Abstract: A method of processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of a plurality of objects and directing the plurality of objects toward an input area from at least one input conveyance system, acquiring an object from the plurality of objects at the input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, and moving the acquired object toward an identified processing location using the programmable motion device, said identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations that are radially spaced from the programmable motion device.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system is disclosed for processing objects. The system includes a plurality of bins including objects to be distributed by the processing system, said plurality of bins being provided in at least a partially generally circular arrangement, a programmable motion device that includes an end effector for grasping and moving any of the objects, said programmable motion device being capable of reaching any of the objects within the plurality of bins, and a plurality of destination containers for receiving any of the objects from the plurality of bins, said plurality of destination containers being provided in a region that is generally within the at least partially generally circular arrangement of the plurality of bins.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system includes a plurality of supply bins providing supply of a plurality of objects, with the plurality of supply bins being provided with a bin conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the bin conveyance system, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected supply bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination containers.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed.

Abstract: A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins being in communication with a retrieval conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the retrieval conveyance system for receiving the storage bins from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and is adapted for movement of the programmable motion device along a first direction, and a plurality of destination bins that are provided in at least one linear arrangement along the first direction of movement of the programmable motion device.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins, a plurality of destination bins, and a processing programmable motion device. The plurality of storage bins provides storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins are in communication with a gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving selected bins to a bin processing location. The plurality of destination bins are in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin to the processing location. The processing programmable motion device is at the processing location and is in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system. The processing programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin and depositing the selected object in the selected destination bin.

Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins providing storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins is in communication with a retrieval conveyance system, a programmable motion device in communication with the retrieval conveyance system for receiving the storage bins from the plurality of bins, where the programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin, and a movable carriage for receiving the selected object from the end effector of the programmable motion device, and for carrying the selected object to one of a plurality of destination bins.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to hot water heaters 1 that are for the use of using electricity to store heat energy for current or later use. In some embodiments, the heat energy is stored in Thermal Energy Storage 7 (TES) to store excess electrical energy for the later use of heating water. The present disclosure also relating to several species of the invention which relate to the water tank 1 being a Grid Interactive Water Heater (GIWH). Some of the embodiments disclose methods of storing heat energy at a lower temperature than the hot water in the tank, which avoids being limited to phase change materials that phase change withing the narrow range of the hot water temperature. Another embodiment makes hydrogen for the use of heating water. Another uses the exhaust heat from a heat engine to improve the overall efficiency over common CHP water heaters.

Abstract: A heat pump system for the use of cooling or heating comprising at least one TES (3), wherein the TES comprises thermal energy storage. The TES is placed downstream of a heat exchanger (2) and generally placed upstream of a pressure changing device (4) or regenerator (40), wherein the TES exchanges heat energy with a fluid (14) of the heat pump, and wherein the heat pump system exchanges heat energy between an enclosed space (6) and an ambient heat source outside the enclosed space. The TES is generally charged with thermal energy, which may be cool or heat energy, during favorable times of a daily temperature cycle. The TES then transfers the stored thermal energy to assist in cooling or heating the enclosed space.

Abstract: A battery-powered scope warmer includes a heated cavity to receive the distal end of a surgical viewing instrument such as an endoscope or laparoscope. The distal end of the surgical viewing instrument is inserted into the cavity in the housing through one or more flexible flaps in the upper portion of the housing. A heating pad forms a curved tray that receives the distal end of the instrument. The flaps enable the distal end of the surgical viewing instrument to be inserted into, or removed from, the cavity in the housing through one or more slits. A de-fogging sponge in the cavity may be moistened with a de-fogging fluid, and one or more absorbent pads may be disposed on the upper portion of the housing for removing excess fluid from the tip of the surgical viewing instrument. The entire warmer, including the batteries, may be disposable.

Abstract: A roof or wall comprising an insulating selective surface (1) for the use of transferring net heat energy into or out of an enclosure, such as a building. The insulating selective surface comprises at least one transparent cover (2) that comprises a chamber (9), and in the chamber is a moveable plate (4) comprising a plurality of surfaces (5, 6). At least one of the surfaces is a selective surface which can be moved to substantially face the sky, or moved to face away from the sky. The device insulates the enclosure from conductive losses, while using the sun to heat the enclosure, or the cold of deep space to cool the enclosure depending on how the plate is moved.

Abstract: A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus comprises a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.

Abstract: An improved bumper system for transportation vehicles (10) comprising one or more extendable bumpers (12, 14-15). The extendable bumpers extend substantially outward from a vehicle to provide a greater distance with which to reduce the forces acting upon the occupants and/or cargo of a transportation vehicle in the event of a collision. In some embodiments, the extendable bumpers extend in response to a detected, possible, or likely collision.

Abstract: A battery-powered scope warmer includes a heated cavity to receive the distal end of a surgical viewing instrument such as an endoscope or laparoscope. The distal end of the surgical viewing instrument is inserted into the cavity in the housing through one or more flexible flaps in the upper portion of the housing. A heating pad forms a curved tray that receives the distal end of the instrument. The flaps enable the distal end of the surgical viewing instrument to be inserted into, or removed from, the cavity in the housing through one or more slits. A de-fogging sponge in the cavity may be moistened with a de-fogging fluid, and one or more absorbent pads may be disposed on the upper portion of the housing for removing excess fluid from the tip of the surgical viewing instrument. The entire warmer, including the batteries, may be disposable.

Abstract: A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus comprises a measurement probe that includes two measurement surfaces spaced apart from each other, wherein the measurement probe is configured to be inserted into a reagent receptacle so that the two measurement surfaces are at least partially immersed in reagent contained in the reagent receptacle. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to use the two measurement surfaces of the measurement probe to obtain at least one electrical measurement of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle before reagent is taken out from the reagent receptacle by the tissue processing apparatus. The tissue processing apparatus is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical measurement, a concentration and/or a type of reagent contained in the reagent receptacle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for the use of concentrating radiant energy onto a receiver (2). The device comprises a first concentrator (5) that is filled with a transmissible material for the use of increasing the acceptance angle of the concentrator and concentrating the radiant energy onto a bifacial receiver (2). Embodiments also comprise a second concentrator (4) that directs the concentrated radiant energy to both sides of the bifacial receiver, whereby the second concentrator enables the device to use a substantially smaller receiver. In some embodiments, the receivers comprise photovoltaic (PV) cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer device or system for the use of moving heat energy, which is generally cooling or heating. The device or system comprising at least one selective surface (1), wherein the selective surface comprises at least one radiant concentrator or lens (5) and at least one conductive material (4) comprising at least one receiver (2). The selective surface exchanges radiant energy with at least one emissive object (7), whereby net heat energy is transferred through radiant energy exchanged between the emissive object and the selective surface.