Abstract: The invention is a method for allowing Java objects to communicate with .Net Remoting objects, with a first step of receiving metadata information from a .Net Remoting server on a Java client. Then, Java proxies are generated from said metadata information, using a Java development tool, with the Java proxies generated by a one-to-one mapping of .Net classes to Java classes. Finally, the Java proxies are implemented on the Java client, with the method provided solely in Java. Therefore, the Java client does not require any .Net components. The method can also be used to allow .Net Remoting objects to communicate with Java objects in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method for updating a sensor offset and a medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for updating a sensor using a robust sensor learning algorithm wherein the method includes obtaining vehicle data signals, obtaining a position sensor data signal, the position sensor data signal being responsive to a stored positional offset data signal, determining whether algorithm initial conditions are satisfied, formulating a new positional offset data signal conditioned on satisfaction of the initial conditions, and storing said new positional offset data signal so as to combine said new positional offset data signal with said stored positional offset data signal and replace said stored positional offset data signal.

Abstract: A metal-infiltrated polycrystalline diamond composite tool comprising a plurality of diamond grains forming a continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, a metallic phase being substantially palladium-free and contiguous to the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, wherein the metallic phase interpenetrates the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix and substantially wets an outer surface of the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix; and a working surface. The metallic phase is formed from an infiltrant and a wetting-enhancement layer disposed on the outer surfaces of the diamond particles, with both the infiltrant and wetting-enhancement layer being substantially palladium-free and comprising at least one metal from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, and nickel.

Abstract: A gutter cleaning tool with a curved blade and a shovel blade is disclosed. The curved blade is used to collect debris in the gutter, and the shovel blade is used to push debris under a gutter strut. The present invention also includes a handle attachment means, for attachment to standard handles, including telescoping poles.

Abstract: An absolute hand-wheel position tracking system for an electric power steering system having a hand-wheel, an assist motor for providing an assist torque disposed relative to the hand-wheel, and a motor position sensor responsive to the assist motor, includes a hand-wheel position initialization function responsive to the hand-wheel; a motor position correction and scaling function responsive to the motor position sensor and responsive to the assist torque; an enable function responsive to the assist torque and responsive to the hand-wheel position initialization function; and an absolute hand-wheel position generation function in signal communication with the hand-wheel position initialization function, the motor position correction and scaling function, and the enable function.

Abstract: A method of estimating the angular velocity of an electric power steering motor for an automobile is disclosed. The method comprises estimating an average angular velocity of the motor; estimating an instantaneous angular velocity of the motor; weighting the estimated average angular velocity of the motor; weighting the estimated instantaneous angular velocity of the motor; and combining the weighted estimated average angular velocity of the motor and the weighted estimated instantaneous angular velocity of the motor.

Abstract: A method for updating a sensor offset and a medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for updating a sensor using a robust sensor learning algorithm wherein the method includes obtaining vehicle data signals, obtaining a position sensor data signal, the position sensor data signal being responsive to a stored positional offset data signal, determining whether algorithm initial conditions are satisfied, formulating a new positional offset data signal conditioned on satisfaction of the initial conditions, and storing said new positional offset data signal so as to combine said new positional offset data signal with said stored positional offset data signal and replace said stored positional offset data signal.

Abstract: An absolute hand-wheel position tracking system for an electric power steering system having a hand-wheel, an assist motor for providing an assist torque disposed relative to the hand-wheel, and a motor position sensor responsive to the assist motor, includes a hand-wheel position initialization function responsive to the hand-wheel; a motor position correction and scaling function responsive to the motor position sensor and responsive to the assist torque; an enable function responsive to the assist torque and responsive to the hand-wheel position initialization function; and an absolute hand-wheel position generation function in signal communication with the hand-wheel position initialization function, the motor position correction and scaling function, and the enable function.

Abstract: A metal-infiltrated polycrystalline diamond composite tool comprising a plurality of diamond grains forming a continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, a metallic phase being substantially palladium-free and contiguous to the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, wherein the metallic phase interpenetrates the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix and substantially wets an outer surface of the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix; and a working surface. The metallic phase is formed from an infiltrant and a wetting-enhancement layer disposed on the outer surfaces of the diamond particles, with both the infiltrant and wetting-enhancement layer being substantially palladium-free and comprising at least one metal from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, and nickel.

Abstract: A method of compensating for errors in the measurement of the kinematic properties of an electric power steering motor for an automobile is disclosed. The method comprises generating a set of M-ary signals; measuring the pulse width of the set of M-ary signals; and measuring the time between the edges of the set of M-ary signals. The motor velocity may be directly measured by a tachometer or other such device. The motor position signal can be used to estimate the angular velocity of the motor, by determining the change in angular position of the motor divided by the change in time.

Abstract: The invention provides a strategy to stop a parallel HEV powertrain engine while maintaining smooth vehicle response to driver demand using the motor while simultaneously opening an engine disconnect clutch. In the preferred embodiment, the strategy stops an engine (based on, for example, driver demand), disconnects the disconnect clutch to the powertrain, halts fuel to the engine, and predicts a desired motor/generator speed. The prediction of desired motor/generator speed can be: a trajectory comparison based on present and past vehicle velocity and deceleration or on a vehicle accelerator position, or a determination of whether the vehicle is in speed following control mode. The system can also add additional strategies such as accelerate the strategy if a vehicle brake is applied. The gradual takeover by the motor occurs by proportionally decreasing actual engine torque until engine torque is zero while maintaining vehicle velocity using for example a proportional plus integral controller.

