Electric clamp
US6585246B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB25B5/16
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electrically powered clamp has a housing, a motor attached to the housing, a ball screw driven by the motor via gears, and a linkage driven at one end by the ball screw such that the linkage rotates an output shaft attached to the other end of the linkage. The motor and gears drive the ball screw to a fully extended position to rotate the shaft to a clamped position or to a fully retracted position to rotate the shaft to an unclamped position. A built-in computer monitors and controls the clamp. The clamp can also be controlled and monitored by a remote pendant. Indicator lights on the housing and remote pendant convey clamp status information. The clamp is programmable and can memorize the clamped and unclamped positions. The clamp uses velocity and position feedback to determine appropriate drive mode. Torque monitors and timers determine if the clamp becomes stuck.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.