Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. Multiple light detectors are provided on the charge head to sense light emitted from the vehicle. The system then uses a difference in the amount of light received by different light detectors to determine a direction to move the charge head toward the charge inlet.

Abstract: Devices, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes determining receipt of an EV-side electrical connector to a charging zone of an EV charging environment. The method includes actuating a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position outside of the charging zone to a final position inside of the charging zone. The final position corresponds to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software for automated electrical connector positioning for electric vehicle (EV) charging are provided. Using, for example, the disclosed automatic charging device, a method for charging an EV includes capturing an image of at least a portion of a pattern positioned in a fixed location in a landing zone of an EV-side electrical connector in a fixed position on or in an underside of the EV. The method includes determining, based on the image, a displacement of a charger-side electrical connector from an initial position to a final position, the final position corresponding to the charger-side electrical connector matingly engaged with the EV-side electrical connector. The method includes actuating the charger-side electrical connector from the initial position to the final position according to the displacement.

Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. A sensor is provided to sense the locations of the tires of the vehicle. The system then uses the relative location of the charge inlet to the tires to determine the location of the charge inlet in order to move the charge head.

Abstract: A protective arrangement for an electric vehicle charging system includes a floor unit forming a recess and a linkage disposed in the recess. The linkage is extendable from the recess from a stowed position to an extended position. A cleaning device is disposed to discourage accumulation of debris into the recess and on the linkage when the linkage is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A robotic system for operating a endovascular deployment device (40) including a treatment device (43) mounted to a delivery tool (42) connected to a proximal control (41), and further including an optical shape sensor (44) (e.g., an endograft endovascular deployment device incorporating an optical shape sensor). The robotic system employs a robot (50) attachable to proximal control (41) and/or delivery tool (42) for navigating the treatment device (43) within a cardiovascular system (e.g., a robot controlling an axial rotation and/or axial translation of an endograft mounted to a sheath catheter). The robotic system further employs a robot controller (74) for controlling a navigation of treatment device (43) within the cardiovascular system by the robot (50) derived from a spatial registration between a shaping sensing by the optical shape sensor (44) of a portion or entirety of endovascular deployment device (40) to a medical image of the cardiovascular system (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and method for underside charging of electric vehicles (EVs) are provided. With the EV positioned in a charging environment having a ground surface, a floor unit device actuates an electrical connector toward a charge receptacle of an EV vehicle unit, and the vehicle unit actuates the charge receptacle toward the electrical connector. The actuation facilitates coupling between the connector and the charge receptacle. A flow of electrical current is initiated through the coupled connector and charge receptacle to charge the EV power storage device. Upon completion of the EV charging process, the electrical connector and the charge receptacle are actuated away from one another to facilitate decoupling therebetween.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software for mapping locations of cartons are provided. The method includes, for a first carton, assigning a first identifier to the first carton received for positioning in: a pallet space of a pallet, or in a container space of a container. The method includes determining one or more physical properties of the first carton. The method includes associating the one or more physical properties of the first carton with the first identifier. The method includes determining an as-positioned location of the first carton in the pallet space or in the container space. The method includes generating a three-dimensional (3D) map of the pallet space or the container space. The 3D is generated based on: the determined one or more physical properties of the first carton, and the determined as-positioned location of the first carton in the pallet space or in the container space.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning composition including: at least 80 wt. % liquid solvent; a cationic quaternary amine biocide; and a non-cationic moisturizing agent, wherein the composition reduces bacteria by at least 2.0 log 10 when assessed using ASTM E1174 and reduces drying of the stratum corneum compared with a water control between 30 and 180 minutes after application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location and/or orientation of at least a portion of an electric vehicle relative to at least a portion of a charging station. A camera system can include a camera housing having outer, intermediate, and inner layers that are concentric to each other. The outer, protective layer and the intermediate layer can each have wiper assemblies that wipe debris from a surface of the intermediate layer or inner layer, respectively, as the associated outer or intermediate layer is rotated. The intermediate layer also include one or more lenses that are selectively to capture an image(s) of the vehicle by a camera. The camera housing can be lifted from a recessed position in an assembly housing while the outer layer is simultaneously rotatably retracted so that the camera can capture an image through the inner layer and a selected lens of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A mechanical drive system includes a mechanical drive component, an enclosure, and a centrifugal fan. The mechanical drive component has a housing and a rotatable shaft supported within the housing. The enclosure is disposed on the housing and a wall of the housing has an output opening therein through which the rotatable shaft of the mechanical drive component extends and another wall has an intake opening therein. Surfaces of the housing and the walls of the enclosure define an air passage channel extending from the intake opening to the output opening. The centrifugal fan is aligned and in fluid communication with the output opening of the enclosure. The impeller is operatively connected to the rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A system for charging commercial electric vehicles, including buses and trucks. The system can include a charging station that outputs a supply of relatively high voltage electrical power, and a cable suspension post having a support post and a suspension arm. The suspension arm can be suspended away from the support post at a vertical height that is higher than the height of typical commercial vehicles. At least a portion of a charging cable is electrically coupled to the charging station and suspended from the suspension arm. A charging connector can be free-hanging from the suspended portion of the charging cable, and therefore be swingingly displaceable into electrical engagement with a mating connector of the vehicle. The suspension arm can be rotatably displaced relative to the support post and/or another portion of the suspension arm such that a vertical height and/or other position of the suspended arm can be adjusted.

