Abstract: A pallet mobilizer for engaging and moving an associated pallet on a support surface includes a first wheeled assembly including a first frame including a first receiver adapted to be engaged with a first edge of the associated pallet, and includes a second wheeled assembly including a second frame including a second receiver adapted to be engaged with a second edge of the associated pallet that is parallel to and spaced-apart from the first edge. The pallet mobilizer also includes a first side rail adapted to be located adjacent a third edge of the associated pallet, the first side rail connected to and extending between the first and second frames. The pallet mobilizer further includes a second side rail adapted to be located adjacent a fourth edge of the associated pallet, the second side rail connected to and extending between the first and second frames.

Abstract: An expandable wall shelter includes a body and a movable wall section connected to the body and movable between a retracted position and an extended position along a linear path. At least one linkage assembly is operably connected between the body and the movable wall section for operably and movably supporting the movable wall section relative to the body for movement of the movable wall section to and between its retracted and extended positions. The at least one linkage assembly includes: (i) an inner link including opposite inner and outer ends; and (ii) an outer link including opposite inner and outer ends, wherein: the inner end of the inner link is pivotally connected to the body; the said outer end of the outer link is pivotally connected to the movable wall section; and, the outer end of the inner link is pivotally connected to the inner end of the outer link. A linkage assembly for such a movable wall section is also provided.

Abstract: A shelter with electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection includes first and second panels including EMI protection connected by at least one of: (i) a hinged connection; (ii) a scissor joint connection. The hinged connection includes an EMI protected hinge including a first hinge leaf, a second hinge leaf, and a hinge joint. A flexible EMI protection covering extends across the hinge joint. The scissor joint connection includes a first joint portion connected to the first panel, a second joint portion connected to the second panel, and an EMI gasket located in an open channel of the first joint portion. Part of the first joint portion is received in a second open channel of the second joint portion and part of the second joint portion is received in the first open channel of the first joint portion and the gasket is compressed.

Abstract: A shelter with electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection includes first and second wall panels including EMI protection. The panels are connected by at least one of: (i) a hinged connection; (ii) a scissor joint connection. The hinged connection includes an EMI protected hinge that extends between the first and second panels and includes a first hinge leaf, a second hinge leaf, and a hinge joint. A flexible EMI protection covering extends across the hinge joint. The scissor joint connection includes a first hook connected to the first panel and a second hook connected to the second panel and an EMI gasket is located in an open channel of the first hook. Part of the first hook is received in a second open channel of the second hook and part of the second hook is received in the first open channel of the first hook and the gasket is compressed.

Abstract: A shelter with electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection includes first and second wall panels including EMI protection. The panels are connected by at least one of: (i) a hinged connection; (ii) a scissor joint connection. The hinged connection includes an EMI protected hinge that extends between the first and second panels and includes a first hinge leaf, a second hinge leaf, and a hinge joint. A flexible EMI protection covering extends across the hinge joint. The scissor joint connection includes a first hook connected to the first panel and a second hook connected to the second panel and an EMI gasket is located in an open channel of the first hook. Part of the first hook is received in a second open channel of the second hook and part of the second hook is received in the first open channel of the first hook and the gasket is compressed.

Abstract: A system for cushioning airdropped cargo includes a pallet supporting associated cargo. At least one lower inflatable impact attenuator in the form of a pneumatic cushion is positioned between the pallet and the cargo. A compression pad is positioned between the lower pneumatic cushion and the cargo. At least one upper pneumatic cushion is positioned atop the cargo. A parachute is connected by parachute rigging to the pallet.

Abstract: A system for cushioning airdropped cargo includes a pallet supporting associated cargo. At least one lower inflatable impact attenuator in the form of a pneumatic cushion is positioned between the pallet and the cargo. A compression pad is positioned between the lower pneumatic cushion and the cargo. At least one upper pneumatic cushion is positioned atop the cargo. A parachute is connected by parachute rigging to the pallet.

Abstract: An articulating frame for a shelter includes a plurality of struts pivotally connected to each other to define a skeletal structure that is adapted to be articulated between a folded condition and an erected condition. The skeletal structure in the erected condition includes a segmented arch that defines an interior space. The skeletal structure is adapted to support an associated outer shell covering. The frame includes at least one double-scissor linkage segment including four of the plurality of struts. The four struts include: (i) first and second struts each with opposite inner and outer ends, the first and second struts bring pivotally connected to each other at a first pivot point located between their respective inner and outer ends; and, (ii) third and fourth struts each with opposite inner and outer ends, the third and fourth struts being pivotally connected to each other at a second pivot point located between their respective inner and outer ends.

Abstract: A lightweight transportable containerized shelter includes wall panels made of a non-metal composite material coated at least on its inner face with a metal layer for EMI protection. The several wall panels are secured to a metal structural frame without the use of fasteners so as to define a containerized transportable shelter. The shelter meets ISO standards 668 and 1496. The shelter provides a continuous barrier to electromagnetic signals. Moreover, the containerized shelter is amenable to nine high stacking as required for ISO certification.

