Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrical power-transfer system and detecting and handling hazardous and undesirable system states. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical signal is injected into the electrical power-transfer system. During or after the injection of the electrical signal, an electrical property between a first sensor and a second sensor are measured to obtain a measurement. The electrical power-transfer system is determined to be in a hazardous state based on the measurement, and in response to the determination one or more actions are performed to correct the hazardous state.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrical power-transfer system and detecting and handling hazardous and undesirable system states. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical signal is injected into the electrical power-transfer system. During or after the injection of the electrical signal, an electrical property between a first sensor and a second sensor are measured to obtain a measurement. The electrical power-transfer system is determined to be in a hazardous state based on the measurement, and in response to the determination one or more actions are performed to correct the hazardous state.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrical power-transfer system and detecting and handling hazardous and undesirable system states. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical signal is injected into the electrical power-transfer system. During or after the injection of the electrical signal, an electrical property between a first sensor and a second sensor are measured to obtain a measurement. The electrical power-transfer system is determined to be in a hazardous state based on the measurement, and in response to the determination one or more actions are performed to correct the hazardous state.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrical power-transfer system and detecting and handling hazardous and undesirable system states. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical signal is injected into the electrical power-transfer system. During or after the injection of the electrical signal, the following are measured: (1) an electrical property between a first sensor and a second sensor to obtain a first measurement, (2) the electrical property between the second sensor and a third sensor to obtain a second measurement, and (3) the electrical property between the first sensor and the third sensor to obtain a third measurement. The electrical power-transfer system is determined to be in a hazardous state based on the first measurement, the second measurement, and the third measurement, and in response to the determination one or more actions are performed to correct the hazardous state.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for monitoring the operation of an electrical power-transfer system and detecting and handling hazardous and undesirable system states. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical signal is injected into the electrical power-transfer system. During or after the injection of the electrical signal, the following arc measured, (1) an electrical property between a first sensor and a second sensor to obtain a first measurement, (2) the electrical property between the second sensor and a third sensor to obtain a second measurement, and (3) the electrical properly between the first sensor and the third sensor to obtain a third measurement. The electrical power-transfer system is determined to be in a hazardous state based on the first measurement, the second measurement, and the third measurement, and in response to the determination one or more actions are performed to correct the hazardous state.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating a machine-readable matrix with a component of a mechanical structure using three-dimensional (3-D) printing are disclosed. Such techniques include generating at least one data model representing the component, and projecting a matrix pattern identifying one or more features of the component onto a selected surface portion of the component to produce a modified data model for use as an input to a 3-D printer.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating a machine-readable matrix with a component of a mechanical structure using three-dimensional (3-D) printing are disclosed. Such techniques include generating at least one data model representing the component, and projecting a matrix pattern identifying one or more features of the component onto a selected surface portion of the component to produce a modified data model for use as an input to a 3-D printer.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating a machine-readable matrix with a component of a mechanical structure using three-dimensional (3-D) printing are disclosed. Such techniques include generating at least one data model representing the component, and projecting a matrix pattern identifying one or more features of the component onto a selected surface portion of the component to produce a modified data model for use as an input to a 3-D printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of vehicles are provided. An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a printer that additively manufactures structures for a vehicle, and multiple analysis components. Each analysis component can receive information based on a design model of the vehicle and analyze the information based on an analysis factor. Each analysis component analyzes the information based on a different analysis factor. An integrator can receives the analyzed information from the analysis components, update the design model based on the analyzed information, and determine whether the updated design model satisfies criteria. If the updated design model satisfies the criteria, the integrator determines printing instructions for the printer to print one or more structures of the vehicle based on the updated design model, and if the updated design model does not satisfy the criteria, the integrator sends information based on the updated design model to the analysis components.

