Abstract: A control drum assembly may include a control drum and a control assembly coupled to the control drum through a drive shaft. The control drum assembly may also include a cage assembly. The cage assembly may include one or more structural supports and one or more modular platforms coupled to the one or more structural supports. The one or more modular platforms may be configured to support one or more components of the control assembly. The cage assembly may also include a base configured to be coupled to a surface of a core and to locate the cage assembly relative to the core.

Abstract: A control rod drive system includes a drive assembly and a cage assembly operably coupled to the drive assembly. The cage assembly includes a plurality of drive rods operably engaged with a drive platform, a plurality of guide rods extending through the drive platform, and a control platform releasably coupled to the drive platform via quick release assembly, the control platform configured to have a control rod mounted thereto. A method of control operation of a nuclear reactor includes receiving instructions to adjust operation of the nuclear reactor, moving a control rod relative to a core of the nuclear reactor via rotating one or more drive rods engaged with a drive platform, and releasing a control platform coupled to the control rod from the drive platform.

Abstract: A linear delta system includes a frame, rails secured to the frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator coupled to a respective rail and configured to translate along a longitudinal length of the respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each operably coupled to a respective linear actuator, a platform coupled to the pairs of parallel rods, structure configured to movable couple an object to the platform; and at least one degree of freedom imparting assembly including a profiled rod extending in a direction parallel to the rails and a drive unit configured to rotate the profiled rod, wherein the at least one degree of freedom imparting assembly is configured to impart a degree of freedom to the object.

Abstract: A linear delta system includes a support frame, rails mounted to the support frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator configured to translate along a longitudinal length of a respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each coupled to the linear actuators, a platform coupled to a longitudinal end of each of the pairs of parallel rods opposite the respective linear actuator, and an object coupled to the platform. Longitudinal axes of the rails are oriented parallel to each other and lie within a common plane or an uncommon plane. A method of forming a linear delta system includes mounting rails to a support frame, the rails having longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other and lying within a common plane, coupling a linear actuator to each of the rails, coupling a pair of parallel rods to each linear actuator, and coupling a platform to the pairs of parallel rods.

Abstract: A dual linear delta assembly includes a frame, a first linear delta system, and a second linear delta system concentric with the first linear delta system. Each of the first linear delta system and the second linear delta system may include rails mounted to the frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator coupled to a respective rail of the rails and configured to translate along a longitudinal length of the respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each operably coupled to a respective linear actuator of the linear actuators, and a platform coupled to a longitudinal end of each of the pairs of parallel rods opposite the respective linear actuator of the linear actuators.

Abstract: A linear delta system includes a frame, rails secured to the frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator coupled to a respective rail and configured to translate along a longitudinal length of the respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each operably coupled to a respective linear actuator, a platform coupled to the pairs of parallel rods, structure configured to movable couple an object to the platform; and at least one degree of freedom imparting assembly including a profiled rod extending in a direction parallel to the rails and a drive unit configured to rotate the profiled rod, wherein the at least one degree of freedom imparting assembly is configured to impart a degree of freedom to the object.

Abstract: A dual linear delta assembly includes a frame, a first linear delta system, and a second linear delta system concentric with the first linear delta system. Each of the first linear delta system and the second linear delta system may include rails mounted to the frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator coupled to a respective rail of the rails and configured to translate along a longitudinal length of the respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each operably coupled to a respective linear actuator of the linear actuators, and a platform coupled to a longitudinal end of each of the pairs of parallel rods opposite the respective linear actuator of the linear actuators.

Abstract: A linear delta system includes a support frame, rails mounted to the support frame, linear actuators, each linear actuator configured to translate along a longitudinal length of a respective rail, pairs of parallel rods each coupled to the linear actuators, a platform coupled to a longitudinal end of each of the pairs of parallel rods opposite the respective linear actuator, and an object coupled to the platform. Longitudinal axes of the rails are oriented parallel to each other and lie within a common plane or an uncommon plane. A method of forming a linear delta system includes mounting rails to a support frame, the rails having longitudinal axes that are parallel to each other and lying within a common plane, coupling a linear actuator to each of the rails, coupling a pair of parallel rods to each linear actuator, and coupling a platform to the pairs of parallel rods.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a user interface for a robotic hand. The user interface anchors a user's palm in a relatively stationary position and determines various angles of interest necessary for a user's finger to achieve a specific fingertip location. The user interface additionally conducts a calibration procedure to determine the user's applicable physiological dimensions. The user interface uses the applicable physiological dimensions and the specific fingertip location, and treats the user's finger as a two link three degree-of-freedom serial linkage in order to determine the angles of interest. The user interface communicates the angles of interest to a gripping-type end effector which closely mimics the range of motion and proportions of a human hand. The user interface requires minimal contact with the operator and provides distinct advantages in terms of available dexterity, work space flexibility, and adaptability to different users.