Patents by Inventor Thomas Feyrer

Thomas Feyrer 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: 11754581
    Abstract: A positioning system (1) that has a system main part (4), on which multiple working units (6) are arranged next to one another in the axial direction of a y-axis, said working units being linearly movable, thereby carrying out a working movement (8) in the axial direction of a z-axis. Each working unit (6) is paired with a dedicated drive unit (7) in order to be actuated, said drive unit having a stator (23) attached to the system main part (4) and an output element (24) drivingly connected to the working unit (6) via a coupling section (26). The stators (23) are distributed into multiple stator rows (58) which are aligned in the axial direction of the y-axis and are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction of the x-axis, wherein the stators (23) of each pair of adjacent stator rows (58) are offset to one another with a mutual overlap in the axial direction of the y-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20220229080
    Abstract: A positioning system (1) that has a system main part (4), on which multiple working units (6) are arranged next to one another in the axial direction of a y-axis, said working units being linearly movable, thereby carrying out a working movement (8) in the axial direction of a z-axis. Each working unit (6) is paired with a dedicated drive unit (7) in order to be actuated, said drive unit having a stator (23) attached to the system main part (4) and an output element (24) drivingly connected to the working unit (6) via a coupling section (26). The stators (23) are distributed into multiple stator rows (58) which are aligned in the axial direction of the y-axis and are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction of the x-axis, wherein the stators (23) of each pair of adjacent stator rows (58) are offset to one another with a mutual overlap in the axial direction of the y-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 10850932
    Abstract: A positioning system has at least one positioning carriage which is variably mobile and positionable relative to a carriage support of the positioning system, whilst carrying out a positioning movement on a positioning plane defined by an xy cartesian co-ordinate system. The carriage support has at least one stator arrangement having a winding arrangement with an x-winding section for providing a magnetic x-travelling field, which can be moved in the direction of the x-axis of the xy co-ordinate system, and a y-winding section for providing a magnetic y-travelling field, which can be moved in the direction of the y-axis of the xy co-ordinate system. The positioning carriage is provided with a coupling arrangement which, during the positioning movement, magnetically interacts simultaneously with the x-travelling field and the y-travelling field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: FESTO SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20200223645
    Abstract: A positioning system has at least one positioning carriage which is variably mobile and positionable relative to a carriage support of the positioning system, whilst carrying out a positioning movement on a positioning plane defined by an xy cartesian co-ordinate system. The carriage support has at least one stator arrangement having a winding arrangement with an x-winding section for providing a magnetic x-travelling field, which can be moved in the direction of the x-axis of the xy co-ordinate system, and a y-winding section for providing a magnetic y-travelling field, which can be moved in the direction of the y-axis of the xy co-ordinate system. The positioning carriage is provided with a coupling arrangement which, during the positioning movement, magnetically interacts simultaneously with the x-travelling field and the y-travelling field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20180229947
    Abstract: A positioning system has at least one positioning carriage which is variably mobile and positionable relative to a carriage support of the positioning system, whilst carrying out a positioning movement on a positioning plane defined by an xy cartesian co-ordinate system, the carriage support having at least one stator arrangement with an x-stator section for providing a magnetic x-travelling field, which can be moved in the direction of the x-axis of the xy co-ordinate system, and a y-stator section for providing a magnetic y-travelling field, which can be moved in the direction of the y-axis of the xy co-ordinate system. The positioning carriage is provided with a magnet arrangement which, during the positioning movement, magnetically interacts simultaneously with the x-travelling field and the y-travelling field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20170368653
    Abstract: A working device is proposed, with a positioning system, containing at least one pallet that is positionable and movable by performing a two-dimensional positioning movement in a positioning plane. The pallet is provided with at least one application area, on which in a work zone by means of a handling unit an application can be performed. The work zone is isolated from the handling unit by a protective cover, which is penetrated by an access opening, through which the handling unit can be moved by an application movement directed perpendicularly to the positioning plane, in order to perform an application in the application area of the pallet positioned in the area of the access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Baumann, Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 9751175
    Abstract: A positioning system includes a slide support, on which is mounted a positioning slide, which can be driven to perform a positioning movement in a positioning plane with the aid of drive gears of the slide support, wherein the positioning plane is defined by a Cartesian x-y coordinate system. The drive gears are represented by at least one x-drive gear, which can cause a positioning movement in the x-axis direction, and at least one y-drive gear, which can cause a positioning movement in the y-axis direction. The drive gears are in engagement with a driven toothing structure of the positioning slide, which includes a plurality of driven teeth distributed in a punctiform arrangement in a regular two-dimensional tooth matrix. Although the drive gears are short, the positioning system facilitates a traverse of the positioning slide within a large positioning area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20160039061
    Abstract: A positioning system includes a slide support, on which is mounted a positioning slide, which can be driven to perform a positioning movement in a positioning plane with the aid of drive gears of the slide support, wherein the positioning plane is defined by a Cartesian x-y coordinate system. The drive gears are represented by at least one x-drive gear, which can cause a positioning movement in the x-axis direction, and at least one y-drive gear, which can cause a positioning movement in the y-axis direction. The drive gears are in engagement with a driven toothing structure of the positioning slide, which includes a plurality of driven teeth distributed in a punctiform arrangement in a regular two-dimensional tooth matrix. Although the drive gears are short, the positioning system facilitates a traverse of the positioning slide within a large positioning area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 7860610
    Abstract: A handling device for handling parts and in particular sheet metal bodywork parts, comprises a carrier unit which has a coupling means for coupling to a robot arm of a robot and a plurality of operating modules each having an attachment interface for the attachment of an operating device such as a vacuum gripper or the like, each operating module being provided with adjustment means for setting position of the attachment interface wherein the adjustment means comprise several positioning setting drives controlled by electrical control signals from a control device, such setting drives rendering possible shifting the attachment interface in the x, y and z directions of a Cartesian coordinate system spanning the x, y and z coordinates, the positioning setting drives being so designed that the attachment interface is able to be positioned in the desired target position by motion in the x, y and/or z direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Waldmann, Thomas Feyrer, Michael Freund, Jürgen Heinzl
  • Patent number: 7834488
    Abstract: The invention proposes an electric linear drive unit with an electric linear motor that is arranged in or on a basic housing. A sensor device arranged in or on the basic housing serves for determining at least one position of a driving element that is driven by the linear motor. Electric lines are routed from a coil system of the linear motor and from the sensor device to a common connecting point on the basic housing through at least one duct that extends within the basic housing, wherein said electric lines extend through the connecting point to a connector that is arranged at the connecting point and contains connecting means for producing a connection with external lines or cables. The connecting point is sealed by means of an insulating casting- or injection-molding compound at least in the region in which the lines extend from the connecting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Finkbeiner, Jürgen Gückel, Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20080252153
    Abstract: The invention proposes an electric linear drive unit with an electric linear motor that is arranged in or on a basic housing. A sensor device arranged in or on the basic housing serves for determining at least one position of a driving element that is driven by the linear motor. Electric lines are routed from a coil system of the linear motor and from the sensor device to a common connecting point on the basic housing through at least one duct that extends within the basic housing, wherein said electric lines extend through the connecting point to a connector that is arranged at the connecting point and contains connecting means for producing a connection with external lines or cables. The connecting point is sealed by means of an insulating casting- or injection-molding compound at least in the region in which the lines extend from the connecting point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Festo AG & Co
    Inventors: Matthias Finkbeiner, Jurgen Guckel, Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20070233320
    Abstract: A handling device for handling parts and in particular sheet metal bodywork parts, comprises a carrier unit which has a coupling means for coupling to a robot arm of a robot and a plurality of operating modules each having an attachment interface for the attachment of an operating device such as a vacuum gripper or the like, each operating module being provided with adjustment means for setting position of the attachment interface wherein the adjustment means comprise several positioning setting drives controlled by electrical control signals from a control device, such setting drives rendering possible shifting the attachment interface in the x, y and z directions of a Cartesian coordinate system spanning the x, y and z coordinates, the positioning setting drives being so designed that the attachment interface is able to be positioned in the desired target position by motion in the x, y and/or z direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Dieter Waldmann, Thomas Feyrer, Michael Freund, Jurgen Heinzl
  • Patent number: 7199494
