Abstract: A system includes a hoist drive mechanism that elevates and lowers a load hook from a boom and a detector that provides obstacle location and identification information. A processor receives the obstacle location and identification information from the detector and provides obstacle avoidance data in response thereto.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for monitoring a level of product in a reservoir of a chemical dispensing system. A lid configured to engage an opening of a container includes a level sensor having a transceiver that transmits an output signal and receives a portion of the output signal reflected back to the transceiver. The level sensor determines an amount of the product in the container by comparing a characteristic of the reflected signal, such as time the reflected signal was received, to the characteristic of the output signal, such as the time the output signal was transmitted. The level sensor may also determine the size of the container based on the reflected signal, and take this size into account when determining the amount of product in the container. The level sensor transmits product level data to a mobile device in response to receiving an interrogation signal therefrom.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which H vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software program products for dispensing chemical solutions. A controller receives a signal from a pressure sensor indicative of a pressure of a diluent. The controller determines an expected flow rate of the diluent through an eductor based at least in part on the pressure of the diluent. The controller may further determine an expected concentration of a chemical product in the solution dispensed from a discharge port of the eductor. Based on the expected flow rated and concentration of the chemical product, the controller determines a duration of a dispense stage of a dispensing operation required to dispense a predetermined dose of the chemical product. The controller then causes the diluent to flow through the eductor for the determined duration of the dispense stage. A check valve on the output of the eductor prevents dissimilar chemicals from mixing and reduces a response time of the eductor.

Abstract: A power clamp includes a body. A piston assembly is coupled with the body. The piston assembly includes an actuation mechanism and a movable piston rod. A linkage is housed in the body. The linkage is movably coupled with the piston rod. A plunger is movably coupled with the linkage. A clamp hook is coupled with the plunger for clamping a workpiece. The linkage moves the clamp hook between a release and clamping position.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a housing configured to receive a liquid supply cartridge, and a reservoir disposed in the housing that holds a volume of the product. The reservoir includes an access port for receiving the liquid supply cartridge and placing the liquid supply cartridge and the reservoir in communication. A dosing tank is connected to the reservoir and configured to hold a metered volume of the product. A control valve is movable between an opened position and a closed position, wherein when the control valve is in the opened position, product in the dosing tank is permitted to flow from the liquid dispenser and product flow from the reservoir to the dosing tank is prevented, and when the control valve is in the closed position, product in the dosing tank is prevented from flowing from the liquid dispenser and product flow from the reservoir to the dosing tank is permitted.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A port assembly (100) is generally disclosed that has an annular port ring (110) configured for placement in a barrier wall (10). The annular port ring (110) defines a port opening (20) extending from a first end (22) to a second end (24) and an annular sealing surface (118) about the port opening (20) on the second end (24). A port cover (120) is mechanically coupleable to the annular port ring (110). The port cover (120) defines an annular mating surface (124) configured to couple to the annular sealing surface (118) of the annular port ring (110). A manually actuatable handle (130) is in mechanical communication with the port cover (120). The handle (130) extends from the first end (22) of the annular port ring (110) away from the second end (24).

Abstract: A portable chemical dispenser for dispensing a chemical with a diluent includes a valve housing having a valve with an opened position and a closed position, an eductor housing coupled to the valve housing and including one or more eductors, and a nozzle coupled to the eductor housing and configured to direct the flow of a chemical solution to a receptacle, wherein the joint between the valve housing and the eductor housing permits relative rotations between the two housings. The portable chemical dispenser may also be devoid of metering elements that control the dosing of the chemical. A method of using the portable chemical dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A remote arm for a manipulator is disclosed, which has a boom tube having a distal end and housing a mechanical communication chain. A floating gearbox assembly is coupled to the boom tube and has an outer framework rigidly coupled to the distal end of the boom tube. An inner framework is retained by the outer framework and is rotatable relative to the outer framework. A drive gear is disposed in the inner framework, which is in mechanical communication with the mechanical communication chain. A wrist joint has a wrist joint housing and an output gear is disposed in the wrist joint housing, where the wrist joint housing is configured to detachably couple to the outer framework. The output gear is configured to mechanically communicate with the drive gear when the wrist joint housing is coupled to the outer framework.

Abstract: A reciprocating gas compressor valve having a plurality of clusters of kidney shaped holes positioned along a common circular or annular locus in the main body and a sealing element with a top portion, a bottom portion and a tubular section. The tubular section is integrally connected to the top portion and bottom portion. In an open position, a flow pathway is provided through the clusters of kidney shaped holes and the tubular section and the bottom profile abuts a stop surface of the valve. In a closed position, the top profile abuts the seat for sealing gas flow within the valve.

