Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Samuel Edward Ebenstein

Gregory Hugh Smith

Yelena Mordechai Rodin

Vijitha S Kiridena

Kwaku O Prakah-Asante

Thomas J Meitzler

Manoharprasad K Rao

Gary Steven Strumolo

James Stewart Rankin, Ii

Vijitha Senaka Kiridena

Thomas P Reynolds

Paul Joseph Stewart

Jason A Schrader

Nicholas Zorka

Kevin Andrew Falk

David Bednarz

Amer Mohammed Samman

Ivan Wong

A system incorporating sensor enhanced composite armor structure. The structure has one layer including ceramic tiles and ceramic-material transducers, wherein the ceramic tiles and the transducers fit closely together so that the one layer is ballistically windowless. The structure has other layers composed of armor material stacked with the one layer, the one layer and the other layers forming a plate which as a unit has a set or group of fundamental frequencies. The system includes logic means to analyze only signals resulting from vibrations transmitted from the one transducer to the other transducer through the one layer. The logic means thereby derives a signal fingerprint which characterizes a state of damage to the plate.

Self diagnostic composite armor

A unit of modular armor. The module has a box-like, optically opaque outer shell of ballistic-protection material enclosed to exclude light from the module's interior. The shell contains transparent armor plates and the shell contains a self-diagnostic system for ascertaining whether the plates have been damaged. The self-diagnostic system includes a first PC board disposed along first edges of the plates, the board being divided into strips on which are mounted rows of lights. The self-diagnostic system further includes a second PC board at second, opposed edges of the plates divided into strips on which are mounted rows of light receptors. The PC boards incorporate circuitry for illuminating the rows of the lights in a row-by-row sequence, and for allowing activation only of the receptors directly opposed to illuminated lights. This circuitry has an analysis means for determining the health of the plates in response to signals from the receptors. The armor module has a transparent, elastomeric, adhesive matrix within the shell in which each of the plates and boards are suspended and encapsulated, wherein the matrix occupies all space not occupied by other elements within the shell.

Self diagnostic armor structure

An object detection system is disclosed in at least one embodiment. The system includes a far IR sensor operable to sense thermal radiation of objects and surroundings in a field of view and to generate a far IR image in response thereto, and an image processing device operable to receive and process the far IR image to detect the presence of one or more objects in the field of view. The image processing device can be configured to process the far IR image by generating an initial threshold image based on the far IR image and an initial threshold value, iteratively obtaining a number of successive threshold images based on the far IR image and a number of successively increased threshold values, and determining the presence of one or more objects in the field of view based on the threshold images and threshold values.

Method and system for detecting objects using far infrared images

A vision-based object detection decision-making system () for a vehicle () includes multiple vision sensing systems () that have vision receivers () and that generate an object detection signal. A controller () includes a plurality of sensing system aid modules () that correspond to each of the vision sensing systems (). The controller () operates the sensing system aid modules () in response to a vehicle parameter and generates a safety system signal in response to the object detection signal. The sensing system aid modules () have associated operating modes and operate the vision sensing systems () in the operating modes in response to the vehicle parameter.

Vision-based method and system for automotive parking aid, reversing aid, and pre-collision sensing application

A method for testing cameras includes positioning a camera such that an image of a target is displayed on a monitor within at least one default image parameter. The method further includes engaging a dimming condition of a light source from the camera, thereby generating a lighting condition signal. Subsequently the camera receives the lighting condition signal and displays it on the monitor. A group of observers then analyze the lighting condition signal. The method continues through engaging a second dimming condition of the light source from the first camera, thereby generating a second lighting condition signal, which is also displayed on the monitor. The group of observers then analyzes the second lighting condition signal.

Method for camera calibration and quality testing

A vehicle data acquisition and display assemblywhich includes several cameraswhich selectively and cooperatively receive imagesfrom the environment or the ambient environmentin which a vehicleresides. The acquired imagesform a panoramic mosaic, at least a portion of which is selectively displayed by a display assemblywithin the vehicle

Vehicle data acquisition and display assembly

A control system () for an automotive vehicle () coupled to a countermeasure system having a countermeasure includes an object sensor system () generating an object signal, an object distance signal, an object azimuth position signal, and object relative velocity signal. The control system () further includes an object classifier coupled to the object sensor system () generating an object classification signal in response to the object signal and a controller coupled to the object sensor object classifier for activating the countermeasure () in response to the object distance, object azimuth position, relative velocity and the object classification signal.

Method for operating a pre-crash sensing system with object classifier in a vehicle having a countermeasure system

A blind spot monitoring system for a vehicle includes two pairs of stereo cameras, two displays and a controller. The stereo cameras monitor vehicle blind spots and generate a corresponding pair of digital signals. The display shows a rearward vehicle view and may replace, or work in tandem with, a side view mirror. The controller is located in the vehicle and receives two pairs of digital signals. The controller includes control logic operative to analyze a stereopsis effect between each pair of stereo cameras and the optical flow over time to control the displays. The displays will show an expanded rearward view when a hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot and show a normal rearward view when no hazard is detected in the vehicle blind spot.

