Abstract: A system for using actuators to control an image sensor and/or lens based on sensor data received from position sensors and based on position information for the image sensor and/or lens received from a host processor includes a primary camera controller device, at least one secondary camera controller device, and at least one communication link connecting the primary camera controller device and the at least one secondary camera controller device. The primary and secondary camera controller devices receive respective primary and secondary sensor data from the position sensors, send the respective primary and secondary sensor data to the other camera controller device via the communication link, process the primary and secondary sensor data and the position information to generate respective primary and secondary control data, and drive the respective primary and secondary control data to the actuators concurrently.

Abstract: A circuit board water-proofing coating composition is provided comprising: at least one passivating agent, preferably containing a molecule comprising a thio-functional group, desirably a thiol group, an azolic moiety, or an azole, and combinations thereof; at least one binder component comprising an organic or inorganic film-forming polymer, and/or one or more polymer pre-cursors polymerizable on a substrate surface; and optionally one or more additive(s); also provided are methods of making and using the coating composition and coated circuit boards.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a drive shaft coupled to the separable contacts and structured to move to open and close the separable contacts, a tapered drive shaft section coupled to the drive shaft and having tapered sides, and a friction assembly. The friction assembly includes a friction device structured to interact with the tapered sides of the tapered drive shaft, an armature coupled to the friction device, and a biasing member structured to bias the friction device and armature toward the tapered drive shaft section.

Abstract: A circuit board water-proofing coating composition is provided comprising: at least one passivating agent, preferably containing a molecule comprising a thio-functional group, desirably a thiol group, an azolic moiety, or an azole, and combinations thereof; at least one binder component comprising an organic or inorganic film-forming polymer, and/or one or more polymer pre-cursors polymerizable on a substrate surface; and optionally one or more additive(s); also provided are methods of making and using the coating composition and coated circuit boards.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's movement, including movement in a patient bed and around a room. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's movement, including movement in a patient bed and around a room. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: Spiral forming methods can be used to join edges of a rolled material along a spiral joint to form conical and/or cylindrical structures. Alignment of the edges of the rolled material can be controlled in a wrapping direction as the material is being joined along the spiral joint to form the structure. By controlling alignment of the edges of the material as the edges of the material are being joined, small corrections can be made over the course of forming the structure facilitating control over geometric tolerances of the resulting spiral formed structure.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to automated techniques for fitting flanges to tubular sections used to form tubular structures, such as large-scale structures used in industrial applications (e.g., wind towers and pipelines). As compared to manual techniques for fitting flanges to tubular sections, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure facilitate faster attachment of flanges, which may be useful for achieving cost-effective throughput. By way of further comparison to manual techniques, the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure may, further or instead, facilitate achieving tighter dimensional tolerances. In turn, such tighter dimensional tolerances may be useful for forming thinner-walled, lighter, and lower cost tubular structures. Still further or in the alternative, automated techniques for fitting flanges to tubular sections may facilitate attachment of multipiece flanges or other non-traditional flange geometries.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to mounting an auxiliary component to a tower based at least in part on a force distribution in which a normal force is greater than a shear force exerted by the auxiliary component on a shell of the tower such that the auxiliary component may be held in place relative to the tower without penetrating the shell of the tower. Thus, as compared to mounting techniques requiring penetration of the shell of the tower, this force distribution along the shell of the tower may facilitate mounting the auxiliary component to the tower with little to no impact on cost and/or structural requirements of the tower. Further, or instead, as compared to other mounting techniques, mounting the auxiliary component based at least in part on this force distribution may reduce or eliminate the need for specialized tools, thus facilitating in-field installation of the auxiliary component.

Abstract: A method for creating a tapered spiral welded conical structure where the overall shape of the cone is first graphically slit axially and unwrapped, and then a series of construction arcs and lines are created to form the edge lines of a strip that can then be wrapped (rolled) to form a tapered conical structure. The edges of the spirally wound strip can be welded together, and a very large conical structure can thus be achieved. Various construction options are presented from a constant width strip to strip made from straight segments. Equations are given for the formation of the strips to enable those skilled in the art of spiral welded tubing to practice the invention.

