Systems and methods for providing vacuum valve assemblies for end effectors

An end effector for an articulated arm, said end effector comprising a valve assembly including a plurality of supply channels, each supply channel including a supply conduit, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply conduit, and a supply conduit plug,

• wherein said supply conduit is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
• wherein during use, each supply conduit is either at vacuum such that the pressure within the supply conduit is substantially at a vacuum pressure, or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum pressure because the supply conduit plug has moved to block a portion of the supply conduit;
• wherein said end effector includes a plurality of defined apertures, each of which is aligned with a respective supply conduit of said valve assembly;
• and
• wherein said plurality of defined apertures in the end effector include at least a first aperture and a second plurality of apertures, and wherein the at least the first aperture is centrally located with respect to the second plurality of apertures, and wherein the at least the first aperture is provided with a first high flow vacuum source that is higher in flow than a second vacuum source that is provided to the plurality of second apertures.

An end effector for an articulated arm, said end effector comprising a valve assembly including a plurality of supply channels, each supply channel including a supply conduit, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply conduit, and a supply conduit plug,

• wherein said supply conduit is in fluid communication with a vacuum source;
• wherein during use, each supply conduit is either at vacuum such that the pressure within the supply conduit is substantially at a vacuum pressure, or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum pressure because the supply conduit plug has moved to block a portion of the supply conduit;
• wherein said end effector includes a plurality of defined apertures, each of which is aligned with a respective supply conduit of said valve assembly;
• and
• wherein said plurality of defined apertures in the end effector include at least a first aperture and a second plurality of apertures, and wherein the at least the first aperture is centrally located with respect to the second plurality of apertures, and wherein the at least the first aperture is provided with a plurality of first apertures that are commonly in communication with a first vacuum source.