546 results about "Cable driven" patented technology

Closure systems for applying a closure motion to an anvil assembly of a surgical instrument. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a cable drive knife assembly and the anvil assembly thereof is moved to a closed position when contacted by a closure tube assembly that has a pushing force applied thereto. Other embodiments include closure systems that may be actuated by rotary motion. Various lockable articulation joints are also disclosed.

A novel mechanical system, based on a new cable driven mechanical transmission, able to provide sufficient dexterity, stiffness, speed, precision and payload capacity to actuate multi-DOF micro-manipulators. Besides the possibility of being used in several articulated surgical instruments and robotic systems for surgery or other applications involving remote manipulation, it enables the design of a novel fully mechanical surgical instrument, which offer the advantages of conventional laparoscopy (low cost, tactile feedback, high payload capacity) combined with the advantages of single port surgery (single incision, scarless surgery, navigation through several quadrants of the abdominal cavity) and robotic surgery (greater degrees of freedom, short learning curve, high stiffness, high precision, increased intuition). The unique design of the proposed system provides an intuitive user interface to achieve such enhanced manoeuvrability, allowing each joint of a teleoperated slave system to be driven by controlling the position of a mechanically connected master unit.

Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include a distal tip region that may be moved laterally so that its long axis is parallel with the long axis of the main catheter body axis. Displacing the distal tip region laterally out of the main catheter body axis exposes an annular blade and opens a passageway for cut tissue to enter a storage region within the catheter. The annular blade may be internally coupled to a drive shaft that rotates the blade, and thus the exposed blade edge may have the same crossing profile (OD) as the rest of the distal end region of the catheter. Also described herein are gear-driven atherectomy devices that may use a cable drive shaft to actuate the annular blade. Both push-to-cut and pull-to-cut variations are described, as are methods for cutting tissue and systems including these atherectomy catheters.

A six degree of freedom force reflecting haptic interface includes three powered axes and three free axes, all of which are tracked so that the position of a user connection element in the work volume can be determined. The interface includes cable drives with polymer composite or metallic cables, automatic cable tensioning devices, and grounded actuator capstans. A nested hub and transfer drive provide a compact, weight balanced interface. User comfort and safety features are also provided.

A compact four degrees of freedom parallel mechanism suitable for use as a hand control or wrist is provided that has backdrivability, is singularity free and has a large workspace and a large force reflecting capability. The structure is light but rigid, and the electric actuators are all placed on the ground or base and provide independent control of each degree of freedom. Each degree of freedom is connected to an actuator either directly or through a cable drive system. The first two degrees of freedom are created by two identical pantographs pivoted together on pivoted joints to define a hemispherical motion of an object (end point) about a center point (hemisphere center). The third and fourth degrees of freedom represent rotation and sliding motions of the object around and along the radius of the created hemisphere, respectively. The axes of these latter degrees of freedom are concentric, and these axes intersect with the axis of the pantographs pivoted joints at the hemispheric center.

A system for variable engine compartment ventilation in a slim and compact unit with components used in non-related industries. The system can have at least one bank of movable louvers rotatably mounted within a louver frame for guiding a flow of air into a vehicle engine compartment; a motor to rotate the louvers with a motor gear formed on an output shaft rotatably connected in parallel to at least one helix cable by a helix cable drive gear and a louver pinion gear integral with each louver engaging the helix cable along its length; and a control unit for operating the assembly of movable louvers in response to an output signal from a vehicle communication bus. The output signal of the vehicle communication bus can be in response to input from an engine coolant temperature sensor or a vehicle speed sensor.

A multi-function force reflecting haptic interface including various sub-assemblies is disclosed. The sub-assemblies include multiple function user interfaces, a user interface docking station for setting the interface to a home position, temperature monitoring and control systems, and various kinematic cable drive systems.

Interface systems for interfacing between at least one endoscopic surgical instrument and a cable-controlled guide tube system. Various embodiments include at least one surgical tool docking assembly that is supportable relative to the cable-controlled guide tube system. The surgical tool docking assembly may comprise a cable drive assembly that is operably couplable to the cable-controlled guide system for applying control motions thereto. The surgical tool docking assembly may further comprise at least one tool docking station that is configured to support an endoscopic surgical instrument therein for selective pivotal travel about a first axis and a second axis. The tool docking stations cooperate with corresponding drive shafts for imparting rotary drive motions to the cable drive assembly. Various docking arrangements are disclosed for coupling the cable drive assembly to the cable-controlled guide tube assembly.

