Patents Assigned to Universal Instruments Corporation
  • Patent number: 5912542
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a motor control circuit including an amplifier with an inductance compensation circuit responsive to a motor, such as a switched reluctance motor, having inductance variations. The inductance compensation circuit includes at least two inductance compensation values and switching means for alternatingly coupling and decoupling at least one of the inductance compensation values from the inductance compensation circuit providing at least first and second inductance compensation for driving the motor in response to variations in the inductance of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Zalesski
  • Patent number: 5852869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically supplying surface mount chip components from a bulk feeder and placing the chip components on a substrate. The apparatus includes a base frame, a substrate feeding mechanism, a placement head, and a placement head positioning system. The substrate feeding mechanism delivers substrates to a component receiving position on the base frame. The placement head is translationally movable with respect to the base frame and includes a component supplying and placing mechanism, to supply components and place components on a substrate in a desired location. The component supplying and placing mechanism includes a component transfer mechanism, a component feeder, and a vacuum spindle. The transfer mechanism includes a rotatable wheel with a plurality of component holding compartments, a plurality of angularly disposed stations, and a drive mechanism for sequentially moving the compartments to at least a component receiving station and a component delivery station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Koen A. Gieskes, Daniel Whitney Ackerman
  • Patent number: 5828195
    Abstract: Apparatus for braking either a linear or rotary electric motor having no permanent magnets comprising at least one position sensor for outputting an electrical characteristic representative of motor position and an electronic circuit for generating a pulsed control signal for controlling the braking of the motor. The electronic circuit of the present invention may be responsive to any emergency such as loss of line power, a motion controller failure, or actuation of a limit switch by a driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Zalesski
  • Patent number: 5739846
    Abstract: An improved method for inspecting assembled circuit boards utilizes an existing programmable placement machine having an associated downward looking camera, illumination source, and monitor. After assembling a first circuit board of a series with electrical components according to a program which is particular to that series, and prior to removing the assembled board from the machine, an inspection is performed by: (i) automatically repositioning the relative position of the camera and the assembled circuit board, according to a portion of that same particular program, in order to address each placement position in turn; (ii) automatically acquiring an image of each placement position when it is addressed, and furnishing the image to the monitor in order to provide a magnified image on the monitor screen; (iii) visually inspecting the magnified image on the monitor screen in order to ascertain the presence or absence of the component at each placement position, the deviation in X, Y, and .theta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Koen A. Gieskes
  • Patent number: 5699934
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a viscous fluid feed cavity and dispense cavity with an intermediate passageway therebetween and a diaphragm mounted for reciprocatory movement so positioned that during the dispensing process, the movable diaphragm is moved between a first position wherein the passageway is opened, a second position to close the passageway, and a third position to affect viscous fluid dispensing through an outlet coupled to the dispensing cavity. A diaphragm position sensor is provided for determining the relative position of the movable portion of the diaphragm, the sensor being functionally coupled to the diaphragm actuator, such that the diaphragm actuator is controllable in accordance with the relative position of the diaphragm to insure accurate control of micro quantities of viscous fluid dispensed from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph F. Kolcun, Stanley W. Janisiewicz, Koenraad A. Gieskes
  • Patent number: 5699448
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for capturing component location information through the use of fiber optic conduits. In various embodiments, an image of a component attached to a translatable and rotatable spindle is captured and transmitted along a fiber optic conduit to a camera coupled to an image processing computer. The image processing computer determines component location on the spindle based on the transmitted image and, where necessary, generates component location correction information so that the spindle and attached component can be moved to a determined location. A plurality of fiber optic conduits may be bundled together to provide a single combined image of multiple components attached to multiple spindles which can be captured by a single camera, wherein the image processing computer segregates the images and determines multiple component location correction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Gorenflo, Peter M. Lister
  • Patent number: 5694482
    Abstract: An automated vision system for identifying patterns, such as the solder bump patterns or leads of electronic components. The system is capable of correctly identifying the deviations of an imaged pattern from the nominal location of a reference pattern even if the imaged features are displaced more than half the minimum distance between any two adjacent features of the reference pattern. Further, the system is not limited to identifying patterns that have been merely translated relative to the reference pattern, but can be used if the imaged pattern has been rotated more than 45.degree. relative to the reference pattern depending on the symmetry of the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Ferevdoun Maali, Leonard J. Poch, George E. Hickok
  • Patent number: 5649356
