Author: claimsbot

1. A system for mapping a surface of a celestial body containing objects and terrain, comprising:
a Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) module configured to capture an image of the terrain of at least a portion of the surface;
a map module configured to store map data representing the portion of the surface; and
a fusion module coupled to the SAR module and the map module, wherein the fusion module comprises a processor configured to:
receive the image and the map data, and
combine the image and the map data to generate a new map of the portion of the surface.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a radio frequency (RFID) module coupled to the fusion module, the RFID module configured to generate location data associated with corresponding objects on the surface, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the location data and combine the location data with the map to generate a real-time map of the portion of the surface including a location of each object.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the objects are man-made objects.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a sensor module coupled to the fusion module, the sensor module configured to generate sensor data associated with corresponding objects, wherein the processor is further configured to receive the sensor data and combine the sensor data with the map to generate a real-time map of the portion of the surface including a location of each object.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the data representing the objects comprises data representing man-made objects, natural objects, or both.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle capable of orbiting the celestial body, wherein the SAR module is housed on the vehicle and is configured to generate at least one image during each orbit.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to update the map data with the map.
8. A method for mapping a surface of a celestial body containing terrain and an object, the method comprising the steps of:
orbiting the celestial body;
capturing, via a Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) module, an image of the terrain during each orbit;
fusing, via a processor, the captured image with a map of the surface to generate a new map of the surface;
locating an RFID tag on the object; and
fusing, via the processor, location data obtained from the RFID tag with the new map to generate a real-time map including a location of the object.
9. (canceled)
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of updating the real-time map with a new location of the object.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:
detecting, via a sensor module, the location of the object; and
fusing, via the processor, location data obtained from the sensor module with the real-time map.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the fusing step comprises the step of updating the map with the new map.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the fusing step is performed using information fusion.
14. A computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when read by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising the steps of:
receiving, from a Synthetic Aperture RADAR (SAR) module, an image of a terrain of at least a portion of a surface a celestial body during a plurality of orbits around the celestial body;
fusing the captured image with map data representing the portion of the surface to generate a new map of the surface;
locating an RFID tag on an object located in the portion of the surface; and
fusing location data obtained from the RFID tag with the high-resolution map to generate a real-time map of the portion of the surface including a location of the object.
15. (canceled)
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform the step of updating the real-time map with a new location of the object.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform the steps of:
detecting the location, via a sensor, of the object; and
fusing the location of the object with the real-time map.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions that cause the processor to perform the step of updating the real-time map with a new location of the object.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to perform the fusion step further causes the processor to perform the step of updating the map data with the new map.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to perform the fusion step further causes the processor to perform the fusion step using information fusion.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A computer-implemented apparatus for defining a fit between a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system of a patient, the apparatus comprising a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to:
generate a computer representation of the masticatory system of the patient, wherein the computer representation utilizes a library of simulated jaw motions;
determine a functional occlusion from the computer representation of the masticatory system;
digitally model the set of teeth, based on the determined functional occlusion, in a plurality of different arrangements representing successive repositioning of the patient’s teeth from a first arrangement toward a desired arrangement; and
generate a patient removable appliance for each of a plurality of the digitally-modeled arrangements, the patient removable appliances having teeth receiving cavities, the cavities of successive appliances having different geometries shaped to receive and resiliently reposition the teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement, wherein the plurality of appliances is generated prior to the patient wearing an appliance of the plurality so as to reposition the teeth.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the functional occlusion is determined using one or more keys.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more keys comprise at least one of: a) a molar relationship, b) a crown angulation, c) a crown inclination, d) teeth rotations, e) teeth contact points, and f) an occlusal plane.
