Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electromechanical servovalve having an electrical coil or winding movably mounted relative to a magnet so that when the winding is energized by an electric current, it interacts with the magnetic flux generated by the magnet to shift a valve member of an associated valve between operative and inoperative position. The arrangement is such that the valve member functions as the bearing for the movable coil or winding so as to render the servovalve lighter and faster in operation. The valve member is biased toward its neutral or inoperative position by a pair of opposed springs, one of which can be readily adjusted to vary the biasing force of the springs acting upon the valving member.

Abstract: A gripper assembly having a unitary housing with a cylinder bore and a pair of pistons slidably disposed within the cylinder bore and having a finger carrier connected to each of the pistons whereby the displacement of the pistons in one form of the invention may effect either a synchronous displacement of the finger carriers between a protracted and retracted position and which, in a slightly modified form, may effect a non-synchronous displacement of the finger carriers. In either form, the respective finger carriers are slidably supported on a trackway formed integral of the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an electromechanical servovalve having a movable electrical coil or winding circumscribing a solid permanent magnet and disposed so that when the winding is energized by an electric current, it interacts with an intensified magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet to shift a valve member of an associated valve between an operative and inoperative position. The arrangement is such that the valve member also functions as the sole bearing support for the movable coil whereby the servovalve is rendered lighter and faster in operation.

Abstract: A parallel gripper assembly which includes a main body or housing having opposed mounting blocks and associated fingers slidably mounted thereon for movement between a protracted and retracted position. A pair of guide rods slidably support each of the mounting blocks and associated fingers for relative movement toward and away from the main housing with an independent piston and cylinder arrangement effecting the movement of each of the respective mounting blocks and associated fingers toward and away from one another. At least one of the guide rods supporting each of the respective mounting blocks is provided with a pinion rack which is disposed in meshing relationship with a pinion gear for effecting the synchronized movement of the mounting blocks and associated fingers when the piston and cylinder arrangement is actuated.

Abstract: A gripper for use in automation or robitics having a centrally located pin improving precision. A double wedge type gripper having sliding inclined surfaces is used in combination with a piston for forcing the gripper fingers open and closed. A pin slides within a bore in the double wedge increasing the precision obtainable in the positioning or placement of a part. Additionally, wear and centrality are improved.

Abstract: A robotic gripper device having a fluid actuated piston actuating a double edged rack with a reciprocal movement. Disposed on opposite sides in meshing relationship with each edge of the rack is a spur gear, and which in turn are disposed in meshing relationship to a corresponding rack carriage; to which a gripper finger is connected. The respective rack carriage is guided along and between spaced apart rail members for movement between operative and inoperative positions. The respective carriages are mounted in rolling engagement to its respective rail member by means of a roller bearing cage and associated rollers to minimize any friction and wear, and to enhance the useful life and accuracy of the gripper device.

Abstract: An electromagnetic gripper assembly formed of a housing having an electromagnetic coil and armature reciprocally mounted thereon. A pair of gripper members are pivotally connected to the armature which is normally spring biased. The respective gripper members have a finger portion and a connected rocker lever portion, the latter having overlapping end portions by which they are pivotally connected to the armature to be actuated thereby as the electromagnetic coil is energized.

Abstract: A gripper assembly for use on robotic type devices for performing repetitive operations on machine parts that require pick-up and/or transport of such parts. The gripper assembly comprises a housing having a fluid actuated piston and a connected cam operating on a pair of slide bars to effect laterally displacement thereof so that fingers connected to the opposed ends of the slide bars close onto or grip a part to be grasped thereby. A sensor and target therefore is provided to sense the presence of absence of a part between the fingers.

Abstract: A gripper device having a body formed with a piston chamber in which a piston is reciprocally mounted. Connected to the body are a pair of spaced fingers. A cross bar is connected to the piston and oppose toggle links interconnect the ends of the cross bar to the adjacent fingers so that actuation of the piston effects the operation of the fingers between an open and closed position. A first sensor device is disposed between the fingers to measure the lateral distance therebetween, and a second sensor is disposed between the body and a movable cap supported thereon to measure longitudinal displacement between the cap and associated body.

Abstract: A bottle conveying and cleaning apparatus for handling a succession of bottles at high speed. The apparatus comprises a lower portion of a vertical first rotary conveyor which receives the bottles in open-end trailing disposition, reorienting means which changes the disposition of each bottle to open-end radially outward during its conveyance by the first rotary conveyor, a linear conveyor which grasps each bottle at the bottom of the first rotary conveyor while its open end is downward and maintains each bottle in open-end downward orientation while coveying it past cleaning means associated with the linear conveyor, and means for inverting each bottle, removing it from the linear conveyor and placing it on an output conveyor with the open end up.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively orienting bottles by the apparatus in random first-end leading and first end trailing dispositions to substantially uniform first end leading dispositions. The apparatus includes transport means which engages each bottle at two surface portions which lie on a common lateral axis of such bottle and transport each bottle while it is so engaged at a predetermined speed. Booster means engage a third portion of each such bottle remote from such common lateral axis and urge the portion so engaged to move in the same direction at a higher predetermined speed. Thus, each bottle will tend to pivot about the common lateral axis of the portions engaged by the transport means. Stop means prevent the bottle which is initially in first end leading disposition from so pivoting but permit any bottle which is initially in second end leading disposition to pivot towards a first end leading disposition.

Abstract: A bottle orienting apparatus for orienting at high speed a train of successively advancing, randomly oriented, bottles having an open end and a closed end into a train of bottles having a uniform orientation, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a guide system for advancing the bottles in the randomly oriented train, a discriminating system for inverting each of the bottles of open-end leading disposition in the train to an open-end trailing disposition and for passing through the discriminating system without inversion each of the open-end trailing bottles in the train, and a take-off system for removing uniformly oriented bottles from the discriminating system.

Abstract: A bottle conveying and cleaning apparatus for handling a succession of bottles at high speed. The apparatus comprises a lower portion of a vertical first rotary conveyor which receives the bottles in open-end trailing disposition, reorienting means which changes the disposition of each bottle to open-end radially outward during its conveyance by the first rotary conveyor, a linear conveyor which grasps each bottle at the bottom of the first rotary conveyor while its open end is downward and maintains each bottle in open-end downward orientation while conveying it past cleaning means associated with the linear conveyor, and means for inverting each bottle, removing it from the linear conveyor and placing it on an output conveyor with the open end up.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying bottles is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a rotationally mobile arrangement of parts for frictionally gripping the opposite sides of each of a plurality of bottles advanced thereto in succession and rotatably advancing such bottles in a downstream direction, a linearly mobile arrangement of parts for frictionally gripping the opposite sides of bottles advanced thereto in succession by the rotationally mobile arrangement of parts and linearly advancing such bottles further downstream to, for example, bottle-processing equipment; and an arrangement of bottle ejecting and bottle directing parts interposed between the rotationally mobile arrangement of parts and the linearly mobile arrangement of parts for successively ejecting bottles from the former and directing them toward the latter.The foregoing abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.