Patents by Inventor Thomas Fuhlbrigge

Thomas Fuhlbrigge 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).

  • Publication number: 20150314447
    Abstract: A machine has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. A controller at the machine location has program code that is configured to determine from data from one or more sensors at the machine location if an actual fault has occurred in the machine when the machine is performing its predetermined function and to determine for an actual fault one or more types for the fault and transmit the one or more fault types to the control station for analysis. The code in the controller is configured to be a preprogrammed trap routine specific to the machine function that is automatically executed when an error in machine operation is detected at the machine location. The controller also has a default trap routine that is executed when specific routine does not exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Biao ZHANG, Jianjun WANG, George Q. ZHANG, Sangeun CHOI, Remus BOCA, Thomas A. FUHLBRIGGE, Thomas GROTH
  • Publication number: 20150314442
    Abstract: A system for generating instructions for operating a robot to perform work on a workpiece has a 3D model or models of a robot scene that provides robot scene data. The system also has data of one or both hands of a gesture made with the one or both hands and a computation device that has program code configured to process the robot scene data and the gesture data to generate an instruction to operate the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Remus Boca, Srinivas Nidamarthi, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge
  • Publication number: 20150298318
    Abstract: A machine that has at least one actuated mechanism is remotely located from a control station. A two way real-time communication link connects the machine location with the control station. An interface at the control station allows an operator to select one or more virtual constraints on operation of the machine when the machine is performing a predetermined function. The virtual constraints are transmitted over the two way real-time communication link to the machine location. The machine has predetermined safety limits that are stored in a controlling device at the machine location. The stored predetermined safety limits are extracted and automatically mapped to the control station using the two way real-time communication link. The controlling device maps the predetermined safety limits to the virtual constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Jianjun Wang, Biao Zhang, George Q. Zhang, Harald Staab, Sangeun Choi, Remus Boca, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Tomas Groth
  • Patent number: 9132551
    Abstract: A teleoperated robot system has a watchdog to determine if the rate of data transmission from a computing device such as a robot controller located in the station used by the operator of the teleoperated robot to the remotely located industrial robot has fallen below a minimum data rate or the time for transmission of data has exceeded a maximum time. Upon the occurrence of either or both of the foregoing, one or more types of corrective action are undertaken to bring the teleoperated robot and the processes performed by the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Biao Zhang, Harald Staab, Jianjun Wang, George Q. Zhang, Remus Boca, Sangeun Choi, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Soenke Kock, Heping Chen
  • Patent number: 9126336
    Abstract: A robot is used to pick parts from a bin. The robot has a compliant apparatus and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool(s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: William Eakins, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Martinez, Heping Chen, Gregory Rossano
  • Publication number: 20150233787
    Abstract: A device for installing a modular crawler into an air gap of rotating electrical machinery and removing the crawler from the air gap has a reconfigurable handle attached to a curved head made from metallic material. The crawler is magnetically attached to the curved head when it is desired to insert the crawler into the air gap or remove the crawler from the air gap. The head can be rolled in the field into the curvature needed to match the stator's inner surface so that the installation device can easily be inserted in the air gap. The handle has several joints that can be adjusted in the field as needed for the best reachability. A camera is mounted on the curved head so that an operator can see the interface region between the curved head, crawler and air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: William Eakins, Gregory Rossano, George Q. Zhang, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Hetal V. Lakhani, Cajetan Pinto, Gregory Penza, Hermann Herrlich, Robert Kodadek
  • Publication number: 20150209960
    Abstract: A system for tuning robot trajectory to obtain optimal material thickness on an object includes at least one robot adapted to dispense material, a controller connected to the robot to control movement of the robot and to dispense material in relation to the object. A tuner is connected to the controller to iteratively simulate dispensing of the material on the object based on movement of the robot, and to adjust dispensing of the material and movement of the robot to obtain a desired material thickness on the object based on the iterative simulations. A related method to optimize dispensing material on an object includes simulating a path trajectory of a material dispensing robot in relation to an object is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Xiongzi Li, Oyvind A. Landsnes, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Steinar Riveland, Carlos Martinez, Christoffer Apneseth
  • Patent number: 9079308
    Abstract: A robot is used to pick parts from a bin. The robot has a compliant apparatus and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool(s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Carlos Martinez, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, William Eakins, Heping Chen, Gregory Rossano, Steven West
  • Patent number: 9008841
    Abstract: A robot system (10) for picking parts (41) from a bin (40) uses the image from one or more cameras (38) to determine if the robot gripper (24) has picked one part or more than one part and uses one or more images from one or more cameras (38) to determine the position/orientation of a picked part. If the robot (12) has picked more than one part from the bin (40) then attempt is made to return the excess picked parts to the bin (40). The position/orientation of a picked part that does not meet a predetermined criteria is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Martinez, Gregory F. Rossano, Steven W. West
  • Patent number: 8984992
    Abstract: A socket is provided for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonally shaped portion. The socket includes a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends. First surfaces define a tool-receiving portion at the first end. The tool-receiving portion is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool. Second surfaces define a socket portion at the second end. The socket portion is constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein. Holding structure is associated with the socket portion and is constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, either due to friction or vacuum, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeremy Newkirk, William John Eakins, Thomas Fuhlbrigge, Harald Josef Staab
  • Patent number: 8862269
