Abstract: The system is provided with has a light head and a light source is mounted in the light head that radiates visible light. An optical train is mounted in the light head adjacent the light source to focus the visible light to a concentrated light beam line that is directionally focused and has a concentrated power density.

Abstract: A system for removing snow and ice is provided. The system has a light head mounted to rotate. A light source is mounted in the light head and radiates visible light. An optical train is mounted in the light head adjacent the light source to focus the visible light to a concentrated light beam line that is directionally focused. A controller is in communication with the light head and is programmed to rotate the light head thereby sweeping the concentrated light beam along a surface.

Abstract: A system for removing snow and ice is provided. The system has a light head mounted to rotate. A light source is mounted in the light head and radiates visible light. An optical train is mounted in the light head adjacent the light source to focus the visible light to a concentrated light beam line that is directionally focused. A controller is in communication with the light head and is programmed to rotate the light head thereby sweeping the concentrated light beam along a surface.

Abstract: A control system (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes a GPS system (16) that generates a vehicle position for a vehicle relative to a surface, a plurality of driver inputs (40), and a plurality of vehicle inputs (50). A controller (14) is coupled to the GPS system (16), the driver inputs (40) and the vehicle inputs (50). The controller determines a predicted path in response to the plurality of driver inputs and the vehicle inputs and a desired path in response to the GPS system (16). The controller performs a comparison of the predicted path and the desired path and generates a control signal in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A laser-based system and method for stripping a coating from a substrate includes laser apparatus for heating and partially ablating the coating and pressurized gas apparatus for directing a blast of high velocity chilled gas against the heated coating to shatter and strip the coating from the substrate. In one application, the laser-based coating stripping system and method of the present invention is used to strip paint from aluminum aircraft bodies.

Abstract: A novel method of applying paints and other coatings is disclosed which can be carried out by forcibly inserting a cloud of coating particles carried by at least one inert gas into a laser beam attenuated by defocusing. At least one of the inert gases serves as a shield against combustion and can be directed downwardly in addition to a sideway spreading and spraying action. The pressure of the inert gas pushes the particles down onto the substrate. As soon as the particles are energized by the laser beam, they melt and begin to flow while at that exact instant, the coating particles come into contact with the substrate to avoid any possible dissipation of the laser energy. The coating material compositions can be altered by increasing the melting time of the particles even though a short melting time is preferred for achieving a fast coating process.

Abstract: A mixing head for thoroughly mixing and uniformly dispersing a dry filler material within a single liquid or a reactive mix. Dry filler is supplied to the compression chamber of the mixing head. A compression auger is mounted in the compression head is driven by a first drive shaft and compresses the dry filler. The speed of rotation of the compression auger is altered in response to the relative pressure of the dry filler within the compression chamber as measured by a pressure sensor. Air expelled from the compressive dry filler is removed through a port in the compression chamber. The compressed dry filler is conveyed to the mixing chamber of the mixing head. The mixing element is rotatively mounted within the mixing chamber for thoroughly mixing the dry filler with the liquid components. The mixing element is driven by a second drive shaft and can be driven in an opposite direction of rotation from the compression auger.