Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Hofmeister
Christopher A. Hofmeister has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20220081213Abstract: An automated decant system is disclosed for processing pallets of cased goods received at a facility, extracting packaging for the cases and transferring eaches within the cases to totes, possibly organized by SKU in sub-totes within the tote.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: John G. Lert, JR., William J. Fosnight, Charles W. Su, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20220059379Abstract: An apparatus including a first device configured to support at least one substrate thereon; and a first transport having the device connected thereto. The transport is configured to carry the device. The transport includes a plurality of supports which are movable relative to one another along a linear path; at least one magnetic bearing which at least partially couples the supports to one another. A first one of the magnetic bearings includes a first permanent magnet and a second magnet. The first permanent magnet is connected to a first one of the supports. A magnetic field adjuster is connected to the first support which is configured to move the first permanent magnet and/or vary influence of a magnetic field of the first permanent magnet relative to the second magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Christopher Hofmeister, Martin Hosek
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Patent number: 11232958Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and maneuvering a wafer comprises a handle having a gas inlet adapted to couple to a gas supply, a supporting surface coupled to the handle section including a frame structure having edge segments connecting at vertices and spoke elements extending from a center of the frame structure to the vertices, a gas supply channel coupled to the gas inlet that extends from the handle and branches into channels that run through the spoke elements, and a plurality of nozzles positioned at the vertices on the supporting surface and coupled to the channels in the spoke elements. Gas provided to the plurality of nozzles exits the nozzles in a stream directed parallel to the supporting surface and the stream of gas generates forces that enable wafers to be securely supported in a floating manner over the supporting surface without coming into direct contact with the supporting surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: VEECO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Kenji Michael Nulman, Mark Yannuzzi, Phillip Tyler, Jonathan Fijal, William Gilbert Breingan, John Taddei, Nicholas Baverov, James Swallow, Christopher Orlando, Paul Vit, Christopher Hofmeister, Tremayne Diggs
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Patent number: 11205583Abstract: An apparatus including a first device configured to support at least one substrate thereon; and a first transport having the device connected thereto. The transport is configured to carry the device. The transport includes a plurality of supports which are movable relative to one another along a linear path; at least one magnetic bearing which at least partially couples the supports to one another. A first one of the magnetic bearings includes a first permanent magnet and a second magnet. The first permanent magnet is connected to a first one of the supports. A magnetic field adjuster is connected to the first support which is configured to move the first permanent magnet and/or vary influence of a magnetic field of the first permanent magnet relative to the second magnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Persimmon Technologies CorporationInventors: Christopher Hofmeister, Martin Hosek
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Publication number: 20210380343Abstract: A workstation receives bots carrying order totes and bots carrying product totes for transfer of goods from the product totes to the order totes. The workstation comprises a robot for automated transfer of goods between the product and order totes, but may also have a station for an operator to perform manual transfer. Cameras may be provided to capture images of the product and/or order totes to identify contents of totes and to identify positions where goods are to be picked from the product totes and placed into the order totes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: William J. Fosnight, John G. Lert, JR., Christopher Hofmeister
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Patent number: 11192719Abstract: An automated decant system is disclosed for processing pallets of cased goods received at a facility, extracting packaging for the cases and transferring eaches within the cases to totes, possibly organized by SKU in sub-totes within the tote.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Alert Innovation Inc.Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Charles W. Su, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20210370520Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a lower linearly driven effector structure with spaced paddles, and an upper linearly driven end effector structure with spaced paddles and no rotating joints above a paddle of the lower end effector structure. A drive subsystem is configured to linearly drive the lower end effector structure and to linearly drive the upper end effector structure independent of the lower end effector structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Martin HOSEK, Dennis Poole, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20210300664Abstract: An automated order fulfillment system is disclosed having different temperature zones and robots and containers capable of and/or configured to work in these different temperature zones. Containers include insulated wall panels and a thermal insert which may be chilled to maintain a temperature within the container below ambient temperature. Structure within a storage location for the containers may be used to open and close the containers to facilitate cooling of the thermal insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: William J. Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, John G. Lert, JR., Stephanie Waite, Julian Warhurst, Mark Solomon