Abstract: A swing clamp includes a body with a first end and second end. The body defines a bore through the first end and a cavity at the second end. The bore is in communication with the cavity. A plunger is slidably and rotatably held in the body bore. A lever is pivotally connected to the second end. A link arm pivotally connects between the plunger and the lever. A housing includes an attachment portion and a cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion includes a bore to enable passage of the plunger. A groove is formed in an inner surface of the bore. The groove guides a pin coupled with the plunger. A clamp finger is secured on the end of the plunger. The clamp finger rotates as the plunger is moved in the bore.

Abstract: A modular gripper has a body with a trident section and cylindrical section. A powering assembly is positioned in the cylindrical section. A pair of oppositing jaws is pivotally secured between a center wall and a pair of side wall, respectively, of the trident section. The piston rod moves a cam assembly on the center wall. The cam assembly passes through a body having a trident section and cylindrical section. The trident section comprises a trident structure that includes, at one end, a pair of side walls along with a center wall. The cylindrical section includes a fluid driven powering assembly. A pair of opposing jaw member are pivotally secured to the trident portion about separate pivot pins. A cam assembly is operatively connected to a piston rod of the fluid driven powering assembly. The cam assembly extends laterally outward with respect to a cylinder bore axis to receive a cam bush that engages with a through slot on each of the pair of opposing jaw members.

Abstract: A manipulator command handle (147, 230, 330) comprising a handle framework (232, 332), a first cable (250, 350) having a first end (252, 352) and a second end, wherein the second end of the first cable is coupled to the handle framework, a first coupler block (241, 341) coupled to the first end of the first cable and a connector configured to reversibly couple to an output shaft (224, 322) of a manipulator wrist joint.

Abstract: A tool changer 30 with a master half 32 and tool half 34. Mating member 60, 138 enables the master half 32 and tool half to mesh with one another. A securing mechanism has a clasp 70 and a cam 72. The clasps 70 move between a release position and a grasping position. In the grasping position, the master 32 and tool halves 34 are secured together with one another. The cam 72 moves the clasps 70 between the release and grasping positions. From a release position, the master half 32 engages the tool half 34. The master half 32 moves horizontally with respect to the tool half 34. This, in turn, moves the cam 72 from its release position to its grasping position. In the grasping position, the clasps 70 grasp the tool half 34, the cam locks 72 in its grasping position and the master 32 and tool 34 halves secure with one another.

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A plunger clamp has a body defining a bore with a plunger slidably held in the body bore. A lever is pivotally connected with the body. A link arm pivotally connects between the plunger and lever. A catch mechanism is coupled with the body. A latch mechanism is coupled with the lever. The catch mechanism and latch mechanism couple with one another to lock the plunger in a first clamped position and in a second released position.

Abstract: A modular gripper has a body with a trident section and cylindrical section. A powering assembly is positioned in the cylindrical section. A pair of oppositing jaws is pivotally secured between a center wall and a pair of side wall, respectively, of the trident section. The clevis cam driver with piston rod moves a cam assembly on the centre wall slot. The cam assembly passes through a body having a trident section and cylindrical section. The trident section comprises a trident structure that includes, at one end, a pair of side walls along with a center wall. The cylindrical section includes a fluid driven powering assembly. A pair of opposing jaw member are pivotally secured to the trident portion about separate pivot pins. A cam assembly is operatively connected to a piston rod of the fluid driven powering assembly. The cam assembly extends laterally outward with respect to a cylinder bore axis to receive a cam bush that engages with a through slot on each of the pair of opposing jaw members.

Abstract: A reciprocating gas compressor valve having a plurality of clusters of kidney shaped holes positioned along a common circular or annular locus in the main body and a sealing element with a top portion, a bottom portion and a tubular section. The tubular section is integrally connected to the top portion and bottom portion. In an open position, a flow pathway is provided through the clusters of kidney shaped holes and the tubular section and the bottom profile abuts a stop surface of the valve. In a closed position, the top profile abuts the seat for sealing gas flow within the valve.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software program products for dispensing chemical solutions. A controller receives a signal from a pressure sensor indicative of a pressure of a diluent. The controller determines an expected flow rate of the diluent through an eductor based at least in part on the pressure of the diluent. The controller may further determine an expected concentration of a chemical product in the solution dispensed from a discharge port of the eductor. Based on the expected flow rated and concentration of the chemical product, the controller determines a duration of a dispense stage of a dispensing operation required to dispense a predetermined dose of the chemical product. The controller then causes the diluent to flow through the eductor for the determined duration of the dispense stage. A check valve on the output of the eductor prevents dissimilar chemicals from mixing and reduces a response time of the eductor.