Abstract: An intelligent security assessment system includes a multiplicity of sens for detecting intrusion into an area. Each of the sensors operates on a different principle to detect intrusion. For example, sound, vibration, infrared, microwave and light level sensors are used. A computing system receives the outputs of each of the sensors and is programmed to provide an output based upon an algorithm that minimizes the likelihood of a false indication of intrusion by the intrusion sensors. Each sensor has an on and an off state and the computing system assigns a weighting factor for each sensor that is in the on state. The computing system sums the weighting factors and compares this sum to a reference and then provides a further output when the sum exceeds the reference. This computing system output is utilized to activate an additional intrusion detector such as an ultrasonic detection system and also to activate a video surveillance camera for observance of the area where the intrusion is indicated.

Abstract: A robotic arm positionable within a nuclear vessel by access through a small diameter opening and having a mounting tube supported within the vessel and mounting a plurality of arm sections for movement lengthwise of the mounting tube as well as for movement out of a window provided in the wall of the mounting tube. An end effector, such as a grinding head or welding element, at an operating end of the robotic arm, can be located and operated within the nuclear vessel through movement derived from six different axes of motion provided by mounting and drive connections between arm sections of the robotic arm. The movements are achieved by operation of remotely-controllable servo motors, all of which are mounted at a control end of the robotic arm to be outside the nuclear vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting an industrial robot at the standard position comprises a block (19) to be measured, which is attached to a top end portion (18) of a wrist of the industrial robot, and a supporting member (23) for the measurement, which is attached to a fixing base (11) of the industrial robot. The block has three planes (20, 21, 22), orthogonal to one another, to be measured, and the block is positioned to the top end portion of the wrist so that the three planes to be measured are set at predetermined positions relative to the top end portion of the wrist. The supporting member has three frames (24, 25, 26) orthogonal to one another, and the supporting member is positioned relative to the fixing base so that the three frames take predetermined positions relative to three-axis orthogonal coordinates predetermined on the basis of the fixing base. By a plurality of dial gauges (27 through 32; 37 through 42), the positions of the planes of the block are measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for model follower control of a robot. The apparatus comprises a source for generating target position data representing a target position for the robot, and an operation pattern generator responsive to the target position data for calculating target angular position data representing target angular positions of the robot for respective control periods. A step input calculating unit calculates step input data based on the target angular position data and the existing robot condition data from a first relationship programmed therein. A reference model responds to the step input data and calculates command data from a second relationship programmed therein. The second relationship is represented by a discrete equation. The command data are used along with the existing robot condition data in controlling the robot in a manner to perform continuous path operation of the robot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a robot arm with a work arm connected to it, a connector moved by motors for tools, workpieces, workpiece grippers or gripper change systems, whereby the motors are located at the end of the work arm opposite the connector, and are connected by output connections with gear wheels mounted in a swiveling axis of a swiveling head of the connector. To make such a robot arm flexible, and moreover to guarantee that the work arm is rigid, it is proposed that the axes (D,E,P) of rotation of the elements (work arm 2, swiveling head 23, connector 3) intersect at a common intersection point (A).

Abstract: In a robot including a first robot part which pivots with respect to a second robot part about a pivotal axis, a cable routing system includes a multitude of flexible cables which are retained at spaced apart positions by first and second retainers so that the cables are spaced around the outside of a cylinder whose axis coincides with the pivotal axis. A first connector mechanism connects that first retainer to the first robot part so that the first retainer rotates with the first robot part about the pivotal axis during pivoting. A second connector mechanism connects the second retainer to the second robot part so that the second retainer is movable axially toward the first retainer against the biasing action of a spring along the pivotal axis and prevented from rotating about the pivotal axis during pivoting. Each of the retainers includes a slotted disk which separates and guides the cables.

Abstract: A piping for control/drive medium of an industrial robot having at least one robot arm, which is to be supplied from a main body of the robot to a hand device thereof, is composed of a plurality of pipe segments adjacent ones of which are connected by a rotary joint disposed on a joint portion of the robot arm, with a rotary axis of the rotary joint being aligned with a rotary center of the joint portion.

