Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; a towing winch assembly coupled to the machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The towing winch assembly may be provided in the front portion of the pipelayer machine. The operator cabin may be provided between the towing winch assembly and the engine.

Abstract: A converter for an ultrasonic welder includes a stack of piezoelectric disks alternately stacked with metal conductor disks in between. A pair of driver plates are disposed on opposite ends of the stack of piezoelectric disks. The piezoelectric disks include an outer perimeter surface that extends radially outward beyond the metal conductor disks. The outer perimeter surface of the piezoelectric disks can include an undulating surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a controller for hydraulic apparatus (100). The controller is configured to determine (310) that an energy return criteria has been met by movement of a first movement component of a first hydraulic actuator. In response thereto, the controller is further configured to select (320) at least one among a plurality of energy control strategies based on at least one operational characteristic of the hydraulic apparatus, and to control (330) the hydraulic apparatus to implement the energy control strategy during movement of the first movable component in such a way as to meet the energy return criteria. The plurality of energy control strategies comprises a first energy control strategy and a second energy control strategy. The at least one operational characteristic of the hydraulic apparatus comprises an indication of an expected energy recovery of one or more of the energy control strategies.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine includes a propulsion system, a ranging, and a controller in communication with the propulsion system and the ranging system. The controller is configured to receive a predetermined distance that the pipelayer machine is to maintain between the pipelayer machine and an adjacent pipelayer machine, determine, via the ranging system, a first distance between the pipelayer machine and the adjacent pipelayer machine, and determine that a difference between the first distance and the predetermined distance is outside of a predetermined tolerance range. The controller is further configured to modify a speed of the propulsion system based at least in part on determining that the difference is outside of the predetermined tolerance range, wherein modifying the speed of the propulsion system causes acceleration or deceleration of the pipelayer machine.

Abstract: A system and method involving the use of poker bots to play poker games. In one version, poker tournaments are separated into a first “pre-bubble” stage and a second “in-the-money” stage. The pre-bubble stage lasts until each of the remaining players is eligible to win an award (e.g., if the tournament has 100 players, the pre-bubble stage may last until 10 players remain). The in-the-money stage continues from the end of the pre-bubble stage until the conclusion of the poker tournament. During the pre-bubble stage, poker bots control all play. During the in-the-money stage, players may use their bots or override their bots on a hand-by-hand basis.

Abstract: A controller may obtain, from one or more first devices of a first machine, first information regarding a load associated with a first portion of an object. The first portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of the first machine and a second portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of a second machine. The controller may obtain, from one or more second devices of the first machine, second information regarding an orientation of the first machine. The controller may determine, based on the first information and a threshold derived based on the second information, that a load drop condition is satisfied; perform a first action associated with dropping the load; and transmit, to the second machine, information regarding the first action to cause the second machine to perform a second action.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; a towing winch assembly coupled to the machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The towing winch assembly may be provided in the front portion of the pipelayer machine. The operator cabin may be provided between the towing winch assembly and the engine.

Abstract: A system for determining a lifting capacity of a pipelayer is provided. The system includes a load sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a load suspended from a lifting hook, an angle sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a chassis relative to ground surface, a boom position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a boom relative to an undercarriage, and a counterweight position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a counterweight relative to the undercarriage. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from each of the load sensor, the angle sensor, the boom position sensor, and the counterweight position sensor. The controller is also configured to determine the lifting capacity of the pipelayer based, at least in part, on the received signal.

Abstract: A multi-touch touch panel and a method of detecting touches is disclosed. The touch panel comprises at least one hole in an active region of the touch panel, having a selected size for mechanically mounting a respective user input device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of providing power and/or data to devices at a touch panel are disclosed including a method of manufacturing a touch panel for a touchscreen, comprising the steps of: plotting at least one wire, on a layer of adhesive over a transparent substrate that comprises at least one through hole, in a predetermined pattern that comprises a first portion that extends over the substrate and a further portion that extends over a region of a transparent support that extends over at least a region of the through hole; providing touch electrodes for a touch panel of a touchscreen via the first portion of the plotted wire; and providing a plurality of electrical connectors for a user input device secured at the through hole, via the further portion of the plotted wire.

