Abstract: A teleoperated robotic system that includes master control arms, slave arms, and a mobile platform. In use, a user manipulates the master control arms to control movement of the slave arms. The teleoperated robotic system can include two master control arms and two slave arms. The master control arms and the slave arms can be mounted on the platform. The platform can provide support for the master control arms and for a teleoperator, or user, of the robotic system. Thus, a mobile platform can allow the robotic system to be moved from place to place to locate the slave arms in a position for use. Additionally, the user can be positioned on the platform, such that the user can see and hear, directly, the slave arms and the workspace in which the slave arms operate.

Abstract: An apparatus for roasting coffee beans comprises a roasting chamber for containing coffee beans. The roasting chamber is positioned within a resonant cavity of a waveguide. A microwave emitter produces microwave energy within the waveguide with one or more stable high intensity microwave regions within the roasting chamber to heat the coffee beans in the roasting chamber to a temperature sufficient to roast the coffee beans. A device configured to move the coffee beans within the one or more high intensity microwave regions is coupled to the roasting chamber.

Abstract: A teleoperated robotic system that includes master control arms, slave arms, and a mobile platform. In use, a user manipulates the master control arms to control movement of the slave arms. The teleoperated robotic system can include two master control arms and two slave arms. The master control arms and the slave arms can be mounted on the platform. The platform can provide support for the master control arms and for a teleoperator, or user, of the robotic system. Thus, a mobile platform can allow the robotic system to be moved from place to place to locate the slave arms in a position for use. Additionally, the user can be positioned on the platform, such that the user can see and hear, directly, the slave arms and the workspace in which the slave arms operate.

Abstract: A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can comprise a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system and a second transport module having a frame assembly and a mobility system. A multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage can join the first and second transport modules together. The vehicle can include a first platform supported about the frame assembly of the first transport module, and a second platform supported about the frame assembly of the second transport module. Each of the platforms can be configured to receive a load for transport. Additionally, the vehicle can include a control system that can operate to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage about a given terrain.

Abstract: A teleoperated robotic system that includes master control arms, slave arms, and a mobile platform. In use, a user manipulates the master control arms to control movement of the slave arms. The teleoperated robotic system can include two master control arms and two slave arms. The master control arms and the slave arms can be mounted on the platform. The platform can provide support for the master control arms and for a teleoperator, or user, of the robotic system. Thus, a mobile platform can allow the robotic system to be moved from place to place to locate the slave arms in a position for use. Additionally, the user can be positioned on the platform, such that the user can see and hear, directly, the slave arms and the workspace in which the slave arms operate.

Abstract: A micro-camera catheter device is disclosed having at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter. The light source is capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength greater than approximately 700 nanometers onto a target. The device further includes a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target. The device further includes a non-linear optical media disposed about the lens system configured to reduce the wavelength of light reflected from the target. The device also includes a silicon-based solid state imaging device disposed behind the non-linear optical media configured to receive light from the non-linear optical media.

Abstract: A hollow elongated cylinder is disclosed having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end configured to be removably connectable to a distal end of a syringe. An umbilical is removably inserted within said cylinder and configured for detachable connection to a data processor and a display device having a solid state imaging device disposed on a distal end of the umbilical. A lens system is disposed on a distal end of the solid state imaging device. The umbilical is inserted within the cylinder such that the distal end of the lens system is disposed at approximately the distal end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can comprise a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system and a second transport module having a frame assembly and a mobility system. A multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage can join the first and second transport modules together. The vehicle can include a first platform supported about the frame assembly of the first transport module, and a second platform supported about the frame assembly of the second transport module. Each of the platforms can be configured to receive a load for transport. Additionally, the vehicle can include a control system that can operate to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage about a given terrain.

Abstract: A method for controlling a tele-operated robot agile lift system is disclosed. The method comprises manipulating a human-machine interface of a master robot located on a mobile platform. The human machine interface is kinematically equivalent to a user's arm with a plurality of support members. A position value and a torque value is measured for each support member. The position value and torque value are communicated to support members of a kinematically equivalent slave arm to position the support members to correspond with a position of the human-machine interface.

Abstract: A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus is described herein. An imaging device is disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The imaging device has an effective focal plane that is located in front of the imaging device. The catheter also includes a transparent focal instrument that has an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus.

