Patents by Inventor Peter Rippl

Peter Rippl 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: 8367970
    Abstract: A method and device (1) for laser machining vehicle bodies or body parts (2) uses a laser beam (14) that is guided from a laser source (13) to a remote laser tool (15) on a robot hand by a guiding device (16). The robot (4) maintains the laser tool (15) in a suspended manner over the tool (2), at a focal length (F) and at a contact free distance and guides it along a machining path (30). The laser beam (14) is deviated, by movement of the hand axis (IV, V, VI), about a variable deviation angle (?), and the laser source (13), whose power is variable, is controlled according to the movement of the laser beam. The beam deviation of the hand axis (IV, V, VI) can be superimposed on an offset movement of the robot (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Rippl, Johann Hesse, Anton Englhard
  • Patent number: 8076604
    Abstract: A plurality linkages, preferably a robot holding either a spot welder with welding guns or the workpiece. The plurality of linkages move a spot welder with open tongs toward a first spot weld position. The welding guns are then closed on the workpiece and welding is performed at the first spot weld position. While the welding is being performed, parts of the plurality of linkages are advanced toward a second weld position while the welding guns remained closed at the first spot weld position. When the welding at the first position is finished, parts of the linkages are already advanced towards the second position, and the remaining linkages are then advanced to the second position. This allows the linkages or robot to move faster from one spot weld position to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Rippl
  • Patent number: 7906744
    Abstract: A method for machining workpieces (6) uses a moving laser beam (4), whereby the laser tool (3) is held at a separation above the workpiece (6) by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) with a manipulator hand (8) and moved along a given track in an offset movement. During the machining process an at least partly opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement. A device is provided for machining workpieces (6) with a moving laser beam (4). The laser tool (3) is held by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) and a device for generation of a opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Kuka Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Rippl
  • Patent number: 7696452
    Abstract: A method for laser beam machining, in particular laser beam welding of bodywork components (14), with the aid of a remote laser head (3). The laser head is guided by a robot (5) including a multi-axial robot hand (7). During the welding process, the emitted laser beam (12) is guided along the welding path (19) on the component (14) by orientation modifications and with a variable irradiation angle beta. said orientation modifications only being produced by pivoting displacements (7) of the manipulator hand (7) about at least one of its hand axes IV, V, VI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: KUKA Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Rippl, Anton Englhard, Martin Eberl
  • Publication number: 20080047938
    Abstract: A plurality linkages, preferably a robot holding either a spot welder with welding guns or the workpiece. The plurality of linkages move a spot welder with open tongs toward a first spot weld position. The welding guns are then closed on the workpiece and welding is performed at the first spot weld position. While the welding is being performed, parts of the plurality of linkages are advanced toward a second weld position while the welding guns remained closed at the first spot weld position. When the welding at the first position is finished, parts of the linkages are already advanced towards the second position, and the remaining linkages are then advanced to the second position. This allows the linkages or robot to move faster from one spot weld position to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Rippl
  • Publication number: 20070199929
    Abstract: A method and device (1) for laser machining vehicle bodies or body parts (2) uses a laser beam (14) that is guided from a laser source (13) to a remote laser tool (15) on a robot hand by a guiding device (16). The robot (4) maintains the laser tool (15) in a suspended manner over the tool (2), at a focal length (F) and at a contact free distance and guides it along a machining path (30). The laser beam (14) is deviated, by movement of the hand axis (IV, V, VI), about a variable deviation angle (?), and the laser source (13), whose power is variable, is controlled according to the movement of the laser beam. The beam deviation of the hand axis (IV, V, VI) can be superimposed on an offset movement of the robot (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Rippl, Johann Hesse, Anton Englhard
  • Publication number: 20070062916
