Patents by Inventor Uldis Ziemins

Uldis Ziemins 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: 20080046198
    Abstract: A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably engaging a wheel of the OTV such that the wheel can rotate but the OTV remains stationary. The bearing set is held in a raised position, similar to the operational position of the OTV, by a raised support. The test fixture may also include a reflective tape for use with an optical sensor(s) of the OTV. In this fashion, operation parameters of the OTV such as drive servomotor velocity, current gain, current offset, OTV travel profile, optical sensor op-amp gain, etc., can be tested and calibrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Nicholas Ciminello, Ray Reyes, David Schmoke, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20070158291
    Abstract: A combination of a FOUP (front opening unified pod) system and a reticle system utilized for the transport of wafers and a reticle system, the latter of which are used for transporting reticles from a first fabrication site to a further site at another location, and which provides for a unified system enabling the automated and trackable delivery of the reticles between these sites. Provided is a modified FOUP base structure, which is adapted to retain a reticle and to be able to employ existing equipment in a fabrication site which only necessitates a minimal modification of the equipment in order to render the latter universally adaptable to the combination of the systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Campbell, David Pinckney, Edward Sherwood, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20070160448
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and system for pod transportation within a semiconductor fabrication facility. The invention comprises a material control system that determines a pod that a station will require next and then sends an instruction to a vehicle to receive the pod that the station currently has and deliver the pod that the station will require next. The invention reduces cycle time by minimizing transportation moves of vehicles within the semiconductor fabrication facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Wheeler, Jeffrey Gifford, David Pinckney, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20070128010
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved apparatus and method for transportation of a pod in a semiconductor fabrication facility. The invention comprises a lead vehicle with a communication system and control system and a trailer with a mechanism for delivering and receiving pods from stations in the facility. The trailer is connected to the lead vehicle and has a compartment for the transportation of a pod, but comprises fewer components than the lead vehicle. Therefore, the invention is manufactured at reduced cost, but with double pod transportation capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Gifford, David Pinckney, Benjamin Wheeler, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20070114505
    Abstract: A cable attachment assembly, a hoist and a transportation system using the cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly including: a plate pivotable about a first axis; first and second pivot assemblies pivotable about respective second and third axes, the first, second and third axes parallel to each other; a first cable retainer in the first pivot assembly, the first cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a first cable in the first cable pivot assembly, the first cable rotatable about a fourth axis; a second cable retainer in the second pivot assembly, the second cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a second cable in the second pivot assembly, the second cable rotatable about a fifth axis; wherein the fourth and fifth axes parallel to each other and the fourth and fifth axes are perpendicular to the first, second and third axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ray Reyes, David Schmoke, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20070039513
    Abstract: A contour-adaptive particulate material collecting system and method of utilization thereof employed in a facility for the cleaning of an overhead support rail for overhead transport (OHT) vehicles, utilizing a cleaning apparatus which is coupled to an existing overhead transportation vehicle so as to be towed thereby, and wherein the apparatus removes foreign or contaminant materials (FM) from the overhead support rail, which is produced during operation of the facility and by normal wear from internal moving components of the OHT vehicle during operation of the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Pinckney, Ray Reyes, David Schmoke, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20060278120
    Abstract: A steering apparatus and method is implemented that allows high speed, clean, particle-free transport of a semiconductor wafer or lithographic reticle on a transport vehicle at various positions on the vehicle track, especially when entering and exiting turns. Three computer-controlled electro-magnets are mounted at the left, center, and right side of a front steering truck, and are energized to attract strategically placed permanent magnet material mounted on a side of the track where the vehicle enters or exits a turn. The transport vehicle can be levitated by an air cushion or travel on wheels, and controlled by electromotive or electromagnetic forces about the track. Using the steering electro-magnets as a LVDT, a computer processor monitors the location of the transport vehicle about the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Campbell, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20060069470
    Abstract: Communication between a controller and a set of automated vehicles in a manufacturing facility is improved by use of a closed-loop control system that operates on a real-time interrupt basis in which autonomous carriers report their location, sensed from reference markers along a track, the reference markers being referenced to an absolute grid in space, to a central controller or to one of a set of zone controllers that monitor the location of nearby vehicles that ordinarily use a token-passing system to avoid collisions, but which controllers can intervene to prevent one vehicle from blocking or interfering with another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Campbell, Jeffrey Gifford, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20050246077
    Abstract: Communication between a controller and a set of automated vehicles is improved by use of an RF link that employs a high frequency spread spectrum modem that establishes a low noise link in a high noise industrial environment and also shares the relevant frequency range with a wireless telephone system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Campbell, Francis Szenher, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20050079041
    Abstract: A hoisting method and device for use in an overhead traveling carriage system are disclosed. The hoisting device includes an engager for engaging an object and a linearly expandable structure coupling the engager to a base point. A single hoist member is coupled at a first end to the engager and at a second end to a motorized drum, coupled to the base point, for substantially vertically retracting and extending the single member. Since a single hoist member is used, the amount of precision machining and technician training are reduced. The linearly expandable structure includes at least one lazy-tong linkage or a telescoping structure, which provides sway stability and compactness. The invention may also include a six-degree adjustment structure that may include a feedback system for use with the linearly expandable structure to provide increased accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Campbell, Ray Reyes, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20050073318
    Abstract: A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably engaging a wheel of the OTV such that the wheel can rotate but the OTV remains stationary. The bearing set is held in a raised position, similar to the operational position of the OTV, by a raised support. The test fixture may also include a reflective tape for use with an optical sensor(s) of the OTV. In this fashion, operation parameters of the OTV such as drive servomotor velocity, current gain, current offset, OTV travel profile, optical sensor op-amp gain, etc., can be tested and calibrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Nicholas Ciminello, Ray Reyes, David Schmoke, Uldis Ziemins
  • Publication number: 20050007578
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to align an invisible light beam sensor, such as an IR sensor, utilizing a visible light beam such as a visible LED or HeNe laser, and provide the ability to visually monitor when the sensor needs adjustment in real time and avoid off line adjustments. Various embodiments synchronize and position both the invisible light beam and the visible light beam to travel the same path to a common desired location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Uldis Ziemins, Ray Reyes, David Schmoke