Load Support Has Linear Vertical Movement And Additional Movement For Aligning And Mounting Load At A Specific Location Patents (Class 414/589)
  • Patent number: 8234780
    Abstract: A substrate carrier system is provided for physical management of substrate(s) during a variety of assembly techniques performed on the both sides of the substrate(s) without dismounting or changing carrier systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence A. Harvilchuck, George R. Westby
  • Patent number: 8212578
    Abstract: A manipulator system comprising a column unit and a carriage supported by the column unit and configured to move along a desired axis of translation. A marker is provided on the column unit along the axis of translation. A sensor is associated with the carriage and configured to sense a position along the marker. A position display unit is configured to receive a position signal from the sensor and display a current position of the carriage along the axis of translation. In another aspect, the column unit defines at least one slot. A lock assembly is attached to the carriage and includes a tang axially moveable between an unlocked position wherein the tang is disengaged from the at least one slot and a locked position wherein the tang is engaged in the at least one slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: inTEST Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Gajda, Hermann Weissacher
  • Patent number: 8201795
    Abstract: A portable manway cover handling apparatus comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway stub flange within stub flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Lee Wolfford, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20120141292
    Abstract: A component handling system for use in a wind turbine is described herein. The wind turbine includes a rotor, a drive train assembly supported from a support frame, and a drive shaft that is rotatably coupled between the rotor and the drive train assembly. The component handling system includes a lifting assembly that is removably coupled to a component of the drive train and a lifting device. The lifting assembly is configured to support the component from the lifting device, and includes a plurality of lifting legs extending between the component and the lifting device. An alignment device is coupled to at least one lifting leg of the plurality of lifting legs, and is configured to adjust a length of the at least one lifting leg to adjust an orientation of the component with respect to the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul Signore, Charles Van Buchan, Ulrich Neumann, Michael Royee Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120128455
    Abstract: In a transport system, two drop prevention barriers and a drop prevention mechanism are provided along a periphery of a load port where a transported article has been placed. The drop prevention barriers and the drop prevention mechanism are arranged on three sides around the periphery of the load port and a remaining side is open along a first direction. The drop preventing mechanism includes a retaining member rotatably supported on a bracket. When a transported article moves along the first direction, the retaining member is pushed by a transport device such that it rotates from an initial position and retracts in an opposite direction from where a path is located. When the transported article has been loaded onto the load port, the retaining member returns to the initial position such that it is arranged slightly above the transported article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: MURATEC AUTOMATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Tsubaki, Hideki Kato
  • Publication number: 20120110816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving an engine. The engine may be moved in a cradle with respect to a location on an aircraft using a movement system associated with the cradle. A position of the cradle with respect to the movement system and the location on the aircraft may be changed using an adjustment system associated with the movement system. The engine may be connected to the location after changing the position of the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Oliver J. Groves, Michael H. Konen, Thomas D. Mayor
  • Publication number: 20120082535
    Abstract: A submersible robot for operating a tool relative to a surface of an underwater structure has a tool holder movably mounted on a support assembly provided with a driving arrangement for movably holding the tool in operative position relative to the surface. Position and orientation of the support assembly relative to the surface is locked and adjusted by locking and levelling arrangements. A programmable control unit operates the driving, locking and levelling arrangements and the tool and receives measurements from a sensor unit. The control unit has an operation mode wherein a positioning of the robot is determined and controlled as function of an initial position for defining a first work area, and shifted positions of the robot for defining additional work areas, the work areas having overlapping portions with one another for tracking displacements of the robot relative to the surface of the structure using the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Luc PROVENCHER, Stéphan Gendron, René Morin, Michel Blain
  • Patent number: 8146231
