Patents by Inventor Eric Michaud
Eric Michaud 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: 20240116144Abstract: A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Patent number: 11883908Abstract: A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: DOBEN LIMITEDInventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Publication number: 20200061759Abstract: A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Patent number: 10471549Abstract: A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Doben LimitedInventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Patent number: 9895775Abstract: An assembly system, such as welding system, includes an assembly station that is configured to assemble a component to a part in a loaded position. A drag conveyor includes a movable conveyor member that supports multiple locating elements configured to cooperate with a locating feature on a part. A friction bar is arranged along the locating elements, and the locating elements extend beyond the friction bar. The friction bar is configured to support the part and reorient the part from an unoriented position to an oriented position while the movable conveyor member drags the part along the friction bar. A robot is configured to transfer a part from the oriented position on the conveyor to the loaded position at the assembly station, such as a welding unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: DOBEN LIMITEDInventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Publication number: 20160368106Abstract: An assembly system, such as welding system, includes an assembly station that is configured to assemble a component to a part in a loaded position. A drag conveyor includes a movable conveyor member that supports multiple locating elements configured to cooperate with a locating feature on a part. A friction bar is arranged along the locating elements, and the locating elements extend beyond the friction bar. The friction bar is configured to support the part and reorient the part from an unoriented position to an oriented position while the movable conveyor member drags the part along the friction bar. A robot is configured to transfer a part from the oriented position on the conveyor to the loaded position at the assembly station, such as a welding unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Publication number: 20160354872Abstract: A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Larry Koscielski, Gregory I. Heuchan, Eric Michaud, Matt Branoff, Darcey D. Renaud
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Patent number: 8408043Abstract: A method for measuring an amount of a determined gas, particularly oxygen, in a sealed container of a liquid, such as a carbonated beverage, in which a gas mixture is dissolved, involves piercing the sealed container, releasing the gas mixture contained in the pierced container, measuring an amount of the determined gas in the released gas mixture, determining, based on the measuring, an initial amount of the determined gas in the sealed container, and injecting an anti-foam agent into the pierced container before and/or during the gas releasing step.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Hach Lange SarlInventors: Gerard Stehle, Eric Studemann, Eric Michaud, Olivier Fraternale
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Patent number: 8113415Abstract: A tooling fixture is disclosed that includes a weldment having spaced apart lateral members interconnected by opposing side members. Spaced apart trunnions support the side members for rotation about an axis, in one example. A locating pin is arranged between each side member and trunnions to enable quick and accurate location of the tooling fixture relative to the trunnions. The pins are at a right angle relative to the axis, in one example. Tooling plates are removable secured to each of the lateral members. Adjustable brackets are secured to the tooling plates and support tooling that cooperates with a workpiece supported on the tooling fixture. In one example, jack blocks, shims, squaring plates and stops are used to permit precise adjustment and repeatable relocation of the tooling in three directions.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Doben LimitedInventors: Dan Paquette, Larry F. Koscielski, Eric Michaud
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Publication number: 20100236320Abstract: A method for measuring an amount of a determined gas, particularly oxygen, in a sealed container (1) of a liquid (5), such as a carbonated beverage, in which a gas mixture is dissolved, comprises the steps of: piercing the sealed container, releasing the gas mixture contained in the pierced container, measuring an amount of the determined gas in the released gas mixture, determining, based on the measuring, an initial amount of the determined gas in the sealed container, and is characterised by further comprising the step of injecting an anti-foam agent (23) into the pierced container before and/or during the gas releasing step.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2007Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Gerard Stehle, Eric Studemann, Eric Michaud, Olivier Fraternale
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Publication number: 20080303197Abstract: A tooling fixture is disclosed that includes a weldment having spaced apart lateral members interconnected by opposing side members. Spaced apart trunnions support the side members for rotation about an axis, in one example. A locating pin is arranged between each side member and trunnions to enable quick and accurate location of the tooling fixture relative to the trunnions. The pins are at a right angle relative to the axis, in one example. Tooling plates are removable secured to each of the lateral members. Adjustable brackets are secured to the tooling plates and support tooling that cooperates with a workpiece supported on the tooling fixture. In one example, jack blocks, shims, squaring plates and stops are used to permit precise adjustment and repeatable relocation of the tooling in three directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: Doben LimitedInventors: Dan Paquette, Larry F. Koscielski, Eric Michaud
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Patent number: 7106054Abstract: A device for sensing the rotation of a member rotating about an axis XX? comprises m proximity sensors situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX? and in m radial directions, m being an integer greater than or equal to 2. A mark fastened to the rotary member and eccentric to the axis XX? modifies the amplitude response of the proximity sensors when the rotary member rotates. An excitation circuit excites the proximity sensors, each sensor supplying an excitation response when it is excited. The amplitude of the excitation response of each of the sensors is compared with a comparison threshold value during a time period referred to as an observation window to supply a logic level 1 or 0 according to whether the response amplitude is greater than or less than the comparison threshold value. The movement of the mark past one of the sensors is identified as a function of the value 0 or 1 of said logic level.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Actans SASInventors: Hervé Dury, Serge Bulteau, Eric Michaud
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Publication number: 20050140364Abstract: A device for sensing the rotation of a member rotating about an axis XX? comprises m proximity sensors situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX? and in m radial directions, m being an integer greater than or equal to 2. A mark fastened to the rotary member and eccentric to the axis XX? modifies the amplitude response of the proximity sensors when the rotary member rotates. An excitation circuit excites the proximity sensors, each sensor supplying an excitation response when it is excited. The amplitude of the excitation response of each of the sensors is compared with a comparison threshold value during a time period referred to as an observation window to supply a logic level 1 or 0 according to whether the response amplitude is greater than or less than the comparison threshold value. The movement of the mark past one of the sensors is identified as a function of the value 0 or 1 of said logic level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventors: Herve Dury, Serge Bulteau, Eric Michaud
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Patent number: 6633015Abstract: A soft-touch pneumatic drive unit for welding is provided. The drive unit includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. A piston rod extends substantially throughout these sections and contains a drive piston in the second section and a second drive piston in the third section. Pressurized fluid is supplied through the first section and into the second section to provide a driving force on these pistons. Cushioning fluid is supplied through the first section to the second section to cushion and slow the piston rod as an electrode carried thereby is moved toward a workpiece. A floating piston in the second section then blocks the flow of cushioning fluid from the first section with fluid pressure in the second section then decreasing to atmospheric pressure to enable full welding force to be applied through the drive pistons and the piston rod to the electrode. The cushioning fluid also aids in returning the piston components to the retracted position upon the completion of a weld.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Doben LimitedInventors: Tam C. Nguyen, Eric Michaud
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Publication number: 20030047335Abstract: A soft-touch pneumatic drive unit for welding is provided. The drive unit includes a first section, a second section, and a third section. A piston rod extends substantially throughout these sections and contains a drive piston in the second section and a second drive piston in the third section. Pressurized fluid is supplied through the first section and into the second section to provide a driving force on these pistons. Cushioning fluid is supplied through the first section to the second section to cushion and slow the piston rod as an electrode carried thereby is moved toward a workpiece. A floating piston in the second section then blocks the flow of cushioning fluid from the first section with fluid pressure in the second section then decreasing to atmospheric pressure to enable full welding force to be applied through the drive pistons and the piston rod to the electrode. The cushioning fluid also aids in returning the piston components to the retracted position upon the completion of a weld.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2000Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Doben LimitedInventors: Tam C. Nguyen, Eric Michaud