Abstract: An apparatus comprises a wave generator configured to move water on a front side of the wave generator to generate a surfable wave and a displacer configured to move in synchronization with the wave generator, the displacer to displace water on a back side of the wave generator to compensate for water elevation changes on the back side of the wave generator that would occur in the absence of the displacer.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a surfing wave in a body of water. An apparatus for the purpose of efficiently producing a variety of surfing waves having a repetition rate and size suitable for surfing. The waves are generated using a controlled up and down motion of mechanical plungers in a way that allows the control of the shape and therefore surf characteristics of the wave. A linear array of plungers is used so that they interact in different ways with bathometry of the body of water and can be changed to further alter the surfing characteristics of the waves. The motion of the individual plungers can be adjusted so that effects of different wave travel distance to the bathometry can be compensated for consistent wave characteristics.

Abstract: Method for printing a three-dimensional part layerwise with an additive manufacturing system includes printing layers by depositing material from a print head onto a print foundation, incrementing a position of the print head relative to the print foundation after each layer is printed, and indexing the print foundation carrying the printed layers away from the print head along the printing axis after a number of layers are printed. Printing is performed with driven and fixed rails clamped against movement of the print foundation. Moving the print foundation includes moving the driven rails with respect to the fixed rails in a direction substantially perpendicular to the build plane. Additive manufacturing system includes a drive mechanism to index the print foundation on the printing axis using fixed and driven rails, the driven rails engaging the print foundation for moving the print foundation.

Abstract: A hopper valve for transferring particles from a supply container to a hopper, the hopper valve comprising a valve body coupled to the supply container, a fill tube moveably coupled to the valve body, and a foot member moveably coupled to the fill tube and configured to engage the hopper.

Abstract: A hopper valve for transferring particles from a supply container to a hopper, the hopper valve comprising a valve body coupled to the supply container, a fill tube moveably coupled to the valve body, and a foot member moveably coupled to the fill tube and configured to engage the hopper.

Abstract: A torque transfer coupling includes a shaft and a first second set of hydraulic devices. Each hydraulic device of the first set of hydraulic devices has a first end operably connected to a first end of the shaft, wherein the hydraulic devices of the first set of hydraulic devices are disposed about an axis of the shaft. Each hydraulic device of the second set of hydraulic devices has a first end operably connected to a second end of the shaft, and wherein the hydraulic devices of the second set of hydraulic devices are disposed about the axis of the shaft. Each hydraulic device can include a piston and cylinder assembly wherein extension and retraction of each piston of each hydraulic device is generally tangential to a portion of a circle encircling the shaft.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a test assembly comprising a prime mover, an actuator assembly and a torque transfer coupling. The actuator assembly has an end configured to be attached to a shaft of a portion of a test specimen such as a wind turbine assembly. The actuator assembly has a shaft supported for rotation by hydraulic bearings. The torque transfer coupling connects the primer mover to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a support, an actuator and a swivel joint coupling the actuator to the support. The swivel joint includes a first base member, a second base member, and a spider positioned between the first and second base members. The spider includes a center support and first and second bearing support elements. Each bearing support element has an arcuate surfaces adapted to form joints with the first and second base members. In one embodiment, at least one shim element disposed is between at least one of the first and second bearing support elements and the center support.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a test assembly comprising a prime mover, an actuator assembly and a torque transfer coupling. The actuator assembly has an end configured to be attached to a shaft of a portion of a test specimen such as a wind turbine assembly. The actuator assembly has a shaft supported for rotation by hydraulic bearings. The torque transfer coupling connects the primer mover to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A torque transfer coupling includes a shaft and a first second set of hydraulic devices. Each hydraulic device of the first set of hydraulic devices has a first end operably connected to a first end of the shaft, wherein the hydraulic devices of the first set of hydraulic devices are disposed about an axis of the shaft. Each hydraulic device of the second set of hydraulic devices has a first end operably connected to a second end of the shaft, and wherein the hydraulic devices of the second set of hydraulic devices are disposed about the axis of the shaft. Each hydraulic device can include a piston and cylinder assembly wherein extension and retraction of each piston of each hydraulic device is generally tangential to a portion of a circle encircling the shaft.

