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:
Jul. 18, 1989
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1987
Peter E McCormick, Dallas, TX (US);
Walter D Autry, Jr, Dallas, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention provides an 'on the fly' adjustable clutch for use with robot end-of-arm tooling that senses movement of a tool attached to the clutch and can send a signal to shut down the robot when an overload is encountered. The clutch includes a piston capable of lateral movement within a chamber that is slidably mounted on a pin and a tool plate. The pin extends beyond the clutch housing, and the tool plate is pivotally mounted on the pin. Spring act to bias the piston away from the tool plate such that the tool plate is held somewhat rigidly in relation to the clutch housing by the springs. In a preferred embodiment, pressurized air may be introduced into the piston chamber on either side of the piston to increase or decrease the bias of the springs. Thus, the clutch is capable of varying sensitivities with the biasing being adjustable under program control. Also included on the clutch are locating studs and proximity sensors. The locating means act to position the tool plate in a normal position in relation to the clutch housing. The proximity sensors detect movement of the tool plate in relation to the housing.