Patents Examined by James R. Bidwell
  • Patent number: 11926475
    Abstract: A control system includes: a sway detection unit configured to detect a reference swaying amount that is a swaying amount of a mast at a detection height, which is set to be greater than or equal to a height of a lowermost part of a transfer apparatus when a lift is located at an upper limit of a lifting range; a lifting height acquiring unit configured to acquire lifting height information that indicates a lifting height, which is a height of the lift, at a plurality of points in time; and a transfer control unit configured to control the transfer apparatus. The transfer control unit converts the reference swaying amount detected by the sway detection unit into a lifting height swaying amount that is a swaying amount of the mast at the lifting height indicated by the lifting height information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Kiyokawa
  • Patent number: 11926506
    Abstract: A pitless and modular belt-type accelerating moving walkway transit system including at least three substantially identical walkway modules that are leveled and positioned atop a surface such as the ground, floor, road or deck. Each module has an endless belt moving at a different or the same speed wherein the at least three walkway modules are positioned linearly adjacent. Each module having one or more electric motors operably connected to an electrical source and handrails on opposing sides that move in synchrony with the endless belt of the same module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Beltways Inc.
    Inventor: Edip Yuksel
  • Patent number: 11926484
    Abstract: A device for conveying products within an industrial line, comprising a conveyor transporting a stream of products along at least one line. The device comprises at least one main zone delimited by primary beacons and covering a segment of the stream; and above the conveyor, at least one member for detecting the primary beacons and for counting the number of products at least inside the main zone. Also a method for conveying products, in which a stream of products is transported along at least one line and, by means of primary beacons at least one main zone is delimited, covering a segment of the stream; the primary beacons are detected and the number of products in the main zone is counted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventor: Raphaël Henninger
  • Patent number: 11924978
    Abstract: A printing system for printing substrates, in particular circuit boards, such as wafer and solar cells, has a printing device, with a printing table on which the substrate can be positioned and a print head associated with the printing table for printing the substrates positioned on the printing table, has a feed device for feeding the substrates to be printed to the printing device, a discharge device for discharging the printed substrates from the printing device, and a plurality of substrate supports on which each of the plurality of substrates can be supported. The feed device, printing device and discharge device convey the substrate supports with the substrates located thereon. The feed device collects plurality of substrate supports and feeds them to the printing device. The printing device prints the substrates on the collected substrate supports, and the discharge device separates and discharges these collected substrate supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: EKRA AUTOMATISIERUNGSSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Torsten Vegelahn, Jakob Szekeresch
  • Patent number: 11912515
    Abstract: A system and method for parts handling including: a plurality of parts arranged in a first configuration; a linear motor conveyor including a linear motor track and a plurality of moving elements; a pick and place device configured to move at least a subset of the parts from the first configuration to the linear motor conveyor system; and a control system configured to: determine locations of the parts within the first configuration; control the linear motor conveyor to move the moving elements to positions related to the locations of the parts within the first configuration; control the pick and place device to move the parts generally simultaneously to the corresponding moving elements; and after receiving the parts, move the moving elements such that the parts are in a second configuration that is different from the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ATS Corporation
    Inventor: Amir Rajabi
  • Patent number: 11912532
    Abstract: A moving walkway transit system having a moving walkway and a beltway control system for monitoring and controlling various operational aspects of the moving walkway. A method of using the beltway control system to operate and monitor the moving walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Beltways Inc.
