Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120295150 | BATTERY MODULE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A battery module includes a plurality of stacked electrochemical battery cells, each having a positive cell tab and a negative cell tab. The positive cell tabs and the negative cell tabs are electrically connected through an interconnecting member. The interconnecting member includes a substrate supporting a plurality of connecting elements and defining a first slot and a second slot adjacent each of the connecting elements. The tabs of the electrochemical battery cells extend through the slots and are bent into a parallel relationship relative to the connecting elements. A fastening mechanism, such as a rivet, a bolt a screw, a clip or a weld, fastens the tabs to their respective connecting element. | 11-22-2012 |
20120306443 | AUTOMATED CHARGING FOR VEHICLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS - Methods and systems are provided for charging an energy storage system of a vehicle. A processor is coupled to an arm. The processor is configured to obtain a position of the vehicle. The processor is further configured to guide the arm to locate a charging receptacle of the vehicle based on the position and to insert the charging device into the charging receptacle. | 12-06-2012 |
20130042715 | LOW-STROKE ACTUATION FOR A SERIAL ROBOT - A serial robot includes a base, first and second segments, a proximal joint joining the base to the first segment, and a distal joint. The distal joint that joins the segments is serially arranged and distal with respect to the proximal joint. The robot includes first and second actuators. A first tendon extends from the first actuator to the proximal joint and is selectively moveable via the first actuator. A second tendon extends from the second actuator to the distal joint and is selectively moveable via the second actuator. The robot includes a transmission having at least one gear element which assists rotation of the distal joint when an input force is applied to the proximal and/or distal joints by the first and/or second actuators. A robotic hand having the above robot is also disclosed, as is a robotic system having a torso, arm, and the above-described hand. | 02-21-2013 |
20130076902 | ROBOTICALLY OPERATED VEHICLE CHARGING STATION - A robotic charging station for charging a battery of an electric vehicle includes a base plate, a riser coupled with the base plate and extending substantially transverse to the base plate, and a robotic arm. The robotic arm extends from the riser and supports an end effector. The end effector includes a plurality of electrical contacts configured to couple with a receptacle disposed on the electric vehicle. The robotic arm is configured to move the end effector in three degrees of motion. | 03-28-2013 |
20130112641 | GRAVITY POWERED BALANCING SYSTEM - A balance assist system includes a support structure, an assist device, a variable balancing system, and a balancing cable. The variable balancing system is configured for moving a mass in a vertical direction along a Z axis. The variable balancing system includes a balance platform, a lever, and a mobile counterweight. The lever is pivotally attached to the balance platform at a fixed pivot point such that the lever is pivotable at the fixed pivot point about a balance axis. The mobile counterweight is movably disposed on the lever relative to the fixed balance axis and movable between a minimum position and a maximum position. The minimum position corresponds to the mass having a minimum weight such that the mass is statically balanced along the Z axis. Likewise, the maximum position corresponds to the mass having a maximum weight such that the mass is statically balanced along the Z axis. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112643 | MOVEMENT SYSTEM CONFIGURED FOR MOVING A PAYLOAD IN A PLURALITY OF DIRECTIONS - A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112644 | MOVEMENT SYSTEM CONFIGURED FOR MOVING A PAYLOAD - A movement device is moved along an X axis and a Y axis by providing a sensor configured to measure angle of rotation of at least one of a first and a second kinematic link about a respective axis of rotation. A force is imparted on the first and second kinematic links such that an angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is achieved. The angular displacement of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation is determined. The movement device is moved along the X axis and/or the Y axis in response to the determination of the angle of rotation of the first and second kinematic links about the respective axis of rotation until first and second kinematic links are vertical. | 05-09-2013 |
20130112645 | PASSIVELY ACTUATED BRAKING SYSTEM - A movement system includes a rail, a trolley, and a braking system. The trolley is movably attached to the rail and configured to support the payload. The braking system is operatively attached to the rail. The braking system includes a braking module having a base, operatively attached to the trolley, and a wheel assembly, operatively attached to the base. The wheel assembly has a shaft, a clutch, and a braking wheel. The clutch is rigidly attached to the shaft and configured for rotation with the shaft about the rolling axis. The braking wheel axially surrounds the clutch and is in continuous rolling contact with a surface of the rail. The clutch is configured to selectively allow rotation of the braking wheel relative to the shaft in only one direction of rotation to decelerate movement of the trolley along the rail. | 05-09-2013 |
20130248477 | MOVEMENT DEVICE CONFIGURED FOR MOVING A PAYLOAD - A movement device is configured for moving a payload. The movement device includes a first support, a second support, and an intermediate support. The intermediate support is operatively disposed between the first support and the second support. The intermediate support is jointed to the first support at two first joints and jointed to the second support at two second joints. The second support is configured for supporting the payload. The intermediate support is jointed to the second support at two second joints. The first joints are pivotable about a respective first axis of rotation such that the intermediate support moves relative to the first support. The second joints are pivotable about a respective first axis of rotation such that the second support moves relative to the intermediate support. Each of the first axes of rotation are in spaced and generally parallel relationship to one another. | 09-26-2013 |
20130253702 | METHOD OF INFERRING INTENTIONS OF AN OPERATOR TO MOVE A ROBOTIC SYSTEM - A method of inferring intentions of an operator to move a robotic system includes monitoring the intention of the operator, with a controller. The intention of the operator is inferred to be one of a desired acceleration and a desired deceleration. The intention of the operator is also as a desired velocity. Admittance parameters are modified as a function of at least one of the inferred acceleration, deceleration, and velocity. | 09-26-2013 |
20140021731 | RECONFIGURABLE GRIPPING DEVICE - A reconfigurable gripping device for securely gripping, lifting, and transporting a work piece is provided. The reconfigurable gripping device may include at least a first finger and a second finger each secured to a base platform with a base support. Each of the respective fingers may have a first link, a second link, and a third link each having a corresponding drive mechanism to individually drive the respective link. The first link drive mechanism and second link drive mechanism are configured to control the grasp and adaptability of each of the respective fingers to place the third link upon a work piece. The third link drive mechanism is configured to drive the third link of each of the respective fingers to apply a clamping force upon the work piece. | 01-23-2014 |
20140230230 | RECONFIGURABLE INTERFACE ASSEMBLY, ADAPTABLE ASSEMBLY LINE WORK-PIECE PROCESSOR, AND METHOD - A reconfigurable interface assembly includes, but is not limited to, a first sub-assembly that is adapted for attachment to a work-piece supporter. The first sub-assembly includes a first brake. The reconfigurable interface assembly further includes a second sub-assembly attached to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is adapted for attachment to a work-piece manipulator. The second sub-assembly includes a second brake. The first sub-assembly is configured to move the second sub-assembly in a first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly and the first brake is configured to inhibit movement of the second sub-assembly in the first direction with respect to the first sub-assembly. The second sub-assembly is configured to move the first sub-assembly in a second direction with respect to the second sub-assembly and the second brake is configured to inhibit movement of the first sub-assembly in the second direction with respect to the first sub-assembly. | 08-21-2014 |
20140354229 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION - A vehicle charging station includes a track configured to extend across a plurality of vehicle parking spaces and a movable charging apparatus supported by the track. The movable charging apparatus is translatable along the track between the plurality of vehicle parking spaces to charge one or more vehicles. The movable charging apparatus includes a base slidably coupled with the track, an end effector in mechanical communication with the base and configured to electrically couple with an electric vehicle disposed within one of the plurality of vehicle parking spaces, and a power delivery circuit configured to receive an electrical charge from a power source and to controllably provide the electrical charge to the electric vehicle. | 12-04-2014 |