Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method of additively manufacturing a part including depositing a layer of a powder on a working surface, depositing a binder solution on the layer of the powder at first locations, and depositing a sintering aid solution on the layer of the powder at second locations. The sintering aid solution comprises a sintering aid in a solvent. In various embodiments, the sintering aid enables an increased brown strength as compared to parts containing unbound powder. The method enables binders that provide high green strength to be used at the edges of the part, while also balancing a shortened debind time with an increased brown strength. Embodiments in which binder solution is deposited according to a predetermined pattern at second locations are also described.

Abstract: An image transfer mechanism includes a pressure element and a lever system. The lever system has a load attachment point with a range of position that depends on the thickness of a print medium positioned between the imaging element and the pressure element. A load mechanism includes a load connector with a distal end attached to the lever system load attachment point so that displacement of the lever system attachment point causes longitudinal movement of the load connector. The load mechanism applies a load that is substantially constant throughout the range of position of the lever system load attachment point. The load mechanism includes a spring and a crank attached to the spring and to the proximal end of the load connector. The crank is configured so that a change in the spring force produces a lesser change in the load force at the distal end of the load connector.

Abstract: A live center belt-drive uses a biasing moment to induce automatically adjusted and reoriented tensioning resultant force in a belt and pulley system. Embodiments have a motor mounted on a plate freely pivotably mounted to a frame of a device in which the tensioner is used. The motor is connected to a drive pulley and drives a driven pulley via a belt reeved about the drive and driven pulleys. A. first biasing mechanism biases the drive pulley away from the driven pulley, thus providing the biasing moment Mbias. Embodiments use a linear spring providing a biasing force Fbias and mounted a distance dbias from the pivot point to provide the biasing moment Mbias about the pivot point. Alternatively, embodiments use a torsion spring mounted about the pivot point to provide the biasing moment Mbias. Embodiments can also employ a second biasing mechanism to bias the driven pulley away from the drive pulley.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to the appropriate ones of a plurality of stations (50, 52) spaced from one another in the first direction. The system includes at least one diverter region (DR) and a diverter (16) arranged in each diverter region. Each diverter diverts items transported by the conveyor to the appropriate ones of the stations in response to corresponding fire signals. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information (46) identifying the stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted. The conveyor system also includes a controller system (40) connected to each diverter and the source for generating, and providing to each diverter, the fire signal for each item transported by the conveyor based on destination information from the source regarding to which one of the stations the item is to be diverted.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to one of a plurality of stations (50, 52). The system comprises at least one diverter region (DR), and a diverter (16) arranged in the one of the at least one diverter regions. The diverter diverts the items transported by the conveyor in the first direction to one of the plurality of stations (50-1, 2, 3 and 52-1, 2, 3) adjacent said diverter that are spaced from one another in the first direction, when positioned in a diverter region of the conveyor, in response to a fire signal. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information (46) identifying one of the plurality of stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) for transporting items in a first direction and diverting the items to one of a plurality of stations (50, 52). The system comprises at least one diverter region (DR), and a diverter (16) arranged in the one of the at least one diverter regions. The diverter diverts the items transported by the conveyor in the first direction to one of the plurality of stations (50-1,2,3 and 52-1,2,3) adjacent said diverter that are spaced from one another in the first direction, when positioned in a diverter region of the conveyor, in response to a fire signal. The conveyor system further includes a source of destination information (46) identifying one of the plurality of stations to which the items transported by the conveyor are to be diverted.

Abstract: An automatic refueling station and method detects the arrival of a vehicle to be refueled at the refueling station. Upon detection of the vehicle, the vehicle is polled by the station to obtain information from the vehicle which identifies the vehicle and the customer associated with the vehicle. The information is stored on an identification transponder or tag affixed to the vehicle windshield. The system uses the identifying information to access a vehicle database and a customer database. The vehicle database can provide information about the vehicle such as the location of the vehicle's fuel filler opening, the size of the vehicle and other information related to a recommended fuel filling rate for the vehicle. The customer identifying information is used to access the customer database to obtain information such as customer billing information and the amount of fuel being purchased.

