Abstract: A robotic firefighting system includes: sensors that detect where a fire is located; a base having a movement mechanism; LIDAR and RGB camera positioned on the base for navigation; a fire extinguisher having a nozzle and a fire extinguisher ball launcher positioned on the base to extinguish the fire; a thermal camera to locate the fire; and a robotic arm attached to the nozzle of the fire extinguisher to direct the nozzle toward the fire. The sensors can be remotely located or located on the base.

Abstract: A system for detecting diseases among plants includes a mobile device such as a smartphone, table, or personal computer, and a mobile robot which sends photographs of diseased plants to the mobile device including a plant name, disease type and location of the plant. The mobile robot includes a power supply, housing unit, camera, navigation unit, GPS unit, wireless transmitter, and traction unit for mobility of the robot. A geared motor drives the traction unit, and is connected to a low-level controller for motion control. A high-level controller is connected to the camera, navigation unit, GPS unit, and programmed with a convolutional neural network (CNN) configured to process images taken by the camera and associate with each image a plant type, disease type, and location of where the image was taken. The CNN may be a you only look once (YOLO) model trained with images from a dataset.

Abstract: A robotic firefighting system includes: sensors that detect where a fire is located; a base having a movement mechanism; LIDAR and RGB camera positioned on the base for navigation; a fire extinguisher having a nozzle and a fire extinguisher ball launcher positioned on the base to extinguish the fire; a thermal camera to locate the fire; and a robotic arm attached to the nozzle of the fire extinguisher to direct the nozzle toward the fire. The sensors can be remotely located or located on the base.

Abstract: The robotic system for harvesting, and performing pre- and post-harvesting tasks of date palm trees includes three main parts: a truck platform, a scissor lift, and a multi-task system. The truck platform provides mobility for the whole system, while the scissor lift raises the multi-task system to the top of the palm tree. The multi-task system is fixed on top of the scissor lift and includes a large basin that catches fruits during harvesting. A circular track is fixed within the basin and includes a 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF) slider base mounted thereon. On top of the 2-DOF slider base is a robotic arm fitted with the proper tool (harvesting tool, maintenance tool or bagging system) for the task to be performed. The circular track has pivoting sections, and the basin has a flexible portion in the rear of the truck platform to allow the system to surround the palm tree.

Abstract: A recorder for documenting that a shaft in a rotating machine has been rotated while the rotating machine is stored or otherwise out of service. The recorder includes an elongated strip that is wound on a reel disposed adjacent the shaft. The reel is rotatable about an axle that is spaced away from the shaft. A free end of the strip is secured to an outer surface of the shaft and spools onto the shaft as the shaft is rotated, and which unwinds the strip from the reel. Markings are on the strip representing distance from the free end, which visually indicate occurrence and amount of shaft rotation. Types of markings include different colors or patterns, and which change at distances corresponding to shaft circumference. Alternatively, the markings are metered increments illustrating linear distance.

Abstract: A recorder for documenting that a shaft in a rotating machine has been rotated while the rotating machine is stored or otherwise out of service. The recorder includes an elongated strip that is wound on a reel disposed adjacent the shaft. The reel is rotatable about an axle that is spaced away from the shaft. A free end of the strip is secured to an outer surface of the shaft and spools onto the shaft as the shaft is rotated, and which unwinds the strip from the reel. Markings are on the strip representing distance from the free end, which visually indicate occurrence and amount of shaft rotation. Types of markings include different colors or patterns, and which change at distances corresponding to shaft circumference. Alternatively, the markings are metered increments illustrating linear distance.

Abstract: The tree harvesting tool is a tool adapted for attachment to a conventional lifter or lifting device for performing harvesting and pre-harvesting operations on a fruit tree. The tree harvesting tool includes a cylindrical shell, having an upper end and a lower end, at least one portion of the cylindrical shell defining a door. The cylindrical shell is adapted for encircling the trunk of the tree. A plurality of panels are pivotally secured to the lower end of the cylindrical shell to define an openable floor having a central opening for receiving the trunk of the tree. A circular track is mounted on the upper end of the cylindrical shell, such that a movable platform may be mounted thereon. A robotic arm is mounted on the movable platform for selectively operating and manipulating a tool for performing tree harvesting and pre-harvesting operations.

Abstract: Fabric and methods of forming thick 3-D woven preforms wherein substantially orthogonal yarn systems are manipulated in each direction to provide predetermined thickness and cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: Fabric and methods of forming thick 3-D woven preforms wherein substantially orthogonal yarn systems are manipulated in each direction to provide predetermined thickness and cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: A wind blade spar cap for strengthening a wind blade including an integral, unitary three-dimensional woven material having a first end and a second end, corresponding to a root end of the blade and a tip end of the blade, wherein the material tapers in width from the first to the second end while maintaining a constant thickness and decreasing weight therebetween, the cap being capable of being affixed to the blade for providing increased strength with controlled variation in weight from the root end to the tip end based upon the tapered width of the material thereof. The present inventions also include the method of making the wind blade spar cap and a wind blade including the wind blade spar cap.

Abstract: A wind blade spar cap formed of an integral, unitary 3-D woven material having constant thickness and variable controlled weight due to tapered width from the root to tip of the wind blade.