US 12,420,438 B2
Manipulator module
Daniel James Hairsnape, Fareham (GB); and Simon James Veater-Young, Fareham (GB)
Assigned to SAAB SEAEYE LIMITED, Fareham (GB)
Appl. No. 18/003,739
Filed by Saab Seaeye Limited, Fareham (GB)
PCT Filed Jun. 29, 2021, PCT No. PCT/GB2021/051643
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 29, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/003339, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 6, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2009984 (GB), filed on Jun. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0249366 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. B25J 19/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/10 (2006.01); B25J 9/12 (2006.01); B25J 15/02 (2006.01); B25J 17/02 (2006.01)
CPC B25J 19/0029 (2013.01) [B25J 9/1025 (2013.01); B25J 9/108 (2013.01); B25J 9/123 (2013.01); B25J 9/126 (2013.01); B25J 15/0253 (2013.01); B25J 17/0241 (2013.01); B25J 19/0004 (2013.01); G05B 2219/34013 (2013.01); G05B 2219/39001 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A manipulator module comprising:
a first housing segment configured to be connected to a manipulator;
a second housing segment rotatably coupled to a distal end of the first housing segment such that the second housing segment can rotate about a longitudinal axis relative to the first housing segment;
a linear actuator, wherein a distal end of the linear actuator is configured to be coupled to an end effector;
a first electric motor arranged to drive the linear actuator to actuate the end effector;
a second electric motor arranged to rotatably drive the second housing segment relative to the first housing segment; and
a controller configured to control a supply of electrical power from a power source to the first and second electric motors;
wherein the linear actuator is arranged to extend from the first housing segment and through the second housing segment; and
wherein the controller is configured to activate the first electric motor to automatically compensate for linear movement of the linear actuator caused by rotation of the second housing segment relative to the first housing segment.