Patents Assigned to Automation, Inc.
  • Loudspeaker Diaphragm
    Publication number: 20200145759
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm (12) comprising a woven fibre body supports damping material (25), for example PVA polymer, on a rearward-facing surface (24). The woven fibre body may be formed of lengths (14) non-metallic fibre material (for example glass fibre) coating with a thin metal coating (32). The mass of the layer of damping material (25) may be less than the mass of the woven fibre body. An attractive sparkly looking loudspeaker diaphragm (12) may thus be provided which damps undesirable vibration whilst providing a flatter frequency-response curve (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O'Brien, Martial André Robert Rousseau
  • Redundant links for reliable communication
    Patent number: 10638338
    Abstract: In order to maintain performance during wireless communication, a transmitting electronic device may concurrently and independently communicate redundant information to a receiving electronic device. In particular, information associated with a data stream may be communicated to the receiving electronic device using one or more channels by two radios using one or more wireless local area network communication protocols. The packets transmitted by the radios may preferentially include the same information. Moreover, the transmitting electronic device may attempt to maintain the redundant communication if a performance metric associated with the one or more channels degrades. For example, the transmitting electronic device may transfer communication to a different channel or may compress the information in the packets in the one or more channels if the throughput drops below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaylord Yu
  • Controlled motion system
    Patent number: 10630220
    Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Loudspeaker Diaphragm
    Publication number: 20200120424
    Abstract: A loudspeaker diaphragm (12) comprising a woven fibre body supports damping material (25), for example PVA polymer, on a rearward-facing surface (24). The woven fibre body may be formed of lengths (14) non-metallic fibre material (for example glass fibre) coating with a thin metal coating (32). The mass of the layer of damping material (25) may be less than the mass of the woven fibre body. An attractive sparkly looking loudspeaker diaphragm (12) may thus be provided which damps undesirable vibration whilst providing a flatter frequency-response curve (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O'Brien, Martial André Robert Rousseau
  • Methods and apparatus for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator
    Patent number: 10619758
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically detecting the failure configuration of a pneumatic actuator. A control module is operatively coupled to the actuator, and the actuator is operatively coupled to a valve having a flow control member. When a number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a double-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined based on the number of pilot valves. When the number of pilot valves included in the control module is indicative of a single-acting actuator, the failure configuration of the actuator is determined by comparing a first measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a first direction to a first position and a second measurement value obtained in response to moving the flow control member in a second direction opposite the first direction to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT, VALVE AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Toni Zhang, Edwin Schreuder, Harry Hobert, Eric Yuan
  • Headphone with multiple acoustic paths
    Patent number: 10623847
    Abstract: Headphones comprising a first acoustic path configured to provide passive noise cancellation, and a second acoustic path configured to provide audio leaking. At least a part of the first acoustic path is different from at least a part of the second acoustic path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Chen Jiang
  • Substrate handling system for aligning and orienting substrates during a transfer operation
    Patent number: 10615068
    Abstract: A system for sensing, orienting, and transporting wafers in an automated wafer handling process that reduces the generation of particles and contamination so that the wafer yield is increased. The system includes a robotic arm for moving a wafer from one station to a destination station, and an end-effector connected to an end of the robotic arm for receiving the wafer. The end-effector includes a mechanism for gripping the wafer, a direct drive motor for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism, and at least one sensor for sensing the location and orientation of the wafer. A control processor calculates the location of the center and the notch of the wafer based on measurements by the sensor(s) and generates an alignment signal for rotating the wafer gripping mechanism so that the wafer is oriented at a predetermined position on the end-effector while the robotic arm is moving to another station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew W Coady
  • DYNAMIC SAW LUBRICATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200101542
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a saw may include a lubricator that is mechanically linked to a traveling arm of a saw, such as an up-cut saw. Movement of the saw blade through a first path may result automatically in movement of the lubricator through a second path transverse to the first path. This coupled movement may result in a relatively consistent distance between the lubricator and the periphery of the saw blade, especially as compared with a stationary lubricator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: Precision Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer B. Dick, Melissa L. Covel
  • Substrate processing apparatus
    Patent number: 10607879
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame and at least one substrate transport arm having at least one end effector, each end effector having a base portion, a first and second substrate support tines mounted to and dependent from the base portion where at least one of the first and second substrate support tines is movable relative to the base portion, each of the first and second substrate support tines having respective substrate contacts configured to contact and support a substrate held by the end effector between the respective contacts of the first and second substrate support tines at a substrate support seat dimension span between the substrate contacts of the first and second substrate support tines, and an end effector drive section configured to vary a distance between the first and second substrate support tines relative to each other on the fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Cavins, Leigh F. Sharrock, Kyle M. Letourneau, Stacey McKinney, Dave Jarzynka
  • Fused silica furnace system and method for continuous production of fused silica
    Patent number: 10604437
    Abstract: A method for producing fused silica including pre-heating silica sand by passing the silica sand through a gas flame, distributing the pre-heated silica sand to a furnace having an internal temperature of about 1,713° C. or greater to form molten fused silica, and cooling the molten fused silica by flowing the molten silica from the furnace into a water bath to produce fused silica particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Navus Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Lawless, Gregory J. Hayzen, Charles H. Coggin, Jr.
