Patents Assigned to Automation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9266039
    Abstract: A cryopump system includes a cryopump having a first cooling stage and a second cooling stage connected to the first cooling stage, the second cooling stage including a gas adsorber having a hydrogen adsorbing capacity of at least about 2 standard liters. The thermal storage capacity of the second cooling stage is sufficient to enable control of hydrogen pressure within the cryopump to satisfy ignition safety limits and limits on hydrogen flow rate in an exhaust line to be within limits of an abatement system to be coupled to the cryopump, upon warming of the second cooling stage during regeneration of up to a fully loaded cryopump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Eacobacci, Jr., Allen J. Bartlett, John J. Casello, Jeffrey A. Wells
  • Patent number: 9260210
    Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wernersbach, Mark F. Smith
  • Patent number: 9262657
    Abstract: A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed has a conveyor that conveys items through a path of travel, and an antenna disposed proximate the path of travel. Circuitry in communication with the antenna may associate RFID tag data with a package on the conveyor based on a difference signal from elements in the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DATALOGIC AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Goidas, Zhong-Min Liu, Jeffrey M. Brockmole, Kapilkumar N. Kulakkunnath
  • Patent number: 9254572
    Abstract: A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: ATI Industrial Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Strotzer
  • Patent number: 9248568
    Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus comprising a drive section, a controller, an upper arm, forearm and substrate holder. A proximate end of the upper arm being rotatably mounted to the drive section at a shoulder joint. A proximate end of the forearm being rotatably mounted to a distal end of the upper arm at an elbow joint. The substrate holder being rotatably mounted to a distal end of the forearm at a wrist joint. The upper arm and the forearm being unequal in length from joint center to joint center. The substrate transport arm is adapted to transport substrate to and from at least two substrate holding areas with the drive section of the transport apparatus remaining in a fixed position relative to the holding areas. Each of the upper arm, forearm and substrate holder being independently rotatable with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, David Martin, Ulysses Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 9245071
    Abstract: A method for timing analysis of a circuit design includes, for each group of one or more instances of a cell of a cell library in the circuit design, determining timing related data for the group according to circuit context of the group in the design. The context includes at least one of a path depth, an output load, and an input slew rate. The determined timing related data are applied to analyze the circuit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CLK DESIGN AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Isadore T. Katz, Joao M. Geada, Leon LaFrance, Ferenc Varadi, Ahran Dunsmoor, James Kuzeja, Shiva Raja
  • Publication number: 20160016261
    Abstract: A system and method for precision welding using a fiber laser is disclosed in which varying intensity laser pulses are spread across the material junction in a number of high aspect ratio areas. The power density applied along each area is varied to accommodate differences in the material characteristics of each material while allowing for the creation of a more uniform weld pool alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Photon Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Mudd, II
  • Patent number: 9239901
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide wiring board design system and wiring board design method to determine a component and a wiring pattern in real-time when designing a wiring on a circuit board. The wiring board design system provides a cloud service for a terminal which is used by users via a network. When to arrange components on the circuit board, while pushing out automatically wirings which are overlapped with the components on the arranging position, the wiring board design system secures a space on that can arrange the component. The wiring processing is performed automatically and the fine adjustment such as rotation, movement of arranged components is performed automatically if necessary. The processing for equalization is performed so as to be the equal wiring density on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SIMPLIFY DESIGN AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Zen Z. Liao
  • Patent number: 9237422
    Abstract: A device for detecting wireless signals and locating the place of origin in a building is provided that includes a transmitter system using a cellular protocol; a plurality of antennae that receive wireless Radio Frequency (RF) signals, each antenna having a port; a receiving system connected to the antennae ports with a plurality of cables, converting the RF signal to voltage waveform; a processing system in communication with the receiving system, detecting the strength of the received signals and Time Difference of Arrival of the RF signals with respect to antennae and determining the location where the wireless signals are being emitted by using classification algorithms; and a human machine interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind Satyanarayan Bhat, Zhitong Guo, Eric van Doorn
  • Patent number: 9236343
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate having a plurality of electronic devices, a plurality of interconnect layers disposed on one or both sides of the substrate, and a plurality of active electrically conductive interconnect layer structures. The plurality of interconnect layers include horizontal interconnect and vertical-interconnect-access (VIA) layers. The plurality of active electrically conductive interconnect layer structures are disposed on at least one of the plurality of interconnect layers and electrically coupled with at least one of the plurality of electronic devices. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of spare electrically conductive interconnect layer structures disposed on at least one of the plurality of interconnect layers and electrically isolated from the plurality of active electrically conductive interconnect layer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: BLACKCOMB DESIGN AUTOMATION INC.
