Abstract: An inventory tracking system includes a tracking device coupled to a transport structure that is designed to carry items. The tracking device includes a processor as well as several modules operatively connected to the processor for determining the location of the transport structure. The tracking device determines location using a short-range communication module when the tracking device is within a storage facility. When outside of the storage facility, the tracking device determines a location of the transport structure using a satellite navigation module. A mobile communication module is used to determine the location of the transport structure if neither the short-range communication module nor the satellite navigation module is successful.

Abstract: A drive system for a high torque mechanical load includes a power supply, a controller, and a high torque electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotor that is oriented eccentrically relative to a stator. In one form, the electric motor has a crankshaft that transmit the torque to the mechanical load. In other variations, the electric motor includes at least two electric motor lobes with opposite stroke positions to provide a smoother output at higher speeds. During operation, the rotor is magnetically attracted to the energized electromagnet. With the rotor attracted to the electromagnet in the stator, the rotor contacts or comes in close proximity to the stator at a contact area. The close proximity between the rotor and stator at the contact area allows very large magnetic forces to be utilized to produce torque without increasing the size or weight of the electric motor.

Abstract: A system includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV). A loading table is positioned on the AGV. The loading table is configured and sized to hold more than one storage container. A frame extends from the AGV. A robotic arm is mounted to the frame. In one form, the frame includes a gantry that moves relative to the rest of the AGV. Alternatively or additionally, the robotic arm is able to move relative to the gantry. By holding more than one storage container, the AGV facilitates automatic batch picking or placing of items. The gantry increases the degrees of freedom of movement of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A system includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV). A loading table is positioned on the AGV. The loading table is configured and sized to hold more than one storage container. A frame extends from the AGV. A robotic arm is mounted to the frame. In one form, the frame includes a gantry that moves relative to the rest of the AGV. Alternatively or additionally, the robotic arm is able to move relative to the gantry. By holding more than one storage container, the AGV facilitates automatic batch picking or placing of items. The gantry increases the degrees of freedom of movement of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced concrete composition which cures to a cured fiber reinforced concrete composite following addition of water, the cured fiber reinforced concrete composite having a density from about 700 to 1000 kg/m3 and a compressive strength from about 5 to 15 MPa. A fiber reinforced concrete composition includes a brittle inorganic matrix precursor, a plurality of reinforcing fibers present in a range from 0.5 volume percent to less than 4 volume percent based on the total volume of the cured fiber reinforced concrete composite, and lightweight aggregate having a mean particle size in the range of 10 ?m to 1000 ?m, in an amount effective to achieve a target density in the cured composite not more than 1000 kg/m3. The reinforcing fibers include polypropylene fibers. The lightweight aggregate can include hollow fly ash spheres and glass microspheres. An acrylic admixture can be added to the composition.

Abstract: A composite pallet is made of concrete fill material that is enclosed in a frame structure. The frame structure includes a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member has a first frame member cavity that contains the concrete fill material. The first frame member has a tenon, and the second frame member has a mortice in which the tenon of the first frame member is received. The tenon of the first frame member defines a fill gap through which the fill material is able to flow during manufacturing. The frame structure is made of sheet metal that has seams located inside the frame structure.

Abstract: A system includes a robot configured to load and/or unload from a location, such as a cargo carrier or building. The robot includes a base unit that has a transport system to move the base unit. A mast extends from the base unit, and the mast has a mast conveyor. An End of Arm Tool (EoAT) is coupled to the mast. The EoAT includes an EoAT conveyor configured to move a cargo item to and from the mast conveyor. A gripper mechanism is configured to move between a retracted position where the gripper mechanism is clear of the cargo item on the EoAT conveyor and an extended position where the gripper mechanism is able to grip the cargo item.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a gantry and a robot arm. The gantry is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The robot arm hangs from the gantry. The robot arm is configured to move along the gantry at least when the gantry is in the extended position. The robot arm is configured to handle one or more cargo items. A conveyor is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The conveyor is configured to transport the cargo items to and/or from the robot arm.

Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.

Abstract: A method of operating a cross belt slat sorter includes moving a first item of a first type positioned on the sorter. A database is maintained that stores transport requirements for different item types. A control system ascertains a first type of the first item via a separate vision system that is operatively connected to the control system. The database is accessed to establish the first transport requirements for the first item based on the first type. Belts are controlled based on the first transport requirements of the first item. A second item is moved on the belts, and a second type of the second item is observed with the vision system. The database is accessed to ascertain second transport requirements for the second item. The belts are controlled based on the second transport requirements of the second item.

