Method and device for positioning a workpiece
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRobert Dixon, Jon Buckmiller, Richard Irvine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for positioning a workpiece includes a socket body rotatably held on a metallic ball by an array of permanent magnets arranged into a partial socket. An air delivery system controls a flow of air passing between the magnets and the ball to alter the friction between the socket body and the ball. A positive flow of air into the socket reduces the friction, allowing the workpiece to be more easily rotated during repositioning, whereas drawing air away from the socket produces a partial vacuum which increases the friction, causing the socket body to be locked in a single position on the ball.
Claims20
A device for positioning an object such as a part, comprising:
- a body adapted to mount the object thereon;
- an array of magnets carried on the body and spatially arranged to comprise at least a partial socket;
- a ball at least partially rotatable within the socket, said ball formed of material magnetically attracted to the magnets, said socket defined by a concave surface adjacent an outer spherical surface of said ball, said socket moveable around an outer spherical surface of said ball;
- and,
- an air delivery system adapted to create a flow of pressurized air to a space at an interface between the socket and the ball in order to selectively change friction between the magnets and the ball during rotation.
A device for positioning an object such as a part, comprising:
- a body having a first side adapted to mount the object thereon;
- an array of magnets carried on a second side of the body and spatially arranged to comprise at least a partial socket;
- a ball at least partially rotatable within the socket, said ball formed of material magnetically attracted to the magnets, said socket defined by a concave surface adjacent an outer spherical surface of said ball;
- a support fixed to said ball;
- wherein said socket is moveable around said outer spherical surface of said ball limited only by said support;
- and,
- an air delivery system adapted to create a flow of pressurized air to a space at an interface between the socket and the ball in order to selectively change friction between the magnets and the ball during rotation.
A device for positioning an object such as a part, comprising:
- a body having a first side adapted to mount the object thereon;
- an array of magnets carried on a second side of the body and spatially arranged to comprise at least a partial socket;
- a ball at least partially rotatable within the socket, said ball formed of material magnetically attracted to the magnets, said socket defined by a concave surface adjacent to an outer spherical surface of said ball, wherein one end of each of said magnets is adjacent to and conforms to said outer spherical surface of said ball;
- a support fixed to said ball;
- wherein said socket is moveable around said outer spherical surface of said ball limited only by said support;
- and,
- an air delivery system adapted to create a flow of pressurized air to a space at an interface between the socket and the ball in order to selectively change friction between the magnets and the ball during rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.