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.
B65G 69/04 - Spreading-out the materials conveyed over the whole surface to be loadedTrimming heaps of loose materials
B62D 57/036 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members screw type, e.g. Archimedian screw
2.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOCALIZATION OF A DEVICE WITHIN A GRAIN BIN
A localization system comprises: a device; a master unit which wirelessly transmits a first localization signal; a plurality of lateration units distributed about the area within which the device is being localized, wherein each lateration unit of the plurality independently starts its own timer upon its receipt of the first localization signal; and a localization unit. The device receives the first localization signal and responsively wirelessly transmits a second localization signal. Each of the lateration units: independently receives the second localization signal; stops its respective timer responsive to receipt of the second localization signal; and wirelessly transmits a timer count signal to a localization unit. The timer count signal identifies the transmitting lateration unit and a count of its respective timer. The localization unit utilizes the plurality of timer along with respective distances between the master unit and the lateration units to localize the first device via time-of-flight lateration.
G01S 1/20 - Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems
G01S 1/80 - Systems for determining direction or position line using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional transducers or transducer systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems
B65D 88/68 - Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying preventing bridge formation using rotating devices
E04H 7/22 - Containers for fluent solids, e.g. silos or bunkersSupports therefor
A localization system comprises: a device; a master unit which wirelessly transmits a first localization signal; a plurality of lateration units distributed about the area within which the device is being localized, wherein each lateration unit of the plurality independently starts its own timer upon its receipt of the first localization signal; and a localization unit. The device receives the first localization signal and responsively wirelessly transmits a second localization signal. Each of the lateration units: independently receives the second localization signal; stops its respective timer responsive to receipt of the second localization signal; and wirelessly transmits a timer count signal to a localization unit. The timer count signal identifies the transmitting lateration unit and a count of its respective timer. The localization unit utilizes the plurality of timer along with respective distances between the master unit and the lateration units to localize the first device via time-of-flight lateration.
A robot comprises a memory, a processor, a body and a drive system which are coupled. The drive system comprises one of auger-based surface interface portions and continuous tread surface interface portions. The auger-based surface interface portions and the continuous tread surface interface portions are interchangeable to adapt the robot to one of different operating conditions and different uses. The processor is configured to: control movement of the robot, via the drive system, to traverse across a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises piled granular material, in response to the drive system being configured with the auger-based surface interface portions; and control movement of the robot via the drive system to traverse across a second surface, which is a solid or semi-solid surface other than the piled granular material, in response to the drive system being configured with the continuous tread surface interface portions.
B62D 57/036 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members screw type, e.g. Archimedian screw
B62D 55/06 - Endless-track vehicles with tracks and without ground wheels
B62D 57/02 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members
5.
ROBOT WITH ARTICULABLE FLAP FOR MOVING GRANULAR MATERIAL
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 localization system comprises: a device; a master unit which wirelessly transmits a first localization signal; a plurality of lateration units distributed about the area within which the device is being localized, wherein each lateration unit of the plurality independently starts its own timer upon its receipt of the first localization signal; and a localization unit. The device receives the first localization signal and responsively wirelessly transmits a second localization signal. Each of the lateration units: independently receives the second localization signal; stops its respective timer responsive to receipt of the second localization signal; and wirelessly transmits a timer count signal to a localization unit. The timer count signal identifies the transmitting lateration unit and a count of its respective timer. The localization unit utilizes the plurality of timer along with respective distances between the master unit and the lateration units to localize the first device via time-of-flight lateration.
A robot comprises a memory, a processor, a body and a drive system which are coupled. The drive system comprises one of auger-based surface interface portions and continuous tread surface interface portions. The auger-based surface interface portions and the continuous tread surface interface portions are interchangeable to adapt the robot to one of different operating conditions and different uses. The processor is configured to: control movement of the robot, via the drive system, to traverse across a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises piled granular material, in response to the drive system being configured with the auger-based surface interface portions; and control movement of the robot via the drive system to traverse across a second surface, which is a solid or semi-solid surface other than the piled granular material, in response to the drive system being configured with the continuous tread surface interface portions.
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a first measurement of an angle of slope of a portion of piled granular material in a bulk store. In response to the first measurement satisfying a first condition, the robot traverses the portion of piled granular material to incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of piled granular material by disruption of viscosity of the portion of piled granular material through agitation of the portion of piled granular material by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a second measurement of the angle of slope of the portion of piled granular material. In response to the second measurement satisfying a second condition, the robot ceases traversal of the portion of piled granular material.
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a first measurement of an angle of slope of a portion of piled granular material in a bulk store. In response to the first measurement satisfying a first condition, the robot traverses the portion of piled granular material to incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of piled granular material by disruption of viscosity of the portion of piled granular material through agitation of the portion of piled granular material by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a second measurement of the angle of slope of the portion of piled granular material. In response to the second measurement satisfying a second condition, the robot ceases traversal of the portion of piled granular material.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and recorded software system for remotely monitoring environmental conditions and controlling devices within a building, facility, grounds, or designated spatial area; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to traverse piled granular material in bulk storage; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling vehicle based sensors to measure environmental conditions relative to piled granular material in bulk storage; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for assisting with management of grain stored in a grain bin; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to manage grain stored in a grain bin
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and recorded software system for remotely monitoring environmental conditions and controlling devices within a building, facility, grounds, or designated spatial area; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to traverse piled granular material in bulk storage; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling vehicle based sensors to measure environmental conditions relative to piled granular material in bulk storage; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for assisting with management of grain stored in a grain bin; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to manage grain stored in a grain bin
A piled grain surface management robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor is also configured to direct a traversal of a surface of piled grain in a bulk store, wherein a crust layer of the surface is broken up by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system during the traversal.
A piled grain surface management robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor is also configured to direct a traversal of a surface of piled grain in a bulk store, wherein a crust layer of the surface is broken up by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system during the traversal.
A grain management system includes a robot and a computer system located remotely from one another and configured to wirelessly communicate. The robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor which controls movement of the robot, via the drive system, relative to grain in a bulk store. During a load-in the robot traverses a landing zone portion, where the grain lands during load-in, of a surface of a pile of the grain to disperse broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion. The dispersal is effected in part by rotation of augers of the drive system. The robot additionally traverses a sloped portion of the pile of grain to incite sediment gravity flow by rotation of the augers. The sediment gravity flow reduces a slope of the sloped portion and further disperses the broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion.
A grain management system includes a robot and a computer system located remotely from one another and configured to wirelessly communicate. The robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor which controls movement of the robot, via the drive system, relative to grain in a bulk store. During a load-in the robot traverses a landing zone portion, where the grain lands during load-in, of a surface of a pile of the grain to disperse broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion. The dispersal is effected in part by rotation of augers of the drive system. The robot additionally traverses a sloped portion of the pile of grain to incite sediment gravity flow by rotation of the augers. The sediment gravity flow reduces a slope of the sloped portion and further disperses the broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion.
B65G 69/04 - Spreading-out the materials conveyed over the whole surface to be loadedTrimming heaps of loose materials
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot, via the auger-based drive system, relative to grain in a grain bin. The processor is further configured to direct traversal, by the robot, of a landing zone portion of a surface of a pile of the grain during load-in of the grain to disperse broken grain and foreign material away from the landing zone portion. The landing zone portion is located in a center of the grain bin where the grain lands as it is augured into the grain bin during load-in. The dispersal is affected in part by rotation of augers of the auger-based drive system.
B01F 27/1143 - Helically shaped stirrers, i.e. stirrers comprising a helically shaped band or helically shaped band sections screw-shaped, e.g. worms
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
B65G 69/20 - Auxiliary treatments, e.g. aerating, heating, humidifying, de-aerating, cooling, de-watering, or drying, during loading or unloadingLoading or unloading in a fluid medium other than air
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
17.
ROBOTIC GRAIN WALK DOWN IN A FLAT STORAGE BULK STORE
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot, via the auger-based drive system, relative to grain in a flat storage bulk store. The processor is further configured to direct traversal, by the robot, of a portion of a pile of the grain in the flat storage bulk store. The traversal is performed to incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of pile of grain system to walk-down the grain in the portion. The sediment gravity flow is incited by disruption of viscosity of the portion of the pile of grain through agitation of the portion of the pile of grain by auger rotation of the auger-based drive.
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot, via the auger-based drive system, relative to grain in a grain bin. The processor is further configured to direct performance of a maintenance traversal, by the robot, of a surface of a pile of the grain during a storage period of the grain. The maintenance traversal disperses a layer of the grain on and near the surface and thus hinders crust formation on the surface during the storage period. The dispersal is effected by rotation of augers of the auger-based drive system during the maintenance traversal.
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot relative to a piled granular material in a bulk store, via the auger-based drive system, such that the robot traverses a first surface of the piled granular material in a mapping pattern. The processor is further configured to record a plurality of three-dimensional locations of the robot during the traversal in the mapping pattern. The processor or a computer system coupled with the processor is configured to assemble the plurality of three-dimensional locations of the robot into a three-dimensional surface map of the first surface of the piled granular material.
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot relative to a piled granular material in a bulk store, via the auger-based drive system, such that the robot traverses a first surface of the piled granular material in a mapping pattern. The processor is further configured to record a plurality of three-dimensional locations of the robot during the traversal in the mapping pattern. The processor or a computer system coupled with the processor is configured to assemble the plurality of three-dimensional locations of the robot into a three-dimensional surface map of the first surface of the piled granular material.
B62D 57/04 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track having other than ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. having propellers
G01F 22/00 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
A piled grain surface management robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory. The processor is configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor is also configured to direct a traversal of a surface of piled grain in a bulk store, wherein a crust layer of the surface is broken up by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system during the traversal.
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot relative to a piled granular material in a bulk store, via the auger-based drive system, such that the robot traverses a first surface of the piled granular material in a mapping pattern. The processor is further configured to record a plurality of three-dimensional locations of the robot during the traversal in the mapping pattern. The processor or a computer system coupled with the processor is configured to assemble the plurality of three-dimensional locations of the robot into a three-dimensional surface map of the first surface of the piled granular material.
G01B 5/20 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
G05D 1/00 - Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots
G01K 3/14 - Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving differences of valuesThermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving differentiated values in respect of space
B62D 57/04 - Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground-engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track having other than ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. having propellers
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and recorded software system for remotely monitoring environmental conditions and controlling devices within a building, facility, grounds, or designated spatial area; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to traverse piled granular material in bulk storage; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling vehicle based sensors to measure environmental conditions relative to piled granular material in bulk storage; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for assisting with management of grain stored in a grain bin; Computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to manage grain stored in a grain bin
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and recorded software system for remotely monitoring environmental conditions and controlling devices within a building, facility, grounds, or designated spatial area; computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to traverse piled granular material in bulk storage; computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling vehicle based sensors to measure environmental conditions relative to piled granular material in bulk storage
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and recorded software system for remotely monitoring environmental conditions and controlling devices within a building, facility, grounds, or designated spatial area; computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling an auger driven vehicle to traverse piled granular material in bulk storage; computer hardware and recorded software systems for controlling vehicle based sensors to measure environmental conditions relative to piled granular material in bulk storage
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a first measurement of an angle of slope of a portion of piled granular material in a bulk store. In response to the first measurement satisfying a first condition, the robot traverses the portion of piled granular material to incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of piled granular material by disruption of viscosity of the portion of piled granular material through agitation of the portion of piled granular material by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a second measurement of the angle of slope of the portion of piled granular material. In response to the second measurement satisfying a second condition, the robot ceases traversal of the portion of piled granular material.
