Abstract: A recreational vehicle (RV) may include may include a chassis including longitudinal frame rails, an axle, and an RV body. The RV body may include an RV roof. The RV roof may include foam core units, a composite shell, and a biaxial glass perimeter along a perimeter of the RV roof. The RV may further include an RV battery that may be positioned between the longitudinal frame rails, forward of a center of mass of the RV, and below the RV floor of the RV body. The RV may also include a range extender that may be positioned between the longitudinal frame rails, rearward of the center of mass of the RV, and below the RV floor of the RV body. The RV may further include an electric motor that may be positioned rearward of the center of mass of the RV.

Abstract: A cross-truss assembly, cross-truss, and method for installing the same on a vehicle chassis, such as that of an RV, is disclosed. The cross-truss assembly includes the vehicle chassis, the vehicle chassis having a plurality of frame rails that extend along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle chassis and that are configured to mount a vehicle body and a plurality of lateral members that join the plurality of frame rails together. The cross-truss is similarly arranged transverse to the plurality of frame rails and is fastened thereto. The cross-truss includes extension portions at each end that extend beyond the frame rails, and a leveling jack is mounted to each of the extension portions. The cross-truss is mounted to the vehicle frame by removing at least two outriggers from the vehicle frame and mounting the cross-truss to the vehicle frame in their place.

Abstract: A plasma spoiler is mounted in a rear portion of a vehicle for exerting a force on a passing air flow. The plasma spoiler has a dielectric substrate formed of a dielectric material, a first electrode mounted on a bottom surface of the dielectric substrate and insulated by the dielectric substrate, a second electrode mounted on an upper, exposed surface of the dielectric substrate, and a power source connected to the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is disposed in a rearward direction relative to the second electrode. A switch is disposed between the power source and one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The switch is controlled by a controller that is in communication with a speed sensor, so as to activate the plasma spoiler only when the vehicle exceeds a trigger speed.

Abstract: A plasma-induced drag reduction device is mounted on an underside of a vehicle front fascia. The drag reduction device has a dielectric substrate formed of a dielectric material, a first electrode mounted on a bottom, exposed surface of the dielectric substrate, and a second electrode mounted a top surface of the dielectric substrate and insulated by the dielectric substrate, and a power source connected to the first and second electrodes. The second electrode is disposed in a rearward direction relative to the first electrode. When activated, the device generates a plasma region that attracts an air flow passing underneath the vehicle, reducing the separation of the flow field and thereby reducing the impingement of the air flow on the ground and reducing the drag on the vehicle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic hood lift deflection measurement device includes an airfoil body mounted to a front vehicle fender such that a portion of the airfoil body held over the vehicle hood. A laser measurement device is secured to the airfoil body in a position so as to be directly over the vehicle hood. The airfoil body is mounted at an angle such that a length direction of the airfoil body is parallel to an air flow direction. The resultant disruption of the air flow surrounding the vehicle hood is minimized due to the shape and positioning of the measurement device.

Abstract: A wind deflector for a sunroof. The wind deflector includes a first electrode proximate an edge of a sunroof opening. A second electrode is proximate the first electrode. An insulator is intermediate the first and second electrodes. A power supply is coupled to the first and second electrodes. An electrical signal generated by the power supply is coupled to the first and second electrodes. An electric field generated between the electrodes due to the electrical signal ionizes air proximate the electrodes, thereby deflecting an air flow field away from the sunroof opening.

Abstract: A plasma-induced drag reduction device is mounted on an underside of a vehicle front fascia. The drag reduction device has a dielectric substrate formed of a dielectric material, a first electrode mounted on a bottom, exposed surface of the dielectric substrate, and a second electrode mounted a top surface of the dielectric substrate and insulated by the dielectric substrate, and a power source connected to the first and second electrodes. The second electrode is disposed in a rearward direction relative to the first electrode. When activated, the device generates a plasma region that attracts an air flow passing underneath the vehicle, reducing the separation of the flow field and thereby reducing the impingement of the air flow on the ground and reducing the drag on the vehicle.

