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:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1999
Jukka M. Torvinen, Raleigh, NC (US);
ABB T&D Technology Ltd., Zurich, CH;
Abstract
An apparatus allows the automated feeding and transporting of parts having open internal geometries using pressurized gas. The apparatus comprises a tip with a plurality of holes, one or more part rests, and a conduit to deliver a stream of pressurized gas. A part with open internal geometry is inserted atop of or through the tip. A stream of pressurized gas enters the interior cavity of the tip in a first direction. The holes extend from the interior surface of the tip to the exterior surface of the tip at an angle. This angle is sufficient to redirect the incoming flow of gas to a second direction having a vector component that is substantially opposite to the first direction. The stream of pressurized gas exits the holes of the tip and is subsequently directed to the internal surface of the part to be transported and/or feed. This stream of pressurized gas forces the part against the part rest thereby allowing the part to be transported and fed onto the workpiece. Once the stream of pressurized gas is decreased or removed, the part drops into position on the workpiece via gravity.