Abstract: System and methods for automated joining of parts into an assembly are disclosed. A table includes holders for the parts positioned about a platform mounted to a base, the holders including a conductive surface to facilitate welding and a channel for receiving wiring to electrically ground the conductive surface. The table also includes motors for moving the holders relative to the platform. A controller is in electronic communication with the motors, industrial robot(s) for moving and welding the parts, and a machine vision subsystem for viewing a workspace including the table and operational area of the robot(s). The controller receives data describing the assembly to be formed and from the machine vision subsystem describing the parts and commands movement of at least some of the motors and robot(s) accordingly to move the parts into the holders and weld the parts into the assembly.

Abstract: An assembly and joining table, such as with weld splatter protection features, are disclosed along with systems and methods for operating the same in at least partially automated fashion. The table includes holders positioned about platform providing a work surface. Parts are placed within at least certain of the holders for joining to create an assembly. The holders include conductive surfaces and may include a sinuous recessed channels for wiring connecting the conductive surfaces to an electrical ground. A controller may operate motors of the table and command operations of robots for material handling and/or joining, such as based on data from a machine vision system viewing the table.

Abstract: An assembly and joining table with weld splatter protection features are disclosed along with systems and methods for operating the same in at least partially automated fashion. The table includes holders positioned about platform providing a work surface. Parts are placed within certain of the holders for joining to create an assembly. The holders include conductive surfaces and recessed channels for wiring. A first end of each channel is located adjacent to a respective conductive surface, a second end is located below the respective conductive surface, and a continuous passageway with a plurality of turns extends between the first and second ends. A controller may operate motors of the table and command operations of robots for material handling and/or joining and a machine vision system to adjustably automate assembly.

Abstract: An assembly and joining table, such as with weld splatter protection features, are disclosed along with systems and methods for operating the same in at least partially automated fashion. The table includes holders positioned about platform providing a work surface. Parts are placed within at least certain of the holders for joining to create an assembly. The holders include conductive surfaces and may include a sinuous recessed channels for wiring connecting the conductive surfaces to an electrical ground. A controller may operate motors of the table and command operations of robots for material handling and/or joining, such as based on data from a machine vision system viewing the table.

Abstract: An assembly and joining table with weld splatter protection features are disclosed along with systems and methods for operating the same in at least partially automated fashion. The table includes holders positioned about platform providing a work surface. Parts are placed within certain of the holders for joining to create an assembly. The holders include conductive surfaces and recessed channels for wiring. A first end of each channel is located adjacent to a respective conductive surface, a second end is located below the respective conductive surface, and a continuous passageway with a plurality of turns extends between the first and second ends. A controller may operate motors of the table and command operations of robots for material handling and/or joining and a machine vision system to adjustably automate assembly.

Abstract: A trailer includes a housing including an internal frame and an external frame. The external frame is coupled to the internal frame. In certain embodiments, the internal frame is positioned between interior panels and exterior panels of the housing. In certain embodiments, the external frame is spaced from exterior panels.

Abstract: An automated system for non-destructively evaluating spot welds that includes at least one matrix phased array probe; a fixture adapted to be mounted on a robot or other mechanical actuator, wherein the fixture is further adapted to retain the at least one matrix phased array probe; and an enclosure that includes at least one input for connecting to the at least one matrix phased array probe, ultrasonic phased array transmitting and receiving circuitry in electrical communication with the at least one input, at least one data processor running software that includes at least one algorithm for processing data received from the probe and generating discrete specifications of evaluated welds, wherein the discrete specifications further include pass indications or fail indications regarding weld acceptability; and at least one output for outputting the discrete specifications of evaluated welds.

Abstract: An automated system for non-destructively evaluating spot welds that includes at least one matrix phased array probe; a fixture adapted to be mounted on a robot or other mechanical actuator, wherein the fixture is further adapted to retain the at least one matrix phased array probe; and an enclosure that includes at least one input for connecting to the at least one matrix phased array probe, ultrasonic phased array transmitting and receiving circuitry in electrical communication with the at least one input, at least one data processor running software that includes at least one algorithm for processing data received from the probe and generating discrete specifications of evaluated welds, wherein the discrete specifications further include pass indications or fail indications regarding weld acceptability; and at least one output for outputting the discrete specifications of evaluated welds.

