Abstract: A movement system includes a rail, a trolley, and a braking system. The trolley is movably attached to the rail and configured to support the payload. The braking system is operatively attached to the rail. The braking system includes a braking module having a base, operatively attached to the trolley, and a wheel assembly, operatively attached to the base. The wheel assembly has a shaft, a clutch, and a braking wheel. The clutch is rigidly attached to the shaft and configured for rotation with the shaft about the rolling axis. The braking wheel axially surrounds the clutch and is in continuous rolling contact with a surface of the rail. The clutch is configured to selectively allow rotation of the braking wheel relative to the shaft in only one direction of rotation to decelerate movement of the trolley along the rail.

Abstract: Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. A temperature-sensitive, active material-containing actuator is pre-selected to operate at a pre-determined temperature indicative of impending equipment failure and placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-selected temperature the actuator signals this by displaying a flag or providing some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may issue an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.

Abstract: A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements.

Abstract: A vehicle charging station includes a track configured to extend across a plurality of vehicle parking spaces and a movable charging apparatus supported by the track. The movable charging apparatus is translatable along the track between the plurality of vehicle parking spaces to charge one or more vehicles. The movable charging apparatus includes a base slidably coupled with the track, an end effector in mechanical communication with the base and configured to electrically couple with an electric vehicle disposed within one of the plurality of vehicle parking spaces, and a power delivery circuit configured to receive an electrical charge from a power source and to controllably provide the electrical charge to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: A reconfigurable end-effector assembly includes a master boom, a limb, and branches. The branches extend radially outward from the limb. Tandem branch joint assemblies connect the branches to the limb, and include a first and a second branch joint each having a cam lock. Tool modules mounted to the branches are translatable and rotatable with respect to the branches. The joint assemblies rotate and slide with respect to the longitudinal axis of the limb only when the cam lock is released. A configuration tool has an actuator and fingers. The branch joints define openings that are engaged via the fingers. The tool includes a latch which engages the cam lock, and clamps and unclamps the cam lock. A flexible dress package is mountable to the limb and configured to route lengths of conduit to each of the tool modules.

Abstract: A reconfigurable end-effector attachable to a robotic arm, includes a master boom, a first branch assembly and a second branch assembly, a dual articulation mechanism. The dual articulation mechanism includes a first clutch attached to the first branch assembly and is configured to articulate the first branch assembly relative to the second branch assembly. The dual articulation mechanism further includes a second clutch attached to the master boom, the second branch assembly and the first clutch and is configured to simultaneously articulate the first and second branch assemblies relative to the master boom. The first and second branch assemblies each have limbs connected to branches supporting a plurality of tool modules. Each tool module includes an end element configurable to interact with a workpiece.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic gripper and a grasp controller. The gripper, which has a sensory matrix that includes a plurality of sensors, executes selected grasp poses with respect to a component in the corresponding method to thereby grasp the component in response to a grasp command signal from the controller. The controller has a touch-screen or other interactive graphical user interface (GUI) which generates a jog signal in response to an input from a user. Sensory maps provide calibrated limits for each sensor contained in the sensory matrix for the selected grasp pose. The controller transmits the grasp command signal to the gripper in response to receipt of the jog signal from the GUI. The GUI may display a jog wheel having icons, including a hub corresponding to a neutral pose of the robotic gripper and icons corresponding to grasp poses arranged around a circumference of the jog wheel.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load cell assembly and methods of folding a circuit device are disclosed. A flexible circuit body including a strip having at least one hinge is provided, with the strip being in a first position or an unfolded position. A plurality of strain gauges are attached to the strip, with the hinge disposed between the strain gauges. A jig is provided and the strip of the flexible circuit body is folded along the hinge utilizing the jig to define a second position or folded position of the strip.

Abstract: A system is configured to determine the performance of a braking system for a joint of a robot. The braking system is configured to apply a brake to the joint and a servo system is configured to apply a torque to the joint. The system measures performance data at the joint, identifies a performance parameter, and defines performance regions and limits that are used to evaluate the performance parameter.

Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels. The first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment. An extension unit has a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body. The second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment. The first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface. The first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment.

Abstract: Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. A temperature-sensitive, active material-containing actuator is pre-selected to operate at a pre-determined temperature indicative of impending equipment failure and placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-selected temperature the actuator signals this by displaying a flag or providing some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may issue an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.

