Abstract: A system and a method for pretreating an aluminum assembly includes selecting a blank having a thin film pretreatment layer and a lubricant coating applied to a surface. The blank is formed to a desired shape and an adhesive is applied to a selected portion of the surface. A cleaner is applied to the assembly to remove the thin film pretreatment layer and the lubricant coating from the surface except at the selected portion and a zirconium oxide conversion coating is applied to the assembly before painting.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for providing intersection positioning data. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting one or more objects by a device, wherein the one or more objects are detected relative to at least a portion of a roadway by an integrated radar sensor of the device, and tracking one or more detected objects by the device to determine tracking data, wherein tracking includes determining a number of detected objects, determining speed of the one or more detected objects and determining position of the one or more detected objects. The method may also include outputting the tracking data by the device. The system and methods may advantageously be employed for transmitting one or more of a collision warning, red light warnings, red light violation warnings and operation characteristics of objects during a traffic incident relative to intersection.

Abstract: System and method for presenting a visual image of a work site for an earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, target design data for the work site may be received. A spatial location and orientation for an earthmoving machine operating in relation to the work site may also be received. A visual image of at least a portion of the work site may be received from an imaging device mounted to the earthmoving machine. A visual image of the portion of the work site may be displayed with a subset of the design data overlaying the visual image, wherein the subset of the design data relates to the portion of the work site.

Abstract: A wet on wet coating application method. The method includes contacting a polyol-containing layer including a polyol in an amount of 10 to 70 percent by weight and a isocyanate-catalyst-containing layer including an isocyanate and a catalyst to form a boundary layer between the layers being the reaction product of the polyol and isocyanate catalyzed by the catalyst and carried out at 68° F. to 75° F.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing graphic designs in-line during manufacture of a vehicle. The method utilizes an ink jet printing system to apply graphic designs over an uncured base coat of paint on the vehicle surface followed by the application of a protective clear coat over the graphic design.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a coating system for use in a wet on wet coating application process. The coating system includes a first coating composition, a second coating composition, and a boundary layer. The first coating composition includes a first bulk polymer resin and a first reactive component selected from the group consisting of a part A and a part B reactive component. The second coating composition includes a second bulk polymer resin and a second reactive component comprised of the other reactive component of the part A and the part B reactive component group. The boundary is formed upon applying a first layer of the first coating composition to a second layer of the second coating composition. The boundary layer includes the reaction product of the part A and the part B reactive component and is situated between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A device and methods are provided for detecting data points using an integrated radar sensor. In one embodiment, a method includes determining position of a device, detecting data points by an integrated radar sensor of the device, wherein the data points are determined for one or more points in space associated with one or more objects, and generating a spatial model of the one or more objects based on the detected data points. The device and methods may advantageously be employed for one or more of mapping, modeling, planning, machine control, navigation and object tracking.

Abstract: A system for non-contact color harmony analysis is provided. The system may include an image acquisition system and an image analysis system. One or more cameras may take images of two regions of an object (e.g., a vehicle). The images may be transferred to the image analysis system, which may compare color values from each region and determine a color value difference. The color value difference may be compared to a predetermined threshold value to identify a possible color mismatch. The system may be used to analyze color harmony of adjacent vehicle components, for example, a front fascia and a fender or a rear fascia and a quarter panel.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a battery is provided comprising an electron beam-treated current collector having an increased surface energy compared to an untreated current collector and an electrode disposed on a treated surface of the current collector. The electrode may include a water-soluble binder uniformly coating a surface of the current collector and the treated current collector may have a contact angle with the water-soluble binder of 70 degrees or less. The electron beam treatment may be applied to a moving current collector foil as part of a battery production process, prior to application of an electrode slurry.

