A multifunctional light-duty soft robot includes paired wheel power mechanisms, soft contact mechanisms, buffer spring mechanisms and a middle frame deformation mechanism. Each of the paired wheel power mechanisms includes a wheel frame and a wheel rotatably connected thereto. The wheel frame is internally provided with a power mechanism connected with a wheel axis of the wheel. Each of the soft contact mechanisms includes a flexible cantilever and a soft transmission belt. The two paired wheel power mechanisms are respectively arranged at two ends of each of the flexible cantilevers. The wheel on one of the paired wheel power mechanisms is connected with the wheel on the other of the paired wheel power mechanisms. The buffer spring mechanisms are arranged between the wheel frames and the wheels. The middle frame deformation mechanism includes a connection unit and two movable units rotatably connected to the connection unit respectively.

A tracked vehicle encompassing: a load subassembly; a drive track that is retained movably on the load subassembly in order to execute a motion along a circulation path of the drive track;

a linear motor, a stator of the linear motor being arranged in stationary fashion with respect to the load subassembly, and a rotor of the linear motor being arranged for motion together with the drive track, and/or the rotor being embodied in the drive track; the rotor having permanent magnets that are arranged in the drive track and are embodied for motion together with the drive track.

A system and method for compensating reduced track speed because of engine droop for a work machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a frame, an attachment coupled to the frame, a ground-engaging mechanism adapted to support the frame, an engine, a motor, a track speed sensor, an engine speed sensor, and a controller. The engine may drive the ground-engaging mechanism and attachment. The engine may be coupled through a variable speed transmission to the ground-engaging mechanism and the attachment. They variable speed transmission may include a hydrostatic circuit. The controller may be adapted to send an increased transmission command signal based on a drop in the engine speed signal when the work machine engages an increased load. The increased transmission command signal may increase a motor speed to cause an increase in track speed to compensate at least a portion of the reduced track speed from the engine speed droop.

A system and method for compensating reduced track speed because of engine droop for a work machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a frame, an attachment coupled to the frame, a ground-engaging mechanism adapted to support the frame, an engine, a motor, a track speed sensor, an engine speed sensor, and a controller. The engine may drive the ground-engaging mechanism and attachment. The engine may be coupled through a variable speed transmission to the ground-engaging mechanism and the attachment. They variable speed transmission may include a hydrostatic circuit. The controller may be adapted to send an increased transmission command signal based on a drop in the engine speed signal when the work machine engages an increased load. The increased transmission command signal may increase a motor speed to cause an increase in track speed to compensate at least a portion of the reduced track speed from the engine speed droop.

A track for a track vehicle has sensor-receiving cavities disposed therein. Removeable sensors are placed in the sensor-receiving cavities for sensing characteristics of the track during operation.

A track for a track vehicle has sensor-receiving cavities disposed therein. Removeable sensors are placed in the sensor-receiving cavities for sensing characteristics of the track during operation.

A process for execution by a processor of an electronic control unit (ECU), comprising: (a) detecting an operator command to align an upper structure of a tracked vehicle relative to a lower structure of the tracked vehicle; (b) in response to detection of the operator command, applying controlled rotation of the upper structure relative to the lower structure about an axis to align the upper structure relative to the lower structure at a predetermined relative angle; (c) in response to the upper structure having been aligned relative to the lower structure at the predetermined relative angle, signaling that alignment has been achieved; and (d) causing rotation of the upper structure to stop when alignment has been achieved and being non-responsive to further detection of the operator command during and for a predetermined period of time after said signaling. Also, a tracked vehicle comprising an ECU that executes the above process.

A process for execution by a processor of an electronic control unit (ECU), comprising: (a) detecting an operator command to align an upper structure of a tracked vehicle relative to a lower structure of the tracked vehicle; (b) in response to detection of the operator command, applying controlled rotation of the upper structure relative to the lower structure about an axis to align the upper structure relative to the lower structure at a predetermined relative angle; (c) in response to the upper structure having been aligned relative to the lower structure at the predetermined relative angle, signaling that alignment has been achieved; and (d) causing rotation of the upper structure to stop when alignment has been achieved and being non-responsive to further detection of the operator command during and for a predetermined period of time after said signaling. Also, a tracked vehicle comprising an ECU that executes the above process.

A mobile robot includes a robot chassis having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity. The robot includes a driven support surface to propel the robot and first articulated arm rotatable about an axis located rearward of the center of gravity of the robot chassis. The arm is pivotable to trail the robot, rotate in a first direction to raise the rearward end of the robot chassis while the driven support surface propels the chassis forward in surmounting an obstacle, and to rotate in a second opposite direction to extend forward beyond the center of gravity of the robot chassis to raise the forward end of the robot chassis and invert the robot endwise.

A mobile robot includes a robot chassis having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity. The robot includes a driven support surface to propel the robot and first articulated arm rotatable about an axis located rearward of the center of gravity of the robot chassis. The arm is pivotable to trail the robot, rotate in a first direction to raise the rearward end of the robot chassis while the driven support surface propels the chassis forward in surmounting an obstacle, and to rotate in a second opposite direction to extend forward beyond the center of gravity of the robot chassis to raise the forward end of the robot chassis and invert the robot endwise.