Gripper mechanism
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsClaire Allison, Peter Bindin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gripper mechanism for moving an object having a surface cavity, the gripper mechanism comprising an actuation end moveable in an axial direction and a rotary body. A first mechanism is configured such that movement of the actuation end in an axial direction rotates the rotary body. A gripper is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position the gripper is capable of engaging an object and in the disengaged position the gripper is capable of being received into and removed from a cavity of an object. The gripper is connected to the rotary body by a second mechanism. The second mechanism is configured such that rotary motion of the body moves the gripper between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
Claims19
A gripper mechanism for moving an object having a surface cavity, the gripper mechanism comprising:
- an actuation end moveable in an axial direction;
- a rotary body;
- a first mechanism configured such that movement of the actuation end in an axial direction rotates the rotary body;
- a gripper moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the gripper is capable of engaging an object and in the disengaged position the gripper is capable of being received into and removed from a cavity of an object,
- wherein the gripper is connected to the rotary body by a second mechanism configured such that rotary motion of the body moves the gripper between the engaged position and the disengaged position;
- and
- a latching arrangement comprising an internal latch enclosed within the gripper mechanism, wherein:
- the latching arrangement is configured to prevent the gripper moving from the engaged to the disengaged position before the actuation end is moved by a predetermined distance;
- and
- the latching arrangement is configured such that axial movement of the actuation end in a direction opposite to a desired direction of motion of the gripper mechanism at least partially unlatches the latching arrangement.
A gripper mechanism for moving an object having a surface cavity, the gripper mechanism comprising:
- an actuation end moveable in an axial direction;
- a rotary body;
- a first mechanism configured such that movement of the actuation end in an axial direction rotates the rotary body;
- a gripper moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the gripper is capable of engaging an object and in the disengaged position the gripper is capable of being received into and removed from a cavity of an object,
- wherein the gripper is connected to the rotary body by a second mechanism configured such that rotary motion of the body moves the gripper between the engaged position and the disengaged position;
- a latching arrangement configured to prevent the gripper moving from the engaged to the disengaged position before the actuation end is moved by a predetermined distance,
- wherein the latching arrangement comprises an external latch and at least a portion of the external latch is positioned external to a volume defined by a remainder of the gripper mechanism such that the latch can be actuated by a component external to the gripper mechanism;
- and
- a housing wherein the external latch comprises one or more latch arms engageable with the housing.
A gripper mechanism for moving an object having a surface cavity, the gripper mechanism comprising:
- an actuation end moveable in an axial direction;
- a rotary body;
- a first mechanism configured such that movement of the actuation end in an axial direction rotates the rotary body;
- a gripper moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein in the engaged position the gripper is capable of engaging an object and in the disengaged position the gripper is capable of being received into and removed from a cavity of an object,
- wherein the gripper is connected to the rotary body by a second mechanism configured such that rotary motion of the body moves the gripper between the engaged position and the disengaged position, and the gripper is configured such that in the engaged position at least a portion of the gripper is positioned more radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the gripper mechanism than in the disengaged position;
- and
- a guide plate at a position axially beneath the gripper, wherein the guide plate is configured to guide the gripper between the engaged and the disengaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.