Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the horizontal motion of a double articulated crane comprises determining the angle about a common axis between a base member pivotally mounted on a crane post and a head member carrying a load application point on an outer end thereof. The angle can vary from 0.degree. to 360.degree.. A desired movement direction value is then set on a direction selector movable on a direction indicator. The value corresponds to a target position for the load application point. The desired movement direction value is adjusted by small increments to reach the target however. The desired movement direction value is broken up into two components, one aligned with the axis of the head and the other aligned with a perpendicular axis. The values of these two compartments are calculated as a function of the sin or cos of an angle of misalignment between the longitudinal axis and the direction of the selector.

Abstract: An elephant nose type arm for a programme controlled manipulator, comprises gears meshing with each other, connecting members for connecting the gears to each other and actuator for rotating the one of the gears to bend said arm.

Abstract: A wrist mechanism for an industrial robot having a robot casing, robot arms capable of extending from and contracting to the robot casing, a robot hand for gripping a workpiece, and a wrist arranged between the robot arms and the robot hand, comprises: two reduction gears with a high reduction ratio connected respectively to each of two high speed rotational driving motors, the two reduction gears cooperating with one another for generating two individual reduced rotational outputs, and; two transmitting mechanisms, connectable to the hand, for transmitting respectively the two reduced rotational outputs to the hand, thereby causing respectively rotational motion and swinging motion of the hand.

Abstract: An industrial robot having several axes of freedom of movement and comprising an operating members supporting arm pivotally mounted at the top of a supporting column for movement about a horizontal axis from a horizontal angular medium position under the control of a linear actuator pivotally connected with one end to the supporting column and the other to the supporting arm. Preferably the linear actuator is an electromechanical jack having a worm and lead nut, the worm being rotatably mounted within an elongated housing and driven by a motor secured to the housing and the lead nut being coupled to an outer tubular jacket.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator includes a plurality of segments connected by joints between a fixed base and the distal end of the arm. At least one of the joints comprises a servomotor having a stator and a rotor one of which is attached to a segment positioned closer to the fixed base, the other component of the servomotor being attached to a driven segment positioned closer to the distal end of the arm. The said mechanical arm is directly driven by the servo motor without provision of any transmission mechanism.

Abstract: An operating arm for a manipulator with length adjustment by telescoping means has a transmission carriage slidably disposed in an outer telescopic tube and a number of concentric tubes are rotatably supported in the center of the transmission carriage for transmitting motion for various functions of the operating arm by means of bearings which are supported coaxially and on top of each other on a roller housing rotatably supported in the transmission carriage. The innermost of the concentric tubes is connected to the roller housing while the others have circumferential spur gear structure in engagement with spur gears and drive shafts extending into the outer tube outside said spur gear structures for operating said other concentric tubes.

Abstract: A forging manipulator has a mobile truck on which a gripper support is suspended by articulated linkages. To move the gripper support relative to the truck, and to provide cushioning of the gripper support, the gripper support is coupled to the truck by hydraulic cylinder assemblies. Each cylinder assembly includes three cylinders placed one above another with the piston of a middle cylinder connected to the truck and with the pistons of the outer cylinders connected to each other and to the gripper support.

Abstract: An automatic robot structure includes a fixed location support 10 which carries three locational arms 12, 14, 16, being hingedly connected to each other at their location of convergence to support a workhead 20, the driving motors 12a, 14a, and 16a each being independently operable to drive its respective arm in an axial direction, each of the arms being rigid in the sense that no part of the arm is hingedly connected to another part, so that the forces derived from a payload weight subject the arms primarily only to compression and or tension.

Abstract: A three-axis wrist mechanism has three independent rotational axes with a point of mutual intersection. A stationary housing contains one of the axes while another axis is disposed in a tool support member. An intermediate axis is disposed in an intermediate housing. A plurality of gear trains provide the independent rotation of components about the three axes to permit selective positioning of a tool mounting surface within a substantially hemispherical envelope. The gear trains are arranged so that an unobstructed gear passage is maintained between the stationary base and the tool support member for accommodating hoses and/or wires which are used to transmit fluid and power to a tool mounted on the mounting surface of the tool support member.

Abstract: A pivot drive for interconnecting a pair of members that are relatively pivotal about a pivot axis has a torsion rod extending along a rod axis and rotatable by an appropriate drive relative to one of the members. This rod has outer ends carrying input gears of respective constant-mesh gear trains having output gears at least one of which is limitedly rotatable about the pivot axis on the other member. This one output gear can be limitedly rotated and locked in place in the other member so as torsionally to prestress the rod, thereby eliminating play from the drive by bringing the gears of one of the gear trains into snug contact in one direction and the gears of the other gear train into snug contact in the opposite directions.