Abstract: A plasma spoiler is mounted in a rear portion of a vehicle for exerting a force on a passing air flow. The plasma spoiler has a dielectric substrate formed of a dielectric material, a first electrode mounted on a bottom surface of the dielectric substrate and insulated by the dielectric substrate, a second electrode mounted on an upper, exposed surface of the dielectric substrate, and a power source connected to the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is disposed in a rearward direction relative to the second electrode. A switch is disposed between the power source and one of the first electrode and the second electrode. The switch is controlled by a controller that is in communication with a speed sensor, so as to activate the plasma spoiler only when the vehicle exceeds a trigger speed.

Abstract: An aerodynamic hood lift deflection measurement device includes an airfoil body mounted to a front vehicle fender such that a portion of the airfoil body held over the vehicle hood. A laser measurement device is secured to the airfoil body in a position so as to be directly over the vehicle hood. The airfoil body is mounted at an angle such that a length direction of the airfoil body is parallel to an air flow direction. The resultant disruption of the air flow surrounding the vehicle hood is minimized due to the shape and positioning of the measurement device.

Abstract: A brake duct assembly for use in communicating cooling air from a front facia of a vehicle to a front brake assembly. The assembly includes an inlet portion, a passageway portion, and an outlet portion. The portion is disposed in the vehicle facia, and the outlet portion extends through an opening in a wheel well liner surrounding the front brake assembly. The passageway portion extends between and interconnects the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The outlet portion is spaced a distance from the front brake assembly and includes a plurality of fins that serve to transform the air stream received from the passageway portion into a plurality of air streams that are directed toward the front brake assembly and serve to cool said front brake assembly. The brake duct assembly is adapted for installation in reduced-space locations and for providing cooling air from the outlet portion that is spaced remotely from the brake assembly.

Abstract: A wind deflector for a sunroof. The wind deflector includes a first electrode proximate an edge of a sunroof opening. A second electrode is proximate the first electrode. An insulator is intermediate the first and second electrodes. A power supply is coupled to the first and second electrodes. An electrical signal generated by the power supply is coupled to the first and second electrodes. An electric field generated between the electrodes due to the electrical signal ionizes air proximate the electrodes, thereby deflecting an air flow field away from the sunroof opening.

Abstract: A brake duct assembly for use in communicating cooling air from a front facia of a vehicle to a front brake assembly. The assembly includes an inlet portion, a passageway portion, and an outlet portion. The portion is disposed in the vehicle facia, and the outlet portion extends through an opening in a wheel well liner surrounding the front brake assembly. The passageway portion extends between and interconnects the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The outlet portion is spaced a distance from the front brake assembly and includes a plurality of fins that serve to transform the air stream received from the passageway portion into a plurality of air streams that are directed toward the front brake assembly and serve to cool said front brake assembly. The brake duct assembly is adapted for installation in reduced-space locations and for providing cooling air from the outlet portion that is spaced remotely from the brake assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured.

Abstract: Image processing system and method automatically process a series of input images without operator's intervention. Each of the input images is automatically analyzed, classified, enhanced and/or compressed. Individual image enhancement is applied to each of the input images independently. A plurality of enhanced and/or compressed images can be outputted without re-analyzing and re-classifying the input image. The processed images have a high compression to quality ratio, produce images having quality and visual characteristics as viewed by a human including image contrast, brightness, and sharpness as compared with the input image, while capable of reducing the amount of memory required for storing the output images. The image processing system and method can process the images in real time on-the-fly or in a batch mode, and can operate in a wire and/or wireless transmission environment or embedded in a hardware, firmware, or software which is embedded in another system or application.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of dynamic discontinuity in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the chemical properties of the imaged objects. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise statistically identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences that can be easily measured.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of dynamic discontinuity in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the chemical properties of the imaged objects. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise statistically identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences that can be easily measured.

Abstract: Advantageous seal systems are provided that include a barrier member movable relative to a shaft to allow sequential engagement of resilient seal members, e.g., lip seals, with the shaft. Movement of the barrier member may be effected manually or through introduction of pressurized fluid to effect piston-like movement. The disclosed seal assemblies may include an automatic leak detector and may utilize such leak detection to effectuate automatic movement of the barrier member. The barrier member may be moved relative to the shaft while the shaft is in movement, e.g., rotating or reciprocating, thereby permitting seal maintenance without interruption in operation. As seal members are sequentially brought into sealing engagement with the shaft, the previously engaged seal members contribute to the sealing performance of the seal assembly, although no longer effective to establish a stand-alone seal with the shaft. Front and rear bushings may be provided within the seal system.