Patents by Inventor Julian D. Warhurst
Julian D. Warhurst 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: 20240092576Abstract: An automated order fulfillment system and mobile robot are disclosed, where the mobile robot includes a compliant drive for moving between levels of a multilevel storage structure. In one example, the compliant drive comprises a drive shaft having splines configured to provide rotational play that prevents jamming of a vertical drive gear on the end of the shaft with a rack in a vertical track.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: William J. Fosnight, John G. Lert, JR., Michael Duquette, Martin R. Elliott, Julian D. Warhurst, Charles W. Su, Alan J. Grant
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Publication number: 20230064130Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Patent number: 11414268Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: AZENTA, INC.Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Patent number: 11267649Abstract: Mounting hardware is installed to a cryogenic storage device to accommodate an automation system for automated storage and retrieval. A guideplate at an upper surface of a cover of the cryogenic storage device is positioned such that the guideplate is aligned in a predefined relation to an access port at the upper surface. One or more mounting posts are affixed at a location as indicated by the guideplate. A vacuum is then pulled within the cover, and the mounting hardware is affixed to the at least one mounting post.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignees: Brooks Automation, Inc., MVE Biological Solutions USInventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Jeffrey S. Brooks
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Publication number: 20200361706Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Patent number: 10661990Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: BROOKS AUTOMATION, INC.Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Publication number: 20200062501Abstract: A configurable cryogenic storage device has a freezer and a rack carrier positioned inside of the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to the rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly. The rack carrier rests on the bearing in a manual rotation configuration and hangs from the drive shaft when the motor is connected. Coupling the drive shaft to the motor assembly lifts the rack carrier and decouples the bearing and enables automated rotation of the rack carrier by the motor. The rack carrier includes rack-mounting features holding a plurality of sample storage racks. The sample storage racks hang from the rack carrier and the rack-mounting features precisely position the end of each sample storage rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Jeffrey S. Brooks
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Patent number: 10421607Abstract: A configurable cryogenic storage device has a freezer and a rack carrier positioned inside of the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to the rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly. The rack carrier rests on the bearing in a manual rotation configuration and hangs from the drive shaft when the motor is connected. Coupling the drive shaft to the motor assembly lifts the rack carrier and decouples the bearing and enables automated rotation of the rack carrier by the motor. The rack carrier includes rack-mounting features holding a plurality of sample storage racks. The sample storage racks hang from the rack carrier and the rack-mounting features precisely position the end of each sample storage rack.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignees: Brooks Automation, Inc., Chart Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Jeffrey S. Brooks
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Publication number: 20190276233Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Patent number: 10336539Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Publication number: 20160289000Abstract: A configurable cryogenic storage device has a freezer and a rack carrier positioned inside of the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to the rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly. The rack carrier rests on the bearing in a manual rotation configuration and hangs from the drive shaft when the motor is connected. Coupling the drive shaft to the motor assembly lifts the rack carrier and decouples the bearing and enables automated rotation of the rack carrier by the motor. The rack carrier includes rack-mounting features holding a plurality of sample storage racks. The sample storage racks hang from the rack carrier and the rack-mounting features precisely position the end of each sample storage rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Jeffrey S. Brooks
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Publication number: 20160288999Abstract: An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: Robert T. Caveney, Frank Hunt, Lingchen Sun, Julian D. Warhurst, Bruce S. Zandi, Anthony C. Bonora
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Patent number: 6896848Abstract: A microplate cover assembly which is compatible with manual workstations or robotic handling systems used for high throughput screening. The cover assembly includes a cover, a pressure plate and a layer of sealing material. The cover is shaped such that when it is engaged with a microplate, the cover exerts a compressive force on the pressure plate, which in turn disperses the force in a substantially uniform manner across the layer of sealing material. The cover and pressure plate also include laterally-extending tabs which allow it to be engaged with or disengaged from a microplate in a fully automated fashion.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: TekCel, Inc.Inventors: Julian D. Warhurst, Andrew F. Zaayenga
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Publication number: 20040126209Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and an apparatus for conveying microplates between two locations are provided. The transport includes a pair of rails, a microplate transport carriage for moving along the rails, a rotary platter for loading and unloading microplates on the carriage, a controller for generating signals for controlling the position of the carriage on the rails and the rotation of the platter on the carriage, and a servo for moving the carriage or rotating the platter in response to a control signal. The transport moves microplates along the rails in accord with any of several methods for performing different tasks. The conveyor includes an extendable support frame, a pair of oppositely disposed tensioning elements arranged within the frame, a conveyor belt which wound around the elements and extends as the support frame is extended, and a motor for driving the conveyor belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Julian D. Warhurst, Andrew F. Zaayenga, Paul Quitzau
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Patent number: 6663334Abstract: An apparatus for random access storage and retrieval of a plurality of microplates is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of microplate racks arranged in a stack. Each of the racks is mechanically engaged with a plurality of support columns and each of the columns has a plurality of locking devices corresponding to the plurality of racks. The apparatus also includes a lift, coupled to the support columns, for moving the stack or a portion thereof, and a controller, coupled to the lift and the locking devices. The controller is responsive to a signal to access a desired rack or microplate to cause actuation of one or more of the locking devices corresponding to the rack adjacent to the desired rack or microplate, followed by actuation of the lift, thereby moving a portion of the stack a sufficient distance to allow access to the desired rack or microplate.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: TekCel Inc.Inventors: Julian D. Warhurst, Andrew F. Zaayenga, Paul Quitzau
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Publication number: 20030059287Abstract: An apparatus for random access storage and retrieval of a plurality of microplates is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of microplate racks arranged in a stack. Each of the racks is mechanically engaged with a plurality of support columns and each of the columns has a plurality of locking devices corresponding to the plurality of racks. The apparatus also includes a lift, coupled to the support columns, for moving the stack or a portion thereof, and a controller, coupled to the lift and the locking devices. The controller is responsive to a signal to access a desired rack or microplate to cause actuation of one or more of the locking devices corresponding to the rack adjacent to the desired rack or microplate, followed by actuation of the lift, thereby moving a portion of the stack a sufficient distance to allow access to the desired rack or microplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Julian D. Warhurst, Andrew F. Zaayenga, Paul Quitzau
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Publication number: 20020102149Abstract: An apparatus for random access storage and retrieval of a plurality of microplates is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of microplate racks arranged in a stack. Each of the racks is mechanically engaged with a plurality of support columns and each of the columns has a plurality of locking devices corresponding to the plurality of racks. The apparatus also includes a lift, coupled to the support columns, for moving the stack or a portion thereof, and a controller coupled to the lift and the locking devices. The controller is responsive to a signal to access a desired rack or microplate to cause actuation of one or more of the locking devices corresponding to the rack adjacent to the desired rack or microplate, followed by actuation of the lift, thereby moving a portion of the stack a sufficient distance to allow access to the desired rack or microplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Applicant: TekCel, Inc.Inventors: Julian D. Warhurst, Andrew F. Zaayenga, Paul Quitzau
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Patent number: 5477468Abstract: The concentration analyzer of the present invention is used to determine the cross-sectional concentration at multiple locations within a fluid line, such as an artery or vein, of dissolved substances within a moving fluid flowing through the vein which fluid consists of a first solution of unknown concentration.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1994Date of Patent: December 19, 1995Assignee: Project CDInventors: Philip Shapiro, Julian D. Warhurst