Abstract:
Basic interchangeable building blocks such as to create a structure and/or an exoskeleton for an apparatus (296) for monitoring and controlling the movements of body members comprising a single axis joint (346) adaptable axis joint, an axial rotation joint, a wrist rotation joint (350) and a linear motion transmission joint, all of which can be spring controlled and/or be controlled by a rotation transmitting cable (354, 356) each having means for producing electrical signals indicative of their movement and can be coupled together so as to permit electrical conduction and rotation transmitting cables to be passed through them.
Abstract:
The handler, in particular a handle for a welding electrode, is pivotable about an axis with a horizontal motion component. It comprises two jaws moving towards each other or away from each other by means of a driving member and between which a piece may be clamped. An angular sensor detects the subtended angle between the handler and the vertical. A modulator receives an output signal from the sensor and is connected between a current source and the driving device. The modulator adjusts the current supplied to the driving device according to the position mesured by the angular sensor so that the jaws are held in a clamping condition with a predetermined force which is independent of the position of the handler.
Abstract:
A pair of connected joints in a master-slave robotic system each operated by a plurality of force imparting means. Such force imparting means for the second joint imparts force thereto at an acute angle. A third joint is used with a flexible drive tape partly internal thereto. A gripping system (104, 105) having an orthogonally rotatable base effector (190, 191, 192) is supported by this joint using a pair of linear actuators (180, 181) to position the base effector (190, 191, 192) as desired. A counterpart system (282, 283) having an orthogonally rotatable base follower (315) orhtogonally rotatable on a pair of linear actuators (307, 308) uses the actuators (307, 308) to null out forces occurring thereon.
Abstract:
The appliance makes it possible to exchange movements or positions between persons in the way in which information is exchanged by means of communications appliances. It consists of at least one measuring instrument (M) for recording the movement or position of a person and at least one positioning drive (AR-AG) for reproducing the movement or position of another person and can be hooked-up to an identical appliance, so that in the simplest case the positioning drive of one appliance can be controlled by the measuring instrument of the other appliance and vice versa. Inclusion of a decoupling switch in the appliance makes it possible to incorporate the measuring instrument in the object moved by the positioning drive.
Abstract:
Device for the transmission of the load pressure comprising at least a valve for the control of an apparatus - particularly of a manipulator from a receiver member or load arm having an upper arm pivoting on a socket or the like and hinged to a lower arm provided with a reception end for receiving the load and, as a control sensor member, a manual control arm of a smaller size than the load arm, the pivoting joints or bearings of the receiver member or load arm and of the sensor member or control arm being interconnected - is made responsive to a device of the afore mentioned type as to its manipulation or control. The valve (30) comprises a hydraulic pilot member wherein the load pressures present at the measuring points are effective on the inlet of at least one throttle valve (37). The desired control pressures are obtained by means of opening sections of the valve (37) or of a threaded valve (68). At least one regulator piston (70) is subjected on one hand to the load pressures and on the other hand to the control pressures. The hydraulic valve for controlling the load pressure comprises preferably control ribs and chokes wherein the ratios between the throttling sections are determinant for the control pressures. Members transmitting signals of effective value and arranged on the pivoting joints or bearings of the control arm are connected to members providing order signals and located on the pivoting joints or bearings of the load arm by means of an electro-hydraulic bearing adjusting device provided with at least one load pressure transmission hydraulic member.
Abstract:
A control arm (40) for controlling the position of a slave arm (10) of a material handling apparatus has an electric force feedback system for enhancing the "feel" of the control arm. The control arm is supported for substantial linear movement such that it can be operated by the operator whilst resting the weight of his or her arm on the control arm. The slave arm is fitted with a combined breaker/handling tool (20) having a support member (21), a breaking member (24) movable relative to the support member and a movable gripping member (25).
Abstract:
Collision-free control system for a multi-axially controllable manipulator (1), essentially comprising interconnected supporting arms (20, 21, 22), which are movable by means of controllable displacement elements in such a way that the free end (23) of the manipulator (1) can be positioned spatially and moved into various positions, and also comprising control means (4, 5) for controlling the displacement elements. The control means (4, 5) comprise a scale model (1', 3') of the manipulator (1) and of the object (3) to be examined or handled, at least the scale model (1') of the manipulator (1) being operable manually and being equipped with a series of position recorders, which can deliver control signals for controlling the displacement elements, in such a way that the manipulator (1) and the scale model (1') thereof always assume identical positions. The scale ratio of the scale model (3') of the object (3) is greater than the scale ratio of the scale model (1') of the manipulator (1), for the purpose of forming a safety zone, which prevents collisions between the manipulator (1) and the object to be handled (3).
Abstract:
A teleoperation system includes a master station (200) having an operable master link (204) coupled to a master actuator (208) which provides force resistance to operation and movement of the master link (204) in response to command signals, and a slave station (202) having a slave link (236) moveable by a slave actuator (240) in response to command signals. Also included is a control system for producing command signals in response to a comparison between position signals representing the position of the master and slave links (204, 236), and also a comparison between force signals of the master and slave links (204, 236). The control system produces a force command signal based upon the results of the comparisons and supplies it to the slave actuator (240) to cause the slave actuator (240) to move the slave link (236) in substantially faithfull imitation of movement of the master link (204).
Abstract:
A remotely operating similar actuator for automatically following a working unit (1) up the movement of an actuator (30). Control members (61, 172, 185) for controlling hydraulic control valves (90, 170, 180) which control a hydraulic actuator (8A) of the working unit (1) are connected to movable members (71, 101, 124, 141) of mechanical differential mechanisms (70, 100, 120, 140). The other two respective movable members (76, 79; 106, 107; 122, 123; 142, 148) forming one differential mechanism are so connected as to be driven by the actuator (30) and the working unit (1). Thus, the movement of the actuator is transmitted to the control member, and the movement of the working unit is fed back to the control member.