Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090302640 | CAB SUSPENSION LINKAGE SYSTEM - An agricultural vehicle is described having a chassis and a cab mounted on the chassis. A suspension system for reducing the accelerations transmitted from the vehicles tires or tracks through the frame, into the cab, and ultimately through to the operator is provided. By reducing the accelerations, the ride quality is greatly improved, allowing operators to operate a vehicle for longer periods of time without excessive fatigue. | 12-10-2009 |
20100044980 | CHASSIS ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM - A machine, such as a mobile asset, vehicle, or agricultural vehicle, includes a chassis, an adjustment system, and a wheel. The adjustment system replaces a conventional non-extendable leg connected between the chassis and the wheel of the machine. The adjustment system can extend and withdraw in length, such that the height of the machine can vary as needed. | 02-25-2010 |
20100044989 | SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES WITH BUMP STEER CONTROL - A suspension assembly for an agricultural machine, adapted to reduce bump steering. The suspension assembly includes a strut shaft, a hollow tube, a cushioning mechanism, and a force control pad. The strut shaft can have an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, the middle portion defining a cutout. A wheel support can extend from the strut shaft and can be adapted to carry a wheel. The hollow tube can be at least partially disposed around the strut shaft and can be adapted to allow longitudinal motion of the strut shaft. The cushioning mechanism can cushion the longitudinal motion of the strut shaft. The force control pad, which can be connected to the hollow tube, can be engageable to the flat area of the strut shaft. The force control pad can impart or resist rotational force when engaged to the strut shaft. | 02-25-2010 |
20110089647 | Variable Chassis Adjustment System - In an example embodiment, an adjustment apparatus for varying the ground clearance of a vehicle includes an adjustable leg configured to couple to a chassis and wheel of a vehicle, and a removable stop to releasably fix the adjustable leg in a desired condition. The adjustable leg may include a main leg and a drop leg that is movable within the leg, the main leg configured to couple to a chassis of a vehicle and the drop leg configured to couple to a vehicle wheel. | 04-21-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100101770 | CONTROLLING CHILLED STATE OF A CARGO - A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo, and a system employing the method. The method includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an evaporator fan, and a heater. The method also includes determining the temperature of the supply air discharged into the container and the return air from the container, determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperatures of the return air and the supply air, activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined, and activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106302 | CONTROLLING FROZEN STATE OF A CARGO - A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating frozen cargo, and a system employing the method. The method includes providing a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series, and providing an evaporator fan. The method also includes alternating operation of the compressor and the evaporator fan, in combination, between an active mode where the compressor compresses a refrigerant and directs the refrigerant through the condenser and the evaporator, and where the evaporator fan rotates to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, and a sleep mode in which the compressor and the evaporator fan are deactivated, and operating the compressor and the evaporator fan in the sleep mode for a duration that is based on a measured duration of a prior sleep mode. | 04-29-2010 |
20100106303 | CONTROL OF PULL-DOWN IN REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS - A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container to pull down the temperature of cargo from ambient to a predetermined set-point temperature, and a system employing the method. The method includes operating a compressor at a first power to compress a refrigerant and direct the refrigerant through a condenser and an evaporator of the refrigeration system, initially operating an evaporator fan at a first speed to supply refrigerated supply air from the evaporator to the cargo within the container, sensing the temperature of the supply air, comparing the temperature of the supply air with a predetermined set-point temperature, and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan to a second speed faster than the first when the temperature of the supply air is lower than the predetermined set-point temperature to maintain the temperature of the supply air at the predetermined set-point temperature. | 04-29-2010 |
20140069126 | CONTROLLING CHILLED STATE OF A CARGO - A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator fan associated with an evaporator. The method also includes determining the temperature of supply air and the temperature of return air. The method further includes determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The method additionally includes activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The method also includes activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined. | 03-13-2014 |
20140311171 | CONTROLLING CHILLED STATE OF A CARGO - A method for operating a refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes providing a refrigeration system including a compressor and an evaporator fan associated with an evaporator. The method also includes determining the temperature of supply air and the temperature of return air. The method further includes determining one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The method additionally includes activating the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and increasing the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The method also includes activating the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and increasing the power supplied to the compressor and maintaining the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined. | 10-23-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110260033 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control operation of the laser tracker includes steps of providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and each of a plurality of spatial patterns, and selecting by the user a first command from among the plurality of commands. The method further includes the steps of moving by the user, between a first time and a second time, a retroreflector in a first spatial pattern from among the plurality of spatial patterns, wherein the first spatial pattern corresponds to the first command, and projecting a first light from the laser tracker to the retroreflector. The method also includes the steps of reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light, and obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light, the third light being a portion of the second light, wherein the first sensed data is obtained by the laser tracker between the first time and the second time. The method includes also the steps of determining the first command based at least in part on processing the first sensed data according to the rule of correspondence, and executing the first command with the laser tracker. | 10-27-2011 |