Abstract: A photodetector comprising a gallium nitride substrate, at least one active layer disposed on the substrate, and a conductive contact structure affixed to the active layer and, in some embodiments, the substrate. The invention includes photodetectors having metal-semiconductor-metal structures, P-i-N structures, and Schottky-barrier structures. The active layers may comprise Ga1-x-yAlxInyN1-z-wPzAsw, or, preferably, Ga1-xAlxN. The gallium nitride substrate comprises a single crystal gallium nitride wafer and has a dislocation density of less than about 105 cm−2. A method of making the photodetector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metal-infiltrated polycrystalline diamond composite tool comprising a plurality of diamond grains forming a continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, a metallic phase being substantially palladium-free and contiguous to the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, wherein the metallic phase interpenetrates the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix and substantially wets an outer surface of the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix; and a working surface. The metallic phase is formed from an infiltrant and a wetting-enhancement layer disposed on the outer surfaces of the diamond particles, with both the infiltrant and wetting-enhancement layer being substantially palladium-free and comprising at least one metal from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, and nickel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining a torque current in an electric machine coupled to a polyphase bus. The method comprises: detecting a rotational position of the electric machine with a position encoder; controlling an inverter comprising a plurality of switching devices, the inverter having an input coupled to a direct current bus, and an output coupled to the polyphase bus. Where the inverter is responsive to commands from a controller coupled to the inverter and to the position encoder. The method also includes measuring a current from the direct current bus; and capturing the current at a predefined interval of time. Also disclosed is a system for determining a current in an electric machine coupled to a polyphase bus, the system comprising: a position encoder coupled to the electric machine to detect rotational position; an inverter having an input coupled to a direct current bus, and an output coupled to the polyphase bus.

Abstract: A communication device includes a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter includes an M-ary encoder configured to generate an M−1 number of distinctive symbols each comprising k bits. M is equal to 2k and k is a positive integer. The transmitter also includes a code generator configured to produce spread spectrum codeword sequences based on the symbols generated by the M-ary encoder and based on a first and a second Gold code polynomials. The transmitter sends a radio signal based on the spread spectrum codeword sequences. The receiver is configured to receive the radio signal. The receiver includes a first shift register configured to receive an input signal generated based on the received radio signal and a second shift register configured to receive and circularly shift a locally generated codeword sequence that is identical to the codeword sequence used to encode the symbols.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the torque ripple produced by unbalanced phase currents in a sinusoidally excited motor is disclosed. The method comprises measuring the position of the motor; sampling the phase currents of the motor generating thereby at least one phase current; synchronizing the at least one phase current of the motor with the position of the motor; determining the imbalance in the magnitudes of the at least one phase current of the motor; generating a set of modulation index terms for reducing the imbalance in the magnitudes of the at least one phase current to ensure acceptable torque ripple characteristics over the operating velocity of the motor; and generating a set of minimized line-to-ground voltage commands.

Abstract: An abrasive diamond composite formed from coated diamond particles and a matrix material. The diamonds have a protective coating formed from a refractory materia1 having a composition MCxNy, that prevents corrosive chemical attack of the diamonds by the matrix material. The abrasive diamond composite may further include an infiltrant, such as a braze material. Alternatively, the abrasive diamond composite may include a plurality of coated diamond particles and a braze material filling interstitial spaces between the coated diamond particles. Methods of making such abrasive diamond composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gallium nitride growth process forms crystalline gallium nitride. The process comprises the steps of providing a source gallium nitride; providing mineralizer; providing solvent; providing a capsule; disposing the source gallium nitride, mineralizer and solvent in the capsule; sealing the capsule; disposing the capsule in a pressure cell; and subjecting the pressure cell to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions for a length of time sufficient to dissolve the source gallium nitride and precipitate the source gallium nitride into at least one gallium nitride crystal. The invention also provides for gallium nitride crystals formed by the processes of the invention.

Abstract: A method and system for diagnostics and ascertaining status of an electric machine coupled to a polyphase bus. The method and system include: detecting a rotational position with a position encoder coupled to the electric machine; controlling an inverter having an input coupled to a direct current bus and an output coupled to the polyphase bus, where the inverter is responsive to commands from a controller coupled to the inverter and to the position encoder. The method and system further include measuring a current from the direct current bus; capturing a torque current; calculating a current error; establishing a bound limit for the torque current; comparing the current error to the bound limit. The method and system also include: determining whether a fault exists by evaluating if the bound limit has been exceeded; incrementing a fault counter if a fault exists; decrementing a fault counter if no fault exists; and indicating a failure if the fault counter exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A system and method of discriminating faults in an error signal, such as that from a control input sensor, comprises a system for and method of determining allowable limits of an error signal versus time, passing the error signal through a low-pass filter, comparing output of the low-pass filter with a threshold and outputting a fault condition when the output of the low-pass filter exceeds the threshold. The time constant or constants of the low-pass filter and the threshold are selected so that a fault condition is detected when the error signal approaches the allowable limits before exceeding them.