Abstract: A fluid energy harvester, including a housing having at least one port and an outlet, and the housing defining at least one fluid passageway therein. The fluid energy harvester also includes a converter disposed within the housing and configured to convert at least a portion of potential energy in an exhaust fluid, a generator operably coupled to the converter and configured to generate an electrical current from the converter, a charging controller electrically coupled to the generator, and a storage medium electrically coupled to the generator and configured to store the electrical current generated by the generator. The fluid energy harvester further includes a nozzle configured to control a flow of the exhaust fluid.

Abstract: Articulating gripper tooling for gripping an object, the articulating gripper tooling comprising: an articulating finger jaw including a slot; a gripping element including a shaft and at least one finger attached to the shaft, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; and a locking pin disposed through the slot and coupling the shaft to the articulating finger jaw; wherein the gripping element is free to rotate a predetermined amount about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, limited by the locking pin contacting a surface of the articulating finger jaw and/or an adjustment element.

Abstract: A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and a locating pin extending through the housing. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. An exterior driving linkage is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the exterior driving linkage thereby allowing axial movement of the exterior driving linkage to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the exterior driving linkage.

Abstract: A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing and a locating pin extending through the housing and having a longitudinal axis. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. A linear actuator is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the linear actuator in a manner allowing axial movement of the linear actuator to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A control valve for a gas turbine engine air starter. The control valve includes a spherical or ball valve element rotatable between a closed position and an open position to connect an internal flow passage to the air starter. A series of camming elements interconnecting a piston and a valve stem for the spherical valve element convert linear displacement of the piston into rotational movement of the valve for rapid opening.

Abstract: A gripper for a robot has a gripper mechanism with a jaw motion input, and a motor speed reducer combination including a speed reducer and a motor. The speed reducer has a motion output. The gripper mechanism has a first pattern of mounting features arranged about the jaw motion input. The speed reducer has a second pattern of mounting features arranged about the motion output. The first pattern of mounting features and the second pattern of mounting features are arranged so that the motor reducer combination may be mounted to the gripper mechanism in at least four indexed positions about the motion output and the jaw motion input.

Abstract: A fluid energy harvester, including a housing having at least one port and an outlet, and the housing defining at least one fluid passageway therein. The fluid energy harvester also includes a converter disposed within the housing and configured to convert at least a portion of potential energy in an exhaust fluid, a generator operably coupled to the converter and configured to generate an electrical current from the converter, a charging controller electrically coupled to the generator, and a storage medium electrically coupled to the generator and configured to store the electrical current generated by the generator. The fluid energy harvester further includes a nozzle configured to control a flow of the exhaust fluid.

Abstract: A locating pin assembly including a locating pin movable between extended and retracted positions. The locating pin includes a locating pin top having a top end and a bottom end, a locating pin base receiving the bottom end of the locating pin top, and a dowel pin configured to couple the locating pin top and locating pin base together. The locating pin assembly also includes a drive rod moveable relative to the locating pin. The drive rod includes a drive rod top having a top end and a bottom end, and a drive rod base partially housing the drive rod top. The locating pin assembly also includes a finger coupled to the drive rod and movable between extended and fully retracted positions, the finger is extended by the drive rod without movement of the locating pin, and the finger is rotatable from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A device for gripping an object that includes a main body having a first and a second endplate, a baseplate, at least one guide rail, and a first jaw and a second jaw, each receiving the at least one guide rail. The device also includes a first pulley assembly and a second pulley assembly respectively attached to the baseplate and a chain loop respectively attached to the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly. The chain loop includes a first chain length and a second chain length and a first link and a second link that attaches the first chain length and the second chain length. Each of the first link and second link include at least one dowel pin. The chain loop is attached to the first jaw and the second jaw by the at least one dowel pin of each of the first link and second link.

Abstract: A sensor or switch mechanism is connected to a gripper mechanism and uses a pivotal cam link connected to the driving mechanism of the gripper. A cam slot in the cam link is configured to convert linear reciprocal motion of the driving mechanism of the gripper to amplified rotational motion of the pivotal cam link. A target on the cam link and a stationary sensor positioned proximate to an arc described by the target on rotation of the cam link allows the sensor or switch mechanism to distinguish between the gripper properly gripping a single workpiece and the gripper improperly gripping no workpiece and/or two or more workpieces.

