Gripper comprising a resetable snap-band and method of use
AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.
InventorMarc CHRISTENSEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two objects can be connected, e.g., in space, by maneuvering a gripper proximate a target which may be in space, commanding the snap-band controller to move the snap-band into its open position, maneuvering the gripper to a further position closer to the target to where the controllable snap-band, when closed, at least partially encircles the target, and commanding the snap-band controller to move the controllable snap-band into its closed position to at least partially encircle and capture the target. The gripper comprises a controllable snap-band comprising a selectable open position and closed position which is disposed about an external surface of a housing.
Claims20
A gripper, comprising:
- a) a housing;
- b) a power supply disposed at least partially within the housing;
- c) a controllable snap-band comprising a selectable, controllable open position and selectable, controllable closed position, the controllable snap-band disposed about and extending from an external surface of the housing;
- and
- d) a snap-band controller disposed at least partially within the housing, the snap-band controller operatively connected to the power supply and operatively connected to the controllable snap-band, the snap-band controller operative to selectively move the snap-band between the snap-band's open position and the snap-band's closed position.
A method of connecting two objects in space, comprising:
- a) maneuvering a gripper proximate a target, the gripper comprising:
- i) a housing;
- ii) a power supply disposed at least partially within the housing;
- iii) a controllable snap-band comprising a selectable open position and closed position, the controllable snap-band disposed about an external surface of the housing;
- and
- iv) a snap-band controller disposed at least partially within the housing, the snap-band controller operatively connected to the power supply and operatively connected to the controllable snap-band, the snap-band controller operative to selectively move the snap-band between the open position and the closed position;
- b) commanding the snap-band controller to move the snap-band into its open position;
- c) maneuvering the gripper to a further position closer to the target to where the controllable snap-band, when closed, at least partially encircles the target;
- and
- d) commanding the snap-band controller to move the controllable snap-band into its closed position to at least partially encircle and capture the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.