US3695671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic claw control switching arrangement
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-06-09
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1991-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A remotely disposed electro-hydraulically actuated claw is controllable from the interior of a submersible by a switching arrangement which minimizes the possibility of inadvertently switching the claw to exert a crushing, gripping force on a fragile object. Two physically separated switches are independently actuated to position the claw in the open or closed position, or to exert a grip-no grip force, respectively. Once the grip force has been exerted through a closed claw, a separate dial is included to allow an increase or decrease of the gripping force as determined by the object''s weight or its fragility. Being thusly physically disposed and electrically interconnected, the possibility of the claw''s being inadvertently switched to an unwanted mode of operation is minimized.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth R Fishel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:32
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B21/00; F15B21/08; B; B66; B66C; B66C3/00; B66C3/14; B66C3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
375 words
In a switching system for controlling an electrohydraulically actuated claw having a DC power source and a servo valve unit hydraulically actuating said claw to open, to close, and to grip, an improvement therefor is provided comprising: an open-close circuit including a first double-pole, doublethrow switch having its open contacts connected across said source in one polarity, its close contacts connected across said source in the opposite polarity, and its center contacts connected to said servo valve unit, upon switching to said open contacts, passing a signal of said one polarity to said servo valve unit to actuate said claw to the open position and upon switching to said close contacts passing a signal of said opposite polarity to said servo valve unit to actuate said claw to the close position; a grip-no grip circuit including a second double-pole, doublethrow switch having one of its no-grip contacts connected to one of said close contacts and its other no-grip contact opencircuited, one of its grip contacts open-circuited and its other grip contact connected to one of said center contacts and to said servo valve unit, the center contacts of the second switch being coupled across said source, upon switching to said no-grip position when the first switch is in the open position, the second switch is open circuited and said claw remains in said open position, upon switching to said no-grip position when said first switch is in said close position, a conductive path for said signal of said opposite polarity is completed to maintain said close position, upon switching to said grip position when said first switch is in said open position, a signal of less magnitude than said signal of said one polarity is fed to said servo valve unit to maintain said claw in said open position, and upon switching to said grip position when said first switch is in said close position, a grip signal of a magnitude greater than the magnitude of said signal of said opposite polarity is fed to said servo valve unit to actuate said claw to exert a gripping force; and a variable impedance coupled between the center contacts of said second switch to selectively vary the magnitude of said grip signal to change said gripping force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
375 words
In a switching system for controlling an electrohydraulically actuated claw having a DC power source and a servo valve unit hydraulically actuating said claw to open, to close, and to grip, an improvement therefor is provided comprising: an open-close circuit including a first double-pole, doublethrow switch having its open contacts connected across said source in one polarity, its close contacts connected across said source in the opposite polarity, and its center contacts connected to said servo valve unit, upon switching to said open contacts, passing a signal of said one polarity to said servo valve unit to actuate said claw to the open position and upon switching to said close contacts passing a signal of said opposite polarity to said servo valve unit to actuate said claw to the close position; a grip-no grip circuit including a second double-pole, doublethrow switch having one of its no-grip contacts connected to one of said close contacts and its other no-grip contact opencircuited, one of its grip contacts open-circuited and its other grip contact connected to one of said center contacts and to said servo valve unit, the center contacts of the second switch being coupled across said source, upon switching to said no-grip position when the first switch is in the open position, the second switch is open circuited and said claw remains in said open position, upon switching to said no-grip position when said first switch is in said close position, a conductive path for said signal of said opposite polarity is completed to maintain said close position, upon switching to said grip position when said first switch is in said open position, a signal of less magnitude than said signal of said one polarity is fed to said servo valve unit to maintain said claw in said open position, and upon switching to said grip position when said first switch is in said close position, a grip signal of a magnitude greater than the magnitude of said signal of said opposite polarity is fed to said servo valve unit to actuate said claw to exert a gripping force; and a variable impedance coupled between the center contacts of said second switch to selectively vary the magnitude of said grip signal to change said gripping force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said open contacts are coupled across a first potentiometer connected across said source to precisely regulate the magnitude of said signal of said one polarity and said close contacts are coupled across a second potentiometer when said second switch is in the no-grip position to precisely regulate the magnitude of said signal of said opposite polarity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 2 further including: an AC source; a double-pole, single-throw switch for connecting said AC source to said DC source, said DC source having the capability to convert AC energy to DC energy to provide control sIgnals for said servo valve unit and an indicator coupled to said AC source to provide a visual indication of the pressure of AC power.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3371254A
Cited
US3414136A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |