Abstract: A wood chipper having a rotatable drum configured to reduce the size of wood fed into the wood chipper; a sensor configured to sense a speed of rotation of the rotatable drum; and a controller operably connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to cut power to the rotatable drum when the speed of rotation of the rotatable drum drops below a pre-set threshold value. The controller is operably engaged with a centrifugal clutch that is engaged to enable the rotatable drum to be rotated. When the speed of drum rotation drops below the threshold value because debris is slowing down rotation of the drum, the centrifugal clutch is disengaged by dropping engine speed. Disengagement of the centrifugal clutch cuts power to the drum and rotation thereof ceases so that the debris may be cleared.

Abstract: A wood chipper having a rotatable drum configured to reduce the size of wood fed into the wood chipper; a sensor configured to sense a speed of rotation of the rotatable drum; and a controller operably connected to the sensor. The controller is configured to cut power to the rotatable drum when the speed of rotation of the rotatable drum drops below a pre-set threshold value. The controller is operably engaged with a centrifugal clutch that is engaged to enable the rotatable drum to be rotated. When the speed of drum rotation drops below the threshold value because debris is slowing down rotation of the drum, the centrifugal clutch is disengaged by dropping engine speed. Disengagement of the centrifugal clutch cuts power to the drum and rotation thereof ceases so that the debris may be cleared.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes providing a solid shaft, a tubular shaft, and a wear plate. The solid shaft includes first and second ends. A tubular shaft includes an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein. The groove includes an inner surface. The wear plate includes a bottom surface that defines an axially extending channel. The wear plate is orientated in the groove of the tubular shaft with a gap defined by the wear plate and the groove of the tubular shaft. The solid shaft is then inserted into the tubular shaft. At least one ball bearing is inserted within the channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a gearbox assembly for a medical assist device having a motor assembly and a leg support is provided. The gearbox assembly includes a worm configured to be operably coupled to the motor assembly, and a worm gear meshingly engaged with the worm. The worm gear is configured to be operably coupled to the leg support, and the worm and the worm gear are configured to transfer rotary motion from the motor assembly to the leg support upon initiation of a force applied to the leg support.

Abstract: A human exoskeleton includes a power source. The human exoskeleton also includes a controller configured to activate power between the exoskeleton and the power source. The human exoskeleton further includes a power disconnect mechanism electronically connected to the controller and configured to disconnect power between the exoskeleton and the power source when activated, the power disconnect mechanism activated when a pressure applied to the power disconnect mechanism is above a range programmed in the controller or below the range programmed in the controller, the human exoskeleton powered only when the pressure applied to the power disconnect mechanism is within the range programmed in the controller.

Abstract: A human exoskeleton is provided and includes a power source. The human exoskeleton also includes a controller configured to activate power between the exoskeleton and the power source. The human exoskeleton further includes a power disconnect mechanism electronically connected to the controller and configured to disconnect power between the exoskeleton and the battery when activated, the power disconnect mechanism physically in contact with a wearer of the human exoskeleton.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a controller that is in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable joint actuator assembly for a medical assist device is provided. The assembly includes a support arm extending along a longitudinal axis, a gearbox rotatably coupled to the support arm about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis, and a locking mechanism inserted over a portion of the support arm and the gearbox to facilitate preventing movement of the gearbox relative to the support arm along the longitudinal axis. The locking mechanism is configured for removal to enable movement of the gearbox relative to the support arm along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes providing a solid shaft, a tubular shaft, and a wear plate. The solid shaft includes first and second ends. A tubular shaft includes an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein. The groove includes an inner surface. The wear plate includes a bottom surface that defines an axially extending channel. The wear plate is orientated in the groove of the tubular shaft with a gap defined by the wear plate and the groove of the tubular shaft. The solid shaft is then inserted into the tubular shaft. At least one ball bearing is inserted within the channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having first and second ends. Also included is a tubular shaft configured to receive the first end, the tubular shaft having an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein, the axially extending groove having an inner surface. Further included is a wear plate having a bottom surface and an elastically deformable body having first and second ends, the body defining an axially extending channel, the body of the wear plate received in the tubular shaft groove. Yet further included is an outer surface of the body of the wear plate defining a gap between the wear plate and the axially extending groove of the tubular shaft, the gap reduced upon flexure of the wear plate. Also included is at least one ball bearing disposed within the wear plate channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A solid shaft sub-assembly includes a solid shaft having a first portion and a second portion, and a yoke including an inner wall defining an aperture to receive the solid shaft. The aperture has a non-circular first cross-sectional profile, and the solid shaft first portion is positioned within the aperture and is deformed such that the first portion is formed with a second cross-sectional profile complementary to the first cross-sectional profile to axially and torsionally couple the solid shaft to the yoke.

Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle is provided. The steering system includes a controller that is in communication with an electric power steering system and a transmission control system. The controller is programmed to, in response to a first signal indicative of a non-verified operator and a request to operate, place the electric power steering system in a standby mode and inhibit the transmission control system from changing at least one of a transmission operational state and a transmission operational position.

Abstract: Catheter assembly for delivering an implant including an outer tubular member, an inner shaft member, and a pusher assembly. The outer tubular member defines an outer tubular member lumen and includes an inner layer, a reinforcement layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer. The inner shaft member is disposed at least partially within the outer tubular member lumen. The inner shaft member includes a proximal inner shaft portion and a distal inner shaft portion, the distal inner shaft portion having a distal end portion. The pusher assembly is coupled to the distal end portion of the distal inner shaft portion. The inner shaft member is configured to move distally and proximally relative the outer tubular member between an initial position and a deployed position.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a gearbox assembly for a medical assist device having a motor assembly and a leg support is provided. The gearbox assembly includes a worm configured to be operably coupled to the motor assembly, and a worm gear meshingly engaged with the worm. The worm gear is configured to be operably coupled to the leg support, and the worm and the worm gear are configured to transfer rotary motion from the motor assembly to the leg support upon initiation of a force applied to the leg support.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable joint actuator assembly for a medical assist device is provided. The assembly includes a support arm extending along a longitudinal axis, a gearbox rotatably coupled to the support arm about the longitudinal axis and slidable along the longitudinal axis, and a locking mechanism inserted over a portion of the support arm and the gearbox to facilitate preventing movement of the gearbox relative to the support arm along the longitudinal axis. The locking mechanism is configured for removal to enable movement of the gearbox relative to the support arm along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A rolling element intermediate shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having first and second ends. Also included is a tubular shaft configured to receive the first end, the tubular shaft having an inner wall with an axially extending groove formed therein, the axially extending groove having an inner surface. Further included is a wear plate having a bottom surface and an elastically deformable body having first and second ends, the body defining an axially extending channel, the body of the wear plate received in the tubular shaft groove. Yet further included is an outer surface of the body of the wear plate defining a gap between the wear plate and the axially extending groove of the tubular shaft, the gap reduced upon flexure of the wear plate. Also included is at least one ball bearing disposed within the wear plate channel between the wear plate and the solid shaft.

Abstract: A human exoskeleton is provided and includes a power source. The human exoskeleton also includes a controller configured to activate power between the exoskeleton and the power source. The human exoskeleton further includes a power disconnect mechanism electronically connected to the controller and configured to disconnect power between the exoskeleton and the battery when activated, the power disconnect mechanism physically in contact with a wearer of the human exoskeleton.

Abstract: A human exoskeleton includes a battery. The human exoskeleton also includes an electric motor electrically coupled to the battery and powered by the battery to actuate at least one component of the human exoskeleton in an activated state of the electric motor, the electric motor back-driven during a non-activated state of the electric motor to regenerate power in the battery.

Abstract: A retainer cap for a rolling element shaft assembly includes a yoke, a solid shaft, and a tubular shaft. The retainer cap includes a body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining an internal cavity to receive the tubular shaft, an axial end surface disposed at the first end and defining a first opening to receive the solid shaft, and a second opening defined in the body second end to receive the tubular shaft after insertion through the first opening. The retainer cap further includes a first tab extending from the axial end surface into the internal cavity, and a second tab extending from the axial end surface into the internal cavity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a retainer cap for a rolling element shaft assembly having a yoke, a solid shaft, and a tubular shaft is provided. The retainer cap includes a body having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, and an inner surface defining an internal cavity to receive the tubular shaft, an axial end surface disposed at the first end and defining a first opening to receive the solid shaft, and a second opening defined in the body second end to receive the tubular shaft after insertion through the first opening. The retainer cap further includes a first tab extending from the axial end surface into the internal cavity, and a second tab extending from the axial end surface into the internal cavity.