Aerogripper apparatus, system, and methods
AssigneeThe North Face Apparel Corp.
InventorsDEMITRI BALABANOV, DEWAYNE STEWARD
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus may comprise a curved surface; a fluid outlet disposed to cause a fluid to move adjacent the curved surface; a sensor configured to detect a material disposed adjacent the curved surface; and a clamp configured to actuate based on detection, via the sensor, of a material disposed adjacent the curved surface, wherein the clamp is further configured to secure the material to the curved surface upon activation.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a curved surface;
- a fluid outlet disposed to cause fluid flow adjacent the curved surface;
- a sensor configured to detect a material disposed adjacent the curved surface;
- and
- a clamp configured to actuate based on detection, via the sensor, of a material disposed adjacent the curved surface, wherein the clamp is further configured to secure the material to the curved surface upon activation.
A method for destacking at least one ply from a stack of material plies, the method comprising:
- securing a stack of material plies;
- generating an aerodynamic lift adjacent an uppermost ply of the stack of material plies;
- and
- activating, based on sensing a lifting of the uppermost ply, a clamp to secure the uppermost ply of material to a curved surface.
A system for destacking at least one ply from a stack of material plies, the system comprising:
- a main body;
- a curved body mounted to the main body, the curved body further comprising a curved surface;
- a fluid inlet disposed on a first side of the main body to receive a fluid;
- a plurality of fluid outlets connected, via one or more channels, to the fluid inlet, configured to cause a fluid to move adjacent the curved surface;
- a sensor configured to detect a material disposed adjacent the curved surface;
- and
- a clamp configured to actuate based on detection, via the sensor, of a material disposed adjacent the curved surface, wherein the clamp is further configured to secure the material to the curved surface upon activation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.