Abstract: An aerial lift platform includes a door having one or more insulating liner layers. The door of the aerial lift platform is tightly bonded to a rim of an opening of an aerial lift platform by at least one nonconductive fastener, such that the one or more insulating liner layers of the door are tightly bonded to at least one insulting liner of the aerial lift platform, such that a complete insulating liner is formed around both the aerial lift platform and the door. The one or more insulating liner layers of the door are able to be connected to one or more attachments via one or more nonconductive fasteners.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: Mounting plates for elevating platforms, including a mounting apparatus with interior and exterior reinforcement components elongated vertically. The interior reinforcement piece includes an embedded bolt that extends from the interior reinforcement piece, through a wall of the platform, and through the exterior reinforcement component. The interior and exterior reinforcement components have a stepped construction to convert peel stress to shear stress.

Abstract: Rotary tools for operating on energized power lines are described herein. The rotary tool may be used to manipulate wire ties wrapped around the conductors and to clean the conductors. The rotary tool may comprise a planetary gear set. A ring gear may comprise a receiving portion through which an end of the wire tie is received and, as the ring gear rotates, the wire tie is fed through the receiving portion and unwound about the conductor. A spring-loaded rod assembly may also be used, having a rod that is kept proximal to the conductor by the spring. The rod may be inserted between the conductor and the wire tie and rotated along with the ring gear to unwind the wire tie. The rod may comprise wire bristles to abrade corrosive material off the conductor. The rotary tool may be remotely operated by a robotic unit.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcements and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: A control input apparatus for operating an aerial lift system includes a control lever assembly that has at least one control lever and at least one position sensor. The at least one position sensor may indicate a position and/or a movement of the at least one control lever. The control input apparatus additionally incudes a control input element actuatable over a movement range from a non-actuated position to a fully-actuated position, and at least one interlock sensor that releases an interlock corresponding to the control lever assembly upon the control input element being actuated at least to an actuation threshold position located between the non-actuated position and the fully-actuated position. Upon the control input element being actuated at least to the actuation threshold position, the control input apparatus provides control inputs corresponding to the position and/or the movement of the control lever indicated by the at least one position sensor.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a cross-arm phase-lifter for lifting and maneuvering a utility pole cross-arm without the need to remove the energized power lines from the cross-arm. A first embodiment of the cross-arm phase-lifter may comprise a set of clamps, clamping members, and actuators. When the actuators are driven, the clamping members may secure the clamps onto the cross-arm. Once the clamps are secured, the cross-arm may be lifted and suspended in air. A second embodiment may comprise a lifting plate comprising a plurality of pegs configured to interface with brackets on the cross-arm. When the pegs are engaged with the brackets, the cross-arm may be lifted and suspended in air.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.

Abstract: A spacer-locator with integrated locator pins and spacer tabs for use in joining applications. The spacer-locator provides consistent and accurate spacing between mating surfaces and the locator pins provide enhanced location control of the joining components while providing a mechanical advantage to the shear strength at the joint. Also, a spacer-locator for joining at least two objects along mating surfaces, the spacer-locator constraining at least two degrees of freedom for the objects to be joined.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: Mounting plates for elevating platforms, including a mounting apparatus with interior and exterior reinforcement components elongated vertically. The interior reinforcement piece includes an embedded bolt that extends from the interior reinforcement piece, through a wall of the platform, and through the exterior reinforcement component. The interior and exterior reinforcement components have a stepped construction to convert peel stress to shear stress.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative aerial robotics for working in an aerial work environment. In some embodiments, a robot system may comprise a robot unit comprising high-dexterity manipulators for performing high-dexterity work. The robot system may further comprise a high-capacity manipulator for performing high-capacity work. The robot system may comprise a plurality of sensors for detecting the work environment and providing a representative work environment to an operator and/or a controller for operation of the robot system to complete the aerial work. The robot system may be remotely operated by an operator, automatically, and/or autonomously. The robot system may be disposed at the top of a boom of an aerial device for performing work in high-voltage areas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling motion of remotely operated equipment such that a motion path is automatically determined for a plurality of joints of the remotely operated equipment based on an updated target position input received from an operator, a current position of the remotely operated equipment, and predetermined parameters indicative of the geometry of the plurality of joints. An optimized motion path may be provided that avoids detected obstacles and joint singularities of the remotely operated equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tensioning an electrical cable adapted to be manipulated by one or more remotely operated robotic appendages. Tensioners mounted to a rigid object configured to adjust the tension of a connecting line attached to an electrical cable such that the tension of the connecting line is applied to a length of the electrical cable such that another portion of the electrical cable becomes slack, thereby allowing one or more robotic appendages to remove, replace, repair, or conduct any alteration or modification to said electrical cable or to a rigid object that supports the electrical cable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.

Abstract: A spacer-locator with integrated locator pins and spacer tabs for use in joining applications. The spacer-locator provides consistent and accurate spacing between mating surfaces and the locator pins provide enhanced location control of the joining components while providing a mechanical advantage to the shear strength at the joint. Also, a spacer-locator for joining at least two objects along mating surfaces, the spacer-locator constraining at least two degrees of freedom for the objects to be joined.

Abstract: An integrally formed aerial support platform is described herein. The aerial support platform is formed from a thermoplastic composite including continuous reinforcement fibers, allowing the aerial support platform to be formed in one piece via compression molding, thereby decreasing the time and effort needed to produce each aerial support platform. An aerial support platform having increased longevity and increased stiffness-to-weight ratio is therefore produced. Furthermore, described is a process for producing an aerial support platform that substantially reduces the amount of volatile organic compound emissions and demonstrates improved recyclability when compared to traditional thermoset composite platforms.