Self-adaptive vacuum gripping system
US6644703B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T279/11
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A self-adaptive vacuum grip apparatus includes a vacuum source (51), a vacuum reservoir (54) fluidically connected to the vacuum source; a contact surface (56), and a plurality of conduits (55); where a conduit has an inlet (2) positioned on the contact surface and an outlet (3) fluidically connected to the vacuum reservoir. The conduit is provided with a plurality of fins (4, 5) mounted on the internal wall thereof arranged in two arrays substantially opposite each other. Each of the fins of the arrays, excluding the fin nearest to the inlet and the fin nearest to the outlet of the conduit, is positioned substantially opposite one of a plurality of cavities wherein opposing fin arrays are arranged asymmetrically. When fluid flows through the conduit, a plurality of vortices (6, 7) are formed within the cavities which exist at least temporarily during the flow, thus forming an aerodynamic blockage allowing a central core-flow, thus forming an aerodynamic blockage allowing a central core-flow, between the vortices and the tips of the fins suppressing the flow in a one-dimensional manner to limit the mass flow rate and maintain a substantial pressure drop withing the conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.