System and method for in-flight robotic arm retargeting

    公开(公告)号:US10040196B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-08-07

    申请号:US15204768

    申请日:2016-07-07

    Inventor: Peter M. Linlor

    Abstract: A system comprising a robotic arm and a robotic arm controller. The robotic arm receives instructions from the robotic arm controller and moves along a path. The robotic arm controller comprises an interface, a memory, and a processor. The interface communicates with the robotic arm. The memory stores a first path and a second path. The processor applies a decreasing weight to the waypoints of the first path and an increasing weight to the waypoints of the second path. The processor combines the weighted waypoints of the first path and the second path to generate a third path wherein the third path defines a transition path from the first path to the second path. The processor further instructs the robotic arm to transition from the first path to the second path by traversing the third path.

    Solenoid actuated shutoff valve
    194.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US09901068B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-02-27

    申请号:US15134434

    申请日:2016-04-21

    Abstract: A valve apparatus comprises a housing, a solenoid operable to receive electrical current flow, and an enclosure, the enclosure housing the solenoid, a magnet coupled to the enclosure, a plunger comprising a stopper and a conductive portion, and a spring coupled to the plunger. When the solenoid receives a first current, the solenoid applies a first magnetic force onto the plunger causing the stopper to disengage from the housing outlet, the conductive portion of the plunger magnetically connects with the magnet, and the stopper remains disengaged from the housing outlet after the first period of time expires. When the conductive portion is magnetically connected to the magnet and the solenoid receives a second current, the solenoid applies a second magnetic force onto the plunger causing the conductive portion of the plunger to disconnect from the magnet so that the stopper engages with the housing outlet.

    Vision System for Teat Detection
    196.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20180049394A1

    公开(公告)日:2018-02-22

    申请号:US15448879

    申请日:2017-03-03

    CPC classification number: A01J5/007 A01J5/0175 G01B11/24 G06K9/00664

    Abstract: A system includes a robotic arm, memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to access first and second success counters stored in the memory. The first success counter is associated with a first attach algorithm and the second success counter is associated with a second attach algorithm. The processor is further configured to determine whether the first success counter is greater than the second success counter. The processor is further configured to execute the first attach algorithm if the first success counter is greater than the second success counter, and to execute the second attach algorithm if the first success counter is not greater than the second success counter. The processor is further configured to increment the first success counter if the first attach algorithm is successful, and to increment the second success counter if the second attach algorithm is successful.

    Helical coil heating apparatus and method of operation

    公开(公告)号:US09897385B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-02-20

    申请号:US14627469

    申请日:2015-02-20

    CPC classification number: F28D7/024 F24H1/08 F28D1/0206 F28D20/0034 F28F9/013

    Abstract: A heating apparatus comprises an exposed tube formed into an outer coil and an inner coil. The outer coil is formed around the inner coil with a gap separating the outer coil and the inner coil. The tube is supported by a support frame. The heating apparatus also comprises a spacer frame that extends from the top portion of the support frame to the base portion of the support frame. The spacer frame has a plurality of apertures formed therein, each aperture operable to support a corresponding ring of the outer coil. The apparatus also comprises a spacer rod having a first end that couples to the top portion of the support frame and a second end that couples to the base portion of the support frame, wherein the spacer rod is threaded through the spacer frame between the outer coil and the vertex of the spacer frame.

    Arrangement of milking box stalls
    198.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US09883654B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-02-06

    申请号:US15641424

    申请日:2017-07-05

    CPC classification number: A01K1/12 A01J5/00 A01J5/007 A01J5/0175

    Abstract: A system includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a first dairy livestock and a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a second dairy livestock. The first and second milking box stalls face opposite directions. An equipment portion is located between the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall. A robotic attacher is housed in the equipment portion and configured to service both stalls at different times. The robotic attacher comprises a gripping portion having a spray nozzle. The gripping portion is operable to rotate around a longitudinal axis such that during a milking operation the spray nozzle is positioned on the bottom of the gripping portion, and after the milking operation the spray nozzle is positioned on the top of the gripping portion.

    Automated System for Applying Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock

    公开(公告)号:US20170295745A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-10-19

    申请号:US15637247

    申请日:2017-06-29

    Abstract: A method for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock comprises moving a robotic arm along a track in relation to a rotary milking platform housing a dairy livestock and independent of any physical coupling between the robotic arm and the rotary milking platform. The rotary milking platform has a substantially circular perimeter. The track is positioned outside the perimeter of the rotary milking platform. At least a portion of the track is straight and offset in relation to the rotary milking platform. The robotic arm comprises an arm member operable to pivot about an axis that is parallel to the track, and a spray tool attached to one end of the arm member. The method further comprises extending the robotic arm between the hind legs of the dairy livestock while the rotary milking platform rotates such that the spray tool is located at a spray position from which it may discharge disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock.

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