Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic tire with a toroidal shaped tire carcass having sidewalls and a tread. A typical method of allowing a tire to run even in a punctured state is a method of reinforcing the sidewall area to support the load in the airless state. The present invention discloses both sidewalls having a hoop ring circumferentially molded in-place at the middle portion of both sidewalls or as floating multiple hoop rings bonded in-place at the middle portion in the tire inside sidewalls for supporting the vehicle load in a run-flat condition.

Abstract: A mechanism for restraining movement of a locking pin is disclosed. The mechanism includes a plurality of bushings 1. At least one of the plurality of bushings is provided in an aperture 76, 78 and on either ends of the locking pin 74. Further, at least one primary restraining mechanism 7 is configured in the at least one bushing 1 at one end of the locking pin 74, where the primary restraining mechanism 7 is fixedly connected to the at least one bushing 1 and is configured to restrain at least one of sliding and rotary movement of the locking pin 74.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. Each of the first and second blade segments includes at least one shell member defining an airfoil surface and an internal support structure. The first blade segment includes a beam structure extending lengthwise that structurally connects with the second blade segment via a receiving section. The rotor blade also includes at least one chord-wise extending pin positioned through the chord-wise joint so as to secure the first and second blade segments together. Further, the chord-wise extending pin includes a hollow cross-section that extends from a trailing edge end to a leading edge end thereof.

Abstract: A loading system (e.g., in a warehouse or other item-fulfillment environment) can include a rotary hub that supports one or more chambers. In a first orientation of the rotary hub, one of the chambers may be in a first position aligned for item receipt (e.g., through an open top of the chamber by feeding from a conveyor belt or other feeding system). The rotary hub can rotate to a second orientation in which the chamber is in a second position aligned for item discharge (e.g., through an open end of the chamber and into a receiving zone of a packaging machine or other system).

Abstract: A span-wise extending pin for joining blade segments of a rotor blade includes a distal portion having a length defined by a first end and an opposing, second end. The distal portion has a conical shape extending for at least a portion of the length thereof for providing ease of insertion of the pin into a pin joint slot of one of the first and second blade segments. The pin also includes a pin portion adjacent to the distal portion. The pin portion includes a first section and a second section. The second section is configured for securing within a beam structure of the first blade segment. The first section extends span-wise from a receiving end of the beam structure. The pin also includes a proximal portion having at least a rod member that extends span-wise through and secures together the pin portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for injecting dunnage into a container after an item has been placed in the container and the container has been sealed or otherwise closed. A dunnage injection apparatus is configured to penetrate a surface of the sealed container and expel gas and dunnage into an interior space of the container. The gas fills the expelled dunnage forming gas-filled pouches of dunnage that fill voids within the interior space of the container and secure and protect the item within the container.

Abstract: A rotor blade includes first and second blade segments extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. The first blade segment includes a beam structure that connects with the second blade segment via a receiving section. A chord-wise gap exists between an edge of the beam structure and an edge of the receiving section. The beam structure defines a first pin joint slot, whereas the receiving section defines a second pin joint slot that aligns with the first pin joint slot. First and second bushings are arranged in first ends of the first and second pin joint slots, each having a flange extending within the chord-wise gap. As such, the flanges abut against each other within the chord-wise gap so as to fill the chord-wise gap with a predetermined defined gap or interference. Further, a chord-wise extending pin is positioned through the bushings so as to secure the first and second blade segments together.

Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. Each of the first and second blade segments includes at least one shell member defining an airfoil surface and an internal support structure. The first blade segment includes a beam structure extending lengthwise that structurally connects with the second blade segment via a receiving section. The rotor blade also includes at least one chord-wise extending pin positioned through the chord-wise joint so as to secure the first and second blade segments together. Further, the chord-wise extending pin includes a hollow cross-section that extends from a trailing edge end to a leading edge end thereof.