Abstract: The cable supporting arrangement inside the base body of an industrial robot supports at least a cable (14) led through the interior of the base body (10) having a cylindrical inner surface (11) into the movable body (13) provided atop the base body pivotably about the axis (X) of the base body. An inner cylinder (15) is provided and fixed concentrically inside the base body. An annular space is defined between the inner cylinder and the base body. The resilient strip members (19, 20) have one end (21, 30) thereof fixed to the inner surface of the base body, and the other end (22, 31) fixed to the cylindrical outer face (16) of the inner cylinder. The strip member is curved at a selected portion such that the strip member sections before and after the curved portion are opposite to each other, and is forced under its own resilience onto the inner surface of the base body and the outer face of the inner cylinder when the movable body is in a selected pivoting position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a manipulator (1) which is able to automatically receive the tool holder (7), to clamp it and to set it down again, in order thus to make possible a rapid changing of different tools. For this purpose, the last drive element (6) of the manipulator (1) as well as the tool holder (7) are provided with coupling parts (8,9) and with cooperating screw systems (16,17). The manipulator-side screw system (17) is mounted via an operating element (11) for rotation at a second operating element (10) which forms a rotation barrier (13) with the tool holder (7) as the coupling parts (8,9) come together. The screwing process is actuated by rotation of the last drive member (6). The two operating elements (10,11) are furthermore non-rotationally connected through a fixing mechanism (20). This rotation lock is abolished as soon as the rotation barrier (13) between the operating part (10) and the tool holder (7) becomes effective.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for the automated filling of a container mounted on a vehicle with a fluid. In one embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an engine cooling system, and in the other embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an air conditioning system. Each of the fluid fill devices includes a housing in which a pair of spool valves are mounted. One of the spool valves controls the flow of vacuum and the other spool valve controls the flow of the fluid. A coupling mechanism including a movable piston releasably and fluidly connects its respective device to its container during evacuation and filling cycles. The device receives control signals from a pressurized air source to control movement of the spool valves and the pistons. If the container and the vehicle on which it is mounted are particularly well located, the device can be utilized in a hard automation system.

Abstract: The robot assembly of an industrial robot comprises a stationary robot component (11) and a plurality of movable robot components (12, 13, 14). At least parts of the stationary robot component and the movable robot components have airtight chambers (15, 16, 17) communicating with each other and intended to be kept at a pressure higher than a predetermined level which is higher than an external atmospheric pressure. Robot driving motors (18 to 23) for driving the movable robot components are arranged within the airtight chambers. A driving motor controller (27) for driving and controlling the robot driving motors is connected to the robot driving motors by means of electric cables arranged within the airtight chambers. Pressure switches (25) supply signals to the driving motor controller to stop the robot driving motors, respectively, upon detection of the pressure in the airtight chambers when the pressure in the airtight chambers drops below the predetermined level.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the reference positions of an industrial robot, in which datum surfaces (1a, 1b) are formed in the fixed base (1) of an industrial robot having a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion. The reference positions with respect to directions corresponding to the degrees of freedom of motion of the wrist base (5) and the wrist front section (7) are determined relatively to the fixed base (1) by means of a jig body (11) located fixedly on the datum surfaces, and measuring instruments (14 to 19) attached to the fixed base (1) at predetermined reference positions thereon, and the determined reference positions are given and taught to the NC unit of the industrial robot.

Abstract: A pallet for feeding components to a robotic assembly system at accurate reference locations and orientations includes a pair of parallel sheet members rigidly secured together. One sheet member has an array of locating apertures for receiving and locating a plurality of the components in the reference locations and orientation. The other sheet member has an array of rubber grommets, a grommet corresponding to each locating aperture for automatically receiving and releasably, frictionally engaging a component placed in a locating aperture.

