Abstract: Robotic system includes a control system and a slave device which is controlled by the control system. The slave device has a robotic grasping device formed of a rigid base and at least one finger which is movable to facilitate grasping of objects. At least one sensor is provided which senses a force applied to the finger. A cutting tool having a cutting jaw is also attached to the base. The cutting jaw is arranged to pivot on a pivot axis responsive to a pivot motion of the finger. The forces exerted on the cutting jaw are sensed with the sensor during a first predetermined range of finger motion associated with a cutting mode of operation.

Abstract: An atomic clock is used in conjunction with the GNSS receiver and the inertial sensors, creating a more capable inertial navigation system (INS). The system is composed of a GNSS receiver, an accurate clock, and a mechanism for measuring relative pose changes. The system being presented utilizes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide the relative pose changes, but other mechanisms can be used—like visual and ladar odometry. The GNSS receiver measures the pseudo-ranges to the GNSS satellites in the field of view. These measurements are “time tagged” with the accuracy of the atomic clock. The relative motion between the pseudo-ranges is measured using the IMU. Finally, the lock is achieved by filtering these measurements. The filtering mechanism can vary, from the traditional Kalman Filters to other mechanisms that attempt to minimize the mean square error.

Abstract: Multi-rotors use multiple electric motors to drive propellers that allow the multi-rotor to fly, turn, bank, etc. The multiple motors and the associated control device produce EM signals that can be used to detect multi-rotors and distinguish them from other devices with electric motors. To drive a brushless motor, the ESC takes DC from the battery and turns it into three phase AC (sinusoidal or trapezoidal wave), and then measures back EMF pulses (sensorless). This allows one to ensure that the three phase AC is being generated at the proper frequency to turn the motor (timing). For each propeller in the multi-rotor there are usually four different correlated signals at multiple frequencies that are used for detection and false alarm rejection.

Abstract: A ground vehicle suspension system includes first and second rocker-bogie mechanisms which are respectively secured to a chassis on opposing sides of a central axis. Each rocker-bogie mechanism includes a main link on which a first and second bogie is respectively pivotally mounted. The first and second bogie each has opposing inner and outer bogie end portions. On each bogie, an inner wheel is disposed on an inner stub axle and an outer wheel is disposed on an outer stub axle. A continuous track is guided on the inner and outer wheels of the first bogie and second bogie. A resilient member extends between the first and second bogie and is attached at one end to the inner bogie end portion of the first bogie and at an opposing end to the inner bogie end portion of the second bogie.

Abstract: The proposed method outlines a new control mechanism well-suited for small, unmanned aerial vehicles traversing in a GPS-denied areas. It has the strong advantage of simplifying the interface, so that even an untrained operator can handle the difficult, dynamic problems encountered in closed quarters. The proposed system seamlessly integrates point-and-click control with way-point navigation, in an intuitive interface. An additional advantage of the proposed system is that it adds minimal hardware to the payload of the UAV, and can possibly, strongly diminish the bandwidth and delay effects of the communication channel.

Abstract: A system for localizing a swarm of robotic platforms utilizing ranging sensors. The swarm is localized by purposely leaving some of the platforms of the swarm stationary, providing localization to the moving ones. The platforms in the swarm can alternate between a stationary and moving state.

Abstract: The system described assumes that the physical properties of the bind sites will be sufficiently repeatable to be tabulated based on a limited set of control constraints: filament material, temperature of the print head, feed rate, temperature of the substrate, and filament orientations at the bind site, etc. The main idea of this system is to utilize the bind sites and the connection and directionality of the threads as a lattice that can then be fed into a finite element analysis (FEA) algorithm for simulation in order to extract the macro physical properties of the part being produced. These repeatable bind site tabulated values can then be used to provide the cell properties for the FEA. The micro properties of the bind site can also be encoded into explicit equations, neural networks or other approximators.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for using a 3D printer for printing various tunable antennas. In one embodiment, and exponent antenna is created by printing a board using a 3D printer in combination with vacuum metallization to create the antenna and provide engineered break points for adjusting the printed antenna for the most effective gain. In another embodiment, a spiral cavity backed antenna is printed using a combination of a 3D printer and vacuum metallization. In a third embodiment, a horn antenna is printed using a combination of a 3D printer engineered break points for adjustment and a hinged version with an actuator creating a new antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-stage printing teaches a 3D printer in combination with one or more additional dispensing nozzles. One or more additional dispensing nozzles are combined with the 3D for filling cavities with other compounds such as foam, sterilizing parts by spraying printed mold with disinfectant or antibacterial treatments, and embedding parts or other materials such as paper, fiberglass, or carbon fiber within the printing layers for additional strength and changing mold properties of a final product. In other embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention can be used in combination with a robotic packaging mechanism for bagging sterilized parts for shipment.

