Abstract: Provided is an overhead travelling crane assembly including an overhead rail and a hoist unit realized to travel along the rail, characterized by a parking lock mounted to the hoist unit, which parking lock includes a brake assembly which, in its default position, prevents movement of the hoist unit along the overhead rail; and a release means realized to release the brake assembly to allow movement of the hoist unit along the overhead rail. Also provided is a method of operating such an overhead travelling crane assembly; and a wind turbine including such an overhead travelling crane assembly in the nacelle.

Abstract: A produce loading and unloading device and system. The device and system has structures for lifting an entire stack of flats loaded with produce such as berries, moving the stack of flats to a conveyor, and dumping the produce off each flat of the stack, one flat at a time. During the process, the operator of the device doesn't have to lift a single flat of produce. The dumping operation operates continuously, with no pauses to load stacks of flats. Throughput and safety are greatly improved.

Abstract: A method for executing an order with a plurality of items assigned to a first robot of a plurality of robots operating in a warehouse with the assistance of a plurality of operators. The method includes navigating the first robot to a first location in the warehouse proximate a location of a first item in the order and pausing for an operator of to assist the first robot to execute a function. The method includes determining if the first robot has been paused for greater than a maximum dwell time without being assisted by an operator. If it has been, the method causes the first robot to leave the first location without completing the function on the first item and causing the first robot to proceed to a second location proximate a storage a second item to execute a function.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for selecting a first robot for a robot task of a user, and during a first session between a computing device of the user and the first robot to perform the task, determining a need for the first robot to perform an alternative task. Based on determining the need, a second robot is selected to “replace” the first robot in performing the task. The second robot may replace the first robot in performing the task by directing the telepresence robot to navigate to a location proximal to the first robot and transitioning the first telepresence robot's session to the second telepresence robot.

Abstract: A workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine includes: a first arm supported so as to be rotatable within a substantially horizontal plane; a second arm supported on the first arm so as to be rotatable within the substantially horizontal plane; a workpiece holding device supported on a distal end side of the second arm so as to be rotatable within the substantially horizontal plane; a first arm drive mechanism configured to drive the first arm to rotate; a second arm drive mechanism configured to drive the second arm to rotate with respect to the first arm; a workpiece holding device rotation drive mechanism configured to drive the workpiece holding device to rotate with respect to the second arm; and a tilt drive mechanism configured to drive the workpiece holding device to rotate with respect to the second arm.

Abstract: A system includes an elongated rail including support surfaces and a mounting surface disposed between the support surfaces. Photovoltaic modules can be coupled to the mounting surface and raised relative to the support surfaces. A first maintenance vehicle can include a cleaning head, actuator, motor, and support legs. The support legs can suspend the cleaning head over the photovoltaic modules and can be respectively movably coupled to the support surfaces so as to laterally and sequentially move the cleaning head parallel to the elongated rail and across each of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the motor. At least a portion of the cleaning head can be vertically movable between a disengaged position spaced apart from the photovoltaic modules and an engaged position in contact with at least one of the photovoltaic modules responsive to actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to marine rig equipment, and specifically to a mobile jackup rig having one or more moveable cranes. The one or more moveable cranes are configured to operate along a rail, and the one or more moveable cranes are positioned to reach more than one work site location. In one embodiment, a mobile jackup rig includes at least one two-rail system having a first guide-track rail and a second guide-track rail, and at least one moveable crane positioned to operate along the two-rail system. In another aspect, a mobile jackup rig may include at least one moveable pedestal crane positioned on at least one curved or straight guide-track rail system.

Abstract: The solar energy and solar farms are used to generate energy and reduce dependence on oil (or for environmental purposes). The maintenance and repairs in big farms become very difficult, expensive, and inefficient, using human technicians. Thus, here, we teach using the robots with various functions and components, in various settings, for various purposes, to improve operations in big (or hard-to-access) farms, to automate, save money, reduce human mistakes, increase efficiency, or scale the solutions to very large scales or areas.

Abstract: An overhead crane adapted to be supported by at least one main support beam includes a bridge adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the at least one main support beam, a trolley adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the bridge, a jib rotatably coupled to a bottom surface of the trolley, and a hoist adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the jib.

Abstract: A self movable boom system is provided. The self movable boom system include: a boom disposed on a plane perpendicular to a building clamp structure; and a moving unit apparatus including a circumferential moving unit which is disposed between the boom and the building clamp structure to move the boom on a plane perpendicular to the building clamp structure, a lifting-up unit of which one end is disposed toward the circumferential moving unit and of which other end is disposed toward the building clamp structure to move the boom along a longitudinal direction of the building clamp structure, and a boom moving unit which moves an object along the longitudinal direction of the building clamp structure and along a longitudinal direction of the boom.