Abstract: A damped brake rotor has at least one friction disk connected to a hat portion. At least one cavity in located in the friction disk. An insert is located within the cavity. A braze ring is located within the cavity and radially outward from the insert. A braze located within the cavity and radially outward from the braze ring.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of loquat kernel to kill, inactivate or repel pests, in particular nematodes. Also provided is a method of killing, inactivating or repelling nematodes, which method comprises providing loquat kernel and applying the loquat kernel to the nematodes or to an area where the nematodes are likely to exist or to an area to where the nematodes are expected to move. The invention further provides a pesticide comprising loquat kernel and a pesticidally acceptable solvent, carrier, excipient or diluent; and a method of producing a pesticide, which method comprises providing ground, chopped, freeze dried or spray dried loquat kernel.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle comprising a vehicle frame having a plurality of wheels and a coach having a slide-out mounted on the vehicle frame is disclosed herein. In particular, the recreational vehicle comprises an improved slide-out mechanism for deploying and retracting slide-out structures from the coach of the recreational vehicle. In one aspect, the recreational vehicle may comprise an armature having a fixed member with a roller and a guiding channel mounted to the vehicle frame and a rail member slidably positioned within the fixed member so as to contact the roller, wherein the rail member is adapted to telescopically extend from the fixed member through the guiding channel so as to deploy and retract the slide-out.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle comprising a vehicle frame having a plurality of wheels and a coach having a slide-out mounted on the vehicle frame is disclosed herein. In particular, the recreational vehicle comprises an improved slide-out mechanism for deploying and retracting slide-out structures from the coach of the recreational vehicle. In one aspect, the recreational vehicle may comprise an armature having a fixed member with a roller and a guiding channel mounted to the vehicle frame and a rail member slidably positioned within the fixed member so as to contact the roller, wherein the rail member is adapted to telescopically extend from the fixed member through the guiding channel so as to deploy and retract the slide-out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a new or transferred pallet into a conveyor system. The present invention provides a first conveyor for carrying a plurality of adjacently aligned pallets along a predetermined path of travel. A first motor is coupled to the first conveyor for driving the adjacently aligned pallets at a first rate of speed. A first encoder is coupled to the first motor for monitoring the position of the last pallet of the adjacently aligned pallets on the first conveyor. A second conveyor carries and introduces a new pallet to the first conveyor. A second motor is coupled to the second conveyor for driving the new pallet at a second rate of speed, and a second encoder is coupled to the second motor for monitoring the position of the new pallet.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a continuous conduction mode (CCM) power factor corrected boost converter circuit, the boost converter circuit including a rectifier connectable to an ac input and having a rectified dc output provided across a dc bus; an inductor having first and second terminals connected in one leg of the dc bus, a first terminal of the inductor coupled to the output of said rectifier; a boost rectifier diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the inductor and having a second terminal; and a storage capacitor connected to the second terminal of the diode; the integrated circuit comprising a control circuit and a switch controlled by the control circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a housing enclosing the control circuit and switch, the integrated circuit having a power terminal, a ground terminal, a first control input terminal for coupling to an output of the converter circuit, and a second control input terminal for coupling to a sensor for sensing current in the de

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a continuous conduction mode (CCM) power factor corrected boost converter circuit, the boost converter circuit including a rectifier connectable to an ac input and having a rectified de output provided across a de bus; an inductor having first and second terminals connected in one leg of the dc bus, a first terminal of the inductor coupled to the output of said rectifier; a boost rectifier diode having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the inductor and having a second terminal; and a storage capacitor connected to the second terminal of the diode; the integrated circuit comprising a control circuit and a switch controlled by the control circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a housing enclosing the control circuit and switch, the integrated circuit having a power terminal, a ground terminal, a first control input terminal for coupling to an output of the converter circuit, and a second control input terminal for coupling to a sensor for sensing current in the dc

Abstract: A self closing hinge having a single unitary spring element which functions to maintain the hinge in the open position and to move the hinge to the fully closed position after the hinge is partially closed. A unitary hinge spring having a base section and a ramp section joined by a resilient section which is typically a C shape in cross section.