Abstract: An optical system for aligning various avionics sensors and displays includes an aircraft having a nose section, a forward fuselage section, and an aft fuselage section, and at least one of a sensor, a display, a sensor substitute, and a display substitute. A laser is attached to a side of the aft section of the fuselage, and is directed toward a corresponding laser target on a laser target board. The laser target board is mounted on a frame and is positioned a distance away from the aircraft, and includes a plurality of laser targets. Between the laser target board and the laser is a reference plate which includes an aperture through which a beam from the laser passes. With the laser aligned with its respective laser target, the relative position of the sensor, display, sensor substitute, or display substitute is determined relative to known positions on the aircraft.

Abstract: A monitoring system and method of monitoring cargo on a vehicle during transport. The monitoring includes determining the location of the cargo that is loaded on the vehicle and monitoring one or more environmental conditions of the vehicle where the cargo is located. The monitoring system includes a control unit that receives signals from sensors that are located where the cargo is stored. Based on the signals from the sensors, the control unit is configured to determine the location and the one or more environmental conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring cargo that is loaded onto a vehicle. One or more sensors are positioned and configured to scan the cargo unit. Signals from the sensors are transmitted through a communication network to a control unit. The control unit determines a three-dimensional shape of the cargo unit based on the signals from the sensors. The control unit can also determine other aspects about the loading and unloading process to increase the efficiency.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a cross-compound generator system on one or more turning gears during startup includes determining, via a notch monitor controller, first and second angular velocities, respectively, of a first and a second rotor. The method also includes simultaneously exciting, via the notch monitor controller, the first and second rotors to attain electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method further includes determining, via the notch monitor controller, a value of a time at which a calibration value of an offset is a constant value, where the offset is representative of a phase alignment of the first rotor relative to the second rotor, and where the offset is indicative of a successful electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method also includes disengaging the one or more turning gears from the cross-compound generator system.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a cross-compound generator system on one or more turning gears during startup includes determining, via a notch monitor controller, first and second angular velocities, respectively, of a first and a second rotor. The method also includes simultaneously exciting, via the notch monitor controller, the first and second rotors to attain electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method further includes determining, via the notch monitor controller, a value of a time at which a calibration value of an offset is a constant value, where the offset is representative of a phase alignment of the first rotor relative to the second rotor, and where the offset is indicative of a successful electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method also includes disengaging the one or more turning gears from the cross-compound generator system.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a cross-compound generator system on one or more turning gears during startup includes determining, via a notch monitor controller, first and second angular velocities, respectively, of a first and a second rotor. The method also includes simultaneously exciting, via the notch monitor controller, the first and second rotors to attain electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method further includes determining, via the notch monitor controller, a value of a time at which a calibration value of an offset is a constant value, where the offset is representative of a phase alignment of the first rotor relative to the second rotor, and where the offset is indicative of a successful electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method also includes disengaging the one or more turning gears from the cross-compound generator system.

Abstract: A tire building drum and a method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire building drum has a center section comprised of a plurality of segments that are radially and axially movable. The sleeve of the tire building drum over the center section has been eliminated, and instead has two seals located on the outer ends or shoulders of the center section of the tire building drum. The building drum further comprises shoulder sections that are axially movable. The shoulder sections include radially expandable bead locks. The method employs the steps of applying one or more carcass layers, locking the bead locks and moving the center section radially outwardly while moving the bead locks axially inwardly.

Abstract: An autonomous guidance system that operates a vehicle in an autonomous mode includes a camera module, a radar module, and a controller. The camera module outputs an image signal indicative of an image of an object in an area about a vehicle. The radar module outputs a reflection signal indicative of a reflected signal reflected by the object. The controller determines an object-location of the object on a map of the area based on a vehicle-location of the vehicle on the map, the image signal, and the reflection signal. The controller classifies the object as small when a magnitude of the reflection signal associated with the object is less than a signal-threshold.

Abstract: An autonomous guidance system that operates an automated vehicle in an autonomous mode includes a camera module, a radar module, and a controller. The camera module outputs an image signal indicative of an image of an object in an area about a vehicle. The radar module outputs a reflection signal indicative of a reflected signal reflected by the object. The controller generates a map of the area based on a vehicle-location of the vehicle, the image signal, and the reflection signal, wherein the controller classifies the object as small when a magnitude of the reflection signal associated with the object is less than a signal-threshold.

Abstract: An autonomous guidance system that operates a vehicle in an autonomous mode includes a camera module, a radar module, and a controller. The camera module outputs an image signal indicative of an image of an object in an area about a vehicle. The radar module outputs a reflection signal indicative of a reflected signal reflected by the object. The controller determines an object-location of the object on a map of the area based on a vehicle-location of the vehicle on the map, the image signal, and the reflection signal. The controller classifies the object as small when a magnitude of the reflection signal associated with the object is less than a signal-threshold.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing a cross-compound generator system on one or more turning gears during startup includes determining, via a notch monitor controller, first and second angular velocities, respectively, of a first and a second rotor. The method also includes simultaneously exciting, via the notch monitor controller, the first and second rotors to attain electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method further includes determining, via the notch monitor controller, a value of a time at which a calibration value of an offset is a constant value, where the offset is representative of a phase alignment of the first rotor relative to the second rotor, and where the offset is indicative of a successful electromechanical coupling therebetween. The method also includes disengaging the one or more turning gears from the cross-compound generator system.

