Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to move the robot across a floor surface, a brush proximate a lateral side of the robot, and a motor configured to rotate the brush about an axis of rotation. The brush includes a hub configured to engage the motor of the robot and arms each extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and each being angled relative to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the brush. Each of the arms include a first portion extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion away from the axis of rotation. An angle between the first portion of each of the arms and the plane is larger than an angle between the second portion of the each of the arms and the plane.

Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to move the robot across a floor surface, a brush proximate a lateral side of the robot, and a motor configured to rotate the brush about an axis of rotation. The brush includes a hub configured to engage the motor of the robot and arms each extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and each being angled relative to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the brush. Each of the arms include a first portion extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion away from the axis of rotation. An angle between the first portion of each of the arms and the plane is larger than an angle between the second portion of the each of the arms and the plane.

Abstract: This document describes a mobile cleaning robot that includes a chassis that supports a drive system, a debris collection volume; and a cleaning head formed to complete a bottom of the robot. The cleaning head includes a frame for affixing the cleaning head to the chassis, a monolithic housing having an interior cavity, a suspension linkage movably suspending the monolithic housing from the frame, the suspension linkage being configured to lift the monolithic housing, a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and mated to the monolithic housing, a rigid duct mated the frame to form a pneumatic path between the monolithic housing and the rigid duct through the diaphragm, and cleaning extractors disposed in the interior cavity of the monolithic housing.

Abstract: This document describes a mobile cleaning robot that includes a chassis that supports a drive system, a debris collection volume; and a cleaning head formed to complete a bottom of the robot. The cleaning head includes a frame for affixing the cleaning head to the chassis, a monolithic housing having an interior cavity, a suspension linkage movably suspending the monolithic housing from the frame, the suspension linkage being configured to lift the monolithic housing, a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and mated to the monolithic housing, a rigid duct mated the frame to form a pneumatic path between the monolithic housing and the rigid duct through the diaphragm, and cleaning extractors disposed in the interior cavity of the monolithic housing.

Abstract: This document describes a mobile cleaning robot that includes a chassis that supports a drive system, a debris collection volume; and a cleaning head formed to complete a bottom of the robot. The cleaning head includes a frame for affixing the cleaning head to the chassis, a monolithic housing having an interior cavity, a suspension linkage movably suspending the monolithic housing from the frame, the suspension linkage being configured to lift the monolithic housing, a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and mated to the monolithic housing, a rigid duct mated the frame to form a pneumatic path between the monolithic housing and the rigid duct through the diaphragm, and cleaning extractors disposed in the interior cavity of the monolithic housing.

Abstract: An autonomous cleaning robot includes a drive configured to move the robot across a floor surface, a brush proximate a lateral side of the robot, and a motor configured to rotate the brush about an axis of rotation. The brush includes a hub configured to engage the motor of the robot and arms each extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and each being angled relative to a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the brush. Each of the arms include a first portion extending outwardly from the hub away from the axis of rotation and a second portion extending outwardly from the first portion away from the axis of rotation. An angle between the first portion of each of the arms and the plane is larger than an angle between the second portion of the each of the arms and the plane.

Abstract: This document describes a mobile cleaning robot that includes a chassis that supports a drive system, a debris collection volume; and a cleaning head formed to complete a bottom of the robot. The cleaning head includes a frame for affixing the cleaning head to the chassis, a monolithic housing having an interior cavity, a suspension linkage movably suspending the monolithic housing from the frame, the suspension linkage being configured to lift the monolithic housing, a diaphragm formed of a flexible material and mated to the monolithic housing, a rigid duct mated the frame to form a pneumatic path between the monolithic housing and the rigid duct through the diaphragm, and cleaning extractors disposed in the interior cavity of the monolithic housing.

Abstract: A mobile surface cleaning robot including a robot body having a forward drive direction, a drive system supporting the robot body above a floor surface for maneuvering the robot across the floor surface, and a robot controller in communication with the drive system. The robot also includes a collection volume supported by the robot body and a cleaning module releasably supported by the robot body and arranged to clean the floor surface. The cleaning module includes a first vacuum squeegee having a first duct, a driven roller brush rotatably supported rearward of the first vacuum squeegee, a second vacuum squeegee disposed rearward of the roller brush and having a second duct, and a third duct in fluid communication with the first and second ducts. The third duct is connectable to the collection volume at a fluid-tight interface formed by selectively engaging the cartridge with the robot body.

Abstract: A mobile robot that includes a body, a drive system movably supporting the body above a cleaning surface, and a cleaning system arranged to clean the cleaning surface. The robot further includes a controller in communication with at least one of the drive system and the cleaning system and a super-hydrophobic coating applied to at least one of the drive system, the cleaning system, and the controller.

