Patents Issued in November 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9815158
    Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool is provided with a command unit for outputting a change command for a tool storage position to a control unit, which turns a tool magazine with a tool mounted on a spindle and controls an index unit to index a predetermined tool grip portion to a tool change position on receiving the change command for the tool storage position from the command unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gaku Isobe, Masahiro Murota, Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 9815159
    Abstract: An ultrasonic processing system adapted to subject a web running in a machine direction to ultrasonic processing includes a first mechanical element defined by one of an ultrasonic horn and an anvil and a second mechanical element defined by a remainder. The web placed on an outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum moves conforming to the drum in a machine direction. The first mechanical element is provided on the inner side of the drum and the second mechanical element is provided on the outer side of the drum. The first and second mechanical elements repeat a step of forward movement and a step of backward movement in a direction intersecting the machine direction across the web. In both steps, the first and second mechanical elements come in close contact with each other by the intermediary of the web and thereby subject the web to the ultrasonic processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Yoshihiko Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9815160
    Abstract: A percussion unit for a rotary hammer and/or percussion hammer includes a control unit that is configured for open-loop and/or closed loop control of a pneumatic percussion mechanism. In at least one operating state in which the control unit changes from an idle mode to a percussion mode, the control unit is configured to adjust at least one operating parameter temporarily to a starting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Nitsche, Matthias Tauber, Antoine Vandamme, Gerd Schlesak, Helge Sprenger, Carsten Diem, Wolfgang Fischer, Haris Hamedovic, Juergen Lennartz, Christian Bertsch, Mario Eduardo Vega Zavala, Achim Duesselberg
  • Patent number: 9815161
    Abstract: A backlash automatic detection system comprises a control device and a machine tool. The machine tool comprises a servo driver, a lead screw, a nut seat and a platform. The method comprises: entering an initial state and outputting a control command to the servo driver through the control device; driving the lead screw by the servo driver to move the nut seat towards a first direction and changing the movement direction of the nut seat towards a reverse second direction by the servo driver; defining a backlash phenomenon period according to one time point at which the nut seat starts to move towards the second direction and another time point at which the platform is driven to move by the nut seat; defining the displacement of the nut seat corresponding to the backlash phenomenon period as a backlash value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Ying Lin, Shih-Je Shiu, Che-Wei Hsu, Po-Hsun Wu, Chien-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 9815162
    Abstract: An applicator for applying cutting fluid is mounted in a CNC machine for pre-programmed, computer controlled use as a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Climb Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Ivan A. J. Kekahuna
  • Patent number: 9815163
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first alignment state indication at a portable handheld tool from an alignment tool. The first alignment state indication indicating an alignment state of a workpiece relative to a reference that is independent and distinct from the portable handheld tool. The method also includes, based on the first alignment state indication, enabling a first selectable drive state of a drive system of the portable handheld tool. The method further includes actuating the drive system responsive to user input, where the drive system is limited based, on the first selectable drive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jason L Moore
  • Patent number: 9815164
    Abstract: A wood-working machine, which contains at least one processing unit, a workpiece support having at least one front support area arranged in front of the processing unit in the feeding direction of a workpiece and one rear support area arranged behind the processing unit in the feeding direction of the workpiece, and a transporting device, which has a front transporting unit arranged on the front support area and a rear transporting unit arranged on the rear support area for moving and positioning the workpiece lying on the workpiece support in a first linear axis (X axis), wherein the front and rear transporting units includes at least one transporting roller that can be placed against the top side of the workpiece, and wherein a measuring system, which is integrated into the front or rear support area and has a measuring belt or measuring chain pressed against the bottom side of the workpiece for detecting the motion of the workpiece in the first linear axis, is associated with each transporting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Hans Hundegger
  • Patent number: 9815165