Abstract: Self-contained apparatus able to move along a non-horizontal surface and comprising a first train and a second train (48) connected to the first train by devices allowing to obtain a relative displacement by translation and rotation in a plane parallel to the surface, and first and second holding devices (2) carried respectively by the first and the second trains and able to fix removably the apparatus on the surface, wherein the holding devices carried by at least one of the trains are connected to the train through devices capable of displacing said train with respect to the holding devices in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Preferably, the holding devices (2) of the first train are comprised of a plurality of adherence devices forming a polygon and arranged outside the center of the holding devices of the second train, and the apparatus further comprises a processing or inspection tool (60) mounted so as to pivot with respect to the first train.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing jaw assemblies 1 on manipulators comprises a support frame having a carriage 24 movable between location blocks 30, 31 for the jaw assemblies. The carriage has an opening 29 to permit passage therethrough of a jaw assembly 1 and to receive a displaceable collar on the arm which encloses a releasable coupling between the jaw assembly and the end of the arm. The coupling is engaged or disengaged upon movement of the carriage on rods 25 relative to the location blocks and on the application of a force on the manipulator arm towards the assembly 1. The coupling may be a T-section slidable in a channel member biassed by a spring into the collar which is slidable on the arm 2.

Abstract: In an industrial robot system, the robot is first moved to a starting position, and, when the temperature of the robot exceeds a predetermined value, a position checking operation is effected to move the robot towards the starting position so that, according to the difference between the starting position and the position where the robot has been stopped by the position checking operation, a compensation value is provided for temperature compensation of the robot, whereby, even when the working arms of the robot are extended or contracted by temperature variations, the robot can perform its working operation correctly.

Abstract: A robotic cell, or work area, especially useful for education. The cell has a plurality of interchangable work surfaces for mounting objects that the robot manipulates. Students, researchers, or other workers can thus set up separate experiments that need not be torn down each time a different user begins work with the cell. The cell has safety switches that encourage a user, when near the robot, to keep a hand on the robot so as not to be accidentally injured by the robot's motion. There is also a dead man switch effective to disenable the robot entirely, after a short time delay. The cell has a pneumatic control circuit that enables a user to position the robot's gripper arm at positions intermediate of fully up and fully down.

Abstract: A gripper system for a programmable manipulator includes a gripper arm (10) and an assembly station for holding a finger element (2) releaseably for mounting on the arm. The finger element (2) is held by latches (21, 22) against a tray (20) of the station which can be displaced with respect to a rack plate (1) of the station. The arm is conditioned to move on a predetermined path with respect to the station so that cooperative parts (3, 11) of the arm and a finger element, held at the station, become inter-engaged. When the finger element and the arm are inter-engaged movement of the arm relative to the station causes the finger element to be released. The gripper comprises an arm and a finger element dedicated to a specific handling task. The arm and the finger element have cooperable parts which are inter-engageable to mount the finger element detachably on the arm.

Abstract: A carriage carrying a robot, a television camera, etc. is moved along a ladder having spaced ledges. The carriage has a number of gripper units moved in the direction of movement of the carriage by air cylinders or motor driven threaded rods. Each gripper unit is reciprocated toward and away from the ladder and provided with a motive device for opening and closing grippers for gripping or releasing the ledges.

Abstract: A robot-laser system having at least one mirror under active program control for reflecting a laser beam from a fixed laser beam source to a desired location. Preferably, first and second mirrors are mounted on an outer arm of the robot to move therewith and rotate relative thereto. A third mirror reflects the laser beam to the first and second mirrors. A programmable servo system automatically moves each of the mirrors relative to and in synchronization with movement of the moving parts of the robot. Each of the mirror is mounted for rotation about a pair of intersecting axes so that the laser beam strikes the point of intersection. In one of the disclosed embodiments a fourth mirror reflects the laser beam from the source to the other mirrors.

Abstract: A low cost, programmable industrial robot is provided which incorporates a simplified construction with relatively sophisticated movement capability. Preferably, the robot is pneumatically operated. The robot construction includes a series of simplified structures for both calibrating ease and providing relatively versatile movement in view of the overall product cost. The device provides four adjustable axes of movement and multiple axes mounting for an end effector. In the preferred embodiment, a rotary actuator provides rotational movement for the robot. Rotary movement is adjustable and a simplified structure is included for providing repeatable intermediate stop positions for the work arm of the device. An improved rotary manifold for a rotary actuator provides a conduit for pneumatically powering the remaining robot movement functions. Those functions include vertical reciprocal movement, horizontal reciprocal movement and rotary movement of a gripper device or some other end effector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool mounting device and system for utilizing same having a bayonet connector with integral electrical and pneumatic connections. The automaton is capable of engaging a desired tool on command, utilizing the tool, and then replacing that tool and obtaining a second tool without human interference. Electrical power is provided for certain tool accessories as is a pneumatic conduit for driving drills, sprayers, and the like.

