Abstract: A cart stabilization system and rolling cart elements for robotic surgery and other medical instrumentation are disclosed. The cart stabilization system includes a base and lifting caster systems coupled to a bottom portion of the base. Each lifting caster system includes a rolling element, a swivel foot assembly moveably coupled to the rolling element; and a hydraulic mounting base coupled to a portion of the swivel foot assembly. Methods of assembling a lifting caster system and for using a cart stabilization system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surgical robotic systems and methods that are configured to mitigate and withstand vibration forces. The robotic systems include an articulated arm comprising a plurality of arm segments, and adjustable joints coupled between adjacent arm segments. The robotic systems include an end effector rotatably coupled to an end arm segment comprising a powered drive portion. The end effector comprises a cutting tool attachment mechanism that is configured to couple with a cutting tool such that the cutting tool extends axially therefrom, and the powered drive portion translates the cutting tool along a cutting pathway along which the cutting tool is configured to effectuate cutting that is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cutting tool. The end effector is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the cutting tool, and that of the end effector itself, are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the end arm segment.

Abstract: A cutting tool and an attachment mechanism configured to removably securely couple the cutting tool and a cutting instrument together. The cutting tool comprises a tang end portion, a tip end portion, and a cutting edge on the tip end portion. The attachment mechanism comprises a first and second clamping members with first and second engagement surfaces, respectively. The second clamping member further comprises a pair of axially-spaced projections extending and a pair of laterally-spaced projections extending past the second engagement surface. The attachment mechanism further comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to selectively adjust the distance between the first and second engagement surfaces. The tang end portion comprises an axially extending coupling slot and a pair of elastically-deformable securement members at lateral sides that extend laterally outward as they extend axially from the tang end portion toward the tip end portion.

Abstract: A ball pitching device including a launching surface for receiving balls, the launching surface being configured to receive and hold a ball in the launching position prior to the ball being launched, a launching system including at least one impulse mechanism configured to impact the ball in the launching position, and one or more control components configured to control at least one of a pitch power and a pitch trajectory of the ball launched from the launching position.

Abstract: A ball pitching device including a launching surface for receiving balls, the launching surface being configured to receive and hold a ball in the launching position prior to the ball being launched, a launching system including at least one impulse mechanism configured to impact the ball in the launching position, and one or more control components configured to control at least one of a pitch power and a pitch trajectory of the ball launched from the launching position.

Abstract: A swage tool includes a plurality of swage projections that each defines an angular circumferential extent, and the sum of each of these angular circumferential extents is at least 290 degrees.

Abstract: Vehicles, control systems for vehicles, and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a frame structure, a front section, a rear articulation section, and a control system. The front section is coupled to the frame structure and to a front plurality of wheels supported for movement on a front axle. The rear articulation section is coupled to the frame structure and to a rear plurality of wheels supported for movement on a rear axle. The rear articulation section is pivotally coupled to the front section via an articulation joint and arranged opposite the front section along a vehicle axis. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a mode selector configured to provide input indicative of a mode selected by an operator in use of the vehicle and a controller communicatively coupled to the mode selector.

Abstract: An automatic steering system and method for an articulated work vehicle having a front wheel steering system supported by front wheels at a front frame and a rear frame supported by rear wheels rotatably coupled to the front frame at an articulator. A controller operatively connected to the front wheel steering system and to the articulator adjusts wheels of the front wheel steering system along a path and moves the articulator to direct the rear frame in response to a steering signal. The steering signal directs the vehicle in a minimum turn radius mode or a controlled traffic control mode. In the minimum turn radius mode, the rear wheels do not follow the tracks of the front wheels when making a turn. In the controlled traffic mode the rear wheels follow in same tracks as the front wheels.

Abstract: Operating a vehicle in an automated steering control mode wherein the vehicle includes a controller operatively coupled with an articulated steering system and a front axle steering system. The controller is configured to identify a desired path of curvature of the vehicle and determine a front axle steering angle of the front axle steering system and command the front axle steering system to operate at the front axle steering angle and also determine an articulation steering angle of the articulated steering system and command the articulated steering system to operate at the articulation steering angle. A further form includes operating front and rear ground engaging means at a designated speed, and thereafter operating the articulated steering system and the front axle steering system based on the designated speed being greater than a transport speed threshold, less than a field speed threshold or between the two.

Abstract: Steering a vehicle in an electronic steering mode of operation that includes a front axle steering system, a rear axle steering system, one or more vehicle environment sensors, and a controller operatively coupled with the front axle steering system, the rear axle steering system, and the vehicle environment sensors. Commanding the vehicle to operate at a desired vehicle speed, detecting a lateral force acting on the vehicle in response to input from the vehicle environment sensors, and determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a predicted lateral acceleration of the vehicle from the desired vehicle speed. Determining a lateral acceleration error by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration to the actual lateral acceleration, and determining if the lateral acceleration error exceeds a lateral acceleration limit, then turning both of the front axle steering system and the rear axle steering system to a crab steering correction angle.

