A system for automatically magnetically gripping non-magnetic objects. The system includes a robotic arm, a magnetic actuator, and a free magnetic element. The magnetic actuator may be coupled to an end effector of the robotic arm. A non-magnetic object may be placed between the free magnetic element and the magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator may magnetically attract the free magnetic element to securely grasp the non-magnetic object therebetween. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

A system and method for handling slag in a slag pit includes an equilibrium or balance crane equipped with a quick connect coupling. A drop-ball fixture and drop-ball reduces the size of the slag, as needed, then the boom assembly of the crane releases the drop-ball fixture and engages an excavating tool, such as a clamshell bucket, a bucket, or a grapple. An elevated control station provides an operator with improved line-of-sight visibility.

A system and method for handling slag in a slag pit includes an equilibrium or balance crane equipped with a quick connect coupling. A drop-ball fixture and drop-ball reduces the size of the slag, as needed, then the boom assembly of the crane releases the drop-ball fixture and engages an excavating tool, such as a clamshell bucket, a bucket, or a grapple. An elevated control station provides an operator with improved line-of-sight visibility.

A notification system includes: a notifier which notifies an operator of a state of a lifting magnet; a sensor which detects at least one of a voltage, an electric current, and an electric power supplied for exciting the lifting magnet; a determination part which determines, based on detection data from the sensor, whether an attraction quantity of the lifting magnet reaches a maximum attraction quantity after excitation of the lifting magnet is started; and a notification control part which causes the notifier to notify that the attraction quantity reaches the maximum attraction quantity when the determination part determines that the attraction quantity reaches the maximum attraction quantity.

A notification system includes: a notifier which notifies an operator of a state of a lifting magnet; a sensor which detects at least one of a voltage, an electric current, and an electric power supplied for exciting the lifting magnet; a determination part which determines, based on detection data from the sensor, whether an attraction quantity of the lifting magnet reaches a maximum attraction quantity after excitation of the lifting magnet is started; and a notification control part which causes the notifier to notify that the attraction quantity reaches the maximum attraction quantity when the determination part determines that the attraction quantity reaches the maximum attraction quantity.

A novel electromagnet for moving tubular members is described, in which the flux lines extend only downwards in the direction of the load whereas the laterally dispersed magnetic field is substantially absent. The polar yoke of such an electromagnet has two North polarity cores on which two solenoids are wound, protected on the bottom by annular baffles made from non-magnetic material, and side panels made from ferromagnetic material extend along both sides and pass next to the two cores magnetically connecting the three South polarity poles, the side panels being magnetically insulated from the two cores. The thickness of the side panels is sized such that they are suitable to short-circuit the whole lateral flux preventing the dispersion thereof and conveying it completely towards the polar shoes of the three poles and into the material to be magnetized thus actively contributing to the lifting of the latter.

A novel electromagnet for moving tubular members is described, in which the flux lines extend only downwards in the direction of the load whereas the laterally dispersed magnetic field is substantially absent. The polar yoke of such an electromagnet has two North polarity cores on which two solenoids are wound, protected on the bottom by annular baffles made from non-magnetic material, and side panels made from ferromagnetic material extend along both sides and pass next to the two cores magnetically connecting the three South polarity poles, the side panels being magnetically insulated from the two cores. The thickness of the side panels is sized such that they are suitable to short-circuit the whole lateral flux preventing the dispersion thereof and conveying it completely towards the polar shoes of the three poles and into the material to be magnetized thus actively contributing to the lifting of the latter.

An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.

An exemplary method for installing at an installation site a photovoltaic module including a panel and support legs includes disposing the photovoltaic module over a support surface such that the support legs are in a stowed position; lifting the photovoltaic module from a support surface while engaging a magnetic field with the support legs so as to maintain the support legs in the stowed position; disengaging the magnetic field from the support legs of the lifted photovoltaic module so as to release the support legs from the stowed position to an installation position in which the support legs are rotated downwards relative to the stowed position; and lowering the photovoltaic module to the installation site with the support legs in the installation position so as to install the photovoltaic module at the installation site, the support legs supporting the panel at the installation site.

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.