Abstract: A controllable array sorting device is disclosed, including: an array of diverting mechanisms; and a processor coupled to the array of diverting mechanisms, wherein the processor is configured to: process an instruction to perform a sorting action on a target item, wherein the instruction specifies a selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to use to perform the sorting action; and in response to the instruction, cause the selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to perform the sorting action on the target item.

Abstract: An efficient material recovery facility is disclosed, including: a first sorting device configured to: process a first instruction to remove a first target item from a set of items; and in response to the first instruction, perform a first sorting action to remove the first target item from the set of items, wherein the set of items excluding at least the first target item is to be transported towards a second sorting device, wherein the second sorting device is associated with a same sorting device type as the first sorting device; and wherein the second sorting device is configured to perform a second sorting action to remove a second target item from the set of items excluding at least the first target item in response to receiving a second instruction to remove the second target item.

Abstract: A controllable array sorting device is disclosed, including: an array of diverting mechanisms; and a processor coupled to the array of diverting mechanisms, wherein the processor is configured to: process an instruction to perform a sorting action on a target item, wherein the instruction specifies a selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to use to perform the sorting action; and in response to the instruction, cause the selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to perform the sorting action on the target item.

Abstract: Using a suction gripper cluster device is disclosed, including: causing airflows to be generated by a plurality of airflow generators of a respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms included in a suction gripper cluster device comprising a plurality of suction gripper mechanisms, wherein the plurality of airflow generators is configured to cause the airflows to enter respective intake ports of the plurality of suction gripper mechanisms and exit respective outlet ports of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms in response to receiving air at a respective air input port of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms; causing a target object to be captured by the suction gripper cluster device using the airflows; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the suction gripper cluster device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the suction gripper cluster device.

Abstract: A bidirectional air conveyor device is disclosed, including: a housing that includes an intake port and an outlet port; a first air input port; a first airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the first airflow generator is coupled to the first air input port; a second air input port; a second airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the second airflow generator is coupled to the second air input port; wherein the first airflow generator is configured to cause a first airflow to enter the intake port and exit the outlet port in response to a first supply of air to the first air input port; and wherein the second airflow generator is configured to cause a second airflow to enter the outlet port and exit the intake port in response to a second supply of air to the second air input port.

Abstract: A bidirectional air conveyor device is disclosed, including: a housing that includes an intake port and an outlet port; a first air input port; a first airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the first airflow generator is coupled to the first air input port; a second air input port; a second airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the second airflow generator is coupled to the second air input port; wherein the first airflow generator is configured to cause a first airflow to enter the intake port and exit the outlet port in response to a first supply of air to the first air input port; and wherein the second airflow generator is configured to cause a second airflow to enter the outlet port and exit the intake port in response to a second supply of air to the second air input port.

Abstract: An efficient material recovery facility is disclosed, including: a first sorting device configured to: process a first instruction to remove a first target item from a set of items; and in response to the first instruction, perform a first sorting action to remove the first target item from the set of items, wherein the set of items excluding at least the first target item is to be transported towards a second sorting device, wherein the second sorting device is associated with a same sorting device type as the first sorting device; and wherein the second sorting device is configured to perform a second sorting action to remove a second target item from the set of items excluding at least the first target item in response to receiving a second instruction to remove the second target item.

Abstract: An efficient material recovery facility is disclosed, including: a first sorting device configured to: process a first instruction to remove a first target item from a set of items; and in response to the first instruction, perform a first sorting action to remove the first target item from the set of items, wherein the set of items excluding at least the first target item is to be transported towards a second sorting device, wherein the second sorting device is associated with a same sorting device type as the first sorting device; and wherein the second sorting device is configured to perform a second sorting action to remove a second target item from the set of items excluding at least the first target item in response to receiving a second instruction to remove the second target item.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a suction gripper mechanism that comprises: a linear shaft element; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port at a first end of the linear shaft and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft; a suction cup assembly comprising a suction cup element coupled to the gripping port; and an actuator configured to rotate the linear shaft in order to articulate an orientation of the suction cup assembly.

