Abstract: A wheel servicing machine such as a wheel balancer includes an acoustic transducer configured to measure energy of one or more reflected acoustic waves after the waves have bounced off a material boundary surface such as a wheel assembly. In some embodiments, a return energy index signal representative of the measured energy is generated by a transducer and is further processed by a processor to control operations of the machine. The acoustic transducer also measures distance between the transducer and the wheel assembly surface in some embodiments. One or more values in a sample queue of acquired distance data may be flagged, or indexed, based on variation in the magnitude of the return energy signal. Methods of measuring wheel width using sonar measurement of both distance and reflected energy are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for a wheel service machine includes a body having an axis and a aperture through the axis, the aperture shaped to receive a rotary shaft, a first chamber and a second chamber located in the body, a pneumatic inlet communicated with the second chamber, the pneumatic inlet configured to be couple to a pneumatic supply line. A piston is movably disposed in the first chamber between a retracted and an extended position, the piston moving from the retracted position to the extended position when pressure from the second chamber is supplied to the first chamber. A valve is positioned between the first and second chambers, the valve selectively communicating the first and second chambers. A wheel service apparatus includes a base, a motor configured to rotate a rotary shaft, and a pneumatic nut. A docking station for the pneumatic nut can be located on the base.

Abstract: A wheel servicing machine such as a wheel balancer includes an acoustic transducer configured to measure energy of one or more reflected acoustic waves after the waves have bounced off a material boundary surface such as a wheel assembly. In some embodiments, a return energy index signal representative of the measured energy is generated by a transducer and is further processed by a processor to control operations of the machine. The acoustic transducer also measures distance between the transducer and the wheel assembly surface in some embodiments. One or more values in a sample queue of acquired distance data may be flagged, or indexed, based on variation in the magnitude of the return energy signal. Methods of measuring wheel width using sonar measurement of both distance and reflected energy are also provided.

Abstract: A method for a robotic semiconductor wafer processing system to correct for wafers that have become offset or off-center during wafer processing. This is accomplished by determining the amount of offset and re-centering the wafer during wafer transport to the next process station using a single station sensor to locate the wafer center point. Each single sensor located at each station activates when the wafer's edge traverses through the sensor's path. Directional coordinates for the measured designated points on the wafer's edge are calculated, and the intersection points of two circles, analytically derived from using the measured designated points as their centers, are determined. The intersection point closest to the true wafer center position represents the measured wafer's center point. This point is compared to the true wafer center position, and the wafer is then adjusted for this difference.