4. A system for defining a fit between a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system of a patient, comprising:
a processor;
a display device coupled to the processor; and
a data storage device coupled to the processor, the data storage device storing instructions operable to cause the processor to:
generate a computer representation of the masticatory system of the patient, wherein the computer representation utilizes a library of simulated jaw motions;
determine a functional occlusion from the computer representation of the masticatory system;
digitally model the set of teeth, based on the determined functional occlusion, in a plurality of different arrangements representing successive repositioning of the patient’s teeth from a first arrangement toward a desired arrangement; and
generate a patient removable appliance for each of a plurality of the digitally-modeled arrangements, the patient removable appliances having teeth receiving cavities, the cavities of successive appliances having different geometries shaped to receive and resiliently reposition the teeth from one arrangement to a successive arrangement, wherein the plurality of appliances is generated prior to the patient wearing an appliance of the plurality so as to reposition the teeth.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the functional occlusion is determined using one or more keys.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more keys comprise at least one of:
a) a molar relationship, b) a crown angulation, c) a crown inclination, d) teeth rotations, e) a tooth contact point, and f) an occlusal surface.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more keys is based on molar relationship.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more keys is based on crown angulation.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more keys is based on crown inclination.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more keys is based on tooth rotation.
11. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more keys is based on a tooth contact point.
12. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the one or more keys is based on an occlusal surface.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the occlusal surface ranges from flat to curves of Spee.
14. The system of claim 4, wherein the data storage device stores instructions operable to cause the processor to identify an ideal base model for the desired arrangement of the teeth.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the ideal base model includes an arch curve.
16. The system of claim 4, wherein the data storage device stores instructions operable to cause the processor to place a marker on each tooth.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the markers are positioned and oriented so that an arch curve passes through each of the markers.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the data storage device stores instructions operable to cause the processor to set the position and orientation of the teeth so that the arch curve passes though the markers within a predetermined deviation.
19. The system of claim 16, where the instructions allow a user of the system to place the marker.
20. The system of claim 16, where the instructions automatically place the marker.

1. A first linear actuator comprising
a magnetically permeable ferrous outer flux containment shell; and
a magnet core assembly disposed within the outer shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a first coil comprising at least one wire loop around at least a portion of the magnet stack, such that the outer shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating.
2. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein
the one or more permanent magnets are are Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets; and
the outer flux containment shell meets ASTM A848 material standards.
3. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the outer flux containment shell further comprises
two cylindrical canister portions each having a distal and a proximal end;
a first end cap attached to the distal end of each canister; and
a second end cap attached to the proximal end of each canister.
4. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein the first coil is a bifilar coil.
5. The linear actuator of claim 1 further comprising
a plurality of coils, such that the coils are positioned asymmetrically with respect to the magnet stack.
6. The linear actuator of claim 1 further comprising
an energy recovery mechanism comprising
a switch having a first connection to the first coil and a second connection to a recovery element, the switch having an open position and a closed position; and
a pulse recovery controller, such that the pulse recovery controller directs the switch between the open position and the closed position.
7. The linear actuator of claim 1 wherein
the magnet stack further comprises at least one spacer positioned between adjacent permanent magnets.
8. A system comprising
a first linear actuator motor comprising
a magnetically permeable outer flux containment shell, and
a magnet core assembly disposed within the outer flux containment shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a plurality of coils, each coil comprising at least one wire loop around at least a portion of the magnet stack, such that the outer flux containment shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating; and
a first linear actuator generator comprising
a magnetically permeable outer flux containment shell; and
an magnet core assembly disposed within the outer flux containment shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a first coil comprising at least one wire loop around at least a portion of the magnet stack, such that the outer flux containment shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising
an energy recovery mechanism comprising
a switch having a first connection to the first coil and a second connection to a recovery element, the switch having an open position and a closed position; and
a pulse recovery controller, such that the pulse recovery controller directs the switch between the open position and the closed position.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the recovery element is a battery or capacitor.
11. The system of claim 9 further comprising
a renewable energy power source; and
a plurality of pairs of linear actuator motors and linear actuator generators arranged in a radial array, the plurality of pairs of linear actuator motors and linear actuator generators connected to a common crankshaft.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising
a control system comprising
speed and position sensors attached to the crankshaft, and
a plurality of controllers, such that the controllers deliver power voltage to motor coils based on the speed and position of the crankshaft.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein
each of the plurality of generators comprises an opposed pole armature with a magnet stack having a first magnet and a second magnet arranged with like poles facing.