Abstract: A pick and place robot is provided in which support 10 carries a rotatable turret 12, which in turn has one end of the pick and place arm 14 pivotally carried therefrom, the arm carrying a working tool 16 at its other end supported in rotatable relation and connected to constant orientation means 62, 64, 66 which maintains the working tool in a given disposition throughout the extent of the swing of the arm from a pick to a place location, both the turret and the arm being driven independently by its own drive.

Abstract: The electric actuator comprises a deep cup harmonic drive gear train member with an electric motor, brake, tachometer, and resolver disposed therein. The arrangement and coupling of the components provides a high torque-to-weight ratio actuator that is capable of more than 360.degree. rotation.

Abstract: A support structure for devices particularly life boats and similar apparatus which is weight operated comprises a plurality of support members, each or some of which may be telescopic which are pivotally interconnected adjacent their associated interconnected ends. Each successive upper one of a pair of such members is pivotal relative to the next adjacent lowermost one about a substantially horizontal axis. The pivoting is controlled by a control mechanism which is operated from a fluid pressure source produced by the weight of the elements upon each other. The control mechanism includes means for controlling the amount of tilt of each upper element relative to an adjacent lower element and for the control of the precise angularity of the two elements relative to each other during the pivotal movement.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator structure including a base supporting first and second independently operable drive motors 16 and 18, a first swinging arm rotatably supported by the base and driven from the first drive, a second swinging arm 42 supported for rotation at the end of the first arm for rotation through a plane translationally displaced from the plane through which the first arm rotates, and a mechanism for coupling the rotation of the second drive motor 18 through the hollow shaft 50 concentrically located and rotatable within the hollow shaft 38, and through a sprocket and chain arrangement in the hollow 58 of the first arm to independently effect the rotation of the second arm 42.

Abstract: A remote manipulator arm interconnects a manipulator tool (13) to a support (1). The arm comprises three independent motorized arm components (7,17 and 11). Conventional arm components are arranged for end-to-end coupling with a fixed end coupling at one end and articulated coupling disposed in a fork (10) at the other end. The present invention provides at least one intermediate component (17) which further includes at least one fixed coupling (21) arranged at 90.degree. to its end coupling. Such a right-angled component provides greater flexibility in the design of a remote manipulator arm assembled from such components.

Abstract: A manipulator consisting of a slave assembly, a master unit, and a control circuit. The movement of the various components of the slave assembly are actuated by electric stepping motors, and the slave assembly itself comprises a pantograph linkage having a wrist at one end of an extended link of the linkage. A jaw assembly connected to the wrist is arrranged to be operated by a fluid circuit which is pressurized by an electric pump and regulated by the action of a throttling device that has a plunger held over an opening by an electric solenoid. Movement of the plunger is detected by the change of impedance of a sensing coil as the plunger enters the coil.

Abstract: A manipulator has an end effector with a tool end movable with respect to a reference base by means of a multi-axis joint system. The joint system is contained within a housing to provide the relative movement through a mechanical power train. Fluid ducts are provided through both a first, duct component and a second, end effector power train component having an internal duct, extending into a housing plenum at first and second points, thereby providing fluid communication between the plenum and end effector. The housing has relatively movable sealed sections, and sealing means are provided at the interface of said first and second duct components with the housing.

Abstract: A wrist construction for an industrial robot having an arm member including a base unit mountable on the arm member, a carrier assembly universally connected to the base unit for pivotal movement about first and second axes of the base unit, a tool supporting unit universally connected to the carrier assembly for pivotal movement about third and fourth axes of the carrier assembly, an element operatively connected to the carrier assembly that pivots the carrier assembly about the first and second axes of the base unit, and an element responsive to the pivotal movement of the carrier assembly about the first and second axes of the base unit that pivots the tool supporting unit about the third and fourth axes of the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A system for evaluating whether a work-performing robot can perform a series of programmed motions is disclosed which includes means for continuously comparing the velocity of the various links of a robot simulator, which is manually moved through the sequence of motions to be programmed, against predetermined velocity limits associated with the corresponding links of the work-performing robot which will reproduce the programmed steps, and providing humanly perceptible alarm indications uniquely identifiable with the various robot links when the motions manually programmed on the robot simulator exceed the velocity limits of the work-performing robot. Additionally, the individual velocities of the various robot simulator links are summed, and the sum continuously compared against the power limit of the hydraulic pump driving the link actuators of the work-performing robot.

Abstract: The remote docking apparatus comprises a support plate with locking devices mounted thereon. The locking devices are capable of being inserted into tubular members for suspending the support plate therefrom. A vertical member is attached to the support plate with an attachment mechanism attached to the vertical member. A remote access manipulator is capable of being attached to the attachment mechanism so that the vertical member can position the remote access manipulator so that the remote access manipulator can be initially attached to the tubular members in a well defined manner.

