IPC분류정보
| 국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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| 국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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| 출원번호 |
US-0275164
(2016-09-23)
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| 등록번호 |
US-10215802
(2019-02-26)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Neff, Edward A.
- Vu, Toan M.
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| 출원인 / 주소 |
- SYSTEMS, MACHINES, AUTOMATION COMPONENTS CORPORATION
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| 대리인 / 주소 |
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| 인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
59 |
초록
▼
A system, apparatus, and method for using a magnetic latch to maintain a desired force between a test-probe assembly and a surface of a component. The method includes moving the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from the surface of a
A system, apparatus, and method for using a magnetic latch to maintain a desired force between a test-probe assembly and a surface of a component. The method includes moving the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from the surface of a component. The test-probe assembly is then moved from the approach position to the surface of a component pursuant to a soft landing procedure. The method further includes magnetically latching the test-probe assembly in contact with the surface of a component at a constant force. The moving coil of the actuator can be de-energized while the test-probe assembly performs measurements on the component. After the testing is completed, the moving coil is energized and the test-probe assembly is retracted away from the component. The applied force may be monitored based upon an output of a load cell responsive to a force exerted by the test-probe assembly.
대표청구항
▼
1. A method for testing a component using a test-probe assembly coupled to a shaft of an actuator, the method comprising: energizing the actuator during a first time period to move the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from a surface
1. A method for testing a component using a test-probe assembly coupled to a shaft of an actuator, the method comprising: energizing the actuator during a first time period to move the test-probe assembly into an approach position, the approach position being a predetermined distance from a surface of the component;energizing the actuator during a second time period by performing a soft landing procedure wherein the performing includes moving the test-probe assembly from the approach position into soft contact with the surface of the component;latching the shaft in a fixed position so as to cause the test-probe assembly to apply a constant force to the surface of the component, wherein the latching includes engaging a latch arrangement concurrent with the soft contact;de-energizing, subsequent to the engaging the latch arrangement, the actuator while maintaining the shaft in the fixed position for a duration of time, wherein the latch arrangement is configured to apply a maximum force greater than the constant force upon being engaged; andenergizing the actuator during a third time period to un-latch the latch arrangement and move the test-probe assembly out of contact with the surface of the component, wherein an amount of force required to un-latch the latch arrangement is less than the maximum force. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the test-probe assembly has made soft contact with the surface of the component. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that the test-probe assembly has made soft contact with the surface of the component comprises measuring the force applied by the test-probe assembly to the surface component. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the force applied by the test-probe assembly to the surface of the component is measured with a load cell. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a moving coil disposed within a housing defining a first interior volume and wherein the latch arrangement is included within an adapter defining a second interior volume different from the first interior volume. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the latching the shaft in a fixed position includes engaging a magnetic latch of the latch arrangement. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount of force required to un-latch the magnetic latch is greater than 7% of the maximum force and less than the maximum force. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the duration of time is about 1.5 seconds. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the force is applied is about 3.0 kg-f. 10. A method for testing a component using a test-probe assembly coupled to a shaft of an actuator, the method comprising: energizing the actuator to extend the shaft to move the test-probe assembly into contact with a surface of the component;magnetically latching the shaft in a fixed position using a magnetic latch in order to cause the test-probe assembly to apply a constant force to the surface of the component;de-energizing the actuator while maintaining the shaft in the fixed position, wherein a maximum force applied by the magnetic latch is greater than the constant force; andenergizing the actuator to un-latch the magnetic latch and move the test-probe assembly out of contact with the surface of the component, wherein an amount of force required to un-latch the magnetic latch is less than the maximum force. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the amount of force is less than 10% of the maximum force. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: measuring the force applied by the test-probe assembly to the surface of the component. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the actuator includes a moving coil disposed within a housing defining a first interior volume and wherein the magnetic latch is included within an adapter defining a second interior volume different from the first interior volume. 14. An apparatus comprising: a linear actuator including a housing defining a first interior volume, a shaft protruding from an end of the housing, and a moving coil disposed in the first interior volume and coupled to the shaft;an adapter coupled to an end of the housing of the linear actuator, the adapter defining a second interior volume different from the first interior volume and configured to allow the shaft to extend and to retract therethrough;a ferrous plate disposed in the second interior volume, the ferrous plate being adjustably coupled to the shaft;a magnet coupled to the adapter, wherein the magnet is disposed in the second interior volume and is configured to engage with the ferrous plate when the shaft is extended from the housing of the linear actuator so as to retain the shaft in a fixed position. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a test-probe assembly coupled to an end of the shaft. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a resilience mechanism coupled to the shaft, the resilience mechanism configured to maintain a constant force when the test-probe assembly is in contact with a surface of a component. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resilience mechanism is interposed between the end of the shaft and the test-probe assembly. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resilience mechanism comprises a spring. 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the resilience mechanism comprises an elastomeric material. 20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the test-probe assembly includes a load cell.
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