Non-contact actuator
AssigneeHall Processing Systems
InventorsTimothy Beight, Richard Grabowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A non-contact actuator assembly for a newspaper gripper includes a magnet disposed on a gripper release arm. The release arm passes beneath an electromagnet disposed adjacent the workpath of the gripper. The position of the gripper is sensed and a suitable signal provided to an associated voltage supply. A pulse width modulated voltage quickly and effectively induces a magnetic field in the electromagnet as the magnet in the release arm passes thereby and the magnetic field collapses quickly so as not to actuate the next gripper. The magnetic field urges the release arm to an actuated position so that opposed clamping jaws of the gripper open to release a gripped sheet product.
Claims21
A non-contact actuator comprising:
- a gripper having first and second clamping jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, said gripper adapted to selectively receive an associated sheet product between said clamping jaws;
- means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for moving said first clamping jaw toward said closed position with said second clamping jaw;
- means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for releasing said clamping jaws from said closed position to an open position;
- and,
- magnetic means operatively associated with said releasing means for actuating said clamping jaws to said release position.
A gripper assembly comprising:
- first and second clamping jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, said clamping jaws adapted to selectively receive an associated sheet product therebetween;
- means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for advancing said first clamping jaw toward said second clamping jaw;
- and
- releasing means operatively associated with said clamping jaws for selectively releasing said jaws from a closed position to an open position, said releasing means including means mounted and adapted for magnetically interacting with an associated actuator.
A non-contact actuator assembly comprising:
- a gripper having first and second clamping jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, said gripper adapted to selectively receive an associated sheet product between said clamping jaws;
- means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for moving said first clamping jaw toward said closed position with said second clamping jaw;
- means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for releasing said clamping jaws from said closed position to an open position;
- magnetic means operatively associated with said releasing means for actuating said clamping jaws from said closed position;
- and,
- means for sensing the position of said gripper traveling toward said magnetic actuating means.
A non-contact actuator assembly comprising:
- a gripper having first and second clamping jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, said gripper adapted to selectively receive an associated sheet product between said clamping jaws;
- means operatively associated with said clamping jaws for moving said first clamping jaw toward said closed position with said second clamping jaw;
- means operatively associated with said clamping jaws for releasing said clamping jaws from said closed position;
- magnetic means operatively associated with said releasing means for actuating said clamping jaws from said closed position, said magnetic actuating means including a first magnet secured to said releasing means and a second magnet disposed along a path of travel of said gripper for magnetically interacting with said first magnet, and
- means for sensing the position of said gripper traveling toward said magnetic actuating means.
A non-contact actuator assembly comprising:
- a gripper having first and second clamping jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, said gripper adapted to selectively receive an associated sheet product between said clamping jaws;
- means operatively associated with said clamping jaws for moving said first clamping jaw toward said closed position with said second clamping jaw;
- means operatively associated with said clamping jaws for releasing said clamping jaws from said closed position;
- magnetic means operatively associated with said releasing means for actuating said clamping jaws from said closed, said magnetic actuating means including a first magnet defined on said releasing means and an electromagnet disposed along a travel path of said gripper;
- and
- means for sensing the position of said gripper traveling toward said magnetic actuating means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.