Abstract: A robotic end-effector to provide magnetic and mechanical finger grip. The end-effector has one or more magnets coupled to a palm, each of the one or more magnets having a magnet face to magnetically attach to a ferromagnetic object. The magnet face(s) define(s) a magnetic engagement surface with the magnet and the palm disposed on a proximal side of the magnetic engagement surface. A finger is pivotally coupled to the palm to grip the ferromagnetic object or another object. The finger has a deployed configuration wherein the finger is disposed distally with respect to the magnetic engagement surface and opposes the palm or the magnet face to grip the ferromagnetic object or other object. The finger has a retracted configuration wherein the finger is disposed proximally with respect to the magnetic engagement surface along with the magnet and the palm, and wherein the magnetic face forms an outermost contact surface.

Abstract: A method for operating an electric crane, comprises the steps of activating a magnet controller to cause a current to flow through a magnet for creating a magnetic field about the magnet for securing a load to the magnet, receiving a feedback input value at a logic controller from a device associated with the electric crane, in response to the received feedback input value at the logic controller, receiving a command value at the magnet controller from the logic controller, and in response to the received command value at the magnet controller, modifying the current flow from the magnet controller to the magnet to change the magnetic field about the magnet. A system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving magnetic material includes an electromagnet for lifting the magnetic material where upon its release, the residual magnetic flux of the lifted magnetic material is reduced. The apparatus includes a generator coupled to the electromagnet. The generator includes a control input and an armature having a voltage output. A controller has an output coupled to the generator's control input and armature voltage output, whereupon receiving a release material signal from an operator interface panel to release the magnetic material from the electromagnet, the controller transmits a plurality of control signals, one of which is at least partially dependent upon the duration of a previously transmitted control signal, to effectively alternate the polarity and reduce the magnitude of the magnetizing force of the electromagnet.

Abstract: In an improved method of etching apertures in a thin metal sheet to form a shadow mask for a color picture tube, the metal sheet has a first acid-resistant stencil on one major surface thereof and a second acid-resistant stencil on the other major surface thereof. At least one of the stencils has openings therein at locations of intended apertures. The improvement comprises the steps of magnetically holding the metal sheet with a flat magnetic assembly, and moving the magnetic assembly magnetically holding the metal sheet thereon through an etching chamber. The magnetic assembly includes a magnetic layer that is supported on an acid-resistant board.

Abstract: A grapple provides a body and a tine. The tine has first and second ends and a plurality of arms located at the first end. The arms are separated by a pair of outer slots and at least one inner slot. The inner slot extends further into the tine relative to the pair of outer slots.

Abstract: A grapple includes a ferrous body with a plurality of tines pivotally connected thereto. A magnetic coil is disposed within the ferrous body. When the magnetic coil is energized, it creates a magnetic field within the area defined by the tines. The tines are also magnetized by the field. Additional magnetic coils may be added to one or more of the tines.

Abstract: An electromagnet is attached to the outer surface of at least one of the tines of a grapple. Preferably, the electromagnet is attached near the free end of the tine so that the bottom surface of the electromagnet, which extends between the inner and outer poles of the electromagnet, faces downward when the grapple is in the closed position. Preferably, the electromagnet is attached to the tine so that the bottom surface of the electromagnet is at or very close to the lowest point of the grapple when the grapple is in the closed position. It is also possible to attach respective electromagnets to any one of the plurality of tines, such that more than one of the plurality of tines has an electromagnet attached thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a lifting magnet (12) of a materials handling machine (10) to eliminate arcing between contacts (70-80) within the magnet controller (26) as is well as is large voltage spikes. The controller (26) selectively excites the shunt field windings (66,68) of a direct current generator (22). The magnitude and direction of the current passing through the shunt field windings (66,68) is varied by the magnet controller (26) to control the magnitude and polarity of the voltage at the generator output (23). The armature (60) of the generator (22) is rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor at an essentially constant speed to minimize voltage variations at the output (23) of the generator (22). At least the drop cycle is controlled through use of a current transducer (200) that senses current flowing to the lifting magnet so that the electronic controller is able to control the flow of current to the lifting magnet based upon the sensed current in the magnet circuit.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit (124) is defined in a manifold (130) which may be aluminum, steel, or any other suitable material. The circuit (124) regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor (120) and thus ensures that the motor rotates at an essentially constant speed, independent of the speed of the hydraulic pump (122) supplying the circuit. The circuit includes a pressure compensated flow control valve assembly (140) with an adjustable flow control valve (142) that regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid to the motor (120). The assembly (140) also includes a balanced piston-type pressure compensator (144) that ensures a select pressure differential across the flow control valve (142) such that the flow through the valve (142) remains at least essentially constant. This constant flow through the pressure compensated flow control valve assembly (140) ensures an essentially constant rotational speed of the motor (120).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a lifting magnet (12) of a materials handling machine (10) to eliminate arcing between contacts (70-80) within the magnet controller (26) as well as large voltage spikes. The controller (26) selectively excites the shunt field windings (66,68) of a direct current generator (22). The magnitude and direction of the current passing through the shunt field windings (66,68) is varied by the magnet controller (26) to control the magnitude and polarity of the voltage at the generator output (23). The armature (60) of the generator (22) is rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor at an essentially constant speed to minimize voltage variations at the output (23) of the generator (22). The magnet controller (26) includes a programmable logic controller (40) which selectively opens and closes the contactors (70-80) within the controller (26).