Abstract: A controller may obtain, from one or more first devices of a first machine, first information regarding a load associated with a first portion of an object. The first portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of the first machine and a second portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of a second machine. The controller may obtain, from one or more second devices of the first machine, second information regarding an orientation of the first machine. The controller may determine, based on the first information and a threshold derived based on the second information, that a load drop condition is satisfied; perform a first action associated with dropping the load; and transmit, to the second machine, information regarding the first action to cause the second machine to perform a second action.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of providing power and/or data to devices at a touch panel are disclosed including a method of manufacturing a touch panel for a touchscreen, comprising the steps of: plotting at least one wire, on a layer of adhesive over a transparent substrate that comprises at least one through hole, in a predetermined pattern that comprises a first portion that extends over the substrate and a further portion that extends over a region of a transparent support that extends over at least a region of the through hole; providing touch electrodes for a touch panel of a touchscreen via the first portion of the plotted wire; and providing a plurality of electrical connectors for a user input device secured at the through hole, via the further portion of the plotted wire.

Abstract: A boom assembly for a pipelayer includes a boom member having a first end and a second end. The boom assembly includes a first boom block adapted to be removably coupled to the second end of the boom member. The boom assembly includes a second boom block adapted to be removably coupled to a chassis of the pipelayer. The boom assembly includes a first hook block adapted to be removably coupled to the second end of the boom member. The boom assembly includes a second hook block adapted to be operably coupled to the first hook block. The boom assembly also includes a first lifting connector disposed on the first boom block and a second lifting connector disposed on the first hook block. Each of the first lifting connector and the second lifting connector is adapted to removably receive a lifting strap therethrough.

Abstract: A multi-touch touch panel and a method of detecting touches is disclosed. The touch panel comprises at least one hole in an active region of the touch panel, having a selected size for mechanically mounting a respective user input device.

Abstract: A pipelayer machine includes a propulsion system, a ranging, and a controller in communication with the propulsion system and the ranging system. The controller is configured to receive a predetermined distance that the pipelayer machine is to maintain between the pipelayer machine and an adjacent pipelayer machine, determine, via the ranging system, a first distance between the pipelayer machine and the adjacent pipelayer machine, and determine that a difference between the first distance and the predetermined distance is outside of a predetermined tolerance range. The controller is further configured to modify a speed of the propulsion system based at least in part on determining that the difference is outside of the predetermined tolerance range, wherein modifying the speed of the propulsion system causes acceleration or deceleration of the pipelayer machine.

Abstract: A multi-touch touch panel and a method of detecting touches is disclosed. The touch panel comprises at least one hole in an active region of the touch panel, having a selected size for mechanically mounting a respective user input device.

Abstract: A system for determining a lifting capacity of a pipelayer is provided. The system includes a load sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a load suspended from a lifting hook, an angle sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a chassis relative to ground surface, a boom position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a boom relative to an undercarriage, and a counterweight position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a counterweight relative to the undercarriage. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from each of the load sensor, the angle sensor, the boom position sensor, and the counterweight position sensor. The controller is also configured to determine the lifting capacity of the pipelayer based, at least in part, on the received signal.

Abstract: A boom assembly for a pipelayer includes a boom member having a first end and a second end. The boom assembly includes a first boom block adapted to be removably coupled to the second end of the boom member. The boom assembly includes a second boom block adapted to be removably coupled to a chassis of the pipelayer. The boom assembly includes a first hook block adapted to be removably coupled to the second end of the boom member. The boom assembly includes a second hook block adapted to be operably coupled to the first hook block. The boom assembly also includes a first lifting connector disposed on the first boom block and a second lifting connector disposed on the first hook block. Each of the first lifting connector and the second lifting connector is adapted to removably receive a lifting strap therethrough.