Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Utilizing fluid pressure – By positive fluid stream directed against article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-11-13
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 2167)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Utilizing fluid pressure
By positive fluid stream directed against article
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315342
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to automatic part-feeding. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for using pressurized gas to automatically feed and transport parts having open internal geometries.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain operations of an assembly line, such as resistance welding operations, require the automatic transportation and positioning of certain parts, such as pipe couplers, that have open internal geometries onto a workpiece. Typically, such parts are transported using a vacuum that holds the parts in place in the tip of the vacuum tube. The vacuum is constantly maintained on the part until it is correctly positioned onto the workpiece.
This method, however, requires expensive equipment, such as vacuum pumps and piping, to draw sufficient vacuum on the part. The piping along the line must be monitored continuously to ensure that there is no loss of vacuum pressure due to leaks throughout the system. To maintain the vacuum, pump motors need to be running for extensive periods of time during the operation. This increases the heat and wear on the pump motors and could lead to malfunctioning. Thus, the use of vacuum increases maintenance costs for the assembly line and is often a source of downtime due to system leaks and failures of vacuum pump motors. Additionally, the geometry of the part is critical because the vacuum can be lost due to variations in the part dimensions. This increases the cost of such parts because tighter tolerances must be maintained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies these needs in the art by providing apparatus for using pressurized gas to automatically feed and transport parts having open internal geometries. A tip having a hollow interior is installed onto an end of a pressurized gas hose. The tip has one or more holes extending from the interior portion of the tip to its exterior surface. The tip is inserted into or through a part having an open internal geometry. To hold the part in place, pressurized gas, such as air, flows in a first direction into the interior portion of the tip, and exits the tip, through the holes, in a direction having a vector component substantially opposite to the direction of the incoming flow. The part is thereby forced in a direction opposite the incoming flow, and held against one or more part rests by the pressurized air exiting the tip. When flow of air into the tip is stopped, the part can be dropped into place via gravity, or forced off the tip via a second stream of pressurized air in an opposing direction.
Thus, apparatus according to the invention comprise a pressurized air supply conduit having a tip, wherein the tip has a plurality of holes that extend from an interior portion of the tip to an exterior surface thereof The holes are disposed around the tip in a configuration such that air flowing in a first direction into the interior portion of the tip exits through the holes in a second direction that has a vector component substantially opposite to the first direction. The tip can also have one or more part rests, such as stop pins, ledge, rim or similar devices, that extend from the exterior surface of the tip so that a part through which or into which the tip is inserted can be held against the part rests by the air exiting from the holes.
Similarly, a method according to the invention comprises inserting such a tip into or through a part having an open internal geometry, directing an air flow into the tip in a first direction, whereby the air flow exits the tip through the holes in a second direction having a vector component substantially opposite the first direction, thus holding the part in place against one or more part rests. The method also includes moving the part to a desired location and removing the air flow, thereby releasing the part.
The present invention reduces manufacturing costs in several respects. First, the facility costs associated with the delivery of a pressurized gas such as air in comparison to vacuum are substantially reduced. Second, air delivery systems are more reliable and require less maintenance than vacuum transport systems thereby minimizing assembly line down time. Lastly, unlike vacuum systems, component part complexity is not critical in air delivery systems. Therefore, component part tolerances can be more relaxed and part costs can subsequently be reduced.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention. In the drawings, like reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views. It is to be understood that various elements of the drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the invention such as its application to other methods of automated part transport, feed, and delivery systems will be apparent from the following Detailed Description and the accompanying drawings.
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Website address: www.funkandwagnalls.com/encyclopedia/low/articles/b/b003001158f.html Bernoulli's Principle. (1 page) (Dec. 15, 1999.
Website address: www.cord.edu/dept/physics/p128/lecture98_29.html “Fluid Dynamics,” Physics 128 Lecture, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN—based on work by A. Aarons and E. Mazur. Some material fromPeer Instruction: A User Guideby E. Mazur. Web Page last revised, Nov. 1998. (3 pages).
Website address: www.maths.unsw.edu.au/metweb/rm124/a611
ode2.html Equations From Physics [Mar. 15, 1995]-5 pages (Dec. 15, 1999).
ABB T&D Technology Ltd.
Kramer Dean J.
Woodcock & Washburn
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