Abstract: A method for determining a path for the autonomous operation a vehicle with a task space is provided. The method comprises detecting multiple temperature sources located at the boundaries of the task space; recording the one or more positional coordinates associated with the temperature sources; storing the one or more positional coordinates; and retrieving the one or more positional coordinates and navigating the vehicle based on the one or more positional coordinates.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of communicating with smart appliances through a smart grid and smart meter infrastructure.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation sensor configured to direct a field of view toward at least one conduit along a fluid flow path into a heat exchanger. The radiation sensor is configured to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the at least one conduit. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation sensor. The controller is configured to determine the temperature based on the signal, to compare the temperature to a threshold range, and to adjust a fluid flow through the fluid flow path or the at least one conduit if the temperature deviates from the threshold range.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation detector array configured to direct a field of view toward multiple conduits within a fluid flow path from a turbine into a heat exchanger. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a multi-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow path based on thermal radiation emitted by the conduits. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to determine a temperature variation across the fluid flow path based on the signal, and to compare the temperature variation to a threshold value.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation sensor configured to direct a field of view toward a conduit within a heat recovery steam generator, and to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the conduit. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation sensor. The controller is configured to determine the temperature based on the signal, and to compare the temperature to a threshold value.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation detector array directed toward a fluid flow into a compressor. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a two-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to detect a temperature variation across the fluid flow based on the signal.

Abstract: A system includes a radiation detector array directed toward a fluid flow into a compressor. The radiation detector array is configured to output a signal indicative of a two-dimensional temperature profile of the fluid flow. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the radiation detector array. The controller is configured to detect a temperature variation across the fluid flow based on the signal, and to adjust a parameter of a temperature control device to compensate for the detected temperature variation.

Abstract: A system includes a controller configured to receive a signal from a thermal radiation sensor indicative of a temperature of a region including at least one fluid passage. The controller is also configured to detect a leak within the at least one fluid passage based on the signal.

Abstract: A detecting device for a vehicle and method thereof is provided. The device includes a first infrared detector, a second infared detector, and a controller. The first infrared detector is configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a first target area by receiving infrared radiation of the first target area over a sampling period. The second infrared detector is configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a second target area by receiving infrared radiation of the second target area over the sampling period. The controller is configured to receive and store the plurality of first and second signals, wherein the controller repeatedly compares a plurality of correlation values to a predetermined tolerance range above a minimum threshold value, wherein the correlation values are determined by repeatedly comparing a plurality of time delayed signals of the second plurality of signals to a real time signal of the plurality of first signals.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a blind-zone sensing system including leading and trailing passive IR sensors periodically determines a separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors to diagnose sensor alignment. Signals produced by the leading and trailing sensors are sampled and stored over a defined interval of time for processing. A condition in which the sensor coverage areas abruptly encounter a stationary region of cooler temperature is detected when corresponding signal deflections are identified. The elapsed time between the identified signal deflections is measured and used along with an accurate measure of the vehicle speed to compute the separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors.

Abstract: A detecting device for a vehicle, the detecting device comprising: a first infrared detector configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a first target area by receiving infrared radiation of the first target area, the first infrared detector being configured to provide a plurality of first signals each corresponding to a measured temperature of the first target area over a sampling period; a second infrared detector configured to repeatedly measure a temperature of a second target area by receiving infrared radiation of the second target area, the second infrared detector being configured to provide a plurality of second signals each corresponding to a measured temperature of the second target area over the sampling period, the second target area being different from the first target area; and a controller configured to receive and store the plurality of first signals and the plurality of second signals in a storage medium, wherein the controller repeatedly compares a plurality of correlation values to

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a blind-zone sensing system including leading and trailing passive IR sensors periodically determines a separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors to diagnose sensor alignment. Signals produced by the leading and trailing sensors are sampled and stored over a defined interval of time for processing. A condition in which the sensor coverage areas abruptly encounter a stationary region of cooler temperature is detected when corresponding signal deflections are identified. The elapsed time between the identified signal deflections is measured and used along with an accurate measure of the vehicle speed to compute the separation distance between coverage areas of the leading and trailing sensors.

Abstract: An object surface characterization system with adaptive lighting control includes a light projector, a light source, a camera, a processor and a memory subsystem. The processor is coupled to the light projector, the light source and the camera, as well as the memory subsystem. The memory subsystem stores code that, when executed by the processor, instructs the processor to perform a number of steps to achieve adaptive lighting control for the system.

Abstract: An absolute position sensor having a low power mode includes a sensing device for sensing position of an object such as a power door, a power input for inputting power to the sensing device, and an output for supplying an output signal indicative of the sensed position. The sensor also includes a controller that receives the output signal and controls power supplied to the power input. The controller determines when the output signal does not change by a predetermined amount and controls the power input to reduce power when the output signal does not change by the predetermined amount. The controller further reapplies continuous full power to the power input when the output signal changes by the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A detection system and method of detecting the presence of a heat-emitting object near a stopped host vehicle are provided. The detection system includes a thermal detector mounted on the host vehicle for detecting thermal radiation in a coverage zone, such as a blind spot zone. A sensor detects if the host vehicle is stopped. A controller monitors temperature of the coverage zone while the vehicle is stopped and determines the presence of an object in the coverage zone based on a change in temperature.

Abstract: An object surface characterization system with adaptive lighting control includes a light projector, a light source, a camera, a processor and a memory subsystem. The processor is coupled to the light projector, the light source and the camera, as well as the memory subsystem. The memory subsystem stores code that, when executed by the processor, instructs the processor to perform a number of steps to achieve adaptive lighting control for the system.

Abstract: A detection system and method of detecting the presence of a heat-emitting object near a stopped host vehicle are provided. The detection system includes a thermal detector mounted on the host vehicle for detecting thermal radiation in a coverage zone, such as a blind spot zone. A sensor detects if the host vehicle is stopped. A controller monitors temperature of the coverage zone while the vehicle is stopped and determines the presence of an object in the coverage zone based on a change in temperature.

Abstract: An absolute position sensor having a low power mode includes a sensing device for sensing position of an object such as a power door, a power input for inputting power to the sensing device, and an output for supplying an output signal indicative of the sensed position. The sensor also includes a controller that receives the output signal and controls power supplied to the power input. The controller determines when the output signal does not change by a predetermined amount and controls the power input to reduce power when the output signal does not change by the predetermined amount. The controller further reapplies continuous full power to the power input when the output signal changes by the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle which provides force feedback to the hand-operated steering wheel to allow an operator of the vehicle to feel forced opposition to the steerable road wheels. The steering system includes a road wheel actuator for actuating an associated road wheel, and a position sensor for sensing angular position of the road wheel. The steering system also includes a hand-operated steering wheel for controlling directivity of the road wheel, a steering wheel sensor for sensing position of the steering wheel, and a steering wheel actuator for actuating the hand-operated steering wheel. A controller receives a sensed steering wheel position and sensed road wheel position and calculates the control signal as a function of the difference therebetween.

Abstract: Each signal channel has a 12 bit A/D converter which begins conversion after each read cycle. A 24 bit digital signal processor is connected by a 24 bit data bus to the converters such that one converter supplies data to the upper data lines and the other supplies data to the lower data lines of the bus. Both converters are simultaneously read into the processor, the data being combined into one word. The processor then splits the word into separate data for each channel by multiply and move operations.