Abstract: Systems and methods are provided performing autonomous tuning of a stringed instrument. Images of the stringed instrument are acquired by at least two cameras and processed to identify the location of a peg. A robotic peg actuator is then engaged to actuate rotation of a peg in order to rotate the peg to a tuned angular orientation, guided by feedback generated by processing acoustic signals recorded by an acoustic transducer while a string associated with the peg is agitated. In some example implementations, the cameras and peg actuator are rigidly mounted to a frame that is configured to support the stringed instrument during peg imaging and actuation. A robotic string actuator may be provided to facilitate vibration of the string during the tuning process. Multiple robotic peg actuators may be included for per-peg rotational actuation and/or a given peg actuator may be robotically translatable to actuate more than one peg.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided performing autonomous tuning of a stringed instrument. Images of the stringed instrument are acquired by at least two cameras and processed to identify the location of a peg. A robotic peg actuator is then engaged to actuate rotation of a peg in order to rotate the peg to a tuned angular orientation, guided by feedback generated by processing acoustic signals recorded by an acoustic transducer while a string associated with the peg is agitated. In some example implementations, the cameras and peg actuator are rigidly mounted to a frame that is configured to support the stringed instrument during peg imaging and actuation. A robotic string actuator may be provided to facilitate vibration of the string during the tuning process. Multiple robotic peg actuators may be included for per-peg rotational actuation and/or a given peg actuator may be robotically translatable to actuate more than one peg.

Abstract: An agitator device for mixing materials, including a containment vessel defining an interior volume, a hollow shaft having an upper end, a lower end, and a central bore along its length, the lower end extending downwardly into the interior volume of the containment vessel, the hollow shaft being rotatable with respect to the containment vessel, and a takeout tube having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the takeout tube is disposed within the central bore of the hollow shaft so that the lower end of the takeout tube is in fluid communication with the interior volume of the containment vessel.

Abstract: A prechamber ignition device in an internal combustion engine is provided having a body piece formed of a first type of material and a tip piece formed of a second type of material. A distal end of the body piece has a cladding, which may be of the second type of material, for preventing corrosion of the first type of material from which the body piece is formed.

Abstract: A prechamber ignition assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a base attached to a remanufactured prechamber ignition device at a base weld interface. The remanufactured prechamber ignition device includes a new tip formed of a tip material, and a root formed of a root material, with a used body formed of a body material disposed therebetween. The new tip is bonded to the used body at a tip weld interface and the root is bonded to the used body at a root weld interface.

Abstract: A method for repairing a cylinder liner includes: placing a cylinder liner having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter into a cavity of a confinement, the cavity including a cavity inner diameter that is substantially the same as the first outer diameter of the cylinder liner; heating the cylinder liner to a temperature at which the cylinder liner undergoes plastic deformation, causing the first inner diameter of the cylinder liner to decrease; and cooling the cylinder liner. The cooled cylinder liner has a second inner diameter that is less than the first inner diameter. An apparatus for repairing a cylinder liner includes a confinement having a cavity and a fluid passageway for controlling the temperature of the confinement, and a heating block for heating the cylinder liner when the cylinder liner is inserted into the cavity.

Abstract: A prechamber ignition assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a base attached to a remanufactured prechamber ignition device at a base weld interface. The remanufactured prechamber ignition device includes a new tip formed of a tip material, and a root formed of a root material, with a used body formed of a body material disposed therebetween. The new tip is bonded to the used body at a tip weld interface and the root is bonded to the used body at a root weld interface.

Abstract: A prechamber ignition device in an internal combustion engine is provided having a body piece formed of a first type of material and a tip piece formed of a second type of material. A distal end of the body piece has a cladding, which may be of the second type of material, for preventing corrosion of the first type of material from which the body piece is formed.

Abstract: A method for repairing a cylinder liner includes: placing a cylinder liner having a first inner diameter and a first outer diameter into a cavity of a confinement, the cavity including a cavity inner diameter that is substantially the same as the first outer diameter of the cylinder liner; heating the cylinder liner to a temperature at which the cylinder liner undergoes plastic deformation, causing the first inner diameter of the cylinder liner to decrease; and cooling the cylinder liner. The cooled cylinder liner has a second inner diameter that is less than the first inner diameter. An apparatus for repairing a cylinder liner includes a confinement having a cavity and a fluid passageway for controlling the temperature of the confinement, and a heating block for heating the cylinder liner when the cylinder liner is inserted into the cavity.

