The Boeing Company

Michael J Marich

Tad W Kellogg

Rahul C Thakkar

Joshua M Mermelstein

Surya Pandrangi

Michael Webber

Troy P Kellogg

William A Laforge

A computing device, method and computer program product track the movement of objects and identify potential collisions between object influence models of two or more objects. In a method, an object influence model is defined for a respective object with the object influence model having a shape and volume that encompasses the respective object. The object influence model extends beyond the respective object and varies in response to changes in one or more properties of the object. The method also includes receiving information from one or more sensors indicative of movement of the respective object and predicting its anticipated path of travel. The method further includes identifying a potential collision between the respective object and another object in an instance in which the object influence models of the respective object and another object intersect as the respective object is advanced along the anticipated path of travel.

Computing device and method for tracking movement of objects

A computing device, method and computer program product are provided for facilitating modification of the route of an autonomous surface vehicle. In the context of a method, a stylized image of an input image, such as a photographic image, is constructed. The stylized image distinguishes between surfaces having different texture that are present in the input image. Based upon the stylized image, the method also includes determining a frictional coefficient associated with at least some of the surfaces having different texture. The method further includes determining whether the route of the autonomous surface vehicle is to be altered from a predefined route based upon the frictional coefficient that has been determined to be associated with a surface over which the predefined route of the autonomous surface vehicle extends.

Computing device and method for facilitating modification of the route of a vehicle

Embodiments described herein provide for heat reclamation and temperature control of a SOFC for a submersible vehicle. The vehicle includes a SOFC, a hot box that surrounds the SOFC, a cooling loop, and a Stirling engine. The cooling loop has a heat exchanger and a coolant pump. The heat exchanger thermally couples the cooling loop to the water. The Stirling engine has a first end thermally coupled to an interior of the hot box and a second end thermally coupled to the cooling loop. The coolant pump modifies a rate of heat removal from the second end of the Stirling engine based on a pump control signal. A thermal management controller monitors a temperature of a cathode outlet of the SOFC, and modifies the pump control signal to maintain the temperature of the cathode outlet within a temperature range.

Heat reclamation and temperature control for submersible vehicles that utilize fuel cells

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Yorba Linda, CA, United States of America

Michael J Marich