Abstract: A fastener delivery arrangement includes a cylindrical sleeve member having first and second ends and an elongated relief extending between outer and inner walls and at least partially between the first and second ends of the sleeve member and in communication with the second end of the sleeve member and configured to receive a plurality of fasteners therethrough, a ram member having a circular cross-section and slidably movable within an interior space between a first position where the ram member is removed from covering the relief and a second position where the ram member covers the relief, a feed assembly configured to provide fasteners to the interior space, a cylinder assembly configured to actuate the ram member between the first and second positions, and a fastener receiver configured to receive the fasteners forced from the interior space of the sleeve member.

Abstract: A tool changing system that includes a tool mount adapter and a tool holder. The tool mount adapter is configured to be attached to a tool and selectively engage and disengage a tool bit. The tool provides movement to the engaged tool bit to perform work on a workpiece. The tool holder is positioned in proximity to hold the tool bit when the tool bit is not engaged by the tool. The tool holder can also selectively engage and disengage the tool bit.

Abstract: This invention comprises a system and a method for inspecting the inside of delayed petroleum coking vessels to identify deformations, detect and determine the severity of other defects, and visually observe the inside of the inspected vessel.

Abstract: Lighting-invariant imaging produces consistent output for all weather conditions and all lighting conditions within a scene. Reflectivity values of objects are produced in real-time, non-real-time, or cloud processing based on radiance values of pixels and objects. Image vectors describing segmented objects are produced, and spatial attributes are added to produce scene vectors for objects. The lighting-invariant system performs object recognition for one or more images of a scene and can be used for both object identification and object motion determination based on vector representations of objects in the scene.

Abstract: An example apparatus to prevent side load in hydraulic override pumps includes a lever rotatably mounted to a support. The apparatus includes a pump cylinder rotatable about a first end of the pump cylinder. The apparatus also includes a pump rod operatively coupled to the lever to move within the pump cylinder based on rotation of the lever. The pump cylinder rotates when the pump rod moves within the pump cylinder.

Abstract: An electric-powered fail-safe actuator for use with a valve, where the actuator stores potential energy for conversion to kinetic energy to close or open the valve to the fail-safe position.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for automated capping and de-capping of test tubes (112) having an ejector pin (230) system for individualized cap (113) ejection.

Abstract: A case erector may operate in multiple modes. In a slotted-case mode, the case erector may accept and erect slotted cases, while various plunger-case erection components are deactivated. In a plunger-case mode, the case erector may accept and erect plunger cases, while various slotted-case erection components are deactivated.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to face identification of material. An image can be captured by a vision system and feature parameters determined and compared to a material feature database to determine which face of the material is being presented. The vision system can employ a set of parameters for configuration to acquire the image. The system can communicate the identification to downstream processes in real time. A near-universal, color agnostic, angular orientation independent identification of material faces can be determined without the need for physical manipulation of the material.

Abstract: A chemical trace detection system includes: a drift tube; a detector disposed within the drift tube; a voltage source to produce an electrical field in the drift tube; an ionizer to establish an ionization region adjacent to the electrical field; and a desorber including a sample holder to hold a sample in or adjacent to the ionization region and a sample heater to desorb particles of the sample held in the sample holder such that the desorbed particles are introduced directly into the ionization region from the sample holder to form ionized particles that are forced toward the detector by the electrical field. A regenerable dryer assembly for supplying dry drift gas to an ion mobility spectrometer is also provided that includes a regenerable desiccant material.

Abstract: A spatial model of a printed circuit board assembly is generated based on an input file. The spatial model is used to determine a spatial feature not directly specified in the input file. A manufacturing parameter is determined based at least in part on the determined spatial feature. A proposal to manufacture the printed circuit board assembly is generated programmatically based at least in part on the determined manufacturing parameter.

Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.

Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.

Abstract: A motor brush quick change assembly that includes brush units and electrical spring contacts. The brush units include a carrier with a housing and a brush. The electrical spring contacts are connected to an electrical device. Each of the brush units is configured to be removably attached to the electrical device to contact one of the electrical spring contacts. The brush unit thus provide for both a mechanical and electrical connection to the electrical device. The brush units are configured to prevent the need for separate electrical leads that require separate attachment and detachment to the electrical device. This design provides for straight-forward removal and replacement that can be performed by a robotic device or an operator.

Abstract: A linear actuator with an adjustable stroke length. The linear actuator includes a main rod that moves along a linear stroke length. At least one end of the stroke length is defined by a limit switch. The linear actuator includes an adjustment mechanism which is configured to allow a user to change the stroke length of the device by moving the limit switch without having to open the linear actuator.

Abstract: Systems and methods to manipulate stacks of silicon wafers and rings are described. In one aspect, a robotic actuator includes a robotic end effector that further a first surface having multiple attached wafer suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a silicon wafer. The robotic end effector also includes a second surface that further includes multiple attached ring suction cups arranged to collectively grasp a ring. The second surface also includes a bulk grabber positionable to grasp a collective stack of rings. The robotic actuator also includes an axial actuator configured to rotate the robotic end effector about a flip axis, such that either the first surface or the second surface faces vertically upwards.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands about a garment opening. In one example, among others, a sleeve band can be attached to a garment by loading the sleeve band on a band guide, aligning an opening of a garment over the sleeve band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening. Alignment of the edges of the opening and the sleeve band can be maintained by ply aligners during attachment. In another example, a garment holding system includes a garment holder that can receive a garment and a band positioning system includes a band guide that can receive a band. Edges of the opening of the garment and the band can be controlled and maintained with ply aligners of the band positioning system.

Abstract: A capping and de-capping apparatus (100) for capping and de-capping tubes (112) disposed in a tube holding rack (111) having a two-dimensional array of apertures (114) for holding the tubes (112). The apparatus (100) comprises a rack support (110) for supporting the tube holding rack (111), a head unit (120) adapted for carrying a cartridge (152) comprising at least one capping and de-capping gripper (122), a drive system (130) for moving the rack support (110) and the head unit (120) relatively towards and away from one another, in order to cause engagement or disengagement of the capping and de-capping gripper (122) with or from a cap (113) of at least one tube (112), and a drive system (140) for rotating the capping and de-capping gripper (122), wherein rotation in one direction causes attachment of the cap (113) to the tube (112) and rotation in the opposite direction causes detachment of the cap (113) from said tube (112).

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands such as, e.g., collar or neck bands, sleeve bands, wrist bands, waist bands and ankle bands, etc. to a garment opening. In one example, among others, a band can be attached to a garment by loading the band between rollers in a joining position, positioning an opening of a garment extending between control surface mandrels over the band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening.