Patents by Inventor Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
Robert H. Sturges, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6292716Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are provided for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.Inventors: Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Kerry L. Elkins, Anne Marie Murray, Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Kensuke Hazama
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Patent number: 5761940Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are disclosed for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1995Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.Inventors: Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Anne Marie Murray, Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Kensuke Hazama
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Patent number: 5396714Abstract: An azimuth angle compensation device adapted for use with an assembler device for inserting an object into a workpiece, whereby the assembler device establishes a centerline corresponding substantially to an insertion axis of the object to be inserted into the workpiece. The azimuth compensation device includes:(1) a first member;(2) a second member; and(3) structure connecting the first and second members for causing the second member and the object to rotate about the centerline through at least one angle and in at least one direction when the object is brought into contact with the workpiece by the assembler device.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1993Date of Patent: March 14, 1995Assignee: Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Schitt Laowattana
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Patent number: 4521844Abstract: A manipulator control system uses a microprocessor to compute appropriate control parameters in order to maintain constant tangential velocity of a spray nozzle in relation to the inside surface of a spherical portion of a nuclear steam generator. The microprocessor also computes, in one of the three modes of operation, of the control system, appropriate control parameters for maintaining a predetermined distance between the nozzle and the center of the spherical enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1982Date of Patent: June 4, 1985Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Joseph J. Birsa, Paul H. Dawson, Roger G. Byford
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Patent number: 4503506Abstract: Apparatus for identifying an element within an array of elements, is disclosed as including a sighting device that is disposable in a plurality of positions to facilitate the operator to position the device in an orientation so that the device is aligned with or sighted upon the element within the array, operator-controllable means coupled to the sighting device to permit the operator to variably position the sighting device, an orientation sensing means coupled to the sighting device to provide an output signal indicative of the particular orientation of the device and computing means responsive to the position indicating signals to provide a manifestation indicating the element's position within the field, as sighted by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1981Date of Patent: March 5, 1985Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4489587Abstract: A die for the manufacture of tray like sections has a member with a plurality of slots arranged to accommodate a variety of required gap dimensions. The slots are arranged in a pattern which consists of two sections each of which extends from a common datum in opposite directions along the length of the die. The first or integer section is of arbitrary length and contains slots spaced equally apart from each other a convenient value or metric. The distance between the right edge of the slot and the datum is equal to the metric value.The second section or vernier section contains slots with a different spacing pattern depending on the degree of precision required of the vernier. These slots are spaced incrementally from the datum by a value equal to a multiple of the metric plus a fractional value of the metric. This arrangement permits the accommodation of various tray sizes larger than a minimum size as dictated by die design.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1983Date of Patent: December 25, 1984Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4485067Abstract: A manipulator for transferring fuel assemblies between inclined fuel chutes for a liquid metal nuclear reactor.Hoisting means are mounted on a mount supported by beams rotatably attached by pins to the mount and to the floor. Rotation of the beams can be impelled by a one dimensional movement causing the manipulator to accomplish a complicated, two dimensional transfer.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1982Date of Patent: November 27, 1984Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4448680Abstract: Control for the operation of a mechanical handling and gauging system for nuclear fuel pellets. The pellets are inspected for diameters, lengths, surface flaws and weights in successive stations. The control includes, a computer for commanding the operation of the system and its electronics and for storing and processing the complex data derived at the required high rate. In measuring the diameter, the computer enables the measurement of a calibration pellet, stores that calibration data and computes and stores diameter-correction factors and their addresses along a pellet. To each diameter measurement a correction factor is applied at the appropriate address.The computer commands verification that all critical parts of the system and control are set for inspection and that each pellet is positioned for inspection. During each cycle of inspection, the measurement operation proceeds normally irrespective of whether or not a pellet is present in each station.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1980Date of Patent: May 15, 1984Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Robert S. Wilks, Eliezer Sternheim, Gerald A. Breakey, Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Alexander Taleff, Raymond P. Castner
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Patent number: 4377238Abstract: The invention provides a method of and apparatus for optically inspecting nuclear fuel pellets for surface flaws. The inspection system includes a prism and lens arrangement for scanning the surface of each pellet as the same is rotated. The resulting scan produces data indicative of the extent and shape of each flaw which is employed to generate a flaw quality index for each detected flaw. The flaw quality indexes from all flaws are summed and compared with an acceptable surface quality index. The result of the comparison is utilized to control the acceptance or rejection of the pellet.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1980Date of Patent: March 22, 1983Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Robert S. Wilks, Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4349112Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting nuclear fuel pellets in a sealed container for diameter, flaws, length and weight. The apparatus includes, in an array, a pellet pick-up station, four pellet inspection stations and a pellet sorting station. The pellets are delivered one at a time to the pick-up station by a vibrating bowl through a vibrating linear conveyor. Grippers each associated with a successive pair of the stations are reciprocable together to pick up a pellet at the upstream station of each pair and to deposit the pellet at the corresponding downstream station. The gripper jaws are opened selectively depending on the state of the pellets at the stations and the particular cycle in which the apparatus is operating. Inspection for diameter, flaws and length is effected in each case by a laser beam projected on the pellets by a precise optical system while each pellet is rotated by rollers.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1980Date of Patent: September 14, 1982Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Robert S. Wilks, Alexander Taleff, Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4316189Abstract: A display apparatus provides a three-dimensional pictorial representation of the position of a movable first member in relation to a stationary second member for the purpose of remotely positioning the first member to enable docking with the second member.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1980Date of Patent: February 16, 1982Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4295740Abstract: A photoelectric docking device for remotely positioning a first member relative to a second member, having a point light source coupled to the first member, which is directed to focus a narrow beam of light on a photosensor fixedly connected to the second member. The photosensor is responsive to the reception of light from the point light source on the first member to provide electrical outputs representative of the relative position of the point source with respect to the photosensor in three-dimensional space. The electrical outputs of the photosensor are then displaced as a three-dimensional pictorial representation of the relative position of the first and second members. Means are further provided for identifying when the first and second members are in intimate contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1978Date of Patent: October 20, 1981Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.
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Patent number: 4168782Abstract: A remote access manipulator for performing operations on equipment located in areas where human access is limited. The manipulator comprises a slave carriage located in the equipment on which the operation is to be performed, such as a nuclear steam generator, for carrying tools and inspection devices for performing operations on the equipment together with a master carriage located in a scale model of the equipment and electrically connected to the slave carriage for controlling the movement of the slave carriage. The slave carriage is capable of advancing across a surface of the equipment to position the devices which it carries. The manipulator further comprises a slave manipulator arm used to move the slave carriage into and out of the equipment on which the operation is to be performed in conjunction with a master manipulator arm located in the scale model for controlling the movement of the slave manipulator arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1977Date of Patent: September 25, 1979Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Robert H. Sturges, Jr.