Abstract: A grapple includes a ferrous body with a plurality of tines pivotally connected thereto. A magnetic coil is disposed within the ferrous body. When the magnetic coil is energized, it creates a magnetic field within the area defined by the tines. The tines are also magnetized by the field. Additional magnetic coils may be added to one or more of the tines.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pick-up device for use with a forklift or other vehicle having a power lifting mechanism thereon, wherein the device is adapted to be easily picked up by the lifting mechanism and is completely self-contained and electrically powered such that it can be transported and manipulated by the vehicle into tight areas, wherein electromagnets are pivotally, swingably mounted on the forward end of the device and are substantially positioned beyond the forward end, whereby the device is particularly suited for picking up difficult-to-handle metal pieces which normally present handling dangers, and which is adapted to be easily released from the vehicle without any need for disconnecting any electrical, hydraulic, or the like power transmitting equipment from the vehicle.

Abstract: The grab bucket of the present invention comprises the grabbing claws provided for opening and closing around the main body suspended from a crane, the electromagnet provided movably upward and downward from the ordinary location just underneath the main body to the dredging position on the bed and the side claws provided movably upward and downward to prevent the scrap from overflowing so as to increase the amount of the scrap to be loaded and unloaded. The side claws prevent the side plates and bed surface from being damaged. In the case of dredging the scrap on the bed, only the electromagnet proceeds unloading, thus the bed is not damaged by the grabbing claws.

Abstract: A hand cart for transporting gas cylinders has a magnetic bed arrangement for securing the steel cylinders to the cart during the pick-up and transportation operation. A cam-operated discharge arrangement, operated by foot-pedal, serves to separate the cylinders from the permanent magnets of the cylinder bed, permitting withdrawal of the cart from the cylinders, when deposited in an upstanding, working orientation.

Abstract: A load-lifting device includes a load carrying beam at whose underside are arranged load-lifting magnets and which has on both sides vertical support columns, wherein securing arms of a load securing device are arranged on the vertical support columns so as to be swingable and in out about a vertical axis. The securing arms engage underneath a suspended load when oriented toward each other in a secured position. The support columns are each arranged on upper support arms which are swingably fastened to a lifting device. The lifting device is supported by the load carrying beam. The securing arms engage in the secured position thereof underneath a suspended load and can be placed against the underside of the load.

Abstract: A lifting magnet with a gripping mechanism generally comprises a lifting magnet capable of electrically magnetized for gathering and attracting magnetic articles, such as scraps of dismantled machines, broken automobiles and electric washing machines, a main power cylinder, and a plurality of gripping arms mounted on the lifting magnet and each comprising a first arm pivotally joined at one end to the lifting magnet, a second arm pivotally joined at one end to the other end of the first arm, an auxiliary power cylinder for operating the first arm for gripping operation, and locking means for locking the second arm to the first arm when the first and second arms are folded and when the second arm is opened relative to the first arm for gripping operation. In one aspect of the present invention, only two among a plurality of the gripping arm assemblies can be used for gripping elongate articles.

Abstract: A printed product coil or wound product package consists of a hollow winding core or mandrel upon which mutually slightly overlapping printed products as well as a winding band or partitioning strap wound in between the winding layers are wound-up. The winding band is maintained under tension and holds the coil together. The winding core has a lesser width than the printed products which means that the winding core is recessed in relation to the end faces of the printed product coil and permits stacking a series of the printed product coils with their end faces in intimate contact.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting sheet metal plates from a supply source and positioning the plates at a plate shearing table includes a carrier capable of horizontal transport. A device is secured to the carrier for effecting up and down and turning movement. A gripper member is mounted on the device and moves with it. The gripper member includes at least one electromagnetic plate with an annular sealing lip in the surface of the plate. In combination with the surface of the plate, the sealing lip forms a suction space connected to vacuum producing equipment. A switch controls the electromagnetic plate and a control valve operates the vacuum producing equipment with the switch and control valve arranged in a parallel switching network.

Abstract: For lifting the topmost, spread apart, magnetizable individual lamination with a central hole off a lamination stack stored without a mandrel and/or for transporting at least substacks of the lamination stack to a different location, a centering mandrel is provided suspended from a movable lifting device and contains, in a nonmagnetic tubular body closed on both sides, at least one separately switchable spreading electromagnet, the centering mandrel carrying at the upper end, at least one switchable adhesion device arranged outside the tubular body, for grabbing the electromagnetically spread apart topmost individual lamination. The centering mandrel is lowered into the central hole of the lamination stack, and then at least one spreading electromagnet is switched on.For obtaining the topmost individual lamination, the adhesion device is switched off after the spreading electromagnet is switched off, and the individual lamination is taken from the centering mandrel.