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Adaptive load-clamping system

  • US 6,390,751 B2
  • Filed: 03/28/2001
  • Issued: 05/21/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A load-handling clamp having selectively closable and openable load-engaging surfaces for selectively gripping and releasing a load positioned between said surfaces, said clamp comprising:

  • (a) at least one fluid power actuator connected to at least one of said surfaces for selectively closing said surfaces relative to each other to grip said load;

    (b) at least one fluid valve assembly connected to said actuator for variably regulating the maximum fluid pressure causing said actuator to close said surfaces relative to each other;

    (c) an electrical controller connected to said valve assembly automatically operable, in response to the weight of said load, to cause said valve assembly to increase said maximum fluid pressure variably in relation to the magnitude of said weight;

    (d) an elongate, longitudinally-extensible lifting mechanism for lifting said load to enable said load to be weighed, said lifting mechanism supporting the weight of said load longitudinally by means of at least one reactive force in said mechanism which is variably dependent upon the longitudinally-extensible position of said mechanism;

    (e) said controller being operable to sense the magnitude of said reactive force and to determine therefrom the magnitude of said weight of said load independently of changes in said longitudinally-extensible position of said mechanism effective to vary said reactive force.

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