Abstract: Various systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein provide for receiving pressure data for an accumulator system, the pressure data providing an indication of a pressure in an accumulator tank of the accumulator system; receiving energy data, the energy data indicating an availability of free energy for use to charge the accumulator tank; and activating a charging source of the accumulator tank to charge the accumulator tank based on at least one of the pressure data and the energy data.

Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.

Abstract: A low density polyethylene (LDPE) having a z-average molecular weight Mz (cony) from 425,000 g/mol to 800,000 g/mol, a melt index I2 less than or equal to 0.20 g/10 min, and a conventional GPC Mw/Mn from 8.0 to 10.6. A LDPE having a GPC-light scattering parameter (LSP) less than 2.00, a ratio of viscosity measured at 0.1 radians/second and 190° C. to a viscosity measured at 100 radians/second and 190° C. that is greater than 50, and a z-average molecular weight Mz (cony) from 425,000 g/mol to 800,000 g/mol.

Abstract: Methods and systems of estimating an end of life of a rechargeable energy storage device in an energy storage system is disclosed. The system includes at least a motor, the energy storage device associated with the motor, a processing unit associated with the energy storage device, and at least one sensor operatively coupled with the processing unit and the energy storage device. The method includes measuring a most recent state of health (SOH) of the energy storage device after the system is started, storing the most recent SOH with at least one previously measured SOH, calculating a new replace-by date of the energy storage device based on the most recent SOH and the at least one previously measured SOH, and replacing a previously calculated old replace-by date with the new replace-by date, the new replace-by date being the same as or shorter than the old replace-by date.

Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for docking a mobile robot to a dock using distinct visual fiducial markers on the dock are disclosed. A mobile robot system is provided that includes a dock and a mobile cleaning robot. The dock includes a first fiducial marker in a first plane on the dock and second one or more fiducial markers in a second plane different from the first plane. The mobile cleaning robot includes a visual system to detect the first and the second one or more fiducial markers, and a controller circuit to recognize the dock, and to determine a pose or heading direction of the mobile cleaning robot based on the detected first and the second one or more fiducial markers. The mobile drive system can adjust its heading direction, and drive to the dock according to the adjusted heading direction.

Abstract: A hydraulic engine system includes a first hydraulic pump-motor coupled to an engine and a second hydraulic pump-motor coupled to an electric machine. A hydraulic link fluidly connects the first and the second hydraulic pump-motors. During a cranking operation mode, the electric machine operates as a motor and transfers power via the second hydraulic pump-motor, the hydraulic link and the first hydraulic pump-motor to provide cranking torque to the engine. During a generator operation mode, the power generated by the engine is transferred via the first hydraulic pump-motor, the hydraulic link, and the second hydraulic pump-motor to the electric machine, operating as a generator, to generate electricity.

Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of selectively charging or discharging a system with multiple battery packs connected in parallel when at least one of the battery packs has a significantly different voltage or states of charge (SOCs) than the other battery packs. The method includes charging or discharging the battery pack(s) with a voltage or state of charge (SOC) farthest from a target value until the voltage(s) or SOC(s) is within a range of another battery pack at which point the battery packs may be connected and charging or discharging can resume for the set of connected packs. This process is repeated until all the battery packs are at a predetermined minimum or maximum voltage or SOC threshold. The present disclosure also provides a method for selectively operating and charging at least one of a plurality of battery packs depending on the respective states of the battery packs.

Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.

Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a housing infrastructure, a drive system including one or more wheels to support the housing infrastructure above a floor surface, a cleaning assembly, electrical circuitry positioned within the robot housing and an electrostatic discharge assembly including an electrostatic discharge member that includes a metallic contact electrically connected to the electrical circuitry and extending, from the electrical circuitry, to an exterior of the housing infrastructure. The electrical circuitry includes a controller to initiate a cleaning operation in which the drive propels the robot across the floor surface while the cleaning assembly cleans the floor surface.

Abstract: A robot that includes a cleaning head including a first cleaning roller comprising a first sheath comprising a first shell and a first plurality of vanes extending along the first shell and extending radially outward from the first shell, the first shell tapering from end portions of the first sheath toward a center of the first cleaning roller, and the first plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a first axis of rotation of the first cleaning roller; and a second cleaning roller comprising a second sheath comprising a second shell and a second plurality of vanes extending along the second shell and extending radially outward from the second shell, the second shell being cylindrical along an entire length of the second cleaning roller, and the second plurality of vanes having a uniform height relative to a second axis of rotation of the second cleaning roller.

