Abstract: A delivery robot includes: an inner box provided with a receiving space whose upper part is opened; a hinge bracket fixed to one side of the inner box; an actuator placed on one side of the inner box and configured to lift the rod up and down; a rail arranged vertically outside the inner box; a cover assembly partially connected to the rod, installed on the hinge bracket, and configured to rotate around a first axis according to a lifting operation of the rod to open an upper part of the inner box; a tray placed in a receiving space of the inner box; a lift wheel unit fixed to the tray and configured to move up and down along the rail; a first link installed on the lift wheel unit to rotate around the second axis; and a second link whose one side is connected to the first link to rotate around a third axis and whose other side is connected to the cover assembly to rotate around a fourth axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods can prevent or reduce jerk during operation of a materials-handling vehicle that is unloaded or carrying a load. The vehicle comprises one or more user input devices configured to receive from an operator a request to perform an action and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, before performing the action requested by the operator, a force acting on the load carried by the materials-handling vehicle as a result of the action requested by the operator. The processor determines whether the force would result in a jerk if the action is performed as requested. If it is determined that the force would result in a jerk, the action is modified so as to reduce the force. If it is determined that the force would not result in a jerk, the materials-handling vehicle performs the action as requested by the operator without modification to reduce the force.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: A system for loading and unloading containers of items from transport vehicles and moving containers of items to and from desired locations using automated robots are disclosed. The system includes one or more automated robots, a base station, and one or more vehicle-based systems. The automated robots are configured to move to, lift, and carry containers of items. The base station is configured to coordinate the movements of the automated robots. The vehicle-based systems are associated with transport vehicles and configured to communicate information about containers on the transport vehicles to the base station or automated robots. The vehicle-based systems may call the one or more automated robots to automatically load or unload the transport vehicles.

Abstract: A method of unloading a structure including a plurality of linear actuators includes extending the plurality of linear actuators to support the structure on the plurality of linear actuators at a first location, retracting the plurality of linear actuators to lower the structure onto one or more crawlers, and sending instructions to the one or more crawlers, receipt of the instructions causing the one or more crawlers to travel across a first surface to carry the structure from the first location to a second location.

Abstract: A loadlock apparatus includes a loadlock chamber including a first opening and a second opening separated in a vertical direction; a first slit valve including a first valve plate configured to move between a first open position where the first opening is open and a first closed position where the first opening is closed, the first open position being a position moved downward from the first closed position; and a second slit valve including a second valve plate configured to move between a second open position where the second opening is open and a second closed position where the second opening is closed, the second open position being a position moved upward from the second closed position.

Abstract: A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle, the crossbar extending in a lateral direction from a centerline to a distal tip, and an L-arm rotatably coupled to the crossbar at a proximal end of the L-arm and configured to rotate about a rotation axis from an engaged position to a stowed position. As the L-arm rotates from the engaged position to the stowed position, the L-arm intersects with a line parallel to the rotation axis and passing through the distal tip of the crossbar. In the stowed position, an entirety of the L-arm is positioned closer than the distal tip of the crossbar to the centerline of the crossbar in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A self-driven carriage (2) stores and accesses containers (4) in a storage rack arrangement (3) and includes a first wheel set (37) driving along a first axis (x) and a second wheel set (43) driving along a second axis (y) transverse to the first axis (x). At least one of the wheel sets is essentially vertically movable between a driving position and an idle position. A lower one of the wheel sets is in the driving position and the upper one of the wheel sets is in the idle position. The carriage includes a support surface (39) that carries a bottom surface of the container and a centering and securing system, centering and securing a container on the support surface, and including engaging elements movable in opposite directions between an idle position and a securing position in which the engaging elements engage the container.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a mobile base assembly and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly includes wedge blocks, each of which is pivotably connected to a front edge of the mobile base assembly and pivotable along a hinge axis. During an operation of the robotic system, at least a portion of the wedge blocks may be slid under the boxes to lift the boxes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo loader comprising a tractor assembly and a vertical adjustment assembly carried by the tractor assembly. The vertical adjustment assembly comprises a base, a deck platform linked to the base by a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is configured to retract and extend in a vertical direction such that a height of the deck platform varies between a retracted height and an extended height. The vertical assembly further comprises an attachment. The attachment is interchangeably and removably coupled to the deck platform and configured to vary between the predetermined retracted height and the predetermined extended height.

