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 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 tire and wheel rim assembly includes a tire supporting rim having an outward facing mounting surface; a tire mounted to the rim positioning an internal tire cavity over the rim mounting surface; a passageway extending through the rim for communicating air pressure between the tire cavity and a side of the rim opposite the tire cavity; and means for controllably regulating the flow of air through the passageway. A connecting member such as a bolt may extend through the rim outside mounting surface to affix a tire pressure monitoring housing to the rim and the axial passageway through the rim may be an axial bore through the bolt. Regulation of air flow through the passageway may be effected by setting the diameter of the passageway sufficiently small; or incorporating a needle orifice in the passageway; or incorporating a porous insert body into the passageway. The insert body may be composed of sintered metal and may be fused to the internal sidewalls of the bolt.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring tire pressure and responding to a tire pressure error. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus provides signals to a vehicle control representing pressures in respective ones of the tires. The vehicle control first detects a tire pressure error in one of the tires, and then presents to a user a first signal representing the tire pressure error in the one of the tires. Then, a user input representing a prospective tire filling activity is detected. Thereafter, a second signal is presented to the user in response to a pressure in the one of the tires being substantially equal to a desired tire pressure.

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 tire and wheel rim assembly includes a tire supporting rim having an outward facing mounting surface; a tire mounted to the rim positioning an internal tire cavity over the rim mounting surface; a passageway extending through the rim for communicating air pressure between the tire cavity and a side of the rim opposite the tire cavity; and means for controllably regulating the flow of air through the passageway. A connecting member such as a bolt may extend through the rim outside mounting surface to affix a tire pressure monitoring housing to the rim and the axial passageway through the rim may be an axial bore through the bolt. Regulation of air flow through the passageway may be effected by setting the diameter of the passageway sufficiently small; or incorporating a needle orifice in the passageway; or incorporating a porous insert body into the passageway. The insert body may be composed of sintered metal and may be fused to the internal sidewalls of the bolt.

Abstract: A rule based computerised 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 computerised 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 magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring tire pressure and responding to a tire pressure error. A tire pressure monitoring apparatus provides signals to a vehicle control representing pressures in respective ones of the tires. The vehicle control first detects a tire pressure error in one of the tires, and then presents to a user a first signal representing the tire pressure error in the one of the tires. Then, a user input representing a prospective tire filling activity is detected. Thereafter, a second signal is presented to the user in response to a pressure in the one of the tires being substantially equal to a desired tire pressure.

Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: A magnetic flux concentrator is used to control the end heating of a tubular material in an electric induction heat treatment process. The magnetic flux concentrator may consist of fixed elements, or a combination of fixed and moveable elements to accommodate end heating of tubular materials having different dimensions or material properties.

Abstract: A system and method for post-cure application of electronics to a tire includes: a first stage assembly in which an ends of an annular antenna wire are positioned within conductive grommets in a base member; a second stage in which a plug is affixed to the base member to hold the antenna ends in place during shaping and curing of the antenna wire into a tire; and a third stage in which the plug is replaced by a tag carrier, the carrier including means for establishing and maintaining electrical contact between the antenna ends and the tag.

Abstract: A printer has a sensor for detecting notches spaced along a label media fed through the printer at a reference distance, where the reference distance is selected as a multiple of a number of steps. As the label media is fed through the printer, the printer monitors the command to and/or feedback from a motor to determine an expected feed length, monitors the notches to determine an actual feed length, and compares the actual feed length to the expected feed length to determine a difference. The printer then adjusts the command to the motor to account for the difference, and therefore to minimize the difference between the actual feed length of the label media and the desired feed length of the label media.

Abstract: An electrical terminal assembly (14) comprises an attachment member (16) adapted to be secured a support (4) and an elongate tubular metal member (24) of predetermined length. The tubular member has first and second ends (26, 30) and is secured at the first end (26) thereof to the attachment member (16) and extends outwardly therefrom. An electrically conductive lead member (32) extends through the elongate tubular metal member (24) and has a first end (32A) extending from the first end (26) of the elongate tubular metal member (24) and a second end (32B) thereof extending from the second end (30) of the elongate tubular metal member (24); and heat-withstanding electrical insulation means (44), in the form of compacted pulverulent material, provided within the elongate tubular metal member (24) between the electrically conductive lead member (32) and the elongate tubular metal member.