Abstract: An apparatus for roasting coffee beans comprises a roasting chamber for containing coffee beans. The roasting chamber is positioned within a resonant cavity of a waveguide. A microwave emitter produces microwave energy within the waveguide with one or more stable high intensity microwave regions within the roasting chamber to heat the coffee beans in the roasting chamber to a temperature sufficient to roast the coffee beans. A device configured to move the coffee beans within the one or more high intensity microwave regions is coupled to the roasting chamber.

Abstract: A hull cleaning robot includes at least one cleaning apparatus for cleaning the hull of a vessel, at least one drive track holding the robot on the hull as the robot maneuvers about the hull, and at least one turbine actuatable by water flowing past the hull for operating the at least one drive track and, optionally, the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for gathering information from and setting up a surveillance network within an earth-surface environment that includes inserting one or more mobile robotic devices having a sensing subsystem, a communications subsystem, and a navigation subsystem into an earth-surface environment. The mobile robotic device may be configured into a traveling pose selected from a plurality of available traveling poses, and directed using the navigation subsystem to a sensing location within the earth-surface environment. The environment may be monitored and sensed information collected may be stored or communicated to a remote location. The mobile robotic device may be configured to operate with a vehicle carrier to facilitate insertion and deployment of the robotic vehicle into the earth-surface environment.

Abstract: A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can comprise a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system and a second transport module having a frame assembly and a mobility system. A multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage can join the first and second transport modules together. The vehicle can include a first platform supported about the frame assembly of the first transport module, and a second platform supported about the frame assembly of the second transport module. Each of the platforms can be configured to receive a load for transport. Additionally, the vehicle can include a control system that can operate to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage about a given terrain.

Abstract: A micro-camera catheter device is disclosed having at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter. The light source is capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength greater than approximately 700 nanometers onto a target. The device further includes a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target. The device further includes a non-linear optical media disposed about the lens system configured to reduce the wavelength of light reflected from the target. The device also includes a silicon-based solid state imaging device disposed behind the non-linear optical media configured to receive light from the non-linear optical media.

Abstract: An operator controllable robotic device is disclosed. The robotic device comprises a support member, an upper robotic arm, a lower robotic arm, and a control arm. The upper robotic arm is coupled to the support member and has rotational movement in at least one degree of freedom relative to the support member. The lower robotic arm is coupled to the upper robotic arm and has rotational movement in at least one degree of freedom relative to the upper robotic arm. The control arm allows an operator to control the robotic device. The control arm is coupled to the upper robotic arm and has rotational movement in at least one degree of freedom relative to the upper robotic arm. The control arm allows a movement of the operator to control a movement of at least one of the upper robotic arm and the lower robotic arm.

Abstract: A method of imaging a target using a miniaturized imaging device is disclosed comprising providing a miniaturized imaging device having a stationary lens system and an imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the imaging array is fixed. The miniaturized imaging device is advanced near the desired target and a distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target is determined. A desired wavelength of light is calculated based on the determined distance from the distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target and the desired wavelength of light is propagated onto the target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for popping kernels, comprising a heating chamber for containing kernels, a microwave emitter configured to produce microwave energy within the heating chamber and heat the kernels, a single-mode resonant microwave applicator configured to generate a standing microwave energy field comprising an array of one or more high intensity microwave regions, and a device configured to move kernels within the high intensity microwave regions.

Abstract: A regenerative hydraulic pump that allows for efficient operation of a hydraulic system under high pressure/low flow conditions that comprises a crankshaft providing a rotating inertial mass, and a regenerative hydraulic pump cylinder that comprises a pump cylinder housing, a pump piston mechanically connected to the crankshaft; and a compliant pressure chamber that stores a portion of the energy extracted by the pump piston during a pumping stroke for release back to the pump piston and to the crankshaft during a regenerative back stroke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a popcorn vending machine, comprising a kernel holding chamber configured to store and dispense kernels, a heating chamber comprising an inlet configured to receive kernels from the kernel holding chamber, a microwave emitter configured to produce microwave energy within the heating chamber and heat the kernels, a single-mode resonant microwave applicator configured to generate a stable focused high intensity microwave region within the heating chamber, at least one air blower disposed in communication with the heating chamber, wherein the air blower is configured to blow air into the heating chamber, thereby moving kernels within the heating chamber and selectively removing popped flakes from the high intensity microwave region when popped, and a heating chamber outlet connected to the heating chamber for receiving popped flakes from the heating chamber and dispensing the popped flakes into a container.