Patents by Inventor Steven J. Alexander

Steven J. Alexander 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: 6735927
    Abstract: A drive for a carrier tape used in conjunction with a pick and place module of a machine for inspecting and handling advances the carrier tape to its desired position in two steps. Using the number of sprocket holes between compartments in the tape (n holes), the first step is n−1 sprocket holes. The second step takes the carrier tape the remaining distance to complete the advance to the distance equal to n sprocket holes. The tape is driven by friction rollers not by the use of the sprocket holes. The presence of a device in a compartment and its proper positioning in the compartment is also inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: International Product Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin E. Behnke, Steven J. Alexander, Donald P. McGee, Todd K. Pichler, John Novak
  • Publication number: 20030024216
    Abstract: A drive for a carrier tape used in conjunction with a pick and place module of a machine for inspecting and handling advances the carrier tape to its desired position in two steps. Using the number of sprocket holes between compartments in the tape (n holes), the first step is n−1 sprocket holes. The second step takes the carrier tape the remaining distance to complete the advance to the distance equal to n sprocket holes. The tape is driven by friction rollers not by means of the sprocket holes. The presence of a device in a compartment and its proper positioning in the compartment is also inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin E. Behnke, Steven J. Alexander, Donald P. McGee, Todd K. Pichler, John Novak
  • Patent number: 6481187
    Abstract: A carrier tape drive used in conjunction with a pick and place module. The drive advances carrier tape to a desired position in two steps. The first step includes substantially stopping a carrier tape compartment short of a loading position, and the second step includes moving the compartment into the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin E. Behnke, Steven J. Alexander, Donald P. McGee, Todd K. Pichler, John Novak
  • Patent number: 6311886
    Abstract: The invention provides a pick and place system having a taper module that determines both placement and direction of the carrier tape by optically counting sprocket holes as they move in either direction. Compartments in a carrier tape are serially spaced along the longitudinal axis of the tape. The tape also includes a plurality of sprocket holes serially spaced along a line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tape. The distance between compartments corresponds to a predetermined number of sprocket holes. Two optical couplers are set at a predetermined distance smaller than the s pacing between consecutive sprocket holes. Signals from the couplers will have a unique sequence depending on the direction of the tape. By using direction and number of sprocket holes, the exact position of the tape can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Alexander, Jon Ubert
  • Patent number: 5972275
    Abstract: Stresses are relieved in elongated extruded plastic members by passing electric currents through electrical conductors embedded in the reinforcing bars. The reinforcing bars are manufactured according to a pultrusion process in which 1/16 inch diameter MIG wire is introduced into a roving bundle of impregnated fibers and drawn through a curing and shaping die. The resulting product is a rigid reinforcing bar having a longitudinal wire extending its entire length. The reinforcing bars are cut to lengths corresponding to the desired lengths of the elongated members to be extruded. The elongated member is manufactured using an extrusion process in which molten plastic surrounds a plurality of reinforcing bars to form a continuously extruded member. The member is cooled, cut at the reinforcing bar joints, and prepared for electrical resistance heating. Electrical contacts are inserted into bores provided in the ends of each reinforcing bar and are placed in electrical contact with the embedded wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Seaward International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Phelps, Steven J. Alexander