A mortar applicator includes: a duct; a piston movably mounted within the duct, dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers; a pump fluidly connected to the first variable volume chamber; a nozzle operatively connected to a first end of the duct to discharge mortar contained in the first variable volume chamber; and a motor operatively connected to the piston. A rack and pinion assembly operatively connects the motor to the piston and includes a rack configured to drive the piston and a pinion connected to the motor. In a discharge mode, the motor drives the rack and pinion assembly, moving the piston to force mortar through the nozzle opening to discharge mortar from the mortar applicator. In a refill mode, the pump fills the first variable volume chamber with mortar, forcing the piston to retract. The rack moves with the piston in the discharge and refill modes.

Provided are a manned pole-climbing work platform and a pole-gripping mechanism thereof. The pole-gripping mechanism includes an arm and a distal pole-gripping mechanical hand. The distal pole-gripping mechanical hand includes a front jaw, a rear jaw, a forward-threaded rod, a reverse-threaded rod and a preloader. The front jaw and the rear jaw are articulated with the arm through pivots. The preloader is configured to drive the forward-threaded rod and the reverse-threaded rod to rotate synchronously. The forward-threaded rod and the front jaw are articulated with each other through a front thrust-nut composite pivot. The reverse-threaded rod and the rear jaw are articulated with each other through a rear thrust-nut composite pivot. The front jaw and the rear jaw are openable or closeable relative to each other.

Systems and methods are provided for collecting measurement data for a three-dimensional object. In embodiments, a computer model of the three-dimensional object is generated that correlates points on the three-dimensional object with points in three-dimensional space; the computer model is used to collect measurement data of the three-dimensional object and associate the collected measurement data with points in three-dimensional space; and a plan view computer model of the three-dimensional object is generated that depicts the measurement data in two dimensions and that associates the depicted measurement data with points in three-dimensional space.

Systems and methods are provided for collecting measurement data for a three-dimensional object. In embodiments, a computer model of the three-dimensional object is generated that correlates points on the three-dimensional object with points in three-dimensional space; the computer model is used to collect measurement data of the three-dimensional object and associate the collected measurement data with points in three-dimensional space; and a plan view computer model of the three-dimensional object is generated that depicts the measurement data in two dimensions and that associates the depicted measurement data with points in three-dimensional space.

A concentric tube steerable device includes a plurality of tubes having a nested, concentric configuration. The tubes include an outer tube and an inner tube that extends coaxially within the outer tube. The inner tube terminates at a tip, and a pose of the tip is effectuated through individual or collective rotation or translation of the tubes about a tube axis. The concentric tube steerable device includes an actuator for rotating at least one tube about a respective tube axis, and a translator for translating at least one tube along a respective tube axis. Each tube includes a precurved portion and a corresponding axis of precurvature. For at least one tube, a flexural rigidity of the tube along its axis of precurvature is less than a flexural rigidity of the tube along a second axis that is perpendicular to the axis of precurvature, thereby improving stability of the tube.

A surgical system may include an elongated arm support and a robotic arm supported on the elongated arm support. The robotic arm may translate along the elongated arm support. A partially enclosed cavity may be defined in the elongated arm support for receiving an electrical cable electrically coupled to the robotic arm so that the first electrical cable is within the cavity and includes a rolling loop that moves in conjunction with movement of the robotic arm.

A surgical system may include an elongated arm support and a robotic arm supported on the elongated arm support. The robotic arm may translate along the elongated arm support. A partially enclosed cavity may be defined in the elongated arm support for receiving an electrical cable electrically coupled to the robotic arm so that the first electrical cable is within the cavity and includes a rolling loop that moves in conjunction with movement of the robotic arm.

A link, a robotic arm and a surgical robot are provided. The link is configured in a rod shape and defines an inner cavity extending in a length direction of the link, and wherein at least a part of the inner cavity is seamlessly enclosed in a circumference perpendicular to the length direction of the link. The robotic arm includes at least one link. The surgical robot includes at least one robotic arm.

A link, a robotic arm and a surgical robot are provided. The link is configured in a rod shape and defines an inner cavity extending in a length direction of the link, and wherein at least a part of the inner cavity is seamlessly enclosed in a circumference perpendicular to the length direction of the link. The robotic arm includes at least one link. The surgical robot includes at least one robotic arm.

A fiber includes M primary cores and N redundant cores, where M an integer is greater than two and N is an integer greater than one. Interferometric circuitry detects interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores when the optical fiber is placed into a sensing position. Data processing circuitry calculates a primary core fiber bend value for the M primary cores and a redundant core fiber bend value for the N redundant cores based on a predetermined geometry of the M primary cores and the N redundant cores in the fiber and detected interferometric pattern data associated with the M primary cores and the N redundant cores. The primary core fiber bend value and the redundant core fiber bend value are compared in a comparison. The detected data for the M primary cores is determined reliable or unreliable based on the comparison. A signal is generated in response to an unreliable determination.