    Abstract: A motor driven appliance in one aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a light source, a lighting unit, a motor, an operation unit, an operation detector, a reference signal output unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The operation detector detects that the operation unit is operated, and outputs an operation detection signal that indicates that the operation unit is operated. The reference signal output unit outputs at least one reference signal that can be used as a reference for determining whether the detection by the operation detector is normal. The determination unit determines whether the operation unit is actually operated based on the operation detection signal and the at least one reference signal. The control unit controls operation of the lighting unit based on the determination made by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seitaro Hayashi, Goshi Ishikawa, Tatsuki Mori, Motohiro Omura, Tatsuya Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 9815166
    Abstract: Devices and methods for inspection of various mechanical instruments to determine their level of wear and re-usability, particularly surgical and dental instruments, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventors: Mike Goldstein, Yarden Goldstein
  • Patent number: 9815167
    Abstract: A lens manufacturing method including a holding step of holding a lens in a lens holding fixture, and a machining step of machining a surface to be machined in the held lens. A reverse surface of the surface to be machined is machined into a non-planar shape with a first surface shape error. A lens holding surface of the lens holding fixture is machined into the same shape as the non-planar shape with a second surface shape error smaller than the first surface shape error. In the holding step, the reverse surface is brought into surface contact with the holding surface in imitation of the holding surface to correct the shape of the lens such that the reverse surface runs along the holding surface. In the machining step, the surface to be machined is machined in a state where the correction has been made by the holding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Hiraki, Kenji Ito, Seiichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9815168
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tool for honing a tubular component of a wellsite. The honing tool includes a base operatively connectable to a wellsite component, a honing head supported by the base, honing stones supported about the honing head, and a driver. The honing stones are engageable with an outer surface of the tubular component. The driver rotationally drives the honing head whereby the honing stones hone an outer periphery of the tubular component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Lendon W. Richardson, Jr., Trenton P. Carroll
  • Patent number: 9815169
    Abstract: A head assembly of a honing tool includes a carrier having a proximal end connectable to a spindle, a distal end, and a plurality of stones. The head assembly also includes a pilot cap connected to the distal end, and defining an end face and a sidewall. A transition surface defined by the pilot cap extends between the end face and the sidewall. The transition surface extends at a first angle forming a first angled relief and then at a second angle forming a second angled relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Matthew Wayne Byrn, Paul John Bojanowski, Dennis W. Doebler, Thomas Frasier
  • Patent number: 9815170
    Abstract: A metallic abrasive pad for use in a smoothing operation applied to a worked surface of a workpiece by a catalyst-supported chemical machining method, the metallic abrasive pad including a compression-formed compact of one or more metal fibers made of a transition-metal catalyst, wherein a contact spot of the one or more metal fibers intersecting each other is sintered, the one or more metal fibers are fixed to each other, and the metallic abrasive pad has a prescribed void ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignees: NAGOYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, SINTOKOGIO, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Eryu, Eiji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9815171
    Abstract: A substrate holder capable of preventing an increase in a polishing rate of an edge portion of a substrate, even when polishing a plurality of substrates successively, is disclosed. The substrate holder includes: a top ring body configured to hold the substrate; and a retaining ring disposed so as to surround the substrate held by the top ring body. The retaining ring includes a pad pressing structure in an annular shape which is to be brought into contact with the polishing pad, and the pad pressing structure has a width in a range of 3 mm to 7.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Yamaki, Hozumi Yasuda, Keisuke Namiki, Osamu Nabeya, Makoto Fukushima, Shingo Togashi
  • Patent number: 9815172
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of steel sheet surface treatment, wherein, the method comprises sequentially: a strip surface treatment unit (1) configured with a high pressure spraying device (1-1) or a centrifugal ejecting device (1-2), a strip surface rinsing unit (2), and a strip surface dry unit (3). Either or both of the high pressure spraying devices (1-1) and the centrifugal ejecting devices (1-2) are arranged, and spray onto the strip surfaces with a mixture of solid abrasives and water, i.e., slurry. Additionally, the method of steel sheet surface treatment comprises: a slurry supplying unit (4) and an abrasive recycling unit (5). When the method of the present invention is applied into the strip post processing line, it can control the surface roughness of the steel sheet, while clearing away grease, scales and some contaminations thereon, through impacting the mixture of water and solid particles with a certain ratio onto the surfaces of the strip steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jizhe Quan, Shanqing Li, Mingnan Duan, Yingjie Wang, Jianghua Xu, Peilei Qu
