Patents by Inventor Robert W. Tracy
Robert W. Tracy 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: 10010900Abstract: A material deposition system is configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame and configured to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and two deposition heads coupled to the gantry. Each deposition head includes a needle, with the deposition heads being movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The material deposition system further includes a needle cleaner assembly movable on a needle cleaner gantry, with the needle cleaner assembly being configured to clean needles of the deposition heads. The material deposition system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the needle cleaner assembly to perform a needle cleaning operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Rita Mohanty, Robert W. Tracy, Scott A. Reid
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Publication number: 20170014847Abstract: A material deposition system is configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame and configured to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and two deposition heads coupled to the gantry. Each deposition head includes a needle, with the deposition heads being movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The material deposition system further includes a needle cleaner assembly movable on a needle cleaner gantry, with the needle cleaner assembly being configured to clean needles of the deposition heads. The material deposition system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the needle cleaner assembly to perform a needle cleaning operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Rita Mohanty, Robert W. Tracy, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 9475078Abstract: A material deposition system is configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame and configured to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and two deposition heads coupled to the gantry. Each deposition head includes a needle, with the deposition heads being movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The material deposition system further includes a needle cleaner assembly movable on a needle cleaner gantry, with the needle cleaner assembly being configured to clean needles of the deposition heads. The material deposition system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the needle cleaner assembly to perform a needle cleaning operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Rita Mohanty, Robert W. Tracy, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 9089863Abstract: A method for cleaning a nozzle of a material deposition system configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate includes: performing a deposition operation with a material deposition system configured to position an electronic substrate under a deposition head movable by a gantry, to supply material to a chamber of the deposition head, to extend a piston of the deposition head from the chamber, the needle terminating in a needle orifice, and to push a volume of material out of the chamber by an actuator of the deposition head to form a desired volume of material at the needle orifice that is deposited on the electronic substrate; and cleaning the needle orifice with air directed to the needle orifice.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Robert W. Tracy, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 9039146Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 9010910Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Publication number: 20150064345Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Publication number: 20140120241Abstract: A material deposition system is configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame and configured to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and two deposition heads coupled to the gantry. Each deposition head includes a needle, with the deposition heads being movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The material deposition system further includes a needle cleaner assembly movable on a needle cleaner gantry, with the needle cleaner assembly being configured to clean needles of the deposition heads. The material deposition system further includes a controller configured to control the operation of the needle cleaner assembly to perform a needle cleaning operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Rita Mohanty, Robert W. Tracy, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 8616042Abstract: A method of calibrating a dispenser of the type having an actuator that is movable over a variable stroke distance includes dispensing a quantity of viscous material from the dispenser by moving the actuator over one of a plurality of stroke distances, weighing the quantity of viscous material, repeating the acts of dispensing and weighing for each of the plurality of stroke distances, and displaying the weight of each of the dispensed quantities to a user using a user interface device.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Robert W. Tracy
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Publication number: 20130269731Abstract: A method for cleaning a nozzle of a material deposition system configured to deposit material on an electronic substrate includes: performing a deposition operation with a material deposition system configured to position an electronic substrate under a deposition head movable by a gantry, to supply material to a chamber of the deposition head, to extend a piston of the deposition head from the chamber, the needle terminating in a needle orifice, and to push a volume of material out of the chamber by an actuator of the deposition head to form a desired volume of material at the needle orifice that is deposited on the electronic substrate; and cleaning the needle orifice with air directed to the needle orifice.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Robert W. Tracy, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Publication number: 20130177702Abstract: A material deposition system includes a frame, a support coupled to the frame to support an electronic substrate during a deposit operation, a gantry coupled to the frame, and a deposition head coupled to the gantry. The deposition head is movable over the support by movement of the gantry. The deposition head includes a chamber to hold material, an actuator to push a volume of material out of the chamber, a needle extending from the chamber and terminating in a needle orifice, and at least two air jets located on opposite sides of the needle orifice. A desired volume of material is formed at the needle orifice in response to the actuator, and each of the at least two air jets produce a timed pulse of air to create a micro-droplet from the desired volume and to accelerate the micro-droplet to high velocity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Kenneth C. Crouch, Kui-Chiu Kwok, Robert W. Tracy, Rita Mohanty, Thomas J. Karlinski, Scott A. Reid