Abstract: A self movable boom system is provided. The self movable boom system include: a boom disposed on a plane perpendicular to a building clamp structure; and a moving unit apparatus including a circumferential moving unit which is disposed between the boom and the building clamp structure to move the boom on a plane perpendicular to the building clamp structure, a lifting-up unit of which one end is disposed toward the circumferential moving unit and of which other end is disposed toward the building clamp structure to move the boom along a longitudinal direction of the building clamp structure, and a boom moving unit which moves an object along the longitudinal direction of the building clamp structure and along a longitudinal direction of the boom.

Abstract: A service crane for a wind turbine comprising a main crane beam (128) having a track (154) that accommodates a trolley (156). A hinge (144) is provided at a pivot point (148) near a proximate end of the main beam (128), such that an aft portion of the main beam (128) extends beyond the pivot point (148) to the exterior of the turbine. A distal end of the main beam (128) rests upon a forward beam. A lateral motion actuator (134) moves the main beam (128) back and forth along the forward beam. The trolley (156) runs back and forth along the main beam (128). A turbine component is attached to a hook lowered by cable from the trolley (156). The trolley (156) with the component on the hook is moved to the aft portion of the main beam (128), which extends beyond the turbine. The hook is lowered to the ground so that the component can be serviced or replaced.

Abstract: A suspended type transporting carriage (16) is provided with: a gripping mechanism (22) for gripping a transported object (17); a hoisting mechanism (21) for hoisting the gripping mechanism; and a traveling mechanism (60), on which the hoisting mechanism is mounted in a suspended condition, for traveling on a rail (20) installed on or near a ceiling. The gripping mechanism is provided with (i) an elongating and contracting device (23) capable of horizontally elongating and contracting and (ii) a gripping device (24) disposed at a tip portion of the elongating and contracting device for selectively gripping the transported object.

Abstract: In a transfer arrangement and method for transferring a workpiece between first and second spaced locations along a guide rail with a carriage movably supported on the guide rail, a transfer arm is pivotally supported on the carriage and carries at its free end a workpiece holder which is accelerated by the carriage with the arm essentially stretched out in the movement direction out of, and decelerated into, the end positions, and, in an intermediate position, the carriage movement is slowed down or even reversed while the workpiece holder is moved along by a pivot movement of the arm.

Abstract: A mobile handling apparatus for loading and unloading ships in docks, the apparatus including portal supports, steerable traveling mechanisms arranged on the portal supports, an undercarriage freely movable on the traveling mechanisms, a harbor crane having a tower rigidly connected to the undercarriage, a luffing jib coupled to the tower, the luffing jib having an exchangeable device for picking-up a load, supporting girders mounted on the undercarriage so as to be horizontally moveable, the supporting girders each having a free end, vertical supporting pillars connected to the free ends of the supporting girders; and further traveling mechanisms arranged on the vertical supporting pillars so as to be raisable and lowerable.

Abstract: A mobile harbor crane for the combined handling of containers and bulk materials, having an undercarriage and an upper carriage which is mounted rotatably on the base frame of the undercarriage and on which a tower with a boom that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis is arranged. Four support beams are connected pivotally to a base frame of the undercarriage, symmetrically to the longitudinal and transverse axes of the vehicle, in such a way that they can each be pivoted about vertical axes, they are provided at their free ends with vertically acting leveling cylinders, by means of which the support beams are supported on the wheels of a plurality of traveling gear assemblies via balancers for uniform distribution of the supporting forces.

Abstract: The present invention combines a gantry crane (10) with one or more rotating boom cranes (11, 12, 17, 18) to increase cargo productivity economically. There can be two luffing boom cranes attached to the gantry and two slewing boom cranes attached to the gantry. One can retrofit an existing gantry by attaching a boom crane and frame to a ship-to-shore gantry.

Abstract: A portable hoist system suitable for mounting to a pair of rails includes a vertical support, an inclined boom connected to the vertical support and a hoist secured to the boom. Clamping members are provided at the lower ends of the vertical support and the boom for detachably mounting to the rails. The hoist system is preferably foldable for transport or storage purposes.

