Abstract: A combination drive and method for applying power through a piston rod (A) operated by an air cylinder (B) is controlled by an elongated self-locking threaded drive member (C) rotated by an electric motor (D) for affording positioning and velocity control for the air operated cylinder and the guided piston rod which stops and is positively positioned upon cessation of operation of the electric motor. Control apparatus includes a valve housing (35) positioning a spool (40) fixed on one end to the elongated threaded drive member (C), and an assembly (45) for moving the spool axially in respect to the electric motor (D) through an axially compliant coupling (50) so that by controlling the motor the valve is thereby controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed are male and female electrical contacts for transferring high electrical power between a master assembly and a tool assembly of a robotic tool changer. The male and female contacts have corresponding outwardly-projecting and inwardly recessed conical or frusto-conical contact surfaces which tend to cause contaminants to slide off the surface of the contacts. The contacts may instead have corresponding outwardly-projecting and inwardly recessed contact surfaces having spherical, frusto-spherical, ellipsoid, frusto-ellipsoid, ovoid, or frusto-ovoid shapes. Each of the contacts includes a contact base for attaching the contact to one of the assemblies of the robotic tool changer and a contact tip removably attached to the contact base, thereby allowing the contact tip to be replaced without detaching the contact base from the robotic tool changer. The contact tip of either or both of the electrical contacts is mounted in such a way as to have compliance in at least one direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an overload protection device to be placed between a robot and a tool to be used by the robot to prevent damage when the tool encounters an obstacle. The overload protection device comprises a housing, a cam, and a piston. The housing includes an internal cavity and an external opening to the cavity. The cam includes a head portion retained within the cavity and a neck portion extending through the opening. The neck portion and the opening include matching conical surfaces adapted to mate with one another. The piston is disposed within the cavity and tends to urge the cam toward a home position. When the tool is displaced in the x, y, z, or rotational directions during an overload condition, the cam is displaced from the home position. The piston then urges the cam to return to the home position regardless of the direction of displacement. A single sensor is provided to detect an overload condition.

Abstract: An end of stroke linear decelerator apparatus for powered slides and method include a disc spring member (A) retained upon a guide rod by a retainer disc member (B) which is itself positioned for retention upon a guide rod adjacent a tooling member. An elastomer retainer (C) positions the disc upon the guide rod and has an elastomer extension facing outwardly of the disc for dampening noises and forceful engagement with the frame which supports the guide rods.