Patents Examined by J. M. Husar
  • Patent number: 4581893
    Abstract: Manipulator apparatus is provided with an energy efficient control arrangement. The control arrangement in a point-to-point mode of operation utilizes a servo valve to selectively admit fluid from a pressurized source to one end of a cylinder. A piston is slidably mounted within the cylinder and connected to move a manipulator arm that is movable in a plurality of axes. The servo valve is closed when a predetermined arm velocity is reached and a bypass valving arrangement is opened to interconnect the ends of the cylinder. At a predetermined position of the manipulator arm, the control arrangement closes the bypass valving arrangement and the manipulator arm is decelerated as the arm approaches the desired final position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Unimation, Inc.
    Inventor: Torsten H. Lindbom