A robot comprises a body, a drive system coupled with the body, and a memory. A processor coupled with the memory is configured to control movement of the robot, via the drive system, to traverse about a surface of a piled granular material in a first direction and in relative to the body and in a second direction relative to the body. The second direction is substantially opposite the first direction. An articulable flap is rotatably coupled with the body by a hinge which comprises lower stop. The articulable flap is configured to rotatably articulate away from the lower stop to a non-pushing orientation in response to a first interaction with piled granular material traversed during the first direction of travel, and rotatably articulate to a pushing orientation engaged with the lower stop in response to a second interaction with the piled granular material during the second direction of travel.

A robot comprises a body, a drive system coupled with the body, and a memory. A processor coupled with the memory is configured to control movement of the robot, via the drive system, to traverse about a surface of a piled granular material in a first direction and in relative to the body and in a second direction relative to the body. The second direction is substantially opposite the first direction. An articulable flap is rotatably coupled with the body by a hinge which comprises lower stop. The articulable flap is configured to rotatably articulate away from the lower stop to a non-pushing orientation in response to a first interaction with piled granular material traversed during the first direction of travel, and rotatably articulate to a pushing orientation engaged with the lower stop in response to a second interaction with the piled granular material during the second direction of travel.

A gyrator feeder that gyrates a dispensing member to uniformly and circumnavigating dispense material by generating a true circular orbital vibratory motion in the dispensing member by either rotating an offset weight along a vertical central axis of the dispensing member or by positioning vibratory motors diametrical opposite from each other on a gyrator housing and synchronizing the vibratory motors with each other to thereby dispense material.

A gyrator feeder that gyrates a dispensing member to uniformly and circumnavigating dispense material by generating a true circular orbital vibratory motion in the dispensing member by either rotating an offset weight along a vertical central axis of the dispensing member or by positioning vibratory motors diametrical opposite from each other on a gyrator housing and synchronizing the vibratory motors with each other to thereby dispense material.

A method and means for disaggregating aggregated particulate. A housing contains a rotational motor and a vibrating motor also has an auger drivingly linked to the rotational motor. Legs extend from the housing in the same direction as the auger and the device rests upon the aggregated particulate. Upon driving the rotational motor, the auger bores through the aggregated particulate, thereby disaggregating particulate. The vibrating motor is also driven to vibrate and further disaggregate the particulate. A plate device with a vibrating motor attached is also used to disaggregate the particulate, such as by teeth extending from the bottom of the plate that are driven into the aggregate by the weight of the plate when vibrated.

A method and means for disaggregating aggregated particulate. A housing contains a rotational motor and a vibrating motor also has an auger drivingly linked to the rotational motor. Legs extend from the housing in the same direction as the auger and the device rests upon the aggregated particulate. Upon driving the rotational motor, the auger bores through the aggregated particulate, thereby disaggregating particulate. The vibrating motor is also driven to vibrate and further disaggregate the particulate. A plate device with a vibrating motor attached is also used to disaggregate the particulate, such as by teeth extending from the bottom of the plate that are driven into the aggregate by the weight of the plate when vibrated.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for producing a product comprising a filter media, such as a gas or liquid filter. A feed system for conveying nanoparticles comprises a container for receiving clusters of nanoparticles and one or more vibration elements coupled to the container and configured to pulse the clusters of nanoparticles to convey the clusters of nanoparticles through the container. The feed system further comprises one or more components for converting the clusters of nanoparticles into a group of nanoparticles having a smaller mass or volume than the cluster of nanoparticles. The system both conveys and breaks down the clusters of nanoparticles, allowing them to be transported from the bulk bin to the filter manufacturing apparatus to form a filter media with improved quality and yield and reduced cost and time. In addition, the system is scalable and produces filter media with less variation.

Systems, devices and methods are provided for producing a product comprising a filter media, such as a gas or liquid filter. A feed system for conveying nanoparticles comprises a container for receiving clusters of nanoparticles and one or more vibration elements coupled to the container and configured to pulse the clusters of nanoparticles to convey the clusters of nanoparticles through the container. The feed system further comprises one or more components for converting the clusters of nanoparticles into a group of nanoparticles having a smaller mass or volume than the cluster of nanoparticles. The system both conveys and breaks down the clusters of nanoparticles, allowing them to be transported from the bulk bin to the filter manufacturing apparatus to form a filter media with improved quality and yield and reduced cost and time. In addition, the system is scalable and produces filter media with less variation.

A container for storing and transporting regolith includes an upper portion having a top end that includes an inlet opening. An inlet valve is attached to the inlet opening and is configured for moving between a closed inlet position and an open inlet position. The container also has a lower portion continuous with the upper portion. The lower portion has sidewalls that taper inwards and terminate in a bottom end having an outlet opening. An outlet valve is attached to the outlet opening and is configured for moving between a closed outlet position and an open outlet position. The container further includes a robotic arm interface configured for being gripped by a robot. An inner surface of the container may include a non-stick coating so that the regolith does not adhere thereto.

A container for storing and transporting regolith includes an upper portion having a top end that includes an inlet opening. An inlet valve is attached to the inlet opening and is configured for moving between a closed inlet position and an open inlet position. The container also has a lower portion continuous with the upper portion. The lower portion has sidewalls that taper inwards and terminate in a bottom end having an outlet opening. An outlet valve is attached to the outlet opening and is configured for moving between a closed outlet position and an open outlet position. The container further includes a robotic arm interface configured for being gripped by a robot. An inner surface of the container may include a non-stick coating so that the regolith does not adhere thereto.