    Inventors: Edip Yuksel, Matine Yuksel, Yahya John Yuksel
  • Patent number: 11912512
    Abstract: A selectably configurable modular labware transport system including a labware bulk overhead transport system module forming an overhead transport path. The labware bulk overhead transport system module has a labware support, with at least a movable part of the labware support being configured to support labware thereon, and move longitudinally defining the overhead transport path. The labware support has more than one labware holding stations for holding a labware piece, each of the labware holding stations having a different location along the labware support and overhead transport path. The labware bulk overhead transport system module is communicably couplable to another labware bulk overhead transport system module that forms another different overhead transport path, and effects undisrupted transport of the labware throughout the overhead transport path with the labware bulk overhead transport system module both coupled to and uncoupled from the other labware bulk overhead transport system module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HighRes Biosolutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulysses Gilchrist, Andrew Bennett
  • Patent number: 11912516
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for passive braking systems for container shuttles. An example system may include a track having a first portion and a ramp portion disposed at an angle, a first electromagnet disposed along the first portion, a shuttle with a permanent magnet that is configured to interact with the first electromagnet to propel the shuttle along the track, and a first metal block disposed along the ramp portion. The shuttle may enter the ramp portion at a first speed and exit the ramp portion at a second speed due to an eddy current induced in the first metal block by the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zahin Nambiar, Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, Michael D. Assadi, Michael Alan Bray, Enrico Fortunato, Erika Regan Storvick
  • Patent number: 11905113
    Abstract: An upper shelf section of a holding rack includes an upper placement section fixed to a ceiling. A lower shelf section of the holding rack includes: a fixed support fixed to the upper shelf section, a lower placement section supported by the fixed support so as to be capable of advancing and retreating relative to a travel rail as viewed in a vertical direction; and a drive transmission mechanism drivable by a rack drive mechanism of a transport vehicle to cause the lower placement section to advance and retreat. The lower placement section is positioned directly below the upper placement section while in a retreated position, and is positioned directly below the travel rail while in an advanced position. The lower placement section is below a lower end of the transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Shiroishi, Hiroshi Sakata, Yoshinari Wada
  • Patent number: 11892069
    Abstract: A cam wheel for accommodating a cam belt has a hub plate for mounting on a shaft and a plurality of cylindrical bolts including belt support areas for accommodating the cam belt. The cylindrical bolts are attached to the hub plate such that gaps are formed between the cylindrical bolts for accommodating cams of the cam belt in a positive locking manner. At a first end of the respective cylindrical bolts a shaft is formed which is inserted into an opening in the hub plate. The shaft is reshaped at its end to form a closing head in such a manner that the hub plate is clamped in between the closing head and a shoulder is formed between the shaft and the belt area support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ARNOLD JÄGER HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Johan Oord
  • Patent number: 11887876
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system (100) for handling components (102). The system (100) comprises a turret assembly (200) comprising a turret (202) rotatable about a horizontal axis (204); and a plurality of end effectors (206) around the turret (202) and aligned radially from the horizontal axis (204). The system (100) further comprises a support assembly (300) arranged to support a source substrate (302) comprising singulated components (102); and a component transfer assembly (400) arranged to support a component transfer medium (402) for receiving the singulated components (102) from the end effectors (206). The turret assembly (200), support assembly (300), and component transfer assembly (400) are arranged vertically to each other. During rotation of the turret (202), 200 the end effectors (206) continually pick the singulated components (102) from the source substrate (302) and place the picked singulated components (102) on the component transfer medium (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES & INSTRUMENTS PTE LTD
    Inventor: Chin Fong Han
  • Patent number: 11878325
    Abstract: System for use in directing a sorting operation comprises a server, a receptacle logical destination identification (ID) assignment engine, a plurality of receptacles, and an automated transport device for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system is configured to: assign a first logical destination ID to a first receptacle; and direct an automated transport device to transport and deposit a first article into the first receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID. The system is further configured to: determine that the first receptacle is full; re-assign the first logical destination ID to a second receptacle; and re-direct the automated transport device to transport and deposit the first article into the second receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: James M. Serstad, Michael C. Futch
  • Patent number: 11878875