A system for variable engine compartment ventilation in a slim and compact unit with components used in non-related industries. The system can have at least one bank of movable louvers rotatably mounted within a louver frame for guiding a flow of air into a vehicle engine compartment; a motor to rotate the louvers with a motor gear formed on an output shaft rotatably connected in parallel to at least one helix cable by a helix cable drive gear and a louver pinion gear integral with each louver engaging the helix cable along its length; and a control unit for operating the assembly of movable louvers in response to an output signal from a vehicle communication bus. The output signal of the vehicle communication bus can be in response to input from an engine coolant temperature sensor or a vehicle speed sensor.

A six degree of freedom force reflecting haptic interface includes three powered axes and three free axes, all of which are tracked so that the position of a user connection element in the work volume can be determined. The interface includes cable drives with polymer composite or metallic cables, automatic cable tensioning devices, and grounded actuator capstans. A nested hub and transfer drive provide a compact, weight balanced interface. User comfort and safety features are also provided.

The invention discloses an intelligent exoskeleton carrying system for a lower limb and a control method thereof. The system is provided with structures such as a detection control system, a girdle ring, a back frame connected with the girdle ring, a leg supporting device, and the like. The leg supporting device comprises a thigh connecting rod, a knee joint connecting piece, a crus connecting rod and a foot connecting piece which are movably connected in turn, wherein the knee joint connecting piece is provided with a knee joint torsion spring; two ends of the knee joint torsion spring are connected with the thigh connecting rod and the crus connecting rod respectively; the crus connecting rod is provided with a guy cable; the other end of the guy cable is connected with a guy cable driving device which is connected with the detection control system through a transmission line; the foot connecting piece is provided with a signal sensor which is connected with the detection control system through a signal acquisition line; and the top end of the thigh connecting rod is movably connected with a hip joint and connected with the girdle ring through the hip joint. The system can be coupled to human body, advance along with the human body, help the human body to load and carry and reduce energy consumption and fatigue feeling of the human body, and has the advantages of reasonable structure, complete function and strong practicability.

A cable drive system and a sliding window assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. The sliding window assembly further includes a sliding panel coupled to the track and movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating grid is coupled to the sliding panel for defrosting the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly also includes a cable coupled to the sliding panel for moving the sliding panel between the open and closed positions. In addition, the sliding window assembly includes a conductive element electrically connected to the heating grid and coupled with the cable such that the conductive element moves concurrently with the cable as the cable moves the sliding panel between the open and closed positions.

Disclosed are a prestressed drilling, anchoring and grouting anchor cable and a support method. The prestressed drilling, anchoring and grouting anchor cable comprises a hollow grouting anchor cable, a sleeve, a lock, a washer and a tray, the hollow grouting anchor cable is provided with a sleeve head, a drill bit is arranged at the front end of the sleeve, and the sleeve is provided with an anchoring hole and a thread. The hollow grouting anchor cable drives the sleeve to drill holes and advances inwards through the thread in reverse rotation, a metal nail at the front end of the sleeve head punctures an anchoring agent package inside the sleeve, anchoring agents are mixed and then discharged through the anchoring hole in the sleeve, the gap between the sleeve and a drill hole wall is filled with the anchoring agents, and the anchoring function is achieved. An exhaust pipe is arranged in the anchor cable, the anchor cable is provided with a plurality of lantern-shaped grouting sections, and grout vent holes are formed in the lantern-shaped grouting sections. The prestressed drilling, anchoring and grouting anchor cable integrates drilling, exhausting, grouting and anchoring, the tail of the grouting anchor cable is firstly tensioned and fastened, grouting is then performed, an anchored body becomes reinforced pre-tightening force concrete, loose coal rocks are drilled, anchored, grouted and supported once, the problem that the anchor cable does not easily enter drilled holes in the loose coal rocks due to sticking and hole collapse is solved, the support strength of surrounding rocks of a roadway is enhanced, and the carrying capacity of a rock mass is improved. The prestressed drilling, anchoring and grouting anchor cable is simple in structure, low in cost, easy in construction and fine in support effect.

A multi-function force reflecting haptic interface including various sub-assemblies is disclosed. The sub-assemblies include multiple function user interfaces, a user interface docking station for setting the interface to a home position, temperature monitoring and control systems, and various kinematic cable drive systems.

