Patents Assigned to Automation, Inc.
  • System and method for plasma cutting sheet metal in an automated coil-line machine
    Patent number: 9393638
    Abstract: A fully automated plasma sheet metal cutter that can be integrated into a HVAC coil-line and which increases the precision of cutting, decreases the time it takes to cut a particular component sheet metal part, and offers flexibility in cutting different sized and shaped holes or openings. Further, since the system is fully automated, it eliminates the error or cost attributed to a portion of the cutting process that heretofore has been associated with a manual laborer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Plasma Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Walsh
  • Industrial controller automation interface
    Patent number: 9389602
    Abstract: An automation interface is provided for interacting with industrial controllers. The automation interface provides for programming, editing, monitoring and maintenance of industrial controllers programmatically from a local or remote location. The automation interface component is adapted to communicate with industrial controllers by integrating a computer process interface library into the automation interface component. The computer process interface library exposes the automation interface component to client application processes, so that the client application processes can communicate with the at least one industrial controller programmatically. The automation interface is provided with functionality for downloading, uploading and programming of control programs to the processors of the industrial controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKelvey, Mike D'Amico
  • Low-field NMR device for measuring the water content of solids and slurries
    Patent number: 9383420
    Abstract: A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) apparatus and method for measuring the water content of samples has a device to produce a main magnetic field; a sample receiving space within a main magnetic field; a device to excite a measurable RF magnetization to a sample placed into the sample receiving space at an operating frequency defined by the main magnetic field; a device to measure the RF signal produced by the excited sample; and a device to determine the water content in the sample based on the RF signal. The sample receiving space is capable of accommodating a sample having a volume of at least 0.5 dm3, and the device to produce a main magnetic field has a resistive electromagnet which is adapted to produce a main magnetic field corresponding to an operating frequency of 400-2000 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: METSO AUTOMATION INC.
    Inventors: Sami Virtanen, Veli-Pekka Viitanen
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED TRANSPORTATION OF ITEMS BETWEEN VARIABLE ENDPOINTS
    Publication number: 20160187886
    Abstract: An automated system for transporting items between variable endpoints includes a guidance system for identifying the endpoints and at least one autonomous mobile robot interacting with the guidance system for automatically moving items between the endpoints. The at least one robot is configured to (a) collect an item to be transported at a source end point, (b) travel to a destination endpoint utilizing the guidance system to locate the destination endpoint, (c) deliver the item to the destination endpoint, and (d) repeat (a) through (c) for a given set of items. The guidance system is dynamically reconfigurable to identify new endpoints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: HARVEST AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Jones, Clara Vu, Paul E. Sandin, Charles M. Grinnell
  • Redundant links for reliable communication
    Publication number: 20160192214
    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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: EVA Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Gaylord Yu
  • Port door positioning apparatus and associated methods
    Patent number: 9378995
    Abstract: A loadport has a port door and a frame with an opening through which the port door interfaces with a container door of a container for holding semiconductor workpieces. In one embodiment, a movable closure mechanism is connected to the port door and is defined to be movable in a controlled manner relative to both the port door and the frame. In this embodiment, a stationary closure mechanism is disposed on the frame proximate to the opening. In another embodiment, a stationary closure mechanism is connected to the port door, and a movable closure mechanism is disposed on the frame proximate to the opening. In both embodiments, the movable closure mechanism is defined to engage with the stationary closure mechanism such that movement of the movable closure mechanism to engage with the stationary closure mechanism applies a closing force between the port door and the container door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony C. Bonora