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Patent number: 11130240Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a lower linearly driven effector structure with spaced paddles, and an upper linearly driven end effector structure with spaced paddles and no rotating joints above a paddle of the lower end effector structure. A drive subsystem is configured to linearly drive the lower end effector structure and to linearly drive the upper end effector structure independent of the lower end effector structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Persimmon Technologies CorporationInventors: Martin Hosek, Dennis Poole, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20210175096Abstract: A semiconductor processing tool is disclosed, the tool having a frame forming at least one chamber with an opening and having a sealing surface around a periphery of the opening, a door configured to interact with the sealing surface for sealing the opening, the door having sides perpendicular to the door sealing surface and perpendicular to a transfer plane of a substrate, and at least one drive located on the frame to a side of at least one of the sides that are substantially perpendicular to the door sealing surface and substantially perpendicular to the transfer plane of the substrate, the drive having actuators located at least partially in front of the sealing surface and the actuators being coupled to one of the sides of the door for moving the door from a sealed position. The at least one drive is located outside of a substrate transfer zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Christopher HOFMEISTER, Martin R. ELLIOTT, Alexander KRUPYSHEV, Joseph HALLISEY, Joseph A. KRAUS, William FOSNIGHT, Craig J. CARBONE, Jeffrey C, BLAHNIK, Ho Yin Owen FONG
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Publication number: 20210114238Abstract: An apparatus including a frame, a first position sensor, a drive and a chamber. The frame has at least three members including at least two links forming a movable arm and an end effector. The end effector and the links are connected by movable joints. The end effector is configured to support a substrate thereon. The first position sensor is on the frame proximate a first one of the joints. The first position sensor is configured to sense a position of two of the members relative to each other. The drive is connected to the frame. The drive is configured to move the movable arm. The frame is located in the chamber, and the drive extends through a wall in the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Martin HOSEK, Tuan Ha, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20210111052Abstract: A transport apparatus including a robot drive; an arm having a first end connected to the robot drive; and at least one end effector connected to a second end of the arm. The arm includes at least three links connected in series to form the arm. The arm is configured to be moved by the robot drive to move the at least one end effector among load locks and two or more sets of opposing process modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Christopher Hofmeister, Martin Hosek
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Publication number: 20210086349Abstract: A robot including a first upper arm rotatable about a shoulder axis; a second upper arm rotatable about the shoulder axis; a first forearm above the first upper arm and adapted for rotation relative to the first upper arm about a second axis; a second forearm coupled to the second upper aim and adapted for rotation about a third axis; a first wrist coupled to the first forearm; a second wrist coupled to the second forearm; a first forearm shaft having a first cam surface rigidly coupled to the first upper arm and to a first wrist driving member; a first wrist driven member having a second cam surface and coupled to the first wrist; and a first wrist transmission element, where the cam surfaces and the first wrist transmission element are configured to enable a nonlinear rate of rotation of the first wrist with respect to the first forearm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Martin Hosek, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20210023698Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first arm coupled to the frame at a shoulder axis having a first upper arm, a first forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, a second arm coupled to the frame at the shoulder axis where shoulder axes of rotation of the arms are substantially coincident, the second arm having a second upper arm, a second forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, and a drive section connected to the frame and coupled to the arms, the drive section being configured to independently extend and rotate each arm where an axis of extension of the first arm is angled relative to an axis of extension of the second arm substantially at each angular position of at least one of the first arm or the second arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Alexander G. KRUPYSHEV, Martin R. ELLIOT, Christopher HOFMEISTER