Abstract: Operating a refuse collection vehicle to collect refuse from a refuse container includes positioning a refuse collection vehicle with respect to a refuse container to be emptied, and manually engaging a switch to initiate a dump cycle to be performed by the refuse collection vehicle on the refuse container. The dump cycle includes engaging the refuse container with a portion of the vehicle, lifting the engaged refuse container to a dump position, and moving the refuse container to release contents of the refuse container into a hopper of the refuse collection vehicle. The dump cycle continues to completion as long as the switch remains manually engaged.

Abstract: Rolling collectors configured to locate and pick up small objects such as nuts, bullet casings, or other objects are described herein. In some implementations, a rolling collector includes a collector frame, a roller assembly, a remover mechanism, and a trailer tongue. In other implementations, a rolling collector includes a collector frame, a roller assembly having a skeleton structure, and a remover mechanism. In yet other implementations, a rolling collector includes a collector frame, a roller assembly, a remover mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The rolling collectors described herein are configured to be towable behind a vehicle, which includes center pull, side drag, side-by-side, and multiple unit towing configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating the fork holder supports of forks of a manually or automatically driven forklift, including a first frame slidable within a vertical upright of said forklift. The first frame comprises connection means for a second frame, which supports the connection means, configured for allowing a rotation of the second frame with respect to the first frame, and first actuator means for rotating the second frame with respect to the first frame. The connection means include guiding means and sliding means, or a cam element, which allow a substantially vertical arrangement of the first actuator means within the apparatus; in addition, the first actuator means include at least one linear electric actuator of commercial type, or a trapezoidal screw actuator, or a worm screw actuator with recirculating ball nut.

Abstract: The element rotating system allows a user to cause and control the rotation of an item, often used for welding. The element rotating system has a first positioner having a first wheel and a securing element coupling, a drive comprising a drive wheel and a control unit, and a securing element configured to couple an item to the first positioner. The drive wheel is configured to cause at least the first wheel to rotate. The control unit controls the drive wheel, and the securing element coupling is configured to selectively secure the securing element.

Abstract: A warehouse system includes a first moving unit configured to move articles in an extending direction of a storage rack on the storage rack; a second moving unit configured to be operated independently from the first moving unit and to move selected articles toward an exit side on a transfer rack; and a third moving unit configured to be operated independently from the first moving unit and the second moving unit and to transfer the selected articles from the storage rack to the transfer rack. The third moving unit includes a pushing device configured to push the selected articles toward the transfer rack; a guide device configured to guide the pushing device in the extending direction of the storage rack; and a control device configured to control the pushing device and the guide device.

Abstract: A transfer device includes: a pusher configured to push a container during a delivery operation; a lockable portion lockable to the container during a pick-up operation; a transfer drive unit configured to cause the pusher and the lockable portion to reciprocate in the transfer direction; and a lock drive unit configured to drive the lockable portion separately from the pusher and causes the lockable portion to change in orientation. The transfer device performs a delivery operation by moving, toward a delivery side in the transfer direction, the pusher in contact with a container rear face portion with use of the transfer drive unit, and performs a pick-up operation by moving the lockable portion in the locking orientation toward a pick-up side in the transfer direction with use of the transfer drive unit.

Abstract: A transfer driver includes a transfer drive transmission mechanism drivingly coupled to a contact section, and a transfer drive source configured to drive the transfer drive transmission mechanism. A guide driver includes a guide drive transmission mechanism drivingly coupled to a pair of guide sections, and a guide drive source configured to drive the guide drive transmission mechanism. The transfer drive source and the guide drive source are disposed on a transfer-direction scooping side relative to a holder, and the transfer drive transmission mechanism and the guide drive transmission mechanism intersect each other in a vertical view at an intersection portion, and are adjacent to each other in a vertical direction at the intersection portion.

Abstract: A trailer configured to transport a load includes a bed including an upper surface configured to support the load, a first rotation pin configured to move along a slot in the bed, a second rotation pin coupled to the bed, and a winch assembly positioned in the slot and coupled to the first rotation pin by a first rope. The winch assembly is configured to pull the first rotation pin toward the second rotation pin.

Abstract: An installation for handling and storing biological samples at very low temperatures includes a cartesian robot and an articulated-arm robot having at least five degrees of freedom. A biobank which uses, working jointly, a five-axis or six-axis or seven-axis robot supported by a cartesian robot which moves the five-axis or six-axis robot translationally along at least one row of storage containers, advantageously cryogenic containers each incorporating storage columns or racks with a honeycomb structure, of which the cells are able to house individual sample containers.