  • Scanning system
    Patent number: 9373017
    Abstract: A scanning system has a collimated light source and a movable reflective surface. The surface receives light from the light source, reflects the received light to a target surface, receives light reflected from the target surface, and reflects this light to a detector. An aperture disposed between the reflective surface and the target surface has a non-transmissive portion with a width in a direction perpendicular to the laser scan direction that varies over the scan direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Datalogic Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinping Liu, Edward I Chaleff
  • Elevator-based tool loading and buffering system
    Patent number: 9368382
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a casing, a low port interface and a carrier holding station. The casing has processing devices within for processing substrates. The load port interface is connected to the casing for loading substrates into the processing device. The carrier holding station is connected to the casing. The carrier holding station is adapted for holding at least one substrate transport carrier so the at least one substrate transport carrier is capable of being coupled to the load port interface without lifting the at least one substrate transport carrier off the carrier holding station. The carrier holding station is arranged to provide a substantially simultaneous swap section for substantially simultaneous replacement of the substrate transport carrier from the carrier holding station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald M. Friedman, Michael L. Bufano, Christopher Hofmeister, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight
  • MACHINE FOR OPTICAL BONDING, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20160159061
    Abstract: An adhesive application valve comprising an applicator, a Z-axis actuator operably connected to the applicator, wherein the Z-axis actuator and the rotation device are each capable of moving independently of each other to position the applicator in a position to apply an amount of adhesive to a top substrate prior to bonding with a bottom substrate is provided. Furthermore, a machine comprising an end effector, and an adhesive application valve configured to apply an amount of adhesive onto the top substrate, the end effector configured to place the top substrate into a position of engagement with the adhesive application valve, and place the top substrate onto the bottom substrate to facilitate initial contact between the adhesive applied to the top substrate and a fill material applied to the bottom substrate is also provided. A method of optical bonding is further provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: PRECISION VALVE & AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Nally, Jonathan Neal Urquhart, Jeffrey James VanNorden, William Edward Berkheiser, III
  • Drive mechanism for automated guided vehicle
    Patent number: 9359005
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for an AGV that includes a drive unit for propelling the AGV and a steering unit for steering the AGV. The drive unit has a drive motor, drive transmission, and a drive wheel. The steering unit has a steering motor. Both motors are fixedly mounted on the AGV and remain stationary relative to each other while the drive motor rotates the drive wheel and the steering motor steers the drive wheel. The drive transmission couples the drive motor to the drive wheel and can be at least partially mounted within a gear housing that is rotatably mounted via a bearing so that the drive motor can be operated to move the AGV via power transferred to the drive wheel via the drive transmission, and the steering motor can be operated to steer the drive wheel by rotation of the gear housing and drive wheel via the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Fori Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul George Doan, Dean Colwell, LiKe Xu
  • Helium management control system
    Patent number: 9334859
    Abstract: A helium management control system for controlling the helium refrigerant supply from a common manifold supplies cryogenic refrigerators with an appropriate helium supply. The system employs sensors to monitor and regulate the overall refrigerant supply. An appropriate supply of helium is distributed to each cryopump. If the total refrigeration supply exceeds the demand, or consumption, excess refrigerant is directed to cryogenic refrigerators which can utilize the excess helium to complete a current cooling function more quickly. If the total refrigeration demand exceeds the total refrigeration supply, the refrigerant supply to some or all of the cryogenic refrigerators will be reduced accordingly so that detrimental or slowing effects are minimized based upon the current cooling function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Dresens, Gary S. Ash, Allen J. Bartlett, Bruce R. Andeen, Y. Roberto Than, Joseph Chopy, Jr.
