Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for at least holding an object with a crane having a bridge spanning between and movable on the spaced apart rails, an upper platform movable longitudinally on the bridge, and a hoist mounted to the platform, the hoist having a rope and a lifting member disposed at a remote end of the rope. The method includes engaging and moving a positioner to a selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist; securing the positioner to the bridge at the selected location or the upper platform; securing the positioner to an object; holding the object with the positioner; releasing the object from the positioner; releasing the positioner from the bridge or the upper platform; and engaging and moving the positioner away from the selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist.

Abstract: Hoist systems are provided. In one embodiment, a hoist system includes a lower platform, an upper platform, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of hoists. The upper platform has a plurality of rotatable support arms. The flexible members connect the rotatable support arms to the lower platform and can be extended and retracted using the plurality of hoists. If desired, the upper platform includes a plurality adjustable length support arms, and actuators may be used to extend and retract the support arms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for at least holding an object with a crane having a bridge spanning between and movable on the spaced apart rails, an upper platform movable longitudinally on the bridge, and a hoist mounted to the platform, the hoist having a rope and a lifting member disposed at a remote end of the rope. The method includes engaging and moving a positioner to a selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist; securing the positioner to the bridge at the selected location or the upper platform; securing the positioner to an object; holding the object with the positioner; releasing the object from the positioner; releasing the positioner from the bridge or the upper platform; and engaging and moving the positioner away from the selected location on the bridge or the upper platform using the hoist.

Abstract: Hoist systems are provided. In one embodiment, a hoist system includes a lower platform, an upper platform, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of hoists. The upper platform has a plurality of rotatable support arms. The flexible members connect the rotatable support arms to the lower platform and can be extended and retracted using the plurality of hoists. If desired, the upper platform includes a plurality adjustable length support arms, and actuators may be used to extend and retract the support arms.

Abstract: A bench-supported container handling system includes a bottom panel and a container manipulating device. A container conveying assembly is configured for transporting containers along a first direction while a container part conveying assembly is configured for transporting a part of the container along a second direction that intersects with the first direction. The first direction and the second direction are configured so as to create an area where the container manipulating device can be disposed. Additional aspects include a capping assembly and a labeling assembly.

Abstract: An opposed-rope driven telescoping mast assembly includes a stationary support and a longitudinal mast comprising a longitudinal section joined to move relative to the stationary support. A drive assembly drives the longitudinal mast and includes a frame and a rotatable drum assembly mounted to the frame. A first rope is joined to the drum assembly and to the longitudinal mast to pull the longitudinal section in a first direction, while a second rope is joined to the drum assembly and to the longitudinal mast to pull the longitudinal section in a second direction. A sensor is operably coupled to the drive assembly to sense overload tension in the first rope or the second rope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aligning fixture having a support with a reference surface, an aligning member and an actuator. The actuator is mounted to the support and operably coupled to the aligning member. The actuator moves the aligning member selectively to a first position wherein the element to be aligned is spaced apart from the reference surface and to a second position where the element can engage the reference surface.

Abstract: A telescoping mast assembly includes two longitudinal tube sections, the second disposed within the first, and adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the first longitudinal tube section. A drive assembly is joined to the first longitudinal tube section and to the second longitudinal tube section and operably configured to drive the second longitudinal tube section relative to the first longitudinal tube section. A support brace is mounted under the second longitudinal tube section, and is configured to help support the weight of the telescoping mast and reduce the torque on the telescoping mast at the base due to the large mass of the mast plus its cargo at often a large radius of extension. This thereby enables the telescoping mast to handle larger masses at longer radii of extension with high levels of performance and reliability.

Abstract: A telescoping tube assembly includes a frame and a first longitudinal tube section mounted on the frame. A second longitudinal tube section is disposed within the first longitudinal tube section and adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the first longitudinal tube section. The telescoping tube assembly includes a cabling system that includes a top pulley assembly and a bottom pulley assembly, the bottom pulley assembly adapted for movement in response to the telescoping motion of the second longitudinal tube section. One or more cables extend from the remote end of the innermost longitudinal tube section and traverse the top pulley assembly, the bottom pulley assembly and are fixed relative to the frame.

Abstract: A guide rail for a gantry system includes a support structure having an elongated support surface and a plate having a precision surface relative to the elongated support surface. A filler material bonds the plate to the elongated support surface. The filler material can have a varying thickness along the elongated support surface to maintain a desired orientation of the plate. A method of constructing the same is also provided.

Abstract: A gantry segmented support structure is provided with overlapping wall plates that can include a damping material disposed therebetween. The structure forms a tube assembly, which when configured with the damping material is adapted to dampen forces resulting from performing operations on a workpiece. In particular, the damping prevents unwanted oscillatory displacement of the segmented support structure. The overlapping wall plates allow a housing created thereby to be attached to a rigid plate without inducing strain in the rigid plate that can deform the rigid plate. This construction eliminates manufacturing of bulky weldments, which thereby reduces costs. A method of assembly and a fixture are also provided.

Abstract: A telescoping tube assembly includes a first longitudinal tube section and a second longitudinal tube section disposed within the first longitudinal tube section and adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the first longitudinal tube section. A third longitudinal tube section is disposed within the second longitudinal tube section and is adapted for telescoping motion into and out of the second longitudinal tube section. A drive motor is joined to the second longitudinal tube section to move therewith and operates a first ball-screw assembly and a second ball-screw assembly. The first ball-screw assembly is operatively connected between the first longitudinal tube section and the second longitudinal tube section. The second ball-screw assembly is operatively connected between the second longitudinal tube section and the third longitudinal tube section.

Abstract: A system for performing work in a hot cell includes a support arm having a first end and a second end and a movable arm having an end selectively engageable with the first end to form a rigid connection. Complementary coupling devices are disposed on the first end of the support arm and on the end of the movable arm and mate together when the movable arm is joined to the support arm.

Abstract: A manipulator system includes an elongated mast having a mast axis and a telescoping tube assembly having a tube axis. The telescoping tube assembly includes an outer tube section and at least one inner tube section that only moves telescopically with respect to the outer tube section. The telescoping tube assembly is joined to an end of the elongated mast for only pivotal movement. An actuator joined to the elongated mast and the outer tube section pivots the telescoping tube assembly from a first position, wherein the tube axis is parallel to the mast axis and the telescoping tube assembly is retracted, to a second position, wherein the tube axis is perpendicular to the mast axis and the inner tube section is deployable. An end effector is joined to a remote end of the inner tube section to perform work within the tank.

Abstract: An extensible and retractable telescoping tube positions test devices that inspect large stationary objects. The tube has three dimensional adjustment capabilities and is vertically suspended from a frame. The tube sections are independently supported with each section comprising U-shaped housing secured to a thicker support plate. Guide mechanisms preferably mounted only to the thicker plates guide each tube section parallel to a reference axis with improved accuracy so that the position of the remote end of the telescoping tube is precisely known.