Abstract: A rail gear assembly includes a base, a first wheel arm, and a second wheel arm. The first wheel arm may have a first end pivotally coupled to the base at a first arm connection and may have a second end rotatably connected to a first wheel by a first axle. The second wheel arm may have a first end pivotally coupled to the base at a second arm connection and a second end rotatably connected to a second wheel by a second axle. The second axle may be independent of the first axle. The rail gear assembly may include actuators that move the first wheel arm and second wheel arm between retracted positions and extended positions. The actuators may permit adjustment of the first wheel arm and the second wheel arm in their respective extended positions such that a net adjustment of the first wheel arm and the second wheel arm with respect to the base is approximately zero.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting a tank car is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a first arm to surround and not contact a tank car jacket and a second arm to surround and not contact the tank car jacket.

Abstract: A method for lifting a tank car is provided. The method can include positioning a lifting apparatus above a tank car, pulling at least one of the first arm and the second arm outward to place the lifting apparatus in an open configuration, lowering the lifting apparatus in the open configuration to surround a tank of the tank car, connecting the second end of the first arm to a first tank car support, connecting the second and of the second arm to a second tank car support, and raising the lifting apparatus to lift the tank car.

Abstract: A method for lifting a tank car is provided. The method can include positioning a lifting apparatus above a tank car, pulling at least one of the first arm and the second arm outward to place the lifting apparatus in an open configuration, lowering the lifting apparatus in the open configuration to surround a tank of the tank car, connecting the second end of the first arm to a first tank car support, connecting the second and of the second arm to a second tank car support, and raising the lifting apparatus to lift the tank car.

Abstract: A tank car lifting apparatus is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a spreader beam, a first arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, a second arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, and a synchronizing linkage to synchronize movement of the first arm and the second arm such that the first arm and the second arm move at the same time.

Abstract: A tank car lifting apparatus is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a spreader beam, a first arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, a second arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, and a synchronizing linkage to synchronize movement of the first arm and the second arm such that the first arm and the second arm move at the same time.

Abstract: An autonomous robotic transport system has been developed in which the individual robot vehicles are able to move in multiple directions, such as vertically as well as around curves. Through the use of a unique rail system, the vehicle is able to move around corners and turns without the need for expensive modifications. This eliminates the need for various differentials or multiple electric motors to provide the difference between inner and outer wheels in a turn. Moreover, a number of switches have been developed that allow the vehicles to move not only vertically but also horizontally as well as transition between vertical and horizontal movement. A technique for operating the robotic vehicles is also described.

Abstract: A conveyor roller includes a roller body that defines a fill cavity. A concrete material at least partially fills the fill cavity in the roller body. A bearing assembly is coupled to the roller body. The bearing assembly is configured to facilitate rotation of the roller body. The roller body acts as a mold to allow curing of the concrete material to occur even after final assembly of the conveyor roller. In one example of the manufacturing method, the concrete material is poured into one or more fill cavities inside the roller body, and bearing assemblies are attached to the opposite ends of the roller body. The concrete material can continue to cure even after the bearing assemblies are attached. In one example, the bearing assemblies act as plugs, thereby sealing the concrete material within the fill cavities of the roller body.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The system includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.

Abstract: An autonomous robotic transport system has been developed in which the individual robot vehicles are able to move in multiple directions, such as vertically as well as around curves. Through the use of a unique rail system, the vehicle is able to move around corners and turns without the need for expensive modifications. This eliminates the need for various differentials or multiple electric motors to provide the difference between inner and outer wheels in a turn. Moreover, a number of switches have been developed that allow the vehicles to move not only vertically but also horizontally as well as transition between vertical and horizontal movement. A technique for operating the robotic vehicles is also described.

Abstract: A conveyor roller includes a roller body that defines a fill cavity. A concrete material at least partially fills the fill cavity in the roller body. A bearing assembly is coupled to the roller body. The bearing assembly is configured to facilitate rotation of the roller body. The roller body acts as a mold to allow curing of the concrete material to occur even after final assembly of the conveyor roller. In one example of the manufacturing method, the concrete material is poured into one or more fill cavities inside the roller body, and bearing assemblies are attached to the opposite ends of the roller body. The concrete material can continue to cure even after the bearing assemblies are attached. In one example, the bearing assemblies act as plugs, thereby sealing the concrete material within the fill cavities of the roller body.

Abstract: A roller bearing end hub has a housing that internally houses a plane bearing, pin, and spring. The spring is biased against the plane bearing which is rotatably connected with the pin. The housing includes two half-housings which are configured to be mated together. The bearing is formed of a shape similar to the housing interior. The pin is smaller than an attached axle stub and the spring does not directly interact with the pin such that the amount of friction between the pin and bearing is minimized.

Abstract: A roller bearing end hub has a housing that internally houses a plane bearing, pin, and spring. The spring is biased against the plane bearing which is rotatably connected with the pin. The housing includes two half-housings which are configured to be mated together. The bearing is formed of a shape similar to the housing interior. The pin is smaller than an attached axle stub and the spring does not directly interact with the pin such that the amount of friction between the pin and bearing is minimized.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The mixed pallet build system further includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The carriage has a length that is shorter than the length of the rack. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.

Abstract: A robotic automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) mixed pallet build system includes a rack that includes two or more verticals levels upon which items are stored. The mixed pallet build system further includes a three-dimensional robotic AS/RS that includes a carriage, robot arm, vertical lift, and horizontal propulsion system. The items from the rack are loaded upon the carriage to create a pallet. The carriage has a length that is shorter than the length of the rack. The robot arm is configured to stack the items from the racks onto the pallet. The vertical lift is configured to move the carriage vertically between the vertical levels of the racks. The horizontal propulsion system is configured to move the carriage horizontally along the rack so that the carriage is able to service the entire length of the rack. The three-dimensional robotic AS/RS also includes a stretch wrapper that progressively secures the layers of items on the pallet to prevent the items from falling off the pallet.