An apparatus for remotely handling components
The inventive apparatus for remotely handling barlike components which define a longitudinal direction includes a gripper mechanism for gripping the component including first and second gripper members longitudinally fixedly spaced from each other and oriented parallel to each other in planes transverse to the longitudinal direction. Each gripper member includes a jaw having at least one V-groove with opposing surfaces intersecting at a base and extending radially relative to the longitudinal direction for receiving the component in an open end between the opposing surfaces. The V-grooves on the jaw plate of t he first and second gripper members are aligned in the longitudinal direction to support the component in the first and second gripper members. A jaw is rotatably mounted on and a part of each of the first and second gripper members for selectively assuming a retracted mode in which the open end of the V-groove is unobstructed and active mode in which the jaw spans the open end of the V-groove in the first and second gripper members. The jaw has a locking surface for contacting the component in the active mode to secure the component between the locking surface of the jaw and the opposing surfaces of the V-groove. The locking surface has a plurality of stepped portions, each defining a progressively decreasing radial distance between the base of the V-groove and the stepped portion opposing the base to accommodate varying sizes of components. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes a control mechanism for remotely controlling movement of the jaw in the locking mode to assume one of a plurality of locking positions corresponding to positioning one of the stepped portions opposite the base.
- Research Organization:
- Westinghouse Electric Corp., West Mifflin, PA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC11-89PN38014
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A7883750
- Application Number:
- ON: DE94014897; PAN: 7-883,750; CNN: N00024-79-C-4026
- OSTI ID:
- 10165769
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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