Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Schaefer

Thomas A. Schaefer 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: 12116205
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Publication number: 20230391551
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Forrest BUZAN, Edward A. MACDONALD, Taylor A. APGAR, Thomas A. SCHAEFER, Melanie ZIEGLER, Russell G. BARBOUR
  • Patent number: 11718475
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. Macdonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Publication number: 20210284445
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Forrest BUZAN, Edward A. MACDONALD, Taylor A. APGAR, Thomas A. SCHAEFER, Melanie ZIEGLER, Russell G. BARBOUR
  • Patent number: 11001444
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Publication number: 20190193938
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Patent number: 10221013
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Patent number: 9884726
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C. Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20170253430
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Patent number: 9656803
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Publication number: 20150203296
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system including at least one autonomous rover for transferring payload within the system and including a communicator, a multilevel storage structure, each level allowing traversal of the at least one autonomous rover, at least one registration station disposed at predetermined locations on each level and being configured to communicate with the communicator to at least receive rover identification information, and a controller in communication with the at least one registration station and configured to receive the at least rover identification information and at least one of register the at least one autonomous rover as being on a level corresponding to a respective one of the at least one registration station or deregister the at least one autonomous rover from the system, where the controller effects induction of the at least one autonomous rover into a predetermined rover space on the level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Symbotic, LLC
    Inventors: Forrest Buzan, Edward A. MacDonald, Taylor A. Apgar, Thomas A. Schaefer, Melanie Ziegler, Russell G. Barbour
  • Publication number: 20140199138
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C. Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8672605
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8500388
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8197177
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20080232948
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20080232947
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C. Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20080187417
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20080187418
    Abstract: Modular wafer transport and handling facilities are combined in a variety of ways deliver greater levels of flexibility, utility, efficiency, and functionality in a vacuum semiconductor processing system. Various processing and other modules may be interconnected with tunnel-and-cart transportation systems to extend the distance and versatility of the vacuum environment. Other improvements such as bypass thermal adjusters, buffering aligners, batch processing, multifunction modules, low particle vents, cluster processing cells, and the like are incorporated to expand functionality and improve processing efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Peter van der Meulen, Christopher C. Kiley, Patrick D. Pannese, Raymond S. Ritter, Thomas A. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7109499
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring a profile of an ion beam. The apparatus includes an array of beam current sensors, each producing a sensor signal in response to incident ions of the ion beam, a translation mechanism configured to translate the array of beam current sensors along a translation path with respect to the ion beam, and a controller configured to acquire the sensor signals produced by the beam current sensors at a plurality of positions along the translation path, wherein the acquired sensor signals are representative of a two-dimensional profile of the ion beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon C. Angel, Edward D. MacIntosh, Thomas A. Schaefer