Machine Tool Patents (Class 340/680)
  • Patent number: 11971286
    Abstract: A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 11506568
    Abstract: A synchronizing device includes: a machine data acquisition portion which acquires at least one type of machine data related to operation of a machine in a time series based on first time information; a measurement data acquisition portion which acquires at least one type of measurement data measuring the state of the machine in a time series based on second time information; a first extraction portion which extracts, from any of the machine data, a moment at which a feature set in advance indicating a predetermined event is expressed; a second extraction portion which extracts, from any of the measurement data, a moment at which a feature set in advance indicating the predetermined event is expressed; and an output portion which synchronizes a moment extracted by the first extraction portion and a moment extracted by the second extraction portion, and outputs the machine data and the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junichi Tezuka
  • Patent number: 11415404
    Abstract: The apparatus for detecting at least one physical quantity of a ferromagnetic product (5) comprises an iron core (2, 2?, 2?, 2??) having an annular shape open at a respective discontinuity or air gap, a detection zone (3, 3?, 3?, 3??) being defined by the aforementioned air gap, and at least one electrical winding (4, 40), wound around at least a portion of said core (2, 2?, 2?, 2??).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SCHNELL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Simone Rupoli
  • Patent number: 11256229
    Abstract: An industrial machinery includes: a drive mechanism driving a control target that moves work or a tool; a motor; a first sensor detecting a position of the control target; a second sensor detecting a position of the motor; a current controller controlling a supply current to the motor; a servo controller outputting a torque instruction to the current controller; and a numerical controller calculating a processing force of the control target to the work based on position information on the control target acquired from the first sensor, position information on the motor acquired from the second sensor, and the torque instruction, the numerical controller determining that the tool is in failure if an absolute value of a first component of the processing force becomes equal to or larger than a first threshold value while processing the work, the first component having a frequency lower than a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Shibaura Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamichi Ito, Jun Fujita, Atsushi Tada, Hirohiko Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 11215492
    Abstract: A fluid level measurement system, including an instrument line configured for installation within a fluid storage tank or vessel, the instrument line having a first end configured to be installed below a fluid level of the storage tank and a second end configured to be installed above the fluid level of the storage tank, the first end including a first pressure diaphragm plate configured to communicate with fluid within the storage tank, a pressure sensor configured to be connected to the second end of the instrument line, and a relief valve configured to open and allow high-pressure gas in the tank to escape through a ventilation port in order to depressurize the tank until tank pressure equalizes with the surrounding atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Hashem Hashemian, Cory Steven Oakley
  • Patent number: 11184690
    Abstract: A sensor device may transform sensor data into spectrum data to be processed by a computer device. In an example, the sensor device may detect acceleration forces caused by a vibration. The sensor device may transform the acceleration forces into sensor data. The sensor device may transform the sensor data into spectrum data. The sensor device may execute a spectrum analysis on the spectrum data. The sensor device may generate a packet that includes a result of the spectrum analysis as a payload of the packet. A format of the packet may be based on a protocol of a communication link between the sensor device and the computer device. The sensor device may send the packet to the computer device through the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Brian Fischer, Stephen A. McIntyre, Robert D. Matusek
  • Patent number: 11162899
    Abstract: A wear amount measuring device includes: a light emitting unit configured to emit light on an object to be measured having a wear surface; an imaging unit configured to obtain an image of the object; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a wear amount by specifying a wear surface of the object from the obtained image. A positional relationship between the light emitting unit, the imaging unit, and the object is set such that, when a dummy object to be measured having a wear surface is arranged in place of the object, the light emitting unit and the imaging unit have a specular reflection relationship relative to the wear surface of the dummy object. The calculation unit calculates the wear amount by specifying the wear surface based on a difference in brightness of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Teshima, Chie Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11138858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for event-detection confirmation are disclosed. For example, a sensing device may generate sensor data, such as from radar, and the sensor data may be utilized to determine if a predefined event as occurred. Event-confirmation operations may then be performed, such as by utilizing acoustic-event detection techniques and/or natural language understanding techniques. When occurrence of an event is confirmed, such as to a certain confidence level, one or more actions may be taken, such as sending a notification to another device and/or establishing a communication channel with another device, such as a device associated with emergency services, family members, friends, and/or neighbors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mara Clair Segal, Robert Waverly Zehner
