Other

Isi Norgren, Inc.

Michael J Golden

A sensor detects the absolute angular position of a rotatable clamp arm between full opened and full closed positions. The sensor is coupled to a clamp arm pivot shaft to provide output signals corresponding to the absolute position of the clamp arm. One or more programmable angular position set points are setable at angular positions in advance of the full open and full closed positions of the clamp arm. Outputs are generated when the clamp arm reaches and/or exceeds each set point.

Clamp arm position sensing apparatus

A shiftable valve spool has a plurality of distinct targets carried thereon. The targets are preferably axially spaced and located at one end of the valve spool. A detector mounted in the valve detects each target as each target enters a detection field of the detector. The detector generates a distinct output indicative of one target positioned within the detection field of the detector. A control determines, in response to the output from the detector, the exact valve spool position.

Valve spool position detector apparatus

A vacuum cup control apparatus for applying and releasing vacuum in a vacuum cup includes a venturi passage for inducing a vacuum within the vacuum cup upon the flow of pressurized air therethrough. Another air flow passage extends through the housing for injecting a flow of air under pressure to the vacuum cup to relieve the vacuum therein. A sensor senses the vacuum level attained in the vacuum cup. A feedback signal is sent by the control apparatus to the external controller as an indication that a predetermined, selectable vacuum level has been achieved. The control apparatus is responsive to the sensor and signals from an external controller for applying vacuum to the vacuum cup until a predetermined vacuum level is attained in the vacuum cup. After the initial application of vacuum and prior to the injection of air under pressure to the vacuum cup, if the vacuum level within the vacuum cup decreases below the predetermined set level, the control apparatus will automatically reapply vacuum until the predetermined vacuum level is reached. A plurality of comparators, each provided with offset reference signal inputs, are responsive to the output of the sensor and generate a plurality of discrete vacuum select levels. A selector switch selects one of the comparator outputs to specify a predetermined vacuum level in the vacuum cup.

Vacuum cup control apparatus

A vacuum cup control apparatus for applying and releasing vacuum in a vacuum cup engaging a workpiece includes a housing having a venturi passage for inducing a vacuum within the vacuum cup upon the flow of air through the venturi passage. A one-way check valve in the passage seals the vacuum in the vacuum cup upon cessation of air flow through the venturi passage. Another air flow passage extends through the housing to a control port on the housing for injecting a flow of air under pressure to the vacuum cup to relieve the vacuum therein. A sensor mounted in the housing senses the vacuum level attained in the vacuum cup. A feedback signal is sent by the control apparatus to the external controller as an indication that a predetermined vacuum level has been achieved. The control apparatus is responsive to the sensor and signals from an external controller for applying vacuum to the vacuum cup until a predetermined vacuum level is attained in the vacuum cup. The control apparatus also injects air under pressure to the vacuum cup to relieve the vacuum in response to a signal from the external controller. After the initial application of vacuum and prior to the injection of air under pressure to the vacuum cup, if the vacuum level within the vacuum cup decreases below the predetermined set level, the control apparatus will reapply vacuum until the predetermined vacuum level is reached.

Growing community of inventors

Sterling Heights, MI, United States of America

Michael J Golden