Ninh K Nguyen

US Patent:

60768754, Jun 20, 2000

Filed:

Sep 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/397987

Inventors:

Edward A. Neff - Rancho Santa Fe CA
Hans Portegies - Temecula CA
Toan Vu - San Diego CA
Tomas T. Simunovic - Vista CA
Ninh Nguyen - Vista CA

Assignee:

Systems, Machines, Automation Components, Corporation - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

B25J 1508
B25J 1902

US Classification:

294 88

Abstract:

The, present invention is a gripper for use in combination with a machine for repositioning a component. Structurally, the present invention includes a housing formed with a chamber. A fixed-pole housing magnet is positioned inside of the chamber. A pair of grips are slidingly mounted for movement relative to the housing. Each grip is partially contained in the chamber and partially projects from the housing. An electromagnetic coil is attached to each grip. Functionally, the gripper is positioned with an assembly component between the grips. A separate electric current is then passed through each of the electromagnetic coils mounted on each of the respective grips. The electric current causes each electromagnetic coil to generate a magnetic field which interacts with the housing magnet. The interaction between the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnetic coils and the housing magnet creates a force on each grip, causing each grip to move translationally to hold, or squeeze, the component. The machine may then be utilized to reposition the gripper and the component.