Abstract: An example system includes a nozzle having an inlet: an outlet mechanism disposed longitudinally adjacent to the nozzle; a conduit longitudinally adjacent to the outlet mechanism where the conduit includes a distal chamber, a middle chamber, and a proximal chamber, that; are longitudinally disposed along a length of the conduit; a partition block configured to move between (i) a first position at which the partition block: is disposed laterally adjacent to the middle chamber, such that the partition block is offset from a longitudinal axis of the conduit, and (ii) a second position at which the partition block resides in the middle chamber between the distal chamber and the proximal chamber; and a deceleration structure disposed at a proximal, end of the conduit and bounding the proximal chamber, where the deceleration structure is configured to decelerate fruit feat has traversed the conduit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 2018
Date of Patent:
January 3, 2023
Assignee:
Abundant Robots, Inc.
Inventors:
Curt Salisbury, Daniel C. Steere, Michael Eriksen, Cedric Schwab
Abstract: An example system includes a vacuum generating device, a robotic arm, and a harvesting device coupled to the robotic arm. The harvesting device includes an end-effector having an inlet; a vacuum tube coupled to the inlet of the end-effector and to the vacuum generating device, where the vacuum generating device is configured to generate a vacuum environment in the vacuum tube; an outlet mechanism coupled to the vacuum tube; and a deceleration structure configured to decelerate fruit that has traversed at least a portion of the vacuum environment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 20, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 28, 2022
Assignee:
Abundant Robots, Inc.
Inventors:
Curt Salisbury, Daniel C. Steere, Michael Eriksen, Cedric Schwab