Extension tool having a plurality of links
AssigneesGeneral Electric Company, Oliver Crispin Robotics Limited
InventorsAndrew Crispin Graham, Tim Henri Ann Francois, Hendrik Pieter Jacobus de Bock, Michael Robert Millhaem
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extension tool includes a plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable to a first position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links rigidly fixed to one another in the first position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links defining a first passage and a second passage, the second passage being separate from the first passage when the plurality of sequentially arranged links are rigidly fixed to one another.
Claims18
An extension tool comprising:
- a plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable to a first position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links rigidly fixed to one another in the first position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links defining a first passage and a second passage, the second passage being separate from the first passage when the plurality of sequentially arranged links are rigidly fixed to one another,
- wherein a first link of the plurality of sequentially arranged links includes a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall of the first link defines in part the first passage, wherein the second wall of the first link defines in part the second passage, and wherein the second wall is coupled to the first wall through one or more point contacts.
A method for operating a selectively flexible extension tool comprising a plurality of sequentially arranged links defining a first fluid flow passage and a second fluid flow passage, the method comprising:
- providing a first fluid flow through the first fluid flow passage;
- and
- providing a second fluid flow through the second fluid flow passage, the second fluid flow passage being separate from the first fluid flow passage when the plurality of sequentially arranged links are joined together,
- wherein providing the first fluid flow through the first fluid flow passage comprises providing a first heated fluid flow through the first fluid flow passage at a first starting temperature, wherein providing the second fluid flow through the second fluid flow passage comprises providing a second heated fluid flow through the second fluid flow passage at a second starting temperature, and wherein the first starting temperature is greater than the second starting temperature.
An extension tool comprising:
- a plurality of sequentially arranged links moveable to a first position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links rigidly fixed to one another in the first position, the plurality of sequentially arranged links defining a first passage and a second passage, the second passage being separate from the first passage when the plurality of sequentially arranged links are rigidly fixed to one another;
- and
- a line assembly, wherein the line assembly is operable with the plurality of sequentially arranged links to move the plurality of sequentially arranged links between a slacked position and a tensioned position, the line assembly comprising
- a first line extending along a length of the plurality of sequentially arranged links to a distal end of the plurality of sequentially arranged links;
- a second line also extending along a length of the plurality of sequentially arranged links to the distal end of the plurality of sequentially arranged links, the first line being integral with the second line at the distal end;
- and
- an attachment feature attached to the first line, the second line, or both.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.