  • Patent number: 11118955
    Abstract: A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 11015323
    Abstract: A system for tracking usage of a work implement includes a movement characteristic sensor, a wireless transmitter, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether movement of the work implement exceeds a movement characteristic threshold based upon the movement characteristic signals, increase a work implement usage time by a cycle time interval if the movement of the work implement exceeds the movement characteristic threshold, and transmit with a wireless transmitter on the work implement the work implement usage time and the unique identification number to a system remote from the work implement. Further, the controller is configured to sequentially operate in a standard power mode and in a low power mode, and while in the low power mode, power to at least one of the movement characteristic sensor and the wireless transmitter is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Arjun Veneshetty, Joshua D. Reed
  • Patent number: 10995603
    Abstract: A control method for using a core drilling system is disclosed. In an embodiment the method includes detecting a predetermined drilling situation on the basis of the attainment of a predetermined threshold value for at least one predetermined corresponding drilling parameter and ending the core drilling operation by selecting a reverse-travel mode for removing the drilling tool from the borehole if the advancing device does not reach a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined corresponding distance value in a direction and the core drilling machine does not reach a predetermined threshold value for at least one predetermined corresponding drilling parameter or continuing the core drilling operation by selecting a predetermined operating mode if the advancing device reaches a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined corresponding distance value in a direction and the core drilling machine reaches a predetermined threshold value for at least one predetermined corresponding drilling parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Drexl, Andreas Hartig, Thomas Schmalholz, Bernhard Link, Goran Golubovic
  • Patent number: 10847013
    Abstract: A communicator in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a connector, a communication circuit, and a communication controller. The connector is electrically coupled to an electric working machine. The communication circuit performs wireless communication. The communication controller cyclically transmits operational information without specifying a recipient via the communication circuit in response to an operating mode of the communication controller being set to an operation-transmission mode. The operational information indicates an operating state of the electric working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Kusakawa, Masaaki Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 10821568
    Abstract: A method for determining a vibration amplitude of a tool, includes the steps of: generating a light beam of a light barrier with a transmitter for generating the light beam and a receiver for detecting a light intensity of the light beam; generating a receiver signal on the basis of a light intensity of the light beam that is detected by the receiver of the light barrier; positioning a tool tip of the tool in the light beam; causing the tool to vibrate; determining the vibration amplitude of the tool from a modulation of the receiver signal brought about by the vibration of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAUER GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Ketelaer, Fabian Franzmann
  • Patent number: 10712738
    Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus for monitoring vibration sensitive industrial equipment is disclosed. The system may include a data acquisition circuit structured to interpret a plurality of detection values, each of the plurality of detection values corresponding to input received from at least one of a plurality of input sensors, each of the plurality of input sensors operatively coupled to at least one of a plurality of components of the equipment, a signal conditioning circuit structured to process a subset of the detection values on multiples of a key frequency, a vibration analysis circuit structured to identify vibration in at least one of the plurality of components, a data analysis circuit structured to analyze the plurality of detection values and determine a status parameter value, and an analysis response circuit structured to take an action in response to the status parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Strong Force IoT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Howard Cella, Gerald William Duffy, Jr., Jeffrey P. McGuckin, Mehul Desai