Abstract: A tool for picking up and releasing washers which uses a retractable rod member that is insertable into the washer and directs jets of pressurized air alternately onto the bottom surface of the washer to cause the latter to be picked up and onto the top surface of the washer to cause the latter to be released.

Abstract: A hoseless arrangement for supplying pressure and tank passages in remote hydraulic device including an extend tube, with pressure and tank passages, and an extend cylinder each reciprocably mounted on a base with a pair of concentric tubes attached to the extend cylinder and to the extend tube, the inner tube communicating with one side of the extend cylinder and the outer tube with the other side thereof. A shuttle valve on the extend tube is connected to shift so that the pressure passage is always subjected to high pressure and the tank passage is always subjected to low pressure.

Abstract: A self relocating manipulator assembly which is movable so as to be secured to any one of a number of fixtures which are spaced from one another on a support structure. The manipulator assembly comprises, a boom which has first and second end effectors each adapted to releasably secured to any one of the fixtures. First and second articulators are provided which serve to mount the first and second end effectors at first and second ends of the boom respectively. The first and second articulators provide a sufficient degree of movement between the end effectors and the boom to allow one end effector to be moved toward and away from one of said fixtures while the other end effector remains mounted on one of said fixtures. A power transmission system is associated with each articulator for articulating the boom with respect to either end effector whereby the manipulator assembly may relocate itself by sequentially securing and releasing one of the end effectors and then the other with respect to said fixtures.

Abstract: An assembly robot comprises a breastplate adapted to be attached to the chest of a human operator, an upper arm member connected to the breastplate and adapted to be attached to the upper arm of a human operator, a lower arm member attached to the upper arm member and adapted to be attached to the lower arm of a human operator, a hand member having finger and thumb units into which the hand, finger and thumb of the human operator can be inserted, and a support structure taking the form of a movable chair to which the breastplate is attached and on which the human operator may sit. The robot members, their length, the joints between members, and the axes of these joints correspond to those of a human arm, hand and fingers whereby the robot can make the same movements as the human operator. Each joint is associated with a sensor-motor device.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for locking the wrist links of a teaching robot and a work robot such that the wrist links of the work robot occupy the same relative positions with respect to each other as the wrist links of the teaching robot, thereby enabling the magnitude of the outputs of the corresponding wrist link position transducers of the work robot wrist and the teaching robot wrist to be equalized and the robot wrists calibrated.

Abstract: A work-performing manipulator robot having a base, a turret rotatable on the base about a vertical axis, a vertical arm rotatably mounted on the turret for rotation about a horizontal axis at a shoulder joint, and a horizontal arm rotatably mounted on the vertical arm for rotation about a horizontal axis at an elbow joint. The mounting of and angular position transducer for the turret/base joint is such that electrical cables and hydraulic fluid hoses can be coupled through apertures in the turret and the base to a channel in the vertical arm. The vertical arm is driven by a cylinder/piston assembly wherein the cylinder is pivotally attached to the vertical arm and the rod is pivotally attached to the turret, reducing the relative travel between the cylinder and the vertical arm.

Abstract: An articulating waveguide arm assembly, comprising long arm segments, (11, 12, 15, 17, 19) and short corner segments (13, 14, 16, 18) has a single-mode hollow dielectric waveguide located inside each segment and an optically reflecting device (33, 34, 37, 38, 39) located at the end of each segment. The waveguide assembly is mechanically affixed to a robot assembly having protruding side shields (65, 66). The robot assembly includes a pair of long arms (61, 62) corresponding to a pair of the waveguide arms (15, 17). Another waveguide arm segment (12) of the waveguide assembly passes over the protruding side shields and terminates in a pair of successive corner segments (13, 14) for enabling a laser beam propagating through this long arm segment to enter into one of the pair of long waveguide segments (61).

