Patents by Inventor Kevin L. D. Burwell

Kevin L. D. Burwell 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).

  • Method and system for detecting the presence of parts in an assembly fixture
    Patent number: 7821417
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of detecting the correct and complete loading of parts in one or more assembly fixtures. A missing or incorrectly loaded part results in an airflow from a respective part cavity in an assembly fixture and a switch assembly, which can be located distal from the assembly fixtures, detects the airflow and provides a signal indicating that the fixture is not correctly loaded. Conversely, if each and every part is correctly loaded into the assembly fixtures, no airflow occurs and the switch assembly outputs a signal indicating that the assembly fixtures are correctly loaded and that subsequent manufacturing/assembly operations can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. D. Burwell, John D. Kennedy
  • Method and System for Detecting the Presence of Parts in An Assembly Fixture
    Publication number: 20080122640
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of detecting the correct and complete loading of parts in one or more assembly fixtures. A missing or incorrectly loaded part results in an airflow from a respective part cavity in an assembly fixture and a switch assembly, which can be located distal from the assembly fixtures, detects the airflow and provides a signal indicating that the fixture is not correctly loaded. Conversely, if each and every part is correctly loaded into the assembly fixtures, no airflow occurs and the switch assembly outputs a signal indicating that the assembly fixtures are correctly loaded and that subsequent manufacturing/assembly operations can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin L. D. Burwell, John D. Kennedy