Vehicle blind spot monitoring system

A vision enhancement system,which aids the driver in visually identifying a sensed object,without diverting his/her attention from the road ahead. One or more sensors,used to collect information about the vehicle's environment are operatively coupled with a controlled source of illumination,. A processor,receives input from the sensors and intelligently determines whether a particular object sensed in or near the current path of the vehicle requires alerting the driver. If so, the processor outputs a control signal,to effect illumination of the sensed object. The source of illumination is controlled so as to continuously direct light onto the identified object, even as the vehicle and/or object move simultaneously with respect to one another.

Driver road hazard warning and illumination system

A method for capturing data representative of a geometry of a raw cylinder head casting in order to obtain a casting scanning coordinate system for use with a machining coordinate system utilizes a locating device during a non-contact scanning operation. The cylinder head casting includes horizontal planar cast locators and vertical cast locators. Planar data corresponding to the planar cast locators is determined by scanning planar areas of the device. Vertical data corresponding to the vertical cast locators is determined utilizing locating features disposed on a planar surface of the device and located at predetermined positions with respect to the vertical cast locators. A transformation matrix defining a relationship between the scanning coordinate system and the machining coordinate system can then be determined based on the planar and vertical data so that virtual machining can be performed in predicting the volume of a machined cylinder head.

Method for determining a geometry of a raw cylinder head casting and device for carrying out same

A method of predicting volume of finished combustion chambers from a raw cylinder head casting including the steps of capturing cylinder head geometry of a raw cylinder head casting, transforming the captured cylinder head geometry into a machining coordinate system, virtual machining the raw cylinder head casting based on the transformed geometry, calculating a volume of combustion chambers of the virtually machined cylinder head, adding signed volumes of at least one component to the calculated volume to obtain a finished volume, and adjusting a mold for the raw cylinder head casting to achieve the desired finished volume.

Method of predicting volume of finished combustion chambers from a raw

Methods and apparatus for representing a three-dimensional object by means of a High Density Point Data Model (HDPDM) consisting of a large number of individual data values, each of which specifies the coordinates of a point on the surface of a three dimensional object. An initial HDPDM is produced by scanning a physical object, tessellating the elements of a CAD representation of the object surface, or evaluating mathematical expressions which describe the surface. Further data values define a virtual tool surface which is spaced from the modeled object surface. The projection of the virtual tool surface on the object surface along projection lies parallel to a defined axis of projection identifies selected points on the surface which are modified by effectively moving them to the tool surface. The tool surface may be translated with respect to the object surface along a predetermined trajectory, with the tool surface being iteratively used to operate on an area of projection on the model surface to provide a virtual machining process which performs free-form alterations on the data model. The finished data model may then be used to create a physical part or generate an output CAD or mathematical model which defines a free-form part.

Virtual machining techniques for modifying computer models of parts

The method and system provide a means of inspecting die sets by scanning the core die and the cavity die separately. A special software technique is used to transform both data scans to the same coordinate system or frame in an orientation which simulates die closure. Then methods are used to determined the exact shape of the interior of the die set when closed.

Method and system for inspecting die sets using free-form inspection

A method and system are disclosed for the automated alignment of free-form geometries. The method includes the steps of providing a computer work station, a first HDPDM describing the first geometry, and a second HDPDM describing the second geometry. The two geometries must be in crude alignment with one another within a coordinate frame. Next, a plurality of normal distances are computed from the first geometry to the second geometry. The normal distances are used to derive a weighted-fit objective function. A step size is then determined, and the step size is used in the following step of iteratively translating the second HDPDM until the objective function is maximized. The steps of determining a step size and iteratively translating the second HDPDM are repeated until the step size is less than or equal to a desired alignment resolution. The disclosed system includes the means for turning out the steps of the disclosed method.

Method and system for automated alignment of free-form geometries

Circular reference features such as drilled holes are located in an area of a part such as a cylinder head, the surface of which is laser scanned to obtain scan data. The scan data provides height values of the part. Differences in height values are used to determine the points on scan lines which are boundary points of the circular holes. A first algorithm is used to estimate the contour and radius of each hole. A second algorithm provides a correction factor for the radius of each hole. The circular reference features are used for registering the part relative to a reference datum. Methods are provided that allow the accurate determination of the location of such reference features to within 0.01 mm. (0.0004 in.) from the scan data. The method may be utilized to create modified scan data to machine the part. The method may be utilized iteratively from different views of the part to obtain data which represents the part. Also, the method may be utilized iteratively on similar parts to detect minor differences between the parts.

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Southfield, MI, United States of America

Samuel Edward Ebenstein