Abstract: A method for inspecting masks used in x-ray lithography is described. An x-ray lithography mask is placed over a glass surface, followed by exposure of the mask and glass surface to soft x-rays. Portions of the mask absorb the soft x-rays while other portions of the mask, corresponding to circuit elements, allow the soft x-rays to strike the glass surface. The soft x-rays striking the glass surface cause the glass surface to darken, thereby forming an image of the circuit pattern in the glass surface corresponding to the stenciled circuit in the mask. An inspection of the image can reveal any defects in the x-ray lithography mask.

Abstract: A method for inspecting masks used in x-ray lithography is described. An x-ray lithography mask is placed over a glass surface, followed by exposure of the mask and glass surface to soft x-rays. Portions of the mask absorb the soft x-rays while other portions of the mask, corresponding to circuit elements, allow the soft x-rays to strike the glass surface. The soft x-rays striking the glass surface cause the glass surface to darken, thereby forming an image of the circuit pattern in the glass surface corresponding to the stenciled circuit in the mask. An inspection of the image can reveal any defects in the x-ray lithography mask.

Abstract: A non-linear digital filter system for image data or other signal data suppresses undesirable noise while enhancing significant characteristics of the data. Data elements in a neighborhood (window) defined around and including an input data element are classified into characteristic classes based on their parameter value range. The class with the maximum population is selected as most representative of the neighborhood. A data value associated with that class is chosen as the output of the filter for the input data element around which the neighborhood is defined, to thereby form a plurality filter.As an alternative, the class holding more than half the data elements in the neighborhood is chosen as most representative, to form a majority filter. In case there is no class containing more than half the elements in a neighborhood, the output of the filter equal the value characteristic of the class in which the input pixel itself falls.

Abstract: An obstacle detection and position sensing system for autonomous mobile vehicles is described. The system includes two spaced-apart contact and position sensitive bumpers disposed across the frontal cross section of the vehicle. Light beams are directed by transceivers and retroreflectors across the frontal cross section area between the two bumpers, forming a light curtain. The combination of the bumpers and light curtain provides complete frontal coverage of the potential collision cross-section of a fairly large vehicle, without obstructing the field of view of sonar, optical, or other forward-looking sensors.

Abstract: A tether-guided vehicle and method of controlling same. A tether sensor indicates the angle, .theta., of the tether with respect to the vehicle and the tension, T, on the tether. A contact-sensitive bumper disposed about at least the front periphery of the vehicle indicates the position, P, and force, F, of contact with an obstacle. A drive system moves the vehicle in response to tether angle, .theta., and tension, T, thereby providing a "servo pull" feature. When the vehicle contacts an obstacle, it stops, backs up, turns and resume forward motion to circumnavigate the obstacle, thereby providing an "obstacle avoidance" feature. The servo pull and obstacle avoidance features make the vehicle suitable in a number of applications, such as for canister vacuums, hospital or factory carts, and the like.

Abstract: An obstacle detection and position sensing system for autonomous mobile vehicles is described. The system includes two spaced-apart contact and position sensitive bumpers disposed across the frontal cross section of the vehicle. Light beams are directed by transceivers and retroreflectors across the frontal cross section area between the two bumpers, forming a light curtain. The combination of the bumpers and light curtain provides complete frontal coverage of the potential collision cross-section of a fairly large vehicle, without obstructing the field of view of sonar, optical, or other forward-looking sensors.

Abstract: A bumper for impact detection with an object is disclosed. An electrically conductive member has a compressible, electrically conductive material mounted thereto. An insulator formed of mesh material is sandwiched between the electrically conductive member and the electrically conductive material for electrically insulating the member and the material when the member is in a non-compressed state and to provide electrical conduction between the member and the material when the conductive material is in a compressed state.

Abstract: A fiber-optic stylet is provided for use with a surgical or diagnostic type needle. The stylet comprises an elongated flexible or rigid casing which is adapted to be inserted into the body of a human or animal. It also includes at least one transmitting light fiber having a bevelled end which extends to a first end of the casing and that conforms to that of the needle. A second, receiving light fiber has a bevelled end and is also positioned within the casing, also having its bevelled end located at the first end of the needle. The second fiber-optic element is generally cylindrical and has a reflective surface thereon which is located adjacent to the bevelled end of the light fiber. The apparatus is used to precisely determine the area in which a needle is positioned within a body during a diagnostic or surgical procedure.