Pneumatically actuated bottom mounted device gripper with quick change tooling jaws

• US 20040101266A1
• Filed: 11/22/2002
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Newport Corporation (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Newport Corporation (MKS Instruments Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kardos, Victor, Rangel-Freidman, Gary, Heyler, Randy, Evans, Brian
• Application Number:
  US10/302,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20040101266A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/136
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2405 Construction of the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/061 with fluid drive B25B5/087, B25B5/122 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/163 Jaws or jaw attachments

Abstract

a gripper that can grasp an optical device. The gripper includes a jaw assembly coupled to a platform. The jaw assembly can be actuated by a fluid powered actuator to grasp a device. The fluid powered actuator may be a pneumatic cylinder. The actuator can be coupled to a pressure regulator that regulates the force exerted by the jaw assembly onto the device. The gripper may also have a speed regulator that regulates the speed of the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly may include a first jaw and a movable second jaw. The gripper jaws are coupled to the platform by fasteners in a manner that allows for interchangeability of the jaws.

Claims

1. A gripper for gripping an optical device, comprising:

a platform;

a jaw assembly coupled to said platform; and

,

a fluid powered actuator coupled to said jaw assembly.

2. The gripper of claim 1, wherein said fluid powered actuator is a pneumatic cylinder.

3. The gripper of claim 1, further comprising a pressure regulator coupled to said fluid powered actuator.

4. The gripper of claim 3, further comprising a computer coupled to said pressure regulator.

5. The gripper of claim 1, further comprising a speed regulator coupled to said jaw assembly.

6. The gripper of claim 1, wherein said jaw assembly includes a first jaw that is attached to said platform by a first fastener and a second jaw that is coupled to said fluid powered actuator by a second fastener.

7. The gripper of claim 6, wherein said first jaw has a tapered surface.

8. The gripper of claim 5, wherein said speed regulator includes a flow restrictor.

9. The gripper of claim 6, further comprising a linear bearing that couples said second jaw to said platform.

10. The gripper of claim 6, further comprising a lock coupled to said second jaw.

11. A gripper for gripping an optical device, comprising:

a platform;

gripper means for gripping the optical device; and

,

actuator means for actuating said gripper means.

12. The gripper of claim 11, wherein said actuator means includes a pneumatic cylinder.

13. The gripper of claim 11, further comprising pressure regulator means for regulating a force exerted by said gripper means.

14. The gripper of claim 13, further comprising computer means for varying the force exerted by said gripper means.

15. The gripper of claim 11, further comprising speed regulator means for regulating a speed of said gripper means.

16. The gripper of claim 11, wherein said gripper means includes a first jaw that is attached to said platform by a first fastener and a second jaw that is coupled to said actuator means by a second fastener.

17. The gripper of claim 16, wherein said first jaw has a tapered surface.

18. The gripper of claim 15, wherein said speed regulator means includes a flow restrictor.

19. The gripper of claim 16, further comprising a linear bearing that couples said second jaw to said platform.

20. The gripper of claim 16, further comprising a lock coupled to said second jaw.

21. A method for gripping an optical device, comprising:

placing an optical device adjacent to a first jaw and a second jaw;

actuating an fluid powered actuator to move the second jaw into contact with the optical device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising changing the first and second jaws.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising regulating a force exerted by the second jaw onto the optical device.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising regulating a speed at which the second jaw moves into the optical device.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising varying the force that is exerted by the second jaw.