    Abstract: An insertion tool for installing rotary chopper elements in integral chopper assemblies in combine harvesters, which insertion tool includes an elongated open-ended trough-like bed portion of a length, breadth, and depth to sufficiently accommodate the rotary chopper element therewithin, with lift brackets along the sides thereof configured to accommodate the prongs of lifting forks of a forklift. The rotary chopper element may be positioned to rest within the bed portion of the insertion tool for transport to adjacent to the access and installation window of a harvester and for slidable insertion by the insertion tool through such window for installation within the harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Jason M. Benes, Daniel J. Klein, Bradley J. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20120076625
    Abstract: A rhinestone placement system and method provides a moving pickup head with self-contained vacuum supply for vacuum assisted pickup of rhinestones. The pickup head includes an adhesive property gasket portion that in cooperation with the vacuum supply temporarily holds a rhinestone for movement to a placement position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: IOLINE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank Schimicci, Tyler Panteleeff, Christopher Stone, Jacob Zeimantz, Robert J. Stockman, Kevin Reed, Richard Fine, Karen Morris-Fine
  • Patent number: 8096051
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of lifting a wind turbine nacelle (1), the method comprising: arranging a first and second anchoring point (2,3) on each of two opposing sides of the nacelle (1), the first point (2) of each side being arranged below the center of gravity (4) of the nacelle (1) and the second point (3) of each side being arranged above the center of gravity (4), wherein one of said first and second anchoring point (2,3) of each side is immovably arranged, and wherein the other one of said first and second anchoring point (2,3) of each side is movably arranged; interconnecting said first and second anchoring point (2,3) on respective side of the nacelle (1) by means of one connecting element (5) per each of the two sides; connecting each of said connecting elements (5) to a hoisting means (11); adjusting the position of each of the movable anchoring points such that each of the connecting elements (5) is vertically aligned when lifting the nacelle (1) by the hoisting means (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Gunnar K. Storgaard Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8099184
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for compensating for the load a part places on a part positioner system that positions the part for work operations by a robot. The part positioner system rotates a part holding assembly about the axis of rotation of a shoulder drive. The part holding assembly may have a column that extends perpendicular to the shoulder center line. A counter weight system is incorporated into the column that includes a counter weight pack that is moved along the length of the column. The shoulder drive drives the part and part holding assembly load in order to measure a torque applied to the shoulder drive. A load offset may be calculated based on the applied torque. The counter weight pack may then be moved to a position on the column calculated to balance the load of the part and part holding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rimrock Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: John Schoening, Lance F. Guymon
  • Publication number: 20110299964
    Abstract: A handling unit for relocating parts, comprises a base part and a handling arm, wherein the handling arm is guided in a linear direction along a first axis of movement and along a second axis of movement which extends transversely with respect to the first axis of movement such that it can be adjusted with respect to the base part, and wherein for guiding the handling arm, a guiding cam is provided on the base part and at least one cam follower is provided on the handling arm, wherein a first drive is provided for adjusting the handling arm along the first axis of movement and a second drive is provided for adjusting the handling arm along the second axis of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Georg Geith
  • Publication number: 20110268546
    Abstract: System for moving objects positioned in a closed space, includes at least one manipulator (3), adapted to grip and orient the objects in the desired positions and at least one overhead-travelling-crane mechanism (2), adapted to move said manipulator in the closed space in at least two different directions substantially horizontal. An electronic processing unit, controlled by an operator, is able to electronically and automatically determine the movements of the overhead-travelling-crane mechanism and of the manipulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: OTO MELARA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Andrea CHIAPPINI, Gianluca BISELLI, Tonino MORICCA
  • Publication number: 20110265327
    Abstract: A method and ground support equipment (GSE) for attaching an engine core to an engine fan module on an aircraft pylon. The GSE may comprise GSE supports and lifting components attached to the pylon, two suspension rails attached to the lifting components, two translating rails translatably attached to the two suspensions rails and fixedly attached to opposite sides of the engine core, and two alignment fittings fixed to the engine fan module. The method of using the GSE may comprise lifting the engine core vertically using the lifting components and anchoring the suspension rails to the alignment fittings. The translating rails and engine core may then be translated in an aft-to-forward direction such that portions of the translating rails engage portions of the alignment fittings to cooperatively guide the translating rails into a final forward position in which the engine core is aligned relative to the engine fan module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Ray West
  • Publication number: 20110259525