The invention relates to a cable-driven mechanical arm for assisting disabled / elderly people. The mechanical arm comprises a convolution joint, an up-and-down rotation joint, a horizontal rotation joint, a first joint connecting plate, a sliding block, a guide track, a base driving box, driving motors and a cable driving system. The driving motor of each rotation joint is mounted in the base driving box, the cable driving system is utilized for transferring the power of the driving motors to all the rotation joints, and then the driving of the rotation joints is realized. The cable-driven mechanical arm disclosed by the invention solves the problem that a cable can only be stretched but not be compressed during the cable driving process, and the cable driving system is utilized for transferring the power to all the joints, so that the mechanical structures at the joints are simplified, the dead weight of the mechanical arm is greatly reduced, and the load-dead weight ratio and dynamic performance of the mechanical arm are improved. The mechanical arm has the advantages of simple structure, high safety performance and large stroke range, and is particularly suitable for being mounted on wheelchairs, care beds and other equipment for assisting disabled / elderly people.

The invention relates to a driving device for a reconfigurable cable-driven parallel manipulator. The device comprises a motor, a drive module box body, a winding device, a pressure axis, a tensioning device, a spring spool, a plane volute spring, a spring catch, a split pin, a driving device, a driving slide block, an inner spherical guide hole and an outer spherical guide hole, wherein the drive module box body is connected with the motor; the winding device comprises a cable reel which is connected with the drive module box body; the pressure axis is fixed in a groove on two sides of the drive module box body, and is positioned above the cable reel; the tensioning device comprises a spring scroll; the spring spool is connected with the spring scroll; the spring catch is coaxially connected with the spring scroll; the driving device comprises a linear guide rail; the driving slide block is fixed on a slide block of the linear guide rail; the inner spherical guide hole is fixed on the slide block of the guide rail; and the outer spherical guide hole is arranged on the outer wall of the drive module box body. The reconfigurable cable-driven parallel manipulator comprises a manipulator body frame, a drive module connected with the manipulator body frame and a manipulator movable platform.

An cable drive device (10) having a motor (M), a speed reducer (G), a nut member (26) connected to the speed reducer, a rod (32) screwed to the nut member (26) and guided by a guide member (34) so as not to rotate, a control cable (15) composed of an inner cable (45) connected to the rod and a guide tube (49) for guiding the inner cable, a sensor for detecting the amount of operation of the cable based on the amount of rotation of the speed reducer (G), and a load sensor (17) for detecting a load applied to the cable. An electric brake device can be obtained by connecting the control cable and a brake mechanism of the cable drive device (10).

The invention provides a cable drive robot device for simulating the zero-gravity or low-gravity environment. The cable drive robot device comprises a basic frame, cables, cable drive units, cable guide devices, a simulation loading platform, sensors and a control system. The eight cables are arranged in a spatially-symmetric mode, wherein four cables are arranged at the upper portion and the other four cables are arranged at the lower portion. The cables are lengthened or shortened through the drive units driven by motors according to instructions of the control system. The control system conducts closed-loop or semi-closed-loop control over the length and the force of the cables according to force and displacement data given by the sensors, so that movement of the simulation loading platform in the zero-gravity or low-gravity environment is simulated. Meanwhile, one or more cables can be selected and used for being overlapped to apply external interference force. According to the experiment device, the defect that work space is limited or dynamism is insufficient in a traditional simulation method is overcome and six-freedom-degree movement control and stress simulation of the simulation loading platform in the zero-gravity or low-gravity environment can be achieved.

A six degree of freedom force reflecting haptic interface includes three powered axes and three free axes, all of which are tracked so that the position of a user connection element in the work volume can be determined. The interface includes cable drives with polymer composite or metallic cables, automatic cable tensioning devices, and grounded actuator capstans. A nested hub and transfer drive provide a compact, weight balanced interface. User comfort and safety features are also provided.

An automated cable and line inspection mechanism visually scans the entire surface of a cable as the mechanism travels along the cable=s length. The mechanism includes a drive system, a video camera, a mirror assembly for providing the camera with a 360 degree view of the cable, and a laser micrometer for measuring the cable=s diameter. The drive system includes an electric motor and a plurality of drive wheels and tension wheels for engaging the cable or line to be inspected, and driving the mechanism along the cable. The mirror assembly includes mirrors that are positioned to project multiple images of the cable on the camera lens, each of which is of a different portion of the cable. A data transceiver and a video transmitter are preferably employed for transmission of video images, data and commands between the mechanism and a remote control station.