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically supplying surface mount chip components from a bulk feeder and placing the chip components on a substrate. The apparatus includes a base frame, a substrate feeding mechanism, a placement head, and a placement head positioning system. The substrate feeding mechanism delivers substrates to a component receiving position on the base frame. The placement head is translationally movable with respect to the base frame and includes a component supplying and placing mechanism, to supply components and place components on a substrate in a desired location. The component supplying and placing mechanism includes a component transfer mechanism, a component feeder, and a vacuum spindle. The transfer mechanism includes a rotatable wheel with a plurality of component holding compartments, a plurality of angularly disposed stations, and a drive mechanism for sequentially moving the compartments to at least a component receiving station and a component delivery station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Koen A. Gieskes
  • Patent number: 5621294
    Abstract: A controller for force compensation in a variable reluctance motor includes a sensor coupled to the variable reluctance motor for obtaining instantaneous motor position data and a controller coupled to the sensor for receiving the instantaneous motor position data and desired force command. The controller includes a circuit for comparing the instantaneous motor position data and the desired force command with a plurality of stored data points. Each stored data point represents a phase current value. The comparing circuit identifies a selected stored data point having position and desired force command values numerically closest to the instantaneous motor position data and the desired force command. The controller also includes a circuit for interpolating a desired phase current value based on the phase current value of the selected stored data points; a circuit for generating a current having the desired phase current values; and a circuit for outputting the current to the variable reluctance motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Bessette, Andrew Zalesski
  • Patent number: 5456510
    Abstract: An apparatus including a vacuum nozzle including an elongated inner bore that defines an elongated vacuum conduit that is coaxial with the inner bore; a nozzle tip connected to the end of the vacuum nozzle and adjacent the vacuum conduit; a reciprocally movable sleeve located within the vacuum conduit and retained by the vacuum nozzle and extendable beyond the nozzle tip; and structure for applying a restorative force to the movable sleeve, the structure for applying a restorative force to the movable sleeve being located within the vacuum conduit and in contact with the movable sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Charles A. Coots, John E. Danek
  • Patent number: 5452824
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing station includes a pneumatic clamp for easy and secure mating and un-mating of a supply syringe to the dispensing nozzle from which dots of fluid are selectively dispensed according to displacement of a plunger of the syringe. A syringe cover seals the distal end of the syringe during mating and provides access of pressurized air to the sealed syringe in order to displace the plunger. The piston rod of a pneumatic cylinder protrudes through the cover and into the syringe and serves as a follower which is maintained in engagement with, and follows the displacement of, the syringe plunger. The follower may be used to supplement the primary plunger displacement force, which is supplied by the pressurized air applied to the clamped and sealed syringe via the cover, by applying air at the same or a different pressure to the piston of the follower cylinder. The follower also can be used in indicating a low level state of the adhesive to an attendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Danek, Randy S. Cole
  • Patent number: 5432423
    Abstract: An electronic damping system is disclosed which dampens mechanical resonant vibrations of a gantry beam end. The system includes a secondary velocity feedback loop in addition to the main servo motor-tach velocity loop. The resonant velocity of the beam is sensed from the movement of the end of the beam. The velocity feedback signal is summed as negative feedback with the velocity command signal from the position controller. The resultant sum of the signals are combined to form the velocity reference input command signal to a servo power amplifier. The servo power amplifier is connected to a main servo motor which controls the movement of the gantry beam in the Y-direction relative to printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: James E. York
  • Patent number: 5317374
    Abstract: A prismatic viewing plate is situated across the focal axis between an object and an imaging device such as a camera capable of acquiring only a two dimensional image of the object. A characteristic of the prismatic plate is that it presents dual images of the object to the imaging device. Characteristic of the separation between the dual images is that it is dependent upon the distance of the object from the prismatic plate. These characteristics are employed to determine a range to the object by measuring the separation between the dual images, visually or by use of one of the many available machine vision techniques. A third dimension of a surface profile also can be obtained by scanning a spot of light over the object while separately viewing the spot through the prismatic plate and measuring the separation between dual images of the light spot at various points of the scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Peter M. Lister
  • Patent number: 5120191
    Abstract: Molded carrier ring-type electrical components are unloaded from a shipping tube by providing the bottom of an escapement mechanism with a substantially flat surface to which the "coin stack" arrangement of components falls during loading of the stack into the escapement. This flat surface presents to the bottom component of the stack an area which is sufficient for preventing dumping of the stack through the escapement and for releveling components which become tilted during loading of the tube into the escapement. The flat surface is biased upwardly by springs and displaceable downwardly against such biasing by a component transfer slide during lateral displacement of the transfer slide to the stack in order to acquire and remove the bottom component from the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Coddington, Randall S. Cole
