Abstract: A grain bin access door and chute system that can be retrofitted into existing grain bins or installed in new grain bins. The access panel includes an outer door and an inner door and allows a user to quickly access and assess the grain within a bin without fear of falling into the grain or through the crust of grain which can form a bridge on the top of grain. The access door includes a lever-controlled chute door and pipe-chute connection. This allows grain to be gravity fed into awaiting grain trucks or rail cars without using a more dangerous grain auger and without relying on outside energy sources. Additionally, grain transferred through a gravity-fed method is less likely to become damaged than grain transferred through a grain auger. An optional grain agitator may likewise be installed within the grain bin.

Abstract: A portable manway cover handling apparatus comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway stub flange within stub flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.

Abstract: A manhole lifting apparatus comprising a base support assembly and a lifting mechanism. There is a beam structure which extends over the manhole, with a pivot support at one end of the beam structure, and a mobile support at the opposite end of the beam structure. The lifting mechanism is at the central part of the beam structure. The lifting mechanism lifts the manhole cover, and the support assembly is rotated about the pivot support to remove the manhole cover from the manhole.

Abstract: A door installation system for safely installing or removing a heavy door by a single person. The door installation system generally includes a base, a vertical member extending from the base in an upward manner, a brace member extending between the base and the vertical member, a guide structure attached to the upper portion of the vertical member for guiding an upper portion of a door, and a carriage removably attachable to the base. The carriage is capable of adjusting the attitude of a door being installed to fit within a door jamb. The vertical member and the base are pivotally connected to one another to allow for folding into a compact structure.

Abstract: A portable manway cover handling apparatus and method comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway portal flange within portal flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: In at least one aspect, a system is provided that includes (1) a substrate carrier having first docking features; and (2) a loadport having second docking features. The second docking features are adapted to block docking of substrate carriers that do not include the first docking features and to allow docking of substrate carriers that include the first docking features. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system operable to transport an object, comprises a frame, a frame transport system, a securing system, an object lift system and a sideways drive system. The frame transport system moves the frame in a plurality of directions comprising a first direction. The securing system couples an object to the frame. The object lift system lifts the object, and comprises at least one pump and at least one cylinder. The sideways drive systems deactivate the frame transport system and moves the frame in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A removable cover support system and method for supporting a cover of a cover assembly having a cover support extension and a cover flange having cover flange holes has a cover flange securing base assembly having a base member and a securing mechanism slidably insertable through at least one of a cover flange hole of a cover assembly having a cover support extension and a cover flange, a retaining sleeve connected to the securing base assembly, a swingarm assembly rotatably supported by the retaining sleeve, and a lifting mechanism connected to the swingarm assembly. The securing mechanism is operably connected to the base member and the lifting mechanism is operably connected to the cover.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an apparatus for moving a manhole cover comprising a lever having an engaging end, a linkage connected to the engaging end of the lever, and at least one magnet connected to the linkage and engageable with the manhole cover, wherein the lever provides leverage for moving the manhole cover. The at least one magnet may be selectively engageable with the manhole cover and may further have an interface surface. The at least one magnet may have a handle moveable between an engaged position, wherein a magnetic flux is emitted through the interface surface of the at least one magnet, and a disengaged position, wherein substantially no magnetic flux is emitted through the interface surface of the at least one magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a manhole cover comprising a lever having a first lever arm pivotally connected to a second lever arm by a hinge for movement between a collapsed position, wherein the first lever arm is substantially parallel to the second lever arm, and a plurality of operative positions, wherein the first lever arm extends at a non-parallel angle with respect to the second lever arm. A linkage is connected to an engaging end of the lever, and at least one magnet is connected to the linkage and engageable with the manhole cover.

Abstract: A wafer carrier opener is provided. The wafer carrier opener may eliminate the use of two separate actuators by using a four-bar linkage mechanism. The wafer carrier opener includes a wafer carrier door receiver, a horizontally stationary member, and a link coupled between the wafer carrier door receiver and the horizontally stationary member so as to allow horizontal movement of the wafer carrier door receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for opening a substrate carrier. The invention provides a novel loadport for receiving a substrate carrier from a substrate carrier transport system. The loadport includes a door opening mechanism adapted use vacuum pressure to hold a substrate carrier door against the door opening mechanism. The loadport is further adapted to apply a gas flow to the periphery of the substrate carrier to block potential contaminants from entering the substrate carrier. Numerous other features are provided.