    Abstract: A comb for spacing apart articles. The comb includes protrusions defining recesses therebetween. At least one of the protrusion is longer than the protrusion located just in front of it. Also, a method of spacing apart articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Tawhid Farag, Daniel Farag Zada
  • Patent number: 11873172
    Abstract: A multi-piece component for a conveyor comprises a first section and a second section that mates with the first section around a shaft using a hygienic fastener to form a complete module. The hygienic fastener seals an interface between the fastener and the first section and between the first section and the second section. Chamfers facilitate positioning of the multi-piece component on a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Hendrik DeGroot, Jake A. Mohan, Paul A. Marsman
  • Patent number: 11866265
    Abstract: A transport system (1) for transporting workpieces (2) which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, comprising at least one circulating transport means (15); a guide arrangement (4) for guiding the at least one circulating transport means (15); at least one sensor (10, 11, 12) for detecting at least one condition variable, in particular the preload force and/or instantaneous load on the at least one circulating transport means (15) and/or the dynamic behavior of at least one section (6, 8) of the transport system (1); and at least one actuator (13, 20) for influencing at least one condition variable of the transport system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HOMAG GMBH
    Inventors: Yimin Gan, Rolf Hofbauer, Jochen Beck, Michael Thumm, Ludwig Albrecht
  • Patent number: 11866266
    Abstract: A return roller is pivotally supported in a frame-fixed articulation region (20, 21) of a belt conveyor device having a transport belt. A pivot arm (30, 31) extends in a running direction (L) of the transport belt, orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (12) of the return roller, supporting it about the longitudinal axis. A pivot element (40) is spaced apart from the return roller in the running direction. A pivot bearing (22, 23) is arranged on the articulation region for mounting the pivot element for a pivoting movement of the pivot arm around a pivot axis between an operating position and an nonoperating position of the return roller. A bearing surface (24, 25), in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis, is formed as an open arc, with an opening (26, 27) having a center angle (?) of less than 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Garvens GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Schwanitz, Mario Meyer, Gerrit Wittenbrink
  • Patent number: 11858744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to conveyors, comprising at least one circulating conveyor strand (7, 8), wherein the conveyor strand has at least one clamping connection (1), wherein at least one sensor (2) is arranged in the clamping connection (1), a transmitter (3) for wirelessly transmitting data is arranged on the conveyor strand (7, 8), the sensor (2) is connected with the transmitter (3), and a receiver (4) for receiving the data transmitted by the transmitter (3) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Aumund Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Furthmann, Christian Kirschniok
  • Patent number: 11862498
    Abstract: A linear electrical machine comprising a frame with a level reference plane and an array of electromagnets, connected to the frame to form a drive plane at a predetermined height relative to the reference plane. The array of electromagnets being arranged so that a series of electromagnets of the array of electromagnets define at least one drive line within the drive plane, and each of the electromagnets being coupled to an alternating current power source energizing each electromagnet. At least one reaction platen of paramagnetic, diamagnetic, or non-magnetic conductive material disposed to cooperate with the electromagnets of the array of electromagnets so that excitation of the electromagnets with alternating current generates levitation and propulsion forces against the reaction platen that controllably levitate and propel the reaction platen along at least one drive line, in a controlled attitude relative to the drive plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Brooks Automation US, LLC
    Inventors: Jairo T. Moura, Roumen Botev
  • Patent number: 11858748
    Abstract: Example systems and methods for automated delivery of a food and/or beverage from a kitchen may be directed to a first vertically extending elevator configured to transport a payload to and from the kitchen. The payload may include a food and/or a beverage. Example systems also may include a laterally extending conveyor configured to transport the payload laterally from the first elevator to a second elevator. The second elevator is configured to transport the payload from the conveyor to a customer delivery window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lab2Fab, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Ishiguro, Shawn Michael Lange, Hogan Hall Hempy
  • Patent number: 11851274
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes a stator in which a plurality of coils is arranged along a first direction and a movable element to move along the plurality of coils. The stator includes a first magnet group including a plurality of first magnets arranged along the first direction and magnetized in one direction. The movable element includes a second magnet group including a plurality of second magnets arranged to face the plurality of coils, and a third magnet group including a plurality of third magnets arranged to face the first magnet group and magnetized in a direction repelling the first magnet group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto