Patents by Inventor Al H. Maass

Al H. Maass has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030164200
    Abstract: A method for fueling an automotive vehicle 26 on a conveyer line 28 is provided. The conveyer line 28 moves generally along a first axis 170 and the method utilizes a robotic arm 34 with an end effector 54 for fueling a fuel stem 90 of the vehicle 26. The method includes determining a first position of the fuel stem 90 along the first axis 170. The method further includes moving the robotic arm 34 to position the end effector 54 proximate to the first position. The method further includes determining a three-dimensional position of the fuel stem 90 utilizing a vision system 164. The method further includes moving the end effector 54 proximate to the three-dimensional position to enable the end effector 54 to mate with the fuel stem 90 and moving said robotic arm 34 relative to said first axis 170 at a speed substantially equal to a speed of said conveyer line 28. Finally, the method includes fueling the fuel stem 90 with the end effector 54.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: American Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans W. Czeranna, Bryan Hoffman, Al H. Maass, Craig A. Maass, James Dale, Dean Corkill, David Besler, Tristan S. Crees, Louis Brassard