Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed to include an elongate member supported by a plurality of wheels, where the elongate member is extendable in a horizontal axis such that a distance between two of the plurality of wheels is increased when the elongate member is extended in the horizontal axis; a trolley slidably secured to the elongate member, where the trolley includes a base portion and an upper portion. The base portion moves in the horizontal axis along the elongate member and the upper portion is rotatably mounted to the base portion, where the upper portion is configured to rotate at least 90 degrees relative to the base portion and elongate member.

Abstract: An imaging device for obtaining 360-degree images of an anatomical feature of a patient or of another object includes an open ring having a first end, a second end, and an axis, the open ring defining an outer arc and an inner arc; a support arm configured to support the open ring and to rotate the open ring about the axis; a track extending along the open ring; a source movably disposed on the track and operable to generate signals useful for imaging; and a detector movably disposed on the track, the detector operable to detect signals generated by the source. Movement of the source and detector along the track, coupled with rotation of the open ring about the axis, enables the source and detector to travel at least 360 degrees about the axis.

Abstract: An automated mobile vehicle (AMV) including a frame forming a pallet bed for a pallet, and having an automated mobile robot bus, separate and distinct from the pallet bed, a drive section coupled to the frame to provide automated vehicle mobility, and a controller operably coupled to the drive section to effect automated vehicle mobility, wherein, the robot bus has a bus interface for docking independent automated mobile robots (AMR) to the frame so that the AMR is carried by the frame, wherein the AMR has independent automated mobility so that undocked from the frame, the AMR is free to roam independent from the AMV, and wherein the AMR is fungible for docking with the frame from a number different AMRs, to effect a predetermined material handling characteristic, and wherein the controller is coupled to the AMR to manage control of the predetermined material handling characteristic with the AMR undocked from the frame and moving as a unit apart from the frame.

Abstract: An example autonomous vehicle includes a body configured for movement along a surface and an end-effector to hold a first element having first and second features that mate to complementary third and fourth features on a second element. At least one of the end-effector or the body is controllable to move in at least four degrees of freedom. The autonomous device includes one or more sensors to detect the second element and to obtain information for locating the third and fourth features of the second element or other compatible device. The autonomous device also includes a control system to control at least one of the end-effector or the body to move in the at least four degrees of freedom to stack the first element on top of the second element.

Abstract: A mobile automated guided vehicle pallet stacker and destacker system including an automated guided vehicle having a pallet pick that moves to pick a pallet and stably hold the picked pallet on the pick. A sensor is connected to the vehicle and configured to detect a predetermined characteristic of at least one pallet located in a stack of one or more pallets. A sensing element of the sensor is mounted to the vehicle so as to define a predetermined relation between the sensing element and a pallet pick interface. Actuation of the pick effects scanning of the stack and detection, with the sensing element, of the predetermined characteristic. A controller determines from the predetermined characteristic the at least one pallet is in a topmost pallet position of the stack, and positions the pallet pick interface of the pick to interface the stack based on the determined topmost pallet position.

Abstract: An example autonomous vehicle includes a body configured for movement along a surface, a sensor on the body to output a signal in a plane and to obtain information about an environment based on the signal, and a control system to use the information to determine a location of the autonomous vehicle in the environment. The sensor is configured to keep constant the plane of the signal for different positions of the body.

Abstract: An example autonomous vehicle includes a body configured for movement along a surface, a sensor on the body to output a signal in a plane and to obtain information about an environment based on the signal, and a control system to use the information to determine a location of the autonomous vehicle in the environment. The sensor is configured to keep constant the plane of the signal for different positions of the body.

Abstract: An example autonomous vehicle includes a body configured for movement along a surface and an end-effector to hold a first element having first and second features that mate to complementary third and fourth features on a second element. At least one of the end-effector or the body is controllable to move in at least four degrees of freedom. The autonomous device includes one or more sensors to detect the second element and to obtain information for locating the third and fourth features of the second element or other compatible device. The autonomous device also includes a control system to control at least one of the end-effector or the body to move in the at least four degrees of freedom to stack the first element on top of the second element.

