Patent classifications
B66F11/042
Battery management systems and methods
A lift device comprises a base, a linear actuator, and a rechargeable battery system. The linear actuator is configured to selectively move a work platform between a raised position and a lowered position. The linear actuator includes an electric motor. The rechargeable battery system includes a battery, a heating system, and a battery charger. The battery is configured to power the electric motor of the linear actuator. The battery charger is configured to simultaneously charge the battery and provide power the heating system to heat the battery.
Modular observation assembly and method
A modular observation assembly and method of use are presented herein. The assembly includes a portable base member that can roll along the ground. The base member defines an interior volume used for storage of various members and portions of the assembly. The assembly also includes an elevating platform in communication with the base member. The elevating platform operates between a lowered position and an elevated position. The assembly is stabilized by one or more jacks and a hitch attachment assembly configured to secure the base member to the neighboring vehicle.
Lift-and-tilt trailer
A trailer lift that rises to high levels that may tilt for loading and unloading. The trailer lift includes a lift-and-tilt mechanism, a trailer base, and a trailer platform. The lift-and-tilt mechanism includes a lower-strut link, an upper-strut link, a support member, a lower lift cylinder, and an upper cylinder. The lower-strut link and the upper-strut link are pivotably and terminally attached to each other. The support member is positioned offset to the lower-strut link and is pivotably attached to the upper-strut link to guide the upper-strut link. The trailer platform is terminally and pivotably connected to the upper-strut link. Similarly, the trailer base is pivotably and terminally connected to the lower-strut link and the support member. The upper lift cylinder is pivotably mounted in between the upper-strut link and the trailer platform. The lower lift cylinder is pivotably mounted between the upper-strut link and the lower-strut link.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RESTRICTING OPERATION OF A LIFT DEVICE
A lift device includes a chassis, tractive elements, a platform, a lift assembly, a first set of proximity sensors, and a controller. The tractive elements are rotatably coupled to the chassis and support the chassis. The platform is disposed above the chassis and includes a deck for supporting an operator. The lift assembly couples the platform to the chassis and can selectably move the platform between a lowered position and a raised position. The first set of proximity sensors are coupled to the platform and detect a distance of an obstacle relative to the platform. The controller is operably coupled with an alert system and receives obstacle detection data from the first set of proximity sensors. The controller selects a subset of the first set of proximity sensors to analyze based on an active function of the lift device and determines whether the obstacle is within the minimum allowable distance.
Hydraulic drivetrain for a utility vehicle
A vehicle and a hydraulic propulsion system for the vehicle are provided with first and second motors diagonally arranged relative to one another on the vehicle, and third and fourth motors diagonally arranged relative to one another on the vehicle. First, second and third flow divider combiner assemblies are provided and are arranged in a closed fluid loop with the motors. A first port of each of the assemblies are fluidly connected to one another. The first assembly has a second port fluidly coupled to the first and second motors, and a third port fluidly coupled to the third and fourth motors. The second assembly has second and third ports fluidly coupled to the first and third motors, respectively. The third assembly has second and third ports fluidly coupled to the second and fourth motors, respectively. A method of controlling the hydraulic system is also provided.
APPARATUS FOR BRANCHED SCISSOR LINKAGE AND ASSOCIATED AUXETIC MECHANISMS
According to one embodiment, there is taught herein a family of branched variants of the traditional scissor mechanism, in which each stage is formed from more than two arms, joined at their midpoints by a branched rivet. In one embodiment arms in adjacent stages are joined at their endpoints with joints that allow for rotation in a single plane. Each resulting mechanism has one degree of freedom in its motion. It deploys from a compact, collapsed state to an extended state. One embodiment is a grasping member that is mechanically coupled to a scissor mechanism so that when scissor mechanism is collapsed the grasping member is open. Then, when the scissor mechanism is extended the grasping member becomes closed.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAISING DRILLING RIG ASSEMBLIES
A mast erection system includes a first mast erection apparatus that is adapted to pivotably raise a drilling rig mast of a drilling rig assembly to an intermediate raised position wherein the drilling rig mast is oriented at a first acute angle relative to a horizontal plane, and a second mast erection apparatus that is adapted to further pivotably raise the drilling rig mast from the intermediate raised position at the first acute angle to a fully raised position wherein the drilling rig mast is oriented at a second angle relative to the horizontal plane that is greater than the first acute angle.
AUTOMATED WAREHOUSE FULFILLMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION
A method and apparatus for a human picker on a picker automated vehicle (PAV) along with its vertical tote conveyors (VTCs) having totes to a successive plurality of inventory stock bins arranged in rows and columns along aisles to move the human picker both horizontally and vertically to successively retrieve each of a plurality of stock items from the bins and place the respective pp items in a preselected ones of totes. Items are later optionally transferred to shipping containers based on each customer order. In some embodiments, horizontal aisle conveyors (HACs) move totes from a configurator along the aisles to the moving PAVs, then back after tote loading by the picker. Totes are transferred from the HACs to upward VTCs, then crossover to downward VTCs, are loaded with stock items by the picker on upward or downward paths, and then transferred back to the HACs to move to shipping station.
PRESSURE BASED LOAD SENSING SYSTEM
A load sensing system measures lift cylinder pressure and platform height to estimate platform load. The system functions to prevent overload and is designed to comply with regulatory requirements. The system provides the advantages of a force-based approach using simple, lower cost pressure-based measurement components.
ACTUATOR FAILURE DETECTION AND SCISSOR LIFT LOADSENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
A fully-electric lift device includes a base; a retractable lift mechanism, a work platform, an electric linear actuator configured to selectively move the retractable lift mechanism between an extended position and a retracted position, and a controller. The linear actuator includes an electric motor. The controller is in communication with the electric motor and configured to receive a lift command, monitor a required torque for the electric motor based on the lift command, and selectively inhibit the lift command based on the required torque.