Abstract: Spiral forming methods can be used to join edges of a rolled material along a spiral joint to form conical and/or cylindrical structures. Alignment of the edges of the rolled material can be controlled in a wrapping direction as the material is being joined along the spiral joint to form the structure. By controlling alignment of the edges of the material as the edges of the material are being joined, small corrections can be made over the course of forming the structure facilitating control over geometric tolerances of the resulting spiral formed structure.

Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.

Abstract: Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to mounting an auxiliary component to a tower based at least in part on a force distribution in which a normal force is greater than a shear force exerted by the auxiliary component on a shell of the tower such that the auxiliary component may be held in place relative to the tower without penetrating the shell of the tower. Thus, as compared to mounting techniques requiring penetration of the shell of the tower, this force distribution along the shell of the tower may facilitate mounting the auxiliary component to the tower with little to no impact on cost and/or structural requirements of the tower. Further, or instead, as compared to other mounting techniques, mounting the auxiliary component based at least in part on this force distribution may reduce or eliminate the need for specialized tools, thus facilitating in-field installation of the auxiliary component.

Abstract: An actuator includes a first hinge assembly and a second hinge assembly. The actuator has a first dimension and a second dimension, the first dimension extending through the hinge assemblies. An outer skin is connected to the hinge assemblies. The outer skin defines a first actuator side, a second actuator side residing opposite the first actuator side, and a cavity. Shape-memory material (SMM) members are connected to the opposed hinge assemblies. At least one spring member is positioned within the cavity and structured to exert forces on the opposed first and second actuator sides tending to urge the sides away from each other along the second dimension. When an input is provided to the SMM members, the SMM members change their configurations and cause the actuator to morph into an activated configuration in which the first dimension decreases and the second dimension changes inversely to the first dimension.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to formation of tubular structures, such as spirally formed structures, having spirally extending reinforcing material. In particular, tubular structures can be formed in a continuous process in which a first material is spiral formed along a first spiral and a second material is joined to the first material along a second spiral to reinforce the spirally formed first material. As compared to manual application of reinforcing material, such a continuous process can facilitate producing tubular structures at rates suitable for high-volume, commercial fabrication. Further, or instead, as compared to the use of circumferentially extending reinforcing material to support a spiral formed tube, reinforcing the spirally formed first material with a spiral of the second material may offer certain structural advantages, such as improved resistance to buckling.

Abstract: Feeding stock used to form a tapered structure into a curving device such that each point on the stock undergoes rotational motion about a peak location of the tapered structure; and the stock meets a predecessor portion of stock along one or more adjacent edges.

Abstract: Spiral forming devices, systems, and methods can be used to join edges of a of a stock material, in a curved configuration, along one or more joints to form tubular structures, such as conical and/or cylindrical structures (e.g., frusto-conical structures). A planar form of the stock material can be formed from a plurality planar sheets coupled to one another in an abutting relationship. By controlling relative orientation and shapes of the plurality of planar sheets forming the stock material and/or by controlling a position of a roll bender used to curve the planar form of the stock material into the curved configuration, the curved configuration of the stock material can be controlled through transitions between sheets to facilitate rolling the sheets to a desired diameter with a reduced likelihood of dimples or other errors and to facilitate fit up between adjacent sheets in the curved configuration.

Abstract: A remote actuator includes one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory composite (SMC) spring connected to each bi-stable strip. The SMC spring includes a thermoplastic and an electrical and/or thermal conductor for transforming the length of the SMC spring upon heating. The contraction of the SMC spring transforms the bi-stable strip from its coiled stable state to its elongated stable state. The displacement of the SMC spring can be amplified by a simple machine included in the remote actuator. The remote actuator can include a shape memory alloy (SMA) strip for transforming the bi-stable strip from its elongated stable state to it curved stable state upon heating. Heating can be by Joule heating or from an adjacent heat source.

Abstract: A remote actuator includes one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory composite (SMC) spring connected to each bi-stable strip. The SMC spring includes a thermoplastic and an electrical and/or thermal conductor for transforming the length of the SMC spring upon heating. The contraction of the SMC spring transforms the bi-stable strip from its coiled stable state to its elongated stable state. The displacement of the SMC spring can be amplified by a simple machine included in the remote actuator. The remote actuator can include a shape memory alloy (SMA) strip for transforming the bi-stable strip from its elongated stable state to it curved stable state upon heating. Heating can be by Joule heating or from an adjacent heat source.