Abstract: A span-wise extending pin for joining blade segments of a rotor blade includes a distal portion having a length defined by a first end and an opposing, second end. The distal portion has a conical shape extending for at least a portion of the length thereof for providing ease of insertion of the pin into a pin joint slot of one of the first and second blade segments. The pin also includes a pin portion adjacent to the distal portion. The pin portion includes a first section and a second section. The second section is configured for securing within a beam structure of the first blade segment. The first section extends span-wise from a receiving end of the beam structure. The pin also includes a proximal portion having at least a rod member that extends span-wise through and secures together the pin portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating autonomous vehicles are described. An autonomous vehicle may detect strategy modes and/or actions of other vehicles in a local environment. The autonomous vehicle may then select a strategy mode for its operations based on the detected strategy modes and/or actions of other vehicles, and based on an operational goal for the autonomous vehicle. The strategy modes may include an uncoupled strategy mode, a permissive strategy mode, an assistive strategy mode, and a preventative strategy mode. The autonomous vehicle may further select an action for its operations based on the selected strategy mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating operations of a plurality of autonomous vehicles are described. An autonomous vehicle management system may receive information from the plurality of autonomous vehicles related to strategy modes, actions, and the environments. The strategy modes may include an uncoupled strategy mode, a permissive strategy mode, an assistive strategy mode, and a preventative strategy mode. The autonomous vehicle management system may then process the received information based on an operational goal for the system as a whole. The autonomous vehicle management system may then instruct modifications to operations of one or more of the plurality of autonomous vehicles to achieve the operational goal for the system.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a 2D barcode that overlays text or graphics (e.g., another barcode) while permitting the underlying text or barcode to be read by a user or a barcode scanner. Further, the embodiments herein describe techniques for separating the overlaid 2D barcode from the underlying text or graphics so that the barcode can be identified and decoded. In one embodiment, the blocks forming the 2D barcode are printed (or displayed) using a shade of a color while the text or graphics are printed (or displayed) using a darker shade of that same color.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining strategy modes for autonomous vehicles are described. An autonomous vehicle may detect aspects of other vehicles and aspects of the environment using one or more sensors. The autonomous vehicle may then determine strategy modes of the other vehicles, and select a strategy mode for its own operation based on the determined strategy modes and an operational goal for the autonomous vehicle. The strategy modes may include an uncoupled strategy mode, a permissive strategy mode, an assistive strategy mode, and a preventative strategy mode. The autonomous vehicle may further determine elements in the environment and topological constraints associated with the environment, and select the strategy mode for its own operation based thereon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for broadcasting strategy modes of autonomous vehicles are described. An autonomous vehicle may include one or more notification devices that broadcast a selected strategy mode for the autonomous vehicle. The selected strategy mode may include an uncoupled strategy mode, a permissive strategy mode, an assistive strategy mode, and a preventative strategy mode. The notification devices may include visual, audio, or signal notification devices. In addition, the autonomous vehicle may broadcast other information associated with the vehicle, such as a position, a velocity, a priority, or an identity of the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a trolley for an inventory storage module has a trolley frame and first and second track engagement features on opposed sides of the trolley frame that engage first and second rails of a track, respectively, such that the trolley frame is translatable along the track. The trolley has a power collector that is supported by the trolley frame, and that electrically couples to an electrical rail that is disposed above the trolley frame so as to collect power from the electrical rail as the trolley frame is translated along the track. The trolley has a robotic manipulator having a robotic arm and an end effector. The robotic arm extends below the trolley frame with respect to the vertical direction, and the end effector removeably couples inventory items to the robotic arm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage system has at least one storage module having a shelving system, a conveyor, and a robotic transport system. The shelving system has a plurality of shelves that are spaced from one another along a vertical direction and that define a plurality of inventory storage locations. The conveyor is positioned alongside the shelving system and is configured to convey inventory items along a longitudinal direction. The robotic transport system is positioned alongside the shelving system and spaced above the conveyor along the vertical direction. The robotic transport system has a track, and a trolley that translates along the track and that includes a robotic manipulator. The trolley moves the robotic manipulator along the track to a position that is adjacent a select one of the inventory storage locations so as to stow an inventory item to, or retrieve the item from, the select storage location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inventory storage module has a pair of upper tracks and a pair of lower tracks that are connected to one another so as to define a closed movement path in a vertical plane. The module has a plurality of carriers arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks. Each carrier is elongate along a direction that extends between a pair of the upper or lower tracks so as to carry a set of the storage containers that are arranged side-by-side. Each carrier has first and second first wheel assemblies that couple the carrier to the pairs of upper tracks and lower tracks when supported by the pairs of upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively. The storage module can move the inventory carriers around the movement path until a desired one of the inventory carriers is presented at one of the first and second ends.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and apparatus for injecting dunnage into a container after an item has been placed in the container and the container has been sealed or otherwise closed. A dunnage injection apparatus is configured to penetrate a surface of the sealed container and expel gas and dunnage into an interior space of the container. The gas fills the expelled dunnage forming gas-filled pouches of dunnage that fill voids within the interior space of the container and secure and protect the item within the container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an storage module has first and second guide rails that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction. Each guiderail has an upper track and a lower track spaced from one another along a vertical direction, and first and second connecting tracks that connect the upper track to the lower track at first and second ends, respectively. A plurality of inventory carriers that are supported between the guiderails and are arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks. A drivetrain drives the carriers to translate along the upper and lower tracks at a first speed, and drives the carriers to translate along the connecting tracks at a second speed, faster than the first speed. Increasing the speed of the carriers at the connecting tracks can prevent the carriers from colliding with one another when transitioning between the upper track and the lower track.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for operating a conveyance system (e.g., a conveyor belt, tilt plane, robotic arm) of a mobile drive unit (MDU) independent of the MDU's navigation system. The MDU may be configured to obtain, convey, and deliver items within the workspace. Navigation information related to navigating the MDU within a workspace may be obtained. Operations of a navigational system of the MDU may be performed to move the MDU to various locations within the workspace in accordance with the navigation information. Conveyance information related to physically obtaining and/or delivering an item within the workspace may be obtained by the MDU (e.g., via conveyance-related fiducial markers and/or sensors of the MDU). At least one operation of a conveyance system of the MDU may be executed which may cause the item to be physically relocated based at least in part on the conveyance information.