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a lightened reaction absorber or to provide a semiconductor assembling system with further shorter processing time and high productivity or high quality using the lightened reaction absorber. The present invention is based upon a reaction absorber provided with a counter mechanism equipped with a load unit moved in a predetermined direction by a first ball screw, a second ball screw that generates reactive force in a reverse direction to the predetermined direction and a driving unit having a driving motor that drives the first ball screw and the second ball screw, and has a characteristic of including a reaction absorbing unit with one end side equipped with a nut connected to the second ball screw and the other end side fixed to a unit base movable relatively to the counter mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Masayuki MOCHIZUKI, Yasushi ISHII
  • Publication number: 20110199113
    Abstract: An insert containing apparatus for a semiconductor package. The insert containing apparatus for a semiconductor package includes: a tray; an insert that is disposed in the tray, wherein at least one semiconductor package is seated on the insert and a through hole is formed around the semiconductor package; and an adapter including at least one finger of which an end portion passes through the through hole of the insert and guides the semiconductor package to a predetermined position so as to arrange the semiconductor package seated on the insert. The insert containing apparatus for a semiconductor package can be applied to semiconductor packages having any of various sizes by using a size-free insert. Thus, an investment cost of an instrument infrastructure can be greatly reduced, and an exchanging time of an insert can be reduced, and thus human power and time can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Young-chul Lee
  • Patent number: 7980806
    Abstract: A vehicle supported mine item positioning apparatus for placing, for example, heavy mining conveyor belt items such as roller assemblies, conveyor frame side rails, frame sections or the like in precise positions for attachment to other conveyor structure, wherein the vehicle can get into cramped quarters in the mine alongside the conveyor and extend, retract, rotate and further manipulate an item pick-up crane mounted on the vehicle, whereby the crane with item pick-up means mounted on an end thereof can pick up and place, e.g., a roller assembly in a precise position and posture on a conveyor frame for making said attachment, and further in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is provided with second crane means for lifting a moving conveyor belt off of a roller assembly for replacement of said assembly with or without stopping the belt, whereby worker lifting and manipulation of heavy roller assemblies or other heavy mining structures is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventors: Robert B Conner, Tom A Weeks
  • Patent number: 7976029
    Abstract: A trailer having a frame movable between a raised position, suitable for towing of the airplane on a roadway, and a lowered position, allowing the airplane wheels to be in contact with a common surface with the trailer wheels when the trailer is under the airplane. A hitch assembly, suitable for towing the trailer in a closed position with the frame in the raised position, is coupled to the front of the frame. The open position allows the airplane to be loaded/unloaded on land from the front of the frame when the frame is in the lowered position. The airplane may be loaded/unloaded from the rear of the frame when the airplane trailer is placed in water. Also, a method of loading the airplane onto the trailer from the rear in water and unloading the airplane from the front on land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Richard T. Plummer
  • Patent number: 7953509
    Abstract: In a control method for a power assist apparatus, a pressing force acting on a workpiece held by a workpiece holding apparatus is detected, a determination is made as to whether or not the detected pressing force exceeds a preset threshold, a determination is made as to whether or not a dead man switch provided on the workpiece holding apparatus is ON, and a determination as to whether or not to release a rotation restriction applied to a joint portion for connecting the workpiece holding apparatus rotatably to an arm is made in accordance with a result of the determination as to whether or not the detected pressing force exceeds the preset threshold and a result of the determination as to whether or not the dead mean switch is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideyuki Murayama
  • Publication number: 20110123301
    Abstract: A method of supplying storage devices to a storage device testing system includes placing a storage device tote, carrying multiple storage devices, in a presentation position accessible to an automated transporter of the storage device testing system. The method includes actuating the automated transporter to retrieve one of the storage devices from the storage device tote, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver the retrieved storage device to a test slot of the storage device testing system and insert the storage device in the test slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Noble, Edward Garcia, Evgeny Polyakov, Eric L. Truebenbach, Brian S. Merrow
  • Patent number: 7946798
    Abstract: A casing pipe and drill rod handler for joining the drill rod in a casing pipe. A pipe sled is provided on a drilling rig, the pipe sled comprising an elongated track with a cart slidably mounted on the track to accommodate the casing pipe. A drill rod guide is provided at one end of the track to guide a drill rod as it is positioned and then inserted into the casing pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventors: Vaughn J. Anderson, Kenneth Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110097184
