Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a coating composition is provided. In at least one embodiment, the coating composition includes an intermediate layer having a surface smoothness value, a basecoat layer in overlaying contact with the intermediate layer and including one or more metallic flakes having a size scale, wherein the surface smoothness value of the intermediate layer accommodates the size scale of the one or more metallic flakes of the basecoat layer such that the one or more metallic flakes are substantially aligned to each other to provide the basecoat layer with a liquid metal travel index.

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.

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: Systems and methods for augmenting an inertial navigation system (INS) include outputting from the INS position information associated with the implement and adjusting the implement based upon a comparison of the position information of the implement and a desired position of the implement. The INS is periodically re-initialized using error estimates generated by a kalman filter as a function of position information from one or more positioning (or measuring) devices, such as a fan laser, an automatic total station (ATS), a GNSS receiver, or a ground based radio positioning system, to correct a drift of the position information that may be caused by inherent characteristics of the INS.

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 construction machine for automatically receiving selected project data files based on the geographical location and identification of the machine. The machine includes an auto-start transceiver for transmitting the local location and identification of the machine and receiving project data files from a project data distributor that are selected for the local location and identification for operation of the machine.

Abstract: A construction machine for automatically receiving selected project data files based on the geographical location and identification of the machine. The machine includes an auto-start transceiver for transmitting the local location and identification of the machine and receiving project data files from a project data distributor that are selected for the local location and identification for operation of the machine.

Abstract: A method of guiding a vehicle in adjacent swaths across terrain that may slope comprising the steps of: (1) determining the tilt of the vehicle with respect to Earth due to a slope of the terrain; (2) determining the position with respect to Earth of a predetermined location that is fixed relative to the vehicle; and (3) using the tilt and position determinations to provide information for guiding the vehicle to prevent gaps and overlaps between adjacent swaths as the slope changes.

Abstract: The satellite navigational system integrated with the tilt measurement system capable of precise measurement of the actual coordinates of the mobile unit that moves along a track with variable tilt is disclosed. Using the integrated satellite/tilt measurement system, a plurality of 3 dimensional lines separated by optimal swathing offset vector can be formed and followed in order to provide field guidance during a precision farming operation across variably inclined terrain.

Abstract: The integrated laser and satellite positional system receiver is disclosed. The integrated laser and satellite positioning system receiver can provide a plurality of mobile units with a laser plane data determined with a millimeter relative accuracy. The integrated laser and differential satellite positioning system receiver can also generate and transmit the differential correctional data to a plurality of mobile units. Each mobile unit equipped with a mobile satellite positioning system receiver can use the differential correction data and the high precision laser plane data to improve its position determination capabilities.

Abstract: The mobile unit equipped with the satellite positioning system augmented by the laser positioning system is disclosed. The usage of the satellite positioning system allows the user to determine the coordinate of the laser reflectors prior to the range measurements. The range measurements are performed by the navigational computer using the laser scanning and rotating beam to obtain the range data between the mobile unit and a plurality of laser reflectors, and using the satellite positioning system to obtain the range data between the mobile unit and a plurality of visible navigational satellites. The obtained range data and the laser reflector coordinate data allows the user to perform the navigation of the mobile unit.

Abstract: The real time differential satellite navigational system integrated with the tilt measurement system is disclosed. The integrated positioning system allows one to perform the real time precise navigation of a mobile unit in a variable tilt environment. In another embodiment, the map generating system is disclosed. The map generating system utilizes the low cost post-processing differential GPS receiver. The map generating system allows one to record the map of an actual area covered by a mobile unit in a variable tilt environment.

Abstract: A method allows the rapid evaluation of physical properties of chassis elastomeric devices in a motor vehicle. A parametric controller (26) provides a parametric state signal to a elastomer control module (24), which in turn generates an appropriate electrical current signal which is communicated to a variable elastomeric device (22) which includes a magnetorheological elastomer having iron particles embedded therein and a coil operatively associated therewith. When the coil is energized by electrical current signal provided from the elastomer control module (24), a magnetic field is generated which provides predetermined variability in the physical properties of the elastomeric device (22), allowing the rapid evaluation of vehicle performance for given physical properties of the elastomeric device (22).

