Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gathering data on passing vehicles is disclosed. The system can comprise a support structure spanning across a railroad track; an overhead inspection system attached to the support structure and comprising one or more cameras for gathering data on the top portion of the passing railcar; a first side inspection system and a second side inspection system attached to the support structure, and each comprising one or more cameras and one or more lights and configured to capture images of opposing sides of a railcar; an undercarriage inspection system comprising one or more undercarriage inspection assemblies, each of which can comprise one or more cameras and one or more lights; and one or more tie-mounted inspection assemblies comprising one or more cameras and one or more lights.

Abstract: An inspection assembly can comprise a first camera, a second camera, one or more lights, and a housing. The first camera can be angled at least partially in a vertical direction and at least partially in a horizontal direction to thereby be configured to capture images of a target region in a three-dimensional space from a first viewpoint. The second camera can be positioned apart from the first camera, angled at least partially in the vertical direction and at least partially in the horizontal direction, and directed to the target region from a second viewpoint that is different from the first viewpoint. The housing can comprise a base and a shroud and can be configured to attach to one or more rail ties and to at least partially envelop the first camera and the second camera.

Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.

Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.

Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.

Abstract: Assemblies, systems, and methods for inspecting vehicles are disclosed. An assembly can comprise a first angled camera, a second angled camera, an upright camera, lights, and a housing configured to attach to a railway between opposing rails. The first angled camera can be oriented at least partially in a vertical direction and at least partially in a first horizontal direction, and directed to a first target region from a first viewpoint. The second angled camera can be oriented at least partially in the vertical direction and at least partially in a second horizontal direction that is substantially opposite the first horizontal direction, and directed to a second target region from a second viewpoint. The upright camera can be oriented substantially in a vertical direction, and configured to capture images of a third target region from a third viewpoint.

Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.

Abstract: Railcar inspection systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed, including a railcar inspection portal. The railcar inspection portal includes a physical structure positioned around a railroad track, and through which a railcar can travel. The railcar inspection portal can include wheel detection sensors along the railroad track for detecting the presence of a railcar passing over the sensors. The sensors can transmit signals, corresponding to railcars passing over the sensors, to computing devices for determining railcar speeds. The railcar inspection portal can include imaging devices configured to capture images and readings of railcars passing through the inspection portal. Based on a determined speed corresponding to a passing railcar, the computing devices can control the imaging devices to capture specific areas or components of the passing railcar, or individual cars thereon.

Abstract: A livestock head holder for a head gate features a top holding member, a bottom holding member and an intermediate link connecting same, of which the intermediate link occupies an over-centered locking position in a fully open state of the head holder to prevent gravitational dropping of the top holding member. The head holder is infinitely adjustable in its installed height on the head gate, via use of tightenable clamps that engage through a slot between bars of a skeletal gate panel to make clamping embrace against a rear side of the head gate bars at any user-selectable heigh along the slot therebetween.

Abstract: A solid distribution system of an agricultural spreader includes a product hopper configured to contain solid particulate material, a blower, a manifold coupled to the blower and having a plurality of outlets, at least one boom arm comprising a plurality of parallel rigid tubes configured to carry the solid particulate material and air from the blower, and a plurality of hoses. The manifold is configured to split air flow from the blower into flows through each of the plurality of outlets. Each valve is in fluid communication with one of the outlets and one of the rigid tubes, and each valve individually controls flow through a respective one of the rigid tubes. Vehicles having such solid distribution systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid distribution system of an agricultural spreader includes a blower, a manifold having an inlet and a plurality of outlets and coupled to the blower, and a plurality of hoses. The manifold is configured to split air flow from the blower into flows through each of the plurality of outlets. Each hose is connected to one of the manifold outlets. A plurality of parallel rigid tubes are each connected to one of the hoses. A product hopper is configured to deliver solid particulate material to the rigid tubes without passing through the manifold or hoses. Vehicles having such solid distribution systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for compensating for the forces exerted on the autonomous lawn mower exerted by operating on a sloped region to be mowed are provided herein. In some examples, such systems and techniques may include receiving a coverage plan of an area to be mowed that includes a sloped region, determining, based on data for the one or more sensors, an orientation of the autonomous lawn mower and determining a slope force to compensate for the slope on which the autonomous lawn mower is operating. The slope force is then converted into signals to generate torques at one or more wheels to compensate for the slope.

Abstract: A sprayer vehicle includes a mobile frame, a boom, and a boom-positioning mechanism. The boom is spaced from the frame. The boom-positioning mechanism is configured to support the boom on the frame for selective movement between a raised boom position and a lowered boom position. The boom-positioning mechanism includes a positioning actuator and a telescoping parallel linkage providing constant spacing between the boom and the frame in the raised boom position and lowered boom position. The positioning actuator is configured to raise the boom to the raised boom position and to lower the boom to the lowered boom position. The sprayer vehicle may further include a controller for positioning the boom relative to the frame, an underlying surface, or another reference.

Abstract: A sprayer vehicle includes a mobile frame, a boom, and a boom-positioning mechanism. The boom is spaced from the frame. The boom-positioning mechanism is configured to support the boom on the frame for selective movement between a raised boom position and a lowered boom position. The boom-positioning mechanism includes a positioning actuator, and a telescoping parallel linkage providing constant spacing between the boom and the frame in the raised boom position and lowered boom position. The positioning actuator is configured to raise the boom to the raised boom position upon elongation and to lower the boom to the lowered boom position upon retraction. The agricultural sprayer may further include a controller for positioning the boom relative to the frame, an underlying surface, or another reference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for motion planning include receiving a path for movement of a body of a wheeled robot having first and second drive wheels and at least one non-driven caster wheel, the path defined by a series of points; determining, based at least in part on a constant difference in angular velocities between the first and second drive wheels, a set of control torques for the first and second drive wheels to control the robot to move between a first point of the series of points and a second point of the series of points; and applying the set of control torques to the first and second drive wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus having an accumulator fluidly coupled to a cylinder having a moveable rod and a pressure relief valve, the cylinder configured to produce an increase in resistance to retraction of the cylinder by re-routing fluid flow to the accumulator through the pressure relief valve after the rod has reached a defined retraction distance.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of ground-engaging elements, and a liquid holding tank. The liquid holding tank includes a first bladder disposed within an interior of the liquid holding tank, the first bladder defining a first chamber within the first bladder, and a second chamber defined between a wall of the liquid holding tank and an outer surface of the first bladder. A method of forming a liquid holding tank of a vehicle includes disposing a first bladder within an interior of the liquid holding tank, a first chamber being defined within the first bladder and a second chamber being defined between an inner wall surface of the liquid holding tank and an exterior of the bladder, and causing both of the first chamber and the second chamber to be in fluid communication with a delivery system of an application system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy sheet includes an aluminum alloy composition. The aluminum alloy composition includes: a first component including recycled material and a second component including non-recycled material. The aluminum alloy composition includes a recycled content of at least 30%. An aluminum alloy composition, a method of making an aluminum alloy sheet, a method of making an aluminum alloy package, and a method of making an aluminum alloy composition are also provided.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitoring device configured to attach and supply air to a blood pressure cuff can include a housing having an interior, a port configured to enable fluid communication between the interior of the housing and an interior of the blood pressure cuff, and an air intake configured to allow ambient air to enter the interior of the housing and further configured to inhibit liquids from entering the interior of the housing. The air intake can define a non-linear passageway for ambient air to enter the interior of the housing. The housing can have a first side and a first inner wall. The air intake can be defined by a first opening in the first side and a second opening in the first inner wall. The first opening can be not aligned with the second opening.