Phase 2 Automation

Acurex Corporation

Richard J Carlton

A method for transporting annular disks is disclosed in which the disks, stored in a cassette, are loaded onto a cantilever as a group, transported to another location, and unloaded singly by a walking beam motion along the cantilever. The process is reversed for loading the disks into a cassette.

Transfer method using walking beam gripper

Apparatus for transporting annular disks is disclosed in which a pair of jaws provide either a radial or an inside grip on the disks. The disks are stored on a cantilever and moved along the beam by an additional walking beam.

Walking beam gripper

An improved joint for connecting an end effector to a robotic arm is described. The joint includes a spring for supporting the weight of the end effector, a plurality of ball and socket locating members, and a plurality of ball plungers. The ball plungers are located adjacent a platform connected to the robotic arm to effect a snap-like trip point when struck.

Safety joint for robotic arm

A solar energy collecting system of the tracking type is disclosed herein and includes at least one but preferably a plurality of solar panels mounted for movement along respective predetermined tracking paths such that each maintains a predetermined orientation with respect to the sun as the latter moves across the sky. The disclosed system also includes a single, common device which serves both as a direct insolation monitor for detecting the presence or absence of direct sunlight and as a means of detecting the position of the sun if direct sunlight is found to be present. Each panel includes a second device mounted for movement therewith for sensing the position of the panel at any given time and, at the same time, for detecting whether or not the panel is at the desired orientation with the sun. These latter devices cooperate with the first-mentioned common device for maintaining their associated solar panels in precise, controlled orientation with the sun so long as direct sunlight is present. The overall system also includes a remote arrangement for controlling the various solar panels in other prioritized ways utilizing 'touch tone' signals, that is, dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals.

Tracking arrangement for a solar energy collecting system

A solar energy collector assembly of the tracking type is disclosed herein and includes a solar panel mounted for movement along a predetermined tracking path in order to maintain a predetermined orientation with respect to the sun as the latter moves across the sky. The disclosed assembly also includes a specific solar tracking sensor for maintaining the panel member in its predetermined orientation and a Direct Insolation Monitor (D.I.M.) provided to monitor the presence and absence of direct sunlight in order to prevent the sensor from mistaking a relatively bright cloud or other diffused light for the sun.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Richard J Carlton