A shelving block comprises a first and second shelving units facing from opposite sides of an aisle. The first shelving unit defines a first crate storage location and a second crate storage location that different in height. The first crate storage location is accessible to a robot between a pair of neighboring horizontal rails having a first vertical spacing between them defining a height of the first crate storage location. The second crate storage location is accessible to the robot between another pair of neighboring horizontal rails having a second vertical spacing between them defining a height of the second crate storage location. The first vertical spacing is larger than the second vertical spacing. The robot carries crates according to instructions from a computerized control.

A storage setup and method for robotic delivery and retrieval of crates from shelving blocks are disclosed. At least one shelving block in the setup comprises non-uniformly spaced apart storage surfaces. The storage surfaces are accessible to lift-robots through a network of tracks comprising intersecting vertically and horizontally oriented tracks. A computerized control system is configured to differentiate between storage locations based on which crate sizes from at least two different ranges of crate sizes a storage location can store. The storage may be automatically optimized by routing robots to store crates in storage locations sized in correlation with the size of the crate to be stored.

A direction switching module for lift robots using a pair of pinions coupled to a rack for propelling vertically and horizontally according to the track's orientation, is disclosed. In a linear motion mode both pinions rotate in the same velocity. In a direction switching mode, when changing from vertical to horizontal motion mode and vise versa, the module is capable of propelling one pinion on a vertical track and its counterpart on a horizontal track, simultaneously, each pinion in a different velocity. A bogie propelled by two pairs of said module is also disclosed, and a controller configured to drive both pinions in same velocity during linear motion and each pinion in a separate appropriate velocity during the direction switching mode. A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails and a controller for controlling the linear motion modes and the direction switching modes of the lift robot are also disclosed.

A direction switching module for lift robots using a pair of pinions coupled to a rack for propelling vertically and horizontally according to the track's orientation, is disclosed. In a linear motion mode both pinions rotate in the same velocity. In a direction switching mode, when changing from vertical to horizontal motion mode and vise versa, the module is capable of propelling one pinion on a vertical track and its counterpart on a horizontal track, simultaneously, each pinion in a different velocity. A bogie propelled by two pairs of said module is also disclosed, and a controller configured to drive both pinions in same velocity during linear motion and each pinion in a separate appropriate velocity during the direction switching mode. A method for turning a pinion-driven lift-robot in an intersection of rails and a controller for controlling the linear motion modes and the direction switching modes of the lift robot are also disclosed.

A loss-prevention system includes a securing element securing components of a vehicle or rail vehicle and having a first portion and first and second lugs. The first portion is an elongate plate extending in a first plane. A first through-passage opening is disposed in the first portion. The first through-passage opening accommodates at least part of a first releasable connection for fastening the securing element on a first component. The first portion has a long side. The first and second lugs are disposed on the long side of the first portion, or opposite one another, and project from the first plane onto a common side of the first portion. The first lug is configured to rest on the upper side of the first component. The second lug is configured to support a second component on its underside and to secure the same against falling off.

A loss-prevention system includes a securing element securing components of a vehicle or rail vehicle and having a first portion and first and second lugs. The first portion is an elongate plate extending in a first plane. A first through-passage opening is disposed in the first portion. The first through-passage opening accommodates at least part of a first releasable connection for fastening the securing element on a first component. The first portion has a long side. The first and second lugs are disposed on the long side of the first portion, or opposite one another, and project from the first plane onto a common side of the first portion. The first lug is configured to rest on the upper side of the first component. The second lug is configured to support a second component on its underside and to secure the same against falling off.

A fluororubber composition comprising 10 to 50 parts by weight of wollastonite and 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of organic peroxide based on 100 parts by weight of peroxide-crosslinkable fluororubber, the wollastonite being needle-like or fibrous wollastonite having an average fiber diameter of 5 m or less and an average fiber length of 40 to 80 m, and the wollastonite being surface-treated with an amino silane coupling agent or an epoxy silane coupling agent. The fluororubber composition that can be suitably used as, for example, a molding material for normal/reverse rotation oil seals that allow continuous excellent sealing of fluid in the operation of normal and reverse rotation.

Provided is a hypertube transport system. Specifically, provided are a magnetically-levitated train and an infrastructure-system in which same travels, comprising: refrigerant for cooling compressed air of a hypertube train, and a compressed air cooling system utilizing the refrigerant; an apparatus and method for controlling trains operating in a vacuum tube; superconducting switches for superconducting magnets for magnetic levitation; a driving stability apparatus for the hypertube transport system; a control apparatus for trains of the hypertube transport system; and an energy harvester.

Provided is a hypertube transport system. Specifically, provided are a magnetically-levitated train and an infrastructure-system in which same travels, comprising: refrigerant for cooling compressed air of a hypertube train, and a compressed air cooling system utilizing the refrigerant; an apparatus and method for controlling trains operating in a vacuum tube; superconducting switches for superconducting magnets for magnetic levitation; a driving stability apparatus for the hypertube transport system; a control apparatus for trains of the hypertube transport system; and an energy harvester.

A block, towing system, and a method for towing rail cars is provided. The block includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel and a fourth channel. The first channel is located on a first side of the block. The second channel is located adjacent to the first channel on the first side of the block. The third channel is located on an opposite side of the block from the first channel. The fourth channel is located adjacent to the third channel on the opposite side of the block from the second channel.