Patents by Inventor Matthew W. Coady
Matthew W. Coady 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: 11923729Abstract: A transport apparatus comprising a housing, a variable reluctance drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the variable reluctance drive where the drive includes at least one rotor having salient poles of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having salient pole structures each defining a salient pole with corresponding coil units coiled around the respective salient pole structure and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment; and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor, where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magType: GrantFiled: August 2, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Brook Automation US, LLCInventors: Jairo T. Moura, Reza Saeidpourazar, Branden Gunn, Matthew W. Coady, Ulysses Gilchrist
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Publication number: 20240013144Abstract: An automated self-service store is disclosed including a shopper accessible level having inventory for selection by a shopper, and an item storage and replenishment area for storing inventory. The self-service store further includes mobile robots for replenishing inventory at the shopper accessible level from the item storage and replenishment area.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Matthew W. Coady
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Patent number: 11623342Abstract: A safety system is disclosed for failsafe servicing of areas within an order fulfillment facility. During normal operation, a number of battery-powered robots receive wireless instructions from a management control system (MCS) to transfer items to/from workstations or storage shelves in a multi-level storage structure. The order fulfillment facility may be divided into dynamically configurable service zones. When service is required in a service zone, different safety protocols may be employed based on a determination as to the priority level of service required and/or the estimated length of time service will take. One safety protocol involves physically blocking all access points to a service area with mechanical guards, so that order fulfillment operations may be proceed around the service zone while service is performed.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLCInventors: Matthew W. Coady, William J. Fosnight, Alejandro Sierra, David A. Lachance, Michael Chesna, Patrick Renard, Chris Dancewicz, Bryce Germain
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Publication number: 20220385142Abstract: A transport apparatus comprising a housing, a variable reluctance drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the variable reluctance drive where the drive includes at least one rotor having salient poles of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having salient pole structures each defining a salient pole with corresponding coil units coiled around the respective salient pole structure and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment; and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor, where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magType: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Jairo T. MOURA, Reza SAEIDPOURAZAR, Branden Gunn, Matthew W. Coady, Ulysses Gilchrist
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Patent number: 11404939Abstract: A transport apparatus comprising a housing, a variable reluctance drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the variable reluctance drive where the drive includes at least one rotor having salient poles of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having salient pole structures each defining a salient pole with corresponding coil units coiled around the respective salient pole structure and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment; and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor, where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magType: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Brooks Automation, US LLCInventors: Jairo T. Moura, Reza Saeidpourazar, Branden Gunn, Matthew W. Coady, Ulysses Gilchrist
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Patent number: 11121017Abstract: A substrate loading device having a frame, a cassette support, and a user interface. The frame is connected to a substrate processing apparatus. The frame has a transport opening through which substrates are transported between the device and processing apparatus. The cassette support is connected to the frame for holding at least one substrate holding cassette. The user interface is arranged for inputting information, and is mounted to the frame so that the user interface is integral with the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Daniel A. Hall, Glenn L. Sindledecker, Matthew W. Coady, Marcello Trolio, Michael Spinazola
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Publication number: 20210221619Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of automated mobile robots within automated mobile robot storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The same mobile robot is enabled to move horizontally and vertically in a multi-level storage structure, operate in an order fulfillment mode retrieving order totes from an automated fulfillment section and delivering the order totes to the delivery section, operate in a replenishment mode receiving eaches of goods and depositing the eaches of goods in designated storage totes, and operate in a delivery mode receiving delivery bundles and transporting the delivery bundles to designated locations at the transfer station.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: John G. Lert, JR., William J. Fosnight, Matthew W. Coady
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Patent number: 10919701Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of automated mobile robots within automated mobile robot storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The same mobile robot is enabled to move horizontally and vertically in a multi-level storage structure, operate in an order fulfillment mode retrieving order totes from an automated fulfillment section and delivering the order totes to the delivery section, operate in a replenishment mode receiving eaches of goods and depositing the eaches of goods in designated storage totes, and operate in a delivery mode receiving delivery bundles and transporting the delivery bundles to designated locations at the transfer station.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Alert Innovation Inc.Inventors: John G. Lert, Jr., William J. Fosnight, Matthew W. Coady
