Npc Robotics Corporation

Richard Reid

John David

Norman L Domholt

Michael Richmon Thoreson

Tyler Andrew Jacobson

Paul Christian Dickie

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a unitary ring gear-flange body (URGFB). In an illustrative example, the flange body may be spin-formed and may, for example, include a riser body extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis and a flange extending substantially radially outward from the riser body. To the riser body may, for example, be welded a ring gear to form a unitary assembly, the ring gear having an axis of revolution aligned with the longitudinal axis. A continuous coating may, for example, be applied to at least a selected portion of a surface of the unitary assembly. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a cost-efficient, weight-efficient, and/or time-efficient unitary body which may, for example, be coupled to machinery to provide a shaftless torque-transmitter.

Boltless unitary ring gear-flange body

Method of manufacturing boltless unitary ring gear-flange body

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module (CRGEM) for a turret-rotating system that includes a main drive gear configured to rotate in a rotation plane, a manual input shaft that extends substantially orthogonal relative to the rotation plane, and a drive shaft that extends substantially orthogonal relative to the rotation plane, where the drive shaft and the manual input shaft extend substantially parallel to one another. In an illustrative example, both the main drive gear and a hand crank may be located on a top surface of the CRGEM. In some embodiments, a manual drive cap may be hingedly coupled to the gearbox and configured to rotate in a vertical plane that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation plane. At least some examples may provide for a hand-operated, manual traverse unit that advantageously does not require electrical power to operate.

Motor-less cartridge ring gear engagement module for actuating rotation of a turret

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a toollessly interchangeable ring gear drive mount system for a rotatable turret including a ring gear, a ring gear drive module, a mount bracket, a pair of receiver members, and a pair of mount flanges. In an exemplary aspect, the mount bracket may extend in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the ring gear and be adapted for mounting to a platform arranged in a rotatable relationship to the ring gear. The pair of receiver members may extend from the mount bracket and define a pair of slide channels positioned substantially vertically and oriented substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. The pair of mount flanges may each be sized and shaped to be slidably inserted into a corresponding one of the pair of slide channels and adapted to support the ring gear drive module.

Cartridge based modular turret control system

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a modular cartridge turret assembly system for quickly exchanging modular cartridges to interact with a ring gear. A modular cartridge may be a brake cartridge, which when inserted into a modular cartridge turret assembly, operably engages with the ring gear to inhibit the rotation of a turret. In an illustrative example, the brake cartridge, when inserted, may prevent damages and injuries caused by the rotation of the turret during transportation. In an exemplary embodiment, the modular cartridge turret assembly system may include a locking mechanism to secure the modular cartridge within the modular cartridge turret assembly. The locking mechanism may safeguard that the brake cartridge remains within the modular cartridge turret assembly system during turbulent situations caused by environmental conditions.

The technology disclosed herein can include a motor unit having a motor with a motor gear to rotate a drive shaft and a drive gear. A manual input shaft can also be configured to transmit rotation to the drive shaft. The motor can have a central axis that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with a plane substantially defined by an outer surface of a gear box coupled to the motor. A mounting bracket is configured to allow mechanical communication between the motor unit and an internal ring gear. The internal ring gear can be mounted to a vehicle and a turret can be pivotably disposed within the internal ring gear. A motor unit is mounted on the turret and a drive gear is rotatably mounted on the motor unit and in direct engagement with the internal ring gear.

Battery-powered motor unit

An orientation-independent hydraulic system comprises a dynamic fluid reservoir defining a first volume substantially equal to the volume of the fluid therein, and a hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with the dynamic fluid reservoir. The hydraulic cylinder has a second volume of hydraulic fluid and a piston rod configured to extend and retract in response to changes in the second volume. A first hydraulic pump is configured to pump hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic cylinder and the dynamic fluid reservoir, thereby moving the piston rod between the extended and retracted positions.

Hydraulic systems and methods thereof

The technology herein relates to rotating a second structure, which can be a turret, relative to a first structure, which can be a vehicle. The system can include a motor unit having a motor with a motor gear to rotate a drive shaft and a drive gear. A manual input shaft can also be configured to transmit rotation to the drive shaft. The motor can have a central axis that forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with a plane substantially defined by an outer surface of a gear box coupled to the motor. A mounting bracket is configured to allow mechanical communication between the motor unit and an internal ring gear. The mounting bracket has a mounting frame defining at least a first slide channel. A first motor unit coupler has a slide flange that is slidably received by the mounting frame and receives a motor unit. The internal ring gear can be mounted to a vehicle and a turret can be pivotably disposed within the internal ring gear. A motor unit is mounted on the turret and a drive gear is rotatably mounted on the motor unit and in direct engagement with the internal ring gear.

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Minnetonka, MN, United States of America

Richard Reid