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US3589134A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Manipulator apparatus

Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1969-10-30
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-10-30
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Abstract

Abstract A manipulator arm assembly having three arm sections and shoulder, elbow and wrist pivotal joints. The third arm section carries a tool or the like. The rate of rotation of the shoulder pivotal joint is commanded by an operator and signal processing equipment commands the other two pivotal joints such that the tool travels in a straight line.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert L Hackmann
  • 👤 Donald W Hunt

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 02:45
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25J; B25J9/00; B25J9/02; B25J9/04; B25J9/046; B25J9/10; B25J9/106; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/42; G05B19/427

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 174 words
A control system for a manipulator assembly having a plurality of jointed arm sections, a last of which carries a terminal device, comprising: a. a plurality of actuators for effecting relative pivotal movement between said arm sections; b. a plurality of position sensors for providing respective position signals for said arm sections indicative of the angular orientation of said arm sections; c. means for initially positioning said terminal device at a first coordinate point, d. signal processing means responsive to an input command for storing those position signals provided at said first coordinate point; e. signal providing means for commanding movement of one of said actuators to move a first of said arm sections; f. said signal processing means being responsive to i. said stored position signals, and ii. the position signal indicative of the angular orientation of said first of said arm sections as it is moved, for providing respective output signals to command the remaining actuators in accordance with a predetermined relationship, for moving said terminal device to a second coordinate point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 174 words
A control system for a manipulator assembly having a plurality of jointed arm sections, a last of which carries a terminal device, comprising: a. a plurality of actuators for effecting relative pivotal movement between said arm sections; b. a plurality of position sensors for providing respective position signals for said arm sections indicative of the angular orientation of said arm sections; c. means for initially positioning said terminal device at a first coordinate point, d. signal processing means responsive to an input command for storing those position signals provided at said first coordinate point; e. signal providing means for commanding movement of one of said actuators to move a first of said arm sections; f. said signal processing means being responsive to i. said stored position signals, and ii. the position signal indicative of the angular orientation of said first of said arm sections as it is moved, for providing respective output signals to command the remaining actuators in accordance with a predetermined relationship, for moving said terminal device to a second coordinate point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
A control system according to claim 1 wherein: a. said signal processing means provides output signals having a relationship to move said terminal device in a straight line between said first and second coordinate points.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 39 words
A control system according to claim 1 wherein: a. said manipulator assembly is carried by an undersea vehicle having a pressure hull; and b. said signal providing means is positioned within said pressure hull for activation by an operator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
A control system according to claim 3 wherein: a. said signal processing means is positioned within said pressure hull.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 44 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal providing means includes: a. a joy stick, and b. means responsive to movement of said joy stick for providing a related voltage, said related voltage being provided to said one of said actuators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 55 words
A control system as claimed in claim 5 which includes a. switch means carried by said joy stick, b. a signal source; and c. means including said switch means for connecting said signal source with said signal processor upon activation of said switch means; and d. said connection effecting a storage of said position signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 92 words
A control system for a manipulator assembly having a plurality of jointed arm sections, a last of which carries a terminal device, comprising: a. a plurality of actuators each responsive to an input signal for effecting relative pivotal movement between said arm sections; b. means for commanding one of said actuators to move a first of said arm sections, c. means responsive to the positional orientation of said commanded arm section for providing output signals to the remaining actuators for moving the remaining arm sections as a function of said positional orientation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 92 words
A control system for a manipulator assembly having a plurality of jointed arm sections, a last of which carries a terminal device, comprising: a. a plurality of actuators each responsive to an input signal for effecting relative pivotal movement between said arm sections; b. means for commanding one of said actuators to move a first of said arm sections, c. means responsive to the positional orientation of said commanded arm section for providing output signals to the remaining actuators for moving the remaining arm sections as a function of said positional orientation.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2861699A Cited
US3414136A Cited
US3422965A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-06-28 1974-12-28 1975-06-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-06-28 1978-12-28 1979-06-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-06-28 1982-12-28 1983-06-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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