    Abstract: A parallel link robot (10) provided with a base (11), a moving part (12), three links (20a to 20c) coupling the base and the moving part and having respectively single degrees of freedom with respect to the base, and three actuators (13a to 13c) respectively driving the links, each of the links comprised of a drive link (21a to 21c) coupled with the base and two driven links (22a to 22c, 23a to 23c) coupling the drive link and the moving part and parallel to each other, and further provided with a posture changing mechanism (15) which changes a posture of an element (19) attached to the moving part, an additional actuator (13d to 13f) arranged between the two driven links of at least one link in parallel to these driven links, and a power transmission shaft (39) which extends coaxially from the additional actuator and transmits rotational drive force to the posture changing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Satoshi KINOSHITA, Tomoaki NAGAYAMA, Masahiro YAMAMOTO, Hidenori KUREBAYASHI, Katsumi FUJIMOTO, Tokitaka UEMURA
  • Publication number: 20110081223
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses for processing an object just as semiconductor chips and dies. The first embodiment comprises two or more pick and place heads (FIG. 1) which operate sequentially (ie leap frog) to pick components from a first location to a second. The second embodiment (FIG. 8) comprises a flipping head combined with a pick and place heads where an object is picked up by the flipping head, turned over and then presented to a pick and place head for relocation to an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Tundag F. Medel, P., Han Yong Lam, Kam Yee Fong
  • Publication number: 20110056168
    Abstract: Systems and methods for installing a windmill are provided. The system has a hoisting platform and a carrier. The hoisting platform is operatively connectable to at least one platform leg extending a distance above a base. The hoisting platform is positionable along the platform leg(s). The carrier receives at least one component of the windmill, and is positionable about the hoisting platform and movable thereby whereby the component(s) of the windmill is/are positionable for installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Dean Allen Bennett
  • Publication number: 20110052358
    Abstract: A device for precisely manipulating objects by means of multidimensional tooling movement cycles, comprising a revolving shaft assembly, a barrel shaped main cam connected in a slidable but rotationally locked manner with the revolving shaft assembly, a fixed main cam follower configured to engage the main cam such that the main cam performs a cyclic main translational movement in the direction of a shaft rotation axis, a plate shaped secondary cam rigidly connected to the main cam, a tooling holder having a main slide slidable in the direction of the shaft rotation axis and a secondary slide slidable with respect to the main slide in a transversal direction to the shaft rotation axis, wherein the main slide is connected to the main cam and a secondary cam follower is connected to the secondary slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: WILLCOX INVESTMENTS S.A.
    Inventor: Eamon Joseph McArdle
  • Patent number: 7897120
    Abstract: A charging device for a tube reactor has a plurality of metering chambers which can be filled with filling material, for example a catalytically coated carrier material. Each metering chamber is adjoined by a drop tube or some other filling device via which a tube of the filling device can be filled in each case. The metering chambers can each be filled via antechambers which are combined into one replaceable antechamber unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie AG
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Renzo Nardini
  • Publication number: 20110026004
    Abstract: A positioning system to position a movable object having a body, the positioning system includes an object position measurement system, an object actuator, and an object controller, wherein the positioning system further includes a stiffener to increase the stiffness and/or to damp relative movements within the body of the object, the stiffener including; one or more sensors, wherein each sensor is arranged to determine a measurement signal representative of an internal strain or relative displacement in the body, one or more actuators, wherein each actuator is arranged to exert an actuation force on a part of the body, and at least one controller, configured to provide on the basis of the measurement signal of at least one of the sensors, an actuation signal to at least one of the actuators to increase the stiffness and/or to damp movements within the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Jan VAN EIJK, Engelbertus Antonius Fransiscus Van Der Pasch, Johannes Petrus Martinus Bernardus Vermeulen
  • Publication number: 20100296903
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an end effector for a substrate handling robot. In one embodiment, the end effector comprises one or more Bernoulli chucks surrounded by a plurality of suction cup devices. In one embodiment, the suction cup devices are configured in the form of a bellows to provide both cushioning and lateral stability to the substrate. In one embodiment, the suction cup devices further include an air pressure device to provide light positive pressure to the substrate during release. Embodiments of the end effector described herein provide a small vacuum pressure over a large area of ultra-thin substrates to minimize damage during handling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: VINAY K. SHAH, Navdeep Gupta, Satish Sundar, Andrea Baccini, Christopher Burkhart, Rohit Dey, Christian Zorzi
  • Publication number: 20100242767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing system, comprising a print material inlet, where non-imprinted print materials can be supplied to the printing system, and a printed product outlet, where printed products can be conveyed out of the printing system, and comprising at least one printing couple (19, 251) or printing tower in which the print material can be imprinted, and comprising at least one reel changer (18) or sheet feeder for feeding the print material, and comprising at least one unit, particularly a folding unit (22, 255, 256) or sheet delivery, for post-processing and/or removing the printed product, wherein the printing system comprises at least two system levels arranged vertically above each other, and wherein the printing system forms at least one material flow line (12) along which the print material is conveyed through the printing system, wherein in addition to the printing system a transport system is provided which extends parallel to the material flow line across the entire length o
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Horst-Walter Hauer
  • Publication number: 20100221093
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated method for positioning eggs on a tray that comprises the automated detection of the presence/absence of eggs in the cells of a tray, and the picking-up of eggs from a supply and the placement thereof in the empty cells of a tray. The invention also relates to a system or positioning eggs on a stabilizing tray, the tray including evenly distributed cells in which the eggs are placed, one or more cells being likely not to contain eggs, this information being stored in an information processing unit, wherein said system includes a means in the form of a robot having an egg pick-up head that are driven by the information processing unit in order to pick up eggs from a supply tray and to place them in the empty cells of the stabilizing tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: EGG-CHICK AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Laurent Mogenet, Jean-Claude Yvin, Christophe Dupont
  • Patent number: 7762377
    Abstract: A transfer car in a conveyance system for metal coils, having a support saddle, a chassis that can be moved along a conveyance path by a drive and a mechanism for raising and lowering the support saddle along a linear vertical guide on a plate-like base frame. A steel slab is used as the plate-like base frame, on which a scissor unit is mounted for the purpose of linear vertical guidance and so as to not take on any lifting forces. Two lifting cylinders are installed some distance apart as the drive and act directly on the support saddle to provide the sole lifting forces to raise and lower the support saddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Zug, Peter de Kock
  • Publication number: 20100183414
    Abstract: Since both a driving means for lifting a work and a driving means for turning operation must have been arranged in a conventional work transfer apparatus, the apparatus has been large in size and heavy in weight. A work transfer apparatus is provided with a holding tool for holding a window, i.e., the work, and a supporting arm for movably supporting the holding tool. The window held by the holding tool is transferred by a supporting arm to window frames to which the window is to be assembled, and the posture of the window is changed to that corresponds to the window frames. Furthermore, the supporting arm is configured to be a closed loop link mechanism wherein a plurality of links are connected to form a closed loop. The posture of the holding tool against one link of a pair of links connected to the holding tool of the supporting arm can be fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hitoshi Konosu, Tadashi Odashima
  • Patent number: 7731145
    Abstract: A portable manway cover handling apparatus and method comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway portal flange within portal flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis Lee Wolfford
  • Patent number: 7676925
    Abstract: An interference with existing structures is prevented at a time of a lifting construction of a boiler module. When the boiler module is lifted from the ground by lifting jacks provided on a steel frame main-beam and made an install construction to the main-beam, lifting jacks enabled to move laterally on the main-beam are disposed at forward and backward thereof to suspend the boiler module. The suspended module is lifted up to the main-beam and installed while changing a suspending position between an interference preventing position with existing modules and a prescribed suspending position by alternately moving the forward and backward lifting jacks laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Kawaguchi, Kazuhito Nakamitsu, Yuuichi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100047049
    Abstract: A wafer buffering system is provided herein. In some embodiments, a wafer buffering system may include a frame having a vertical shaft disposed therethrough; two storage platforms, coupled to the frame on either side thereof, each to receive a wafer carrier thereon; and a transfer mechanism coupled to the vertical shaft and capable of vertical movement therealong and lateral movement along an x-axis extending in either direction from the frame at least sufficient to move over the two storage platforms. The transfer mechanism may further include a telescoping fork arm capable of laterally extending in a first direction and in a second direction corresponding to lateral positions of the two storage platforms on either side of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: NIR MERRY, Jacob Newman
