Manipulator
First Claim
1. A manipulator including a slave arm comprising, a support means defining a first pivotal connection;
- an upper arm portion of the slave arm arranged to be supported by the first pivotal connection at an intermediate position along the length of the upper arm portion, and defining a second pivotal connection at one end of the upper arm portion and defining a movable connection at or near the other end of the upper arm portion, the axes of the first and of the second pivotal connection being substantially parallel;
a forearm portion of the slave arm connected at one end to the second pivotal connection;
pivoting means connected to the movable connection for pivoting the upper arm portion about the first pivotal connection, and drive means for moving the pivoting means;
the distances of the second pivotal connection and of the movable connection from the first pivotal connection being variable but such that the ratio of the distances between the first and the second pivotal connections and between the first pivotal connection and the movable connection, is maintained substantially constant, and the slave arm being arranged so that pivotal movement of the upper arm portion about the first pivotal connection produces pivotal movement of the forearm portion about the second pivotal connection through the same angle as the pivotal movement of the upper arm portion but in the reverse direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A manipulator for remote handling in a hostile environment 14, has a slave arm 10 comprising an upper arm 30, a forearm 52 and a jaw mechanism 60. The upper arm 30 is pivotally suspended from a shoulder support 20 and is telescopically extendible such that straight line motion of the forearm 52 is readily obtained. In addition the forearm 52 is arranged to pivot relative to the upper arm 30 through the same angle as the upper arm 30 but in the opposite sense such that the forearm 52 maintains a constant orientation when the upper arm 30 pivots. All the motions of the slave arm 10 may be controlled through mechanical linkages from a drive unit 18 situated outside the hostile environment 14, and extending through shielding 13 into the environment 14.
70 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A manipulator including a slave arm comprising, a support means defining a first pivotal connection;
- an upper arm portion of the slave arm arranged to be supported by the first pivotal connection at an intermediate position along the length of the upper arm portion, and defining a second pivotal connection at one end of the upper arm portion and defining a movable connection at or near the other end of the upper arm portion, the axes of the first and of the second pivotal connection being substantially parallel;
a forearm portion of the slave arm connected at one end to the second pivotal connection;
pivoting means connected to the movable connection for pivoting the upper arm portion about the first pivotal connection, and drive means for moving the pivoting means;
the distances of the second pivotal connection and of the movable connection from the first pivotal connection being variable but such that the ratio of the distances between the first and the second pivotal connections and between the first pivotal connection and the movable connection, is maintained substantially constant, and the slave arm being arranged so that pivotal movement of the upper arm portion about the first pivotal connection produces pivotal movement of the forearm portion about the second pivotal connection through the same angle as the pivotal movement of the upper arm portion but in the reverse direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- an upper arm portion of the slave arm arranged to be supported by the first pivotal connection at an intermediate position along the length of the upper arm portion, and defining a second pivotal connection at one end of the upper arm portion and defining a movable connection at or near the other end of the upper arm portion, the axes of the first and of the second pivotal connection being substantially parallel;
Specification