A method of operation of a mobile unit is described here. The method includes receiving a first signal to create a stack of totes on a conveying platform. Further, the method comprises receiving a second signal to lift the stack of totes in a vertical upward direction relative to the conveying platform. The method further comprises receiving a third signal to dispense a first tote from the stack of totes to a first location. The first tote is held at the conveying platform by a set of grippers of the mobile unit. Further, the method comprises receiving a fourth signal to travel to a second location to drop a second tote from the stack of totes. In some examples, the second tote corresponds to a current lowermost tote among the stack of totes and is held at the conveying platform by the set of grippers.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

A material handling methodology for forming cells of material includes a series of mobile telescoping conveyors feeding a mobile bridge conveyor and mobile radial stacker using a set of mobile bridge transfer conveyors. The method involves transferring material from an infeed point to a cell area in a systematic manner that allows for stacking each cell continuously with no interruption to material flow.

A deployable bulk material distribution apparatus for discharging from a designated height an amount of a flowable bulk material into a discharge location is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an auger section; a bucket elevator section configured so as to be movable between: an upright position; and a reclined position wherein the bucket elevator section is substantially reclined for transport; and a joint assembly coupling the exit aperture of the auger section to the boot inlet of the bucket elevator section so as to allow the flowable bulk material to move from the exit aperture to the boot inlet when the bucket elevator section is in the upright position, the joint assembly being rotatably coupled to the boot inlet. The auger section and container operable to freely move along the bucket elevator section when it is moved between the upright and reclined positions.

A robotic system having a movable gantry robot (10) for conducting construction operations. The gantry may have an expandable bridge (20) and articulated gantry support legs (34) as well as a support track system (60) holding a gantry robot (800) which may hold one or more implements and peripheral devices (806). The device can be moved by propulsion mechanisms, a controller, and one or more geo-positioned control devices to provide position information for the robotic gantry as it moves back and forth along a plurality of work sites (700). The robotic gantry is connected to a power supply system (236). The controller is automated, self-navigating, and activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of the propulsion mechanisms, and deploys, retracts, activates, deactivates, and/or changes the operation of one or more of the construction implements. The height of the frame may be adjusted by extending and rotating risers and booms to accommodate different building heights or sub-level heights at a worksite. A conveyor system is optimized for removing dirt from or delivering material to the robotic arm. This invention can be applied to automating construction jobs including surveying, land preparation, excavation, foundation, masonry, framing, and additive fabrication.

A material-conveying system comprising a conveyor for conveying material to a bin and a conveyor positioning system associated with the conveyor. The conveyor positioning system comprises a processor for positioning the conveyor relative to the bin. The conveyor comprises a spout and the bin comprises an opening. The conveyor positioning system positions the spout of the conveyor over the opening of the bin. The conveyor positioning system in one implementation comprises a Global Navigation Satellite System-Real Time Kinematic (GNSS-RTK) positioning system that includes a fixed base station and a GNSS receiver on the conveyor.

A swing conveyor that is segmented. In one embodiment, the swing conveyor comprises an incline section that pivotally connects to an intake of a main conveyor, and includes a first belt. The swing conveyor further comprises an intake section that receives a flow of material via a second belt, and transfers the flow of material to the incline section. The first belt of the incline section transfers the flow of material received from the intake section to the intake of the main conveyor. The intake section connects to the incline section via a hinge mechanism so that the intake section pivots in relation to the incline section.

A flowable-material transfer station includes a mobile frame and a conveyor coupled thereto. A hopper mounted on the mobile frame has a side wall with an opening. A chute's loading end is rigidly coupled to the hopper at the side wall opening thereof wherein the chute is in fluid communication with the hopper via the opening. The hopper is hingedly coupled to the mobile frame and the chute's dispensing end is positioned over a first end of the conveyor. A lift mechanism is provided to move the hopper between a lowered position and a raised position. The chute's dispensing end is above the chute's loading end when the hopper is in its lowered position, and is below the chute's loading end when the hopper is in its raised position.

A material processing apparatus comprises a material processing machine pivotably coupled to a base by a pivot joint that allows pivoting movement of the material processing machine about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to a ground surface. The pivot joint comprises an upper joint part coupled to the material processing machine, and a lower joint part coupled to the base, the upper and lower parts being coupled together by a spindle that defines said pivot axis and about which the upper joint part is rotatable with respect to the lower part. The pivot joint includes a non-contact rotation sensor for detecting an angular position of the upper joint part with respect to a reference position.

A guide system for an extendable conveyor that conveys a product includes a bracket configured to be coupled to the conveyor such that the bracket moves with the conveyor as the conveyor is moved into different positions. A guide member having a leading end that is coupled to the bracket and a trailing end that is configured to be coupled to the conveyor at a position spaced apart from the bracket. The guide member is configured to guide the product along the conveyor, and as the conveyor is moved, the guide member extends or retracts.