Abstract: A sensor or switch mechanism is connected to a gripper mechanism and uses a pivotal cam link connected to the driving mechanism of the gripper. A cam slot in the cam link is configured to convert linear reciprocal motion of the driving mechanism of the gripper to amplified rotational motion of the pivotal cam link. A target on the cam link and a stationary sensor positioned proximate to an arc described by the target on rotation of the cam link allows the sensor or switch mechanism to distinguish between the gripper properly gripping a single workpiece and the gripper improperly gripping no workpiece and/or two or more workpieces.

Abstract: A gripper for a robot has a gripper mechanism with a jaw motion input, and a motor speed reducer combination including a speed reducer and a motor. The speed reducer has a motion output. The gripper mechanism has a first pattern of mounting features arranged about the jaw motion input. The speed reducer has a second pattern of mounting features arranged about the motion output. The first pattern of mounting features and the second pattern of mounting features are arranged so that the motor reducer combination may be mounted to the gripper mechanism in at least four indexed positions about the motion output and the jaw motion input.

Abstract: Articulating gripper tooling for gripping an object, the articulating gripper tooling comprising: an articulating finger jaw including a slot; a gripping element including a shaft and at least one finger attached to the shaft, the shaft having a longitudinal axis; and a locking pin disposed through the slot and coupling the shaft to the articulating finger jaw; wherein the gripping element is free to rotate a predetermined amount about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, limited by the locking pin contacting a surface of the articulating finger jaw and/or an adjustment element.

Abstract: A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and a locating pin extending through the housing. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. An exterior driving linkage is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the exterior driving linkage thereby allowing axial movement of the exterior driving linkage to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the exterior driving linkage.

Abstract: A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing and a locating pin extending through the housing and having a longitudinal axis. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. A linear actuator is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the linear actuator in a manner allowing axial movement of the linear actuator to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the linear actuator.

Abstract: A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing and a locating pin extending through the housing and having a longitudinal axis. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. A linear actuator is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the linear actuator in a manner allowing axial movement of the linear actuator to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the linear actuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine guideway including a base, a shaft placed in a groove within the base, a carriage slidably connected to the base and shaft, a pair of opposed wheels held by the carriage, and a cover placed over the pair of opposed wheels. The groove has an arch shape defining a groove arch radius. The shaft defines a shaft radius less than the groove arch radius. Each opposed wheel of the pair of opposed wheels contacts the shaft at a rolling point and has a plurality of radii. The plurality of radii of each opposed wheel together form a pair arch when the opposed wheels are held by the carriage. The pair arch defines a pair arch radius that is greater than the shaft radius. The cover is configured to keep the pair of opposed wheels in contact with the shaft with a pre-loaded force.

Abstract: A control valve for a gas turbine engine air starter. The control valve includes a spherical or ball valve element rotatable between a closed position and an open position to connect an internal flow passage to the air starter. A series of camming elements interconnecting a piston and a valve stem for the spherical valve element convert linear displacement of the piston into rotational movement of the valve for rapid opening.

Abstract: A gripper for gripping a workpiece includes a jaw assembly having an actuator with a housing and an elongate member axially slidably movable within the housing. A force-multiplying mechanism is interconnected between the elongate member and the housing. The force-multiplying mechanism is configured to add a mechanical force to the jaw assembly and thereby increase a gripping force on the workpiece during operation of the gripper.

Abstract: A gripping device including a main body, a first elongate actuator, a second elongate actuator, a first jaw, a second jaw, a first pin, a second pin, a pair of pulleys, and a cable. The elongate actuators are both disposed in respective actuator bores within the main body and translate opposingly to each other. The jaws are both driven by a respective elongate actuator. The pins both include respective pin bodies defining a channel and are configured to drive their respective jaw by a respective elongate actuator and are disposed through transverse holes formed in the respective elongate actuator and a respective pin slot formed in the main body. The pulleys are attached to the main body. The cable forms a closed loop around the pulleys through the channels and is affixed to the first channel to inhibit relative movement between the first channel and the cable.