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Patent number: 10882194Abstract: An apparatus including a movable arm; a robot drive connected to the movable arm; and a heat transfer system. The robot drive includes a first drive configured to extend and retract the movable arm and a second drive configured to move the movable arm and the first drive along a linear path. The heat transfer system includes a first heat transfer member on the base and a second heat transfer member, where the heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the first drive to the first heat transfer member and then from the first heat transfer member to the second heat transfer member. The first heat transfer member travels with the base, and the first heat transfer member moves relative to the second heat transfer member as the base moves relative to the slide.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Persimmon Technologies CorporationInventors: Martin Hosek, Tuan Ha, Christopher Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20200384657Abstract: An apparatus including a movable arm; a robot drive connected to the movable arm; and a heat transfer system. The robot drive includes a first drive configured to extend and retract the movable arm and a second drive configured to move the movable arm and the first drive along a linear path. The heat transfer system includes a first heat transfer member on the base and a second heat transfer member, where the heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the first drive to the first heat transfer member and then from the first heat transfer member to the second heat transfer member. The first heat transfer member travels with the base, and the first heat transfer member moves relative to the second heat transfer member as the base moves relative to the slide.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Martin Hosek, Tuan Ha, Christopher Hofmeister
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Patent number: 10854478Abstract: A semiconductor processing tool is disclosed, the tool having a frame forming at least one chamber with an opening and having a sealing surface around a periphery of the opening, a door configured to interact with the sealing surface for sealing the opening, the door having sides perpendicular to the door sealing surface and perpendicular to a transfer plane of a substrate, and at least one drive located on the frame to a side of at least one of the sides that are substantially perpendicular to the door sealing surface and substantially perpendicular to the transfer plane of the substrate, the drive having actuators located at least partially in front of the sealing surface and the actuators being coupled to one of the sides of the door for moving the door from a sealed position. The at least one drive is located outside of a substrate transfer zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Hofmeister, Martin R. Elliott, Alexander Krupyshev, Joseph Hallisey, Joseph A. Kraus, William Fosnight, Craig J. Carbone, Jeffrey C. Blahnik, Ho Yin Owen Fong
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Patent number: 10800050Abstract: An apparatus including a movable arm; a robot drive connected to the movable arm; and a heat transfer system. The robot drive includes a first drive configured to extend and retract the movable arm and a second drive configured to move the movable arm and the first drive along a linear path. The heat transfer system includes a first heat transfer member on the base and a second heat transfer member, where the heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the first drive to the first heat transfer member and then from the first heat transfer member to the second heat transfer member. The first heat transfer member travels with the base, and the first heat transfer member moves relative to the second heat transfer member as the base moves relative to the slide.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Persimmon Technologies CorporationInventors: Martin Hosek, Tuan Ha, Christopher Hofmeister
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Patent number: 10792822Abstract: An apparatus including a movable arm; a robot drive connected to the movable arm; and a heat transfer system. The robot drive includes a first drive configured to extend and retract the movable arm and a second drive configured to move the movable arm and the first drive along a linear path. The heat transfer system includes a first heat transfer member on the base and a second heat transfer member, where the heat transfer system is configured to transfer heat from the first drive to the first heat transfer member and then from the first heat transfer member to the second heat transfer member. The first heat transfer member travels with the base, and the first heat transfer member moves relative to the second heat transfer member as the base moves relative to the slide.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Persimmon Technologies CorporationInventors: Martin Hosek, Tuan Ha, Christopher Hofmeister
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Patent number: 10737381Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first arm coupled to the frame at a shoulder axis having a first upper arm, a first forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, a second arm coupled to the frame at the shoulder axis where shoulder axes of rotation of the arms are substantially coincident, the second arm having a second upper arm, a second forearm and at least one substrate holder serially and rotatably coupled to each other, and a drive section connected to the frame and coupled to the arms, the drive section being configured to independently extend and rotate each arm where an axis of extension of the first arm is angled relative to an axis of extension of the second arm substantially at each angular position of at least one of the first arm or the second arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Alexander G. Krupyshev, Martin R. Elliot, Christopher Hofmeister