    Inventors: James Cicalo, Peter Hallschmid, A. K. M. Kamruzzaman Mollah
  • Patent number: 9230841
    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: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulysses Gilchrist, Robert T. Caveney, Jayaraman Krishnasamy, Mitchell Drew, Jairo T. Moura
  • Patent number: 9230142
    Abstract: A system and method for auto-calibrating a barcode scanning tunnel to determine the orientation of one or more cameras with respect to a range finder and a conveyor belt comprises providing a scanning tunnel having a moveable surface, at least one range finder having an orientation, at least one camera having an orientation and at least one calibration object having at least one indicia disposed in a predetermined relationship to one or more features of the at least one calibration object, capturing at least one image of the at least one calibration object by the at least one camera, electronically detecting the at least one calibration object at least one indicia and the one or more object features and electronically calculating at least one component of the at least one camera orientation with respect to the moveable surface in response to information obtained from the image and the at least one calibration object at least one indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DATALOGIC AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Reynolds, Edward Douglas Hatton, Mehul Patel
  • Patent number: 9228597
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for changing actuator output torques are disclosed. An example method includes decoupling a first end cap from a body of an actuator. A first spring assembly is positioned within a first outer chamber defined by the first end cap and the body. A first end of the first spring assembly is positioned adjacent a surface of a first piston. A second end of the first spring assembly is positioned adjacent the first end cap when the first end cap is coupled to the body. The method includes positioning a first spacer within the first outer chamber and coupling the first end cap to the body. The first spacer changes a distance between the first and second ends of the first spring assembly when the first end cap is coupled to the body to change an output torque of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT, VALVE AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Edwin Schreuder, Harry Hobert
  • Patent number: 9224628
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment a semiconductor workpiece processing system having at least one processing tool for processing semiconductor workpieces, a container for holding at least one semiconductor workpiece therein for transport to and from the at least one processing tool and a first transport section elongated and defining a travel direction. The first transport section has parts, that interface the container, supporting and transporting the container along the travel direction to and from the at least one processing tool. The container is in substantially continuous transport at a substantially constant rate in the travel direction, when supported by the first transport section. A second transport section is connected to the at least one process tool for transporting the container to and from the at least one processing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation. Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Bufano, Ulysses Gilchrist, William Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, Daniel Babbs, Robert C. May
  • Patent number: 9222821
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining a volume of liquid in a sample tube, comprising the steps of capturing an image of the sample tube, determining a first region of interest within the sample tube based upon pre-stored information concerning dimensional properties of the sample tube, scanning the first region of interest to detect the position of a meniscus indicative of an upper extent of the liquid, and using said meniscus position together with certain pre-stored properties of the sample tube to determine a volume of liquid in the tube, and outputting said volume. Also disclosed is an apparatus for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Walsh, David Charles Lee, Martin Geoffrey Short
  • Publication number: 20150371257
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an optimized marketing strategy are provided. A user can request analysis of marketing data. The marketing data can be collected from various sources. The collected data can be consolidated and analyzed by an analysis module. An optimal strategy for distribution of future marketing materials can be generated. The strategy can be automatically executed by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: CORTEX AUTOMATION INC.
    Inventors: Matthew PETERS, Brennan WHITE, Clint FRALICK, Dimitry KUDRYAVTSEV
  • Patent number: 9190304
    Abstract: A workpiece container storage and handling system includes a base, a number of wheels connected to the base, and a container handling system connected to the base. The wheels provide for movement of the base. The container handling system is defined to hold at least two containers in a vertically overlying orientation relative to each other. The container handling system is defined to provide for controlled vertical travel of the at least two containers in unison relative to the base. Also, the container handling system is defined to provide for controlled and independent horizontal travel of each of the at least two containers relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. MacKnight, Anthony C. Bonora
  • Patent number: 9190796
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are described herein for precision insertion. In various embodiments, a feeder device may be configured to feed an object such as wire from a wire source into a wire path. In various embodiments, a guidance device with a channel that at least partially defines the wire path may receive the wire fed from the feeder device. In various embodiments, a base may be provided for mounting at least one of a first substrate having a first aperture and a second substrate having a second aperture so that the first aperture of the first substrate is aligned with the second aperture of the second substrate. In various embodiments, the base may be configured to be movable relative to the guidance device to position the first substrate or second substrate so that the first or second aperture is aligned with the wire path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: DWFritz Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Barns, Corbin Gene Voigt, Michael Lawrence Corliss, Alan James Swan
  • Patent number: 9186799
    Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus including a frame, at least one arm link rotatably connected to the frame and a shaftless drive section. The shaftless drive section including stacked drive motors for rotating the at least one arm link relative to the frame through a shaftless interface, each of the stacked drive motors including a stator having stator coils disposed on a fixed post fixed relative to the frame and a rotor substantially peripherally surrounding the stator such that the rotor is connected to a respective one of the at least one arm link for rotating the one of the at least one arm link relative to the frame causing an extension or retraction of the one of the at least one arm link, where the stacked drive motors are disposed in the at least one arm link so that part of each stator is within a common arm link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Caveney
  • Patent number: 9184078
    Abstract: A system and method of transporting substrates includes a loadport system including a frame, an articulating arm, a mini environment and a tower substantially centered in the frame. The tower includes multiple motors, a first motor mechanically coupled to the mini environment for moving the mini environment vertically. A second motors mechanically coupled to the articulating arm for moving the articulating arm vertically. A tower enclosure is also included. The tower enclosure enclosing the motors separate from the mini environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard Garcia