Abstract: A system includes a machine having an external surface and a shaft extending from a first side of the machine; a cooling airflow generator mounted on the shaft and operative to generate a cooling airflow for cooling the machine; a flow guide structure constructed to receive the cooling airflow from the cooling airflow generator and to direct the cooling airflow received from the cooling airflow generator across the external surface; and a scavenge scoop spaced apart from the flow guide structure and disposed at a second side of the machine opposite the first side, wherein the external surface is disposed between the scavenge scoop and the flow guide structure, and wherein the scavenge scoop is constructed to collect a portion of the cooling airflow generated by the cooling airflow generator and direct the a portion of the cooling airflow across a portion of the second side of the machine.

Abstract: A system includes a machine having an external surface and a shaft extending from a first side of the machine; a cooling airflow generator mounted on the shaft and operative to generate a cooling airflow for cooling the machine; a flow guide structure constructed to receive the cooling airflow from the cooling airflow generator and to direct the cooling airflow received from the cooling airflow generator across the external surface; and a scavenge scoop spaced apart from the flow guide structure and disposed at a second side of the machine opposite the first side, wherein the external surface is disposed between the scavenge scoop and the flow guide structure, and wherein the scavenge scoop is constructed to collect a portion of the cooling airflow generated by the cooling airflow generator and direct the a portion of the cooling airflow across a portion of the second side of the machine.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an internal component of a machine includes a remote controlled vehicle constructed to fit inside a desired portion of the machine; a controller operative to control an operation of the remote controlled vehicle; a tether coupled to the controller and to the remote controlled vehicle, wherein the tether is operative to transmit control signals from the controller to the remote controlled vehicle; and an imaging device extending from a front portion of the remote controlled vehicle and operative to view the internal component. The imaging device has a flexible articulating tip spaced apart from the front portion of the body.

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 submersible inspection system for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers having a wirelessly controlled submersible inspective device. A submersion depth of the submersible can be controlled using a ballast system. The system can also include an input/output selector to switch between camera images from the submersible. A heartbeat signal indicative of a health of the transmitted signal can be transmitted to the submersible, and redundant channel selection logic can facilitate switching to a channel that includes a current heartbeat. A plurality of status interrogation systems disposed on the submersible can capture data regarding inspection procedures performed on the transformer, and the submersible can include tools for repair procedures. Data transmitted from the submersible, and overlayed with input data from an operator, can facilitate real time inspection analysis. The system can also form a model of an internal in the transformer, as well as produce a three-dimensional field of view.

Abstract: A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.

Abstract: A submersible inspection drone used for inspection of 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 wireless transmitter and receiver. The cameras on the submersible can be fixed in place and can be either static or motion picture cameras. The submersible can include an input/output selector capable of switching between the camera images, either through commanded action of a user or through computer based switching. In one form the input/output selector is a multiplexer. The base station can be configured to display images from the cameras one at a time, or can include a number of separate viewing portals in which real time images are displayed. The base station can include a demultiplexer synchronized to the multiplexer of the submersible.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a machine includes an inspection vehicle constructed for wireless operation while submersed in a dielectric liquid medium. The inspection vehicle is self-propelled. A controller is operative to direct the activities of the inspection vehicle. A plurality of status interrogation systems is disposed on the inspection vehicle. The status interrogation systems are operative to capture inspection data regarding a plurality of inspection procedures performed on the machine.

