Patents Assigned to Automation, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6804939
    Abstract: A product packaging system for organizing and packing a number of different items into a set. The system may include a number of staging conveyors. Each of the staging conveyors may carry a stack of items from the number of different items. The system further may include a positioning conveyor positioned adjacent to the staging conveyors and a number of removal devices positioned adjacent to the positioning conveyor. The removal devices may remove one item from the stack of items on each of the staging conveyors and place the item on the positioning conveyor. The system also may include one or more rotation devices positioned about the positioning conveyor so as to rotate the one items on the positioning conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Samborn, Parks C. Stewart, John Shoupp
  • Publication number: 20040205465
    Abstract: A method of producing documents in a legal proceeding that comprises the steps of converting the documents to a common file type and then electronically placing bates stamps on each file. The method of placing the bates stamps on the file comprises the placement of bates stamps on each page of each file, incrementing the bates stamp number for each page across the multiple documents. In addition, a computer program for electronically placing bates stamps on each page of a document wherein the bates stamps are incremented through each successive pages and each successive document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Baker, Edward Jarmolowicz
  • Patent number: 6802084
    Abstract: A leak detection and reporting system for detecting and reporting different types of leaks. Different alarms are activated in response to different types of leaks. The present invention includes a timing module and a water flow sensor. The timing module measures a standard fill time required to properly fill a reservoir. A lower time threshold and an upper time threshold are then calculated based upon the standard fill time. A first alarm may be activated if a subsequent fill time is below the lower time threshold to identify a small leak. Also, a second alarm may be activated if a subsequent fill time is above the upper time threshold to identify a larger leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Ghertner Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Ghertner, Vince Luciani
  • Patent number: 6801920
    Abstract: A system for providing remote configuration management for an industrial control system (ICS) over a wide area network (such as the Internet), including keeping track of each application used by each device of the ICS, the system including: a configuration database, for keeping track of past and present configurations (which devices are or were in use by the ICS in each configuration); a remote sensing module, for determining information about the ICS devices and about applications used by the ICS devices; a configuration manager, for providing over the wide area network a restored copy of an application used by an ICS device; and utilities for enabling communication over a wide area network. The system optionally includes a billing manager that receives from the configuration manager information about each service performed by the configuration manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer H. Wischinski
  • Publication number: 20040190796
    Abstract: A baling bag is provided for automatic bale bag processing. The bag has front and back panels and adjoining left and right side panels and a closed bottom panel. An open top portion is defined by the front, back, left, and right panels at an end of the bag opposite the closed bottom panel. An aperture is provided in the bag proximate the top portion to permit the bag to be hung on an automatic bag extraction and loading mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Yakima Packaging Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Main, Gary G. Germunson
  • Patent number: 6797315
    Abstract: A step of a method applies a coating material to an electric coil of a workpiece. Before, after, or before and after that step, another step directs a first heated gas flow to impinge on the workpiece. An embodiment of apparatus includes first, second, and third mechanisms. The first mechanism directs a first heated gas flow to impinge on the workpiece. The second mechanism applies a coating material to the electric coil. The third mechanism relatively transports the workpiece between the first mechanism and the second mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Odawara Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Spenja
  • Patent number: 6798323
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable device has a magnetic core proximate an armature and a coil selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The armature and magnetic core are of laminated magnetic steel and have mating surfaces. At least one of the armature and magnetic core includes conductive weld or braze lines for integrally securing laminations together to define a conductive path proximate the mating surface to provide a shading coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Smith, William F. Ramm
  • Patent number: 6797903
    Abstract: A method and an extended rotary operating mechanism for a circuit breaker having a movable operating handle coupled to a shaft, and electrical contacts, the extended rotary operating mechanism comprising a handle operator defining a socket. A blocking plate mounted in the socket, with the blocking plate including a blocking shape. A shaft adapter is coupled to the blocking plate and the shaft. If the electrical contacts of the circuit breaker are welded closed and a torque is applied to the operator handle, the blocking shape prevents the handle operator from being locked in an “OFF” position independently of the operating handle position, by covering a locking hole. The shaft adapter may include one of an extended socket and a recessed socket configured to engage the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Troy Winslett, W. Dale Robbins
  • Patent number: 6793125
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming fusible solder material mounted on a substrate with the use of a tool having a treatment surface with selected shape. The solder material is heated sufficiently to cause fusing after which the tool is moved such that the treatment surface enters the fused material. The material is allowed to cool to permit re-solidification, after which the treatment surface is withdrawn from the solder, leaving the imprinted shape. The treatment surface is made of material that is not wettable by the solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Meikle Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Foley, Nick Wagner
  • Patent number: 6794971
    Abstract: The present invention provides a formed interface there between a magnetic core proximate an armature of an electromagnetically actuable device. A coil of the electromagnetically actuable device is selectively energized to draw the armature to the magnetic core. The formed interface is adapted to provide three contact areas in a triangular configuration at the mating surfaces of the armature and magnetic core which causes a minimal magnetic air gap and a stable interface there when the coil is energized. The formed interface overcomes the surface deformations of the armature and magnetic core to reduce vibration and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Smith
  • Patent number: 6789659
