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 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 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 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: 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: 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: A robotic unit for manipulating items and products may receive assistance from a product management system if an exception occurs indicating the robotic unit cannot complete a given task with respect to handling the product. The product management system may be associated with a plurality of different assistance centers and response centers providing different types or levels of assistance. The product management system can classify the exception according to hierarchal tiers to determine the type of assistance required. The product management system can then generate and direct an intervention request to one of the response centers based on the classification. The assistance and response centers may be equipped and staffed to provide particularized assistance to the robotic unit. In an example, the robotic unit may store data and instructions received from the assistance and response center for future implementation.

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: Systems and methods for automatic restocking different items in retail store environments having POS locations for the items are disclosed. The method includes, for a first item of the different items, storing at least one first item parameter uniquely identifying the first item. The method includes determining, based on the at least one first item parameter, a first autonomous movement control scheme for manipulation of the first item by a robotic arm. The method includes executing, by the robotic arm, the first control scheme, the executing including shelving the first item on the shelf. The method includes evaluating, by a processor or a user of the robotic arm, the executing for the first item according to at least one predetermined first performance criteria. The method includes determining and storing, based on the evaluating, an updated first control scheme for subsequent executing by the robotic arm for the first item.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inspecting electrical components within a housing. The method may be useful for identifying dust, grime, corrosion, tree-like structures, edges and/or slots on electrical components. The method includes capturing two optical images of an electrical component and comparing the images. Variations in pixels between the two images may be used to generate warnings.

Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of package identification are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for package identification comprising performing a set of initial inspection operations on a package; determining a portion of a plurality of possible packages based on the set of initial inspection operations and a data structure including initial inspection characteristics for the plurality of possible packages; performing a set of package movement inspection operations by moving the package using a robot; determining a set of movement characteristics based on the package movement inspection operations; and identifying which one of the portion of the plurality of possible packages corresponds to the package using the set of movement characteristics.

Abstract: An instrument driving mechanism includes an instrument drive assembly (140) including a first set of wheels (136) coupled to a first end portion and a second set (138) of wheels coupled to a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first set of wheels is configured to engage an elongated instrument (104) therein such that a rotation plane of the first set of wheels is coplanar with a longitudinal axis of the instrument. The second set of wheels is configured to engage the elongated instrument therein such that a rotation plane of the second set of wheels is obliquely oriented with the longitudinal axis of the instrument wherein motion of the instrument is controlled by controlling rotations of the wheels. The instrument drive assembly mounts to a mounting position (149) of a medical device that permits the instrument to pass therethrough and is configured to fix a position of the instrument drive assembly to enable positioning of the instrument.