or rail. Embodiments of the present invention measure the change in amplitude and/or phase angles. Electrical shunts are connected between the rails at spaced-apart intervals. At least two different frequencies of alternating current are generated and fed into the segments of rail (for example at or near a mid-point between the shunts). If a rail break occurs, the total inductance of the rail at that segment will change. Using two or more frequencies allows a rail break to be differentiated from environmental rail-to-rail and rail-to-earth leakage.

Abstract: An illustrative modular smart implement for precision agriculture includes a chassis having a hydraulic system, a control system, and articulating tool arms that are adapted to releasably receive one of a tool attachment for working a crop and/or field, including precision planting, cultivating, thinning, spraying, harvesting, and/or data collection. A toolbar fixed to the chassis receives and supports the articulating tools arms. An alignment member and side shift actuator provide movement of a portion of the tool arms along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toolbar, and a lift actuator provide movement along a vertical axis.

Abstract: An illustrative control system for an precision agricultural implement includes a controller having a convolutional neural network, a machine vision module, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of actuators in communication with the controller, the plurality of actuators including a plurality of agricultural tool actuators.

Abstract: A system and method configured to direct the braking energy from a high-pressure port at the motor side of a hydraulic circuit to emergency steering, braking, accumulator(s) charging, and/or various work functions. The system and method are also configured to return hydraulic fluid back to the same high-pressure port when the motor is running as a pump.

Abstract: An unscrambler machine receives a load of wooden boards in its hopper. The unscrambler steadily dispenses one board at a time onto a grading “waterfall” conveyor. When the board leaves the unscrambler, it is relatively aligned, but not always adequately aligned, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the conveyor. In the case that multiple tiered “waterfall” conveyors are used, the board is cascaded down each waterfall configuration and will continue to be straightened out by nature of the effect of gravity on the board as it slides down to encounter the conveyor chain of each conveyor tier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect breaks in tracks and/or detect the presence of a vehicle, such as a train, in a monitored section of the track or rail. Embodiments of the present invention measure the change in track inductance associated with a track or rail break. Electrical shunts are connected between the rails at spaced-apart intervals (for example a shunt can be placed every mile). At least two different frequencies of alternating current are generated and fed into the segments of rail (for example at or near a mid-point between the shunts). If a rail break occurs, the total inductance of the rail at that segment will change. Using two or more frequencies allows a rail break to be differentiated from environmental rail-to-rail and rail-to-earth leakage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a reusable vacuum bag, as well as the reusable vacuum bag resulting from the method. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a mold. The mold comprises a pair of plates that collectively define a cavity with layout of a reusable vacuum bag. A vacuum bag material is added to the cavity. For example, silicone may be added (e.g., injected or poured) into a cavity. The vacuum bag material is cured within the cavity to form the reusable vacuum bag. The reusable vacuum bag is thereafter removed from the mold. In some embodiments, the reusable vacuum bag resulting from the method comprises an integrated vacuum seal, an integrated sensor pad, an integrated vacuum port pad, an integrated vacuum track, uniform wall thicknesses, tapered or rounded edges, or any combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: A deduster is comprised of two sets (pairs) of counter-rotating dedusting brushes in co-operation with a vacuum system for saw dust removal from wooden lumber. In addition to these features, the deduster may feature a separate, movable, top brush assembly that can be easily adjusted for different board thicknesses and raised up to allow for clearing board jams and for pass-through if boards were to be run without dedusting. This deduster apparatus is modular, thereby allowing it to be positioned over an existing machine or a lumber board unscrambler machine such as a lugged unscrambler machine.

Abstract: An unscrambler machine receives a load of wooden boards in its hopper. The unscrambler steadily dispenses one board at a time onto a grading “waterfall” conveyor. When the board leaves the unscrambler, it is relatively aligned, but not always adequately aligned, perpendicular to the direction of travel of the conveyor. In the case that multiple tiered “waterfall” conveyors are used, the board is cascaded down each waterfall configuration and will continue to be straightened out by nature of the effect of gravity on the board as it slides down to encounter the conveyor chain of each conveyor tier.

Abstract: A flexible chain diverter system acts as a moveable diverter “swing-arm” capable of dispensing groups of bottles into the array of entrance gates for loading onto a shipping pallet. The flexible chain has a variable axial length. As a result of the ability to change in axial length, the diverter described herein can remain taut at the shortest distance gates and can stretch to reach gates at the maximum range of reach. This allows for the path length of travel to be optimized for any gate.

Abstract: A flexible chain diverter system acts as a moveable diverter “swing-arm” capable of dispensing groups of bottles into the array of entrance gates for loading onto a shipping pallet. The flexible chain has a variable axial length. As a result of the ability to change in axial length, the diverter described herein can remain taut at the shortest distance gates and can stretch to reach gates at the maximum range of reach. This allows for the path length of travel to be optimized for any gate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for sensing anomalies in a long electrically conductive object to be inspected. The object may be a pipeline, or other hollow tube. The apparatus may have a magnetic field generator, and an array of sensors spaced about the field generator. As relative motion in the longitudinal direction occurs between the apparatus and the object to be inspected, the moving magnetic field, or flux, passed from the field generator into the object to be inspected may tend to cause eddy currents to flow in the object. The sensors may be spaced both axially and circumferentially to permit variation in magnetic flux, or eddy current divergence, to be sensed as a function of either or both of axial position relative to the wave front of the magnetic field (or, effectively equivalently any other known datum such as the radial plane of the midpoint of the field generator), and circumferential position about the periphery of the apparatus as measured from an angular datum.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assessing the location of a drill bit underground. The apparatus includes an acoustic sound generator that is driven by the drilling mud supplied to the drill bit. The sound generator a characteristic string of pulses, which may be termed a signature or key. The key is repeated over and over. Monitors (i.e., sensors) at the surface listen for this key. The key is distorted by the inconstant angular velocity of the drill bit. Thus the observed data do not precisely match the key. On the basis of numerical algorithms, a digitally revised reference signal or key, is identified to map the known reference key onto the best fitting observed data. The correction factors are then applied to map the modified reference key onto the data observed at other sensors of an array of sensors mounted on the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting flaws in electrically conductive materials by observing properties of the back-EMF of the eddy current field generated by driving magnetic flux through the object to be examined. The input signal may include sweeps at several frequencies, and may do so at one time under the principle of wave superposition. The sectorial observations of eddy currents summations may be compared to a known datum for a defect free material, the presence of anomalies in eddy field back EMF divergence tending to provide an indication of an irregularity in the underlying eddy field, and hence in the underlying material itself. The portable unit may have a number of different configurations depending on the nature of the object to be examined, be it a flat or large radius plate, a flange, a rail, or some other structural element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for directing a conveyed product on a conveyor. The apparatus includes a filing channel that includes the ability to adjust the location of at least one end of the filing channel. In one embodiment, the filing apparatus includes a plurality of cards successively arranged wherein the cards are supported by a support member. The cards define the filing channel and the shape of the channel is maintained despite repositioning at least one end of the filing channel.

Abstract: A vapor compression apparatus and a method for operating a vapor compression system are provided. A working fluid is conveyed through a vapor compression system having a fluid line. A charging element is connected to the fluid line to direct an electric charge into working fluid. The electric charge is operable to disrupt intermolecular forces and weaken intermolecular attraction to enhance expansion of the working fluid to the vapor phase, increasing the capacity, performance and efficiency of the system components, and reducing system cycling mechanical wear and energy consumption.