  • Substrate processing apparatus
    Patent number: 10600665
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first SCARA arm connected to the frame, including an end effector, configured to extend and retract along a first radial axis; a second SCARA arm connected to the frame, including an end effector, configured to extend and retract along a second radial axis, the SCARA arms having a common shoulder axis of rotation; and a drive section coupled to the SCARA arms is configured to independently extend each SCARA arm along a respective radial axis and rotate each SCARA arm about the common shoulder axis of rotation where the first radial axis is angled relative to the second radial axis and the end effector of a respective arm is aligned with a respective radial axis, wherein each end effector is configured to hold at least one substrate and the end effectors are located on a common transfer plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Jayaraman Krishnasamy, Ulysses Gilchrist, Mitchell Drew, Jairo T. Moura
  • Metrology system
    Patent number: 10598521
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a metrology system for high-speed, non-contact coordinate measurements of parts are disclosed herein. In embodiments, the metrology system includes a metrology bridge to be coupled to a measurement assembly. The measurement assembly may include a stage moveable across multiple independent axes. The bridge may include a housing, mounting members coupled to the housing, and a plurality of sensors mounted within the housing. The mounting members may rotatably couple the housing to the measurement assembly. Further, sensor elements of the plurality of sensor devices may be aligned along a length of the housing and may be directed out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: DWFritz Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Aqui, Mark Baker, Chris Barns, Robert Batten, Shawn Boling, Jared Greco, Garrett Headrick, Clint Vandergiessen
  • Integrated systems for interfacing with substrate container storage systems
    Patent number: 10593583
    Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of storage shelves has a shelf plate for supporting a container. Each of the storage shelves is coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain. The rail has some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear. The sections are arranged in a loop. Example configurations of the storage system include one or more of stationary shelves, extended horizontal tracks for a hoist, a conveyor at a level of the storage system, and a manual loading station. The hoist, with an extended horizontal track interfaces with the manual loading station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
  • Enhanced transfer of information using an industrial protocol system and method
    Patent number: 10587730
    Abstract: An enhanced transfer of information using an industrial protocol system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, an industrial automation system includes a serving device communicably coupled with a client device via an industrial data exchange protocol. The client device is configured to generate a service request in accordance with the industrial data exchange protocol, compress the service request, encapsulate the compressed service request in a request packet, and send the request packet to the serving device. The serving device is configured to receive the request packet, decompress the compressed service request, process the service request, gather a service response payload based on the service request, compress the service response payload, encapsulate the compressed service response payload into a response packet, and send the response packet to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Allen Johnston, Elmorris P. Dixon, Kendal R. Harris
  • Vacuum substrate storage
    Patent number: 10586722
    Abstract: A two piece shell is employed for intermediate and long term storage of substrates. The shell is formed of two halves that can be juxtaposed in vacuum and externally vented, with the internal vacuum retaining the halves in vacuum-sealed engagement. One of the halves also provides a vacuum-sealing perimeter for selectively sealing to a process chamber during loading and/or unloading of the shell with a substrate. A vacuum monitor or the like may be employed to monitor pressure during storage and provide alerts if the vacuum within the sealed shell is compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Peter van der Meulen
  • Control environment change communication
    Patent number: 10571898
    Abstract: An automation control system is provided that includes a distributed automation component that receives and processes delta scripts describing state changes to one or more objects of a persistent object model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Reid, Joseph Bronikowski, Subbian Govindaraj, Taryl Jasper, Michael Kalan, Steven John Kowal, Kenneth Plache, Douglas J. Reichard, Charles Rischar, Christopher E. Stanek
  • METHOD FOR HANDLING A CATCH FROM A FISHING BOAT
    Publication number: 20200055571
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for handling the content of a catch from a fishing boat comprising the steps of providing a sorting table having crate handling platforms and installing crates on these platforms. The method also has the step of replacing a full crate with an empty crate and placing the full crates on a crate handling frame which frame can be secured within vertical storage containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: CUBE AUTOMATION INC.
    Inventors: Roch Chiasson, Marius Duguay, Louis DeGrace, Wesley Stewart
  • Method and apparatus for brushless electrical machine control
    Patent number: 10564221
    Abstract: A variable reluctance motor load mapping apparatus includes a frame, an interface disposed on the frame configured for mounting a variable reluctance motor, a static load cell mounted to the frame and coupled to the variable reluctance motor, and a controller communicably coupled to the static load cell and the variable reluctance motor, the controller being configured to select at least one motor phase of the variable reluctance motor, energize the at least one motor phase, and receive motor operational data from at least the static load cell for mapping and generating an array of motor operational data look up tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jairo T. Moura, Nathan Spiker, Aaron Gawlik, Jayaraman Krishnasamy
  • Automatically controlling a liquid spray pattern
    Patent number: 10562054
    Abstract: A dispensing control system, including a frame component having a first side surface and a second side surface, a first sensor portion positioned proximate the first side surface, and a second sensor portion positioned proximate the second side surface, the second sensor portion being separated from the first sensor portion a distance to allow a liquid spray stream exiting a dispenser of a conformal coating machine to pass therebetween, wherein the first sensor portion transmits a beam of light towards the second sensor portion to measure the liquid spray stream exiting the dispenser, the beam of light encompassing both edges of the liquid spray stream while the dispenser is stationary, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: PRECISION VALVE & AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Schoen, John Urquhart, Ryan Lindbom, Anthony Pecorino, Diana Polli
  • Nest device for positioning a part during testing or assembly
    Patent number: 10556757
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with a nest device design are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a nest device may include a main body and one or more air bearings that extend from the main body. A placement mechanism may be positioned on ends of the one or more air bearings, wherein the placement mechanism includes the part. The one or more air bearings may blow air out of the ends of the air bearings against the placement mechanism when the air bearings are in a first state, and draw air in through the ends when the air bearings are in a second state. The nest device may further include one or more air jets that extend from the main body and are directed toward the placement mechanism, air blown by the one or more air jets causes the placement mechanism to be translated. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DWFritz Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Sturges, Garrett L. Headrick, Jacob M. Fricke