  • High density storage array system
    Patent number: 9334111
    Abstract: A conveyor system including a rack having a first level with an input conveyor being moveable with respect to the rack in a first direction of travel, a first storage conveyor being moveable with respect to the rack in a second direction of travel, a second storage conveyor being moveable with respect to the rack in a third direction of travel, and a cross transfer assembly being movable with respect to the input conveyor in both the second direction of travel and the third direction of travel so that the cross transfer assembly moves the object from the input conveyor onto one of the first storage conveyor and the second storage conveyor. The second direction of travel and the third direction of travel are transverse to the first direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Datalogic Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Hoynash
  • Absolute positions detectors
    Patent number: 9322635
    Abstract: Example apparatus for absolute position detection are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing and digit gears coupled to the housing to rotate about respective parallel axes. Each digit gear has a first portion including a first set of teeth disposed about an entire circumference of the first portion and a second portion including a second set of teeth disposed about only a portion of a circumference of the second portion. Each digit gear is to correspond to a respective digit in a code representing an absolute position of a shaft. A respective idler gear between each adjacent pair of the digit gears is to be intermeshed with the first set of teeth of one of the digit gears and the second set of teeth of the other one of the digit gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT, VALVE AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Doyle Robert Blume, Jr., Gerald W. Scalf
  • Workpiece handling modules
    Patent number: 9324594
    Abstract: A workpiece handling module including a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally movable relative to the first member forming a housing having an access side and a second side opposite the access side and side walls, a first portion of the side walls is carried by the first member and a second portion of the side walls is carried by the second member, and at least one of the first and second housing members includes at least one sealable opening for allowing ingress and egress of workpieces to and from an interior chamber formed by the first and second housing members in a closed configuration, and the second portion of the side walls adjacent the access side and carried by the second member is greater than the first portion of the side walls adjacent the access side and carried by the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander G. Krupyshev, John Underwood
  • Recirculation substrate container purging systems and methods
    Patent number: 9312152
    Abstract: Methods and systems to reduce the consumption of purge gas for semiconductor substrate containers. The recirculation purging system recycles purge gas back to substrate containers by filtering and purifying gas flow from substrate containers, receiving gas flow from load port, or including a recirculation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Scalable stockers with automatic handling buffer
    Patent number: 9299597
    Abstract: Scalable storage can be achieved with linear array storage of wafers, comprising two linear arrays of storage compartments on opposite walls, with a middle transfer mechanism. Together with a buffer station for automatic material handling system, a scalable bare wafer stocker can provide flexible and uninterrupted services to a fabrication facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Storage unit and transfer system for biological samples
    Patent number: 9297728
    Abstract: A storage unit for biological samples has a horizontal footprint and multiple storage compartments separated by partitions and enclosed by a frame. The storage compartments have first and second openings and are fitted to the shape of a biopsy cassette or a glass slide and have a retention mechanism preventing the substantially vertical cassettes or slides in the storage compartments from falling out through the first opening and/or the second opening. A transfer system allows at least two storage units or at least one storage unit and one collection unit to be situated one above the other in alignment and displaced in relation to one another. The transfer system has a manipulator by which a biopsy cassette or a glass slide may be pushed from one storage unit to another, or into the collection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donat Elsener, Dietmar Reisch
  • Horizontal displacement mechanism for cleanroom material transfer systems
    Patent number: 9275885
    Abstract: A spiral cam has a tubular shaped portion defined by an interior cavity and an exterior surface that includes a cam contour. A linear slide assembly having a length defined along a rotational axis is defined to slide lengthwise into the interior cavity of the spiral cam. The linear slide assembly allows for movement of the spiral cam along the rotational axis and prevents rotation of the spiral cam relative to the linear slide assembly. A cam roller is fixed at a position proximate to the exterior surface of the spiral cam. The cam roller is disposed separate from the linear slide assembly and within the cam contour of the spiral cam. The cam roller engages the cam contour to move of the spiral cam along the rotational axis when the linear slide assembly and spiral cam are rotated in unison about the rotational axis relative to the cam roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony C. Bonora
  • Memory life extension system and method
    Patent number: 9268488
    Abstract: A memory life extension system and method is provided for managing operation of rewritable memory used to store a monotonically increasing sequence of multiple-byte binary values in a set of one or more memory locations in the rewritable memory. A first value is read in from a set of one or more memory locations. On detection of an instruction to store an incremented value, the incremented value is permuted by applying an encoding, in which a value of a least significant bit changes only on every second increment, to two least significant bits of the incremented value. On overflow of a least significant byte as a result of the increment, a cyclic byte-wise shift is applied to the incremented value. The permuted incremented value is then stored in the one or more memory locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Levven Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Yi Dong
  • Cryopump
    Patent number: 9266038
    Abstract: A cryopump has a simple-to-manufacture frontal baffle plate with improved gas distribution and has a large-area second-stage array plate to capture Type II gases. The cryopump has a first-stage frontal baffle plate having orifices and flaps bent from and attached to the orifices. The cryopump has a second-stage top plate that is larger in area than cooling baffles of the second stage array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergei Syssoev, Allen J. Bartlett, John J. Casello, Jeffrey A. Wells, Michael J. Eacobacci, Jr.