Systems and methods for providing vacuum valve assemblies for end effectors

US9999977B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Berkshire Grey, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Thomas Wagner · Concord, US
• Daniel Smith · Pittsburgh, US
• Siddhartha Srinivasa · Seattle, US
• Prasanna Velagapudi · Pittsburgh, US
• Thomas Allen · Reading, US
• Kevin Ahearn · Nebo, US
• Michael Dawson-Haggerty · Pittsburgh, US
• Christopher Geyer · Arlington, US
• Thomas Koletschka · Cambridge, US
• Kyle Maroney · Dodgeville, US
• Matthew T. Mason · Pittsburgh, US
• Gene Temple Price · Cambridge, US
• Joseph Romano · Arlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 26, 2016
• Grant date: Jun 19, 2018
• Expiry date: Aug 26, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G47/91
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An end effector is disclosed for an articulated arm. The end effector includes a valve assembly including a plurality of supply channels, each supply channel including a supply conduit, a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply conduit, and a supply conduit plug. The supply conduit is in fluid communication with a vacuum source. During use, each supply conduit is either at vacuum such that the pressure within the supply conduit is substantially at a vacuum pressure, or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum pressure because the supply conduit plug has moved to block a portion of the supply conduit. The pressure sensor of each supply conduit provides a pressure sensor signal responsive to whether the pressure in the conduit is either substantially at vacuum or is at a pressure that is substantially higher than vacuum.