  • Patent number: 7665944
    Abstract: A method for lifting, stacking or otherwise manipulating a length of pipe is provided which includes the steps of providing a longitudinally orientated base frame; providing a movable carriage supported on the base frame, and providing a pipe lifting structure mounted to the carriage for independently supporting a length of pipe in a longitudinal position with respect to the base frame. The pipe lifting structure has first and second telescopically extendable lifting arm assemblies that are pivotally mounted to a longitudinally orientated pipe trough for supporting a length of pipe in the pipe trough. A means for pivotally raising and lowering the lifting arm assemblies and thereby said pipe trough and support length of pipe is provided. The method includes providing means for pivotally raising and lowering the lifting arm assemblies remotely located from the pipe lifting structure. Hydraulic cylinders and rams are provided to move the lifting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Perry J. Guidroz
  • Patent number: 7635249
    Abstract: A self-contained, freestanding, modular, portable pipe pick-up and laydown apparatus. The apparatus includes a movable carriage and carriage rail supported on base frame. The base frame includes means for moving the carriage along the length of base frame. The apparatus also includes a pipe trough supported on first and second telescoping pipe trough lifting assemblies pivotally mounted on the carriage. The pipe trough is semicircular in configuration which serves to cradle and manipulate a joint of pipe. Jacks are used to lift and tilt upward the telescoping pipe trough lifting assembles to raise the pipe trough and any supported pipe. The pipe trough may be leveled and otherwise manipulated by extension and retraction of the trough lifting assemblies. A hydraulic lift and detachable hinges are used to pivot the pipe trough on its edges as desired. The invention also provides a movable pipe jack and reversible pipe guides to facilitate the loading and unloading of pipe to and from the pipe trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventor: Perry J. Guidroz
  • Patent number: 7604451
    Abstract: A feeding mechanism and method for feeding minute items, such as capacitors, resistors, or solder preforms. The mechanism is adapted to receive a plurality of the randomly-positioned and randomly-oriented extremely small or minute items, and to isolate, orient, and position one or more of the items in a specific repeatable pickup location wherefrom they may be removed for use by, for example, a computer-controlled automated assembly machine. The mechanism comprises a sliding shelf adapted to receive and support the items; a wiper arm adapted to achieve a single even layer of the items; and a pushing arm adapted to push the items into the pickup location. The mechanism can be adapted for providing the items with a more exact orientation, and can also be adapted for use in a liquid environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Kent Stringer, Simon Scott Yerganian
  • Publication number: 20090213347
    Abstract: A loading/unloading apparatus and method to perform quickly exchanging article to be loaded on a placing table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Taro Sugihara
  • Patent number: 7575408
    Abstract: Plural wok pairs composed of a plurality of works are stored in work storing means. A movable sensor 45 fitted to a conveyance robot 5 detects the position of one of the work pairs in the work storing means, and the work gripping means 25 takes out a plurality of works at one time from the work storing means. One of the plurality of works is held temporally by temporal work holding means 6 or 7 while the other work is conveyed to a jig Y. In the course of conveyance, a fixed sensor 63 detects the relative positional relationship between the work and the work gripping means 25. If the relative positional relationship deviates from the regular positional relationship, the movement of a robot arm 31 is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hirotec Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Tominaga
  • Publication number: 20090139072
    Abstract: Installation of an engine to a support structure includes temporarily attaching first and second alignment structures to the support structure and the engine. One of the alignment structures has a target pattern on its surface. The installation further includes using a machine vision system from the other of the mounting structures to indicate the relative position of the target pattern with respect to a reference. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference provides information about relative position of an engine mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) with respect to a corresponding mounting element (e.g., bolt hole) in the support structure. The relative position of the target pattern with respect to the reference can be used to maneuver the engine in order to align the mounting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gary M. Buckus, Michael J. Tanzini
  • Publication number: 20090096148
    Abstract: A workpiece grasper and a workpiece transfer apparatus shorten the time that a processing facility must be stopped. A workpiece is transferred along a production line and processed in three or more processing facilities. A workpiece grasper grasps and places the workpiece to be transferred between the processing facilities. The workpiece grasper includes a rotation mechanism and two hands capable of grasping and placing the workpiece. The rotation mechanism rotates the two hands above a line along a transfer direction of the workpiece. The rotation mechanism changes the hands for grasping the workpiece from a processing facility and changes the hands for placing the grasped workpiece on a processing facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Usui