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Publication number: 20200389075Abstract: A transport apparatus comprising a housing, a variable reluctance drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the variable reluctance drive where the drive includes at least one rotor having salient poles of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having salient pole structures each defining a salient pole with corresponding coil units coiled around the respective salient pole structure and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment; and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor, where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magType: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Jairo T. MOURA, Reza SAEIDPOURAZAR, Branden Gunn, Matthew W. Coady, Ulysses Gilchrist
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Patent number: 10742092Abstract: A transport apparatus including a housing, a drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the drive, where the drive includes at least one rotor having at least one salient pole of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having at least one salient pole with corresponding coil units and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment, and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magnetic sensor member and the at least one sensor track so that the at least one sensor track is disposed in tType: GrantFiled: November 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Jairo T. Moura, Reza Saeidpourazar, Branden Gunn, Matthew W. Coady, Ulysses Gilchrist
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Patent number: 10615068Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.Inventor: Matthew W Coady
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Publication number: 20190245366Abstract: An opportunistic rail charging system is disclosed for recharging power supplies on mobile robots transporting goods within an automated order fulfillment system. Individual chargers may be incorporated into each mobile robot for converting a facility line voltage from the charge rail to a voltage for which the rechargeable power supplies on each mobile robot are rated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: Matthew W. Coady, William J. Fosnight, David A. Lachance, David Eiselen
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Publication number: 20190176323Abstract: A safety system is disclosed for failsafe servicing of areas within an order fulfillment facility. During normal operation, a number of battery-powered robots receive wireless instructions from a management control system (MCS) to transfer items to/from workstations or storage shelves in a multi-level storage structure. The order fulfillment facility may be divided into dynamically configurable service zones. When service is required in a service zone, different safety protocols may be employed based on a determination as to the priority level of service required and/or the estimated length of time service will take. One safety protocol involves physically blocking all access points to a service area with mechanical guards, so that order fulfillment operations may be proceed around the service zone while service is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: Matthew W. Coady, William J. Fosnight, Alejandro Sierra, David A. Lachance, Michael Chesna, Patrick Renard, Chris Dancewicz
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Publication number: 20180341908Abstract: An automated self-service store is disclosed including a shopper accessible level having inventory for selection by a shopper, and an item storage and replenishment area for storing inventory. The self-service store further includes mobile robots for replenishing inventory at the shopper accessible level from the item storage and replenishment area.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: John G. Lert, JR., William J. Fosnight, Matthew W. Coady
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Publication number: 20180194556Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of automated mobile robots within automated mobile robot storage and retrieval system is provided, which repurposes one or more automated mobile robots operating within the automated inventory management system to perform a plurality of tasks across multiple different areas of an automated store. The same mobile robot is enabled to move horizontally and vertically in a multi-level storage structure, operate in an order fulfillment mode retrieving order totes from an automated fulfillment section and delivering the order totes to the delivery section, operate in a replenishment mode receiving eaches of goods and depositing the eaches of goods in designated storage totes, and operate in a delivery mode receiving delivery bundles and transporting the delivery bundles to designated locations at the transfer station.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: ALERT INNOVATION INC.Inventors: John G. Lert, JR., William J. Fosnight, Matthew W. Coady
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Publication number: 20170301576Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventor: Matthew W. Coady
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Patent number: 9691651Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventor: Matthew W. Coady
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Publication number: 20160240418Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventor: Matthew W. Coady
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Publication number: 20160164382Abstract: A transport apparatus including a housing, a drive mounted to the housing, and at least one transport arm connected to the drive, where the drive includes at least one rotor having at least one salient pole of magnetic permeable material and disposed in an isolated environment, at least one stator having at least one salient pole with corresponding coil units and disposed outside the isolated environment where the at least one salient pole of the at least one stator and the at least one salient pole of the rotor form a closed magnetic flux circuit between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator, at least one seal partition configured to isolate the isolated environment, and at least one sensor including a magnetic sensor member connected to the housing, at least one sensor track connected to the at least one rotor where the at least one seal partition is disposed between and separates the magnetic sensor member and the at least one sensor track so that the at least one sensor track is disposed in tType: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Jairo T. MOURA, Reza SAEIDPOURAZAR, Branden Gunn, Matthew W. Coady, Ulysses Gilchrist
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Publication number: 20150147148Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventor: Matthew W. Coady