Patents by Inventor Keith G. Jacobs
Keith G. Jacobs 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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Patent number: 11753055Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20220219744Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 11312403Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 11305800Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 11104524Abstract: A transport system comprising linear motor modules utilized both straight and curved track modules, with movers displaced on the track modules by control of power applied to coils of the modules. Curved track modules have modified spline geometries to provide desired acceleration and jerk characteristics. The modified spline geometries may be defined by more than one generators, such as an equation generator and a spline fit between the equation-generated segment and one or more constrained points or locations. The curved track modules may be divided into 180 degree modules, or may be reduced to 90 degree, 45 degree or other fractional arcs to provide for modular assembly, mirror-image geometries and motion profiles, and the like. The system may be adapted to provide improved motion characteristics based on modification of a conventional spline geometry.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Marc D. Koeppel, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10829317Abstract: A linear drive transport system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. In addition, the linear drive transport system includes a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs, Dean L. Higgins, James A. Craver, Peter T. Boyle
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Publication number: 20200255043Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20200255044Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20200180877Abstract: A linear drive transport system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. In addition, the linear drive transport system includes a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs, Dean L. Higgins, James A. Craver, Peter T. Boyle
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Patent number: 10647339Abstract: Control architecture for use with transport systems, such as linear drive systems, rotary drive systems, or a combination thereof, comprising a computer system having a controller for operating control system software for receiving input commands and protocols for creating a motion profile for each transport element, and a gateway for receiving the motion profile from the control system software and for operating gateway drive software that functions to select the appropriate drives to move each transport element along one or more tracks in accordance with their motion profiles.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10630220Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10577196Abstract: Present embodiments include a linear drive transport system. The system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. Further, present embodiments include a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs, Dean L. Higgins, James A. Craver, Peter T. Boyle
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Publication number: 20190256303Abstract: Present embodiments include a linear drive transport system. The system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. Further, present embodiments include a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs, Dean L. Higgins, James A. Craver, Peter T. Boyle
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Publication number: 20190185276Abstract: A transport system comprising linear motor modules utilized both straight and curved track modules, with movers displaced on the track modules by control of power applied to coils of the modules. Curved track modules have modified spline geometries to provide desired acceleration and jerk characteristics. The modified spline geometries may be defined by more than one generators, such as an equation generator and a spline fit between the equation-generated segment and one or more constrained points or locations. The curved track modules may be divided into 180 degree modules, or may be reduced to 90 degree, 45 degree or other fractional arcs to provide for modular assembly, mirror-image geometries and motion profiles, and the like. The system may be adapted to provide improved motion characteristics based on modification of a conventional spline geometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Marc D. Koeppel, Keith G. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20190177097Abstract: A transport system comprising linear motor modules utilized both straight and curved track modules, with movers displaced on the track modules by control of power applied to coils of the modules. Curved track modules have modified spline geometries to provide desired acceleration and jerk characteristics. The modified spline geometries may be defined by more than one generators, such as an equation generator and a spline fit between the equation-generated segment and one or more constrained points or locations. The curved track modules may be divided into 180 degree modules, or may be reduced to 90 degree, 45 degree or other fractional arcs to provide for modular assembly, mirror-image geometries and motion profiles, and the like. The system may be adapted to provide improved motion characteristics based on modification of a conventional spline geometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Marc D. Koeppel, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10280016Abstract: Present embodiments include a linear drive transport system. The system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. Further, present embodiments include a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs, Dean L. Higgins, James A. Craver, Peter T. Boyle
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Publication number: 20190131907Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10273094Abstract: A transport system comprising linear motor modules utilized both straight and curved track modules, with movers displaced on the track modules by control of power applied to coils of the modules. Curved track modules have modified spline geometries to provide desired acceleration and jerk characteristics. The modified spline geometries may be defined by more than one generators, such as an equation generator and a spline fit between the equation-generated segment and one or more constrained points or locations. The curved track modules may be divided into 180 degree modules, or may be reduced to 90 degree, 45 degree or other fractional arcs to provide for modular assembly, mirror-image geometries and motion profiles, and the like. The system may be adapted to provide improved motion characteristics based on modification of a conventional spline geometry.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Marc D. Koeppel, Keith G. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10252827Abstract: A packaging system and method for receiving articles from a first location, such as a product delivery system, transporting the articles to a second location for unloading the articles such that they are placed in a desired orientation and number of columns, rows, and stacks.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Keith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wenersbach, Mark F. Smith
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Patent number: 10243441Abstract: A linear controlled motion system comprises a track formed from one or more track sections and having at least one mover mounted to the track and effective for receiving articles at one location and transporting the articles to another location. The system includes at least one magnetic linear motion motor for providing a magnetic field effective for moving each mover in a controlled motion along the track and a magnetic flux bridge for reducing changes in the magnetic flux that reduces the efficiency or interferes with the operation of the controlled motion system.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Rockwell Automation, Inc.Inventors: Keith G. Jacobs, Glen C. Wernersbach