Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for implementing passenger profiles for autonomous vehicles. A passenger of the autonomous vehicle is identified. A passenger profile corresponding to the passenger and comprising a passenger preference is identified. The passenger preference is identified. A configuration setting of the autonomous vehicle corresponding to autonomous operation of the autonomous vehicle is then adjusted based at least in part on the passenger preference.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing a land anchor of a foundation in an earthen surface includes an articulated arm assembly including a first linear actuator and a drill configured to releasably couple to a helical member, and a control system coupled to the articulated arm assembly and configured to operate the first linear actuator in a free-floating mode configured to maintain an installation angle between the drill and the earthen surface as the helical member is drilled into the earthen surface.

Abstract: A horizontal auger garden tilling apparatus and method of use having an outer frame, an inner frame which pivots with said outer frame, and a rotating auger capable of tilling soil to depth which conventional tillers cannot begin to reach. The apparatus is moved and the method of use is performed via attachment with a tractor or other movable carriage which provides enough horizontal force to move the auger through the soil and provides auger rotational power. A trencher attachment prevents auger soil refilling and allows the apparatus and method of use to be utilized and performed in conjunction with trenching operations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reception apparatus including a calculation section and a storage section. The calculation section calculates correlation values between a data sequence included in a known signal and a received signal at a given point in time. The storage section has at least an area sufficient for storing the correlation values calculated for one frame using the received signal which is one frame long and to which the known signal is added.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel autonomous excavating apparatus capable of solving conventional problems. The autonomous excavating apparatus comprises an apparatus body including a lower body 101 formed in a cylindrical shape and combined with a conical-shaped lower end, and a spiral blade 102 provided on an outer peripheral surface of the lower body 101 in the form of a right-handed screw. The lower body 101 has an internal space provided with a wheel 103 which has a rotary shaft 104 rotatably supported relative to the lower body 101 through bearings 105, 106. A motor 108 is fixed to the lower body 101 at a position above the wheel 103, and an output shaft of the motor is coaxially connected to the rotary shaft 104. Thus, the motor 108 can drivingly rotate the wheel 103 relative to the lower body 101.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient and economically superior earth auger head in which a percussive excavation mechanism part (down-the-hole hammer) is incorporated in order to break up portions that are unsuitable for rotary excavation by the auger, and an excavation method using this auger head. The auger head comprises a rotary excavation mechanism part (1) in which a spiral vane (12) used for earth discharge is provided to the circumferential surface of a rotary tubular part (11), and in which an excavating bit (13) whose outer circumferential side protrudes further downward than the central side is provided to the lower end of this spiral vane; and further comprises a pneumatic percussive excavation mechanism part (2) that is installed inside the rotary tubular part and is disposed so that a percussive body (23) is accommodated in a position that is higher than the lower tip end of the excavating bit.

Abstract: A continuous ditch excavator includes an excavating auger rotatably mounted on a chassis in a centrally-disposed excavation work area defined by forward and rear portions. Two driving elements are rotatably-mounted in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other on the chassis. The auger is moved laterally between the first and second driving elements to permit adjustment of the position of the auger in relation to the first and second driving elements. In another embodiment, the auger is carried by an arm rotatably mounted to the chassis. In yet another embodiment, the excavator includes a plurality of excavating augers independently raised and lowered to vary the width of the ditch.

Abstract: A continuous ditch excavator including a chassis having a forward portion and a rear portion, first and second motive elements carried by the chassis in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other for cooperatively driving the chassis along a ground surface, the first and second motive elements defining a centrally-disposed excavation work area therebetween, and an excavating auger mounted on the chassis in the excavation work area forwardly of the rear portion of the chassis and rearwardly of the forward portion of the chassis for penetrating and excavating a ditch in the ground as the chassis is driven along the ground,the auger defining a pivot point about which the first and second motive means are adapted to rotate the chassis to control the direction of ditch excavation.