20120120415 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for mechanically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control operation of the laser tracker includes providing the tracker with an angular encoder, providing a rule of correspondence between each command and each rotational pattern of a portion of a tracker, and selecting a first command. Also, rotating by the user, between first and second times, the portion of the tracker in a first rotational pattern, the first rotational pattern corresponds to the first command, and obtaining a collection of first angular readings from the angular encoder, wherein the angular readings are obtained between the first and second times. Also, determining the first command based at least in part on processing the first angular readings according to the rule of correspondence, and executing the first command with the tracker. | 05-17-2012 |
20120206716 | TARGET APPARATUS AND METHOD - A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206808 | CUBE CORNER RETROREFLECTOR FOR MEASURING SIX DEGREES OF FREEDOM - A target includes a cube corner retroreflector including three planar reflectors, each planar reflector capable of reflecting light, each planar reflector perpendicular to the other two planar reflectors, each planar reflector intersecting the other two planar reflectors in a common vertex, and each planar reflector having two intersection junctions, each intersection junction shared with an adjacent planar reflector for a total of three intersection junctions within the cube corner retroreflector. The target further includes a non-reflecting portion of each intersection junction, wherein, for at least one intersection junction, the non-reflecting portion is wider in a first region than in a second region. | 08-16-2012 |
20120236320 | AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF DIMENSIONAL DATA WITH A LASER TRACKER - Measuring with a system having retroreflector targets and a laser tracker includes storing a list of nominal coordinates for targets and one added point; capturing on a tracker photosensitive array a portion of the light emitted by a light beam and reflected off the targets; obtaining spot positions on a tracker camera photosensitive array from light reflected off the targets; determining a correspondence between three spot positions on the tracker photosensitive array and the nominal coordinates of the targets; directing a beam of light from the tracker to the targets based on the nominal coordinates of the first target and the first spot position; measuring 3-D coordinates of the targets with the tracker; determining 3-D coordinates of the at least one added point based on the measured 3-D coordinates of the targets and the nominal coordinates of the one added point. | 09-20-2012 |
20130009035 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control operation of the tracker includes providing a rule of correspondence between a plurality of commands and a plurality of positions, each position being a 3-D coordinate; selecting by the user a first command from among the commands and moving by the user a retroreflector to a first position wherein the first position corresponds to the first command. Also, projecting a first light from the tracker to the retroreflector, reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light and obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light, the third light being a portion of the second light. Further, determining the first command based on processing the first sensed data according to the rule of correspondence and executing the first command with the tracker. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010308 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for optically communicating, from a user to a six degree-of-freedom (6DOF) laser tracker, a command to control operation of the tracker includes providing a rule of correspondence between commands and pose patterns, each pattern including a change in a coordinate from an initial to a final pose, each pose having three translational coordinates and three orientational coordinates. Also, selecting a first command from among the commands and measuring the coordinate of a first pose of the 6DOF target with the tracker. Further, changing between first and second times, the coordinate of the pose of the target and measuring the coordinate of a second pose of the target with the tracker. Also, determining the first command based on the difference between the measured coordinates of the first and second poses according to the rule of correspondence and executing the first command by the tracker. | 01-10-2013 |
20130037694 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to control tracker operation includes providing a rule of correspondence between commands and temporal patterns, and selecting by the user a first command. Also, projecting a first light from the tracker to the retroreflector, reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light, obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light which is a portion of the second light, creating by the user, between first and second times, a first temporal pattern which includes a decrease in the third optical power followed by an increase in the third optical power, the first temporal pattern corresponding to the first command, determining the first command based on processing the first sensed data per the rule of correspondence and executing the first command with the tracker. | 02-14-2013 |
20130128284 | AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF DIMENSIONAL DATA WITH A LASER TRACKER - Measuring with a system having retroreflector targets and a laser tracker includes storing a list of nominal coordinates for three targets and at least one added point; capturing on a photosensitive array of the tracker a portion of the light emitted by a light beam and reflected off the three targets; obtaining spot positions on a photosensitive array of a tracker camera from light reflected off the three targets; determining a correspondence between three spot positions on the tracker photosensitive array and the nominal coordinates of the three targets; directing a beam of light from the tracker to the three targets based at least in part on the nominal coordinates of the first target and the first spot position; measuring 3-D coordinates of the three targets with the tracker; determining 3-D coordinates of the at least one added point based at least in part on the measured 3-D coordinates of the three targets and the nominal coordinates of the at least one added point. | 05-23-2013 |
20130201470 | TARGET APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method is provided of obtaining the characteristics of a target by a device. The method includes providing the target having a target frame of reference, a retroreflector and a body. Providing a contact element rigidly fixed with respect to the body. A device is provided having a frame of reference and a light source, the device configured to measure a distance and two angles from the device to the retroreflector reference point. An identifier element located on the body. A workpiece surface is provided. The contact element contacts the workpiece surface. The retroreflector is illuminated with light from the light source and returns a reflected light. A distance and two angles are measured based at least in part on the reflected light. The first information is read with a first reader attached to the device. A three-dimensional coordinate of a point on the workpiece surface is calculated. | 08-08-2013 |