    Abstract: A method for laser beam machining, in particular laser beam welding of bodywork components (14), with the aid of a remote laser head (3). The laser head is guided by a robot (5) including a multi-axial robot hand (7). During the welding process, the emitted laser beam (12) is guided along the welding path (19) on the component (14) by orientation modifications and with a variable irradiation angle beta. said orientation modifications only being produced by pivoting displacements (7) of the manipulator hand (7) about at least one of its hand axes IV, V, VI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Rippl, Anton Englhard, Martin Eberl
  • Publication number: 20060249486
    Abstract: A machining system and unit, especially a welding cell, is provided for use for the machining of workpieces (2), especially body parts of vehicles. The machining system has one or more machining stations (15, 16) with robots (18, 19, 20) and at least one rotation or turning station (5), which has at least two work stations (6, 7) for carrying out different operations simultaneously. The turning station (5) has at least two multiaxially movable turning units (8, 9) arranged next to one another with the gripping tools (11, 12, 13). The working areas (10) intersect each other at the work stations (6, 7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Rippl
  • Publication number: 20060175301
    Abstract: A method for machining workpieces (6) uses a moving laser beam (4), whereby the laser tool (3) is held at a separation above the workpiece (6) by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) with a manipulator hand (8) and moved along a given track in an offset movement. During the machining process an at least partly opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement. A device is provided for machining workpieces (6) with a moving laser beam (4). The laser tool (3) is held by means of a multi-axis mechanical manipulator (2) and a device for generation of a opposing compensation movement of the laser beam (4) is superimposed on the offset movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Rippl
  • Patent number: 6649867
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blowing device (4) for a laser system (1) used for separating or welding workpieces (17). The blowing device (4) has at least one nozzle assembly (5), which generates a gas stream (7) that is oriented at an angle to the laser beam (3). The blowing device also has an air supply (8) which, on one side of the nozzle, leads into the proximity of the nozzle opening (6) and which is provided for an air supply stream (10) that is fed to the gas stream (7) in an essentially parallel manner or at an apex angle. A second air supply (9) is arranged on the other side of the nozzle. Said second air supply leads into the proximity of the nozzle opening (6) and is provided for a second air supply stream (11) that is fed to the gas steam (7) in an essentially parallel manner or at an apex angle. A protecting glass (13), which is oriented toward the gas stream (7) in an essentially parallel manner, can be alternatively or additionally placed in the proximity of the nozzle opening (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kuka Schweissanlagen GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Rippl, Rudolf Huber
  • Publication number: 20020195431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a blowing device (4) for a laser system (1) used for separating or welding workpieces (17). The blowing device (4) has at least one nozzle assembly (5), which generates a gas seam (7) that is oriented at an angle to the laser beam (3). The blowing device also has an air supply (8) which, on one side of the nozzle, leads into the proximity of the nozzle opening (6) and which is provided for an air supply stream (10) that is fed to the gas stream (7) in an essentially parallel manner or at an apex angle. A second air supply (9) is arranged on the other side of the nozzle. Said second air supply leads into the proximity of the nozzle opening (6) and is provided for a second air supply stream (11) that is fed to the gas steam (7) in an essentially parallel manner or at an apex angle. A protecting glass (13), which is oriented toward the gas stream (7) in an essentially parallel manner, can be alternatively or additionally placed in the proximity of the nozzle opening (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Rippl, Rudolf Huber
  • Patent number: 4757180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device for welding wire feed for welding equipment, in particular arc sheild-gas welding tools on manipulators. The welding wire is transported from a magazine or reel with the aid of two separate drives. The main drive determines the feed and it is mounted near the application welding die, while the auxiliary is arranged spaced therebehind. The motor of the main drive is controlled to a constant speed corresponding to the selected feed, while the auxiliary drive acts on the welding wire with slip. The motor of the auxiliary drive is also controlled to a constant speed, the speed adjustment of the drives being, however, control-technologically connected for maintenance of a certain difference of the transport speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Kuka Schweibanlagen + Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Kainz, Karel Mazac, Helmut Obermeier, Peter Rippl, Josef Stadler, Ernst Zimmer