A method and system for estimating surface roughness of a ground for an off-road vehicle to control ground speed comprises detecting motion data of an off-road vehicle traversing a field or work site during a sampling interval. A pitch sensor is adapted to detect pitch data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a pitch acceleration. A roll sensor is adapted to detect roll data of the off-road vehicle for the sampling interval to obtain a roll acceleration. An electronic data processor or surface roughness index module determines or estimates a surface roughness index based on the detected motion data, pitch data and roll data for the sampling interval. The surface roughness index can be displayed on the graphical display to a user or operator of the vehicle, or applied to control or execute a ground speed setting of the vehicle.

A robotic cleaning device and a method for operating the robotic cleaning device to detect a structure of a surface over which the robotic cleaning device moves. The method includes illuminating the surface with structured vertical light, capturing an image of the surface, detecting at least one luminous section in the captured image, and determining, from an appearance of the at least one luminous section, the structure of the surface.

An agricultural implement includes a sensor configured to emit output signals for reflection off of a surface and detect reflections of the output signals as return signals. Furthermore, the agricultural implement includes a computing system configured to control the sensor such that the sensor emits the output signals for reflection off of a calibration device including a base portion and a plurality of projections extending outward from the base portion such that a top surface of the calibration device approximates a surface profile of the field. Moreover, the computing system is configured to receive data indicative of a profile of the top surface of the calibration device from the sensor in a spatial domain. Additionally, the computing system is configured to convert the received data to a frequency domain using a spectral analysis technique and calibrate an operation of the sensor based on the converted data.

A sensor device (100), for measuring a surface (101), includes a lighting device (103) emitting a light beam (105); an optical device (107) splitting the light beam (105) into partial light beams (109, 111), and emitting the first partial light beam (109) toward a first surface area (113) and emitting the second partial light beam (111) toward a second surface area (115). A light sensor (117) is configured to receive a first surface area reflection (109-1) of the first partial light beam (109) and a second surface area reflection (111-1) of the second partial light beam (111). A processor (119) is configured to detect a distance of the first surface area (113) and of the second surface area (115) to the sensor device (100) based on a position of the first partial light beam reflection (109-1) and the second partial light beam reflection (111-1) on the light sensor (117).

An inspection robot incudes a robot body, at least two sensors, a drive module, a stability assist device and an actuator. The at least two sensors are positioned to interrogate an inspection surface and are communicatively coupled to the robot body. The drive module includes at least two wheels that engage the inspection surface. The drive module is coupled to the robot body. The stability assist device is coupled to at least one of the robot body or the drive module. The actuator is coupled to the stability assist device at a first end, and coupled to one of the drive module or the robot body at a second end. The actuator is structured to selectively move the stability assist device between a first position and a second position. The first position includes a stored position. The second position includes a deployed position.

Apparatus for analysing a surface which, in use, is subject to drag, the apparatus comprising, a light source for generating light of at least one predetermined wavelength, a light source holder for holding and positioning the light source so as to direct it at the surface, a light detector for detecting reflected light from the surface and generating a signal in response thereto, a light detector holder for holding the light detector and positioning it so as to detect the reflected light, and a connector for connecting the light detector to a microprocessor to analyse the signal. Also disclosed is a method of analysing a surface which, in use, is subject to drag.

A system (1) for generating a signal from a surface (22) having a speed V in a direction U, comprising: a light source (2) emitting a Gaussian light beam along a first optical path (11); a sensor (3) able to evaluate the effects of the electromagnetic interference of the first beam; a means (2′, 4) for generating a second Gaussian light beam along a second optical path (12); a second sensor (3′) able to evaluate the effects of electromagnetic interference of the second beam; a focusing lens (5, 6) located on the first and/or the second optical path (11, 12), focusing the light beam at a distance f and defining an upstream optical path (11′, 12′); and a means (4′, 7) for routing the second beam able to redirect the second path (12′) in the direction of the first path (11′).

A method for obtaining the profile of the outer surface (22) of a medium (21) having a median plane (23) comprising the following steps: obtaining two time signals A and B (1002), for, at each instant, a same geometrical target on a readout line of the outer surface (22); determining at least one Doppler frequency (2001) associated with each time signal A and B; sampling each time signal A and B (2002) at a frequency greater than 2 times the Doppler frequency to obtain a payload signal; determining an envelope (2004) of the payload signal of each signal A and B; performing a relative combination between the envelopes of each signal A and B (3001) to obtain a monotonic and bijective function F; and determining the profile of the outer surface (3002) using a calibration of the function F.

A method may include measuring a formation sample using a Raman spectrometer to determine a formation sample characteristic, wherein the formation sample characteristic is mineral ID and distribution, carbon ID and distribution, thermal maturity, rock texture, fossil characterization, or combinations thereof.

An inspection system is provided for detecting defects on surfaces. The system uses a pattern with varying color or darkness which faces the surface. A light illuminates the pattern on the surface so that the pattern and any defects on the surface are reflected and captured for image analysis. The processor then separates the pattern from the image in order to identify the locations of any defects on the surface.