Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a cabin, an optical sensor arranged to capture images of the cabin, a light control system operable to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically, in response to an object detection request, control the optical sensor to capture a first image of the cabin with a first incident light configuration, control the light control system to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin to a second incident light configuration, control the optical sensor to capture a second image of the cabin with the second incident light configuration, detect a change in a shadow between the first image and the second image, infer the presence of an object in the cabin based on the change in shadow, and perform a corrective action based on the presence of the object.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for interacting with a user of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving first sensor data indicating a scene of an environment within a vicinity of the vehicle; processing, by a processor, the first sensor data to determine a first gesture of an individual in the scene; recommending, by the processor, a second gesture to the individual; receiving, by the processor, second sensor data indicating a scene of an environment of the vehicle; processing, by the processor, the second sensor data to determine a third gesture of the individual in the scene; comparing, by the processor, the second gesture and the third gesture; selectively identifying, by the processor, the individual as a user or not a user of the vehicle based on the comparing; and controlling, by the processor, the vehicle towards or away from the user based on the identifying.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a cabin, an optical sensor arranged to capture images of the cabin, a light control system operable to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically, in response to an object detection request, control the optical sensor to capture a first image of the cabin with a first incident light configuration, control the light control system to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin to a second incident light configuration, control the optical sensor to capture a second image of the cabin with the second incident light configuration, detect a change in a shadow between the first image and the second image, infer the presence of an object in the cabin based on the change in shadow, and perform a corrective action based on the presence of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and classifying objects associated with a vehicle are provided. The method includes capturing a first image and a second image of a cabin of a vehicle, dividing the first image and the second image into a plurality of regions, comparing a first region of the first image to a second region of the second image, in response to detecting a difference between the second region and the first region, classifying an object present in the difference between the second region and the first region and labeling the classified object, and providing a notification of the classified object to at least one from among an occupant of the vehicle and an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and classifying objects associated with a vehicle are provided. The method includes capturing a first image and a second image of a cabin of a vehicle, dividing the first image and the second image into a plurality of regions, comparing a first region of the first image to a second region of the second image, in response to detecting a difference between the second region and the first region, classifying an object present in the difference between the second region and the first region and labeling the classified object, and providing a notification of the classified object to at least one from among an occupant of the vehicle and an operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A permanent magnet electric motor has a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a stator housing having opposed axial ends and magnets affixed to an inner surface of the stator housing, and overmold material overmolded around the plurality of magnets to securely hold the plurality of magnets to the inner surface of the stator housing. The thickness of the overmold material, as measured from the inner surface of the stator housing to an inner surface of the overmold material, is greater at edges of the magnets than at a center of the magnet.

Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a rotating handle configuration allowing the handle of the angle grinder to be locked in different positions relative to the angle grinder housing. A switch mounting configuration is provided for simplifying the assembly of the switch device. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to allow the grinding wheel spindle to be prevented from rotating during removal or installation of a grinding wheel on the spindle. A gear case cooling and air bleed arrangement are also provided.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing and a motor received in the tool housing. The tool housing includes an end portion surrounding at least a rear portion of the motor. At least a portion of the end portion of the tool housing has a double-wall structure and includes an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior wall and the exterior wall are spaced from each other. In an aspect, a plurality of ribs extend from the interior wall to the exterior wall in a direction transverse to the interior wall and the exterior wall. In an aspect, a plurality of the plurality of the ribs are not tied to the exterior wall.

Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing and a motor. The motor includes a commutator and a brush assembly around the commutator. The brush assembly has two pieces. The power tool is assembled by inserting the first piece of the brush assembly in a first portion of the housing of the power tool, inserting a frameless motor in the first portion of the power tool housing, mating the second piece of the brush assembly to the first piece, and mating a second portion of the power tool housing to the first portion of the power tool housing.

Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a trigger assembly for selectively actuating the angle grinder. A particle separation assembly is provided for the removal of any dust, particle, or artifacts that may have entered into the housing of the angle grinder. A brush biasing system is also provided to ensure proper and efficient operation of the motor of the angle grinder. An overload monitoring system is included to monitor the loading on the motor. A clutch mechanism is also included to prevent overloading on the motor of the angle grinder. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the wheel spindle from rotating during installation or removal of a grinding wheel on the wheel spindle. An anti-locking flange system is also included to prevent the over-tightening of the flanges and the grinder wheel during the operation of the angle grinder. A gear case labyrinth feature is also provided.

Abstract: An internal bubble cooling apparatus for cooling extruded thermoplastic thin wall tubular bubbles emanating from an extrusion die head employing a first central channel for introducing cooling air into the bubble and a second channel formed between the outer wall of the central channel and the inner wall of the die head for withdrawing heated air from the bubble. Integration of the die head and airflow channels with a cooling tower and the method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal bubble cooling process and apparatus for cooling extruded thermoplastic thin wall tubular bubbles emanating from an extrusion die head employing a first central channel for introducing cooling air into the bubble and a second channel formed between the outer wall of the central channel and the inner wall of the die head for withdrawing heated air from the bubble. Integration of the die head and airflow channels with a cooling tower and the method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An angle grinder is provided including a rotating handle configuration allowing the handle of the angle grinder to be locked in different positions relative to the angle grinder housing. A switch mounting configuration is provided for simplifying the assembly of the switch device. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to allow the grinding wheel spindle to be prevented from rotating during removal or installation of a grinding wheel on the spindle. A gear case cooling and air bleed arrangement are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to oriented high molecular weight, high density polyethylene (HMW HDPE) films having enhanced water vapor transmission properties, as well as, superior toughness properties, and articles made therefrom. The present invention is also directed to a method of making machine direction oriented HMW HDPE films having enhanced water vapor transmission properties and superior toughness properties, and articles made therefrom. The present invention is further directed to articles, particularly bags, made from machine direction oriented HMW HDPE films having enhanced water vapor transmission properties and superior toughness properties.

Abstract: Efficient, improved output systems and methods for producing polymeric film are described. Such systems include a feed assembly for positively and substantially constantly feeding polymeric raw material to a grooved feed extruder. The system also includes suitable apparatus for forming the molten polymer output from the extruder into film. The raw material may consist of 100% pelletized polymer, 100% polymer fluff, or any combination of the two. If necessary, a blending apparatus is included to blend the pellets and fluff prior to feeding the raw material to the extruder.

Abstract: Efficient, improved output systems and methods for producing polymeric film are described. Such systems include a feed assembly for positively and substantially constantly feeding polymeric raw material to a grooved feed extruder. The system also includes suitable apparatus for forming the molten polymer output from the extruder into film. The raw material may consist of 100% pelletized polymer, 100% polymer fluff, or any combination of the two. If necessary, a blending apparatus is included to blend the pellets and fluff prior to feeding the raw material to the extruder.