Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed is an example material transfer vehicle comprising a feeder having a hydraulic motor, a chain actuated by the hydraulic motor, and loading hopper configured to provide material to the chain; a sensor configured to detect a presence of a truck; and an electronic control module, wherein the electronic control module is configured to automatically increase a speed at which the chain is actuated when the sensor detects a presence of a truck.

Abstract: A method of coating magnesium includes applying a surface finish to a magnesium substrate to obtain a surface-finished magnesium substrate having a visual profile. The method includes pretreating the surface-finished magnesium substrate to obtain a pretreated magnesium substrate. The method includes depositing a clear powder coat onto the pretreated magnesium substrate to obtain a powder-coated magnesium substrate. The powder-coated magnesium substrate retains the visual profile of the surface-finished magnesium substrate or as-cast magnesium.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy can include magnesium, about 3.4 wt % to about 5.5 wt % aluminum, about 0.40 wt % to about 1.5 wt % zinc, and about 0.26 wt % to about 0.36 wt % manganese. The magnesium alloy may exhibit an ultimate tensile strength from about 210 MPa to about 260 MPa, a yield strength from about 100 MPa to about 135 MPa, and an elongation from about 8% to about 15%. The magnesium alloy may exhibit a bend angle from about 46° to about 54°.

Abstract: Disclosed is an example material transfer vehicle comprising a feeder having a hydraulic motor, a chain actuated by the hydraulic motor, and loading hopper configured to provide material to the chain; a sensor configured to detect a presence of a truck; and an electronic control module, wherein the electronic control module is configured to automatically increase a speed at which the chain is actuated when the sensor detects a presence of a truck.

Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) die includes a die body including an outer surface, a lower surface that is parallel to and offset from the outer surface, and a side surface that circumscribes the lower surface. A distance between the lower surface and the outer surface is less than or equal to approximately 1.2 mm. An angle between the side surface and the lower surface is within a range between approximately 45 and 90 degrees. An inner diameter of the outer surface is within a range between approximately 9 and 13 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is an example material transfer vehicle comprising a feeder having a hydraulic motor, a chain actuated by the hydraulic motor, and loading hopper configured to provide material to the chain; a sensor configured to detect a presence of a truck; and an electronic control module, wherein the electronic control module is configured to automatically increase a speed at which the chain is actuated when the sensor detects a presence of a truck.

Abstract: A method and means to manage timing and delivery of paving material to refill a paver during a paving operation is provided. The invention employs a semi-automated dump routine to manage the level and condition of material in the dump hopper of the material transfer vehicle (MTV) thereby minimizing flaws in the roadbed otherwise expected. Further, the invention provides for monitoring and managing multiple operational data pertaining to delivery of material related to the paving process to determine and coordinate timing of travel and delivery of the paving material to increase optimal conditions of the paving material to minimize road and pavement defects.

Abstract: A storage system in one embodiment comprises a host processor, and a solid-state storage device coupled to the host processor and comprising a non-volatile memory and a storage controller. The host processor is configured to initiate an error scanning operation on a designated portion of the non-volatile memory by directing at least one read command to the storage controller. The read command is configured to indicate to the storage controller that data read from the non-volatile memory responsive to the read command is not to be returned to the host processor. For example, the read command may illustratively comprise a Scatter Gather List (SGL) bit bucket descriptor indicating that the data read from the non-volatile memory responsive to the read command is to be discarded rather than returned to the host processor. The storage controller records any detected errors in a media error log and notifies the host processor of such errors.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet (SPR) joint includes a top layer including at least one steel material or at least one aluminum material, a middle layer including at least one magnesium material, and a bottom artificial aluminum layer including at least one aluminum material.

Abstract: A method and means to manage timing and delivery of paving material to refill a paver during a paving operation is provided. The invention employs a semi-automated dump routine to manage the level and condition of material in the dump hopper of the material transfer vehicle (MTV) thereby minimizing flaws in the roadbed otherwise expected. Further, the invention provides for monitoring and managing multiple operational data pertaining to delivery of material related to the paving process to determine and coordinate timing of travel and delivery of the paving material to increase optimal conditions of the paving material to minimize road and pavement defects.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet (SPR) joint includes a top layer including at least one steel material or at least one aluminum material, a middle layer including at least one magnesium material, and a bottom artificial aluminum layer including at least one aluminum material.

Abstract: A storage system in one embodiment comprises a host processor, a volatile memory associated with the host processor, and a solid-state storage device comprising a non-volatile memory. The host processor is configured to detect a particular power condition, such as a power failure condition, and responsive to the detected power condition to direct the copying of data from the volatile memory associated with the host processor to the non-volatile memory of the solid-state storage device. In conjunction with directing the copying of data from the volatile memory associated with the host processor to the non-volatile memory of the solid-state storage device, the host processor further directs the solid-state storage device to enter an enhanced write bandwidth operating mode in which the solid-state storage device temporarily at least partially suspends at least one specified background process that would otherwise tend to restrict an achievable write bandwidth of the solid-state storage device.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining instructions at a mobile device comprising directions from a current location of the mobile device to a target location in a facility over a path identified by two or more waypoint devices distributed in the facility, receiving signaling over at least one wireless network from a selected one of the waypoint devices in the path, utilizing a radio frequency signal strength of the received signaling to estimate proximity between the mobile device and the selected waypoint device, presenting an indication of proximity to the first waypoint device via the mobile device based at least in part on the estimated proximity, determining whether the estimated proximity between the mobile device and the selected waypoint device is below a proximity threshold, and selecting another one of the waypoint devices in the path responsive to determining that the estimated proximity is below the proximity threshold.

Abstract: A system including a first feeder configured to transport asphalt, a second feeder configured to receive the asphalt from the first feeder, and a controller configured to control a speed of the first feeder and the second feeder in response to an input from an operator.

Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, a system may include a first feeder configured to transport asphalt, a second feeder configured to receive the asphalt from the first feeder, and a controller configured to control a speed of the first feeder and the second feeder in response to an input from an operator.

Abstract: In accordance with example embodiments, a system may include a first feeder configured to transport asphalt, a second feeder configured to receive the asphalt from the first feeder, and a controller configured to control a speed of the first feeder and the second feeder in response to an input from an operator.