Abstract: A mobile automated guided vehicle pallet stacker and destacker system including an automated guided vehicle having a pallet pick that moves to pick a pallet and stably hold the picked pallet on the pick. A sensor is connected to the vehicle and configured to detect a predetermined characteristic of at least one pallet located in a stack of one or more pallets. A sensing element of the sensor is mounted to the vehicle so as to define a predetermined relation between the sensing element and a pallet pick interface. Actuation of the pick effects scanning of the stack and detection, with the sensing element, of the predetermined characteristic. A controller determines from the predetermined characteristic the at least one pallet is in a topmost pallet position of the stack, and positions the pallet pick interface of the pick to interface the stack based on the determined topmost pallet position.

Abstract: An automated mobile vehicle (AMV) including a frame forming a pallet bed for a pallet, and having an automated mobile robot bus, separate and distinct from the pallet bed, a drive section coupled to the frame to provide automated vehicle mobility, and a controller operably coupled to the drive section to effect automated vehicle mobility, wherein, the robot bus has a bus interface for docking independent automated mobile robots (AMR) to the frame so that the AMR is carried by the frame, wherein the AMR has independent automated mobility so that undocked from the frame, the AMR is free to roam independent from the AMV, and wherein the AMR is fungible for docking with the frame from a number different AMRs, to effect a predetermined material handling characteristic, and wherein the controller is coupled to the AMR to manage control of the predetermined material handling characteristic with the AMR undocked from the frame and moving as a unit apart from the frame.

Abstract: A method of managing a transmission ratio with an assisted CVT with a governed engine to emulate a hydrostatic transmission and prevent a drivebelt abuse is provided, the method comprising: providing a reference power source rotational speed, using the assisted CVT to transmit rotatable motion between a power source and a drive mechanism, managing a torque of the power source to maintain a substantially even rotational speed upon a power source load variation and modulating a transmission ratio of the assisted CVT to change the rotational speed of the drive mechanism. A system and a vehicle having such a drivebelt abuse preventing mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: Is provided herein a torque-limiting electronically controlled CVT comprising a drive portion having a drive pulley including two opposed sheaves adapted to be actuated with an electric motor to set a transmission ratio between an engine and a ground contacting rotating member of a vehicle, an input module adapted to receive a signal indicative of whether a ground-contacting rotating member is airborne, a processing module adapted to determine a desired CVT ratio, and an output module adapted to actuate the electric motor to obtain the desired CVT ratio to match the circumferential velocity of the vehicle's airborne ground-contacting rotating member with the speed of the vehicle in order to limit a mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive system of the vehicle. Also provided hereby is a vehicle equipped with the CVT, a kit including such a CVT and a method of managing the CVT to limit the mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive train of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of managing a transmission ratio with an assisted CVT with a governed engine to emulate a hydrostatic transmission and prevent a drivebelt abuse is provided, the method comprising: providing a reference power source rotational speed, using the assisted CVT to transmit rotatable motion between a power source and a drive mechanism, managing a torque of the power source to maintain a substantially even rotational speed upon a power source load variation and modulating a transmission ratio of the assisted CVT to change the rotational speed of the drive mechanism. A system and a vehicle having such a drivebelt abuse preventing mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: Is provided herein a torque-limiting electronically controlled CVT comprising a drive portion having a drive pulley including two opposed sheaves adapted to be actuated with an electric motor to set a transmission ratio between an engine and a ground contacting rotating member of a vehicle, an input module adapted to receive a signal indicative of whether a ground-contacting rotating member is airborne, a processing module adapted to determine a desired CVT ratio, and an output module adapted to actuate the electric motor to obtain the desired CVT ratio to match the circumferential velocity of the vehicle's airborne ground-contacting rotating member with the speed of the vehicle in order to limit a mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive system of the vehicle. Also provided hereby is a vehicle equipped with the CVT, a kit including such a CVT and a method of managing the CVT to limit the mechanical peak torque sustained by a drive train of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of forming a safer and more secure containment for the removal or isolation of harmful and/or noxious particulate materials. The containment is formed using adhesive coated plastic sheeting to form an isolated enclosure. The adhesive holds the sheeting under negative pressure and is removable with minimal damage or transfer to wall and floor surfaces.