  • Patent number: 9815173
    Abstract: An elastic abrasive with abrasive grains dispersed in or adhered to an elastic base material is ejected toward a side portion of a substrate together with compressed air. The elastic abrasive is ejected toward a predetermined processing area centered on a processing point in an ejection direction that intersects a widthwise line at the processing point and that forms a predetermined inclination angle selected from a range of 2° to 60° relative to a contact line. Moreover, an ejection nozzle and the workpiece are moved relatively to each other so that the processing area is moved at a fixed speed in a circumferential direction of the workpiece and so that the ejection direction is maintained at each processing point after moving. If multiple stacked substrates are to be processed, the processing area is moved at a fixed speed also in a widthwise direction of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Mase, Shozo Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9815174
    Abstract: A method for surface treating a golf club head, includes: (a) forming a depression unit in the golf club head, the depression unit being indented inwardly from an outer surface of the golf club head, the outer surface being divided into a working area and a non-working area, the depression unit being formed in the working area; (b) filling the depression unit with a shielding material and covering the non-working area with a covering material; and (c) sandblasting the golf club head after step (b) and removing subsequently the shielding material from the depression unit and the covering material from the non-working area so as to form the working area into sandblasted and non-sandblasted regions that differ in gloss intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DUNLOP SPORTS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Sharon J. Park, Daniel J. Stone, Chih-Lung Liu, Chin-Chun Tseng, Jiann-Hsing Chuang
  • Patent number: 9815175
    Abstract: Abrasive entrainment waterjet technology to cut objects located above or below ground or above the surface of a body of water. Abrasive is conducted to an abrasive waterjet cutting head under the control of an abrasive feed and metering system that monitors the flow rate of abrasive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: G.D.O. Inc
    Inventor: Paul L Miller
  • Patent number: 9815176
    Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may include a plurality of polycrystalline superabrasive particles made of surface functionalized superabrasive particles. The surface functionalized superabrasive particles may have halogens or organic moiety instead of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DIAMOND INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Valeriy V. Konovalov
  • Patent number: 9815177
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a straight edge clamp that has a clamping head assembly and an end stop mounted upon the body of the straight edge. The clamping head assembly has a locking assembly that allows it to be locked to the straight edge. The straight edge clamp body can include sections that are adapted to be connected together to form the overall length of the straight edge clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: AFFINITY TOOL WORKS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Ursell, Garry Favel, Tsvi Hershkovich
  • Patent number: 9815178
    Abstract: A working chamber system for the surface treatment of workpieces comprises at least one tightly closable work chamber (101), a frame-like workpiece holder (10, 20, 30) which is displaceable on a guide rail between a mounting position outside the work chamber (101) and a working position in the work chamber (101), and a manipulator which, as seen in plan view, is arranged next to a group of parallel guide rails within the work chamber (101). At least one of the workpiece holders (10, 20, 30) has an external frame (11, 21, 31), via which it is guided in the guide rails, and an internal frame (12, 22, 32) which is surrounded by the external frame (11, 21, 31) in a transporting position and which is displaceable into a position outside the main plane of the external frame (11, 21, 31) in the mounting position and/or the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: WHEELABRATOR GROUP GMBH
    Inventor: Bernhard Busskamp
  • Patent number: 9815179
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool includes a head and a handle, and a gear ring disposed in the head defining a first plurality of teeth defining a first arc having a first radius. A first pawl is disposed in the head and defines a front face, a rearward face, and a second plurality of teeth which defines a second arc having a second radius. A second pawl is disposed in the head and defines a front face, a rearward face, and a third plurality of teeth which defines a third arc having a third radius. When the first pawl and the second pawl are disposed with their rearward faces in vertical alignment and their longitudinal center axes are disposed in a common plane, the second arc of the first pawl is offset from the third arc of the second pawl in a direction parallel to the longitudinal center axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan D. Anderson, Yongsheng Xu
  • Patent number: 9815180
