Patents by Inventor Donald E. Rist

Donald E. Rist 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).

  • Vacuum jigs including ultraviolet light sensors and methods of operating the same
    Patent number: 10005270
    Abstract: A method for operating a vacuum jig may include emitting an ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source; detecting, using an ultraviolet light sensor, luminescence of a coating on a surface responsive to emission of the ultraviolet light; determining whether the detected luminescence is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold luminescence; and enabling a vacuum-assisted coupling of the vacuum jig when the detected luminescence is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold luminescence. Vacuum jigs including ultraviolet light sensors are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Rist, Jacob T. Kendall
  • VACUUM JIGS INCLUDING ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT SENSORS AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20180043675
    Abstract: A method for operating a vacuum jig may include emitting an ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source; detecting, using an ultraviolet light sensor, luminescence of a coating on a surface responsive to emission of the ultraviolet light; determining whether the detected luminescence is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold luminescence; and enabling a vacuum-assisted coupling of the vacuum jig when the detected luminescence is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold luminescence. Vacuum jigs including ultraviolet light sensors are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Rist, Jacob T. Kendall