Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements utilize one or two ball variators to establish a continuous range of speed ratios between an input and an output. In each case, the range of speed ratios includes an infinite ratio in which the output is stationary as the input rotates. In some embodiments having two ball variators, the outputs of the variators are combining using a planetary gear set. In other embodiments having two variators, the outputs of the variators are combined using clutches, which may be switchable one-way clutches.

Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.

Abstract: A method for transporting inventory items includes moving a mobile drive unit to a first point within a workspace. The first point is a location of an inventory holder. The method further includes docking the mobile drive unit with the inventory holder and moving the mobile drive unit and the inventory holder to a second point within the workspace. The second point is associated with conveyance equipment. The method further includes moving the inventory holder to a third point within the workspace using the conveyance equipment.

Abstract: A method of rotating an inventory holder includes moving an inventory holder towards a rotation area along a straight segment of a path with a first face of the inventory holder facing a first direction. The rotation area includes a portion of a workspace designated for rotation of inventory holders. The method further includes moving the inventory holder into the rotation area along a first arced segment with an orientation of the first face perpendicular to the first arced segment. The method additionally includes executing a rotation maneuver within the rotation area and moving the inventory holder out of the rotation area along a second arced segment with a second face facing the first direction.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement produces at least nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. One embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes. Another embodiment includes two axis transfer gear pairs, three simple planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements each establish at least one reverse gear ratio and between nine and fifteen forward gear ratios. A shiftable gearing arrangement establishes a variety of speed ratios between the input and a first shaft. In some embodiments, a fixed speed ratio is established upstream or downstream of the shiftable gearing arrangement. In reverse and low gear ratios, a low clutch couples the first shaft to the output. In the high gear ratios, a combining planetary gear set establishes a linear speed relationship between the first shaft, a second shaft rotating at a speed proportional to the input, and the output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements each establish at least one reverse gear ratio and between nine and fifteen forward gear ratios. A shiftable gearing arrangement establishes a variety of speed ratio between the input and a first shaft. In some embodiments, a fixed speed ratio is established upstream or downstream of the shiftable gearing arrangement. In reverse and low gear ratios, a low clutch couples the first shaft to the output. In the high gear ratios, a combining planetary gear set establishes a linear speed relationship between the first shaft, a second shaft rotating at a speed proportional to the input, and the output.

Abstract: A four gearing-arrangement transmission having six shift-elements cooperatively engaging in combinations of three to provide nine forward speeds and one reverse speed. The transmission having a first gearing-arrangement with an end-gear fixedly coupled to a ground. A second gearing-arrangement with one end-gear fixedly coupled to an input and the other end-gear fixedly coupled to an interior-gear of the first gearing-arrangement. A third gearing-arrangement having an interior-gear fixedly coupled to an output. A fourth gearing-arrangement having a fourth interior-gear fixedly coupled to the input.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides a plurality of forward speed ratios and one or more reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. Three simple planetary gear sets are located on the input axis. One of the simple planetary gear sets may have either a split-ring arrangement in which two ring gears are provided with one carrier and one sun gear, or a split-sun arrangement in which two sun gears are provided with one carrier and one ring gear.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement produces eleven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. One embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes. Another embodiment includes two axis transfer gear pairs, three simple planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes. Each of these embodiments may include a one way brake such that the first shift is non-synchronous. A third embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets, four brakes, and two clutches.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides a plurality of forward speed ratios and one or more reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. Three simple planetary gear sets are located on the input axis. One of the simple planetary gear sets may have either a split-ring arrangement in which two ring gears are provided with one carrier and one sun gear, or a split-sun arrangement in which two sun gears are provided with one carrier and one ring gear.

Abstract: A nine speed transmission having six shift-elements. An input being selectively coupled with an interior-gear capable of being braked and an end-gear from a first gearing-arrangement and coupled with an interior-gear of a fourth gearing-arrangement. An opposite end-gear from the first gearing-arrangement being fixedly coupled with an interior-gear of a second gearing-arrangement. An end-gear of a third gearing-arrangement being a ground or capable of being braked. An output being coupled with an interior-gear from the third gearing arrangement and an end-gear from the fourth gearing-arrangement. An end-gear of the second gearing-arrangement being a ground and the opposite end-gear being coupled with opposite end-gears from the third and fourth gearing-arrangements. The opposite end-gear of the second gearing-arrangement also being selectively coupled to the interior-gear of the first gearing-arrangement. Coupled, as used here, may mean selectively or fixedly coupled.

Abstract: A transmission gearing arrangement produces eleven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio by selective engagement of three shift elements in various combinations. One embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes. Another embodiment includes two axis transfer gear pairs, three simple planetary gear sets, four clutches, and two brakes. Each of these embodiments may include a one way brake such that the first shift is non-synchronous. A third embodiment includes four simple planetary gear sets, four brakes, and two clutches.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides a plurality of forward speed ratios and one or more reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. An input and an output are provided. Three planetary gear sets are located at an offset position relative to the input axis and the output axis. Axis transfer gears are provided to transfer rotational energy from the input to one of the planetary gear sets, and from one of the planetary gear sets to the output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a human transport device and associated system to transport a user within an active workspace. The human transport device may include a platform to support a user, an enclosure coupled to the platform to surround the user, a drive subsystem to power the human transport device, and a control unit to control the movement of the human transport device in coordination with active mobile drive units moving within the workspace. A system implementing one or more human transport devices may include a management module to direct the movement of the one or more human transport devices and designate one or more areas within the workspace as protected areas. Unauthorized objects may be prohibited from entering the protected areas while the human transport device may be allowed within the protected areas.

Abstract: Ceramic die pin for molten thermoplastic extrusion, apparatus for molten thermoplastic extrusion including a ceramic die pin, and methods of molten thermoplastic extrusion with a ceramic die pin. The ceramic head member can have a mounting cavity formed therein. The ceramic head member can be made of high purity aluminum oxide, and have an outer surface finish of between about 4 RMS and about 275 RMS.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements each establish at least one reverse gear ratio and between nine and fifteen forward gear ratios. A shiftable gearing arrangement establishes a variety of gear ratios speed ratio between the input and a first shaft. In some embodiments, a fixed speed ratio is established upstream or downstream of the shiftable gearing arrangement. In reverse and low gear ratios, a low clutch couples the first shaft to the output. In the high gear ratios, a combining planetary gear set establishes a linear speed relationship between the first shaft, a second shaft rotating at a speed proportional to the input, and the output.

Abstract: A family of transmission gearing arrangements provides a plurality of forward speed ratios and one or more reverse speed ratios by selective engagement of shift elements in various combinations. An input and an output are provided. Three planetary gear sets are located at an offset position relative to the input axis and the output axis. Axis transfer gears are provided to transfer rotational energy from the input to one of the planetary gear sets, and from one of the planetary gear sets to the output.

Abstract: A system for transporting inventory items includes an inventory holder and a mobile drive unit. The inventory holder has a frame with device openings. The mobile drive unit is operable to dock with an inventory holder and undock with an inventory holder. When undocked from an inventory holder, the mobile drive unit is further operable to traverse a path from a first location to a second location. The path passes through at least a first device opening of the inventory holder such that the mobile drive unit passes beneath the inventory holder while moving along the path.