Abstract: A spool unloading device comprising: a spindle; a first bulk spool of material is mounted on the spindle, wherein the spindle is rotatably controlled to dispense the material; a series of pulleys for receiving the unspooled material such that a variable length of the material is stored within the device before exiting the device to an upstream equipment; and a drive mechanism for indexing the unspooled material exiting the spool unloading machine at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A self-contained, low-cost, low-weight guidance system for vehicles is provided. The guidance system can include an optical camera, a case, a processor, a connection between the processor and an on-board control system, and computer algorithms running on the processor. The guidance system can be integrated with a vehicle control system through “plug and play” functionality or a more open Software Development Kit. The computer algorithms re-create 3D structures as the vehicle travels and continuously updates a 3D model of the environment. The guidance system continuously identifies and tracks terrain, static objects, and dynamic objects through real-time camera images. The guidance system can receive inputs from the camera and the onboard control system. The guidance system can be used to assist vehicle navigation and to avoid possible collisions. The guidance system can communicate with the control system and provide navigational direction to the control system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic management of energy usage in local grids are provided. An example method is performed by a load distribution controller coupled to a power source and an energy storage device configured to accumulate power. The method includes acquiring reference levels of using energy of the power source at time slots within a time period and cost values corresponding to the reference levels, dynamically determining, based on the reference levels and the cost values, a schedule indicating charge levels of the energy storage device at the time slots within the time period, and configuring the energy storage device to charge or discharge the power the power according to the schedule. The reference levels are obtained using the Viterbi algorithm based on costs of the energy of power source at past times slots of a past time period and rates of charging and discharging the energy storage device.

Abstract: An Artificial Intelligence (AI) multi-frame imaging System on Chip (SoC) incorporates in-pixel embedded analog image processing by performing analog image computation within a multi-frame image pixel. In embodiments, each in-pixel processing element includes a photodetector, photodetector control circuitry with at least three analog sub-frame storage elements, analog circuitry configured to process both neighbor-in-space and neighbor-in-time functions for analog data, and a set of north-east-west-south (NEWS) registers, each register interconnected between a unique pair of neighboring in-pixel processing elements to transfer analog data between the pair of neighboring in-pixel processing elements. In embodiments, the in-pixel embedded analog image processing device takes advantage of high parallelism because each pixel has its own processor, and takes advantage of locality of data because all data is located within a pixel or within a neighboring pixel.

Abstract: A squeegee blade holder system is disclosed that includes a squeegee blade holder comprising a first elongated recess on a front side of the squeegee blade holder for receiving a pivoting clamp bar in communication with a squeegee blade, and a second elongated recess on the front side of the squeegee blade holder for receiving a push bar for urging the pivoting clamp bar to capture the squeegee blade between the pivoting clamp bar and the front side of the squeegee blade holder.

Abstract: A method for controlling a dispensing system is provided, including the steps of dispensing, by a dispensing device, a coating material onto a substrate according to a first dispensing operation, inspecting, by an inspection device integrated with the dispensing device, the coating material applied to the first substrate, and altering the first dispensing operation based on the inspecting so that the coating material is dispensed onto a subsequent substrate according to a second dispensing operation. An associated coating machine is also provided.

Abstract: In various embodiments communications latency and/or bandwidth of a communications connection between a device being controlled a remote operator workstation being used to control the device is measured. One or more parameters of the system, e.g., operator control stations and/or the device, e.g., robotic device, being remotely controlled, e.g., teleoperated, are altered in response to one or more of: i) communications latency, ii) communications bandwidth, iii) a task to be performed; and/or iv) environmental conditions. By changing such parameters, things such as maximum speed of device operation, a maximum acceleration or a maximum rate of movement of a device element such as forks of a forklift the device can be controlled or limited. The changing of parameters takes into consideration one, more or all of: i) communications latency, ii) communications bandwidth, iii) a task to be performed; and/or iv) environmental conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon. The extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum. Still other aspects of the invention provide a transport system, e.g.

Abstract: A parking system including a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), a bay, and a controller. The controller is configured to send instruction to an AGV to move into the bay to receive a target vehicle in response to receiving a parking reservation from a user device, send instruction to the AGV to navigate the target vehicle to a target parking space, and send instruction to at least a subset of the AGVs to rearrange the target vehicle based on a pick up time indicated in the parking reservation.

Abstract: A system includes a frame with a back rail and a ground rail. The back rail and the ground rail are positioned transverse to each other. A guide is attached to the ground rail. A sliding tilt loader apparatus includes a bucket; a chute; and a first pivot mechanism attached to a first end of a rear portion of the bucket. The first pivot mechanism is to translate along the guide. A second pivot mechanism is attached to a second end of the rear portion of the bucket. Rotation of the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism coincide with tilting of the chute and the bucket causing the chute to angularly rotate and align with the bucket upon the chute and bucket reaching a completed tilt position.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly is disclosed for use in a solder paste printing system. The squeegee assembly includes an elongated primary blade holder holding a primary blade adapted for movement in a first direction, and one or more secondary blades mounted to the primary blade holder in a following position with respect to the first direction of movement of the primary blade.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to end effectors for use in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. In one example, among others, a compliant perimeter end effector includes a mounting bracket having a contact mounting flange, a plurality of compliant material contact elements coupled about a perimeter of the contact mounting flange. The mounting bracket can couple to a manipulator including, e.g., an industrial robot or other manipulation assembly. The compliant material contact elements can include a contact interface that can engage with a piece of material. The compliant material contact elements can precisely transfer material on a workspace with surface irregularities while equally distributing force to the material.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides for reflective materials, articles and methods incorporating a mesh arrangement of multiple, discrete retroreflective canted cube corner reflectors each having generally flat incident surfaces and high transparency, with a geometry and a refractive index ratio sufficiently high enough to produce a high degree of total internal reflection (TIR) that results in anisotropic retroreflectivity.

Abstract: A box erecting device and method has two rails and two platforms upon moveable clips that provide for a wide range of product sizes and configurations. The rails begin near each other then widen apart along their length. The two rails extend from a fore upright downward and outward to a cross member. The two platforms include a middle member and an aft upright. A spine connects to the fore upright, the middle member, the cross member, and the aft upright. A fore leg and a mutually parallel aft leg descend from the spine to their baseplates. The baseplates attach to a supporting surface. The rails extend below the elevation of the spine and below the aft member. The components of the invention connect with mechanical clips inserted into slots upon the components. Installation, adjustment, and maintenance of the device utilizes hand tools.

Abstract: A parking system including a plurality of trays, a plurality of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) configured to transport the plurality of trays, a plurality of bays, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a bay configuration ratio based on collected parking data, each bay being configured into one of an insert-ready state and a retrieve-ready state in accordance with the bay configuration ratio. When a bay is in the insert-ready state, a tray is placed within the bay and an outward-facing door of the bay is in an open position. When a bay is in the retrieve-ready state, the outward-facing door of the bay is in a closed position, an inward-facing door of the bay is in an open position, and no tray is positioned within the bay.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclose a rotary die cutting apparatus including a rotatable first cylinder, a rotatable second cylinder positioned in proximity to the first cylinder to compress and permit cutting and/or creasing of a corrugated article when the corrugated article passes between the first and second cylinders, a pivot arm on which the second cylinder is mounted and configured for pivotal movement to thereby move the second cylinder mounted thereon relative to the first cylinder, and a displacement actuator operatively connected to the pivot arm to control the pivotal movement of the pivot arm. Other embodiments disclose a method for controlling movement of a second cylinder relative to a first cylinder.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling the contact force in a single-axis, force-controlled tool responsive to dynamic process variables such as tool orientation relative to the workpiece, curvature of the workpiece wear of the abrasive media and other dynamic process variables that are not otherwise controlled by a single-axis, force-controlled actuator. A control system includes sensors for determining a contact force between the tool and the workpiece along a single-axis of compliance, and one or more additional process parameters, such as an overturning moment on the tool due to the orientation of the workpiece and surface curvature, torque about an axis of rotation of the tool, etc. The control circuit uses the measurement of these additional parameters are used to determine the control force between the tool and the workpiece.

Abstract: A plurality of generators redundantly supply power to AC motors via a main DC bus system having a pair of buses, each of which is connected to each generator by an active front end (AFE) inverter containing an insulated-gate bipolar transistor. Isolated DC/AC inverters are connected to the pair of main buses in pairs, respectively. Each pair of the isolated DC/AC inverters is connected to one of the AC motors with a filter of capacitors and inductors between each inverter and the motor. The AFE inverters and isolated DC/AC inverters galvanically isolate the main buses and enable load sharing among the generators.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer includes master and tool assemblies that are coupled by urging a plurality of rolling members contained in openings in the master assembly into contact with a bearing race contained in the tool assembly. Accumulations of debris in and around the contact points between the rolling members and bearing race are permitted to escape via a series of debris passages formed between the rolling members and the openings when the master and tool assemblies are coupled.