Patents by Inventor Michael Krolak
Michael Krolak 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: 10593583Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of storage shelves has a shelf plate for supporting a container. Each of the storage shelves is coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain. The rail has some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear. The sections are arranged in a loop. Example configurations of the storage system include one or more of stationary shelves, extended horizontal tracks for a hoist, a conveyor at a level of the storage system, and a manual loading station. The hoist, with an extended horizontal track interfaces with the manual loading station.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Publication number: 20180096873Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of storage shelves has a shelf plate for supporting a container. Each of the storage shelves is coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain. The rail has some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear. The sections are arranged in a loop. Example configurations of the storage system include one or more of stationary shelves, extended horizontal tracks for a hoist, a conveyor at a level of the storage system, and a manual loading station. The hoist, with an extended horizontal track interfaces with the manual loading station.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Patent number: 9842756Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of storage shelves has a shelf plate for supporting a container. Each of the storage shelves is coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain. The rail has some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear. The sections are arranged in a loop. Example configurations of the storage system include one or more of stationary shelves, extended horizontal tracks for a hoist, a conveyor at a level of the storage system, and a manual loading station. The hoist, with an extended horizontal track interfaces with the manual loading station.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Publication number: 20150063958Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of storage shelves has a shelf plate for supporting a container. Each of the storage shelves is coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain. The rail has some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear. The sections are arranged in a loop. Example configurations of the storage system include one or more of stationary shelves, extended horizontal tracks for a hoist, a conveyor at a level of the storage system, and a manual loading station. The hoist, with an extended horizontal track interfaces with the manual loading station.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Patent number: 8882433Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Patent number: 8851820Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Patent number: 8851817Abstract: The present invention is a wafer transfer system that transports individual wafers between chambers within an isolated environment. In one embodiment, a wafer is transported by a wafer shuttle that travel within a transport enclosure. The interior of the transport enclosure is isolated from the atmospheric conditions of the surrounding wafer fabrication facility. Thus, an individual wafer may be transported throughout the wafer fabrication facility without having to maintain a clean room environment for the entire facility. The wafer shuttle may be propelled by various technologies, such as, but not limited to, magnetic levitation or air bearings. The wafer shuttle may also transport more than one wafer simultaneously. The interior of the transport enclosure may also be under vacuum, gas-filled, or subject to filtered air.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Roger G. Hine, Michael Krolak, Jerry A. Speasl
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Patent number: 8376130Abstract: A conveyor system includes a cartridge, which defines a section of the conveyor. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a number of wheels, which are designed as a unit for a conveyor section and the wheels of the cartridge are designed to hold a belt. A conveyor section, in one optional embodiment, includes integrated sensors for detecting the presence of a container (e.g., FOUP), and each conveyor section can implement precision sheet metal rails that facilitate high speed FOUP transport. In one embodiment, each conveyor section has two sides. Each side has a cartridge that has a belt. In particular embodiments, one side of the conveyor section includes a drive motor, that drives the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Roumen Deyanov, Michel Pharand, Michael Krolak, Theodore W. Rogers
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Publication number: 20120267219Abstract: A conveyor system includes a cartridge, which defines a section of the conveyor. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a number of wheels, which are designed as a unit for a conveyor section and the wheels of the cartridge are designed to hold a belt. A conveyor section, in one optional embodiment, includes integrated sensors for detecting the presence of a container (e.g., FOUP), and each conveyor section can implement precision sheet metal rails that facilitate high speed FOUP transport. In one embodiment, each conveyor section has two sides. Each side has a cartridge that has a belt. In particular embodiments, one side of the conveyor section includes a drive motor, that drives the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Roumen Deyanov, Michel Pharand, Michael Krolak, Theodore W. Rogers
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Publication number: 20120213614Abstract: The present invention is a wafer transfer system that transports individual wafers between chambers within an isolated environment. In one embodiment, a wafer is transported by a wafer shuttle that travel within a transport enclosure. The interior of the transport enclosure is isolated from the atmospheric conditions of the surrounding wafer fabrication facility. Thus, an individual wafer may be transported throughout the wafer fabrication facility without having to maintain a clean room environment for the entire facility. The wafer shuttle may be propelled by various technologies, such as, but not limited to, magnetic levitation or air bearings. The wafer shuttle may also transport more than one wafer simultaneously. The interior of the transport enclosure may also be under vacuum, gas-filled, or subject to filtered air.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Roger G. Hine, Michael Krolak, Jerry A. Speasl
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Patent number: 7841820Abstract: The present invention is a wafer transfer system that transports individual wafers between chambers within an isolated environment. In one embodiment, a wafer is transported by a wafer shuttle that travel within a transport enclosure. The interior of the transport enclosure is isolated from the atmospheric conditions of the surrounding wafer fabrication facility. Thus, an individual wafer may be transported throughout the wafer fabrication facility without having to maintain a clean room environment for the entire facility. The wafer shuttle may be propelled by various technologies, such as, but not limited to, magnetic levitation or air bearings. The wafer shuttle may also transport more than one wafer simultaneously. The interior of the transport enclosure may also be under vacuum, gas-filled, or subject to filtered air.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Crossing Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Roger G. Hine, Michael Krolak, Jerry A. Speasl