Abstract: A connector arrangement for charging an electric vehicle includes a first connector disposed adjacent a slide surface and having a pin extending from the first connector. A second connector has a second connector body and is moveable along the slide surface by a linkage mechanism. A socket extends through the second connector body between two opposed openings, and at least one sensor is associated with the second connector body. The at least one sensor provides information indicative of a location of the second connector body on the slide surface to the linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.

Abstract: A power inlet and connector interface useful to transfer power between a power source and a vehicle. In one form the vehicle includes a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, capable of being charged with high powers. In some forms the battery can be charged with 1 MW, 2 MW, 3 MW and higher power transfers. The power inlet can include a door the coves a power receptacle useful to receive the connector, and a translatable carriage useful to define at least part of the power receptacle. In some forms a cover is included. The power receptacle can include a wall having a passage to permit the insertion of power connector pins, the wall moving with movement of the carriage. When the connector is inserted into the power receptacle, insertion of the pins can be made via relative movement of the pins on the vehicle side with passages in the connector.

Abstract: A charging connection is provided for charging electric vehicles. The first connector is coupled to an electric charging station with an electric cable. The second connector is coupled to the electric vehicle. The first connector has at least two openings slide onto at least two posts of the second connector. When the first and second connectors are coupled together, an electric potential supplies power from the first connector to the second connector.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for charging an electric vehicle are disclosed. The system includes a floor unit and a vehicle unit, each having an electrical connector. The method includes positioning the floor unit electrical connector with reference to the mating vehicle unit electrical connector. The method includes inserting the floor unit electrical connector into the mating vehicle unit electrical connector. The method includes initiating an electric vehicle charging process by selectively enabling a flow of electric current from an electric power supply through the matingly coupled vehicle unit and floor unit electrical connectors.

Abstract: A product manipulation tool for interacting with products and containers at, for example, a retail facility can include a securing mechanism to secure an exposed portion of the container with respect to a horizontal surface such as a shelf. The product manipulation tool can also include a stabilizing device to stabilize the container with respect to the horizontal surface prior to securing the container. The product manipulation tool can also include a support structure for insertion underneath the container to support the load. The stabilizing mechanism may lift or tilt the container prior to insertion of the support structure. In an example, the product manipulation tool may be disposed on a mobile unit configured for locomotion about the retail facility.

Abstract: A submersible inspection device used for inspection of, for example, liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a number of wireless transmitters and receivers. Signals transmitted to the submersible include command signals useful to effect an action on the submersible but also a heartbeat signal to indicate health of the transmitted signal. A redundant channel selection logic is provided to switch from a channel which no longer receives a heartbeat to another channel that includes a current heartbeat. Multiple signals can be received and evaluated in software, and another signal received via a firmware radio.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software for mapping locations of cartons are provided. The method includes, for a first carton, assigning a first identifier to the first carton received for positioning in: a pallet space of a pallet, or in a container space of a container. The method includes determining one or more physical properties of the first carton. The method includes associating the one or more physical properties of the first carton with the first identifier. The method includes determining an as-positioned location of the first carton in the pallet space or in the container space. The method includes generating a three-dimensional (3D) map of the pallet space or the container space. The 3D is generated based on: the determined one or more physical properties of the first carton, and the determined as-positioned location of the first carton in the pallet space or in the container space.