Abstract: Malfunction or failure of mechanical, electrical and electro-mechanical equipment, for example equipment used in manufacturing operations, is often preceded by an increase in the operating temperature of at least some portion of the equipment. Some pre-determined temperature, greater than the highest normal operating temperature of the equipment, is presumed or known to be indicative of impending equipment failure if no remedial action is taken. A resettable, temperature-sensitive device, containing a shape memory alloy actuator, pre-selected to operate at the pre-determined temperature, is disclosed. The device is placed in thermal contact with the equipment. If the equipment achieves the pre-determined temperature, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the device to display a flag or provide some other passive visual indication. Alternatively, or additionally, the actuator may trigger an electrically-powered alert including visual or audible alerts or a wireless communication.

Abstract: Fixtureless self-alignment and orientation of components during an assembly process, and self-aligning/self-orienting components for assembly. Self-alignment and self-orientation are provided by integrating complementary spatially-modulated magnetic arrays into components requiring alignment and/or orientation during an assembly process. In addition to providing self-alignment/self-orientation, the spatially-modulated magnetic arrays also provide selective component placement and/or assembly order. Final assembly can involve permanent mechanical or adhesive fasteners.

Abstract: The cable lift system provides assistance to movement of a flexibly suspended payload actuated by operator input into one or more sensing devices attached to the payload. The sensing device is configured to collect information about the typical push-pull and lift-lower motions of an operator moving the payload horizontally and/or vertically, such that the operator's input to the sensor is intuitive and is provided in a manner which is substantially transparent to the operator. The assist mechanisms included in the system are actuated by a controller processing signals received from the one or more sensing devices on the payload. Movement assistance is provided such that the manual effort required by the operator to overcome the inertia of the payload in a starting or stopping event is substantially relieved, thus minimizing the ergonomic impact of the starting and stopping events on the operator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a load cell assembly and methods of folding a circuit device are disclosed. A flexible circuit body including a strip having at least one hinge is provided, with the strip being in a first position or an unfolded position. A plurality of strain gauges are attached to the strip, with the hinge disposed between the strain gauges. A jig is provided and the strip of the flexible circuit body is folded along the hinge utilizing the jig to define a second position or folded position of the strip.

Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a vehicle chassis frame. The frame has a first frame portion and a second frame portion operatively connected to the first frame portion. The second frame portion is selectively movable with respect to the first frame portion such that the length of the chassis is selectively variable. The chassis may thus be lengthened to support the addition of an extension unit when additional passenger space or cargo space is desired.

Abstract: An expandable vehicle system includes a drivable vehicle having a first propulsion system, a first set of wheels, and a first body supported by the first set of wheels. The first body at least substantially encloses and defines a first interior compartment. An extension unit has a second body and at least one wheel supporting the second body. The second body at least partially defines a second interior compartment. The first body is configured with a first attachment interface and the second body is configured with a second attachment interface. The first and second attachment interfaces are cooperatively configured to attach to one another such that the drivable vehicle is mechanically-coupled to the extension unit to form an expanded vehicle drivable by the drivable vehicle and with the first interior compartment contiguous with the second interior compartment.

Abstract: The end-effector includes an articulating frame mounted on an indexable boom. Tool modules mount on the end-effector and connect to a workpiece. Each tool module includes a flexible dress package including a cable carrier. A channel rail is supported by the end-effector frame and guides the cable carrier. A setup tool and associated process can reconfigure the positions of the tool modules and the frame and boom of the end-effector.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robot adapted for moving a payload in proportional response to an input force from an operator, sensors adapted for measuring a predetermined set of operator input values, including the input force, and a controller. The controller determines a changing stiffness value of the operator using set of operator input values, and automatically adjusts a level of control sensitivity over the robot using the stiffness value. The input values include the input force, a muscle activation level of the operator, and a position of the operator. A method of controlling the robot includes measuring the operator input values using the plurality of sensors, processing the input values using the controller to thereby calculate the stiffness value, and automatically adjusting the level of control sensitivity over the robot using the stiffness value. A specific operator may be identified, with control sensitivity being adjusted based on the identity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for charging an energy storage system of a vehicle. A processor is coupled to an arm. The processor is configured to obtain a position of the vehicle. The processor is further configured to guide the arm to locate a charging receptacle of the vehicle based on the position and to insert the charging device into the charging receptacle.