  • Patent number: 10670253
    Abstract: A light emitting device offers a plurality of modes and sub-modes, comprising a housing that contains a microcontroller, a power bank, a rechargeable battery, a light source, an arc lighter configured to create a spark, a USB charging port, and an operative component to allow a user to selectively actuate a flashlight mode, an arc mode, and a USB charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Lemon, Justin Eldredge, Devin Miller, Tyrell Turley, Ryker Haddock
  • Patent number: 10598542
    Abstract: A method for operating a machine plant having a shaft train, including: a) determining the harmonic frequency of a torsional vibration mode of the shaft train and determining mechanical stresses arising during a vibration period of the torsional vibration mode; b) determining a correlation for each torsional vibration mode between a first stress amplitude, at a position of the shaft train that carries risk of stress damage, and a second stress amplitude, at a measurement location of the shaft train, using stresses determined for the respective torsional vibration mode; c) establishing a maximum first stress amplitude for the position; d) establishing a maximum second stress amplitude, corresponding to the maximum first stress amplitude, for the measurement location; e) measuring the stress of the shaft train while rotating; f) determining a stress amplitude at each harmonic frequency; g) emitting a signal when the stress amplitude reaches the maximum second stress amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ingo Balkowski, Ulrich Ehehalt, Oliver Hensel, Dirk Huckriede, Thomas Küpper, Bernd Lacombe, Ümit Mermertas, Uwe Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 10589395
    Abstract: A system for detecting a damaged tool of multi-axis head machining equipment includes multi-axis head machining equipment, and a damaged tool detecting device connected to the multi-axis head machining equipment to detect a damaged tool, the damaged tool detecting device being configured to measure a current and a current change amount of the multi-axis head machining equipment to monitor a machining load, and a derivative and machining energy of the machining load, so as to detect whether there is an abnormality in a plurality of tools mounted on a multi-axis head during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ho-Hwan Kim, Yoong-Je Park, Dae-Han Choi
  • Patent number: 10571367
    Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing actual tool usage based on measurements of tool activity are presented herein. In some embodiments, a power tool usage auditor (PTUA) includes a sound measuring device offset from the surface of a power tool. The sound measuring device senses sound waves emitted from the surface of power tool and generates an electrical signal indicative of the sound emitted from the surface of the power tool. In some other embodiments, a PTUA includes a magnetic field measuring device that senses changes in magnetic field induced by motion generated by the power tool. A processor is configured to receive electrical signals indicative of tool activity and generate a signal indicative of actual tool usage. Furthermore, methods and systems for communicating an indication of actual tool usage to a user or another computing system without interfering with the operation of the tool are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron G. Silverberg, Sam Silverberg, Edward S. Silverberg
  • Patent number: 10569342
    Abstract: A method and a device applying surface structuring to a surface of a workpiece on a machine tool, performing a feed motion of a milling cutter which is rotationally driven by a work spindle of the machine tool, received in a tool head of the machine tool and has at least one protruding cutting edge along the surface of the workpiece; applying the surface structuring in accordance with a predetermined pattern to the surface of the workpiece during the feed motion of the milling cutter on the basis of a control signal to an actuator which is integrated in the tool head and is configured to drive a vibration of the milling cutter on the basis of the control signal, wherein the control signal contains high-frequency carrier signal and a useful signal which modulates the carrier signal and which is generated on the basis of data indicating the predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SAUER GMPH
    Inventor: Jens Ketelaer
  • Patent number: 10551822
    Abstract: A CAD/CAM-CNC integrated system, configured with devices related to processes from design of a product to machining and including CAD, CAM and a CNC machine tool, has a shared database that stores information collected during machining or a change made to a machining command by an operator in association with structured information of the machining command. The information collected from a machining site is fed back to the CAM via the shared database, and the fed back information is analyzed to update the machining technique information, thereby making it easy to make use of the know-how accumulated in the machining site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tooru Mizuno, Masako Sudou, Soichiro Ide, Osamu Hanaoka, Yousuke Ootomo
  • Patent number: 10545044
    Abstract: A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 10496961
    Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of washrooms in a facility for servicing by service personnel and, more particularly, for establishing servicing operations which provide for service of at least selected of the dispensers before their consumable product supply falls below a pre-selected refill value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: OP Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Rudolpho Gian-Franco Gugliotta
  • Patent number: 10496055
    Abstract: A machine learning device for detecting an indication of an occurrence of chatter in a tool for a machine tool, includes a state observation unit which observes at least one state variable of a vibration of the machine tool itself, a vibration of a building in which the machine tool is installed, an audible sound, an acoustic emission and a motor control current value of the machine tool, in addition to a vibration of the tool; and a learning unit which generates a learning model based on the state variable observed by the state observation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko Matsushima, Yoshito Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10442056
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus is used for holding a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer in a polishing apparatus for polishing and planarizing the substrate. The substrate holding apparatus includes an elastic membrane, a top ring body for holding the elastic membrane, and a plurality of pressure chambers partitioned by at least one partition wall of the elastic membrane. The substrate is held by a lower surface of the elastic membrane and pressed against the polishing surface with a fluid pressure by supplying a pressurized fluid to the pressure chambers. The substrate holding apparatus further include a stopper configured to limit the inflation of the elastic membrane by being brought into contact with a part of the partition wall of the elastic membrane or an extending member extending from a rear surface of the elastic membrane whose surface serves as a substrate holding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Namiki, Hozumi Yasuda, Osamu Nabeya, Makoto Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10434615
    Abstract: A measurement device for a chip removing machine, and methods of obtaining frequency response functions, obtaining stability charts and selecting operational parameters of a chip removing machining tool are disclosed. The device includes an engagement portion at the rear end for engagement with the machine and a measurement portion at the front end. The measurement portion is without a tool tip and includes a planar front end surface perpendicular to the centre axis. The front end surface has a coupling point aligned with the centre axis for receiving mechanical excitation. The front end surface further includes a plurality of seats for receiving one accelerometer each for measuring a response of the received mechanical excitation. When an accelerometer is received in one of the seats, and abutts against three contact surfaces thereof, it is positioned and oriented three dimensionally and around three axes of rotation in relation to the coupling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventor: Anders Liljerehn
  • Patent number: 10436759
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a condition of a structure are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Julian Adin Mann, III, Jessica Dawn Myers
  • Patent number: 10413977
    Abstract: A cryogenically cooled boring tool design reduces the effect of cryogen coolant on a workpiece caused by coolant leakage and coolant exhaust. A tool body has a cartridge for holding a cutting tool insert and a coolant supply path through the tool body and the cartridge for supplying cryogenic coolant to the tool insert. A feed transfer tube connects the coolant supply path in the tool body to the coolant supply path in the cartridge. Insulating tubes line portions of the coolant supply paths in the tool body and the cartridge. The shrinkage rates of the feed transfer tube and the insulating tubes cause the press fit of the insulating tubes to tighten the seal between the insulating tubes and the feed transfer tube when cryogenic coolant flows through the supply path. The exhaust ports on the tool for boiled-off cryogen remains outside of a workpiece bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: 5ME IP, LLC
    Inventors: George Georgiou, Don Azzopardi
  • Patent number: 10380514
    Abstract: A system is provided for setting an appropriate delivery count rank expressing the delivery capability of a deliveryman. There is provided: a storage device that stores a delivery count rank for each deliveryman, a progress flag indicating whether or not each deliveryman is subject to a progress check, and a performance of each deliveryman in a designated period; and rank setting unit that calculates a total undelivered task count and an undelivered task rate on the basis of a total transmitted count and a total actual count included in the storage device, calculates a work attendance rate on the basis of a stipulated number of attendances and an actual number of attendances included in the storage device, and sets a delivery count rank for each deliveryman on the basis of the calculated total undelivered task count, undelivered task rate, work attendance rate, and a progress flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Nippon Gas Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Wada, Shingo Dekamo
  • Patent number: 10317275
