A system utilizes electroadhesive surfaces for braking and metering objects in an automated environment. An electroadhesive surface can include electrodes that are configured to induce an electrostatic attraction with nearby objects upon application of voltage to the electrodes. The systems described utilize various configurations of electroadhesive surfaces, sensors, controllers and programmable processors to create smart braking, capturing and metering systems for improved automated material handling.

A system utilizes electroadhesive surfaces for braking and metering objects in an automated environment. An electroadhesive surface can include electrodes that are configured to induce an electrostatic attraction with nearby objects upon application of voltage to the electrodes. The systems described utilize various configurations of electroadhesive surfaces, sensors, controllers and programmable processors to create smart braking, capturing and metering systems for improved automated material handling.

A roller (3; 3) has a stationary rod (40) arranged along a longitudinal axis (L) and a tubular roller shell (10) arranged around the rod (40). At least one bearing assembly (20; 20) is arranged on the rod (40) so that the roller shell (10) can rotate about the longitudinal axis (L) of the roller (3; 3). An internal assembly (30; 30) is on the rod (40) within the roller shell (10) and is coupled to the roller shell (10) via the bearing assembly (20; 20). Thus, upon rotation of the roller shell (10), an exchange of force occurs between the internal assembly (30; 30) and the roller shell (10). The internal assembly (30; 30) is coupled to the bearing assembly (20; 20) by an end (31) that faces the bearing assembly (20; 20) so that the internal assembly (30; 30) can tilt relative to the bearing assembly (20; 20).

A roller (3; 3) has a stationary rod (40) arranged along a longitudinal axis (L) and a tubular roller shell (10) arranged around the rod (40). At least one bearing assembly (20; 20) is arranged on the rod (40) so that the roller shell (10) can rotate about the longitudinal axis (L) of the roller (3; 3). An internal assembly (30; 30) is on the rod (40) within the roller shell (10) and is coupled to the roller shell (10) via the bearing assembly (20; 20). Thus, upon rotation of the roller shell (10), an exchange of force occurs between the internal assembly (30; 30) and the roller shell (10). The internal assembly (30; 30) is coupled to the bearing assembly (20; 20) by an end (31) that faces the bearing assembly (20; 20) so that the internal assembly (30; 30) can tilt relative to the bearing assembly (20; 20).

A load-conveying and transport apparatus includes a first frame, a conveyor carried by the first frame, and a second frame mounted to the first frame for movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies below the conveyor, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies proud of the conveyor, when the second frame is in the raised position relative to the conveyor. The conveyor is for conveying a load placed thereon without interference from the second frame, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame is for supporting the load placed thereon above the conveyor for disabling the conveyor from conveying the load, when the second frame is in the raised position.

A load-conveying and transport apparatus includes a first frame, a conveyor carried by the first frame, and a second frame mounted to the first frame for movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies below the conveyor, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies proud of the conveyor, when the second frame is in the raised position relative to the conveyor. The conveyor is for conveying a load placed thereon without interference from the second frame, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame is for supporting the load placed thereon above the conveyor for disabling the conveyor from conveying the load, when the second frame is in the raised position.

A brake roller assembly may comprise: a shaft; a first roller bearing coupled to the shaft and disposed at a first axial end of the shaft a second roller bearing coupled to the shaft and disposed at a second axial end of the shaft; a roller cylinder disposed radially outward of the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing; and a braking arrangement, including a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of rotor disks coupled to the roller cylinder, each rotor disk in the plurality of rotor disks disposed between an anode in the plurality of electrodes and a cathode in the plurality of electrodes.

A brake roller assembly may comprise: a shaft; a first roller bearing coupled to the shaft and disposed at a first axial end of the shaft a second roller bearing coupled to the shaft and disposed at a second axial end of the shaft; a roller cylinder disposed radially outward of the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing; and a braking arrangement, including a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of rotor disks coupled to the roller cylinder, each rotor disk in the plurality of rotor disks disposed between an anode in the plurality of electrodes and a cathode in the plurality of electrodes.

A system for moving loads, in particular within an aircraft, comprising: a cargo hold floor, at least one row of rollers including a plurality of rollers integrated into the floor one behind another, at least one guide rail in the floor extending substantially parallel to the row of rollers, and at least one transport vehicle removably received in and movable along the guide rail. At least one coupling arrangement selectively couples the vehicle with a load arranged on the row of rollers, the load being movable with the vehicle. At least one locking arrangement, in an active state, locking the load relative to the floor and, in a non-active state, allowing a relative movement between the load and the floor. The vehicle operates the locking arrangement according to at least one of the following: so that it assumes the active state; and, so that it assumes the non-active state.

An electromechanical actuator power drive unit for dynamic braking is provided, comprising an electric motor with a stator, a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator, and windings fixed to the stator. There is a control unit configured to supply a current to the windings. When the control unit is not supplying current to the windings, an electrical device allows current to flow through a parallel current path to the windings. The new current is generated by the interaction of a roller connected with a gear set to the rotor. The roller, and therefore the rotor, is urged in a rotational direction by the translational velocity of a load in contact with the roller. The new current generated by the rotating rotor flows in the opposite direction as the first current supplied by the power supply unit and creates a dynamic braking torque in the electric motor.