Abstract: A robot is disclosed having a plurality of movable links interconnected end-to-end in series. Associated with each is an actuator and position transducer. Some of the links are relatively massive and cannot be readily moved without power assistance when the robot is manually programmed, while other links, namely those constituting the wrist, are relatively lightweight which permits movement thereof without power assistance during manual programming. A force transducer is connected in series with the output element of the robot in association with one of the massive links located between the wrist and the stationary base on which the robot is mounted. The transducer senses forces during programming applied to the massive links via the wrist when manual programming forces are applied to the robot output. The force transducer provides an output signal for each of the massive links correlated to the component of the manual programming force transmitted thereto via the wrist.

Abstract: A self-feeding device for automatically lifting food from the eating surface of a plate to an eating position located above the plate. The plate is supported by a plurality of rollers which are capable of rotating the plate about a predetermined axis. A pusher arm having a food pushing surface depending therefrom is rotatable about a second axis, parallel to and spaced from the first axis, such that the food pushing surface moves from a first to a second position along a predetermined path which traverses a portion of the eating surface of the plate in such a manner that food located on the eating surface of the plate along the predetermined path is moved by the pushing surface. A spoon support and lifting arm supports the spoon and is capable of moving the spoon between a lower position in which food moved by the food pushing surface is moved onto the spoon and an upper position in which food moved on the spoon by the pushing surface is located at the eating position.

Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for the handling of drill collar and pipe stands and comprised of a hydraulically mechanized "Derrickman" and "Derrick Floor Hand" and associated fingerboard lock bars and all of which are adapted to remote control in the placement of the stands in a derrick, both in alignment with the rotary table and fully placed within the racking fingers, the stand handling mechanism being characterized by articulated arms extensible by actuator apparatus housed entirely within the confines thereof for compactness.

Abstract: The invention relates to an end effector device for a robot or teleoperated type space vehicle which includes an inflatable balloon member carried on the end of a tubular member which has a hollow center or conduit through which a suitable pressurized fluid is supplied. The device may be inserted into a variety of shaped openings or truss-type structures for handling in space.

Abstract: A lightweight, mechanical handling apparatus including a self-contained, motorized base module, a self-contained torso module, and arm modules mounted in left and right hand orientation upon the torso module. Each arm module is provided with six reversible electric motors for performing six functions. The shoulder and wrist portions of the arms are capable of 180.degree. rotation and the upper arm, lower arm and hand portions of the arm are interconnected for pivotal movement relative to each other.

Abstract: A control system for programming operations of a spraygun robot for spraying paint comprises a mobile control structure having jointed parts of the robot, and also possesses transducers corresponding to transducers of the robot, for transforming electrical signals respectively from and into operations of the mobile structure and of the robot. The control structure is relatively light and mobile to facilitate manual operation. The robot is sufficiently massive and heavy to permit numerous operations of the joint devices thereof in a point-spray atmosphere.

Abstract: An extensible articulated manipulator arm is described in which the distal end is movable in a straight line relative to the proximal end thereof. The articulated arm includes a first arm which incorporates a first parallelogram linkage and a second arm which includes a second parallelogram linkage, the adjacent ends of the parallelogram linkages are drivingly connected to one another whereby rotation of the first arm about the first end support alters the geometry of the first parallelogram linkage which in turn effects a corresponding alteration in the geometry of the second parallelogram linkage, thereby to cause movement of the distal end of the second arm in a straight line relative to the proximal end of the first arm.

Abstract: Manipulator for inspecting and, if required, repairing the tubes of heat exchangers, especially for nuclear reactors, in which a tube bundle set in a tube sheet lead into a steam generator chamber and a manipulator is brought in through a lead-in nozzle. An inspection arm can be inserted and removed through the lead-in nozzle and the nozzle can be closed off tight by a blind flange. The inspection arm comprises a guide tube supported in the lead-in nozzle, and a swivel arm supported at the end of the guide tube so that it can rotate in a plane parallel to the tube sheet. The swivel arm carries at its outer end an extendable and retractable mouthpiece carrier with a mouthpiece which can be aligned onto the tube openings. The outer contour of the swivel arm and the mouthpiece carrier in the stretched-out transport position is not greater than the inner contour of the lead-in nozzle.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting a manipulator arm of a remote manipulator device to a tool body and its associated tool anchor linkage constructed according to the present invention comprises a tool holder adapted to be secured to the manipulator arm and a tool actuator piston mounted in a cylinder in the tool holder. The tool holder has a first latching mechanism for releasably securing a tool body with respect to the tool holder. The tool actuator piston has a second latching mechanism at one end thereof for releasably securing a tool actuator arm thereto. The second latching mechanism is located at an end of the tool holder inwardly from the first latching mechanism.

