According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for magnetically attaching to a load comprising: a direct current power source; an electromagnet comprising a coil connectable to the direct current power source for feeding current to the coil for attaching to a load by a magnetic force; a current measurement device connected to the coil; a user interface for displaying information indicating a load capacity of the apparatus; and a controller operatively connected to the direct current power source, the coil, the current measurement device and the user interface to cause: connecting the direct current power source to the coil; measuring current of the coil; determining a rise time of the current to a nominal value of current of the coil, when the load is attached to the apparatus; determining a load capacity and/or usage level of the load capacity of the apparatus based on the rise time of the current to the nominal value; and displaying the load capacity on the user interface.

A grabber used, for example in the lifting and lowering of blocks, includes one or more arms with a damped self-centering mechanism at a distal end thereof. The damped self-centering mechanism dampen a contact force received thereon and facilitates a self-centering of the damped self-centering mechanism relative to a surface of, for example, a block when the grabber is moved relative to the block (e.g., when the arms are lowered through bores in the block).

In one embodiment, a mobile robot energizes its state-variable anchor into a released state while contacting a payload, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state, attaching it to the payload. The mobile robot may then move the payload to a mounting location while the state-variable anchor is de-energized and attached to the payload. As such, the mobile robot may then energize a state-variable anchor of the payload to put it into a released state while at and contacting the mounting location, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state to attach the payload to the mounting location. To then detach the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot and the mobile robot from the payload after the payload is attached to the mounting location, the mobile robot may then energize the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot to put it into a released state.

In one embodiment, a mobile robot energizes its state-variable anchor into a released state while contacting a payload, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state, attaching it to the payload. The mobile robot may then move the payload to a mounting location while the state-variable anchor is de-energized and attached to the payload. As such, the mobile robot may then energize a state-variable anchor of the payload to put it into a released state while at and contacting the mounting location, and then de-energizes it to put it into an anchored state to attach the payload to the mounting location. To then detach the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot and the mobile robot from the payload after the payload is attached to the mounting location, the mobile robot may then energize the state-variable anchor of the mobile robot to put it into a released state.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protection device and/or system that may include a thimble capable of being placed over a transmission line, such as an electrical power cord, to provide protection in the form of cut resistance, abrasion resistance, and/or impact resistance. In some embodiments, a plurality of thimbles can be placed over the transmission line to form an overlapping arrangement to protect a desired length of the transmission line. While each thimble may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible, the arrangement can maintain flexibility to allow for many degrees of movement of the electrical power cord even as it is cladded in the protection system.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a protection device and/or system that may include a thimble capable of being placed over a transmission line, such as an electrical power cord, to provide protection in the form of cut resistance, abrasion resistance, and/or impact resistance. In some embodiments, a plurality of thimbles can be placed over the transmission line to form an overlapping arrangement to protect a desired length of the transmission line. While each thimble may be rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible, the arrangement can maintain flexibility to allow for many degrees of movement of the electrical power cord even as it is cladded in the protection system.

A switchable permanent magnetic unit is disclosed. The unit comprises: a housing, first and second permanent magnets, and a conductive coil. The first magnet is mounted within the housing and the second magnet is rotatable between first and second positions and mounted within the housing in a stacked relationship with the first magnet. The unit generates a first level of magnetic flux at a workpiece contact interface when the second magnet is in the first position and a second level of magnetic flux at the interface when the second magnet is in the second position, the second level being greater than the first level. The conductive coil is arranged about the second magnet and generates a magnetic field. A component of the conductive coil's magnetic field is directed from S to N along the second magnet's N-S pole pair when the second magnet is in the first position.

A work machine includes a lower traveling structure, an upper swing structure mounted on the lower traveling structure via a swing mechanism, an attachment attached to the upper swing structure, a lifting magnet attached to the attachment, a hardware processor configured to calculate the weight of an object lifted by the lifting magnet, and a display device configured to display the weight of the object calculated by the hardware processor.

A work machine includes a lower traveling structure, an upper swing structure mounted on the lower traveling structure via a swing mechanism, an attachment attached to the upper swing structure, a lifting magnet attached to the attachment, a hardware processor configured to calculate the weight of an object lifted by the lifting magnet, and a display device configured to display the weight of the object calculated by the hardware processor.

A lifting and moving device, and a method of using the device comprising a frame having a first ground engaging end with at least one wheel for providing a movable first ground engagement and a second ground engaging end with a pointed end for providing a fixed second ground engagement for the frame. A lifting and moving support extending between the first and second ground engaging ends is adjustable in length for providing one or more distances between the first ground engaging end and the second ground engaging end. A lifting device is retractable from a position on the support and the frame is movable about a pivot point provided by the second ground engaging end.