Adaptive apparatus and system for automated handling of components

US10773902B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Dragan Filipovic · Garching bei München, DE
• Sultan Shair · Ismaning, DE
• Mathias Ernst Messmer · Lenggries, DE
• Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove · Bad Abbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 22, 2016
• Grant date: Sep 15, 2020
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05D2300/6033
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Various adaptive apparatus and systems for automated handling of components such as composite plies are provided. In one embodiment, a ply manipulation tool module is provided that comprises a first shuttle including a first gripper and a first clamping element, and a second shuttle including a second gripper and a second clamping element. The first and second shuttles move with respect to one another along a path to position the first and second grippers to grip a ply and to position the first and second clamping elements outside the ply. In a particular embodiment, the ply manipulation tool module includes a lead screw and nut assemblies, the nut assemblies moving along the lead screw to position one or more grippers for gripping components. Ply manipulation tool assemblies comprising at least two modules also are provided.