Abstract: A manipulator apparatus having a manipulator arm movable in a plurality of axes is programmed and taught to perform a desired sequence of operations over selected work paths. Basic control parameters relating to movement of the arm independent of the length and orientation of the work paths are programmed by a supervisor/programmer on the controls of a supervisory control unit. The control parameters represent manipulator work parameters and manipulator arm movement different than the taught work paths in a subsequent second teach phase.An operator/programmer in a teach phase proceeds to guide the manipulator arm over the predetermined work paths in contact with a work surface. The work paths are taught or programmed by the automatic recording into a main control memory of positional data.

Abstract: An articulated robot arm (10) comprises n arm sections (13, 16, 18, 21) pivotally mounted one to the other. A plurality of independently controlled servomotors (12, 14, 17, 19) at each of the arm joints moves the tip (22) of the arm towards the desired location. All arm angles are measured with respect to a common reference plane, e.g. the horizon.

Abstract: A hand controller having a control handle member supported by a hexagonal array of three pairs of oppositely-angled force sensors provides for creation of control signals according to degree of input manual effort in any and all linear and rotary directions: left; right; up; down; fore; aft; forward; rearward; leftward and rightward; tilt moments; and clockwise and counterclockwise yaw moments.

Abstract: A compact telemanipulator arm assembly with a rotatable gripping tool is disclosed that is watertight and has a sleek profile suitable for penetrating into narrow underwater passages of nuclear reactors. The assembly has a plurality of elongated arm elements jointed together end-to-end in series relationship. Bending of adjacent elements is achieved by an axially aligned motor housed within one of the adjacent elements, a screw-nut system that converts the motor shaft rotation to axial movement of a slider, and mechanical linkage that converts the slider movement to relative pivoting of the elements. The gripping tool is mounted on a tool support on an end element. Tool gripping members are operated by a first axially aligned motor housed within the end element and a screw-nut system that converts the first motor shaft rotation to axial movement of a slider.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer operated robot arm in which the operation of the robot arm is controlled by a first program defining absolute coordinate values of points necessary for a basic cycle of operation and at least one second program defining absolute coordinate values of points necessary for a conditional cycle of operation. After being initially defined a single time during a teaching mode of operation, the invention allows the second program to be recalled many times during the execution of the first program by merely utilizing an address code. Consequently, even though the second program is defined by absolute coordinate data, the second program may be used to control the robot arm at any spatial location.

Abstract: A remote access manipulator for performing operations on equipment located in areas where human access is limited. The manipulator comprises a slave carriage located in the equipment on which the operation is to be performed, such as a nuclear steam generator, for carrying tools and inspection devices for performing operations on the equipment together with a master carriage located in a scale model of the equipment and electrically connected to the slave carriage for controlling the movement of the slave carriage. The slave carriage is capable of advancing across a surface of the equipment to position the devices which it carries. The manipulator further comprises a slave manipulator arm used to move the slave carriage into and out of the equipment on which the operation is to be performed in conjunction with a master manipulator arm located in the scale model for controlling the movement of the slave manipulator arm.

Abstract: A segmented controller arm configured and dimensioned to form a miniature kinematic replica of a remotely related slave arm. The arm includes a plurality of joints for affording segments of the arm simultaneous angular displacement about a plurality of pairs of intersecting axes, a plurality of position sensing devices for providing electrical signals indicative of angular displacement imparted to corresponding segments of the controller shaft about the axes, and a control signal circuit for generating control signals to be transmitted to the slave arm. The arm is characterized by a plurality of yokes, each being supported for angular displacement about a pair of orthogonally related axes and counterbalanced against gravitation by a cantilevered mass affixed thereto whereby the controller arm may be released without introducing unwanted motion in the slave arm resulting from gravitation of segments of the master arm.

Abstract: A remote access manipulator for performing operations on equipment located in areas where human access is limited. The manipulator comprises a slave carriage located in the equipment on which the operation is to be performed, such as a nuclear steam generator, for carrying tools and inspection devices for performing operations on the equipment together with a master carriage located in a scale model of the equipment and electrically connected to the slave carriage for controlling the movement of the slave carriage. The slave carriage comprises a five link mechanism with the links rotatably connected and is capable of advancing across a surface of the equipment to position the devices which it carries. The manipulator further comprises a slave manipulator arm used to move the slave carriage into and out of the equipment on which the operation is to be performed in conjunction with a master manipulator arm located in the scale model for controlling the movement of the slave manipulator arm.