Abstract: Controls for improved performance of a vehicle equipped with start-stop control logic are disclosed. Deviation from nominal engine start-stop control logic for the internal combustion engine occurs when a predetermined mission related type of stop event will occur or is occurring that is different from other stop event types that are controlled by the nominal engine start-stop control logic. At least one of a location and a payload associated with the mission related stop event type is provided as an input to the controller before the vehicle arrives at the stop event so that operating parameters of the vehicle are controlled accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a start-stop feature on a vehicle powered at least in party by an internal combustion engine are described. The method includes receiving, at an electronic control unit (“ECU”) of the vehicle, an indication that the vehicle is in line at a drive-thru. The method further includes determining, by the ECU, a number of start-stop events anticipated during the drive-thru. The method includes determining, by the ECU, an approximate stop time for each of the number of start-stop events. The method further includes determining, by the ECU, that a battery of the vehicle has enough remaining charge to power a plurality of vehicle components during implementation of the start-stop feature. The method includes implementing, by the ECU, the start-stop feature in which the internal combustion engine is turned off for at least a portion of the time when the vehicle is stopped.

Abstract: A gearbox includes a first shaft operatively coupled to an output of an engine, with the first shaft having a first longitudinal axis. A second shaft is operatively coupled to a driveshaft of an electric machine, the second shaft having a second longitudinal axis. The second longitudinal axis is non-coaxial with the first longitudinal axis. A geartrain operatively couples the first and second shafts. The geartrain is structured to passively switch between a first gear ratio and a different second gear ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an engine friction module in operative communication with an engine and structured to interpret engine operation data indicative of an engine friction amount, and a stop/start module structured to compare the engine operation data with predetermined protective criteria that includes an engine friction threshold and to turn off the engine for at least a portion of time based on the engine friction threshold exceeding the engine friction amount.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes a recessed well in a top surface of the mobile robot, at least one capacitive sensor underlying the recessed well and having a first region and a second region, one or more mobility sensors, and a controller coupled to the at least one capacitive sensor and the one or more mobility sensors. The controller is configured to determine an operating status of the mobile robot responsive to output signals from the one or more mobility sensors, and selectively disregard an input at a first portion of the recessed well corresponding to the first region of the at least one capacitive sensor based on the operating status of the mobile robot.

Abstract: A hydraulic engine system includes a first hydraulic pump-motor coupled to an engine and a second hydraulic pump-motor coupled to an electric machine. A hydraulic link fluidly connects the first and the second hydraulic pump-motors. During a cranking operation mode, the electric machine operates as a motor and transfers power via the second hydraulic pump-motor, the hydraulic link and the first hydraulic pump-motor to provide cranking torque to the engine. During a generator operation mode, the power generated by the engine is transferred via the first hydraulic pump-motor, the hydraulic link, and the second hydraulic pump-motor to the electric machine, operating as a generator, to generate electricity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling engine start/stop operations based at least in part on considerations relating to the thermal management of an exhaust gas after-treatment system. A control system may monitor and/or predict conditions and/or properties of the after-treatment system, including conditions related to the thermal management of a selective catalytic reduction system and the properties of an exhaust gas stream that has been released from an internal combustion engine and into the after-treatment system. Such conditions may be evaluated in determining whether the thermal management of the after-treatment system is at, or will be in, a condition that may accommodate a start/stop operation of the internal combustion engine with minimal, if any, adverse impact on the thermal management of the after-treatment system. Such an evaluation may, in at least certain situations, provide at least a consideration as to whether to de-activate or activate start/stop operations.

Abstract: An evacuation station for collecting debris from a cleaning robot includes a controller configured to execute instructions to perform one or more operations. The one or more operations includes initiating an evacuation operation such that an air mover draws air containing debris from the cleaning robot, through an intake of the evacuation station, and through a canister of the evacuation station and such that a receptacle received by the evacuation station receives at least a portion of the debris drawn from the cleaning robot. The one or more operations includes ceasing the evacuation operation in response to a pressure value being within a range. The pressure value is determined based at least in part on data indicative of an air pressure, and the range is set based at least in part on a number of evacuation operations initiated before the evacuation operation.