US 6,557,452 B1Granted

Valve and position control system integrable with clamp

AssigneeNorgren Automotive, Inc.

InventorsWayne D. Morroney, Timothy E. Wheeler

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Abstract

A valve and position control system integrable with a clamp having at least one clamp arm moveable between a clamped position and a released position in response to movement of an actuator between first and second end limits of travel controlled by differential fluid pressure in first and second chambers located on opposite sides of the actuator. The system allows selective setting of at least one of the clamped position and the released position at an actuator position between the first and second end limits of travel of the actuator. The system selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator moves between the first and second end limits of travel. Preferably, the system also selectively controls the speed of actuator movement as the actuator approaches at least one of the first and second end limits of travel to provide a soft touch clamp action. The system selectively adjusts pressurized fluid within the first and second chambers independent of one another.

Claims56

Dependent claims

An integrable valve and position control system for a clamp having a main housing, a hollow cylinder having a first end and a second end mounted within said main housing, a piston movable between a first end position and a second end position within said hollow cylinder, a rod connected to said piston and protruding from said second end of said hollow cylinder defining a full bore area and an annulus area on opposite sides of said piston within said hollow cylinder, a linkage assembly coupled to said rod and mounted within said main housing, a shaft rotatably connected to said linkage assembly, a clamp arm fixedly mounted on said shaft outside of said main housing, means for sensing the position of said clamp arm, means for sensing the air pressure within said hollow cylinder, said integrable valve and position control system comprising:

a complementary housing integrable with said main housing of said clamp, said complementary housing having an air supply port, an exhaust port, and an electronic interface port;
a first direction control valve having three ports and two positions, said first direction control valve capable of selectively and pneumatically connecting said full bore area of said hollow cylinder to one of said air supply port and said exhaust port, said first direction control valve mounted within said complementary housing;
a second direction control valve having three ports and two positions, said second direction control valve capable of selectively and pneumatically connecting said annulus area of said hollow cylinder to one of said air supply port and said exhaust port, said second direction control valve mounted within said complementary housing;
first means for pneumatically piloting said first direction control valve, said first pneumatic piloting means mounted within said complementary housing;
second means for pneumatically piloting said second direction control valve, said second pneumatic piloting means mounted within said complementary housing;
and
an electronic control circuit mounted within said complementary housing, said electronic control circuit electrically connected to said first pneumatic piloting means, said second pneumatic piloting means, and said electronic interface port, said electronic control circuit electrically connectible to said clamp arm position sensing means and to said air pressure sensing means.

4 more elements

A valve system for controlling an actuator including a piston movable within a housing and defining first and second chambers, the valve system comprising:

first means for selectively controlling a flow of a first fluid stream relative to the first chamber, first controlling means having a three-way valve in fluid communication with the first chamber movable between a first position and a second position to expand and contract the first chamber respectively;
second means for selectively controlling a flow of a second fluid stream relative to the second chamber, second controlling means having a second three-way valve in fluid communication the second chamber movable between a third position and a fourth position to expand and contract the second chamber respectively, the first and second controlling means operable to control the first and second fluid streams independent of one another;
a clamp member movable along a path between a clamped position and a released position in response to movement of the piston;
and
an electronic control circuit operably associated with the actuator for sensing at least one position of the clamp member along the path with a first sensor, and for sensing a fluid pressure internal with respect to at least one of the first and second chambers with a second sensor.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/614,954Filed 12 Jul 2000 · us provisional application
Priority: 16 Jul 1999
Granted: 6 May 2003
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

B25B 5/061
Arrangements for positively actuating jaws: with fluid drive
F15B 11/048
Depending on the position of the working member: with deceleration control
F15B 13/0431
With electrically-controlled pilot valves: the electrical control resulting in an on-off function
F15B 15/202
Other details , e.g. assembly with regulating devices: externally-operated valves mounted in or on the actuator