    Abstract: A method for determining an operational condition of a vibratory system, comprising receiving vibration signals from one or more sensors associated with the vibratory system preprocessing the vibration signals to remove known noise to create a preprocessed signal, processing the preprocessed signal in both a time domain and a frequency domain to create time domain data and frequency domain data, respectively, and fusing the time domain data and the frequency domain data to determine the existence of abnormal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Lei Liu
  • Patent number: 10265818
    Abstract: In a machine tool, when machining is in a steady zone, a rotation phase of a main spindle at the time of measurement in the N-th sampling is calculated, and the calculated rotation phase and the measurement value are recorded in a recording section so as to be associated with each other. The measurement and calculation of the rotation phase of the main spindle at the time of each measurement are continued for plural times of rotations of the main spindle, and thus the measurement values are obtained at various rotation phases, whereby change in drive force during one rotation of the main spindle is finally calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10228677
    Abstract: A vibration information display device includes a monitor, a vibration information acquisition unit, an operating information acquisition unit, a storage unit, and a display control unit. The monitor displays information on the chatter vibrations. The vibration information acquisition unit acquires vibration information when the chatter vibrations are detected. The operating information acquisition unit acquires operating information of the machine tool when the chatter vibrations are detected. The storage unit stores the acquired vibration information and operating information. The display control unit displays the vibration information and the operating information stored in the storage unit on the monitor. Alternatively, the display control unit displays the vibration information stored in the storage unit on the monitor together with trajectory information of a blade edge of the tool included in the operating information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Ando
  • Patent number: 10228678
    Abstract: Systems and techniques to facilitate tool failure analysis associated with fabrication processes are presented. A monitoring component determines a candidate tool failure associated with one or more fabrication tools based on sensor data generated by a set of sensors associated with the one or more fabrication tools. A signature component generates a signature dataset for the candidate tool failure based on data associated with the one or more fabrication tools. A comparison component compares the candidate tool failure to at least one previously determined tool failure based on the signature dataset and at least one other signature dataset associated with the at least one previously determined tool failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kaushal, Sukesh Janubhai Patel, Wolfgang Polak, Orion Wolfe
  • Patent number: 10213063
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Aaron R. Reynolds, Chip W. Curtis
  • Patent number: 10192178
    Abstract: A method for conveying application information for power tools is disclosed. In one embodiment, information describing a task which is to be performed by a handheld tool is accessed. In one embodiment, the handheld tool is a power tool. Based upon the information describing the task, at least one operating parameter for performing the task is conveyed to the handheld tool. The handheld tool is then configured with the at least one operating parameter prior to initiating the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kahle, Pat Bohle, Reinhard Waibel, Markus Messmer, Oliver Glockner, Angela Beckenbauer, Till Cramer, Andreas Winter
  • Patent number: 10185304
    Abstract: A method includes: selecting a movement path for a moving component of a machine tool; either before or after the movement path, causing the moving component to make a first predefined movement; before the movement path, causing the moving component to make a second predefined movement; after the movement path, causing the moving component to make a third predefined movement; recording, using a computing device including one or more accelerometers, movement data resulting from the first, second and third predefined movements, and from the movement path; analyzing the movement data by finding waveforms to identify a start point, a finish point, and which one of the predefined movement paths in the set was selected; calculating timing information based on the identified start and end points, and the identified one of the predefined movement paths in the set; and determining performance limits of the machine tool based on the timing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Delcam Limited
    Inventors: Stephen William Mackman, Steven Michael Hobbs, William del Strother
  • Patent number: 10162336
    Abstract: A numerical control (NC) system based on a virtual host computer is described. The NC system includes the virtual host computer arranged on a remote server, a local lower computer, and a human-machine interactive device. The human-machine interactive device provides a human-machine interactive input/output interface. The virtual host computer integrates a human-machine interactive module, a non-real-time/half-real-time task execution unit and a lower-computer control unit, and receives an NC machining instruction, processing the instruction to form a machine-tool control instruction through the non-real-time/half-real-time task execution unit, and transmitting the control data to the local lower computer through the lower-computer control unit utilizing a network. The local lower computer controls a machine tool to execute real-time motion control and logic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jianzhong Yang, Bingyan Feng, Enming Hui, Guotao Ding, Yongliang Lu
