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: An example item storage system may include a shipping container and a plurality of storage modules disposed within the interior of the shipping container. Each storage module may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, and a frame. The upper support structure may engage with a corresponding lower support structure of a first different storage module. The frame may define an upper level to support a first plurality of moveable container carriers, and a lower level to support a second plurality of moveable container carriers.

Abstract: A system includes a first computer, a second computer, and an active computer system determining module. The first computer receives a second computer health signal from the second computer indicating a fault in the second computer and generates a first computer system health signal indicating a fault in the first and/or second computer. The active computer system determining module receives the first computer system health signal and generates a standby signal based on the first computer system health signal. The second computer receives the standby signal and disables one or more of its output ports based on the standby signal.

Abstract: A tap off box (22) for use with a busbar trunking system (24) comprising at least one conducting bar (26), the tap off box (22) comprising: an inlet contact (34); a movable sheath (36) for the inlet contact (34); and an electrical outlet (50) in electrical communication with the inlet contact (34), wherein, when the tap off box (22) is in a mounted position on the busbar trunking system (24), movement of the sheath (36) to a first position breaks an electrical connection between a conducting bar (26) and the electrical outlet (50).

Abstract: A module health system includes a module health circuit comprising a hardware register that is set to a first value in response to the system starting, an application register that is set to the first value in response to the system starting and a watchdog timer register that is set to the first value in response to the system starting. The system further includes a power on self-test that determines whether the system has passed a plurality of tests and that selectively sets the hardware register to a second value based on the determination, an external software application that determines whether a safety critical system is healthy and selectively sets the application register based on the determination, a watchdog timer application that selectively sets the watchdog timer register, a central processing unit that determines whether to de-assert a module health signal.

Abstract: Unwinding systems and methods are provided for unwinding a fiber from a bobbin. The unwinding system can include an axle defining a first axis extending an axial direction, a bobbin rotatably mounted around the axle, a pulley positioned to receive the fiber from the bobbin, wherein the pulley is rotatable around a second axis, and a sensor positioned between the bobbin and the pulley. The bobbin is moveable along the axial direction, and wherein the fiber extends tangentially from a surface of the bobbin.

Abstract: A composite fluid conduit assembly with a fluid conduit having a wall defining a fluid flow path is disclosed. The wall has an inner region and an outer region. The outer region includes a composite material having reinforcing elements within a matrix material and the inner region having a material which is substantially devoid of reinforcing elements. The inner region of the wall defines a first sealing surface around the fluid flow path at one end of the fluid conduit. The composite fluid conduit assembly has an interface member substantially devoid of reinforcing elements and located at the end of the fluid conduit. The interface member defines an aperture in fluid flow communication with the fluid flow path and a second sealing surface. A compression arrangement forces the interface member and the fluid conduit together forming a seal around the fluid flow path between the first and second sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite fluid conduit includes providing an inner pipe having a variation in cross-section between at least two different longitudinal sections thereof and applying a fiber reinforced composite material to the inner pipe. In some disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided intermediate opposing ends of the inner pipe. In other disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided at an end region of the inner pipe.

Abstract: A method for joining primary and secondary members includes providing a primary member, a secondary member and a heating element which is joined to one of the primary and secondary members. The heating element includes an electrically insulating matrix material and an electrically conductive reinforcing clement extending through the matrix material. The method further includes bringing the other of the primary and secondary members and the heating element into engagement and controlling a flow of electrical current in the reinforcing element so as to resistively heat and fuse at least some of the matrix material of the heating element with a matrix material of the other of the primary and secondary members. The method may be used to join a primary member such as a composite tubular and a secondary member such as a component for terminating the composite tubular.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for an automated package unloading system. An automated package unloading system can include an end effector supported by a supporting frame which is mounted to a conveyor system. The end effector and/or the conveyor can be configured to move into and out of a container containing stacked packages. The end effector can be configured to attach to the packages and pull the packages from their original position. The end effector can further be configured to release the packages onto the underlying conveyor.

Abstract: Described herein is an inventory management system, and corresponding methods, in which robotic units are configured to execute at least a portion of a set of instructions in an automated manner. During execution of the set of instructions, robotic units may encounter tasks that they are unable to complete in an automated manner. The robotic units, upon encountering these tasks, may submit a request for manual operation to a control unit. In some embodiments, the request may be assigned to an available operator, which may take over control of the robotic unit using a remote manipulation device, to complete the task manually. Once the task has been completed manually, automated execution of the instructions may be resumed. In embodiments of the disclosed system, an operator may work assigned requests as those requests are received, which may eliminate downtime for the operator.