An integrated gas strut actuator strut assembly particularly adapted for providing power actuation of a motor vehicle lift gate or other opening closure. The system integrates the function of a counterbalancing gas spring and that of a electrically powered actuator. The system incorporates a strut assembly including a gas charged cylinder, and internal plunger and a threaded rod. Rotation of the threaded rod through a cable drive system causes the internal plunger to be advanced or retracted within the cylinder. Another feature of the invention are various embodiments of couplers between the gas cylinder plunger and rod and connectors for the assembly to the vehicle.

Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include a distal tip region that may be moved laterally so that its long axis is parallel with the long axis of the main catheter body axis. Displacing the distal tip region laterally out of the main catheter body axis exposes an annular blade and opens a passageway for cut tissue to enter a storage region within the catheter. The annular blade may be internally coupled to a drive shaft that rotates the blade, and thus the exposed blade edge may have the same crossing profile (OD) as the rest of the distal end region of the catheter. Also described herein are gear-driven atherectomy devices that may use a cable drive shaft to actuate the annular blade. Both push-to-cut and pull-to-cut variations are described, as are methods for cutting tissue and systems including these atherectomy catheters.

A sliding door actuator having a small electric motor and cable system is added to a standard sliding glass door for a residence. As the motor may be controlled by a remote, an individual could simply press a button to open the door. This convenience would be especially helpful to older individuals and those having limited mobility. The sliding door actuator having a winch spool drivingly connected to the drive motor. A drive cable is spoolably connected to the winch spool. The drive cable is connected to a sliding door. A return spring is connected to the drive cable for biasing the sliding door. An exit sensor is electrically connected to the drive motor to selectively actuate the sliding door.

A system for providing realistic sensation within a simulation system by providing tactile (haptic) feedback to a user. The system includes an engageable practice tool that the user engages and a mechanical simulation apparatus coupled to the practice tool. The mechanical simulation apparatus includes a ground member, a mechanical linkage rotatably coupled to the ground member, a linear axis member coupled to the practice tool and the mechanical linkage, at least four actuators coupled to the ground member, sensors for sensing movement of the actuators, and at least three cables in contact with the at least four actuators and coupled to the mechanical linkage. An interface device is coupled to the simulation apparatus and a host computer is coupled to the interface device for implementing an application program. The application program provides signals for the actuators to move the cables and thereby move the mechanical linkage.

The invention relates to a motion and orientation simulator with a cardanic suspension (4) for a cabin (5) that is carried by a heave carriage (3) that can be moved in a straight line in a carriage cage (2), characterized in that the carriage cage (2) is rotatable and that a cable drive is provided for the straight-line movement of the carriage (3) in the carriage cage (2).

The invention discloses a high-power downhole electromagnetic pulse transmission device which comprises a ground instrument and a downhole instrument. The core of the ground instrument is an industrial personal computer and consists of a depth / magnetic mark / global position system (GPS) signal recording module, a Manchester coding and decoding module and a cable driving module; the depth / magnetic mark / GPS signal recording module and the Manchester coding and decoding module are connected with the industrial personal computer respectively through two serial ports; based on the principle of phantom power supply, the cable driving module is connected with the downhole instrument by a cable; the downhole instrument is sequentially provided with an alternating-current boost module, an energy-storage capacitor, a transmitting coil, a data acquisition module, a high-voltage discharging switch and a controller manipulated by a computer; and the ground instrument supplies power to the downhole instrument through the cable. By the high-power downhole electromagnetic pulse transmission device, magnetic field pulse excitation with instantaneous high power can be realized in a cased well, full time-interval data during transmitting wave forms and receiving signals in a well is recorded, and an observation system is provided for a downhole electromagnetic detection method which is used for evaluating and developing the distribution state of remaining oil in an oil storage layer.

Provided are a cable-driving apparatus that performs the function of an equalizer using a planet gear assembly, and a parking brake system using the cable-driving apparatus. The cable-driving apparatus includes a driving motor; a first planet gear assembly for reducing a rotational velocity of the driving motor; and a second planet gear assembly coupled to the first planet gear assembly, wherein a first parking brake cable is connected to a circumferential outer surface of a ring gear of the second planet gear assembly, and a second parking brake cable is connected to a circumferential outer surface of a carrier of the second planet gear assembly in an opposite direction to the first parking brake cable.