Abstract: A webserver is comprised of a registry, database, web store, arbiter, and signature verifier with device public keys. An external trusted machine provides a first key pair to the server system. The database contains encrypted copies of developer software/models, using the Trusted Machine to encrypt. The Signature Verifier verifies that devices requesting code are truly safe devices provided from a third party. The Trusted Machine is an extremely secure machine with a first key pair “A” used to encrypt and decrypt entries into the database safely. A trusted module is associated with the printer which comprises a random sequence generator. The printer generates keys required for printing and authorization using a Common Access Card (CAC). Next the server would encrypt the model with the keys generated by the trusted module of the printer to allow for the printer to decrypt the keys and effectuate printing of the encrypted model.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for multi-stage printing teaches means for removing and replacing a printed component during the printing process and accurately placing the component in the printer for continuation of the printing process. This can be accomplished through the use of a scanner, probe machine, or scanning Additionally, the present invention teaches the use of heating means in combination with a 3D printer to overcome additional issues with multi-sage printing.

Abstract: A printing station teaching a control chamber for printing that is either part of the 3D printer or in which the 3D printer is enclosed. Additionally, the printing station must be equipped with assembly directions for building various devices from two or more printed component parts, an inventory of non-printable parts, a robot or other automated means for selecting and combining component parts into devices, as well as downloadable software and encryption for securing the devices and limiting their applications. Additionally, the printing station teaches a chamber either integrated with or enclosing the 3D printer to provide temperature, pressure, and humidity control during the printing process.

Abstract: A surveillance unit (1) comprises a support pole (3) and apparatus (5) mounted on the support pole (3) for housing surveillance cameras (6,7) and infrared heat detectors (8) in a controlled environment. The apparatus (5) comprises a primary housing (10) defining a primary hollow interior region (11) supported on a main support platform (21) which is mounted on the support pole (3). A secondary housing (14) defining a secondary hollow interior region (15) is coupled to the primary housing (10) by a tubular coupling element (17) which defines a communicating passageway (18) for communicating the primary and secondary hollow interior region (11,15). The secondary housing (14) comprises a lower secondary shell (68) of polycarbonate material and an upper secondary shell (73) which form the secondary hollow interior region (15).

Abstract: An after-action, mission review tool that displays camera and navigation sensor data allowing a user to pan, tilt, and zoom through the images from front and back cameras on an vehicle, while simultaneously viewing time/date information, along with any available navigation information such as the latitude and longitude of the vehicle at that time instance. Also displayed is a visual representation of the path the vehicle traversed; when the user clicks on the path, the image is automatically changed to the image corresponding to that position. If aerial images of the area are available, the path can be plotted on the geo-referenced image.

Abstract: An after-action, mission review tool that displays camera and navigation sensor data allowing a user to pan, tilt, and zoom through the images from front and back cameras on an vehicle, while simultaneously viewing time/date information, along with any available navigation information such as the latitude and longitude of the vehicle at that time instance. Also displayed is a visual representation of the path the vehicle traversed; when the user clicks on the path, the image is automatically changed to the image corresponding to that position. If aerial images of the area are available, the path can be plotted on the geo-referenced image.

Abstract: Force and torque sensors (10, 10a) include a load-bearing element (12), and strain gauges (20, 22, 23) mounted on the load-bearing element (12) so that the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) generate outputs responsive to external forces and moments applied to the load-bearing element (12). The strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are configured, and the responsive outputs of the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are processed such that the force and moment measurements generated by the sensors (10, 10a) are substantially immune from drift due to thermally-induced strain in the load-bearing element (12).

Abstract: This discloses a water ski rope safety device. Water ski ropes can become disconnected from the tow boat. They can also become loose or gain excessive slack. In such cases, the rope can whip around or entangle the skier. Any of these might injure the skier. The safety device prevents such a disconnected or loose rope from entangling or striking the skier. The device consists of a flexible sleeve into which the rope is contained along with other components which accomplish the purpose.

Abstract: The write-access control line for an RTC is combined with a clear line for an RTC signature register, so that changes to the RTC will cause subsequent reads to return an invalidity flag.

Abstract: Force and torque sensors (10, 10a) include a load-bearing element (12), and strain gauges (20, 22, 23) mounted on the load-bearing element (12) so that the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) generate outputs responsive to external forces and moments applied to the load-bearing element (12). The strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are configured, and the responsive outputs of the strain gauges (20, 22, 23) are processed such that the force and moment measurements generated by the sensors (10, 10a) are substantially immune from drift due to thermally-induced strain in the load-bearing element (12).

Abstract: An after-action, mission review tool that displays camera and navigation sensor data allowing a user to pan, tilt, and zoom through the images from front and back cameras on an vehicle, while simultaneously viewing time/date information, along with any available navigation information such as the latitude and longitude of the vehicle at that time instance. Also displayed is a visual representation of the path the vehicle traversed; when the user clicks on the path, the image is automatically changed to the image corresponding to that position. If aerial images of the area are available, the path can be plotted on the geo-referenced image.