Abstract: An articulating frame for a shelter includes a plurality of struts pivotally connected to each other to define a skeletal structure that is adapted to be articulated between a folded condition and an erected condition. The skeletal structure in the erected condition includes a segmented arch that defines an interior space. The skeletal structure is adapted to support an associated outer shell covering. The frame includes at least one double-scissor linkage segment including four of the plurality of struts. The four struts include: (i) first and second struts each with opposite inner and outer ends, the first and second struts bring pivotally connected to each other at a first pivot point located between their respective inner and outer ends; and, (ii) third and fourth struts each with opposite inner and outer ends, the third and fourth struts being pivotally connected to each other at a second pivot point located between their respective inner and outer ends.

Abstract: A mechanical finger comprises a plurality of phalanges coupled to a single actuator using a kinematic linkage and a differential linkage arranged in parallel. The mechanical finger is capable of exhibiting consistent predictable motion when moving in free space or when contacting an object at the fingertip, and of curling in order to conform to an object when the contact is at other locations on the finger.

Abstract: A modular housing encloses a data center and a modular cooling system. The modular cooling system includes a modular cooling pallet on which cooling modules are installed. Each cooling module can have different cooling properties and may cool air to a different temperature than that of air cooled by other cooling modules. This can fulfill the different cooling needs among different computers that reside in the data center. The modular housing may also provide features that enable it to be quickly assembled at an operating site. The modular housing may comprise wall structures, roof structures, and a floor structure that are embedded with fastening features, which eliminates use of loose fasteners used for assembly. The floor structure may be made of rack pallets that provide wire ways through which connections can be routed, which simplifies the wiring process when assembling the modular housing on site.

Abstract: A connector for interlocking structures includes a first Y-shaped connector affixed to a portion of a first structure, a second Y-shaped connector affixed to a portion of a second structure. A loop-type engaging element is mounted on one of: (i) the inner faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors; (ii) the outer faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors. A hook-type engaging element mounted on the other of: (i) the inner faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors; (ii) the outer faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors. Each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors is selectively configurable to either a male configuration or a female configuration.

Abstract: A connector for interlocking structures includes a first Y-shaped connector affixed to a portion of a first structure, a second Y-shaped connector affixed to a portion of a second structure. A loop-type engaging element is mounted on one of: (i) the inner faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors; (ii) the outer faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors. A hook-type engaging element mounted on the other of: (i) the inner faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors; (ii) the outer faces of both the first and second arms of each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors. Each of the first and second Y-shaped connectors is selectively configurable to either a male configuration or a female configuration.

Abstract: A bidirectional power converter that can be used in an electric vehicle to perform AC to DC power conversion to charge the electric vehicle's battery and to perform DC to AC power conversion to export power to run external electrical loads is described. The bidirectional power converter may include an AC interface coupled to a cyclo-inverter circuit, and a DC interface coupled to a H-bridge circuit. The cyclo-inverter can be electrically coupled to the H-bridge circuit through a transformer. The bidirectional power converter may include a neutral terminal on the AC interface that is coupled to the transformer through a filtering inductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high degree of freedom control apparatus that includes a base attached to a strain gauge assembly movable in three orthogonal directions to provide signals indicative of a position of the strain gauge assembly relative to the base. An actuator assembly is supported on the base and movable by an operator's arm, hand, digit, or wrist relative to the base structure. The actuator assembly provides signals indicative of the position of the operator's arm, hand, digit or wrist in at least seven degrees of freedom relative to the base structure. The actuator assembly includes a wrist angle stage and a digit angle stage. The strain gauge assembly includes a spring plate and a load cell that is configured to provide a signal indicative of deflection of the load cell relative to the base.

Abstract: A joint assembly for releasably securing a first and a second segment of an associated modular limb is provided. The joint assembly includes a male connector including a base and a load bearing blade secured to the base of the male connector protruding therefrom. The male connector is adapted to be secured to one of the first and second segments of the associated modular limb. A female connector is provided and includes a base and a load bearing socket secured to the base of the female connector. The socket is configured to selectively receive the blade of the male connector. The female connector is adapted to be secured to the other of the first and second segments of the associated modular limb. A locking member selectively retains the blade of the male connector in the socket of the female connector. The male connector, the female connector, and the locking member cooperate to form a resilient and selectively releasable modular limb joint.

Abstract: A mechanical finger comprises a plurality of phalanges coupled to a single actuator using a kinematic linkage and a differential linkage arranged in parallel. The mechanical finger is capable of exhibiting consistent predictable motion when moving in free space or when contacting an object at the fingertip, and of curling in order to conform to an object when the contact is at other locations on the finger.

Abstract: A self-bracing shelter includes a frame and a skin. First and second subframes are arranged in vertical planes, each including first and second feet and a central portion. A ridge beam extends axially between the first and second subframes and includes opposite first and second ends that extend axially beyond the first and second subframes, respectively, such that the opposite ends of the beam are located outside a footprint of a planform defined by the feet of the subframes. A first pair of outer tension members is connected between the first end of the beam and the first subframe on opposite sides of the beam. A second pair of outer tension members is connected between the second end of the beam and the second subframe on opposite sides of the beam.

Abstract: A modular rotational electric actuator includes an output housing and internal drive components that include integrated control electronics, a torque sensor, and a portion of a joint assembly. The joint assembly includes a joint connector coupled to the internal drive components, including integrated control electronics, e.g., by a resilient member. The resilient member elastically couples the joint connector to a portion of the output housing, the joint connector including a portion that extends outward therefrom.