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:
Feb. 21, 1978
Filed:
Mar. 26, 1976
David Eugene Cooper, Rossville, GA (US);
Leon Clyde Hendee, III, Chattanooga, TN (US);
Walter Guy Hill, Jr, Rossville, GA (US);
Adam Leshem, West Hartford, CT (US);
Martin Lewis Marugg, Enfield, CT (US);
Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the movement of a surface traversing apparatus across a member which has an ordered array of openings in it's surface. Move control routines are provided, each of which instruct the traversing apparatus to move incrementally over the surface of the member by disengaging, incrementally moving, and re-engaging one of two stepping arms. Each routine operates to advance the apparatus an increment in one of a number of directions. Some of the routines move the apparatus parallel to lines or rows of openings. Others move the apparatus diagonally. Each routine senses the relative positioning of the two stepping arms to establish the sequence of operations and returns the stepping arm to its former position if it is unable to complete a step. An automatic selection operation may move the apparatus toward a target opening by comparing the present location of the apparatus with the target address and selecting a routine which minimizes the number of move increments needed to get to the target.