Abstract: The building of systems on breadboards such as optomechanical systems using reference stop assemblies is presented. Each reference stop assembly has a threaded base engageable with the breadboard to removably mount the reference stop assembly thereto, a support shaft connected to the threaded base and a reference ball. The reference ball is captively mounted to the support shaft and has a translational play in a plane perpendicular to the support shaft. The reference stop assembly also includes a clamping member mounted to the support shaft over the reference ball. The reference stop assembly is configured such that, when the reference stop assembly is mounted to said breadboard, the support shaft projects normally to the mounting surface of the breadboard and the clamping member cooperates with the breadboard so as to apply a clamping force to clamp the reference ball against a circular seat of a mounting hole on the breadboard.

Abstract: The building of systems on breadboards such as optomechanical systems using reference stop assemblies is presented. Each reference stop assembly has a threaded base engageable with the breadboard to removably mount the reference stop assembly thereto, a support shaft connected to the threaded base and a reference ball. The reference ball is captively mounted to the support shaft and has a translational play in a plane perpendicular to the support shaft. The reference stop assembly also includes a clamping member mounted to the support shaft over the reference ball. The reference stop assembly is configured such that, when the reference stop assembly is mounted to said breadboard, the support shaft projects normally to the mounting surface of the breadboard and the clamping member cooperates with the breadboard so as to apply a clamping force to clamp the reference ball against a circular seat of a mounting hole on the breadboard.

Abstract: There is described a controller area network (CAN) message scanner for a winter service vehicle. The CAN message scanner generally has a housing; a controller inside said housing; and a CAN bus link having a proximal end connected to said controller and a distal end connected to a diagnostic port of an engine control unit (ECU) of said winter service vehicle; said controller performing, while said winter service vehicle has a given speed, receiving a CAN message from said ECU vehicle via said CAN bus link, said CAN message having vehicle data fields located at corresponding addresses of said CAN message; retrieving a vehicle data field having a value matching a speed value indicative of said given speed of said winter service vehicle; and generating a signal indicating an address corresponding to said retrieved vehicle data field.

Abstract: There is described a controller area network (CAN) message scanner for a winter service vehicle. The CAN message scanner generally has a housing; a controller inside said housing; and a CAN bus link having a proximal end connected to said controller and a distal end connected to a diagnostic port of an engine control unit (ECU) of said winter service vehicle; said controller performing, while said winter service vehicle has a given speed, receiving a CAN message from said ECU vehicle via said CAN bus link, said CAN message having vehicle data fields located at corresponding addresses of said CAN message; retrieving a vehicle data field having a value matching a speed value indicative of said given speed of said winter service vehicle; and generating a signal indicating an address corresponding to said retrieved vehicle data field.

Abstract: The winter service vehicle generally has a chassis, an engine mounted to the chassis, an engine control unit (ECU), a spreading system mounted to the chassis, and a computer. The winter service vehicle further comprises a controller area network (CAN) bus link connected between the ECU and the computer, allowing the computer to determine a current speed of the winter service vehicle via the CAN bus link, and to determine a spreading rate based on the current speed of the winter service vehicle. The spreading rate is the rate at which de-icing material is spread on roads by the spreading system of the winter service vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: The laser mount arrangement can have a laser bar and a driver positioned adjacent to one another and secured against a connection face of a heat sink base. The heat sink base is connected to and forms a first electrical connection between the laser bar and the driver. A second electrical connection is also provided between the laser bar and the driver opposite the heat sink base, which can be in the form of a flexible metal sheet with a narrow upward fold. This arrangement can provide a low inductance path for the current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: The laser mount arrangement can have a laser bar and a driver positioned adjacent to one another and secured against a connection face of a heat sink base. The heat sink base is connected to and forms a first electrical connection between the laser bar and the driver. A second electrical connection is also provided between the laser bar and the driver opposite the heat sink base, which can be in the form of a flexible metal sheet with a narrow upward fold. This arrangement can provide a low inductance path for the current.

Abstract: Active imaging devices can include a camera and an illuminator that provides light to the scene under observation. Most often, a laser beam combined with projector optics is used to generate a field of illumination while a telescope and a camera are use to acquire the images in its field of view. This specification demonstrates the production of a rectangular field of illumination having a highly uniform intensity distribution matching and aligned with a rectangular field of view of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.

Abstract: A water chlorinator device for use in a water recirculating conduit system having a water pump connected therein. The chlorinator device comprises a housing having a chlorine-containing chamber vented to atmosphere. A perforated support member is provided for supporting one or more solid chlorine tablets. Projections support a lower one of the tablets elevated from a top surface of said support member. The water supply compartment is provided under the support member and is fed pressurized water from the conduit system downstream of the pump. The water entering the supply compartment exits through orifices formed in the support member whereby to form a turbulent, chlorine dissolving, water cushion above a top support surface of the support member. The water cushion is formed of a plurality of pressurized water jets to dissolve the lower one of the solid chlorine tablets to form chlorine-treated water.