Pole inserting robotic mechanism for accessing the interior of a harsh enclosure

US5979340A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System · US

Inventors

• Carl Thomas Michael Haas · Austin, US
• Sidigata V. Sreenivasan · Austin, US
• Alfred Ellis Traver · Austin, US
• Kamel Shawki Saidi · Austin, US
• Jongwon Seo · Austin, US
• Richard L. Greer · Spring, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 5, 1998
• Grant date: Nov 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Jun 5, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S414/122
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A robotic mechanism which can be attached to a furnace hopper and includes a frame which supports a pole insertion mechanism for inserting a pole into a furnace hopper. The pole insertion mechanism is supported from the Fame by a gimbal and moves the pole axially. Hydraulic actuators rotate the pole insertion mechanism about the gimbal. A control system is associated with the mechanism and enables an operator to position the end of the pole within the hopper to remove clinkers.