Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing situational awareness for a tool operator and an individual approaching a working field of the tool are described. An example method includes activating a first device, where the first device has a working field and has an operational path configured to intersect a barrier. A proximity sensor of the second device then detects a presence of an object in a sensor zone of the second device. The second device transmits a wireless signal to the first device indicating the presence of the object in the sensor zone of the second device. Then at least one of the first device and the second device issues a first alert indicating the presence of the object in the sensor zone of the second device.

Abstract: An automated human personnel fall arresting system including a holonomic base platform, a boom arm movably mounted to and depending from the base platform, at least a portion of the arm being movable in three degrees-of-freedom relative to the base platform, a tether supported by the arm, an operator harness coupled to the tether so as to be dependent from the arm, at least one sensor disposed on the arm and configured to sense movement of the portion of the arm in two degrees-of-freedom of the three degrees-of-freedom, and a controller mounted to the base platform and communicably coupled to the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to automatically control position of the base platform in two orthogonal translational directions and one rotation direction controlled independently from translation, relative to the operator harness, based on signals from the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an operation on a workpiece using a multi-axis compliant end-effector for attachment to a robotic device. The end-effector is positioned at a nominal location of a workpiece feature on which the operation is to be performed. The end-effector is passively aligned with the workpiece feature by contacting the end-effector with the workpiece feature. The operation is performed on the workpiece feature in response to aligning the end effector with the workpiece feature.

Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance may include a support; a plurality of rods mounted on the support; the rods of the plurality of rods arranged parallel to each other, having generally curved outer surfaces, and being arranged in groups of varying widths, each group of the groups having at least two of the rods of a same width; and a user interface configured to be connected to receive a backscatter signal from an x-ray backscatter detector associated with an x-ray tube, apply a transfer function to generate a transfer curve representing x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a crawler vehicle to the surface of an object. The crawler vehicle may comprise a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet. The number of actuators is operable to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is in contact with the surface of the object. The electro-permanent magnet is operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object when the electro-permanent magnet is activated and to remove the magnetic force when the electro-permanent magnet is deactivated to release the number of moveable surface-engaging components from the surface of the object.

Abstract: A forming tool for forming leading edges of turbine blades is disclosed. In various embodiments, a forming tool may comprise a cylindrically-shaped body having a notch around the circumference of the cylindrically-shaped body. The notch may be positioned perpendicularly to a center axis of the cylindrically-shaped body. Further, the notch may have a notch contour with an upper notch contour and a lower notch contour, and where the notch contour is a relief of a selected turbine blade leading edge. The forming tool may be a grinding tool or a cutting tool. Moreover, a forming process may comprise forming, by a forming tool, a first portion of a turbine blade leading edge with a rough edge result, and forming, by a milling cutter, a second portion of the turbine blade leading edge with a rough edge result.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a crawler vehicle to the surface of an object. The crawler vehicle may comprise a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet. The number of actuators is operable to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is in contact with the surface of the object. The electro-permanent magnet is operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object when the electro-permanent magnet is activated and to remove the magnetic force when the electro-permanent magnet is deactivated to release the number of moveable surface-engaging components from the surface of the object.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method to determine a center of gravity of a three dimensional object comprises positioning the object on a test platform in a first orientation, determining a position of the center of gravity along a first axis and a second axis when the object is in the first orientation, rotating the object with respect to a third axis which is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, determining a position of the center of gravity along at least one of the first axis or the second axis when the object is in the second orientation, and using a change in the position of the center of gravity along the at least one of the first axis or the second axis when the object is in the second orientation to determine a position of the center of gravity along the third axis. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance may include a support, a plurality of rods mounted on the support, the rods of the plurality of rods arranged in parallel to each other, having generally curved outer surfaces, and being arranged in groups of varying widths, each group of the groups having at least two of the rods of a same width, and a user interface configured to be connected to receive a backscatter signal from an x-ray backscatter detector associated with an x-ray tube, and generate a display representing photon counts of x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for visually presenting a virtual environment relative to a physical workspace. An output device visually presents a view of the virtual environment to guide a human operator in performing a number of operations within the physical workspace. A mounting structure holds the output device and is movable with at least one degree of freedom relative to the physical workspace. A sensor system measures movement of the output device relative to the physical workspace to generate sensor data. A controller computes a transformation matrix and the set of scale factors to align the virtual environment and the physical workspace. The controller changes the view of virtual environment based on the sensor data to thereby change the view of the virtual environment in correspondence with the movement of the output device relative to the physical workspace.