Abstract: A wafer carrier opener is provided. The wafer carrier opener may eliminate the use of two separate actuators by using a four-bar linkage mechanism. The wafer carrier opener includes a wafer carrier door receiver, a horizontally stationary member, and a link coupled between the wafer carrier door receiver and the horizontally stationary member so as to allow horizontal movement of the wafer carrier door receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for lilting and removing oven doors of a coking oven that is comprised of a door removing head (1), which can be coupled to vertically extending oven doors of a horizontal chamber coking oven, of a drive device (3) for effecting adjusting movements of the door removing head (1), and of a suction hood, which can be displaced along the horizontal chamber coking oven above the oven door. According to the invention, sealing elements (5) are connected to the door removing head (1) and, on both sides of an oven door (2) to be opened, can be displaced against front contact surfaces (6) of the horizontal chamber coking oven. Said sealing elements extend essentially over the entire height of the oven door (2) and into the suction area (4) of the suction hood, and they form a suction chamber (8) for door emissions when the oven door (2) is opened.

Abstract: A door lifting apparatus includes a frame and a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism includes a slide assembly and a lever assembly. The slide assembly includes a vertical bar, a door support beam supporting a plurality of door holders, and a horizontal bar that are movable together vertically up and down relative to the frame as the lever assembly is moved between a lifted position, an intermediate position, and a lowered position. The vertical bar is associated with a cam plate secured to the frame such that the vertical bar, and the door support beam and door secured thereto, pivots as the lever assembly is moved between the lifted and the lower position.

Abstract: A manhole cover remover, including an attachment; a support; a pivot arm having a proximal end hinged to the support and the pivot arm having a distal end; a connector joining the attachment to the distal end of the pivot arm; a winch joined to the distal end of the pivot arm; and a power source, the power source in operable communication with the winch and method of use including the steps of rotating a pivot arm down toward a manhole over; connecting the pivot arm to the manhole cover; and winching the pivot arm upward.

Abstract: A coke drum bottom head removal system and method for deheading the bottom head cover of a coke drum comprises a carriage that is positionable beneath the bottom head cover, and a cart mounted to the carriage. Several clamps vertically mounted to the cart are positionable in a closed position, in which the clamps apply a compressive force that maintains substantially fluid tight engagement between the bottom head cover and bottom head flange, and an opened position, in which the clamps allow a limited spacing between the bottom head cover and the bottom head flange. A plurality of supports mounted to the cart support the bottom head cover once the fasteners coupling the bottom head cover to the bottom head flange are removed and the clamps are in the opened position. The system can be remotely operated to enhance operator safety when the bottom head cover is removed.

Abstract: A system and method for portable lift, support, and/or installation is disclosed which permits and enables these various functions without the need for external crane/lift machinery. The system comprises a channel member (201) attaching means and associated capture fastener means (202, 205) connected to a stationary equipment support, an elevation lifting means (204) and associated fastener means (206) whereby the movement object to be lifted can be supported and/or elevated, and a swingarm retraction means (203) which connects the channel member (201) attaching means to the elevation lifting means (204) to permit removal and/or installation of the movement object to be lifted from/to the stationary equipment support.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for displacing a manhole cover from a manhole where the manhole cover includes an engaging surface. The portable apparatus includes a leg having a first end and a second end and a shaft attached to the first end of the leg such that the leg and the shaft define a fulcrum point for the device. A tool is pivotally attached to the leg wherein the tool engages the engaging surface of the manhole cover.

Abstract: A coupling system for the transfer of a flat object from a confinement box towards a processing unit for processing the flat object. The coupling system includes a first shutter, at least one second opening, a second shutter, and a third shutter associated with the second opening on a side facing the processing unit, and devices for releasing the first, second and third shutter, after coupling the transfer opening of the confinement box with the transfer opening of the processing unit, in order to allow the transfer of the object between the confinement box and the processing unit.

Abstract: An automated door removal and replacement system utilizes a combination of linear and rotational drive to remove a door of a wafer supporting device and store the door below the device. In one embodiment, the wafer-supporting device is a Front Opening Unified Pod (FOUP). A door-contacting assembly is pivotally mounted to include a horizontal rest position and a vertical unlocking position. In the horizontal rest position, the assembly resides below the wafer-supporting device. The assembly is rotated to a vertical position and then linearly moved to engage the door. Keys of the assembly are manipulated to release the door. The assembly and the door are moved rearwardly and the assembly is pivoted to the rest position, clearing the opening to the wafer-supporting device.