Abstract: A remotely-operable vehicle for cleaning material from beneath a structure. The vehicle includes a body having a front portion and a rear portion, a pair of support arms pivotally supported within the body, a drive system for moving the vehicle, a hydraulic system, a receiver for receiving control signals from a remote control device, a processor which generates signals for operating the drive system and the hydraulic system in response to received control signals, and at least one cleaning attachment removably attached to the vehicle at a proximal end of each support arm. A vehicle system as well as a method of cleaning coal from beneath a conveyor belt in a coal mine are also provided.

Abstract: A movement device (1) having a Stewart platform includes a movable platform (9) that has platform joints (8) connecting it in an articulated manner by at least six rods (6) to a base (3). The rods (6) have base joints (7) resting in an articulated manner on carriages (4, 5) that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction on rails (2a, 2b) that are fixed to the base. Each carriage (4, 5) has a dedicated drive, and the carriages (4, 5) can be moved independently of one another. Exactly two rails (2a, 2b) are provided, and each rail (2a, 2b) supports at least three carriages (4a, 4b, 4c and 5a, 5b, 5c).

Abstract: A multi-axis robot for high-speed applications comprises a first and a second guide rail arranged substantially parallel to each other for defining a first axis of motion. A crossbar having a first end and a second end is moveably supported on the guide rails. A carriage is moveably coupled to the crossbar for moving along a second axis of motion. A first drive system having first and second drives and a first belt running along a first H-shaped belt path provides for a movement of the carriage along the first and second axis of motion. Second and third belts extend at least partially along the crossbar and the guide rails. The second and third belts run along different second and third belt paths, with one of the second and third belts entering the crossbar with a right-hand turn and leaving the crossbar with a left-hand turn, and the other one of the second and third belts entering the crossbar with a left-hand turn and leaving the crossbar with a right-hand turn.

Abstract: A tippling installation for the discharge of bulk goods from large barges comprises a dry basin in which a trough-shaped cradle can have its ends sealed against opposite end walls of the basin in which there are lock gates. The cradle provides a holding vessel into which the barges are floated through the lock gates. After closing the gates and draining the cradle, the barge is tipped by rolling the cradle sideways along guide and support tracks which provide positive location while the barge is held clamped in the cradle. The contents of the barge are discharged into a receiving space from which any liquid is drained to separate it from the discharged solids that are then collected. The arrangement is able to prevent pollution of the waterway by the escape of any of the barge contents during discharge. Because they roll on fixed supports relatively little lifting efforts needs to be expanded and very large barges can be handled.

Abstract: A machine for lifting, rotating and transporting crops in the form of bales. The machine includes a motorized chassis with a cab for an operator. A tilt table is located on the back of the chassis for holding and unloading the bales. A boom is positioned adjacent the table on the chassis for loading bales onto the system or for transferring bales between locations. A fork is connected to the distal end of the boom for grabbing the bales and includes mechanism for rotating the bales about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis so that the bales can be aligned in any orientation for stacking.

Abstract: An apparatus having a horizontally disposed manually rockable frame for supporting and tilting a shipping container from its normal upright transporting attitude through an angle of less than 90.degree. to an attitude included from the horizontal for packing glass sheets therein. The glass sheets are manually placed in the shipping container when it is supported in the inclined packing attitude with sheets of separating material interleaved therebetween and, when packed, the container is returned to its upright transporting attitude.