Abstract: A dredge supporting a pivotal ladder with a suction auger on its free end. A shroud assembly including front, center and rear sections surrounds a large portion of the periphery of the auger. The shroud assembly is pivotal about the axis of the auger and the front and rear sections are each independently pivotal relative to the center section so that the center section can be maintained at a relatively constant attitude independent of the inclination of the ladder and only a leading one of the front and rear sections, depending on the direction of movement of the dredge, is necessarily opened while the trailing section can remain closed adjacent to the auger. The articulation of the several shroud sections enables the suction auger head to operate in both directions with reduced turbidity and, therefore, increased efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous ditch excavator including a chassis having a forward portion and a rear portion, first and second motive devices carried by the chassis in laterally spaced-apart relation to each other for cooperatively driving the chassis along a ground surface, the first and second motive devices defining a centrally-disposed excavation work area therebetween, and an excavating auger mounted on the chassis in the excavation work area forwardly of the rear portion of the chassis and rearwardly of the forward portion of the chassis for penetrating and excavating a ditch in the ground as the chassis is driven along the ground, said auger defining a pivot point about which the first and second motive devices are adapted to rotate the chassis to control the direction of ditch excavation.

Abstract: A trencher plow for laying pipe such as drainage pipe which includes in combination an auger angled downwardly toward a plow which follows, both mounted in a superstructure and being arranged to be cooperatively raised and to set the grade and depth of cut by the plow determinable by sensing the grade setting signal of a laser unit located in the field of cut. The auger is provided with cutting lobes distributed about its teeth which facilitate cutting and throwing soil to the sides of a trench being dug in advance of the plow which finalizes shaping of the trench for deposition of pipe into the trench.

Abstract: An apparatus for digging a trench including (a) a substantial vertical guide means (2); (b) mounting means (4) connected to the guide means (2) and movable substantially parallel to the guide means (2); (c) first drive means to move the mounting means (4) relative to the guide means (2); (d) a chain digger attachment (1) including an elongated frame (5) and a continuous digging chain (6) substantially surrounding the periphery of the frame (5), the attachment (1) being pivotally connected at or adjacent one of its ends to the mounting means (4); (e) second drive means (15) to rotate the continuous digging chain (6) about the frame (5); and (f) third drive means (24) to pivot the attachment (1) about the mounting means (4).

Abstract: A connecting device of a soil removing member for an excavator is used for connecting two soil removing members, wherein a helical ejecting blade is attached on an outer periphery of a rotational shaft. The rotational shaft in one soil removing member is connected to another rotational shaft of another soil removing member in accordance with excavation. The connecting member is basically formed of an inserting member disposed at one end of the rotational shaft, and a receiving member provided at the other end of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: An earth leveling apparatus includes a vehicle having runners for movement in an operative direction, an elongated screw mounted to the vehicle and rotatable on its axis, and extending transversely of the operative direction of movement of the vehicle, and an apparatus for rotating the screw, the screw having a spiral blade with an edge adapted to engage earth to move it along the length of the screw as the vehicle advances in the operative direction so as to level the earth.

Abstract: A rotatable apparatus for placing lengths of flexible pipe and cable a distance beneath the surface of the ground leaving the soil substantially intact. The pipe laying apparatus includes a shaft having an exterior, a plurality of cutting bits removably mounted on the shaft and a device for securing the cutting bits on the shaft. The cutting bits each have a base, a tool bit, and an attachment device to prevent any rotation by the cutting bits relative to the shaft. The tool bits have a leading cutting edge, a cutting surface extending from the leading cutting edge, and an inclined surface separating the cutting surface and the base. As the shaft rotates, the leading cutting edge and the cutting surface cut through the soil and push it in towards the inclined surface, which in turn displaces the soil in an axial direction. The pipe laying apparatus also includes a plurality of spacers removably mounted to the shaft separating the cutting bits.

Abstract: An excavating device for scraping away the high shoulder material on the road sides. The device includes a rotating drum on which are permanently attached tooth-supports arranged in a helix. On the supports are fastened spikes and teeth, different types for different terrain. Scraped earthen material can be dispersed or windrowed and by arranging the supports on opposite helixes or by reversing rotation, the material can be dispersed or windrowed right or left of the rotating drum. A frame is employed to support the rotating drum, and the drum can be articulated to various working positions by hydraulic cylinders. A retractable hood is located above the rotor and movable deflectors are provided for material flow control. Tracer wheels facilitate control of the desirable digging depth.