Abstract: Actuating an air conveyor device is disclosed, including: causing an airflow to be generated by an airflow generator of an air conveyor device, wherein the airflow generator is configured to cause the airflow to enter an intake port of the air conveyor device and exit from an outlet port of the air conveyor device in response to receiving air at an air input port of the air conveyor device; causing a target object to be captured by the air conveyor device using the airflow; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the air conveyor device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the air conveyor device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a telescoping suction gripper assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a telescoping suction gripper assembly comprising a telescoping member and a suction gripper mechanism, wherein a first end of the telescoping member is coupled to a vacuum supply conduit via a first flexible conduit member and a second end of the telescoping member is coupled to the suction gripper mechanism by a second flexible conduit member, and wherein the suction gripper mechanism is pivotally coupled to the at least one robotic; wherein the telescoping member is configured to adjust in length in response to the at least one robotic arm relocating the suction gripper mechanism from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A controllable array sorting device is disclosed, including: an array of diverting mechanisms; and a processor coupled to the array of diverting mechanisms, wherein the processor is configured to: process an instruction to perform a sorting action on a target item, wherein the instruction specifies a selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to use to perform the sorting action; and in response to the instruction, cause the selected at least subset of the array of diverting mechanisms to perform the sorting action on the target item.

Abstract: An efficient material recovery facility is disclosed, including: a first sorting device configured to: process a first instruction to remove a first target item from a set of items; and in response to the first instruction, perform a first sorting action to remove the first target item from the set of items, wherein the set of items excluding at least the first target item is to be transported towards a second sorting device, wherein the second sorting device is associated with a same sorting device type as the first sorting device; and wherein the second sorting device is configured to perform a second sorting action to remove a second target item from the set of items excluding at least the first target item in response to receiving a second instruction to remove the second target item.

Abstract: A bidirectional air conveyor device is disclosed, including: a housing that includes an intake port and an outlet port; a first air input port; a first airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the first airflow generator is coupled to the first air input port; a second air input port; a second airflow generator defined within the housing, wherein the second airflow generator is coupled to the second air input port; wherein the first airflow generator is configured to cause a first airflow to enter the intake port and exit the outlet port in response to a first supply of air to the first air input port; and wherein the second airflow generator is configured to cause a second airflow to enter the outlet port and exit the intake port in response to a second supply of air to the second air input port.

Abstract: Actuating an air conveyor device is disclosed, including: causing an airflow to be generated by an airflow generator of an air conveyor device, wherein the airflow generator is configured to cause the airflow to enter an intake port of the air conveyor device and exit from an outlet port of the air conveyor device in response to receiving air at an air input port of the air conveyor device; causing a target object to be captured by the air conveyor device using the airflow; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the air conveyor device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the air conveyor device.

Abstract: Using a suction gripper cluster device is disclosed, including: causing airflows to be generated by a plurality of airflow generators of a respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms included in a suction gripper cluster device comprising a plurality of suction gripper mechanisms, wherein the plurality of airflow generators is configured to cause the airflows to enter respective intake ports of the plurality of suction gripper mechanisms and exit respective outlet ports of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms in response to receiving air at a respective air input port of the respective plurality of suction gripper mechanisms; causing a target object to be captured by the suction gripper cluster device using the airflows; activating a positioning actuator mechanism to position the suction gripper cluster device; and causing the target object to be ejected from the suction gripper cluster device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a telescoping suction gripper assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a telescoping suction gripper assembly comprising a telescoping member and a suction gripper mechanism, wherein a first end of the telescoping member is coupled to a vacuum supply conduit via a first flexible conduit member and a second end of the telescoping member is coupled to the suction gripper mechanism by a second flexible conduit member, and wherein the suction gripper mechanism is pivotally coupled to the at least one robotic; wherein the telescoping member is configured to adjust in length in response to the at least one robotic arm relocating the suction gripper mechanism from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a robotic system comprises: a robot comprising a robotic actuator and at least one robotic arm mechanically coupled to the robotic actuator; a suction gripper mechanism that comprises: a linear shaft element; an internal airflow passage within the linear shaft configured to communicate an airflow between an airflow application port at a first end of the linear shaft and a gripping port positioned at an opposing second end of the linear shaft; a suction cup assembly comprising a suction cup element coupled to the gripping port; and an actuator configured to rotate the linear shaft in order to articulate an orientation of the suction cup assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for prognostic health management (PHM) of electronic systems. Such systems and methods present challenges traditionally viewed as either insurmountable or otherwise not worth the cost of pursuit. The systems and methods are directed to the health monitoring and failure prediction of electronic systems, including the diagnostic methods employed to assess current health state and prognostic methods for the prediction of electronic system failures and remaining useful life. The disclosed methodologies include three techniques: (1) use of existing electronic systems data (circuit as a sensor); (2) use of available external measurements as condition indicators and degradation assessor; and (3) performance assessment metrics derived from available external measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring the fluid quality of oil, or other fluids used in or with equipment, machinery and the like. The system may be integrated with a filter device and used, for example, to characterize such fluids and to permit a determination of when to make oil or other fluid changes due to a change in the quality of the oil or fluid.