Abstract: Techniques for integrating a machine-readable matrix with a component of a mechanical structure using three-dimensional (3-D) printing are disclosed. Such techniques include generating at least one data model representing the component, and projecting a matrix pattern identifying one or more features of the component onto a selected surface portion of the component to produce a modified data model for use as an input to a 3-D printer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additive manufacturing of vehicles are provided. An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a printer that additively manufactures structures for a vehicle, and multiple analysis components. Each analysis component can receive information based on a design model of the vehicle and analyze the information based on an analysis factor. Each analysis component analyzes the information based on a different analysis factor. An integrator can receives the analyzed information from the analysis components, update the design model based on the analyzed information, and determine whether the updated design model satisfies criteria. If the updated design model satisfies the criteria, the integrator determines printing instructions for the printer to print one or more structures of the vehicle based on the updated design model, and if the updated design model does not satisfy the criteria, the integrator sends information based on the updated design model to the analysis components.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided which includes a frame, a powertrain, and a powertrain suspension system mounting the powertrain to the frame. The powertrain suspension system includes a first and second mount, each mount pivotally coupling the powertrain to the frame, where the first and second mounts are constructed to be weight bearing mounts such that the powertrain hangs from the first and second mounts. The powertrain system further includes a third mount coupling the powertrain to the frame, where the third mount is constructed and arranged to be a non-weight bearing mount. The powertrain suspension system may include a fourth mount coupling the powertrain to the frame, and the first, second, third and fourth mounts may be arranged in a substantially tetrahedral shape.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for cooling electronics and/or other heat sources using a liquid coolant. The cooling system may be provided with a detection arrangement to detect cooling anomalies, including gas bubbles or pockets and/or contaminants in the coolant, that could potentially reduce the cooling efficiency of the system. The cooling system includes a pump for moving or circulating a liquid coolant through the system. The detection arrangement may be arranged to monitor the speed of the pump and identify overspeed and/or underspeed events when the pump speed exceeds or is below a predetermined threshold speed or setpoint. The duration and/or number of detected events may be indicative of the presence of an anomaly with the system. The system may include one or more indicators that provide an indication of the operating condition of the cooling system based on the magnitude of the detected events.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically identifying faults in the operation of a machine vision measuring systems provides an improved self-diagnostic capability for machine vision based metrology and tracking systems. The method and apparatus validate performance of tracking operations, and detect deterioration that may be caused by electronic noise, environmental contamination, etc. A mathematical model of the target visualized by the system is created and stored. A target is imaged in the field and fiducials of the target are identified. Centroid positions of detected fiducials of the imaged target are compared to the centroid positions of fiducials in the mathematical model. When a fiducial is obscured or dirty, its geometric characteristics (such as centroid, brightness, edge smoothness, area, or shape) differ from the true or idealized values of the characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining axial stability compares measured wheel runout and axial instability parameters with prescribed tolerances to determine if the wheel suffers from excessive wheel play. Axial stability and runout is determined and displayed on a monitor screen such that an alignment technician can quickly assess both the degree of present wheel misalignment and the feasibility of attempting to perform a realignment operation without first repairing worn or damaged suspension parts. The attitude and location of a wheel are measured with the wheel set in a first position to determine a first vector having a predetermined relation to the wheel. The wheel is rolled back a number of degrees to a second position and the attitude and location thereof are measured to determine a second vector also having the predetermined relation to the wheel. Rearward axis parameters including a rearward rotational axis vector and a rearward runout vector are determined based on the first and second vectors.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system for the detection and sorting of objects in a work space. The invention uses a modulated electromagnetic signal and then filters each received signal. The received modulated signals by an array of photosites are used to create an image of an object.

Abstract: A travel monitor for a rectangular sludge conveyor having a plurality of scrapers attached to and driven by a pair of chains, each of which is formed in a closed loop having an upper run. A pair of detector sprockets independently engage and are driven by the upper runs. Switches positioned adjacent the sprockets create a series of pulses in response to their rotation. The phase difference between the series of pulses resulting from rotation of the sprockets is detected, and a misalignment alarm is activated when the phase difference exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for purification and color sortation of waste glass, a glass beneficiation process and apparatus. The invention crushes the glass into pieces less than 3 inches in size, delables the glass, and then sorts the glass according to the light transmissive properties of the glass utilizing an array of lamps electrically connected to a control module.

Abstract: The invention provides a wheel balancer that is able to determine if its measurements are accurate. The invention takes a set of measurements and determines if the measurements are sufficiently consistent. If they are sufficiently close the invention uses the measurements to calculate wheel imbalance. If the measurements are not sufficiently close the invention uses the measurements to calculate wheel imbalance. If the measurements are not sufficiently close the invention rejects at least one data point and collects more measurements until either the invention yields sufficiently close data points or the machine is stopped. A display is provided for diagnostic messages.