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting a general purpose end effector device (10) to a special purpose end effector (A) is disclosed which includes an adapter bracket assembly (B) which provides a mechanical and electrical interface between the end effector devices. The adapter bracket assembly (B) includes an adapter connector post (46) which interlocks with a diamond-shaped gripping channel (28) formed in closed jaws (18) and (20) of the general purpose end effector (10). The angularly intersecting surfaces of the connector post and gripping channel prevent any relative movement therebetween. Containment webs (42, 44) constrain the outer finger plates (22a, 22b) of the general purpose jaws (18, 20) to prevent pitch motion. Electrical interface is provided by conical, self-aligning electrical connector components (60, 62) carried by respective ones of said end effectors (A, 10).

Abstract: A tool, such as a drill bit, cutting tool or any other suitable tool, is d in a two component tool holder. The first component (1) includes a holder sleeve (3) with a conical bore (2). The sleeve (3) is held in a housing (19) carried by a machine tool, robot or the like. The second component (25) which carries the tool proper has a conical shaft (26) with a locking groove (29) near its free end. The conical shaft (26) locks into the conical bore (2) in the sleeve (3). An additional automatic locking is provided by at least two locking bolts (12) located to reach radially through the sleeve (3) into the locking groove (29) when the shaft (26) is inserted into the conical bore (2) of the sleeve (3). The locking bolts (12) are biased by springs (14) into the locking position and pulled out of the locking position by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure operated elements.

Abstract: The assembly includes a plurality of linear actuator modules or units capable of being readily interconnected in various transversely extending orientations relative to each other. The units are so constructed as to effect internal conduction of electrical and fluid energy sequentially between each other and to an energy consumer affixed to the terminal one of them. Each unit includes a pair of elongate and reciprocatorially moveable support members having energy conducting passageways extending therethrough and alignable with desired ones of a plurality of energy receiving openings provided within the frame of the next unit.

Abstract: A force return servosystem between a master actuator and a slave actuator connected by transmission lines, which introduce a delay, .tau..At the master actuator, the servocontrol is realized by means of two devices supplying force signals, where the smaller is applied to the master actuator, but having the polarity of the signal supplied by a first servocontrol device. The latter compares, in a known manner the position signal .theta.(t) of the master actuator with the delay position signal .theta.'(t-.tau.) of the slave actuator, whereas a second servocontrol device compares the delayed position signal .theta.(t-2.tau.) with signal .theta.'(t-.tau.).The invention may be used in manipulators, the control of the flying of a missile and any other control requiring the proportioning of the force controlling a movement of a machine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cable support which can assure smooth operation of an industrial robot. The cable support is substantially characterized by having a movable support on one end of an operating arm and an auxiliary support on the wrist-side end of the arm respectively, wherein the movable support consists of a first rotary shaft rotatably mounted on the operating arm and a cable holder tiltably mounted on the first rotary shaft and the auxiliary support consists of a second rotary shaft mounted on the operating arm and a cable clamp rotatably mounted on the second rotary shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manipulation system for workpieces, in which the individual workpieces are gripped by manipulator gripping arms and transported to predetermined locations in processing and/or magazine stations. For permitting a technically simple manipulation and transport of workpieces of different shapes by the use of tongs as gripping tools provided at the gripping arms, the invention provides that to an easily accessible wall of the respective workpiece a handling member is secured which is so designed and arranged as to permit the tongs to engage this handling member for transporting the workpiece e.g. from a magazine to the machine tool. Suitably, this handling member is in the form of a hollow pin which with an enlarged base is bonded to the workpiece and, after processing, may be knocked off or separated from the workpiece in some other manner.

Abstract: A calibration system for a programmable manipulator having a base and a plurality of segments movable with respect to each other includes a fixture for attachment to the base of the manipulator and a hand-held application module for directing the operation of the programmable manipulator, including a calibration mode operation for initiating calibration of the programmable manipulator. The fixture has an end point to which the end effector of the programmable manipulator attaches. The end point is exactly positioned and oriented with respect to the base thereby establishing a known position and orientation of the end effector. The link lengths (distances between centers of rotation) of the programmable manipulator segments are entered and a computation is made of the displacement between each pair of the plurality of segments and compared with a measured displacement. The difference is an offset which is stored for future correction.