Abstract: A system in accordance with one embodiment comprises a marking device attached to a holonomic-motion crawler vehicle capable of movement on non-horizontal surfaces. Modular attachment and motion control interfaces on the platform allow attachment of various types of marking and non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor modules. The crawling vehicle marks the location of sub-surface features on an aircraft skin or overlaid patch (doubler) using a pen or sticker or tape applicator that is guided based on either a 3-D CAD model or NDI data collected as the vehicle crawls. A second embodiment utilizes an automated NDI scanner to collect 2-D image data of the substructure to enable manual or automated feature/edge selection for marking. Location tracking of the marking device can be implemented using a local positioning system or a motion capture system.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for visually presenting a virtual environment relative to a physical workspace. An output device visually presents a view of the virtual environment to guide a human operator in performing a number of operations within the physical workspace. A mounting structure holds the output device and is movable with at least one degree of freedom relative to the physical workspace. A sensor system measures movement of the output device relative to the physical workspace to generate sensor data. A controller computes a transformation matrix and the set of scale factors to align the virtual environment and the physical workspace. The controller changes the view of virtual environment based on the sensor data to thereby change the view of the virtual environment in correspondence with the movement of the output device relative to the physical workspace.

Abstract: A system for quantifying x-ray backscatter system performance may include a support, a plurality of rods mounted on the support, the rods of the plurality of rods arranged in parallel to each other, having generally curved outer surfaces, and being arranged in groups of varying widths, each group of the groups having at least two of the rods of a same width, and a user interface configured to be connected to receive a backscatter signal from an x-ray backscatter detector associated with an x-ray tube, and generate a display representing photon counts of x-ray backscatter for each rod of the plurality of rods from x-rays transmitted by the x-ray tube.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for adhering a vacuum to a surface is provided. A seal is positioned relative to a surface. The seal is associated with a structure and is in communication with a channel within the structure. The seal is rotated relative to the structure such that the seal at least partially conforms to the surface. Air is drawn into the channel within the structure through the seal such that the seal adheres to the surface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for adhering a vacuum to a surface is provided. A seal is positioned relative to a surface. The seal is associated with a structure and is in communication with a channel within the structure. The seal is rotated relative to the structure such that the seal at least partially conforms to the surface. Air is drawn into the channel within the structure through the seal such that the seal adheres to the surface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for adhering a vacuum to a surface is provided. A seal is positioned relative to a surface. The seal is associated with a structure and is in communication with a channel within the structure. The seal is rotated relative to the structure such that the seal at least partially conforms to the surface. Air is drawn into the channel within the structure through the seal such that the seal adheres to the surface.

Abstract: Method and system for marking a surface. A writing medium is positioned within a cavity defined in a body extending between a first end and a second end of a wand. The first end is coupleable to a robot. The second end is opposite the first end and has an opening defined therein in fluid communication with the cavity. The second end is positioned adjacent to the surface. A position of at least one of the writing medium and the second end is automatically maintained relative to the surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method to determine a center of gravity of a three dimensional object comprises positioning the object on a test platform in a first orientation, determining a position of the center of gravity along a first axis and a second axis when the object is in the first orientation, rotating the object with respect to a third axis which is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, determining a position of the center of gravity along at least one of the first axis or the second axis when the object is in the second orientation, and using a change in the position of the center of gravity along the at least one of the first axis or the second axis when the object is in the second orientation to determine a position of the center of gravity along the third axis. Other embodiments may be described.

Abstract: A probe includes a stem having a tip that measures a wake produced by an object moving through a fluid. The probe includes temperature and pressure sensors co-located in the tip.

Abstract: Method and system for marking a surface. A writing medium is positioned within a cavity defined in a body extending between a first end and a second end of a wand. The first end is coupleable to a robot. The second end is opposite the first end and has an opening defined therein in fluid communication with the cavity. The second end is positioned adjacent to the surface. A position of at least one of the writing medium and the second end is automatically maintained relative to the surface.