    Abstract: The invention proposes an electric linear actuator with a take-off element (12) that is adjustably supported on a main housing (5) and is connected to and driven by an electric motor (14) via a spindle drive (8). This connection is realized in the form of a purely plug-type coupling (41) that is formed by a gear transmission (43). The gear transmission (43) comprises a first transmission gear (44) that forms part of the spindle drive (8) and a second transmission gear (45) that together with the electric motor (14) forms part of a motor module (3). When the motor module (3) is attached or removed, the teeth of the gear transmission (43) are disengaged or disengaged automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Rapp, Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 7018160
    Abstract: A handling device for repositioning parts having a pivot arm able to be pivoted about a first pivot axis and a handling part adapted to bear a gripper and able to be pivoted with respect to a second pivot axis. The handling part is furthermore carried so that it may be radially moved in relation to the second pivot axis and cooperate by way of a cam follower with a path setting cam having two linear terminal sections. During operation of the device the handling part may move along a handling path, which has two linear terminal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Feyrer, Gerhard Thorwart, Rainer Armbruster
  • Patent number: 6992408
    Abstract: A linear drive device has a stator and an armature able to be moved in relation to the stator in a linear manner. The device furthermore comprises an electrodynamic linear direct drive system and a fluid power drive system. Using the two drive systems it is possible in an independent manner for setting forces to be applied electrodynamically and by fluid power to the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Matthias Finkbeiner, Thomas Feyrer, Rüdiger Neumann, Armin Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20050179325
    Abstract: The invention proposes an electric linear actuator with a take-off element (12) that is adjustably supported on a main housing (5) and is connected to and driven by an electric motor (14) via a spindle drive (8). This connection is realized in the form of a purely plug-type coupling (41) that is formed by a gear transmission (43). The gear transmission (43) comprises a first transmission gear (44) that forms part of the spindle drive (8) and a second transmission gear (45) that together with the electric motor (14) forms part of a motor module (3). When the motor module (3) is attached or removed, the teeth of the gear transmission (43) are disengaged or disengaged automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Rapp, Thomas Feyrer
  • Patent number: 6851917
    Abstract: A manipulator device for the repositioning of parts having at least one pivot arm able to be driven to perform an oscillating pivotal movement about a pivot axis, such pivot arm so acting during the pivotal movement on a gripper carrier serving for carrying a gripper that the gripper carrier is shifted in position without changing its alignment in space along a predetermined manipulation path. The gripper carrier is connected with a cam follower, engaging a path cam defining the desired course of the manipulation path and extending some distance about the pivot axis. Furthermore, in order to move along a manipulation path at least partially departing from a circular path, the gripper carrier is movably arranged in relation to the pivot axis in a direction which is radial with respect to such radial direction so that it may perform a radial movement combined with the orbital movement about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Feyrer, Gerhard Thorwart, Heini Wilhelm Eisele
  • Publication number: 20040197182
    Abstract: A handling device for repositioning parts having a pivot arm able to be pivoted about a first pivot axis and a handling part adapted to bear a gripper and able to be pivoted with respect to a second pivot axis. The handling part is furthermore carried so that it may be radially moved in relation to the second pivot axis and cooperate by way of a cam follower with a path setting cam having two linear terminal sections. During operation of the device the handling part may move along a handling path, which has two linear terminal sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: FESTO AG & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Feyrer, Gerhard Thorwart, Rainer Armbruster
  • Patent number: 6792845
    Abstract: A linear drive unit (1) possesses a first principal body (2) with a U-like section part (4) and furthermore a second principal body (3) with a drive housing (7). Using at least one drive means the two principal bodies (and 3) may be driven to perform a linear relative movement. The section part (4) straddles the drive housing (7), its longitudinal limbs (5a and 5b) being opposite to the side faces (13a and 13b) of the drive housing (7) with the intermediate placement of linear guide means. The section part (4) comprises two section elements (23a and 23b) each having one of the limbs (5a and 5b), such section elements being firmly joined together and being placed opposite to each other alongside each other setting the guide play of the linear drive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Feyrer
  • Publication number: 20040056536
    Abstract: A linear drive device has a stator and an armature able to be moved in relation to the stator in a linear manner. The device furthermore comprises an electrodynamic linear direct drive system and a fluid power drive system. Using the two drive systems it is possible in an independent manner for setting forces to be applied electrodynamically and by fluid power to the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: FESTO AG & CO.
    Inventors: Matthias Finkbeiner, Thomas Feyrer, Dr.-Ing. Rudiger Neumann, Armin Hartmann