Abstract: A submersible remotely operable vehicle used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras and sensors for mapping and navigating the internal structure of the transformer with liquid coolant remaining in the transformer. The remotely operable vehicle can be wirelessly controlled to perform various inspection functions while the number of cameras provide video streams for processing to produce a three dimensional field of view based on an observation position of the remotely operable vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a rim of a wheel assembly to a wheel hub. The apparatus can include a wheel handler device that is structured to securely engage the wheel assembly. The apparatus can include one or more light emitting devices that project one or more light spots on the face of the wheel hub. The position of one or more light spots relative to another light spot(s) and/or to a reference feature on the face of the hub can provide an indication of the location, orientation, and/or alignment of at least the rim relative to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an internal component of a machine includes a remote controlled vehicle constructed to fit inside a desired portion of the machine; a controller operative to control an operation of the remote controlled vehicle; a tether coupled to the controller and to the remote controlled vehicle, wherein the tether is operative to transmit control signals from the controller to the remote controlled vehicle; and an imaging device extending from a front portion of the remote controlled vehicle and operative to view the internal component. The imaging device has a flexible articulating tip spaced apart from the front portion of the body.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article includes initiating additive manufacturing of the article, and forming a portion of the article using an additive manufacturing process on an additive manufacturing system. The additive manufacturing process may be paused, and a procedure may be performed on the article. The additive manufacturing process may be resumed and the article completed. A system for performing additive manufacturing of an article includes a printhead, and drive modules operative to generate translational motion between the printhead and a build surface in more than one axis. A rotational joint is operative to rotate the printhead about at least one axis.

Abstract: A teleoperated robotic system that utilizes a graphical user interface (GUI) to perform work on a workpiece(s) using a robot. A coordinate system of the GUI can be correlated to the tool center point (TCP) of the robot and the TCP or workspace of a teleoperated member, such as a haptic joystick. Operable manipulation of the teleoperated member can be correlated to a movement at a particular location in the robot station, such as movement of the TCP of the robot. The GUI can also provide digital representations of the workpiece, which can be based on inputted and/or scanned information relating to a reference workpiece and/or the particular workpiece on which the robot is performing work. The GUI can further provide indications of the various stages of assembly of the workpiece, as well as an indication of work already, or to be, performed on the workpiece.

Abstract: An inspection device for use in a fluid container includes a hull adapted to be received in the fluid container and a control mechanism carried by the hull. The control mechanism movably positions a weight about the hull so as to adjust an angular orientation of the hull within the fluid container.

Abstract: A dummy tool is used to teach a robot the path the robot will follow to perform work on a workpiece to eliminate the possibility of damaging an actual tool during the training. The dummy tool provides the robot programmer an indication of potential collisions between the tool and the workpiece and other objects in the work cell when path is being taught. The dummy tool can have a detachable input/output device with a graphic user interface (GUI) that can communicate wirelessly with the robot controller. The dummy tool can also have a moveable camera attached thereto to track the relationship of the tool to objects in the work area.

Abstract: The drive inverter units that power the traction motors and steering motors of a manned or unmanned vehicle such as a mobile robot or automated guided vehicles (AGVs), industrial trucks or remote controlled vehicles that are equipped with a robot arm or other actuated mechanisms are also used to power the axes of the robot arms or other additional high power actuators (e.g. a lift table). The traction and steering motors can be disconnected from the drive and the motors of a robot arm or actuator can be connected to the drive and vice versa. The prerequisite is that driving and robot arm/actuator motion do not take place at the same time.

Abstract: An inspection device for use in a fluid container includes at least one thrust device, at least one ballast device and a cage which carries the at least one thrust device and the at least one ballast device. The cage includes at least two bars. Each bar provides an opening, the openings forming a cage cavity to carry the at least one thrust device and the at least one ballast device.

Abstract: An inspection device for use in a fluid container includes a hull adapted to be received in the fluid container and a control mechanism carried by the hull. The control mechanism movably positions a weight about the hull so as to adjust an angular orientation of the hull within the fluid container.

Abstract: The drive inverter units that power the traction motors and steering motors of a manned or unmanned vehicle such as a mobile robot or automated guided vehicles (AGVs), industrial trucks or remote controlled vehicles that are equipped with a robot arm or other actuated mechanisms are also used to power the axes of the robot arms or other additional high power actuators (e.g. a lift table). The traction and steering motors can be disconnected from the drive and the motors of a robot arm or actuator can be connected to the drive and vice versa. The prerequisite is that driving and robot arm/actuator motion do not take place at the same time.