Abstract: A system includes a support, an actuator and a swivel joint coupling the actuator to the support. The swivel joint includes a first base member, a second base member, and a spider positioned between the first and second base members. The spider includes a center support and first and second bearing support elements. Each bearing support element has an arcuate surfaces adapted to form joints with the first and second base members. In one embodiment, at least one shim element disposed is between at least one of the first and second bearing support elements and the center support.

Abstract: A swivel joint is provided comprising a first base member, a second base member, and a spider positioned between the first and second base members. The spider includes a center support and first and second bearing support elements. Each bearing support element has an arcuate surfaces adapted to form joints with the first and second base members. In one embodiment, at least one shim element disposed is between at least one of the first and second bearing support elements and the center support.

Abstract: A swivel joint is provided comprising a first base member, a second base member, and a spider positioned between the first and second base members. The spider includes a center support and first and second bearing support elements. Each bearing support element has an arcuate surfaces adapted to form joints with the first and second base members. In one embodiment, at least one shim element disposed is between at least one of the first and second bearing support elements and the center support.

Abstract: A test assembly structure having a first specimen support, a displacement mechanism joined to the first specimen support and a second specimen support. A loading assembly is joined to the second specimen support and configured so as to engage a specimen held by the second specimen support with a specimen held by the first specimen support. A self-reacting structure is joined to the loading assembly having a flexure substantially rigid in the direction of loading of the loading assembly and substantially compliant in the direction of displacement of the displacement mechanism. A second flexure can be configured to support the second specimen support and/or loading assembly on a base. The second flexure is substantially compliant in the direction of loading of the loading assembly and substantially rigid in the direction of displacement of the displacement mechanism.

Abstract: A swivel joint according to the present invention includes first and second base members. A spider includes first and second arcuate surfaces which form joints with the first and second base members, respectively. Furthermore, the spider includes first and second pins both opposed from each other and third and fourth pins opposed from each other. A first mechanism is coupled to the spider and the first base member and is adapted to effect a force between the first arcuate surface and the first base member. Also, a second mechanism is coupled to the spider and the second base member and is adapted to effect a force between the second arcuate surface and the second base member.

Abstract: A friction stir welding spindle includes a support having a center bore. A spindle shaft is adapted to support a stir welding tool and extends within the bore. A bearing assembly allows simultaneous rotational and axial displacement of spindle shaft in the bore relative to the support. A sensing device is adapted to provide an output signal indicative of at least one of a force coincident with axial displacement of the spindle shaft and an axial position of the spindle shaft.

Abstract: A friction stir welding spindle includes a support having a center bore. A spindle shaft is adapted to support a stir welding tool and extends within the bore. A bearing assembly allows simultaneous rotational and axial displacement of spindle shaft in the bore relative to the support. A sensing device is adapted to provide an output signal indicative of at least one of a force coincident with axial displacement of the spindle shaft and an axial position of the spindle shaft.

Abstract: A swivel joint according to the present invention includes first and second base members. A spider includes first and second arcuate surfaces which form joints with the first and second base members, respectively. Furthermore, the spider includes first and second pins both opposed from each other and third and fourth pins opposed from each other. A first mechanism is coupled to the spider and the first base member and is adapted to effect a force between the first arcuate surface and the first base member. Also, a second mechanism is coupled to the spider and the second base member and is adapted to effect a force between the second arcuate surface and the second base member.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle capable of traveling over various terrain and traversing obstacles. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a cylindrical body having two or more drive wheels coupled to the ends thereof. The wheels are selectively powered to propel the vehicle. The vehicle may further include a spring member which may be deflected to a first, stored position from a second, extended position. The spring member may be quickly released from the first, stored position such that it strikes the terrain with sufficient force to lift and propel the vehicle over or onto a proximate obstacle or object. Robotic vehicles of the present invention may also include one or more sensing devices operable to collect information. Electronics may further permit autonomous, semi-autonomous, and/or remote control of the vehicle. In still other embodiments, the robotic vehicle forms part of a multi-robot surveillance team.