14. An electromagnetic motor energy recovery method comprising
providing a first linear actuator motor comprising
a magnetically permeable outer shell,
an magnet core assembly disposed within the outer shell, the magnet core assembly comprising
a magnet stack comprising one or more permanent magnets, and
a plurality of coils in proximity to the magnet stack, such that the outer shell provides magnetic flux containment and routing, and the magnet stack is self-levitating, and

a controller;

levitating the magnet stack within the outer shell of the first linear actuator;
applying, with the controller, a plurality of supply voltage pulses to one or more of the plurality of coils over a first time interval, thereby causing the magnet stack to move in a first direction;
recovering energy from the one or more of the plurality of coils by establishing, at a second time interval, an electrical connection between the one or more of the plurality of coils and a pulse recovery element.
15. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method of claim 14 wherein
providing a first linear actuator further comprises
providing an ASTM A848 magnetically permeable outer shell.
16. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method of claim 14 wherein
providing a first linear actuator further comprises
providing a magnet stack comprising one or more Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets magnets.
17. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method of claim 14 wherein
providing a first linear actuator further comprises
providing a plurality of bifilar coils.
18. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method 14 further comprising
driving a first linear actuator generator with the first linear actuator motor.
19. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method 14 further comprising
providing at least one battery or capacitor as the pulse recovery element.
20. The electromagnetic motor energy recovery method 14 further comprising
configuring the first linear actuator motor as a positive displacement device.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A radar sensor for motor vehicles, comprising:
a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface, wherein the transmitter and receiver unit includes multiple radar sources which are situated offset with respect to one another approximately in a focal plane of the condenser element, one of radar sources configured to generate the lobe directed obliquely to the roadway surface.
2. The radar sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a condenser element including one of a lens or a reflector, the condenser element configured to bundle emitted radar waves into the lobes.
3. The radar sensor as recited in claim 2, wherein the condenser element includes a beam splitter which deflects a portion of the emitted radar waves into the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface.
4. A radar sensor for motor vehicles, comprising:
a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
a condenser element including one of a lens or a reflector, the condenser element configured to bundle emitted radar waves into the lobes, wherein the condenser element has a different focal distance for the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface than for the other lobes.
5. A radar sensor for motor vehicles, comprising:
a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
a condenser element including one of a lens or a reflector, the condenser element configured to bundle emitted radar waves into the lobes, wherein the condenser element includes a lens which has a lens zone having refraction characteristics that differ from the rest of the lens.
6. A method for checking an alignment of a radar sensor; comprising:
providing a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface;
determining a distance, on the roadway surface, between a radar sensor of the transmitter and receiver unit and a point of incidence of the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
determining a misalignment of the radar sensor based on a deviation of the determined distance from a vehicle-specific nominal value.
7. A method for blindness recognition for a radar sensor, comprising:
providing a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
measuring an intensity of a radar echo reflected by the roadway surface for the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface, to recognize blindness.
8. A method of using a radar sensor, comprising:
providing a transmitter and receiver unit, a directional characteristic of the transmitter and receiver unit having multiple lobes, at least one of the lobes being directed parallel to a roadway surface, and at least one other one of the lobes being directed obliquely to the roadway surface; and
performing at least one of the following:
measuring a ground speed of a motor vehicle using the transmitter and receiver unit,
checking an alignment of a radar sensor by determining a distance, on the roadway surface, between the radar sensor of the transmitter and receiver unit and a point of incidence of the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface, and determining a misalignment by the radar sensor based on a deviation of the determined distance conform a vehicle-specific nominal value, and
measuring an intensity of a radar echo reflected by the roadway surface for the lobe which is directed obliquely to the roadway surface to recognize blindness.