Patents by Inventor Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON
Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON 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: 20240140729Abstract: There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventor: Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON
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Patent number: 11932497Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: ATS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, James Mark McLean, Robert James MacGregor, David Andrew Tait, Gustavo Barea, Roger Craig Hogan
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Patent number: 11905128Abstract: There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ATS CorporationInventor: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson
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Publication number: 20230242351Abstract: A conveyor system and method for controlling the same. The conveyor system includes: at least one moving element; a track including: a straight track section with a first mechanism for moving the moving element; and a curved track section connected to the straight track section including a second mechanism for moving the moving element; and a controller configured to control a speed of the moving element as the moving element moves from the straight track section to the curved track section and vice versa such that a velocity profile of the moving element includes a sinusoidal portion to provide a transition from straight to rotary motion or from rotary to straight motion having a linear position profile. In the method, the controller controls at least one of the first mechanism and the second mechanism to move the moving element according to the velocity profile including the sinusoidal portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Roger HOGAN, Blake Robert LAMBERT, Anton DOLGOVYKH, Braden Jon GUENTHER, Philip David MUNROE, Albert John KLEINIKKINK, Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON
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Patent number: 11692552Abstract: Systems and methods of flow testing different workpieces in an automated testing station are described. Each workpiece comprises a flow path from an inlet to an outlet and the automated testing station comprises first and second sealing heads for injecting gas into the inlets of workpieces and collecting gas from the outlets of workpieces. The method includes performing a flow test by moving the flow test heads toward the workpieces while at the same time priming a flow of gas from the first sealing heads to the second sealing heads, prior to engaging the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, Mathieu Jocelyn Giles Pascal Gaudreault, Martin George Smith, David Andrew Tait, Robert David Almas, Colin Spencer Quelch
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Publication number: 20230123063Abstract: There is described systems and methods for programming and configuring part-processing devices and production stations. Methods of programming the control system of a part-processing device for controlling one or more tooling components, sensors and/or motion systems includes the step of loading a software backplane onto the control system, the software backplane being configured to run on an operating system of the control system and to interface with one or more configurable applications. The method also comprises the step of loading one or more configurable applications associated with the one or more tooling components onto the control system, the one or more applications being configured to interface with the software backplane. The method also comprises the step of configuring the one or more configurable applications to control the one or more tooling components, sensors and/or motion systems pf the part-processing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Robert David Almas, Philip David Munroe, James Mark McLean
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Publication number: 20230083483Abstract: A method of repitching workpieces in an automated mass production system includes: (a) unloading a set of workpieces from a plurality of first retainers arranged at a first pitch, the unloading step including gripping of the workpieces by corresponding grippers of a repitch robot; (b) adjusting the workpieces from the first pitch to a second pitch different from the first pitch, the adjusting step including translating the grippers relative to each other from a first spacing corresponding to the first pitch to a second spacing corresponding to the second pitch; and (c) loading the workpieces into a plurality of corresponding second retainers arranged at the second pitch, the loading step including positioning and releasing the workpieces in the second retainers via the grippers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, David Andrew Tait, Robert James MacGregor
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Publication number: 20220332519Abstract: A method of inverting workpieces in a mass production process includes: advancing an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of a carrier to synchronize arrival of the carrier at a stop position with arrival of the end effector at an unloading position, in which the end effector is in alignment with a workpiece held by the carrier for engaging the workpiece; while the end effector is in engagement with the workpiece, retracting the end effector away from the carrier to unload the workpiece from the carrier and advancing the end effector back toward the carrier to load the workpiece back into the carrier; and rotating the end effector relative to the carrier to invert the workpiece in electronic synchronization with the retracting and advancing of the end effector for loading the workpiece back into the carrier when inverted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON, Philip David Munroe, James Mark McLean, Robert James MacGregor, David Andrew Tait, Gustavo Barea, Roger Craig Hogan
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Publication number: 20220331965Abstract: A method of processing O-rings in an automated mass production system includes: (a) advancing an O-ring retainer toward a loading position in alignment with an output end of a feed device; (b) discharging a leading O-ring from the output end in electronic synchronization with advancement of the O-ring retainer to the loading position to initiate loading of the O-ring into the retainer prior to the retainer arriving at the loading position; (c) after loading the O-ring into the retainer, advancing the retainer away from the loading position toward an unloading position; and (d) moving an end effector in electronic synchronization with advancement of the retainer to the unloading position to synchronize arrival of the retainer at the unloading position with arrival of the end effector at a pick-up position in alignment with the O-ring at the unloading position for pick up of the O-ring by the end effector.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, James Mark McLean, Robert James MacGregor, David Andrew Tait, Gustavo Barea, Roger Craig Hogan
