Patents by Inventor James W. Wells
James W. Wells 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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Patent number: 8448436Abstract: A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, Hanif Muhammad, Kenneth A. Strom, James W. Wells
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Publication number: 20120260498Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Kevin B. Rober, Gary L. Jones, Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells
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Patent number: 8253792Abstract: A safety monitoring system for a workspace area. The workspace area related to a region having automated moveable equipment. A plurality of vision-based imaging devices capturing time-synchronized image data of the workspace area. Each vision-based imaging device repeatedly capturing a time synchronized image of the workspace area from a respective viewpoint that is substantially different from the other respective vision-based imaging devices. A visual processing unit for analyzing the time-synchronized image data. The visual processing unit processes the captured image data for identifying a human from a non-human object within the workspace area. The visual processing unit further determining potential interactions between a human and the automated moveable equipment.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: James W. Wells, Roland J. Menassa, Charles W. Wampler, II, Swarup Medasani, Yuri Owechko, Kyungnam Kim, Yang Chen
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Patent number: 8244402Abstract: A robotic system includes a humanoid robot with robotic joints each moveable using an actuator(s), and a distributed controller for controlling the movement of each of the robotic joints. The controller includes a visual perception module (VPM) for visually identifying and tracking an object in the field of view of the robot under threshold lighting conditions. The VPM includes optical devices for collecting an image of the object, a positional extraction device, and a host machine having an algorithm for processing the image and positional information. The algorithm visually identifies and tracks the object, and automatically adapts an exposure time of the optical devices to prevent feature data loss of the image under the threshold lighting conditions. A method of identifying and tracking the object includes collecting the image, extracting positional information of the object, and automatically adapting the exposure time to thereby prevent feature data loss of the image.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: James W. Wells, Neil David Mc Kay, Suhas E. Chelian, Douglas Martin Linn, Charles W. Wampler, II, Lyndon Bridgwater
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Patent number: 8236067Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kevin B. Rober, Gary L. Jones, Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells
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Publication number: 20120161921Abstract: A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, Hanif Muhammad, Kenneth A. Strom, James W. Wells
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Patent number: 8205445Abstract: A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, Hanif Muhammad, Kenneth A. Strom, James W. Wells
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Publication number: 20120062725Abstract: An error detection vision system that determines whether a proper part has been selected from a presentation device during an assembly process. In one embodiment, the presentation device is a rack including a plurality of bins, where the bins hold a plurality of different parts. The vision system includes one or more projecting devices that project a light beam towards the presentation device and a detector, such as a camera, receiving reflections back from a worker as he selects parts from the presentation device. The error detection vision system can employ various detection processes, such as a stereo pair of video cameras, vision using structured-light triangulation and infrared time-of-flight distance measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Charles W. Wampler, II, James W. Wells, Roland J. Menassa
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Publication number: 20110277461Abstract: An active material-based device for and related method of clamping and releasing objects. Broadly, the device includes an elongated piece of active material, such as a wire, having an actuation temperature and arranged to form a sleeve defining a volume of space. When the active material reaches the actuation temperature the material changes, which causes one or more dimensions of the volume of space to change. An object located within the sleeve experiences either a clamping or releasing force resulting from the change in the volume of space.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Paul W. Alexander, Roland J. Menassa, James W. Wells
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Patent number: 8033002Abstract: An end-of-arm tool having a workpiece interface tool is attachable to an articulable robotic arm. The end-of-arm tool can be configured by engaging an adjustable modular unit including a swing arm, a cylinder, and a workpiece interface tool to a rail element of the end-of-arm tool. The adjustable modular unit machine-slides in the rail element to a preferred x-axis position, machine-pivots to a preferred angular orientation, and machine-extends along a longitudinal axis of the cylinder to a preferred z-axis position, and machine-rotates to a preferred rotational angle about the z-axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells, Bradley J. Walworth, Lance T. Ransom, Roland J. Menassa