  • Publication number: 20090097952
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and a device for transporting an elevator car drive machine within an elevator hoistway. The drive machine is secured to a movable carriage located in the hoistway and the carriage is moved in a horizontal direction of travel to move the drive machine horizontally within the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Bruce P. Swaybill, St.Bruce Pierre
  • Publication number: 20090088912
    Abstract: Systems and methods of positioning a tool using a linear motor with a plurality of stages on a single path. A single rail and a plurality of trucks containing stages can comprise a linear motor. The trucks can connect to a tool through a linkage such as a four bar linkage or a scissor jack. The global position of the stages can be manipulated to effectuate motion along the path; the relative position, velocity, and acceleration of the trucks can be manipulated to effectuate motion in another direction such as a direction perpendicular to the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: ANORAD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Devarajan Rajaraman
  • Patent number: 7500702
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat holding apparatus for manufacturing vehicles which is able to easily and reliably hold seats having various specifications so as to enable the seats to be installed into vehicle bodies. Preferred vehicle seat holding apparatus may comprise a back push unit; back push drive to rotate the back push unit; a cushion push unit; and cushion push drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hoon Son
  • Publication number: 20090026898
    Abstract: An enhanced computer rack having sides is provided. The rack is used for housing electronic components and comprises in one embodiment of a lift rail having a plurality of multipurpose frame members capable of being engageably connected to at least one of the rack sides such that the frame members can be retracted into or extended out from the rack. In an alternate embodiment, a lift tool is provided for hoisting object into the rack. The lift tool is connected to at least one side of the rack and is capable of being retracted inside or being extended out from the rack. The two embodiments can also be combined to provide an enhanced rack with an integrated lift rails and lift tool design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Steven C. McIntosh, Budy D. Notohardjono, Kevin R. Qualters, Howard P. Welz
  • Publication number: 20090022574
    Abstract: A wafer loading system accommodates sufficient wafer carriers to substantially maximize the processing speed capability of wafer processing systems. Wafer carriers are placed into and removed from the loading system by one or two overhead carrier loading elements, such as overhead track systems. Carriers may be loaded or removed while other carriers are in work. One or more transfer robots may move wafers from the carriers to buffers. Methods of operating the loading system allow delivery and removal of wafers to and from the processing systems to meet or exceed the processing speeds of the processing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Steve L. Eudy, Randy A. Harris, Paul Z. Wirth
  • Publication number: 20090024244
    Abstract: A wafer processing system has a wafer loading system accommodating sufficient wafer carriers to substantially maximize the processing speed capability of the processing system. Wafer carriers are placed into and removed from the loading system by one or two overhead carrier loading tracks. Carriers may be loaded or removed while other carriers are in work. One or more transfer robots may move wafers from the carriers to buffers. One or more process robots in a process module move wafers from buffers, or other locations, to processors in the process module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Randy A. Harris, Steve L. Eudy, Paul Z. Wirth
  • Patent number: 7474939
    Abstract: An object taking-out apparatus for taking out objects randomly stacked in a container according to a condition of how each object is placed, which includes a robot hand having telescopic means and a coupling member whose one ends are connected to a robot arm end, and holding means coupled to their other ends. The telescopic means expands and contracts to cause the holding means to assume either a first orientation where a small angle is formed or a second orientation where a large angle is formed between a holding direction axis of the holding means and a rotary axis of the robot arm end, thereby taking out objects without causing interaction between the robot and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masaru Oda, Toshinari Tamura
  • Publication number: 20080304936
    Abstract: A safety device applied to appliances for lifting boards onto ceilings and walls comprises a telescopic mast, an upper part of which accommodates the board holder and traction and safety ropes operated by a manually controlled winch, a component for attaching and fastening the traction rope and safety rope so that they are at the same fastening level, and a mechanism for tensioning the safety rope. The attachment component is fixed in the lower receiving part of the terminal inner section of the telescopic assembly. The tensioning mechanism is external relative to the telescopic mast and situated facing the winch for winding the traction and safety ropes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: ROGER MONDELIN SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Bailly, Denis Narelli, Christophe Valette