Selectively Compliant Clamp

• US 20140250675A1
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Sherrill, Paul, Hanisko, Ned
• Granted Patent: US 9,463,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/559
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/063 for holding turbine blades
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/064 for holding elongated workpieces, e.g. pipes, bars or profiles
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/065 for holding workpieces being specially deformable, e.g. made from thin-walled or elastic material
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/082 hydraulically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 3/088 using vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49998 Work holding

Abstract

A clamp has a base and a first selectively compliant component carried by the base, the first selectively compliant component being selectively operable between a substantially compliant state and a substantially rigid state.

Claims

1. A clamp, comprising:

a base; and

a first selectively compliant component carried by the base, the first selectively compliant component being selectively operable between a substantially compliant state and a substantially rigid state;

wherein when the selectively compliant component is operated in the substantially compliant state, the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively assume a first profile in response to forces being applied to an exterior surface of the selectively compliant component while the selectively compliant component selectively opposes the forces being applied to the exterior surface of the selectively compliant component with reactionary forces;

wherein when the selectively compliant component is operated in the substantially rigid state, the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively maintain the first profile;

wherein the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively return to the substantially compliant state; and

wherein the selectively compliant component is configured to transition between the substantially compliant state and the substantially rigid state without substantially altering the reactionary forces.

2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first selectively compliant component comprises a bladder.

3. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the selectively compliant component comprises an aggregate material disposed within the bladder.

4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein the aggregate material comprises spherical beads.

5. The clamp of claim 4, further comprising a vacuum hose connected to the bladder.

6. The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a jaw movably connected to the base.

7. The clamp of claim 6, further comprising a second selectively compliant component carried by the jaw, the second selectively compliant component being selectively operable between a substantially compliant state and a substantially rigid state.

8. The clamp of claim 7, further comprising a fastener connected to each of the base and the jaw, wherein when the fastener is connected to each of the base and the jaw and wherein the jaw is at least partially restrained from moving relative to the base.

9. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the first selectively compliant component is configured to transition between the substantially compliant state and the substantially rigid state in response to an electrical supply supplied to the first selectively compliant component.

10. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the base is registered relative to a datum.

11. A workpiece retention system, comprising:

a table;

a first selectively compliant clamp connected to the table; and

a second selectively compliant clamp connected to the table;

wherein at least one of the first selectively compliant clamp and the second selectively compliant clamp comprise a selectively compliant component selectively operable between a substantially compliant state and a substantially rigid state;

wherein when the selectively compliant component is operated in the substantially compliant state, the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively assume a first profile in response to forces being applied to an exterior surface of the selectively compliant component while the selectively compliant component selectively opposes the forces being applied to the exterior surface of the selectively compliant component with reactionary forces;

wherein when the selectively compliant component is operated in the substantially rigid state, the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively maintain the first profile;

wherein the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively return to the substantially compliant state; and

wherein the selectively compliant component is configured to transition between the substantially compliant state and the substantially rigid state without substantially altering the reactionary forces.

12. The workpiece retention system of claim 11, further comprising a vacuum source selectively connected to the selectively compliant component.

13. The workpiece retention system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first selectively compliant clamp and the second selectively compliant clamp are configured to receive a workpiece comprising a flexible component of a helicopter rotor system.

14. The workpiece retention system of claim 11, wherein the selectively compliant component is configured to transition between the substantially compliant state and the substantially rigid state in response to an electrical supply.

15. The workpiece retention system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first selectively compliant clamp and the second selectively compliant clamp are registered relative to a datum.

16. The workpiece retention system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first selectively compliant clamp and the second selectively compliant clamp comprise a bladder comprising spherical beads disposed within the bladder.

17. The workpiece retention system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first selectively compliant clamp and the second selectively compliant clamp comprise a pair of opposing selectively compliant components.

18. A method of restraining a workpiece, comprising:

providing a selectively compliant clamp comprising a selectively compliant component;

at least partially enveloping a workpiece with the selectively compliant component; and

without substantially altering forces applied to the workpiece from the selectively compliant component, transitioning the selectively compliant component from a compliant state to a relatively less compliant state;

wherein when the selectively compliant component is operated in the compliant state, the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively assume a first profile in response to force being applied to an exterior surface of the selectively compliant component by the workpiece;

wherein when the selectively compliant component is operated in the relatively less compliant state, the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively maintain the first profile; and

wherein the selectively compliant component is configured to selectively return to the compliant state.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the enveloping the workpiece comprises pressing the selectively compliant component against the workpiece to deform the selectively compliant component without substantially deforming the workpiece.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the selectively compliant component comprises a bladder containing a plurality of spheres and is configured to interface with workpiece, and wherein the transitioning the selectively compliant component from the compliant state to the relatively less compliant state comprises altering a pressure within the bladder.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the transitioning the selectively compliant component from the compliant state to the relatively less compliant state comprises altering an electrical supply to the selectively compliant component.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising registering the workpiece relative to a datum.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising fastening a base of the selectively compliant clamp to a jaw of the selectively compliant clamp, wherein the jaw is pivotally attached to the base.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising machining the workpiece.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the relatively less compliant state comprises a substantially rigid state.

26. The method of claim 18, wherein the workpiece comprises a rotor blade.