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Publication number: 20110245970Abstract: A system is configured to determine the performance of a braking system for a joint of a robot. The braking system is configured to apply a brake to the joint and a servo system is configured to apply a torque to the joint. The system measures performance data at the joint, identifies a performance parameter, and defines performance regions and limits that are used to evaluate the performance parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: James W. Wells, Gary Lee Snavely, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 8025277Abstract: A configurable end-of-arm tool attachable to an articulable robotic arm is described. The end-of-arm tool comprises a rail element, a machine-adjustable swing arm, a machine-adjustable extendable shaft attached to the swing arm. A machine-adjustable rotator set is attached to the extendable shaft, and a workpiece interface tool is attached to the extendable shaft. The swing arm, the extendable shaft, and the rotator set are machine-adjustable to place the workpiece interface tool at a predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells, Bradley J. Walworth, Lance T. Ransom, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 7971916Abstract: A tool module associated with an end-effector for a robot arm that includes both linear and rotational locking mechanisms providing movement in five degrees of freedom. The tool module includes an integrated locking assembly that includes a linear locking mechanism and a rotary locking mechanism that are simultaneously locked and unlocked. The linear locking mechanism locks to a rod and the rotary locking mechanism locks and unlocks a shaft that is rigidly coupled to a swing arm. An opposite end of the swing arm includes another linear locking mechanism that locks and unlocks a shaft supporting a vacuum cup at an opposite end. The vacuum cup is mounted to a ball joint on the shaft that allows the vacuum cup to pivot. By locking and unlocking the locking mechanisms of the tool module, the end-effector can be readily configured to grasp and hold various parts of different dimensions and shapes.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells, Roland J. Menassa
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Patent number: 7963578Abstract: An integrated vacuum and magnetic gripper includes a rigid housing defining an internal chamber, and a flexible vacuum cup operatively connected thereto. A vacuum cavity is defined by the vacuum cup and a vacuum source is configured to reduce pressure in the vacuum cavity. A permanent magnet is disposed within the rigid housing, and a magnet release mechanism is configured to selectively render the magnet incapable of exerting sufficient force to hold the work piece. A pole plate may be interposed between the internal chamber and vacuum cavity, such that the pole plate forms a portion of the internal chamber and may act to provide friction on the work piece. A method of using the gripped includes operating at high acceleration while the vacuum gripper is monitored as fully operational and operating only at lower acceleration while the vacuum gripper is not fully operational.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: James W. Wells, Lance T. Ransom
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Publication number: 20110101590Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2011Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, James W. Wells, Christopher P. Henry, Ivan G. Sears, Douglas M. Linn, Alan L. Browne, Richard J. Skurkis
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Publication number: 20110089708Abstract: A mechanical gripper adapted for grasping a plurality of differing objects, and comprising a plurality of fingers, wherein each finger includes at least one variable impedance member comprising an active material element, the element, when activated and deactivated, undergoes a reversible change in impedance, and the change in impedance enables the gripper to be advantageously reconfigured, and/or locked in a reconfigured state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Douglas Martin Linn, James W. Wells, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20110071670Abstract: A mechanical implement adapted for use in an autonomously functioning device, such as a robot arm, and including an active material, such as shape memory polymer, element that when activated and/or deactivated is operable to modify the mechanical impedance of a joint or link in the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Douglas Martin Linn, James W. Wells, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20110071675Abstract: A robotic system includes a humanoid robot with robotic joints each moveable using an actuator(s), and a distributed controller for controlling the movement of each of the robotic joints. The controller includes a visual perception module (VPM) for visually identifying and tracking an object in the field of view of the robot under threshold lighting conditions. The VPM includes optical devices for collecting an image of the object, a positional extraction device, and a host machine having an algorithm for processing the image and positional information. The algorithm visually identifies and tracks the object, and automatically adapts an exposure time of the optical devices to prevent feature data loss of the image under the threshold lighting conditions. A method of identifying and tracking the object includes collecting the image, extracting positional information of the object, and automatically adapting the exposure time to thereby prevent feature data loss of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC., The U.S.A. As Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: James W. Wells, Neil David Mc Kay, Suhas E. Chelian, Douglas Martin Linn, Charles W. Wampler, II, Lyndon Bridgwater
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Publication number: 20110061310Abstract: A tunable impedance load bearing structure includes a support comprising an active material configured for supporting a load, wherein the active material undergoes a change in a property upon exposure to an activating condition, wherein the change in the property is effective to change an impedance characteristic of the support.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander, Hanif Muhammad, Kenneth A. Strom, James W. Wells
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Publication number: 20110050878Abstract: A safety monitoring system for a workspace area. The workspace area related to a region having automated moveable equipment. A plurality of vision-based imaging devices capturing time-synchronized image data of the workspace area. Each vision-based imaging device repeatedly capturing a time synchronized image of the workspace area from a respective viewpoint that is substantially different from the other respective vision-based imaging devices. A visual processing unit for analyzing the time-synchronized image data. The visual processing unit processes the captured image data for identifying a human from a non-human object within the workspace area. The visual processing unit further determining potential interactions between a human and the automated moveable equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: James W. Wells, Roland J. Menassa, Charles W. Wampler, II, Swarup Medasani, Yuri Owechko, Kyungnam Kim, Yang Chen