    Abstract: A robot for picking one or more parts (41) randomly distributed in a bin (40), this robot comprising a moveable arm (16a, 16b), a computing device (14) connected to said robot for controlling motion of said moveable arm and a tool (24) connected to said moveable arm for picking one or more of said parts from said bin,—said robot using said picking tool by itself or another tool (96, 98) mounted on the robot or grasped by the picking tool to stir one or more of said one or more randomly distributed parts in said bin when said computing device determines that a predetermined event requiring stirring of said parts has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Carlos Martinez, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, William Eakins, Heping Chen, Gregory Rossano, Steven West
  • Patent number: 8798787
    Abstract: A manufacturing system has one or more work cells that each performs one or more manufacturing processes. The system also has one or more mobile transport units (“MTUs”) that deliver transportable containers containing workpieces to and from said work cells. The MTUs deliver the containers to the work cells in a manner such that the workpieces are localized in the work cells. The manufacturing system also has a computer system that has status information for each of the one or more MTUs and uses the status information to control each of the one or more MTUs to deliver the transportable containers to and from the one or more work cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Jeremy Newkirk, Carlos Martinez, George Q. Zhang, Gregory F. Rossano, Harald Staab, Remus Boca, Sangeun Choi, Soenke Kock, William John Eakins
  • Publication number: 20140156073
    Abstract: A teleoperated robot system has a watchdog to determine if the rate of data transmission from a computing device such as a robot controller located in the station used by the operator of the teleoperated robot to the remotely located industrial robot has fallen below a minimum data rate or the time for transmission of data has exceeded a maximum time. Upon the occurrence of either or both of the foregoing, one or more types of corrective action are undertaken to bring the teleoperated robot and the processes performed by the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Biao Zhang, Harald Staab, Jianjun Wang, George Q. Zhang, Remus Boca, Sangeun Choi, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Soenke Kock, Heping Chen
  • Publication number: 20140144871
    Abstract: Stripping structure strips insulation from ends of a plurality of leads of a lead bundle. Each lead includes a conductor member coated with the insulation. The structure includes a housing having wall structure defining a stripping chamber, an inlet in fluid communication with the stripping chamber, and an outlet in fluid communication with the stripping chamber. A cover has an opening for receiving an end of the lead bundle in a sealing manner so that the leads thereof are received in the stripping chamber. Chemical stripping solution is in communication with the inlet. When the lead bundle is received through the opening with the leads in the stripping chamber and when the chemical stripping solution is provided though inlet and in the stripping chamber, the chemical stripping solution strips the insulation from the conductor members, with the stripping solution along with stripped insulation exiting through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas H. McDonald, Rodney Lee Woll, William Eakins, Thomas Fuhlbrigge, Harald Staab, Jeremy Newkirk, George Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140116203
    Abstract: A socket is provided for removing or installing a fastener having a hexagonally shaped portion. The socket includes a body having a longitudinal axis and opposing first and second ends. First surfaces define a tool-receiving portion at the first end. The tool-receiving portion is constructed and arranged to receive a portion of a tool. Second surfaces define a socket portion at the second end. The socket portion is constructed and arranged to receive and engage the portion of the fastener therein. Holding structure is associated with the socket portion and is constructed and arranged to non-magnetically hold the portion of the fastener in the socket portion so as to not fall out of the socket portion, either due to friction or vacuum, without providing torque to the fastener when the socket is rotated during installation or removal of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Jeremy Newkirk, William John Eakins, Thomas Fuhlbrigge, Harald Josef Staab
  • Publication number: 20140121828
    Abstract: A manufacturing system has one or more work cells that each performs one or more manufacturing processes. The system also has one or more mobile transport units (“MTUs”) that deliver transportable containers containing workpieces to and from said work cells. The MTUs deliver the containers to the work cells in a manner such that the workpieces are localized in the work cells. The manufacturing system also has a computer system that has status information for each of the one or more MTUs and uses the status information to control each of the one or more MTUs to deliver the transportable containers to and from the one or more work cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Jeremy Newkirk, Carlos Martinez, George Q. Zhang, Gregory F. Rossano, Harald Staab, Remus Boca, Sangeun Choi, Soenke Kock, William John Eakins
  • Publication number: 20140052295
    Abstract: A robot is used to pick parts from a bin. The robot has a compliant apparatus and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool(s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: William Eakins, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Martinez, Heping Chen, Gregory Rossano
  • Patent number: 8606398
    Abstract: A robot (12) is used to pick parts from a bin (40 in FIG. 1). The robot has a compliant apparatus (42) and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool (s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices (FIG. 16, 17) which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: William Eakins, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Martinez, Heping Chen, Gregory Rossano
  • Publication number: 20130147944
    Abstract: A vision-guided alignment system to align a plurality of components includes a robotic gripper configured to move one component relative to another component and a camera coupled to a processor that generates an image of the components. A simulated robotic work cell generated by the processor calculates initial calibration positions that define the movement of the robotic gripper such that position errors between the actual position of the robotic gripper and the calibration positions are compensated by a camera space manipulation based control algorithm executed by the processor to control the robotic gripper to move one component into alignment with another component based on the image of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD
    Inventors: Biao Zhang, Jianjun Wang, Gregory F. Rossano, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge
  • Patent number: 8407661
    Abstract: There is described a method and system for developing for an automation process a screen viewable on a target computer that has user interface objects. A development computer has a set of common design time components from a general purpose software development kit that also has a databinding facility and a set of customization components. Those components have an interface that allows access to the available for use automation process data objects and a process object picker that act as a user interface to the databinding facility to allow the browsing of a subset of the available for use data objects and selecting of one or more of the objects in the subset for binding by the databinding facility either to one or more members of the user interface objects or one or more of the user interface objects or a combination of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianjun Wang, Xiongzi Li, Carlos Martinez, Thomas Fuhlbrigge