Abstract: A venting plug assembly for sealing a coolant channel and venting air therefrom is disclosed. The coolant channel defines an open portion to receive the venting plug assembly. The venting plug assembly includes an outer sealing element with an annular portion configured for sealing engagement with the open portion of the coolant channel. The venting assembly further includes an inner sealing element configured for sealing engagement with the annular portion of the outer sealing element. The inner sealing element is configured to move relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element to allow air to vent from the coolant channel through the outer sealing element.

Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder block having at least one cylinder bore, a piston positioned in the cylinder block, and a cylinder head configured to attach to the cylinder block at a mounting surface of the cylinder block, the cylinder head including a corresponding mounting surface, a first valve receiving portion and a second valve receiving portion, each valve receiving portion being disposed on the mounting surface of the cylinder head, a bridge disposed between the first valve receiving portion and the second valve receiving portion, at least one channel disposed through at least a portion of the bridge, and a heat transferring material positioned within the at least one channel, the heat transferring material having a first thermal conductivity, wherein the cylinder head is formed of a parent material having a second thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A method is provided for remanufacturing an engine block. The engine block includes a top deck and a passageway that opens at the top deck, and is partially defined in the engine block by a counterbore having a side surface and a base surface. The method includes spraying solid powder metal onto the side surface and the base surface by a gas dynamic cold spray method so as to form a fill member adhered with the side surface and the base surface.

Abstract: A venting plug assembly for sealing a coolant channel and venting air therefrom is disclosed. The coolant channel defines an open portion to receive the venting plug assembly. The venting plug assembly includes an outer sealing element with an annular portion configured for sealing engagement with the open portion of the coolant channel. The venting assembly further includes an inner sealing element configured for sealing engagement with the annular portion of the outer sealing element. The inner sealing element is configured to move relative to the annular portion of the outer sealing element to allow air to vent from the coolant channel through the outer sealing element.

Abstract: A cylinder liner is provided that can prevent a band seal from being damaged during installation. The cylinder liner includes a pilot portion having a larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the band seal. The pilot portion contacts an insert and a seal positioned on a recess of the engine block so that the cylinder liner lateral movement during operation of the engine block is prevented. In order to accommodate a larger outer diameter of the pilot portion, the inner diameters of the seal and insert can be correspondingly increased through a machining process. The machining process also creates uniform inner diameters of the seal and insert.

Abstract: A process for remanufacturing a cylinder head that includes a worn or damaged rocker arm stand adapted to receive a rocker shaft to which at least one rocker arm is mounted, the steps including machining a channel in a surface of the worn or damaged rocker arm stand, securing an insert into the channel, and machining the insert to form a remanufactured inner facing surface. The remanufactured cylinder head includes at least one rocker arm stand that has a machined channel with a remanufactured insert secured therein, the rocker shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface, not the rocker arm stand.

Abstract: A process for remanufacturing a cylinder head that includes a worn or damaged rocker arm stand adapted to receive a rocker shaft to which at least one rocker arm is mounted, the steps including machining a channel in a surface of the worn or damaged rocker arm stand, securing an insert into the channel, and machining the insert to form a remanufactured inner facing surface. The remanufactured cylinder head includes at least one rocker arm stand that has a machined channel with a remanufactured insert secured therein, the rocker shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface, not the rocker arm stand.

Abstract: An insert for use in a remanufactured cylinder head rocker arm stand, the insert comprising an inner facing surface having a radius within a range of 35 to 45 mm and a length within a range of 70 to 103 mm, and an outer facing surface adapted for disposal against a channel in the rocker arm stand, the rocker arm shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface in use, but not adjacent the rocker arm stand.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block, such as for an internal combustion engine, includes a step of removing material from a top deck of the engine block surrounding a cylinder bore to create a first removal area. Material is also removed from the top deck of the engine block surrounding at least one fluid passage to create a second removal area. An insert is positioned within a recessed area defined by the first removal area and the second removal area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block, such as for an internal combustion engine, includes a step of removing material from a top deck of the engine block surrounding a cylinder bore to create a first removal area. Material is also removed from the top deck of the engine block surrounding at least one fluid passage to create a second removal area. An insert is positioned within a recessed area defined by the first removal area and the second removal area.

Abstract: A process for remanufacturing a cylinder head that includes a worn or damaged rocker arm stand adapted to receive a rocker shaft to which at least one rocker arm is mounted, the steps including machining a channel in a surface of the worn or damaged rocker arm stand, securing an insert into the channel, and machining the insert to form a remanufactured inner facing surface. The remanufactured cylinder head includes at least one rocker arm stand that has a machined channel with a remanufactured insert secured therein, the rocker shaft being disposed adjacent the inner facing surface, not the rocker arm stand.