Abstract: A handheld survey device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for receiving position information, a pointer to point to the location to be measured, a measuring device to measure the distance between the handheld device and the location to be measured and a level and heading device to determine the level and heading of the handheld device. A processor located within the handheld device computes the position of the location using the position information, the distance measured between the handheld device and the location, and the level and heading information. The position computed meets the stringent accuracy requirements dictated by survey applications without the use of a range pole.

Abstract: The mobile unit equipped with the satellite positioning system augmented by the laser positioning system is disclosed. The usage of the satellite positioning system allows the user to determine the coordinate of the laser reflectors prior to the range measurements. The range measurements are performed by the navigational computer using the laser scanning and rotating beam to obtain the range data between the mobile unit and a plurality of laser reflectors, and using the satellite positioning system to obtain the range data between the mobile unit and a plurality of visible navigational satellites. The obtained range data and the laser reflector coordinate data allows the user to perform the navigation of the mobile unit.

Abstract: A handheld survey device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for receiving position information, a pointer to point to the location to be measured, a measuring device to measure the distance between the handheld device and the location to be measured and a level and heading device to determine the level and heading of the handheld device. A processor located within the handheld device computes the position of the location using the position information, the distance measured between the handheld device and the location, and the level and heading information. The position computed meets the stringent accuracy requirements dictated by survey applications without the use of a range pole.

Abstract: A system embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixed and a roving pair of four-observable GPS receivers and a communication link between them for double differencing code and carrier measurements. Carrier phase integer ambiguities are resolved efficiently by searching the simultaneous narrow-lane intersections of both the L1 and L2 wave fronts propagated by the GPS satellites being tracked. External constraint information, such as elevation, is additionally used to speed up integer ambiguity resolution. Data between the reference station and the rover is communicated in compressed form at a regular interval, e.g., once a second at each epoch, and demi-measurements of carrier phase are obtained more frequently, e.g., ten times a second, and used to propagate solutions between epochs.

Abstract: A variable stiffness suspension bushing (18) that is useful in a suspension of a motor vehicle to reduce brake shudder includes a shaft or rod (40) connected to a suspension member (12), an inner cylinder (42) fixedly connected to the shaft or rod (40), and an outer cylinder (44) fixedly connected to a chassis member (16). A magnetorheological (MR) elastomer (48), having iron particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (42) and outer (44) cylinders, and a coil (54) is disposed about the inner cylinder (42). When the coil (54) is energized by electrical current provided from a suspension control module (20), a variable magnetic field is generated so as to influence the magnetorheological (MR) elastomer (48) whereby variable stiffness values of the elastomer (48) are obtained to provide the bushing (18) with variable stiffness characteristics in order to eliminate compromises heretofore necessary when using single, fixed rate bushings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring displacement and force transferred through an elastomeric member, such as a suspension bushing (17) as used in a suspension of a motor vehicle, comprises an inner cylinder (26) fixedly connected to a suspension member (23), and an outer cylinder (28) fixedly connected to a chassis member (29). A magnetorheological elastomer (32), having particles embedded therein, is interposed between the inner (26) and outer (28) cylinders, and an electrode (44) is disposed about the inner cylinder (26). When the electrode (44) is energized by electrical current provided from module (18), a preselected electrical state resulting from the dielectric properties of the magnetorheological elastomer (32) varies in a predetermined manner in response to changes in displacement of the elastomeric material (32).

Abstract: A system embodiment of the present invention comprises a fixed and a roving pair of four-observable GPS receivers and a communication link between them for double differencing code and carrier measurements. Carrier phase integer ambiguities are resolved efficiently by searching the simultaneous narrow-lane intersections of both the L1 and L2 wave fronts propagated by the GPS satellites being tracked. External constraint information, such as elevation, is additionally used to speed up integer ambiguity resolution. Data between the reference station and the rover is communicated in compressed form at a regular interval, e.g., once a second at each epoch, and demi-measurements of carrier phase are obtained more frequently, e.g., ten times a second, and used to propagate solutions between epochs.