Patents by Inventor Gary Darnel

Gary Darnel 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: 20240399569
    Abstract: A lab automation robot includes a base, a tower rotatably coupled to the base, an arm translatable relative to the tower, a forearm rotatably coupled to the arm, and a wrist assembly rotatably coupled to the forearm about a wrist joint. The wrist assembly includes an end effector including a first magnet, a cap including a second magnet, a gripper pivotably coupled to the end effector, a linear actuator carried by the gripper, and a sensor carried by the gripper. The linear actuator adjusts a position of the gripper relative to the end effector. The linear actuator is coupled to the cap. The sensor detects an orientation of the gripper relative to the end effector. In response to the first and second magnets decoupling, the sensor detects an orientation of the gripper relative to the end effector outside of a predetermined operational range and terminate operation of the linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Gary Darnel, Michael Paul Riff, Jonathan Wittchen, Rob Dunn-Dufault, Stephen Wayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 11760571
    Abstract: An automated laboratory system includes a storage system including a frame and a platform slidably mounted to the frame such that the platform is slidable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the platform being configured to carry an instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the storage system and being configured to access the instrument carried by the platform. Another automated laboratory system includes a storage system including a table and a tabletop having a central axis and being rotatably positioned on the table such that the tabletop is rotatable about the central axis between a docked position and an undocked position, the tabletop being configured to carry an instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the storage system and being configured to access the instrument carried by the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO CRS LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Riff, Jonathan Wittchen, Gary Darnel, Stephen Wayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 11254015
    Abstract: A lab automation robot is provided including a stationary base, a swiveling tower rotatably mounted to the stationary base about a first vertical axis, an arm vertically translatably mounted to the tower, an articulating forearm coupled to the arm at an elbow joint and pivotal relative thereto about a second vertical axis, and a wrist assembly including a multi-axis gripper operatively coupled to the forearm at a wrist joint and rotatable relative thereto about a third vertical axis. The gripper is further rotatable relative to at least the forearm about a first horizontal axis and about a second horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo CRS Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Paul Riff, Jonathan Wittchen, Gary Darnel, Stephen Wayne Johnson
  • Patent number: 11136190
    Abstract: An automated laboratory system includes a vertical shelving system including a frame and at least one shelf movably mounted to the frame such that the at least one shelf is movable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the at least one shelf being configured to carry at least one instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the vertical shelving system and being configured to access the at least one instrument carried by the at least one shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo CRS Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Wittchen, Gary Darnel, Michael Paul Riff, Stephen Wayne Johnson, Dean S. Mulyk, Mark Michael Garner, Robert Dunn-Dufault, Ian Yates, Hansjoerg Werner Haas
  • Publication number: 20210086373
    Abstract: A lab automation robot is provided including a stationary base, a swiveling tower rotatably mounted to the stationary base about a first vertical axis, an arm vertically translatably mounted to the tower, an articulating forearm coupled to the arm at an elbow joint and pivotal relative thereto about a second vertical axis, and a wrist assembly including a multi-axis gripper operatively coupled to the forearm at a wrist joint and rotatable relative thereto about a third vertical axis. The gripper is further rotatable relative to at least the forearm about a first horizontal axis and about a second horizontal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Paul Riff, Jonathan Wittchen, Gary Darnel, Stephen Wayne Johnson
  • Publication number: 20210024289
    Abstract: An automated laboratory system includes a storage system including a frame and a platform slidably mounted to the frame such that the platform is slidable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the platform being configured to carry an instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the storage system and being configured to access the instrument carried by the platform. Another automated laboratory system includes a storage system including a table and a tabletop having a central axis and being rotatably positioned on the table such that the tabletop is rotatable about the central axis between a docked position and an undocked position, the tabletop being configured to carry an instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the storage system and being configured to access the instrument carried by the tabletop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Paul Riff, Jonathan Wittchen, Gary Darnel, Stephen Wayne Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190241363
    Abstract: An automated laboratory system includes a vertical shelving system including a frame and at least one shelf movably mounted to the frame such that the at least one shelf is movable relative to the frame between a docked position and an undocked position, the at least one shelf being configured to carry at least one instrument. The system also includes a robotic device proximate the vertical shelving system and being configured to access the at least one instrument carried by the at least one shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Jonathan Wittchen, Gary Darnel, Michael Paul Riff, Stephen Wayne Johnson, Dean S. Mulyk, Mark Michael Garner, Robert Dunn-Dufault, Ian Yates, Hansjoerg Werner Haas
  • Patent number: 7918639
    Abstract: An automation apparatus and method includes a first unit rotationally moving objects from one area to another, and a second unit connected to the first unit and holding the objects, moving through or offset from the body of the first unit from a first side of the first unit to the other side the first unit in a direction other than the rotational movement by the first unit. Moreover, the apparatus and method provides moving the objects through a vertical axis of the body of the first unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Thermo CRS Ltd.
    Inventors: John Fink, Jonathan David Wittchen, Michael P. Riff, Gary Darnel
  • Publication number: 20080286086
    Abstract: An automation apparatus and method includes a first unit rotationally moving objects from one area to another, and a second unit connected to the first unit and holding the objects, moving through or offset from the body of the first unit from a first side of the first unit to the other side the first unit in a direction other than the rotational movement by the first unit. Moreover, the apparatus and method provides moving the objects through a vertical axis of the body of the first unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Thermo CRS LTD
    Inventors: John Fink, Jonathan David Wittchen, Michael P. Riff, Gary Darnel
  • Patent number: D884454
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo CRS Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Darnel, Michael Paul Riff, Stephen Wayne Johnson, Jonathan Wittchen