  • Patent number: 5105528
    Abstract: A vacuum spindle for picking and placing components is operatively associated with a turret assembly which carries a supply of various component engaging tips for the spindle in corresponding holes or chambers of the turret. During picking and placing of the components, the spindle extends through the turret chamber from which the tip of the spindle was acquired. In order to exchange tips, the spindle is retracted to a first position at which the tip may be relocked in its chamber of the turret and then to a second position which is sufficient for the turret to be rotated for coaxial alignment of the spindle with another chamber and tip. Then, the replacement tip is acquired by extending the spindle into engagement with the tip and unlocking it from its chamber of the turret. Thus, various tips for the spindle may be interchanged after placement of a component and while the spindle is being repositioned in X and Y to the next pick-up site without the need to stop at an intermediate location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Henry J. Soth, Jack A. Kinback
  • Patent number: 5070916
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for receiving a molded carrier ring package and removing the electronic component from the surrounding ring while cutting and forming the leads of the component. The shear provides that leads on two opposite sides of a rectangulopiped component are cut just prior to the leads extending from the remaining two sides, during one stroke of the shear, such that the applied force required to cut all of the leads is reduced by acting on one-half of the leads at a time, and such that the applied forces are balanced on opposite sides of the component. Each of a punch and die is easily interchanged with a replacement, and a scrap remover is continuously adjustable during closing of the jaws thereof, so that it is a simple matter to change the tooling and otherwise accommodate devices of different sizes. Also, the apparatus provides for diverting the forces of the shearing and forming action from a shuttle for transporting the device so as to minimize wear and tear on it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas A. Biesecker
  • Patent number: 5068509
    Abstract: A high frequency thermode-driven device for use in hotbar soldering has a unitary metal support frame which is used for the secondaries of four individual transformers. The support frame also serves as the structural member to which the transformer and thermodes themselves are fastened. This is possible because the secondaries require only one turn; the upstanding ears of projections which extend radially outwardly from the support frame so as to protrude through the apertures in the transformer cores provide a source of voltage and become a secondary winding when connected to a load impedance, such as a thermode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Eldred H. Paufve, Richard Porterfield
  • Patent number: 5051555
    Abstract: Compensation is made for inherent lateral shifting of portions of a pivoted working surface along a work surface, when the pivot point of the working surface is maintained on a line of feed into contact with said work surface, during relative pivoting of said working surface into conformity with said work surface. The working surface is supported by a quadrilateral linkage system having a remote instantaneous center point which, during pivoting of the working surface, is maintained substantially on a quiescent centerline of the linkage system. By spacing the pivot point of the working surface from this center point along the centerline, the pivot point is caused to move laterally of the centerline during exercising of the linkage system. The distance and direction of spacing the pivot point from the center point is selectable so as to cancel the inherent lateral shifting referred above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Porterfield, Thomas M. Alunni, Frank Ksionzyk, Michael D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5040291
    Abstract: A multi-spindle pick and place head is moveable in X and Y in order to pick up a group of components simultaneously, one component per spindle, at a pick station and to transport them to a placement station at which the components are placed simultaneously on corresponding placement sites of a printed circuit board. Each spindle or the whole head is moveable in Z, as required. Each component may be "SCOT" processed (e.g., squared, centered, oriented and/or tested) while on the spindle and during transport to the placement site. In another embodiment, two multi-spindle heads may operate in parallel, along with a separate "SCOT" station intermediate of the pick and place stations, such that one head transports a group of components from the pick station to the "SCOT" station for processing and the other head transports at least part of that group of processed components from the "SCOT" station to the placement station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley W. Janisiewicz, John A. Kukowski, Michael D. Snyder
  • Patent number: 5035316
    Abstract: The component at the pick-up station of a vibratory feeder is isolated from the remaining components on the feeder by backing the remaining components away from the component to be picked up in preparation for removal of the component from the feeder at the pick-up station. A shutter can be positioned over the component at the pick-up station prior to lowering the vacuum spindle into contact with the component so as to prevent loss of the component from the pick-up station of the feeder. The shutter may also have a slot therein to allow a spindle to pass through the shutter and contact a component in the pick-up station prior to withdrawal of the shutter, thus eliminating "teepeeing" of two components which can cause sufficient inaccuracies in pick-up and subsequent placement of the component. Additionally, the vibrator may be halted for the brief period necessary to remove the component from the pick-up station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Universal Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Carl T. Coates, Dennis G. Boucher