Abstract: A winch assembly comprising a support structure, a drum revolving about an axis; a cable wound around the drum; an actuator assembly coupled to the drum to wind or unwind the cable and configured to receive a first control signal, indicative of a desired pressure of a pump of the actuator assembly, and/or a second control signal, indicative of a desired displacement of the pump; and a winch control device coupled to the actuator assembly to control the winding and unwinding of the cable and configured to determine the first control signal and/or the second control signal according to a measured speed of travel signal indicating the measured speed of travel of the tracked vehicle, a measured pulling force signal indicating the pulling force measured on the winch assembly, and one or more signals selected from the following group of signals: cable speed signal, wound cable length signal, desired pulling force signal set manually by an operator, signal from the measured angle of the arm of the winch assembly wit

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle and a suspension for the autonomous vehicle are provided. The suspension may include first and second support legs pivotally coupled to a body of the autonomous vehicle at respective pivot points, and extending in opposing directions to contact a surface upon which the autonomous vehicle moves. A biasing element biases the support legs towards the surface. A coupler couples the support legs to cause pivotal movement of one of the support legs to be mirrored in the other support leg. The coupler may cause the support legs to maintain a centerline, which extends equidistantly between the pivot points and through a sensor mounted to an underside of the body, perpendicular to the surface as the support legs pivot during movement of the autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement flexible members that include integrated tools made from metallic glass-based materials. In one embodiment, a structure includes: a flexible member characterized by an elongated geometry and an integrated tool disposed at one end of the elongated geometry; where the flexible member includes a metallic glass-based material.

Abstract: A robotic two-wheeled vehicle comprising a connection body interposed between the two wheels are described. A drum can be coaxially located in a central region of the connection body and can support a hollow arm projecting radially from the drum. A tether can be inserted in the arm and connected to a second drum. Instruments and sensors can be accommodated in a case housed inside each wheel.

Abstract: A robotic two-wheeled vehicle comprising a connection body interposed between the two wheels are described. A drum can be coaxially located in a central region of the connection body and can support a hollow arm projecting radially from the drum. A tether can be inserted in the arm and connected to a second drum. Instruments and sensors can be accommodated in a case housed inside each wheel.

Abstract: A robotic two-wheeled vehicle comprising a connection body interposed between the two wheels are described. A drum can be coaxially located in a central region of the connection body and can support a hollow arm projecting radially from the drum. A tether can be inserted in the arm and connected to a second drum. Instruments and sensors can be accommodated in a case housed inside each wheel.

Abstract: Devices and methods facilitate inspections, repairs, and other operations within vessels without human entry into the vessels, and without introducing contaminants that could reduce the purity of materials held in the vessels below predetermined minimum levels.

Abstract: A system and method for loading one or more vehicles onto the cargo bed of a transporting vehicle such as a pickup truck or trailer is presented. The system includes a supporting located at the front of the cargo bed above the plane of the cargo bed and one or more ramps. The ramps and the supporting are adapted to connect to and remove from each other such that the ramps are secured inside the cargo bed at an angle above the plane of the cargo bed of the transporting vehicle. This system provides additional clearance and storage space in the cargo bed. In a preferred embodiment where the transporting vehicle is a pickup truck, the supporting also functions as a headache rack or a ladder rack. A method of using this system to load one or more vehicles is also presented.

Abstract: A snow-trail grooming vehicle has a driving chain or track system and a cable assist pulling system having a cable winch. A method for controlling the cable winch includes the steps of detecting the speed of the driving chain, detecting the speed of the cable, comparing the detected speed of the driving chain and the detected speed of the cable, and determining a desired value for the speed of the cable, then controlling the cable winch to attain the desired value for the speed of the cable.

Abstract: Chair Lift for Stairs with a light weight metal chair frame mounted to a pair of metal slidable sled rails, the chair frame supporting a fabric seat and back, a set of wheels mounted to the base of the rails, a thigh retaining sling mounted below the chair frame, an electric winch type mechanism mounted between the sled rails, the winch mechanism having a pulling cable located near the center line of the chair frame, the chair frame also containing a rechargeable battery to be used as a power source for said winch, said chair frame also having a manual pull strap attached to the top cross rail of said chair frame, said chair frame being collapsible for easy transport, and said chair frame also includes a retractable third wheel that can be deployed at the bottom rear center of said chair so that said chair can act as an emergency wheel chair.