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Patent number: 8424720Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a volume of viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a gantry system coupled to the frame, and a dispenser unit coupled to the gantry system. The dispenser unit includes a housing having a chamber, and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston has an elongate body and is configured to move between a pre-dispense position and a dispense position within the chamber. The dispenser unit further includes a motor to drive the movement of the piston within the chamber. The motor includes a rotating shaft, a wheel coupled to the rotating shaft, the wheel having at least one drive magnet, and a driven magnet disposed between wheel and the piston. The dispenser further includes a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle has an orifice to dispense viscous material. Other embodiments of the dispenser and methods of dispensing are further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Tracy, Kenneth C. Crouch
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Publication number: 20120240658Abstract: A method of calibrating a dispenser of the type having an actuator that is movable over a variable stroke distance includes dispensing a quantity of viscous material from the dispenser by moving the actuator over one of a plurality of stroke distances, weighing the quantity of viscous material, repeating the acts of dispensing and weighing for each of the plurality of stroke distances, and displaying the weight of each of the dispensed quantities to a user using a user interface device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Robert W. Tracy
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Publication number: 20120175386Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a volume of viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a gantry system coupled to the frame, and a dispenser unit coupled to the gantry system. The dispenser unit includes a housing having a chamber, and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston has an elongate body and is configured to move between a pre-dispense position and a dispense position within the chamber. The dispenser unit further includes a motor to drive the movement of the piston within the chamber. The motor includes a rotating shaft, a wheel coupled to the rotating shaft, the wheel having at least one drive magnet, and a driven magnet disposed between wheel and the piston. The dispenser further includes a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle has an orifice to dispense viscous material. Other embodiments of the dispenser and methods of dispensing are further disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Robert W. Tracy, Kenneth C. Crouch
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Patent number: 8136705Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a volume of viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a gantry system coupled to the frame, and a dispenser unit coupled to the gantry system. The dispenser unit includes a housing having a chamber, and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston has an elongate body and is configured to move between a pre-dispense position and a dispense position within the chamber. The dispenser unit further includes a motor to drive the movement of the piston within the chamber. The motor includes a rotating shaft, a wheel coupled to the rotating shaft, the wheel having at least one drive magnet, and a driven magnet disposed between wheel and the piston. The dispenser further includes a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle has an orifice to dispense viscous material. Other embodiments of the dispenser and methods of dispensing are further disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Tracy, Kenneth C. Crouch
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Publication number: 20100258592Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a volume of viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a gantry system coupled to the frame, and a dispenser unit coupled to the gantry system. The dispenser unit includes a housing having a chamber, and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston has an elongate body and is configured to move between a pre-dispense position and a dispense position within the chamber. The dispenser unit further includes a motor to drive the movement of the piston within the chamber. The motor includes a rotating shaft, a wheel coupled to the rotating shaft, the wheel having at least one drive magnet, and a driven magnet disposed between wheel and the piston. The dispenser further includes a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle has an orifice to dispense viscous material. Other embodiments of the dispenser and methods of dispensing are further disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.Inventors: Robert W. Tracy, Kenneth C. Crouch
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Publication number: 20040148763Abstract: A system and method for performing operations on a plurality of workpieces comprises an operations portion and a load/unload portion, a plurality of independently operable work heads located in the operations portion, the work heads each being operable to perform work on the plurality of workpieces, a transfer system, the transfer system including a plurality of mounting devices, the transfer system being operable to deliver the mounting devices into and out of the operations portion of the system, the plurality of workpieces being contained in workpiece-holding structures, the workpiece-holding structures being mountable on the plurality of mounting devices, wherein one of the plurality of mounting devices is positioned in the operations portion of the system and work is performed on the plurality of workpieces by at least one of the plurality of independently operable work heads while another one of the plurality of mounting devices is positioned in the load/unload portion of the system and workpiece-holdinType: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: David S. Peacock, Thomas C. Prentice, Brian P. Prescott, Thomas Purcell, Gary T. Freeman, Kevin J. Courtemanche, Scott A. Reid, Earl Sweet, Murray D. Scott, Robert W. Tracy, Paul L. Hemond