Abstract: A system includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV). A loading table is positioned on the AGV. The loading table is configured and sized to hold more than one storage container. A frame extends from the AGV. A robotic arm is mounted to the frame. In one form, the frame includes a gantry that moves relative to the rest of the AGV. Alternatively or additionally, the robotic arm is able to move relative to the gantry. By holding more than one storage container, the AGV facilitates automatic batch picking or placing of items. The gantry increases the degrees of freedom of movement of the robotic arm.

Abstract: A composite pallet is made of concrete. The concrete material can include various concrete mixtures, such as Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) or an Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC). It also can include microspheres. The concrete material can be cast in a mold or formed via an extrusion process and then cured. The pallet components can include a core material that can form various voids or cavities. The core material can include polystyrene foam, and the foam forms a honeycomb, which is then filled with the concrete material. The concrete material can also be dyed to create different colors to identify the pallets. The pallets can further include plastic and/or rubber bumpers on the corners and/or edges to prevent or minimize chipping. The resulting pallet can be cured using carbon dioxide (CO2) curing which reduces the cure time to about an hour or less.

Abstract: A conveyor sortation system includes a frame and two or more carriages riding along the frame in a travel direction. Each carriage includes a belt and an electric motor. The belt is oriented at a direction that is transverse to the travel direction of the carriage. The electric motor is configured to drive the belt. In one form, the belt has a width that is at most 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide. In another form, the carriages have a vertical recirculation pattern along the frame.

Abstract: A conveyor sortation system includes a frame and two or more carriages riding along the frame in a travel direction. Each carriage includes a belt and an electric motor. The belt is oriented at a direction that is transverse to the travel direction of the carriage. The electric motor is configured to drive the belt. In one form, the belt has a width that is at most 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide. In another form, the carriages have a vertical recirculation pattern along the frame.

Abstract: An automated flow buffer system includes infeed and discharge shuttle systems. A buffering system is disposed between the infeed shuttle system and the discharge shuttle system. The buffering system includes buffer conveyors arranged in an array to buffer one or more items. The infeed shuttle system and the discharge shuttle system each include a shuttle frame disposed proximal to an end of the buffering system and one or more shuttles independently moveable along the shuttle frame. Each of the shuttles include a drive system configured to move the shuttle in horizontal and vertical directions along the shuttle frame so that the shuttle is able to service the conveyors in the buffering system. The shuttle includes a conveyance mechanism upon which one or more of the items are transported. The conveyance mechanism is configured to convey the items to and/or from the buffer conveyors of the buffering system.

Abstract: An automated flow buffer system includes infeed and discharge shuttle systems. A buffering system is disposed between the infeed shuttle system and the discharge shuttle system. The buffering system includes buffer conveyors arranged in an array to buffer one or more items. The infeed shuttle system and the discharge shuttle system each include a shuttle frame disposed proximal to an end of the buffering system and one or more shuttles independently moveable along the shuttle frame. Each of the shuttles include a drive system configured to move the shuttle in horizontal and vertical directions along the shuttle frame so that the shuttle is able to service the conveyors in the buffering system. The shuttle includes a conveyance mechanism upon which one or more of the items are transported. The conveyance mechanism is configured to convey the items to and/or from the buffer conveyors of the buffering system.

Abstract: A cargo handling system includes a gantry and a robot arm. The gantry is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The robot arm hangs from the gantry. The robot arm is configured to move along the gantry at least when the gantry is in the extended position. The robot arm is configured to handle one or more cargo items. A conveyor is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position. The conveyor is configured to transport the cargo items to and/or from the robot arm.

Abstract: A conveyor sortation system includes a frame and two or more carriages riding along the frame in a travel direction. Each carriage includes a belt and an electric motor. The belt is oriented at a direction that is transverse to the travel direction of the carriage. The electric motor is configured to drive the belt. In one form, the belt has a width that is at most 8 inches (20.32 cm) wide. In another form, the carriages have a vertical recirculation pattern along the frame.

Abstract: An autonomous robotic transport system has been developed in which the individual robot vehicles are able to move in multiple directions, such as vertically as well as around curves. Through the use of a unique rail system, the vehicle is able to move around corners and turns without the need for expensive modifications. This eliminates the need for various differentials or multiple electric motors to provide the difference between inner and outer wheels in a turn. Moreover, a number of switches have been developed that allow the vehicles to move not only vertically but also horizontally as well as transition between vertical and horizontal movement. A technique for operating the robotic vehicles is also described.

Abstract: A steam turbine system uses a laser to instantaneously vaporize water in a nozzle within a turbine. This steam is then used to rotate the turbine. Thus, the turbine system does not require an external boiler. The steam turbine system may be used in either an open system, where the steam passing through the turbine is not condensed and reused, or a closed system, where the steam passing through the turbine is condensed and reused.