Test head vertical support system
AssigneeinTEST Corporation
InventorsSteven CROWELL, Charles Nappen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A manipulator for translating a load along an axis of translation is provided. The manipulator comprises an outer column and a telescoping column positioned adjacent the outer column. The telescoping column is attached to the load and configured to translate the load along the axis of translation. At least one guiding member is mounted between the outer column and the telescoping column, wherein the guiding member is configured to guide the telescoping column as the telescoping column translates along the axis of translation.
Claims41
A load positioning system for translating a load along an axis of translation, said load positioning system comprising:
- a support coupled to said load;
- a fluidly operated piston configured to drive said support along said axis of translation;
- a regulator unit configured to control a pressure of a primary fluid delivered to said fluidly operated piston, said regulator unit receiving a first supply of fluid and a second supply of fluid;
- and
- a control unit configured to control a pressure of said second supply of fluid to said regulator, wherein increasing the pressure of said second supply of fluid causes said pressure of said primary fluid to be increased and said support to move in a first direction, decreasing the pressure of said second supply of fluid causes said pressure of said primary fluid to be decreased and said support to move in the opposite direction, and maintaining the pressure of said second supply of fluid at a constant pressure substantially maintains the position of said support along said axis of translation.
A load positioning system for translating a load along an axis of translation, said load positioning system comprising:
- a support coupled to said load;
- a fluidly operated piston configured to drive said support along said axis of translation;
- a regulator unit configured to control a pressure of primary fluid delivered to the fluidly operated piston;
- and
- a control unit configured to control a pressure of a secondary supply of fluid, wherein increasing said pressure of said secondary supply of fluid causes an operating force at said fluidly operated piston to be modified and said support to move in a first direction, decreasing said pressure of said secondary supply of fluid causes said operating force to be oppositely modified and said support to move in an opposite direction, and maintaining the pressure of said secondary supply of fluid at a constant pressure substantially maintains the position or speed of said support along said axis of translation.
A load positioning system for translating a load along an axis of translation, said load positioning system comprising:
- a support coupled to said load;
- an actuator configured to drive said support along said axis of translation;
- and
- a fluidly operated brake lock configured to substantially lock the position of the actuator upon engagement of the lock, wherein the brake lock is further configured to sense when the load is unbalanced and prevent disengagement of the lock when the load is unbalanced.
A method of balancing a load supported on a load positioning system comprising a support coupled to said load;
- a fluidly operated piston configured to drive said support along said axis of translation;
- and a fluidly operated brake lock configured to substantially lock the position of the piston upon engagement of the lock, wherein the brake lock is further configured to sense and indicate when the load is unbalanced and prevent disengagement of the lock when the load is unbalanced, comprising the steps of:
- observing an indication of an unbalanced load;
- and
- adjusting an operating force on said fluidly operated piston until an unbalanced load is no longer indicated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.