Abstract: A system and a method for pretreating an aluminum assembly includes selecting a blank having a thin film pretreatment layer and a lubricant coating applied to a surface. The blank is formed to a desired shape and an adhesive is applied to a selected portion of the surface. A cleaner is applied to the assembly to remove the thin film pretreatment layer and the lubricant coating from the surface except at the selected portion and a zirconium oxide conversion coating is applied to the assembly before painting.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing graphic designs in-line during manufacture of a vehicle. The method utilizes an ink jet printing system to apply graphic designs over an uncured base coat of paint on the vehicle surface followed by the application of a protective clear coat over the graphic design.

Abstract: A system and a method for pretreating an aluminum assembly includes selecting a blank having a thin film pretreatment layer and a lubricant coating applied to a surface. The blank is formed to a desired shape and an adhesive is applied to a selected portion of the surface. A cleaner is applied to the assembly to remove the thin film pretreatment layer and the lubricant coating from the surface except at the selected portion and a zirconium oxide conversion coating is applied to the assembly before painting.

Abstract: A system and a method for pretreating an aluminum assembly includes selecting a blank having a thin film pretreatment layer and a lubricant coating applied to a surface. The blank is formed to a desired shape and an adhesive is applied to a selected portion of the surface. A cleaner is applied to the assembly to remove the thin film pretreatment layer and the lubricant coating from the surface except at the selected portion and a zirconium oxide conversion coating is applied to the assembly before painting.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring paint color across regions of a vehicle, for identifying color mismatches, and for dynamically determining the acceptability of an identified mismatch. The system includes a vehicle image acquisition array digital cameras for digitally scanning selected regions of the vehicle and an image analyzer connected to the vehicle image acquisition system. The image analyzer is programmed with standard confidence color curves and includes software programmed with an analysis algorithm to convert an image of a scanned region into a standard image format. Individual color curves are extracted from the standard format to compare the extracted color curves against the standard confidence color curves to determine whether or not the extracted color curves fall within standard confidence color curves. The standard confidence color curves may be adjusted during color testing based upon accumulated extracted color curves.

Abstract: System and method for providing an excavation characteristic associated with an earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an attachment mounted to an earthmoving machine may be identified. An optical benchmark signal may be detected, by an optical receiver. The position of the attachment relative to the earthmoving machine may be determined based, at least in part, on identification of the RFID tag. The position of the attachment may be provided to an operator of the earthmoving machine.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for monitoring railway track geometry. In one aspect, some such tools and techniques can determine a location of a platform along a railway, capture one or more images of the railway, and/or analyze the rail configuration at that point. In another aspect, some solutions might employ photogrammetric techniques to analyze the rail configuration and thereafter store data about the rail configuration, perhaps correlated with the location of the images, in a data store.

Abstract: A system for monitoring paint color across regions of a vehicle and for identifying color mismatches and for dynamically determining the acceptability of an identified mismatch is disclosed. The system includes a vehicle image acquisition array of one or more digital cameras for digitally scanning selected regions of the vehicle and an image analyzer connected to the vehicle image acquisition system. The image analyzer is initially programmed with upper and lower standard confidence color curves.

Abstract: System and method for providing consumables to machines. In one embodiment, machine data indicating a remaining quantity of a machine consumable for a machine may be received by a server. A location may be received by the server providing a location of the machine. An estimated operational duration for the machine may be determined and a supplier may be selected to provide the machine consumable based, at least in part, on the estimated operational duration. The supplier may be requested to provide the machine consumable to the machine within a time period based on the estimated operational duration.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for curing a surface coating. In at least one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having an ultraviolet-curable coating thereon, the coating having a base temperature, heating the coating for a first period of time to an elevated temperature above the base temperature, and irradiating the coating with ultraviolet irradiation for a second time period, at least a portion of the first time period occurring simultaneously with the second time period.

Abstract: A project data delivery apparatus for automatically delivering project data files to a construction machine based on the geographical location and identification of the construction machine. The apparatus includes a project data distributor for storing, maintaining and transmitting project data files that are associated with project site locations and project plan machine identifications.