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: 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 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 step for an elevating platform, the step including a top flange, a bottom flange, and a transition; the step configured to insert into a cutout in the platform sidewall. The bottom flange is configured to contact an outer surface of the platform sidewall when the top flange contacts an inner surface of the sidewall, thereby placing all of the contact areas between the step and the platform under compression when force is applied to the step.

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 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: 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: Systems, methods, assemblies, and devices for monitoring and controlling a battery notification system for an electric utility vehicle. A battery level and vehicle range may be determined and monitored over time. A notification may be generated including information indicative of the battery level and vehicle range to thereby prevent electrical operations from draining the battery level below a predetermined threshold while the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A rib for an elevating platform, the rib designed and configured to insert through a slot in the sidewall of the elevating platform. The rib includes an internal rib component and an external rib component, wherein each of the components include at least an arm and a stem. The rib is operable to support an external load, such as an attached apparatus.

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: A mounting rib for an elevating platform, the rib designed and configured to insert through a slot in the sidewall of the elevating platform. The rib is composed of a T-shaped and two L-shaped components, wherein the T-shaped component inserts through the slot and the L-shaped components are attached on the exterior of the platform. Also, a corner-mounted rib for an elevating platform.

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 aerial device for operating on energized powerlines is disclosed. Embodiments of the current disclosure relate to a slew drive system for an aerial device. In some embodiments, the slew drive system provides leveling and jerk mitigation to an aerial platform of the aerial device. Various sensors may be disposed on an aerial device boom, on the slew drive, and on the aerial platform, for obtaining data indicative of a state of the aerial device. The data indicative of the state of the aerial device may be used to control the slew drive with various hydraulic valves and motors to level the aerial platform and mitigate/eliminate jerk. The systems and methods described herein provide a comfortable riding experience for aerial line workers in the aerial platform and maintain a level state of the aerial platform across a wide range of boom angles including at extreme ends of the boom assembly.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for current monitoring and power control for utility vehicles are disclosed. A control device for directing current to utility vehicle auxiliary devices, such as an inverter and a front bumper winch, may be coupled to the utility vehicle battery. The control device may have an input terminal for coupling to the utility vehicle battery and one or more output terminals coupled to the utility vehicle auxiliary devices. The input terminal may receive current from the battery. The control device may control the flow of current to each of the output terminals. Sensors may detect the current flowing through the control device to detect if either a low current short or a high current short may occur, and corrective action may be taken in response to detecting an abnormal current.

Abstract: A modular subbase may comprise an upper surface, a longitudinal supporting structure coupled to the upper surface, one or more outrigger boxes coupled to the longitudinal supporting structure and the upper surface. The longitudinal supporting structure may comprise a wide sheet of metal comprising two upwardly-facing arms and a medial section adapted to be lightweight and to provide structural support to the upper surface. The longitudinal supporting structure and upper surface may comprise struts configured to prevent buckling of the medial section and the upper surface The modular subbase may be configured to couple to one or more modular bodies. The modular bodies may couple directly to the upper surface. A boom-arm pedestal for operating a boom-arm may be integrated into the upper surface and may be structurally supported by the modular subbase.

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: An aerial device for operating on energized powerlines is disclosed. The aerial device may have a boom assembly with a lower, electrically non-insulating boom section coupled to an upper, electrically insulating boom section. The lower and upper boom sections may be coupled by a pinned connection that utilizes structural collars and structural pins to handle loads applied to the upper boom section. The upper boom section may articulate relative to the lower boom section using a 4-bar mechanism employing a split pivot pin that enables a greater range of motion for the articulation. A modular sled that can be coupled to various boom assemblies is also disclosed.

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.