Abstract: A conveyor assembly having a pallet including a deformable drive pin. The drive pin is comprised of urethane and is operable to deform as the pallet engages the teeth of a pallet driving sprocket employed to drive the pallet around curved end portions of the conveyor. The deformability of the drive pin enables smoother engagement of the pallet with the pallet driving sprocket teeth when the drive pin does not fall perfectly inbetween adjacent teeth of the pallet driving sprocket. The deformable drive pin is also disposed within oversized openings allowing the drive pin to be urged outwardly by a tooth of the pallet driving sprocket as the deformable drive pin comes into contact with the tooth. The pallet further includes a drive block for holding the deformable drive pin, the drive block having leg portions operable to circumscribe at least a portion of the pallet driving sprocket.

Abstract: A clutch device adapted for use with robotic tooling is disclosed. The clutch device, which is assembled in a housing having a longitudinal axis, includes a sensing device for detecting undesired pressure from an external source. A rod is fixably secured to the housing and extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing. A collar assembly is provided for connecting the clutch device to robotic tooling. The collar assembly is capable of being pivotally associated with the housing. A piston assembly, which is in communication with the sensing device, is disposed about the rod and moves the collar assembly between a first substantially static position to a second broken-away position upon receiving a signal from the sensing device.

Abstract: A gripper apparatus for use in robotic operations is disclosed. The gripper apparatus includes a body, a yoke member supported by the body member for linear reciprocation, finger members supported by the yoke members for a linear reciprocating stroke for grasping and releasing a workpiece. A cam mechanism is associated with the yoke members to drive the yoke members in a reciprocating linear stroke. A rotary actuator is associated with the cam mechanism for rotatably driving the cam mechanism, which, in turn, transmits rotary movement of the rotary actuator into reciprocating linear movement of the yoke members to drive the finger members to grasp or release a workpiece. Also disclosed is a lock mechanism for locking the cam mechanism against any undesired reverse rotation which, in turn, locks the finger members of the gripper apparatus along the stroke of the finger members.

Abstract: A variable compliance assembly is disclosed for use in automatic assembly operations. The variable compliance assembly includes a housing having an interior chamber; a base member, positioned on the surface of the interior chamber, moveable in a multi-directional fashion; a fluid spring operably associated with the housing and base member for controlling the multi-directional movement of the base member and for returning the base member to a normal, self-centering seating position; and a mechanism for associating a pressurized fluid source with the fluid spring to vary the amount of control exerted by the fluid spring on the base member.

Abstract: A surge control fluid delivery system is described particularly adapted for pumping of high-viscosity substances from a reservoir for dispensing. The system includes a manifold which is connected to an outlet line of a pump. A vent circuit for returning fluid from the manifold to the reservoir is also provided. Surge control is achieved through a control system which modulates the fluid supply pump and further activates a valve in the vent return line to maintain the pressure of the fluid within the manifold to within adjustable upper and lower limits. The system further includes means for automatically switching from one source of fluid to another upon depletion of the first source.