Abstract: A gripping device for gripping or grasping an object within a set of jaws utilizing a shape memory alloy material that is both simple of construction and suitable for use in space as well as on Earth. The shape memory alloy contracts when heated and operates to move the jaw bears in a given direction. When no heat is applied to the shape memory alloy, a returning mechanism moves the jaw bars in the opposite direction. The shape memory alloy material may be in the form of a strap or wire which is easily heated and provides for a fast closing and opening action of the jaws of the gripping device.

Abstract: A current controlled inductor (1) having an inductor coil (4) in one state of alteration attached at one end to a displacing coil (6) in an opposite state of alteration to that of the inductor coil (4). Both coils are formed of a shape memory alloy that when heated to a predetermined temperature will return to an original configuration from an altered configuration. An electric current from a DC source (11) passing through the displacing coil (6), heats the displacing coil (6), causing the coil to contract to an original length and simultaneously pull the inductor coil (4) from its original length thereby changing the inductance effect of the inductor coil (4) on the signal source (12).

Abstract: A simple, lightweight, compact and easily fabricated rotary actuator is provided that utilizes a shape memory alloy as an operative part thereof. The shaped memory alloy is wrapped around an accumulator, with one end of the wire attached to a point fixed with respect to the rotary accumulator and the other end attached to the accumulator itself. The wire contracts when heated forcing the accumulator to rotate.

Abstract: A clamping device for securing an object within an aperture of a ring member utilizing a shape memory alloy material. The shape memory alloy material contracts when heated and operates to bias pin members inwardly within a central opening of the ring to thereby secure an object such as a canister placed therein. The shape memory alloy material may be in the form of a strap or wire which is easily heated and provides for a fast clamping and release action of the clamping device.

Abstract: Wire harnesses are automatically fabricated with pre-cut and preconfigured ends in a robotic wire harness assembly system including a wire preparation subsystem, a wire reeling subsystem, a wire terminating subsystem, a wire queuing subsystem, a layup subsystem, associated robots, and a logic controller.

Abstract: A hand tool (20) useful in the repair of bodies having complex, compound curved surfaces. The tool (20) comprises an adjustable arm (40) mountable at one of its ends to a damaged surface area (15). The other end of the arm (40) is provided with a gimbal mount (50) supporting a cutter assembly (45) and a gripping ball (60) for rotating the tool (20) during use. The gimbal mount (50) and a plurality of orthogonally disposed springs 190 provides a means to ensure that the cutter assembly (45) can follow the contour of the surface area 5 and will be substantially perpendicular to the surface area (15) as the tool (20) is being rotated. A guide (55) provides additional forces to urge the cutter assembly (45) into a position substantially perpendicular to the surface area (15).

Abstract: A wire canister capable of being used by robots during the assembly of a wire harness. The wire canister is capable of accepting, storing and dispensing random lengths of wire, i.e., a wire segment. The leading and trailing ends of the wire segment are constrained in such a way that the ends of the wire segment may be readily acquired by the manipulator of a robot and presented to other supporting equipment for purposes of performing operations on the ends of the wire segment.

Abstract: A five axis compliant device for use as an industrial robot end-of-arm tooling. This device compensates for the inherent positioning and repeatability inaccuracies found in a robot and therefore allows the robot to be applied to work requiring high accuracies such as screw and nut insertion, close tolerance pin insertion and hole deburring.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a method and apparatus for fabricating an improved solar cell module. The apparatus includes a supply drum for feeding a flexible strip having deposited thereon etched electrical circuitry, a supply drum for feeding into overlying engagement with the flexible strip a flexible tape having a pair of exposed tacky surfaces, and a plurality of rams for receiving and depositing a plurality of solar cells in side-by-side relation on an exposed tacky surface of the tape in electrical contacting engagement with the etched circuitry.