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Publication number: 20220316482Abstract: Systems and methods of flow testing different workpieces in an automated testing station are described. Each workpiece comprises a flow path from an inlet to an outlet and the automated testing station comprises first and second sealing heads for injecting gas into the inlets of workpieces and collecting gas from the outlets of workpieces. The method includes performing a flow test by moving the flow test heads toward the workpieces while at the same time priming a flow of gas from the first sealing heads to the second sealing heads, prior to engaging the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, Mathieu Jocelyn Giles Pascal Gaudreault, Martin George Smith, David Andrew Tait, Robert David Almas, Colin Spencer Quelch
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Publication number: 20220281049Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mass producing different products in an automated production station having a plurality of part-processing devices. An example method includes identifying a workpiece received in the production station; selecting control parameters associated with the identified workpiece; electronically synchronizing the part-processing devices based on the selected control parameters to perform coordinated operations on the workpiece for producing one of the different products; and automatically repeating the identifying, selecting, and synchronizing steps for different workpieces received in the production station to produce a plurality of different products in a continuous mass production process.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, James Mark McLean, Robert James MacGregor, David Andrew Tait, Gustavo Barea
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Publication number: 20220063929Abstract: There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2019Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventor: Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON
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Patent number: 10589973Abstract: An automated device for producing a closed part, commencing with an open part having a cap joined with a hinge to a body, the device comprising: a tool having a guide surface defined in an operating plane substantially orthogonal to a hinge axis; a part gripper disposed on a computer numerically controlled shuttle, the part gripper operable to: select an open part from a stream of identical open parts; engage one of: the cap; and the body, on a start point on the guide surface; slide the open part, within the operating plane from the start point to a finish point on the guide surface, to rotate the cap about the hinge axis from an open position to a closed position relative to the body; and release the closed part from the part gripper at a release station.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, Martin George Smith, Robert David Almas
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Patent number: 10018985Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method of automated manufacture comprising: delivering a workpiece with a delivery device; receiving the workpiece with a receiving device, the delivering of the workpiece and the receiving of the workpiece being electronically synchronized; processing the workpiece with a processing tool while the workpiece is on the receiving device; transferring the workpiece to a completion device, the ejection of the workpiece and the transferring of the workpiece being electronically synchronized. In particular the workpiece may comprise: a platform with mounts supporting a first component in a selected orientation; and a locating surface, the method comprising: engaging and disengaging the locating surface of the workpiece with releasable connectors on the delivery device, on the receiving device and on the completion device.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, Martin George Smith, Robert David Almas
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Patent number: 9904281Abstract: The invention relates to an automated method of assembling or processing components using computer numerical controlled drives to decouple the stages of delivering components to a tool, into a series of separately programmable stages, namely, a component loading stage, a component separating stage, an accelerating stage and a delivery stage, wherein the timing, position, speed, velocity, and acceleration of each component during each stage is selected through programming of the computer numerical controls.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: TRANSFORMIX ENGINEERING INC.Inventors: Kenneth Wayne Nicholson, Philip David Munroe, Martin George Smith, Robert David Almas
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Publication number: 20170227946Abstract: The invention relates to a device, system and method of automated manufacture comprising: delivering a workpiece with a delivery device; receiving the workpiece with a receiving device, the delivering of the workpiece and the receiving of the workpiece being electronically synchronized; processing the workpiece with a processing tool while the workpiece is on the receiving device; transferring the workpiece to a completion device, the ejection of the workpiece and the transferring of the workpiece being electronically synchronized. In particular the workpiece may comprise: a platform with mounts supporting a first component in a selected orientation; and a locating surface, the method comprising: engaging and disengaging the locating surface of the workpiece with releasable connectors on the delivery device, on the receiving device and on the completion device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2015Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON, Philip David MUNROE, Martin George SMITH, Robert David ALMAS
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Publication number: 20160264388Abstract: An automated device for producing a closed part, commencing with an open part having a cap joined with a hinge to a body, the device comprising: a tool having a guide surface defined in an operating plane substantially orthogonal to a hinge axis; a part gripper disposed on a computer numerically controlled shuttle, the part gripper operable to: select an open part from a stream of identical open parts; engage one of: the cap; and the body, on a start point on the guide surface; slide the open part, within the operating plane from the start point to a finish point on the guide surface, to rotate the cap about the hinge axis from an open position to a closed position relative to the body; and release the closed part from the part gripper at a release station.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: TRANSFORMIX ENGINEERING INC.Inventors: Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON, Philip David MUNROE, Martin George SMITH, Robert David ALMAS
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Publication number: 20140148936Abstract: The invention relates to an automated method of assembling or processing components using computer numerical controlled drives to decouple the stages of delivering components to a tool, into a series of separately programmable stages, namely, a component loading stage, a component separating stage, an accelerating stage and a delivery stage, wherein the timing, position, speed, velocity, and acceleration of each component during each stage is selected through programming of the computer numerical controls.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: TRANSFORMIX ENGINEERING INC.Inventors: Kenneth Wayne NICHOLSON, Philip David MUNROE, Martin George SMITH, Robert David ALMAS