Abstract: A self-energizing valve includes a valve body defining an inner chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A valve head within the inner chamber is moveable between a first position and a second position. A valve seal in fluid communication with the inlet has a sealing surface with a sealing member between the valve head and the valve seal. The sealing member is movable between a closed position where the sealing member engages with the sealing surface and an open position where the sealing member disengages from the sealing surface to allow flow through the inlet into the inner chamber. A cam is coupled to the valve head. Rotation of the cam causes movement of the valve head between the first position and the second position to move the valve head to the first position to hold the sealing member in the closed position.

Abstract: A pump comprises a drive mechanism, a tube coupled to the drive mechanism, a filament coupled to the tube and extendable into the tube by the drive mechanism and at least one check valve coupled to the tube. As the filament is forced by the drive mechanism into the tube, fluid contained in the tube is forced by the filament through the at least one check valve and out of the tube.

Abstract: A pump includes a pair of valves, coupled to a camshaft that selectively opens and closes the valves such that when one valve opens the other valve closes. The valves are in fluid communication with a piston chamber. A crankshaft operates a piston in a piston cylinder with the opening and closing of the valves such that as the piston is drawn from the piston chamber, the inlet valve is open and the outlet valve is closed and when the piston is forced into the chamber, the outlet valve is open and the inlet valve is closed. The camshaft and crankshaft are coupled together to cause synchronous operation of the valves and piston.

Abstract: A pump comprises a drive mechanism, a tube coupled to the drive mechanism, a filament coupled to the tube and extendable into the tube by the drive mechanism and at least one check valve coupled to the tube. As the filament is forced by the drive mechanism into the tube, fluid contained in the tube is forced by the filament through the at least one check valve and out of the tube.

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 self-energizing valve includes a valve body defining an inner chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A valve head within the inner chamber is moveable between a first position and a second position. A valve seal in fluid communication with the inlet has a sealing surface with a sealing member between the valve head and the valve seal. The sealing member is movable between a closed position where the sealing member engages with the sealing surface and an open position where the sealing member disengages from the sealing surface to allow flow through the inlet into the inner chamber. A cam is coupled to the valve head. Rotation of the cam causes movement of the valve head between the first position and the second position to move the valve head to the first position to hold the sealing member in the closed position.

Abstract: An end effector for a robotic arm is disclosed. The end effector includes a grasping apparatus having a gripping member and an appendage extending from the gripping member forming a channel between the griping member and the appendage. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an article, such as a latch for a container, to be manipulated by the end effector.

Abstract: A pump includes a pair of valves, coupled to a camshaft that selectively opens and closes the valves such that when one valve opens the other valve closes. The valves are in fluid communication with a piston chamber. A crankshaft operates a piston in a piston cylinder with the opening and closing of the valves such that as the piston is drawn from the piston chamber, the inlet valve is open and the outlet valve is closed and when the piston is forced into the chamber, the outlet valve is open and the inlet valve is closed. The camshaft and crankshaft are coupled together to cause synchronous operation of the valves and piston.

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 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 end effector for a robotic arm is disclosed. The end effector includes a grasping apparatus having a gripping member and an appendage extending from the gripping member forming a channel between the griping member and the appendage. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an article, such as a latch for a container, to be manipulated by the end effector.

Abstract: An end effector for a robotic arm is disclosed. The end effector includes a grasping apparatus having a gripping member and an appendage extending from the gripping member forming a channel between the griping member and the appendage. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an article, such as a latch for a container, to be manipulated by the end effector.

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: An end effector for a robotic arm is disclosed. The end effector includes a grasping apparatus having a gripping member and an appendage extending from the gripping member forming a channel between the griping member and the appendage. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an article, such as a latch for a container, to be manipulated by the end effector.

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 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.