Abstract: The present invention relates to a robotic head that includes a pair of fingers that are adapted to be moved back and forth in parallel relationship between closed and open positions. In addition there is provided a group of interchangeable fingertip sets, with each fingertip set being formed to retrieve and hold a certain size or shaped object. Each fingertip set can be automatically attached and detached from the fingers of the robotic head. In particular, at one single work station, the robotic head through appropriate programming can automatically interchange fingertip sets such that the same robotic head can retrieve and set various types and sizes of elements or parts at one single work station.

Abstract: In apparatus containing a bundle of tubes such as permeators, a tubular spacer substantially surrounds a tube sheet in which tubes are embedded for at least a portion of the lateral surface of the tube sheet. The tubular spacer serves to position the tube sheet within the apparatus. The tube sheet has at least one rise region intermediate a face and an expanded zone having larger cross-sectional dimensions than the corresponding dimensions of the face, and the rise region is adapted to abut the tubular spacer. The tube sheet can have sufficient length along the orientation of the tubes in order to ensure a fluid tight relationship between tubes and the tube sheet, and the amount of material to form the tube sheet can be reduced, thereby minimizing the effect of differential expansions.

Abstract: In apparatus containing a bundle of tubes such as permeators, a tubular spacer substantially surrounds a tube sheet in which tubes are embedded for at least a portion of the lateral surface of the tube sheet. The tubular spacer serves to position the tube sheet within the apparatus. The tube sheet has at least one rise region intermediate a face and an expanded zone having larger cross-sectional dimensions than the corresponding dimensions of the face, and the rise region is adapted to abut the tubular spacer. The tube sheet can have sufficient length along the orientation of the tubes in order to ensure a fluid tight relationship between tubes and the tube sheet, and the amount of material to form the tube sheet can be reduced, thereby minimizing the effect of differential expansions.