Abstract

A wire feed control system includes an anti-twist mechanism and a controller programmed to operate the anti-twist mechanism, responsive to a measured degree of twist of a wire on a trajectory between a feed for the wire and a plasma transfer wire arc (PTWA) torch, to maintain the degree of twist within a predetermined range defined by natural rotation introduced to the wire by the PTWA torch.

IPC Classes  ?

• B23K 10/02 - Plasma welding

Abstract

Methods of honing a surface arc disclosed. The method may include spraying a coating having an initial average bulk porosity onto an engine bore wall and honing the coating to create an intermediate honed surface. The method may then include cleaning the intermediate honed surface and honing the intermediate honed surface with a cutting force of, for example, 110-130 kgf after the cleaning step. This may create a honed surface having an average porosity greater than the initial average bulk porosity. The methods may create a honed surface having a porosity that is more porous than the initially sprayed coating. The increased porosity of the honed surface may allow for increased oil retention in, for example, engine bores.

IPC Classes  ?

• B24B 33/02 - Honing machines or devices; Accessories therefor designed for working internal surfaces of revolution, e.g. of cylindrical or conical shapes
• B24B 33/10 - Accessories
• C23C 4/18 - After-treatment
• F02F 1/18 - Other cylinders
• F02F 1/20 - Other cylinders characterised by constructional features providing for lubrication

Abstract

A system and method for characterizing surfaces includes using a measuring device to take size measurements of a manufactured product. The raw measurement data is transformed from a time-based domain to a frequency-based domain using a mathematical algorithm. The transformed size measurement data is then compared to predetermined limits within comparable frequency bands to characterize the surface of the manufactured product.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 21/30 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
• G01B 21/10 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring diameters

Abstract

An aluminum alloy including additions of scandium, zirconium, erbium and, optionally, silicon.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22F 1/043 - Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of aluminium or alloys based thereon of alloys with silicon as the next major constituent
• C22C 21/00 - Alloys based on aluminium
• C22C 21/02 - Alloys based on aluminium with silicon as the next major constituent
• C22F 1/04 - Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working of aluminium or alloys based thereon

Abstract

A vehicle 1 towing a trailer 4 is fitted with three video cameras 5, 6, 7 fitted to the rear of the vehicle and on each door mirror. A view from any camera can be presented to the driver on a display 11. A predicted trailer path, calculated in a computing unit 10, is also presented to the driver on the display 11 as guide lines overlaid on the camera view. The computing unit 10 is also configured to calculate a hitch angle by tracking the position of a trailer-mounted marker in the camera view.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01B 11/26 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for testing the alignment of axes
• B60W 30/095 - Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
• B60D 1/36 - Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers
• B60W 40/10 - Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit related to vehicle motion
• B62D 13/06 - Steering specially adapted for trailers for backing a normally-drawn trailer

Abstract

There is provided a method of predicting a path of a trailer attached to a vehicle, comprising: measuring a vehicle steering angle by a computing unit of a vehicle; obtaining first and second views by an image processor of the vehicle, from at least two rearward-looking video cameras mounted on the vehicle; determining a trailer view from the views; displaying the view on a driver-visible screen; determining a hitch angle, et, and a parameter store of the vehicle, between the vehicle and trailer and using the view; calculating a predicted path of the trailer from the angles; displaying the path as an overlaid track on the view; tracking a marker associated with the trailer across a field of view of at least one camera; and converting a vertical displacement of the marker in the field of view to an angular displacement to determine a pitch angle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60W 30/095 - Predicting travel path or likelihood of collision
• B60D 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• B60R 11/04 - Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle