4685results about "Refuse vehicles" patented technology

A method and system for piece-picking or piece put-away within a logistics facility. The system includes a central server and at least one mobile manipulation robot. The central server is configured to communicate with the robots to send and receive piece-picking data which includes a unique identification for each piece to be picked, a location within the logistics facility of the pieces to be picked, and a route for the robot to take within the logistics facility. The robots can then autonomously navigate and position themselves within the logistics facility by recognition of landmarks by at least one of a plurality of sensors. The sensors also provide signals related to detection, identification, and location of a piece to be picked or put-away, and processors on the robots analyze the sensor information to generate movements of a unique articulated arm and end effector on the robot to pick or put-away the piece.

A system comprises an equipment service vehicle and an off-board computer system. The equipment service vehicle further includes a power source, a power transmission link, a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, and an on-board computer system. The on-board computer system further includes a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network. The plurality of interface modules are coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link and are interconnected to each other by way of the communication network. Each of the plurality of interface modules is coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links. The on-board computer system stores I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices. The on-board computer system transmits at least some of the I/O status information by way of a wireless radio-frequency communication link to the off-board computer system.

A turret control system includes one or more control modules, such as an envelope control module, turret targeting module, a turret pan module, a turret deploy module, a turret store module. The preferred turret control system also provides improved turret control flexibility and improved operator feedback.

An interface module for a power distribution and control system for a vehicle is described. The interface module includes at least one first link configured to receive an input from input devices on the vehicle, at least one second link configured to control output devices on the vehicle, at least one third link configured to communicate with a communication network. The module further includes control logic configured to store a record of output devices associated with the interface module and to process a configuration file to determine whether any of the output devices have been designated as controlling a mission critical function.

Conventional means of transporting goods, for example, in a warehouse tend to be expensive due to costs from human labor and from employing automation such as conveyors. Shuttles that are used to automatically transport goods provide a means of transporting goods that is less expensive, more efficient, and allows more rapid transportation. Shuttles, systems employing the shuttles, and methods of transporting goods using these shuttles, is disclosed.

A trailer having support wheels and a frame adapted to be hitched to a truck, includes a support track extending longitudinally for supporting an unload conveyor. The conveyor is mounted by a turret to the support track and, thus, to the trailer frame, permitting the turret to move in a fore-to-aft direction, as well as to rotate about the vertical for about 180°, providing flexibility in use as well as transport and storage. A support module, carrying at least one storage container is mounted on the trailer frame. The storage containers may be provided in a number of different sizes and they may be arranged in various configurations suiting the user's needs. The turret is positioned along the track beneath a desired seed container, which may then be unloaded by the conveyor to fill a planter seed box or grain drill, or for other seed handling applications.

The invention is a unitary cantilever liftgate that attaches to the vehicle body instead of the vehicle chassis. The liftgate may be fully assembled and tested prior to installation on the vehicle body. This greatly reduces installation time while improving performance and reliability. Various features such as steps, bumpers and brackets are integrated into the liftgate. Further, the liftgate is preferably configured so that multiple units can be stacked together for shipping and ease of unloading and loading. The stackability of the liftgates simplifies storing as well, by removing the necessity of storing several components separately.

The present invention features a universal, low profile, expandable flow track system that can be drop-load mounted to almost any supporting frame or pallet rack. The flow track system of the invention features a flow track that mounts flush with its end supports, and is infinitely adjustable along both the horizontal axis and depth axis of the storage frame. The flow track is quickly assembled to, adjusted upon, and removed from, the storage frame.

This invention relates to a hand truck with an electrically operated lifting platform. The hand truck includes a frame on both sides of which two guide rails are formed. The frame is provided with a screw shaft vertically supported on the frame to be vertically moved, one or more stabilizing bars forwardly extended from the frame, and two wheels rotatably attached to the rear portion of the frame. A lifting platform is guided by the guide rails and engaged with the screw shaft. A platform moving unit is comprised of a first drive motor for providing rotating force. The platform is situated in the lifting platform to allow the lifting platform to be moved selectively upward and downward along the screw shaft by the operation of the first drive motor. A control unit is electrically and controllably connected to the first drive motor and a power source.

An improved trailer for transporting bulk seed boxes is provided. The trailer includes a bed, a hopper extending below the bed for receiving seed from the bulk seed box, and an auger for unloading seed from the hopper. The bed includes upwardly and outwardly extending guide plates to provide self-centering of the seed box when the box is loaded onto the bed with a forklift truck. The bed includes lock bars moveable between locked and unlocked positions to secure the seed box to the bed. The hopper includes a slide gate with a control arm connected to the gate and extending to the auger side of the trailer for moving the slide gate between open and closed position. The auger includes a foldable upper section which is pivotal between a folded transport position and an extended raised operative position. The folding of the upper auger section is facilitated by a gas cylinder and a lever arm.

A bulk seed handling system (20) is provided to facilitate seed transfer from a distributor to a farm and then to a planter or the like. The handling system (20) includes one or more upright bin assemblies (22) adapted to be moved in a filled condition, and a trailer (24) designed to move the bin assembly (22) and unload seed therefrom. The bin assembly (22) includes a seed bin (26) having a lower unload opening (34) and supported by a frame assembly (38) including telescopic legs (50) shiftable between a retractable travel position and an extended bin support position. The trailer (24) includes a lift frame (60) operable to engage and elevate the bin assembly (22) for travel with the legs (50) thereof in a retracted position, and a seed-conveying arrangement including an intermediate conveyor (62) and a delivery conveyor (64). At an unloading site, the intermediate conveyor (62) is shifted to an unloading position in communication with the bin unload opening (34) and the delivery conveyor (64) in order to transfer seed from the bin.

A roller unit that can be used to retrofit a cargo carrying surface makes loading and unloading of the cargo carrying surface easier by transforming the cargo carrying surface to include a conveyor system. The roller unit includes at least two trays in which are mounted rollers, the trays being connected by a crosspiece. The roller unit is designed to be installed on cargo carrying surfaces such as portable platforms, including Flatracks or CROPs, and in cargo containers of any type.

A system for controlling motion of a hydraulic actuator during a portion of its range of motion is described, including a sensor on the hydraulic actuator for providing a signal indicating that the actuator is near a portion of its range of motion, and a pneumatic control valve that is configured to selectively modify a pressurized air control signal to in turn restrict flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic actuator control system further includes an electronic controller for controlling the pneumatic control valve in response to a signal from the sensor. The hydraulic actuator control system thereby slows the motion of the hydraulic actuator near the portion of its range of motion.

A system of method for automated deployment of a plurality photovoltaic solar panels carried as a unit by a carrier. The system includes an installation trailer, a robot having a mechanism for picking up a carrier and a push actuator. Carriers carrying a plurality of solar panels as a unit may be installed using the system by carrying a plurality of carriers on an installation trailer to a row of rails onto which the carriers are to be installed. The robot picks up each carrier and aligns and places the carrier on the rail system. The push actuator pushes the carrier down the rail system, making space for the next carrier to be installed.