Abstract: Knowing the global pose of mining excavators provides a range of benefits for managing and automating mining operations. A method for globally locating the pose of an electric mining shovel is described. The system takes measurements from an arbitrary number of RTK-GPS antennas mounted on the machine house and a resolver fitted to the machines' swing axis. A Kalman filter is used to produce estimates of the global locations pose.

Abstract: A tire and electronic device assembly is disclosed, the electronic device measuring one or more tire parameters. The electronic device attaches to a cellular insert member to create a sub-assembly, the insert member having an inward surface attached on a centerline of the tire to an inward facing tire surface defining a tire cavity. The electronic device attaches to the cellular insert member between raised regions of the cellular insert member with an outward surface of the device uncovered and exposed and recessed below outward boundaries of the raised regions.

Abstract: A method of implementing an optimal avoidance filter for interposing between a human operator issued movement commands and a corresponding machine control system of a movable machine, for the avoidance of collisions with objects. The method: includes inputting a detailed representation of objects in the vicinity of the movable machine; and formulating a hierarchical set of bounding boxes around the objects. The hierarchical set including refinement details depending on the current positional state of the movable machine, with objects closer to the machine having higher levels of refinement details. The method further includes utilizing the resultant hierarchical set as a set of constraints for a mixed integer optimisation problem to determine any alterations to the issued movement commands so as to avoid collisions with any objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of positioning mechanical equipment, and particularly to the likes of mechanical excavation and electric mining shovels. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for calibrating the sensors that measure hoist and crowd motions for an electric mining shovel, enabling the position of a bucket to be known with greater accuracy than can be achieved using previously known approaches.

Abstract: The invention, in some embodiments, relates to solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to liquid-air transpired solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to thermal energy transfer systems that comprise solar energy collectors, and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of constructing solar energy collectors are provided.

Abstract: The invention in some aspects relates to radiometers and related methods of use. In some aspects of the invention, methods are provided for determining a circumsolar profiles at external locations of interest, e.g., at a solar power generation system installation site.

Abstract: A method is provided for the forming of a metallic solder joint without a liquid flux to create a solder joint that has minimal voids and can be reflowed multiple times without void propagation. This process can be done for any solder alloy, and is most specifically used in the application of first level thermal interface in a IC or micro processor or BGA microprocessor.

Abstract: A method of payload estimation of weight bearing machinery, the method comprising the steps of: (a) creating a series of Kalman filter approximations to the weight bearing machinery for different levels of payload; (b) determining from the series an approximation to the current operating characteristics of the weight bearing machinery; and, (c) utilizing the parameters derived from the step (b) to determine an estimated payload of the weight bearing machinery.

Abstract: A method of effecting an improved adhesive bond between a rubber surface and a device adhered thereto is disclosed. In pneumatic tires, monitoring devices are more securely adhered to the innerliner of the tire utilizing a room temperature vulcanizable adhesive wherein curing is facilitated in the presence of moisture. The innerliner formulation is prepared by incorporating a material which has incomplete compatibility with the rubber of the innerliner formulation, and which has hygroscopic properties which thereby tends to attract moisture.

Abstract: A container body 1 has a rim profile formed by folding sheet metal material. The profile defines at least two separate zones 14, 15 which are completely enclosed by the folded material and two runs of the material 5, 10 meet at the junction 16 between the two zones 14, 15 and are welded to one another at that junction. A lid 2 also has a rim profile folded from sheet material.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a sealing portion (210) including a nose tip engagement portion (212) adapted to form a seal with the patient's nose tip, an upper lip engagement portion (213) adapted to form a seal with the patient's upper lip and/or base of the patient's nares, and nostril engagement flaps (214) adapted to form a seal with the patient's nares. The nose tip engagement portion (212), the upper lip engagement portion (213), and the nostril engagement flaps (214) are all structured to extend or curve outwardly from a supporting wall defining an air path.

