Abstract: A track system for a vehicle on a ground, wherein the track system comprises a track and is designed to enhance how its track is tensioned, such as by including a plurality of tensioners that exert opposite forces on the track at its front and rear regions and/or lack hydraulic or pneumatic elements, allowing to reduce its dimensions (e.g., sizes of its components, “packaging” or envelope) and its weight, while protecting against ratcheting of the track, reducing its energy consumption, costs and/or maintenance requirements, increasing durability of the track, and/or improving other aspects of the track system and/or the vehicle.

Abstract: A metallic extruded profile has two parallel skins interconnected by a set of at least two webs running between extrusion edges of the profile and snap-fit features on joining edges permitting two instances of the profile to snap fit together along the joining edges, where a first web that is closest to snap-fit features of a first joining edge, is a curved web viewed from the extrusion edges. The curvature allows for both the curved web and skins to participate in snap-fit deformation, allowing for the deformation to be distributed over a large area, for a stiffer snap fit, and reduced plastic deformation.

Abstract: A metallic extruded profile has two parallel skins interconnected by a set of at least two webs running between extrusion edges of the profile and snap-fit features on joining edges permitting two instances of the profile to snap fit together along the joining edges, where a first web that is closest to snap-fit features of a first joining edge, is a curved web viewed from the extrusion edges. The curvature allows for both the curved web and skins to participate in snap-fit deformation, allowing for the deformation to be distributed over a large area, for a stiffer snap fit, and reduced plastic deformation.

Abstract: A technique for joining parts of incompatible metals involves cold spraying a 150-900 micron thick layer of a metal compatible with the second part onto the first part, and friction stir joining the parts by lap welding while keeping a tool of the FSJ tool at least 300 microns away from the first part (less layer) throughout the joining, to avoid damaging the cold spray to first part interface, and formation of intermetallics. Fatigue resistance was tested, with and without a sealant.

Abstract: A technique for joining parts of incompatible metals involves cold spraying a 150-900 micron thick layer of a metal compatible with the second part onto the first part, and friction stir joining the parts by lap welding while keeping a tool of the FSJ tool at least 300 microns away from the first part (less layer) throughout the joining, to avoid damaging the cold spray to first part interface, and formation of intermetallics. Improved fatigue resistance is shown. A sealant can advantageously further improve fatigue resistance.

Abstract: In a method of measuring the thickness of a coating as it is applied to a substrate, wherein the coating is applied as a thin ribbon from a spray gun, at least one surface profile of the applied coating is obtained along a line intersecting the ribbon during relative movement of the substrate and spray gun. The thickness of the applied coating is computed from the obtained surface profile.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus which has an input for receiving a signal conveying a response from first and second optical components to an optical excitation. The first and second optical components are in an optical sensor which is intended to be placed in a sensing zone. The sensing zone contains hydrogen susceptible to migrate into the optical sensor. The signal processing apparatus has a processing entity for processing the response from the first and second optical components to derive information on hydrogen concentration in the optical sensor.

Abstract: In a method of measuring the thickness of a coating as it is applied to a substrate, wherein the coating is applied as a thin ribbon from a spray gun, at least one surface profile of the applied coating is obtained along a line intersecting the ribbon during relative movement of the substrate and spray gun. The thickness of the applied coating is computed from the obtained surface profile.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for inspecting the degradation of a gas nozzle. The nozzle is of the type that can produce a whistle when a gas is blown through the nozzle. The method comprises the steps of detecting an acoustic signal emitted by the nozzle when the gas is blown through the nozzle, the gas having a pressure selected to produce an acoustic resonance at a certain frequency; generating an electrical signal responsive to the detected acoustic signal; band pass filtering the electrical signal at the frequency; and detecting the amplitude of the electrical signal at the frequency. The method also comprises the steps of comparing the amplitude of the electrical signal with a reference amplitude corresponding to a reference nozzle; and displaying a signal indicative of the degradation of the nozzle according to the signal resulting from the comparing step.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with controlling weldpool penetration during root pass welding in an open butt joint defined in a workpiece to be welded by a welding torch with a welding wire being continuously fed from the welding torch to the joint to form a weldpool penetrating the joint, the workpiece and welding torch being movable relative to one another. A visual sensor is positioned ahead of the welding torch and in alignment with the joint for frontly viewing the weldpool at an angle of about 10.degree. to about 20.degree. relative to a line tangent to the workpiece at the weldpool, to thereby provide a full image of the weldpool defining a weldpool contour line, the sensor and welding torch being disposed on a common side relative to the workpiece.

Abstract: An acoustic crack detection method and device in which an impact is produced between an actually tested metal piece and an anvil. This impact generates an acoustic wave formed of a plurality of components, one of these wave components being produced by vibrations of the metal piece and having a frequency indicating a cracked or uncracked state of this piece. A microphone senses the acoustic wave generated by the impact and a measuring circuit receives the signal from the microphone for measuring the energy, within a predetermined time gate and within a predetermined frequency bandwidth, of the wave component of interest. The measured energy is compared with a reference level in order to determine if the actually tested metal piece is cracked or not.

Abstract: In accordance with the method, the arc supplying current is modulated if necessary for generating an acoustical signal. The acoustical signal generated by the arc is detected and its amplitude which, in practice, is a direct function of the actual length of the arc, is compared to a reference amplitude corresponding to the desired length of the electrical arc, in order to determine the algebraic value of their difference. This algebraic value is used for monitoring at least one element of the machine between which the arc forms, and moving this element proportionally to the so-determined algebraic value in order to increase or reduce the actual length of the arc and to bring this length back to the desired length.