Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: A method of tuning the contact pressure across an abrasive disc is presented. The method includes coupling the abrasive disc to a backup pad comprising a pressure tuning feature that causes an experienced pressure by a worksurface, across a radius of the abrasive disc, to be uniform. The method also includes abrading a worksurface by contacting the abrasive disc to the worksurface. The backup pad causes the abrasive disc to have a cut rate that is substantially uniform across the surface of the abrasive disc when compared to the abrasive disc on a backup pad with no pressure tuning feature.

Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: An imaging and repair system (100) is presented that includes a first imaging system (110) configured to image and detect a defect on a worksurface. The first imaging system comprises a first camera configured to capture a plurality of first images of the worksurface. The plurality of first images are stored in a data source. The system also includes a second imaging system (110) configured to image and characterize an orange peel of the worksurface in an area proximate the defect. Characterizing the worksurface comprises identifying a delta value of orange peel. The system also includes a defect repair processor configured to select a repair strategy based on a defect type. The system also includes a defect modifier configured to modify the selected repair strategy based on the orange peel characterization of the worksurface. The system also includes a defect repair tool (120) configured to automatically effect the modified repair strategy.

Abstract: A robotic repair unit (400) is presented that includes a removal tool (330, 425) coupled tot he robotic repair unit (400). The removal tool (330, 425) is configured to remove fluid or debris from a worksurface (130). The repair unit (400) also includes a controller (150) configured to control the robotic repair unit (400).

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system for a robotic repair unit that includes a fluid container. The system also includes a fluid dispenser associated with a robotic repair unit. The system also contains a fluid coupler that connects the polish container to the polish dispenser. The system also contains a mounting mechanism configured to couple the polish container to a robotic repair unit.

Abstract: An air filter includes filter media, a sensor, and circuitry coupled to the sensor, the circuitry configured to receive data from the sensor representative of the condition of the filter media and wirelessly transmit such data. The data may be received by a device with a display to use the information to present an indication of the filter media condition to a user.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for obtaining data representative of the condition of an air filter media of an air filter installed in a powered air-handling system, and for using such data to present an indication of the air filter media condition to a user. The devices, systems and methods use pressure information representative of at least a downstream pressure of the powered air-handling system.

Abstract: A dual mounted end-effector system mounted on a motive robot arm for preparing an object surface is described. The system includes a first tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface and a second tool configured to contact and prepare the object surface. The system also includes a force control. The force control is configured to align, in a first state, with the first tool in position to contact and prepare the object surface and, in a second state, with the second tool in a position to contact and prepare the object surface.

Abstract: A disc changing system for a robotic defect repair system is presented. The system has a first abrasive disc and a second abrasive disc. The first and second abrasive discs are coupled to a liner. The system includes an abrasive disc placement device configured to automatically: remove the first abrasive disc from the liner, transport the first abrasive disc to a robotic tool of the robotic defect repair system, and place the first abrasive disc on a backup pad coupled to the robotic tool. The system also includes an abrasive disc remover configured to automatically remove the first abrasive disc after receiving a removal signal. The system also includes a controller configured to send an instruction to the disc placement device to remove, transport and place the first abrasive disc, instruct the robotic tool to conduct an abrasive operation. The controller is also configured to send the removal signal.

Abstract: A repaired area on a work surface is presented. The repaired area includes a repairboundary. Within the repairboundary, the work surface has a repair texture and, outside of the repair boundary, the work surface has a work surface texture. The repaired area also includes a repair depth distribution within the repair boundary and a concealing feature. The repaired area is a result of a robotic repair executed on the work surface to remove a defect.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the status of a joint or limb using color sensing. First and second color sensors are provided to sense first and second color encoded surfaces at first and second locations of a joint or limb, respectively. The color sensing data are processed to obtain the respective motion information of the first and second locations.

Abstract: A defect detection and ranking system for a vehicle assembly line is provided. The system includes an image capture device that captures a plurality of images of a vehicle on the vehicle assembly line. The system also includes a defect detector that analyzes the plurality of captured images and, based on the analysis, detects a plurality of defects on the surface of the vehicle. Each of the plurality of defects has an associated x-y-z coordinate location, a defect type, and a defect severity. The system also includes a datastore containing a vehicle specification, for the vehicle on the vehicle assembly line, and a defect priority based on the vehicle specification. The system also includes a defect prioritization generator configured to: receive the plurality of defects from the defect detector, retrieve the vehicle specification and the defect priority, and apply the defect priority to the plurality of defects, and output a prioritized list of defects, wherein the prioritized list of defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods of state detection of material surfaces of wearable objects using color sensing are provided. A color sensor is used to sense light from material surfaces of wearable objects to obtain color sensing data. State information (e.g., tension, compression, deformation, displacement, level of material wear, etc.) of the material surfaces can be determined based on the obtained color sensing data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: An air filter includes filter media, a sensor, and circuitry coupled to the sensor, the circuitry configured to receive data from the sensor representative of the condition of the filter media and wirelessly transmit such data. The data may be received by a device with a display to use the information to present an indication of the filter media condition to a user.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods of using a smart end-effector tool (20) including an applicator (30) to apply a coating onto an object surface (2) (e.g., a wind blade) are provided. The smart tool (20) can process on-board sensor signals and update its working state with a remote robot controller (28) in real time and send instructions to the robot controller (28) to adjust the tool's travelling around the object surface (2) and optimize the applicator's (30) operation.

Abstract: Automated systems and methods of using a smart end-effector tool to prepare (e.g., scuffing, abrading, sanding, polishing, etc.) an object surface are provided. The smart tool can update its working state with a robot arm in real time, which in turn adjusts locomotion parameters to optimize the tool's working state on the object surface.