Abstract: A rule based computerized method is disclosed of developing and/or implementing and/or administering rule based systems such as legislation and/or policy and/or other rule sets, the method including: -developing a computerized database containing a set of rules in accordance with which the rule based system can be developed, written in and delivered; wherein the rules are: -written in natural spoken language to express the individual grammatical units constituting the rules, constrained in being written in accordance with defined constraints to limit the number of logical formats in which the rules can be expressed, and explicit in being written in a manner to avoid implicit meanings; whereby the rules are expressed in a logical format readily understandable to both humans and computers.

Abstract: A tandem tractor and trailer system includes a tractor having a cab and a trailer, each having multiple wheel units, each wheel unit having a mounted tire and a tractor tire pressure measuring device. A first display unit mounts within the cab of the tractor and a second display unit to the exterior of the trailer, each display unit operating to communicate to an operator of the tractor a visible indicia of tractor and trailer tire inflation pressure status, respectively, based upon pressure measurements of the tractor and trailer tire pressure measuring devices, respectively. The second display unit may mount to a forward end of the trailer at a mounting location operatively visible by differentiated colored light emission through a rear view mirror to the operator of the tractor during operation of the tractor and the trailer.

Abstract: A multi-tire trailer and display system includes a trailer and a tire status display unit externally mounted to the trailer and operative to communicate a visible trailer tire inflation pressure status indicia, the display unit mounted to a forward end of the trailer at a mounting location operatively visible to an operator of a tractor during coupled operation of the tractor and the trailer. The display unit has a display panel operatively illuminated for visibly communicating the inflation status of the trailer tires and the display panel may communicate changes in the inflation status of the trailer tires by differentiated colored light emission. The display unit is at an elevated mounting location at a forward end of the trailer so as to be visible by means of a rear-view tractor mirror to an operator of a tractor coupled to the trailer as well as ground personnel.

Abstract: A multi-tire vehicle tire monitoring system includes a plurality of tire monitoring units mounted to measure at least one measured tire parameter of a respective tire on a vehicle and transmit measured tire parameter data responsive to the tire parameter measurement. The system further includes antennae for receiving the measured tire parameter data from tire monitoring units within a respectively assigned zone of tires of the vehicle, each zone encompassing a plurality of tires, and communicating the received measured tire parameter data to a data processing unit. Each antenna is fixedly mounted in an operable spatial relationship to a respective assigned zone of tires. A display may be operatively coupled to the vehicle data processing unit to visually indicate to a user a status of measured tire parameters of tires by zone.

Abstract: A tire and electronic device assembly is disclosed, the electronic device measuring one or more tire parameters. The electronic device attaches to a cellular insert member to create a sub-assembly, the insert member having an inward surface attached on a centerline of the tire to an inward facing tire surface defining a tire cavity. The electronic device attaches to the cellular insert member between raised regions of the cellular insert member with an outward surface of the device uncovered and exposed and recessed below outward boundaries of the raised regions.

Abstract: A container body 1 has a rim profile formed by folding sheet metal material. The profile defines at least two separate zones 14, 15 which are completely enclosed by the folded material and two runs of the material 5, 10 meet at the junction 16 between the two zones 14, 15 and are welded to one another at that junction. A lid 2 also has a rim profile folded from sheet material.

Abstract: A method of installing an electronic device in a tire comprises affixing an electronic device to a cellular insert member to create a sub-assembly, the insert member having an inward surface operably configured for attachment to an inward facing tire surface defining a tire cavity; and attaching the sub-assembly to the inward facing tire surface. The electronic device may be embedded into the cellular insert member between raised regions of the cellular insert member. The inward cavity facing tire surface is located at the tire centerline and the cellular insert member comprises an elongate foam strip dimensioned to attach to the inward facing tire surface along the tire centerline. The sub-assembly may be transported to the tire during an assembly sequence in a roll with the electronic device situated through the insert member in an accessible location proximate to a free end of the roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of positioning mechanical equipment, and particularly to the likes of mechanical excavation and electric mining shovels. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for calibrating the sensors that measure hoist and crowd motions for an electric mining shovel, enabling the position of a bucket to be known with greater accuracy than can be achieved using previously known approaches.