Patents by Inventor Michael G. Beem

Michael G. Beem 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).

  • Patent number: 11529644
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus for painting a workpiece includes a redundant axis robot for use in a robotic painting system. The redundant axis of rotation provides the robot arm additional flexibility in avoiding obstacles and reaching an interior of the workpiece to apply paint thereto. The robotic apparatus could be a seven-axis robot arm or a five-axis parallel link panel opener robot arm for opening and/or closing the panel. The robot arms are mounted on at least one vertically oriented column adjacent a path of travel of the workpiece through a painting booth and the robot arms can be mounted on a common base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrzej Grzegorz Bania, Michael G. Beem, James Bryon Gerds, II, Marcin Gora, Stan Henry McClosky, David Michael Moore, Matthew Ray Sikowski
  • Publication number: 20200376513
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus for painting a workpiece includes a redundant axis robot for use in a robotic painting system. The redundant axis of rotation provides the robot arm additional flexibility in avoiding obstacles and reaching an interior of the workpiece to apply paint thereto. The robotic apparatus could be a seven-axis robot arm or a five-axis parallel link panel opener robot arm for opening and/or closing the panel. The robot arms are mounted on at least one vertically oriented column adjacent a path of travel of the workpiece through a painting booth and the robot arms can be mounted on a common base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Andrzej Grzegorz Bania, Michael G. Beem, James Bryon Gerds, II, Marcin Gora, Stan Henry McClosky, David Michael Moore, Matthew Ray Sikowski
  • Publication number: 20180029064
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus for painting a workpiece includes a redundant axis robot for use in a robotic painting system. The redundant axis of rotation provides the robot arm additional flexibility in avoiding obstacles and reaching an interior of the workpiece to apply paint thereto. The robotic apparatus could be a seven-axis robot arm or a five-axis parallel link panel opener robot arm for opening and/or closing the panel. The robot arms are mounted on at least one vertically oriented column adjacent a path of travel of the workpiece through a painting booth and the robot arms can be mounted on a common base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andrzej Grzegorz Bania, Michael G. Beem, James Bryon Gerds, II, Marcin Gora, Stan Henry McClosky, David Michael Moore, Matthew Ray Sikowski
  • Patent number: 9782789
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus for painting a workpiece includes a redundant axis robot for use in a robotic painting system. The redundant axis of rotation provides the robot arm additional flexibility in avoiding obstacles and reaching an interior of the workpiece to apply paint thereto. The robotic apparatus could be a seven-axis robot arm or a five-axis parallel link panel opener robot arm for opening and/or closing the panel. The robot arms are mounted on at least one vertically oriented column adjacent a path of travel of the workpiece through a painting booth and the robot arms can be mounted on a common base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrzej Grzegorz Bania, Michael G. Beem, James Bryon Gerds, II, Marcin Gora, Stan Henry McClosky, David Michael Moore, Matthew Ray Sikowski
  • Publication number: 20140069335
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus for painting a workpiece includes a redundant axis robot for use in a robotic painting system. The redundant axis of rotation provides the robot arm additional flexibility in avoiding obstacles and reaching an interior of the workpiece to apply paint thereto. The robotic apparatus could be a seven-axis robot arm or a five-axis parallel link panel opener robot arm for opening and/or closing the panel. The robot arms are mounted on at least one vertically oriented column adjacent a path of travel of the workpiece through a painting booth and the robot arms can be mounted on a common base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Andrzej Grzegorz Bania, Michael G. Beem, James Bryon Gerds, II, Marcin Gora, Stan Henry McClosky, David Michael Moore, Matthew Ray Sikowski
  • Patent number: 7638000
    Abstract: A painting robot outer arm includes a non-conductive housing mounting a color changer on the outside and a paint canister on the inside connected by an isolating paint transfer line. The paint canister is releasably attached to a piston ram and drive motor by a quick disconnect coupling. The paint supply is isolated from the applied high voltage by cleaning and drying the transfer line. The rate of filling of the canister can be controlled in response to sensed torque applied by a drive motor moving a piston in the paint canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fanuc Robotics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Paul D. Copioli, Michael G. Beem, Robert C. Foti, Stan H. McClosky, Matt Zimmerer, Brad O. Niederquell, W. Daniel Mantz
  • Publication number: 20090151628
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing objects includes an elevated tubular frame rail mounting a four axis robot arm with a tool such as a painting applicator. The robot is attached to a mounting base that moves along the rail permitting painting of the top and/or side of a vehicle body. Electrical power and fluid lines can be routed through the rail to the robot. Two such rails and multiple robots can be combined as a module for installation in a new or an existing painting booth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Eric D. Buchanan, James M. Kowalski, Roy A. Jerue, Paul D. Copioli, Michael G. Beem
  • Publication number: 20040115360
    Abstract: A painting robot outer arm includes a non-conductive housing mounting a color changer on the outside and a paint canister on the inside connected by an isolating paint transfer line. The paint canister is releasably attached to a piston ram and drive motor by a quick disconnect coupling. The paint supply is isolated from the applied high voltage by cleaning and drying the transfer line. The rate of filling of the canister can be controlled in response to sensed torque applied by a drive motor moving a piston in the paint canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Paul D. Copioli, Michael G. Beem, Robert C. Foti, Stan H. McClosky, Matt Zimmerer, Brad O. Niederquell, W. Daniel Mantz
  • Publication number: 20040107900
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing objects includes an elevated tubular frame rail mounting a four axis robot arm with a tool such as a painting applicator. The robot is attached to a mounting base that moves along the rail permitting painting of the top and/or side of a vehicle body. Electrical power and fluid lines can be routed through the rail to the robot. Two such rails and multiple robots can be combined as a module for installation in a new or an existing painting booth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Eric D. Buchanan, James M. Kowalski, Roy A. Jerue, Paul D. Copioli, Michael G. Beem
  • Patent number: 6569258
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method for a bell atomizer spray head provides an air/solvent mixture to an exterior surface of a bell cup through shaping air passages and outlets during a color change or bell cleaning operation. In the alternative, cleaning passages can be provided for the air/solvent mixture to exit adjacent the bell cup exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Donald S. Bartlett, Michael G. Beem
  • Publication number: 20020170580
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method for a bell atomizer spray head provides an air/solvent mixture to an exterior surface of a bell cup through shaping air passages and outlets during a color change or bell cleaning operation. In the alternative, cleaning passages can be provided for the air/solvent mixture to exit adjacent the bell cup exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Donald S. Bartlett, Michael G. Beem