Fluid-cable transmission for remote actuation
AssigneeUTI Limited Partnership
InventorPeter Goldsmith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical transmission system that transmits motions and forces from one location to another while allowing the relative position/orientation of the two locations to change continuously is disclosed. The system can be used to actuate the joints and tooling of a robotic arm using stationary motors in the robot's base. Since the motors do not contribute any weight or inertia to the arm, this yields a lightweight and agile arm that is more human safe. The transmission includes a controller hydraulic cylinder connected to a remote cylinder by a tubing assembly, which contains hydraulic fluid, and a wire cable. The fluid transmits pushing forces between pistons of the cylinders, while the cable transmits pulling forces. The tubing assembly allows the cylinders to move in space relative to one another.
Claims18
A fluid cable transmission system comprising:
- a first cylinder comprising:
- a first cylinder housing comprising a first opening;
- a first piston slidably mounted within the first cylinder housing;
- and
- a first seal member disposed within the first cylinder housing, the first seal member and the first piston dividing the first cylinder housing into a first chamber having the first opening and a second chamber;
- a second cylinder comprising:
- a second cylinder housing comprising a second opening;
- a second piston slidably mounted within the second cylinder housing;
- and
- a second seal member disposed within the second cylinder housing, the second seal member and the second piston dividing the second cylinder housing into a third chamber having the second opening and a fourth chamber;
- a tubing assembly connecting the first opening and the second opening thereby placing the first and third chambers in fluid communication;
- and
- a cable connecting the first and second pistons through the tubing assembly;
- wherein the first and second seal members prevent fluid in the first and third chambers from entering the second and fourth chambers respectively.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.