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Publication number: 20100290872Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Crossing Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Publication number: 20100290873Abstract: A storage system and methods for operating a storage system are disclosed. The storage system includes a storage system assembly positioned at a height that is greater than a height of a tool used for loading and unloading substrates to be processed. The storage system locally stores one or more containers of substrates. The storage system assembly includes a plurality of storage shelves, and each of the plurality of storage shelves have shelf plates with shelf features for supporting a container. Each of the plurality of storage shelves are coupled to a chain to enable horizontal movement and each is further coupled to a rail to enable guiding to one or more positions. A motor is coupled to a drive sprocket for moving the chain, such that each of the plurality of storage shelves move together along the rail to the one or more positions. The rail has at least some sections that are linear and some sections that are nonlinear and the sections are arranged in a loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: Crossing Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Richard H. Gould, Michael Krolak
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Patent number: 7798759Abstract: The present invention generally comprises an apparatus for transporting containers between a first transport system and a second transport system. In one embodiment, the first transport system comprises a ceiling-based conveyor and the second transport system comprises a floor-based conveyor. The present invention may further include storage shelves, preferably substantially horizontally aligned about a common vertical plane with a section of one of the transport systems. The transport system may be located either directly above the uppermost storage shelf or beneath the lowermost storage shelf in order to add storage capacity within the fab. A vertical module transports containers between the transport systems and the at least one storage shelf.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Michael Krolak, Roger G. Hine
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Publication number: 20100219050Abstract: A conveyor system includes a cartridge, which defines a section of the conveyor. In one embodiment, the cartridge includes a number of wheels, which are designed as a unit for a conveyor section and the wheels of the cartridge are designed to hold a belt. A conveyor section, in one optional embodiment, includes integrated sensors for detecting the presence of a container (e.g., FOUP), and each conveyor section can implement precision sheet metal rails that facilitate high speed FOUP transport. In one embodiment, each conveyor section has two sides. Each side has a cartridge that has a belt. In particular embodiments, one side of the conveyor section includes a drive motor, that drives the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Roumen Deyanov, Michel Pharand, Michael Krolak, Theodore W. Rogers
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Patent number: 7784606Abstract: A conveyor and conveyor system is defined for moving a container used to hold semiconductor wafers. The conveyor includes a first belt having a first support surface for movably supporting the container and a second belt having a second support surface for movably supporting the container. The first belt and the second belt each have a raised guide. The conveyor further includes a drive assembly for moving at least the first belt and causing the container to move over the first and second belts when placed on the first and second support surfaces. Methods for making the conveyor and operating the conveyor are also defined herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Michael Krolak, Roger G. Hine
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Patent number: 7771151Abstract: The present invention generally comprises a tool load device for transferring a container between a container transport system and a processing tool. The tool load device may service a single load port or multiple load ports. Regardless, the tool load device is preferably located between the load port of the processing tool and the section of the container transport system passing the processing tool. The tool load device provides an improved method of moving containers between a conventional load port and, for example, a conveyor. In another embodiment, the tool load device is coupled with an x-drive assembly that moves the tool load device along a path that is substantially parallel to the container transport system passing in front of the load port—allowing the tool load device to service multiple load ports.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Muratec Automation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Michael Krolak, Roger G. Hine
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Patent number: 7737567Abstract: A semiconductor substrate is provided. The substrate includes a first surface and an opposing second surface, wherein the first surface includes a marking in a centroid region of the first surface. The marking indicates a location of a center point on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate or identification data unique to the substrate. A system, methods of transporting and marking, and a device for reading the substrate markings are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Crossing Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Raymond S. Martin, Michael Krolak
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Publication number: 20100051422Abstract: A conveyor and conveyor system is defined for moving a container used to hold semiconductor wafers. The conveyor includes a first belt having a first support surface for movably supporting the container and a second belt having a second support surface for movably supporting the container. The first belt and the second belt each have a raised guide. The conveyor further includes a drive assembly for moving at least the first belt and causing the container to move over the first and second belts when placed on the first and second support surfaces. Methods for making the conveyor and operating the conveyor are also defined herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, Michael Krolak, Roger G. Hine
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Publication number: 20100034621Abstract: A port door providing an interface into a processing tool is provided. The port door includes first and second arms pivotably mounted on a top edge of the port door. The first and second arms are configured to extend from a plane of the port door towards a carrier containing substrates for the processing tool. The first arm has an emitter transmitting a beam that is split into a plurality of sub-beams within the first arm. The second arm has a plurality of sensors receiving corresponding sub-beams, wherein one of sub-beams provides information as to a position of an end effector relative to a gap between the substrates in the carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Raymond S. Martin, Anthony C. Bonora, Michael Krolak