Patents by Inventor Brian M. Perreault
Brian M. Perreault 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).
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Publication number: 20200171953Abstract: An improved system for preventing collisions between movers while improving throughput in a linear drive system utilizes a continually variable vehicle length for each mover. A vehicle length is assigned to each mover, where the vehicle length is a minimum track length required by the vehicle to avoid physically contacting a neighboring vehicle along the track. The vehicle length for each mover is then determined for each location along the track based on both the track geometry and the mover geometry. The vehicle length is continually variable along the length of the track allowing movers to be positioned as close together as possible for each location along the track based on both the track geometry and the mover geometry. The continually variable vehicle length provides collision prevention between movers while increasing throughput of movers along segments of the track that do not require the largest spacing between movers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Brian M. Perreault
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Publication number: 20200166389Abstract: A system to automatically calibrate gains and/or offsets for each position feedback signal in order to reduce variations between position feedback signals for each sensor in a linear drive system is disclosed. As a mover travels along a track segment, the segment controller records the position feedback signal output from each position sensor corresponding to a magnet on the mover passing the position sensor. The segment controller determines peak values for each position feedback signal and compares the peak values against a target peak value. The segment controller then adjusts a gain value for each sensor by a ratio of the target peak value to a measured peak value. The segment controller periodically monitors the position feedback values generated by one mover as it travels along the track segment and automatically updates the sensor gains as previously described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Brian M. Perreault, Eric J. Wildi
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Patent number: 10442637Abstract: A linear drive system provides a combination of distributed control to increase the number of movers which may be supported in the system and centralized control to reduce the separation distance between movers by grouping movers together and placing a reference mover of the group under central control with remaining movers of the group under distributed control. In addition, in precise working locations, or “synchronization zones,” each of the movers can be temporarily placed under central control to further reduce the separation distance and allow improved coordination with industrial processes or machines in the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: MagneMotion, Inc.Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Brian M. Perreault, Eric J. Wildi, Mark R. Cooper, Robert H. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190084781Abstract: A linear drive system provides a combination of distributed control to increase the number of movers which may be supported in the system and centralized control to reduce the separation distance between movers by grouping movers together and placing a reference mover of the group under central control with remaining movers of the group under distributed control. In addition, in precise working locations, or “synchronization zones,” each of the movers can be temporarily placed under central control to further reduce the separation distance and allow improved coordination with industrial processes or machines in the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Brian M. Perreault, Eric J. Wildi, Mark R. Cooper, Robert H. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190062062Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Patent number: 10112777Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: MagneMotion, Inc.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Publication number: 20180009333Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon. The extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum. Still other aspects of the invention provide a transport system, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso, Jesse Mendenhall
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Patent number: 9771000Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon. The extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum. Still other aspects of the invention provide a transport system, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Magnemotion, Inc.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso, Jesse Mendenhall
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Publication number: 20160325938Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Patent number: 9346371Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: MAGNEMOTION, INC.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Publication number: 20150360581Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon. The extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum. Still other aspects of the invention provide a transport system, e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso, Jesse Mendenhall
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Patent number: 9032880Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: MAGNEMOTION, INC.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso, Jesse Mendenhall
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Patent number: 8967051Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Magnemotion, Inc.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Patent number: 8863669Abstract: Control of Linear Synchronous Motors involves a number of low level issues of motor control—such as sensing precise position, controlling current in stator windings, and obeying commands from high level controllers—and high level vehicle control—such as stopping and starting, switching and merging, limiting speed and acceleration, synchronizing relative motion, preventing collisions and accidents, and dealing with failures. In most cases there is a master controller that directs vehicles based on simple commands but in other cases it is desirable to allow an external agent to provide more detailed control—such as synchronizing motion between a vehicle and a robot or allowing human operator control. This patent describes a versatile control scheme that allows both simplified high level control and, when or where necessary, control by an external agent. The result is a transport system and method that provides efficient and precise movement of vehicles on a guideway.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Magnemotion, Inc.Inventors: Jason A. Young, P. Eric Malkowski, Brian M. Perreault, Michael F. Onorato
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Publication number: 20140182478Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: MAGNEMOTION, INC.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Patent number: 8616134Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Magnemotion, Inc.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Publication number: 20130008336Abstract: Control of Linear Synchronous Motors involves a number of low level issues of motor control—such as sensing precise position, controlling current in stator windings, and obeying commands from high level controllers—and high level vehicle control—such as stopping and starting, switching and merging, limiting speed and acceleration, synchronizing relative motion, preventing collisions and accidents, and dealing with failures. In most cases there is a master controller that directs vehicles based on simple commands but in other cases it is desirable to allow an external agent to provide more detailed control—such as synchronizing motion between a vehicle and a robot or allowing human operator control. This patent describes a versatile control scheme that allows both simplified high level control and, when or where necessary, control by an external agent. The result is a transport system and method that provides efficient and precise movement of vehicles on a guideway.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: MagneMotion, Inc.Inventors: Jason A. Young, P. Eric Malkowski, Brian M. Perreault, Michael F. Onorato
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Publication number: 20100236445Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: MAGNEMOTION, INC.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Publication number: 20100186618Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: MAGNEMOTION, INC.Inventors: Nathanael N. King, Brian M. Perreault, Tracy M. Clark, Richard D. Thornton, Jason Young, Michael W. Bottasso
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Patent number: 6781524Abstract: A pathway-based method, apparatus and system for tracking, sensing and communicating with an object, such as a carriage or vehicle moving on a pathway. The system includes a transmitter winding along the pathway that is energized by a transmitter and one or more sensing windings in which a signal is induced. The vehicle contains a transducer that creates a position-indicating coupling of the transmitted signal into the sensing windings. The transducer may be a passive ferromagnetic or conductive body that locally alters coupling between the windings, or a tuned coil carried on the vehicle that couples energy received from the transmitter into a sensing winding. Absolute position may be established at regular intervals using a discrete position sensor, such as a Hall Effect magnetic field sensor, and, the signal derived from the sensing windings can be monitored, by counting cycles or determining phase, to determine a precise vehicle position.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: MagneMotion, Inc.Inventors: Tracy M. Clark, Brian M. Perreault