    Abstract: A torque transmission driver is disclosed having a shaft adapted to receive and transmit torque from a torque generating source to the driver and a nib having a five or six lobe key-shape adapted to fit in a recess in a fastener, the nib being equal to or less than 0.050? in length and having lobes of substantially the same form along the entire second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Infastech Intellectual Properties, PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Richard W. Lukes, Brian Leuenberger
  • Patent number: 9815181
    Abstract: A manual screwdriver includes a handle defining a cavity and a slot, a screwdriver head at one end of the handle, a rotation connector rotatably received in the cavity, a spiral rod defining a spiral groove and being rotatably received in the cavity, an operating arm slidably received in the spiral groove with two ends of the operating arm extending from the cavity through the slot, and a first elastic element biased on the operating arm. The screwdriver head is connected to the handle via the rotation connector. The spiral rod can be driven by the operating arm to engage or disengage the rotation connector. When the spiral rod and the rotation connector are combined into an engaged state, the operating arm can slide in the spiral groove toward the screwdriver head to drive the spiral rod and the rotation connector to rotate relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MiiCs & Partners (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guang Yang
  • Patent number: 9815182
    Abstract: A screw driver (100) which comprises a motor (110) and a rotation transmission mechanism (120) is provided. The rotation transmission mechanism (120) comprises a driving gear (125), a spindle (150), a roller (141) and a retainer (130). The retainer (130) moves the roller (140) in a circumference direction of the spindle (150) and thereby a position of the roller (140) between a transmittable position and a non-transmittable position is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Ikuta
  • Patent number: 9815183
    Abstract: A quick detachable wrench structure comprises: a wrench head portion, which has a hollow operation accommodation room and a top end portion disposed at an upper portion thereof; and a pressing member, which has a top pressing portion and a bottom plug portion, the bottom plug portion is embedded in the operation accommodation room, the top pressing portion is disposed at an upper portion of the top end portion, a bottom edge of the bottom plug portion is against to a bottom end of the top end portion in order to avoid the bottom plug portion taking off from the operation accommodation room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Yeo Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 9815184
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a linear actuator including drive means for driving a movable component assembly for actuating a tool controlled by an electronic module. In exemplary embodiments, the module comprises acquisition means for acquiring a quantity that is representative of the instantaneous force supplied by the drive means and/or the time derivative of this variable, and the electronic module is capable of controlling interruption means for interrupting the operation of the drive means if the variable does not exceed a first predetermined value during a first predetermined time period from the start of the driving of the movable component assembly, and/or if the derivative does not exceed a second predetermined value during the first predetermined time period from the start of the driving of the movable component assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: VIRAX
    Inventor: Franck Da Rocha
  • Patent number: 9815185
    Abstract: A hammer drill (101) comprises a main body (103) which houses a driving motor (110) and a driving mechanism and a handle (109) which is movable to the main body (103). Further, a coil spring (160) which biases the handle (109) is provided. In a state that the coil spring (160) biases the handle (109), the handle (109) is moved against the main body (103) in a longitudinal direction of a hammer bit (119) and vibration transmission from the main body (103) to the handle (109) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Machida
  • Patent number: 9815186
    Abstract: A powered hammer includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end includes an opening for a tool to pass through. The powered hammer further includes a shroud member coupled to the housing and configured to surround an outer surface of the distal end of the housing. The shroud member includes an opening on a lower surface thereof. The opening is configured to allow the tool to pass through. The shroud member is made from a ceramic material with a layer of fiber glass disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the distal end of the housing. The shroud member is configured to reduce heat transfer to the housing from an ambient environment proximate the distal end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Dimitar B. Dostinov
  • Patent number: 9815187
    Abstract: A tool accessory having an attachment portion having a first aperture for attaching to a tool and a removable portion, wherein in a first configuration the removable portion is engaged with the attachment portion, and in a second configuration the removable portion is disengaged from the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Burton Kozak
  • Patent number: 9815188
    Abstract: A handle for a work apparatus has an actuation member for controlling the rpm of a drive motor of the work apparatus. The actuation member is mounted in the handle and has a pressure surface for the fingers of a user hand. In an initial position, the actuation member protrudes with its pressure surface beyond the grip surface of the handle and, in a position for continuous operation of the motor, has dipped into the grip surface so that the pressure surface of the actuation member lies at the level of the grip surface. A recess extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle and is formed in the grip surface. The recess overlaps the pressure surface of the actuation member so that the actuation member is displaced into the handle via the recess to a boost position whereat the pressure surface lies within the grip surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Kaupp, Cornelius Gindele, Lothar Kotulla, Pietro-Leon Schilling
  • Patent number: 9815189
    Abstract: A tool cabinet includes a cabinet body having two guide rails, a movable working platform unit having two extension members that are respectively coupled to the guide rails, two lifting units, and a driving unit. Each extension member has an inner coupling hole. Each lifting unit has a support member, a threaded rod, and a threaded member movably and threadedly engaging the threaded rod. Rotation of the threaded rods results in the movement of the working platform unit between lowered and lifted positions. When the working platform unit is arrested in the middle of being driven from the lifted position to the lowered position while the driving unit continues to operate, the rotation of the threaded rod drives the threaded member to slide away from the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 9815190
    Abstract: The robot cleaner includes a case, a suction device provided in the case, a suction nozzle for sucking dust from a floor by driving of the suction device, a dust collection device for collecting foreign substances contained in the air sucked via the suction nozzle, a wheel unit to allow movement, a main controller for controlling the driving of the suction device and the wheel unit, a Wi-Fi module provided in the case to provide Access Point (AP), and a NFC module provided in the case to provide an external terminal with AP information for accessing to the AP through NFC communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Bongju Kim, Seongeun Cho, Sangmok Kim
  • Patent number: 9815191
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods, computer program products, and computer systems for instructing a robot to prepare a food dish by replacing the human chef's movements and actions. Monitoring a human chef is carried out in an instrumented application-specific setting, a standardized robotic kitchen in this instance, and involves using sensors and computers to watch, monitor, record and interpret the motions and actions of the human chef, in order to develop a robot-executable set of commands robust to variations and changes in the environment, capable of allowing a robotic or automated system in a robotic kitchen to prepare the same dish to the standards and quality as the dish prepared by the human chef.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MBL LIMITED
    Inventor: Mark Oleynik
  • Patent number: 9815192
    Abstract: A servo and a robot with the servo are provided. The servo comprises a power input apparatus with a first output shaft, a deceleration apparatus, and a power output mechanism. The deceleration apparatus comprises a first-stage deceleration mechanism and a second-stage deceleration mechanism. The power output mechanism comprises a second output shaft and an output bearing fixedly installed on the second output shaft, wherein the second output shaft is an external spline output shaft. Through the external spline output shaft and the output bearing disposed on the power output mechanism, the servo could directly connect with an exterior component through the external spline output shaft, and the strength is improved. As a result, the friction between the servo and the exterior component is reduced, and the lifetime is therefore increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Xuchao Du, Lefeng Liu, Hongyu Ding, Wenquan Shu, Youjun Xiong
  • Patent number: 9815193
    Abstract: A holding system includes a force control module configured to generate a force signal to cause a holding device to perform at least one of a hold stroke and a release stroke. The hold stroke includes transitioning a gripping element of the holding device to a first position to grip an object. The release stroke includes transitioning the gripping element to a second position to release the object. The holding device is non-backdrivable. A stall detection module is configured to (i) monitor a sensor signal received from a sensor of an electric motor assembly of the holding device and (ii) detect a first stall condition of an electric motor based on the sensor signal. A shut off module is configured to shut off current to the electric motor based on the detection of the first stall condition during or at an end of the release stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Orlando Trujillo, James W. Geary
  • Patent number: 9815194
    Abstract: An end effector includes a pair of machining tools. The pair of machining tools is separated by an interval in one direction perpendicular to a tool rotational axis and rotatable around the tool rotational axis. The pair of machining tools is position-controlled, and is force-controlled in a machining direction perpendicular to the one direction and an axial direction of the tool rotational axis, and is torque-controlled around the tool rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Sonehara, Koichiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9815195
    Abstract: A detachable device of a loading unit for a robot, detachably combining the loading unit to a connection unit of the robot, includes: a first magnet unit provided in the loading unit and having a first magnet pattern; a second magnet unit provided in the connection unit, having a second magnet pattern including a pattern that corresponds to the first magnet pattern, and combined with the first magnet unit by a magnetic force generated by power applied thereto; a pattern recognition unit recognizing an object held by the loading unit and one of the first magnet pattern and the pattern corresponding to the first magnet pattern; and a matching control unit controlling power applied to the second magnet unit to apply magnetic attraction force to the first magnet pattern from a part of the second magnet pattern according to operation of the pattern recognition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS
    Inventors: Jang Ho Cho, Hyun Soo Woo
  • Patent number: 9815196
    Abstract: An apparatus for recording positions in a control program of a manipulator, which includes a manipulator, a controller having a control program, and a manual control device, wherein the controller can actuate the manipulator 10 in a compliance control, in which the manipulator is allowed to occupy an actual position different to the nominal position, wherein the controller, when recording the current position of the manipulator in the control program, carries over into the control program in a situation-based manner the nominal position, the actual position or a hybrid position comprising nominal and actual components of the current position. In addition, a corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Zimmermann, Günter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 9815197
    Abstract: A light bulb replacement system includes a database that stores location data for light bulbs, light bulb type data, and installation history data. A first processor generates a replacement score for each of the light bulbs using at least one of the location data, the type data, and the installation history data; compares the replacement score of each of the light bulbs to a threshold replacement score; and creates a replacement list. The light bulb replacement system includes an automated light bulb replacement vehicle including a first location sensor; a first memory configured to store the replacement list, and store location data, type data, and installation history data corresponding to each light bulb in the replacement list. A second processor navigates the automated light bulb replacement vehicle. A light bulb coupling/decoupling mechanism replaces an existing light bulb with a new light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clifford A. Pickover, Maja Vukovic, Michael Karl Gschwind, Valentina Salapura
  • Patent number: 9815198
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining work offset data for a robot in a work environment. In an embodiment, a robot operating in a work environment receives an indication to determine a work offset. The work offset describes the location and angular orientation of a working plane of the work environment relative to a base plane of the robot. In response to the indication, the robot identifies the working plane. The robot is controlled to contact one or more points of the working plane. The robot determines respective point locations of the contacted points relative to the base plane based on the respective positions of the robot at respective times of contact. The robot determines the location and angular orientation of the working plane relative to the base plane based on the determined respective point locations of the contacted points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Davis
  • Patent number: 9815199
    Abstract: A control system, method and computer program product cooperate to assist control for an autonomous robot. An interface receives recognition information from an autonomous robot, said recognition information including candidate target objects to interact with the autonomous robot. A display control unit causes a display image to be displayed on a display of candidate target objects, wherein at least two of the candidate target objects are displayed with an associated indication of a target object score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Kawamoto, Yoshiaki Iwai, Satoru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9815200
    Abstract: A method for controlling a multiaxial jointed-arm robot. A plurality of reference data sets are recorded during a previous monitored reference travel. During an operational travel, a trajectory progress variable is established and is used to monitor the movement of the manipulator on the basis of the reference data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Zimmermann, Gerhard Hietmann
  • Patent number: 9815201
    Abstract: Methods for optimizing energy savings and reducing cycle time for mutating an industrial robotic path when a collision is detected. A method includes initializing a plurality of clone paths where a collision was detected, wherein a clone path is a clone of the initial path and the initial path comprises a source location, a plurality of intermediate locations, and a target location; for each clone path, determining a candidate path to store in a population, determining an optimal breed comprising the candidate path with an optimal rating, wherein the optimal rating is determined by the lowest breed rating in the population, and returning the optimal breed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Industry Software Limited