Abstract: A swage tool includes a plurality of swage projections that each defines an angular circumferential extent, and the sum of each of these angular circumferential extents is at least 290 degrees.

Abstract: A method for initiating a time- and geographic-based electronic transaction includes: storing, in a mobile computing device, payment details associated with a transaction account; receiving a payment zone notification upon entry of the mobile computing device into a predefined geographic area, the notification including payment terms; registering a first timestamp upon receipt of the notification; displaying the payment terms; receiving an indication of approval of the payment terms; receiving an exit notification upon exit of the mobile computing device from the predefined geographic area; registering a second timestamp upon receipt of the exit notification; calculating a transaction amount based on an elapsed amount of time between the first timestamp and the second timestamp and a payment rate; and transmitting the calculated transaction amount and payment details.

Abstract: Operating a vehicle in an automated steering control mode wherein the vehicle includes a controller operatively coupled with an articulated steering system and a front axle steering system. The controller is configured to identify a desired path of curvature of the vehicle and determine a front axle steering angle of the front axle steering system and command the front axle steering system to operate at the front axle steering angle and also determine an articulation steering angle of the articulated steering system and command the articulated steering system to operate at the articulation steering angle. A further form includes operating front and rear ground engaging means at a designated speed, and thereafter operating the articulated steering system and the front axle steering system based on the designated speed being greater than a transport speed threshold, less than a field speed threshold or between the two.

Abstract: Vehicles, control systems for vehicles, and methods of operating vehicles are disclosed herein. A vehicle includes a frame structure, a front section, a rear articulation section, and a control system. The front section is coupled to the frame structure and to a front plurality of wheels supported for movement on a front axle. The rear articulation section is coupled to the frame structure and to a rear plurality of wheels supported for movement on a rear axle. The rear articulation section is pivotally coupled to the front section via an articulation joint and arranged opposite the front section along a vehicle axis. The control system is coupled to the frame structure and includes a mode selector configured to provide input indicative of a mode selected by an operator in use of the vehicle and a controller communicatively coupled to the mode selector.

Abstract: An automatic steering system and method for an articulated work vehicle having a front wheel steering system supported by front wheels at a front frame and a rear frame supported by rear wheels rotatably coupled to the front frame at an articulator. A controller operatively connected to the front wheel steering system and to the articulator adjusts wheels of the front wheel steering system along a path and moves the articulator to direct the rear frame in response to a steering signal. The steering signal directs the vehicle in a minimum turn radius mode or a controlled traffic control mode. In the minimum turn radius mode, the rear wheels do not follow the tracks of the front wheels when making a turn. In the controlled traffic mode the rear wheels follow in same tracks as the front wheels.

Abstract: Steering a vehicle in an electronic steering mode of operation that includes a front axle steering system, a rear axle steering system, one or more vehicle environment sensors, and a controller operatively coupled with the front axle steering system, the rear axle steering system, and the vehicle environment sensors. Commanding the vehicle to operate at a desired vehicle speed, detecting a lateral force acting on the vehicle in response to input from the vehicle environment sensors, and determining an actual lateral acceleration of the vehicle and a predicted lateral acceleration of the vehicle from the desired vehicle speed. Determining a lateral acceleration error by comparing the predicted lateral acceleration to the actual lateral acceleration, and determining if the lateral acceleration error exceeds a lateral acceleration limit, then turning both of the front axle steering system and the rear axle steering system to a crab steering correction angle.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine includes outer and inner housings defining an enclosure therebetween, and first and second side housings disposed on opposite sides of the outer housing. The inner housing is rotatable relative to the outer housing, at least one retractable barrier and at least one fixed barrier. The at least one retractable barrier and the at least one fixed barrier are disposed in the enclosure so as to divide the enclosure into a combustion chamber and an exhaust chamber. The at least one retractable barrier is mounted along a pivot axis and is pivotable between an extended position and a retracted position. An intake port, exhaust port, and ignition source are also provided. An exhaust duct extends from within the enclosure to outside the outer housing in a direction tangent to flow in the enclosure.

Abstract: A ball pitching device including a launching surface for receiving balls, the launching surface being configured to receive and hold a ball in the launching position prior to the ball being launched, a launching system including at least one impulse mechanism configured to impact the ball in the launching position, and one or more control components configured to control at least one of a pitch power and a pitch trajectory of the ball launched from the launching position.

Abstract: A method for initiating a time- and geographic-based electronic transaction includes: storing, in a mobile computing device, payment details associated with a transaction account; receiving a payment zone notification upon entry of the mobile computing device into a predefined geographic area, the notification including payment terms; registering a first timestamp upon receipt of the notification; displaying the payment terms; receiving an indication of approval of the payment terms; receiving an exit notification upon exit of the mobile computing device from the predefined geographic area; registering a second timestamp upon receipt of the exit notification; calculating a transaction amount based on an elapsed amount of time between the first timestamp and the second timestamp and a payment rate; and transmitting the calculated transaction amount and payment details.