  • Patent number: 10146208
    Abstract: A method for automated part probing using a physical machine defining a physical working volume, the method including: generating a virtual model based on a virtual part design received from a user account, the virtual model comprising a virtual part model, based on the virtual part design, virtually fixed to a virtual fixture plate arranged within a virtual working volume representative of the physical working volume; generating a probing routine based on the virtual model; sending the probing routine to the machine; receiving probe outputs from the machine; and validating the virtual model based on the probe outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Plethora Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Pinkston, Jonathan Stults
  • Patent number: 10107718
    Abstract: Sensors monitor parameters of a machine and generate sensor signals that are transmitted to a plurality of signal analyzers. A microprocessor in each signal analyzer analyzes a sensor signal and generates an event signal when the sensor signal meets predetermined criteria indicating that the machine is operating abnormally. A circular buffer is connected to receive and record data corresponding to a sensor signal. When the signal analyzer generates an event signal and a capture trigger is created, the data from the circular buffer is transmitted and stored in the nonvolatile memory. Both pre-event data and post-event data are stored in the nonvolatile memory in a selected ratio of pre-event and post-event data. Data lines connect each signal analyzer in a group of signal analyzers, and data corresponding to each signal analyzer in the group is stored into the nonvolatile memory when an event signal is created by a signal analyzer in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: epro GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Wewers
  • Patent number: 10035196
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a drilling tool having one or more locating brackets. The locating brackets include contacts that when engaged by a workpiece or a component adjacent to a workpiece, complete a pneumatic circuits of a pneumatic switch. Completion of the pneumatic circuits facilities operation of a drill of the drilling tool, thus allowing operation of the drilling tool and/or engagement of the drill with a workpiece. The locator brackets are sized and positioned such that engagement of the contacts occurs when the drilling tool is located in a predetermined position, thereby ensuring that drilling of a hole occurs in a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Nelsen Stavig, Jr., Avery C. Alby
  • Patent number: 10005167
    Abstract: The wear status of a micro-endmill tool may be inferred by monitoring the chip production rate of the tool in operation. Chips may be extracted from a work area, captured on an adhesive surface, imaged, and counted to determine the chip production rate. When the rate of chip production falls, the feed rate of the micro-endmill may be modified to a level suitable for the current state of tool wear. In this manner, costly and inconvenient work stoppages to evaluate the wear status of a tool are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Arizon Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Angela A. Sodemann, Anuj K. Bajaj, Jason R. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 9956661
    Abstract: A feedback control numerical machine tool and a method thereof are provided. The machine tool includes at least two spindles, an acoustic frequency detecting module, at least two spindle position detecting modules, and a control module. The spindles machine a workpiece. The acoustic frequency detecting module detects an acoustic frequency of the spindles when machining the workpiece. The spindle position detecting modules detects position information of the spindles when machining the workpiece. The control module acquires the acoustic frequency and the position information of the spindles, monitors whether any of the spindles chatters according to the acoustic frequency of the spindles, and performs chattering avoidance to the spindle that chatters according to the position information of the spindles. As such, the present disclosure performs chattering monitoring to a plurality of spindles and avoids the chattering immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Tsung-Ling Hwang, Tzuo-Liang Luo, Chin-Te Lin, Shuo-Peng Liang, Ta-Jen Peng
  • Patent number: 9863917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for condition monitoring of and/or fault diagnostics in solid dosage compaction presses and, more particularly, to methods and systems for real-time vibroacoustic condition monitoring of and/or fault diagnostics in solid dosage compaction presses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CLARKSON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Cetin Cetinkaya
  • Patent number: 9849521
