Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for coupling an end effector to a structure

US10001245B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

9References

17Claims

0Family size

Assignee

The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

David Michael Bain · Parramatta, AU
Phillip John Crothers · Melbourne, AU
Ashleigh Raoul Nesbit · Williamstown, AU

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 8, 2014
Grant date	Jun 19, 2018
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 26, 2035

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB64F5/00
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A base assembly for coupling an end effector to a structure includes a first side and an opposite second side. The first side configured to couple to the end effector. The base assembly also includes at least one cavity disposed on the second side, and at least one pneumatic generator coupled in flow communication with the at least one cavity. The at least one pneumatic generator is operable in a suction mode and a blower mode. The second side having the at least one cavity is securely coupleable to a surface of the structure via a vacuum force induced by the at least one pneumatic generator in the suction mode, and the second side having the at least one cavity is movable substantially frictionlessly across the surface via an air cushion induced by the at least one pneumatic generator in the blower mode.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.