Abstract: A system includes a first fail-safe chassis (FSC) receives module health signals from a plurality of modules and generates a first chassis health signal. The chassis health signal includes first and second portions. A plurality of modules receives the chassis health signal. The FSC determines whether one or more of the module heals signals indicates an associated module is unhealthy by comparing the module health signals and a predetermined health value. The FSC selectively de-asserts the first chassis health signal based on the comparison. A second FSC operates similarly. A safety relay box determines the health of the system in accordance with the first and second chassis health signals.

Abstract: Concepts of an omnidirectional pinion wheel are described. In one embodiment, the wheel includes first and second rims each including inner and outer rim surfaces, and an annular ring of rollers affixed on the outer surface of one of the first and second annular rim. Using an axis of freedom of the rollers, the wheel can move sideways in addition to forward and backward. Further, when used with a vertical rack gear, the wheel can provide vertical displacement by engagement between teeth of the gear and the pinion ring. Additionally, various racks and tracks with teeth for pinion ring engagement are described along with an example vehicle capable of vertical displacement using the wheels.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing central processing units (CPU) includes a schedule module that communicates a synchronization point, a first CPU that writes a first memory address to a first register in response to the first CPU reaching the synchronization point, and a second CPU that writes a second memory address to a second register in response to the second CPU reaching the synchronization point. The system further includes a first logical AND module that writes a first value to a third register based on the first and second memory addresses and a second logical AND module that writes a second value to a fourth register based on the first and second memory addresses. The system also includes a scheduler module that selectively generates a processor sync signal based on the first and second value.

Abstract: A cooling system having integrated cold plate extending member and cold plate for an electronics enclosure includes a chassis having multiple heat producing boards positioned in side-by-side parallel configuration having successive ones of the boards separated by a cavity thereby defining multiple ones of the cavities. A cold plate assembly includes a base unit of a thermally conductive material. The cold plate assembly also includes multiple cold plate extending members connected to the base unit. Successive ones of the cold plate extending members are spaced to be slidably received in one of the cavities such that the cold plate extending member received between any two successive boards is in direct contact with both of the successive ones of the boards.

Abstract: The invention provides a use of a particle to absorb and retain odiferous compounds, wherein the particle comprises: —(a) a solid core comprising a first hydrophobic polymer, and (b) a shell comprising a second hydrophobic polymer wherein the Tg of the first hydrophobic polymer is lower than the Tg of the second hydrophobic polymer; wherein the particles have a mean particle size of less than 1 micron, preferably from 0.1 to 0.3 microns, and wherein the odiferous compound is a malodor compound.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a recirculating gantry system operating in parallel with multiple actuators on one or more gantries. A plurality of items are retrieved from a plurality of picking locations via a plurality of actuators disposed on a gantry spanning the picking locations. The gantry is moved along a horizontal track toward a plurality of stowage locations. The gantry is centered on the horizontal track. Individual items are deposited in respective ones of the stowage locations via the plurality of actuators as the gantry moves over the stowage locations.

Abstract: An example item storage system may include a shipping container and a plurality of storage modules disposed within the interior of the shipping container. Each storage module may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, and a frame. The upper support structure may engage with a corresponding lower support structure of a first different storage module. The frame may define an upper level to support a first plurality of moveable container carriers, and a lower level to support a second plurality of moveable container carriers.

Abstract: An example storage module may include an upper support structure, a lower support structure, and a frame. The upper support structure may engage with a corresponding lower support structure of a first different storage module. The lower support structure may engage with a corresponding upper support structure of a second different storage module. The frame may include a first component and a second component. Each component may include an upper portion, a lower portion, and a set of connecting portions. The upper portion may define an upper level of the storage module. The lower portion may define a lower level of the storage module. The set of connecting portions may connect the upper and lower portions. The storage module may also include a set of carrier devices to move in accordance with a movement path and support a set of storage containers.

Abstract: An example process may include receiving a request identifying an action with respect to an item and a modular storage system. The modular storage system may include a plurality of shipping containers accessible from an item transfer facility. The process may also include identifying a particular shipping container of the plurality of shipping containers to fulfill the request. The process may also include identifying, within the particular shipping container, a particular storage module to fulfill the request. The particular storage module may include a particular plurality of storage containers. The process may also include identifying, from among the particular plurality of storage containers, a particular storage container to fulfill the request. The process may also include causing movement of the particular plurality of storage containers to move the particular storage container to an access position.