The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 22, 2020
Filed:
Dec. 22, 2016
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Dragan Filipovic, Garching, DE;
Sultan Shair, Ismaning, DE;
Mathias Ernst Messmer, Garching, DE;
Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove, Hohenkammer, DE;
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
Various adaptive apparatus and systems for automated handling of components such as composite plies are provided. In one embodiment, a ply manipulation system is provided that comprises an automated machine having an arm, and a ply manipulation tool attached to the arm of the automated machine. The ply manipulation tool includes a first shuttle including a first gripper, a second shuttle including a second gripper, and an actuator. The ply manipulation system further comprises a processor that automatically controls the actuator to move the first and second shuttles linearly with respect to one another to adapt the first and second grippers to a ply shape. In another embodiment, the first and second shuttles include one or more clamping elements moveable to a position to be deployed outside a perimeter of the ply. Methods for removing a ply from a sheet of material using a ply manipulation tool also are provided.