Abstract: A method for error simulation in a data storage subsystem providing abstractions of one or more storage devices. The method includes dividing the data storage subsystem into two or more hierarchically organized subsystems, wherein the subsystems interact using IO Request Packets (IORPs), such that relatively higher level subsystems create and populate IORPs and pass them to relatively lower level subsystems for corresponding processing. The method further includes defining an IORP modifier configured to attach to matching IORPs based on one or more attributes of the IORP modifier and to modify at least one of the processing and one or more attributes of the IORP in order to simulate errors in the data storage subsystem.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an automated vehicle such as an autonomous vehicle may include an autonomous guidance system, a method of automatically controlling and autonomous vehicle based on electronic messages from roadside infrastructure or other-vehicles, a method of automatically controlling an autonomous vehicle based on cellular telephone location information, pulsed LED vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication system, a method and apparatus for controlling an autonomous vehicle, an autonomous vehicle with unobtrusive sensors, and adaptive cruise control integrated with a lane keeping assist system. The systems and methods may use information from radar, lidar, a camera or vision/image devices, ultrasonic sensors, and digital map data to determine a route or roadway position and provide for steering, braking, and acceleration control of a host vehicle.

Abstract: A method for error simulation in a data storage subsystem providing abstractions of one or more storage devices. The method includes dividing the data storage subsystem into two or more hierarchically organized subsystems, wherein the subsystems interact using IO Request Packets (IORPs), such that relatively higher level subsystems create and populate IORPs and pass them to relatively lower level subsystems for corresponding processing. The method further includes defining an IORP modifier configured to attach to matching IORPs based on one or more attributes of the IORP modifier and to modify at least one of the processing and one or more attributes of the IORP in order to simulate errors in the data storage subsystem.

Abstract: A method for error simulation in a data storage subsystem providing abstractions of one or more storage devices. The method includes dividing the data storage subsystem into two or more hierarchically organized subsystems, wherein the subsystems interact using IO Request Packets (IORPs), such that relatively higher level subsystems create and populate IORPs and pass them to relatively lower level subsystems for corresponding processing. The method further includes defining an IORP modifier configured to attach to matching IORPs based on one or more attributes of the IORP modifier and to modify at least one of the processing and one or more attributes of the IORP in order to simulate errors in the data storage subsystem.

Abstract: A method for error simulation in a data storage subsystem providing abstractions of one or more storage devices. The method includes dividing the data storage subsystem into two or more hierarchically organized subsystems, wherein the subsystems interact using IO Request Packets (IORPs), such that relatively higher level subsystems create and populate IORPs and pass them to relatively lower level subsystems for corresponding processing. The method further includes defining an IORP modifier configured to attach to matching IORPs based on one or more attributes of the IORP modifier and to modify at least one of the processing and one or more attributes of the IORP in order to simulate errors in the data storage subsystem.

Abstract: A tire building drum and a method of building a tire carcass is disclosed. The tire building drum has a center section comprised of a plurality of segments that are radially and axially movable. The sleeve of the tire building drum over the center section has been eliminated, and instead has two seals located on the outer ends or shoulders of the center section of the tire building drum. The building drum further comprises shoulder sections that are axially movable. The shoulder sections include radially expandable bead locks. The method employs the steps of applying one or more carcass layers, locking the bead locks and moving the center section radially outwardly while moving the bead locks axially inwardly.

Abstract: A system for desuperheating hot gaseous refrigerant using both a heat exchanger and a dispersed Venturi-driven injection of liquid refrigerant is disclosed. Further, a system, relating to cooling at least one compressed superheated refrigerant fluid prior to condensing, relating to extending the life of at least one condenser is disclosed.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor and Hall Effect commutation sensors are mounted on a common circuit board, and ferromagnetic elements partially embedded in the motor stator in proximity to the periphery of the rotor magnetically couple the rotor magnet to the Hall Effect sensors. Preferably, the ferromagnetic elements are embedded in the stator adjacent the radial periphery of the rotor magnet. Alternately, the ferromagnetic elements can be embedded in the stator adjacent the axial periphery of the rotor magnet.

Abstract: A method and control system to control a brushless DC motor to a preferred position is provided. The advantages that accrue to a system employing the method and apparatus to control the brushless DC motor to a preferred position include optimizing response time, energy usage, coil heating, and ability to hold to a fix position. The method to control the brushless DC motor to a position comprises monitoring actual position of the brushless DC motor, monitoring energy used by the brushless DC motor, and determining a commanded position of the brushless DC motor. A zero torque commutation method is employed to control the brushless DC motor to the commanded position only when a time-rate change in the commanded position is less than a first threshold, a difference between the commanded position and actual position is less than a second threshold, and, the monitored energy used is less than a third threshold.