Abstract: A vehicle gear box shift actuator and apparatus including the same. The actuator includes a lead screw; a drive nut threaded on the lead screw; a plunger; a first spring disposed between the drive nut and a first end of the plunger; a second spring disposed between the drive nut and a second end of the plunger opposite from the first end. Non-contact position sensing of the actuator output is also provided.

Abstract: A crank-type linear actuator may be used to provide linear actuation, for example, in a vehicle system. In general, the actuator may use a crank assembly to convert a unidirectional rotary drive motion into a reciprocating linear actuation motion. The actuator may also use magnetic elements and magnetic sensors for non-contact position control of the actuator.

Abstract: An actuator and door latch system incorporating the same. The actuator moves a door latch between locked and unlocked positions with rapidity using a gear train directly coupled to an actuator motor or energy stored in an energy storage element such as a spring.

Abstract: An electrically actuated parking brake system and actuator therefor. The actuator includes a motor having a drive shaft, and a gear train coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the gear train provides at least one mechanical output from the actuator. The gear train may include a drive gear coupled to the drive shaft, a driven gear coupled to the drive gear, and a planetary gear set coupled to the driven gear. Various configurations are provided for isolating actuator components for controlling audible noise, including sub-frame isolation configurations, motor isolation configurations, and gear train isolation configurations.

Abstract: An electrically actuated parking brake system and actuator therefor. The actuator includes a motor having a drive shaft, and a gear train coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the gear train provides at least one mechanical output from the actuator. The gear train may include a drive gear coupled to the drive shaft, a driven gear coupled to the drive gear, and a planetary gear set coupled to the driven gear. Various configurations are provided for isolating actuator components for controlling audible noise, including sub-frame isolation configurations, motor isolation configurations, and gear train isolation configurations.

Abstract: A fuel filler door actuator including a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and to a latch arm, and a locking cam coupled to the gear train. The locking cam resists movement of the latch arm from an unlocked condition to a locked condition. A manual override cable is disclosed for manually moving the latch arm from the locked condition to an unlocked condition. A push—push mechanism is disclosed for allowing facile opening of a fuel filler door, and a quick connect/disconnect feature is disclosed for allowing facile assembly of the actuator to a fuel filler door housing.

Abstract: A fuel filler door actuator including a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and to a latch arm, and a locking cam coupled to the gear train. The locking cam resists movement of the latch arm from an unlocked condition to a locked condition. A manual override cable is disclosed for manually moving the latch arm from the locked condition to an unlocked condition. A push-push mechanism is disclosed for allowing facile opening of a fuel filler door, and a quick connect/disconnect feature is disclosed for allowing facile assembly of the actuator to a fuel filler door housing.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator including an output shaft structure coupled to an output gear to allow relative motion therebetween upon application of a predetermined level of force to the output shaft structure. The relative motion opens a normally closed conductive path between a motor for driving the output gear and a power supply input terminal. Integrated position control is provided whereby the conductive path is opened at limits to the range of motion for the output shaft established by location of the ends of stationary contacts. A fuel filler valve system and a method of providing pinch protection are also provided.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator including an output shaft structure coupled to an output gear to allow relative motion therebetween upon application of a predetermined level of force to the output shaft structure. The relative motion opens a normally closed conductive path between a motor for driving the output gear and a power supply input terminal. Integrated position control is provided whereby the conductive path is opened at limits to the range of motion for the output shaft established by location of the ends of stationary contacts. A fuel filler valve system and a method of providing pinch protection are also provided.

Abstract: A door lock actuator including a single non-reversible drive motor for generating step-wise rotation of an output shaft through an indexing assembly which is decoupled from the motor during periods of operation. The indexing assembly includes an index pin plate coupled to a drive gear for rotation therewith. The plate includes a plurality of spaced pins which are positioned to contact a rotating paddle driven by the drive motor. The paddle successively contacts the pins in a portion of its rotation to cause corresponding rotation of the drive gear and the output gear which is meshingly engaged therewith. The output gear is coupled to an output shaft having twin cams positioned thereon for manipulating door latch pawls to control the door lock state. An override mechanism is provided which includes top and bottom override arms driven by rotation of a key in the key cylinder.

Abstract: A system for safely disposing of pathogenic waste materials. The waste material is disposed in a chamber and heated by forced hot air to temperatures above approximately 450.degree. F. to destroy harmful bacteria within several minutes. The high temperatures melt plastic waste materials. The harmless waste is cooled providing a solid block in which syringes and other sharp items are generally encased. The temperature within the chamber is continuously sensed and the operation of the apparatus is microprocessor controlled to adjust the process time in accordance with the load size. The microprocessor further stores the sensed temperature to provide verification that the waste has been exposed to sufficient temperatures and for a sufficient time to render such waste harmless.