Abstract: A crane, particularly a track-bound mobile crane, having a luffing jib located on a vehicle frame so as to be slewable upward and downward around a horizontal axis and rotatable around a vertical axis. In order to transport long and heavy loads in narrow areas, especially during the construction of bridges or tracks, the luffing jib is supported on at least one swivel bearing located on a vehicle frame end and is slewable upward and downward or liftable by a lifting drive arranged between the ends of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling a workpiece between automated workstations wherein the workpiece is lifted from an unloading workstation, moved along a predetermined linear reciprocal path between work stations while simultaneously inverting the workpiece, and lowering the workpiece into a loading workstation. The apparatus provides a vertical lift portion and an articulating portion for manipulating the workpiece. The vertical lift portion utilizes a compact design to minimize space requirements and moving parts by providing both vertical movement and rotational movement within a common structure. The articulating portion is attached to the bottom of the vertical lift portion and provides a pivot arm that is pivotally attached to a workpiece holder. The vertical lift portion provides a rotational input to a harmonic drive unit which has its output coupled to the pivot arm. When the pivot arm rotates, a continuous timing belt provides for counter-rotational movement of the workpiece holder.

Abstract: An article manipulator system which is suitable for fixed and translative mounting at work sites including on scaffold assemblies, providing for alignment compensation for scaffold non-alignment, providing for limited movement about two vertical axes, providing movement along a trolley track in a generally horizontal direction, and a gripper for grasping heavy work objects such as masonry construction units. A control handle provides for signals for raising and lowering a lift cable and signals for locking and unlocking brakes on said pivot arms and upon said trolley track.

Abstract: Apparatus for the installation for transferring piece goods between road and railborne vehicles includes a receiving and an issuing store, the outer sides of which remote from the railway line adjoin a loading roadway for the unloading or/and loading of road vehicles, each of the stores is provided with a plurality of loading lifting gears adapted to travel longitudinally for transporting load units beyond the railway lines between the roadway and at least the store, a plurality of train transfer lifting devices are provided to travel longitudinally, their operating radii extending laterally beyond the railway line in the direction towards the stores, and additional transport devices are provided which bridge the mutually separated ranges of the lifting gears and the train transfer lifting devices for transporting load units transversely to the railway line.

Abstract: A lightweight boom supported by a rotatable jib of a tower crane for introducing flowable concrete mix to form systems has a concrete conveying conduit which functions also as a structural member of the boom, in order that the overall weight of the latter is minimized. The elongated boom has a triangular configuration in transverse cross-section, with two parallel, co-planar, spaced upper members and a hollow, concrete conveying bottom member that is generally parallel to the two upper members and spaced below the same. Horizontally extending brace members interconnect the two upper members, and spacer bars depending from the two upper members are secured to the bottom member.

Abstract: A manipulator for a nuclear reactor is disposed about the upper region of the reactor case. A horizontal guide rail is supported by a slewing track ring mounted on the reactor vessel. A slide is movable along and guided by the horizontal guide rail and a rotatably and vertically movable gripper is attached to the slide where the parts surrounding the gripper are provided with a vertical slot. The gripper can comprise a rotatable post tiltable around a horizontal axis, a vertical slide disposed on the post and vertically movable and a material pick-up device attched to the vertical slide. The vertical slide and the materials pick-up can be moved from below to above the level of the guide rail and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention is directed to remotely-controlled manipulator carrier systems for use in maintaining and servicing process equipment housed in large-area cells affected by radioactivity wherein industrial processes are conducted. The cells are part of a nuclear facility for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel materials. The process equipment is arranged along mutually adjacent walls of the cell and so defines a canyon-like passageway extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the cell. The system includes a first overhead bridge crane having a trolley movable thereon in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis. The trolley includes a hoist for lowering and raising a hook for engaging and moving a component of the process equipment in a first vertical plane transverse to said axis. A second overhead bridge crane is disposed beneath the first bridge crane.

Abstract: A crane structure mounted on a transport vehicle, preferably a marine vessel, is disclosed. The crane structure includes a gantry structure mounted on a vertical tower structure and having boom portions protruding from the tower structure. Preferably, the boom portions may be pivotally lowered from their operating positions and the tower structure may be rotated in a horizontal plane, thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the crane structure to allow transport under overhead obstructions and through narrow passageways.

Abstract: A mounting for a crane on a load carrying platform comprising a guide mounted on the underside of the platform and extending at least the full length of one side of the platform, a carriage mounted on said guide for movement therealong and having a portion projecting beyond the adjacent edge of the platform, said projecting portion being so dimensioned to enable the base of a crane to be mounted thereon so that the crane projects upwardly beyond the load carrying platform.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for laying railway track comprises a car running on the rails and a carrier frame with a track on which a power-driven trolley is mounted. The trolley includes a beam for carrying and laying an assembled section of the railway track including rails fastened to ties. A vertically and transversely adjustable flash butt welding machine is arranged below the carrier frame and in the region of the region of the forward end of the car for welding the rails of the assembled railway track section laid by the beam to the rails on the railway track whereon the car is mounted. Associated with the welding machine are devices for removing the welding bead resulting from the flash butt welding of the rails to each other.