    Abstract: A stator winding system and method includes a winding pallet on transport pallet arrangement, with the winding pallet holding the stator and being removed from the transport pallet for a winding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Odawara Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Spejna, Taggert McGough, David E. Clark
  • Patent number: 6789328
    Abstract: A semiconductor load port alignment device has a housing with a registration face and an alignment measurement face. A plurality of sensors are contained in the housing near the alignment measurement face. A processor is connected to the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Haggott Beckhart, Patrick Rooney Conarro, Kevin James Harrell, Kamran Michael Farivar-Sadri
  • Patent number: 6789501
    Abstract: A liner for use with a teat cup having a rigid hollow shell having a central aperture is shown. The liner comprises a teat chamber having an opening which extends axially therethrough and terminates in a distal end and which has an axial length greater in length than a length of a teat terminating in a distal tip which is to be inserted into the teat chamber. The liner includes a transition chamber having an axially extending reducing inner passageway which has an inlet contiguous to and communicating with the opening in the distal end. The transition chamber defines thereon a circumferentially extending cuff member configured to be passed through a central aperture in a shell and to them surround and urge the cuff member against a shell. A milk tube communicates with the outlet of the transition chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Beco Dairy Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Stan A. Brown
  • Patent number: 6792361
    Abstract: A system, method and program for calculating a fluid flow volume within a conduit having an operably connected flow meter is disclosed. The system includes a controller having a backplane. A flow meter module is operably connected to the backplane of the controller and to the flow meter. A program embedded within the controller is also operably connected to the flow meter. The program includes a plurality of segments for sensing a characteristic of the fluid for determining the flow volume of the fluid. The controller, in cooperation with the flow meter module, monitors the dynamic fluid density of the fluid in the conduit. The controller utilizes the dynamic density to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the fluid flow volume through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: James A Vun Cannon
  • Patent number: 6785634
    Abstract: A computerized system and methods of ballistic analysis involves comparing land impressions on a plurality of control bullets and computing correlation coefficients corresponding to the land-to-land comparisons in all possible relative orientations. A set of matching coefficients is identified for each bullet pair, and the set of matching coefficients is statistically compared to a set of non-matching coefficients. The gun is concluded to be identifiable where the sets of matching coefficients and non-matching coefficients are not statistically undistinguishable. To evaluate whether an evidence bullet was fired by a suspect gun, land impressions on an evidence bullet are compared with land impressions on a plurality of control bullets in all possible relative orientations, and correlation coefficients are computed for each land-to-land comparison to identify a set of questioned coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Intelligent Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Bachrach, Eric van Doorn
  • Patent number: 6785589
    Abstract: A drawer for use in a dispensing cabinet is comprised of a tray movable between an open position and a closed position. An insert, approximately the length of the tray, is carried by the tray and defines the volume of the drawer. A lockable or sealable lid is carried by the insert. A release mechanism is provided to connect the insert to the tray in a manner that allows the insert to be easily disconnected from the tray. Removal of the insert enables inserts to be swapped so that inserts from which inventory has been depleted can be replaced with stocked inserts. A dispensing cabinet and a method of restocking the cabinet are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: McKesson Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Eggenberger, Kirk Young, Allen Bowers
  • Patent number: 6779962
    Abstract: A linear motion assembly is provided as part of a robot for processing substrates in a vacuum. An effector assembly is mounted for linear movement on linear bearings. The end effectors are driven by cables which in turn are driven by a drive which is positioned in an adjacent pressure vessel maintained at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis P. Poole
  • Patent number: 6779922
    Abstract: A sealable bag for storing merchandise includes a body having a pocket that is adapted to receive the merchandise. The pocket has an opening through which merchandise is placed into the pocket. The body has a pair of flanges disposed along the sides of the body. The body has a neck with the opening of the pocket being disposed at the neck of the body. The neck has a sealing area. The bag includes a pair of stress relief notches disposed in the flanges intermediate the sealing area and the opening of the pocket. Each stress relief notch extends into the neck of the body. The stress relief notches prevent the sealing area from becoming wrinkled while the bag is being sealed with automated equipment thus allowing a clean, unwrinkled seal to be formed in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Gates Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony H. Gates
  • Patent number: 6773220
    Abstract: A modular stocker for storage and retrieval of semi-conductor wafer cassettes that minimizes system down time for repair of replacement of components. The modular stocker is comprised of a rectangular or half cylindrical enclosure formed by vertical beams secured by a plurality of horizontal joists. A pick up and transfer device for storing and retrieving semi-conductor wafer cassettes in the stocker has a linear arm and a paddle or gripper for picking up the cassettes. The linear arm and paddle or gripper are driven vertically, horizontally, and rotationally by a plurality of servo motors which are mounted on a detachable chassis that forms one side of the stocker. Quick disconnect fasteners at the corners of the chassis and bottom mounted casters allow the entire chassis with the pick up and transfer device to be disconnected and rolled out of the stocker for repair or replacement. The stocker electronics are mounted on removable panels that slide in or out of the stocker on rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Intrabay Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul S. Whalen
  • Patent number: 6769863
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for manipulating lightweight strips in parallel, laterally edge-adjacent array into spaced apart array for processing includes a platen having channels for receiving the strips, and a comb device for translating the strips of alternating channels to form two groups of laterally spaced strips. A pick-and-place conveyor has suction cups to remove each group in unison from the platen and place it on a belt conveyor. Suction holes in the channels selectively retain the groups on the platen. The comb, pick-and-place conveyor, and belt conveyor operate in synchrony and reiteratively to create a continuous stream of spaced apart strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kinematic Automations, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlberg, Dennis May, Theodore V. Meigs