20130202010 | TARGET APPARATUS AND METHOD - A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body. | 08-08-2013 |
20130208128 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A laser measurement system includes a laser tracker having a structure rotatable about first and second axes, a first light source that launches a light beam from the structure, a distance meter, first and second angular encoders that measure first and second angles of rotation about the first and second axes, respectively, a processor, and a camera system. Also, a communication device that includes a second light source and an operator-controlled device that controls emission of a light from the second light source; a retroreflector target not disposed on the communication device. Also, the camera system is operable to receive the second light and to convert it into a digital image, and the processor is operable to determine a command to control operation of the tracker based on a pattern of movement of the second light source between first and second times and the digital image. | 08-15-2013 |
20130214122 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - A method for optically communicating, from a user to a laser tracker, a command to direct a light beam from the tracker to a retroreflector and lock onto the retroreflector includes projecting a first light to the retroreflector. Also, moving by the user the retroreflector in a predefined spatial pattern which corresponds to the command; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector, the second light being a portion of the first light; obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light which is a portion of the second light and imaging the third light onto a photosensitive array on the tracker and converting the third light on the photosensitive array into digital form. Further, determining the first sensed data corresponds to the predefined spatial pattern; pointing the light beam from the tracker to the retroreflector; and locking onto the retroreflector with the tracker light beam. | 08-22-2013 |
20130222791 | AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF DIMENSIONAL DATA WITH A LASER TRACKER - Measuring with a system having retroreflector targets and a laser tracker includes storing a list of coordinates for three targets and at least one added point; capturing on a photosensitive array a portion of the light emitted by a light beam and reflected off the targets; obtaining spot positions on a photosensitive array of a tracker camera from the reflected light; determining a correspondence between three spot positions on the photosensitive array and the coordinates of the targets; directing a beam of light from the tracker to the targets based at least in part on the coordinates of the first target and the first spot position; measuring 3-D coordinates of the targets with the tracker; determining 3-D coordinates of the at least one added point based at least in part on the measured 3-D coordinates of the targets and the coordinates of the at least one added point. | 08-29-2013 |
20140158860 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING GESTURES TO CONTROL A LASER TRACKER - Optically communicating from a user to a laser tracker a command to control tracker operation includes providing a rule of correspondence between each of a plurality of commands and temporal patterns; user selecting a first command; projecting a first light from the tracker to a retroreflector; reflecting a second light from the retroreflector that is part of the first light; obtaining first sensed data by sensing a third light imaged onto a photosensitive array that is part of the second light; user creating, between first and second times, a first temporal pattern including at least a decrease in the third light's optical power followed by an increase in its optical power, the first temporal pattern corresponding to the first command; determining the first command based at least in part on processing the first sensed data according to the rule of correspondence; and executing the first command with the tracker. | 06-12-2014 |
20140185059 | AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF DIMENSIONAL DATA WITH A LASER TRACKER - Measuring with a system having retroreflector targets and a laser tracker includes storing a list of coordinates for three targets and at least one added point; capturing on a photosensitive array a portion of the light emitted by a light beam and reflected off the targets; obtaining spot positions on a photosensitive array of a tracker camera from the reflected light; determining a correspondence between three spot positions on the photosensitive array and the coordinates of the targets; directing a beam of light from the tracker to the targets based at least in part on the coordinates of the first target and the first spot position; measuring 3-D coordinates of the targets with the tracker; determining 3-D coordinates of the at least one added point based at least in part on the measured 3-D coordinates of the targets and the coordinates of the at least one added point. | 07-03-2014 |
20150022826 | TARGET APPARATUS AND METHOD - A target is provided having a retroreflector. A body is provided having a spherical exterior portion, the body containing a cavity. The cavity is sized to hold the retroreflector, the cavity open to the exterior of the body and having at least one surface opposite the opening, the retroreflector at least partially disposed in the cavity, wherein the retroreflector and at least one surface define a space therebetween. A transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal. A first actuator is configured to initiate emission of the electromagnetic signal, wherein the transmitter and the first actuator are affixed to the body. | 01-22-2015 |
20150070712 | TARGET APPARATUS AND METHOD - A target includes a contact element having a region of spherical curvature, a retroreflector rigidly connected to the contact element, a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, a temperature sensor disposed on the target, configured to measure an air temperature, and configured to send the measured air temperature to the transmitter. | 03-12-2015 |
20150092199 | AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENT OF DIMENSIONAL DATA WITH A LASER TRACKER - Measuring with a system having retroreflector targets and a laser tracker includes storing a list of coordinates for three targets and at least one added point; capturing on a photosensitive array a portion of the light emitted by a light beam and reflected off the targets; obtaining spot positions on a photosensitive array of a tracker camera from the reflected light; determining a correspondence between three spot positions on the photosensitive array and the coordinates of the targets; directing a beam of light from the tracker to the targets based at least in part on the coordinates of the first target and the first spot position; measuring 3-D coordinates of the targets with the tracker; determining 3-D coordinates of the at least one added point based at least in part on the measured 3-D coordinates of the targets and the coordinates of the at least one added point. | 04-02-2015 |