    Inventors: Lisandro Embon, Moshe Hazan, Guillaume Ginioux, Etienne Ferre, Ambroise Confetti, Matthias Frische
  • Patent number: 9815202
    Abstract: Semi-closed control or fully closed control is selected as a control system for a joint using a motor configured to drive a joint of a robot arm via a reduction gear, an input-side encoder, and an output-side encoder, the semi-closed control being control in which an output of the input-side encoder is used, the fully closed control being control in which an output of the output-side encoder is used. A test run is performed plural times in which the robot arm is caused to perform a specific operation while semi-closed control is being performed on the joint, and semi-closed control or fully closed control is selected using outputs of the output-side encoder obtained in the test runs or in accordance with the content of a task that the robot arm is to be caused to perform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsutomu Osaka, Takahiro Ishikawa, Shunsuke Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9815203
    Abstract: An example method includes determining an expected sound profile corresponding to a given task for a robotic device. The method further includes detecting a sound profile during execution of the given task by the robotic device. The method also includes determining one or more differences in amplitude for at least one frequency range between the detected sound profile and the expected sound profile corresponding to the given task for the robotic device. In response to determining the one or more differences in amplitude for the at least one frequency range between the detected sound profile and the expected sound profile, the method additionally includes identifying at least one component of the robotic device associated with the detected sound profile during execution of the given task. The method further includes adjusting control data for the at least one component of the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Laura Stoia, Craig Latimer, Matthieu Guilbert
  • Patent number: 9815204
    Abstract: A camera on a robotic arm end effector is used to locate a workpiece coordinate system transformation in rotation and translation with respect to the end effector coordinate system by successively measuring an offset between a target affixed to the workpiece and its expected location. The target reflects energy from a light beam provided by a light beam source. A beam splitter is used to align the light beam with a line of sight of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jerald A. Hull
  • Patent number: 9815205
    Abstract: A system for remote object handling including a public safety vehicle having a front portion. An articulated arm has a first end and a second end distinct from the first end, the arm being coupled to the front portion at the first end, and has at least one pivot disposed between the first end and the second end. A gripping element is removably coupled to the second end, wherein the gripping element is one of a pincer device, a hand device having at least three fingers or a shovel. A video camera is also coupled to the second end. An arm control is disposed within the vehicle and is operable to control the operation of the arm, the manipulator and the video camera, and a video interface is coupled to the video camera which is operable to display output from the video camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAFE-T-ARM, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Piccioni, Matthew B. Talpis
  • Patent number: 9815206
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a cooperatively controlled robot includes a robotic actuator assembly comprising a tool holder and a force sensor, a control system adapted to communicate with the robotic actuator assembly and the force sensor, and an output system in communication with the control system. The tool holder is configured to receive a tool to be manipulated by a user. The control system is configured to receive an instruction from a user to switch from a robot control mode into a user interface control mode. The force sensor is configured to measure at least one of a force and a torque applied to the tool, and the control system is configured to receive an indication of the at least one of a force and a torque applied to the tool and manipulate the output system based on the indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Marcin A. Balicki, Peter Kazanzides, Anton Deguet, Russell H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9815207
    Abstract: Device for supporting and gripping containers (1,1a), comprising: a base (10;110;210) which defines an upper surface (15;115,215) supporting a container (1;1a); devices (20;120) for gripping the container (1,1a), associated with the base (10;110;210); devices (30) for actuating the devices (30) for gripping the container (1,1a); wherein the gripping devices (20;120) comprise at least one pair of sliders (21;121;221) inserted in the base (10;110;210) inside a respective seat (16;116;216) and translationally movable in both senses of different directions upon operation of the actuating devices (30), each jaw being associated with a respective slider (21;121;221).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: RONCHI MARIO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Cesare Ronchi