    Abstract: A cutting tool for face milling includes insert pockets for the fixing of cutting insert. The cutting inserts can be fixed in the insert pockets, wherein the cutting inserts and insert pockets are designed such that, when the cutting inserts are fixed within the corresponding insert pocket, each cutting insert presents: a primary and a secondary cutting edge. The intersection between the primary and the secondary cutting edge of one cutting insert being axially inwardly and radially outwardly offset from the intersection between the primary and the secondary cutting edge of another cutting insert. A lead angle defined between the primary and the secondary cutting edges is less than 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Antoine Morandeau, David Bonhoure, René Leroy
  • Patent number: 9829865
    Abstract: A maintenance support system include includes: a first storage unit which stores first specification information indicating a specification of a process control system which performs control of an industrial process implemented in a plant; an actual condition information extraction unit configured to extract actual condition information indicating an actual condition for the process control system; and a first comparison unit configured to output first information indicating a result of comparing the first specification information stored in the first storage unit with the actual condition information extracted by the extraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kanbe, Mitsuhiro Yamamoto, Nobuaki Ema
  • Patent number: 9766118
    Abstract: A method for monitoring vibrations of the winding overhang in a generator (2) comprises the following steps: —detection of vibrations of the winding overhang (15) during the operation of the generator; —transformation of signals of the vibrations into the frequency range; —transformation of multiple individual vibrations from the frequency signals into the modal range; and —determination of deviations of the modal forms and/or individual bar vibrations in relation to a reference response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christian Kreischer, Timot Veer
  • Patent number: 9682455
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing a user interface. The system includes circuitry configured to generate chatter information based on sensor data collected from a machining operation of a machine performed at a previously selected tool speed setting. The chatter information includes a chatter level value and a chatter frequency value. A plurality of different candidate tool speed settings is determined based on the generated chatter frequency value from the machining operation. The circuitry generates the user interface that includes a plurality of different tool speed settings, including the previously selected tool speed setting and the plurality of different candidate tool speed settings for selection by a user. The user interface is configured to indicate the chatter level value for the previously selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: DMG MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zachary Piner, Ke Ding, Mehdi Namazi, Kyle Konishi
  • Patent number: 9658611
    Abstract: A controller for a machine tool outputs an operation instruction signal to the machine tool. The machine tool transmits a signal indicating that the instructed operation is compete. The controller determines a response time of operation to be a difference in time between a point in time when the numerical controller outputs an operation instruction signal and a point in time when the numerical controller receives a signal from the machine tool. When the response time of operation exceeds a preset value, the numerical controller determines that a corresponding maintenance component needs to be replaced and informs a user of the need for replacement by means of a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Zheng Tong
  • Patent number: 9659468
    Abstract: A method for providing haptic feedback is provided for a device that produces haptic noise, such as a power tool with an electric motor that produces noises and vibrations while in operation. An environmental condition of the device can be sensed while the device is being operated and generating haptic noise. A haptic noise characteristic of the device can be determined. A haptic drive signal based on the environmental condition and haptic noise characteristic can be generated. The haptic drive signal can be applied to a haptic output device associated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Vincent Levesque, Jamal Saboune, Danny Grant, Robert Lacroix, Abdelwahab Hamam
  • Patent number: 9640930
    Abstract: A monitoring apparatus configured for monitoring a carbon brush of a brush holder assembly of an electrical machine. The monitoring apparatus may include a flexible sensor and a signal processing circuit for processing a signal received from the flexible sensor. The flexible sensor may have an electrical resistance that varies based on a radius of curvature of the flexible sensor, wherein the radius of curvature of the flexible sensor may be associated with a deflection of a spring providing a force to engage the carbon brush with a rotating component of the electrical machine. The signal processing circuit may be coupled to the sensor and may be configured to determine a measure of a wear state of the carbon brush using information about the variable resistance of the flexible sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CUTSFORTH, INC.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 9555429
    Abstract: A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jackson W. Wegelin