Patents Issued in May 29, 2018
  • Patent number: 9981343
    Abstract: A laser processing apparatus includes a beam splitting unit disposed between a pulsed laser beam oscillating unit and a condenser. The beam splitting unit includes a half-wave plate that rotates the plane of polarization of a pulsed laser beam, a birefringent lens that splits the pulsed laser beam that has passed through the half-wave plate into ordinary light and extraordinary light, the birefringent lens being formed by joining two kinds of crystalline bodies to each other across a curved plane of a concave surface and a convex surface, and a splitting angle adjusting unit that moves the birefringent lens in a direction orthogonal to the pulsed laser beam that has passed through the half-wave plate to change the angle of incidence with respect to the curved plane and adjust a beam splitting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventor: Taiki Sawabe
  • Patent number: 9981344
    Abstract: A method for surface treatment of a roll, in which a laser is emitted on a roll surface to fabricate a pattern, includes a section allocation operation in which the roll surface is divided into multiple sections, and a pattern fabrication operation in which the roll is rotated in a circumferential direction, and a random pattern is fabricated on each of the fabrication sections, and an apparatus includes an apparatus frame, a fixing unit which is installed on the apparatus frame, supports a roll, and rotates in a circumferential direction of the roll, a laser unit which is installed on the apparatus frame, and emits a laser to the roll so that a pattern received may be formed on the roll surface through etching, and a displacement unit which is installed on the apparatus frame, and moves the laser unit along a lengthwise direction of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: POSCO
    Inventors: Suk Kyun Hwang, Ji Woo Im, Byoung Jun Song
  • Patent number: 9981345
    Abstract: A laser processing machine employs a step of forming a pierced hole at a sheet material portion on an inner or outer side of a closed route when a processing to form a hole in the sheet material by cutting along a closed route is carried out. Following this pierced hole a step to perform a cutting process to cut to a predetermined position with a center of the laser beam traversing the closed route and a step of returning, in a condition in which laser irradiation is interrupted, a position of the laser processing head relative to the sheet material to assume a start position lying on the route during a step of cutting to the predetermined position and on the closed route are employed. Thereafter, a step of performing the cutting process from the start position along the closed route is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9981346
    Abstract: Provided are a welded joint of extremely low-temperature steel and flux cored, submerged, and gas metal arc welding materials which can be used to prepare the welded joint, wherein the welded joint of extremely low-temperature steel has outstanding impact toughness in extremely low-temperature conditions and excellent yield strength at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: POSCO Gyeongsangbuk-Do
    Inventors: Il-Wook Han, Jeong-Kil Kim, Bong-Keun Lee, Hong-Kil Lee
  • Patent number: 9981347
    Abstract: Indium-tin-silver alloys suitable for use as a lead free solder are described herein. The alloys may comprise primarily indium or comprise primarily tin. The alloys may further include copper, nickel, and iron or copper, antimony, and zinc. The composition can be used to solder an electrical connector to an electrical contact surface on a glass component. Methods of forming the alloys are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Antaya Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Pereira, Stephen C. Antaya
  • Patent number: 9981348
    Abstract: A solder alloy is substantially Ag-free and has desirable neat-resistance fatigue characteristics in a high-temperature environment as high as 150° C., even when used for soldering of electronic components having no leads. The solder alloy contains Sb, In, Cu, and Bi, and Sn accounting for the remainder, and satisfies the following formulae: 0.5?[Sb]?1.25 0.66[Sb]+4.16?[In]?6.0 0.5?[Cu]?1.2 0.1?[Bi]?0.5, wherein [Sb], [In], [Cu], and [Bi] represent the contents of Sb, In, Cu, and Bi, respectively, in mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohiro Hine, Akio Furusawa, Hidetoshi Kitaura
  • Patent number: 9981349
    Abstract: A welding wire formed of a trace boron titanium base alloy is provided, along with welds formed from the wire and articles comprising one or more of such welds. A method may include forming such a weld or welds from such a welding wire, and may also include non-destructively inspecting titanium alloy articles comprising one or more of such welds using ultrasonic waves to detect internal flaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Arconic Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bernath, Sesh A. Tamirisakandala
  • Patent number: 9981350
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a welding flux used for austenitic stainless steel, which includes 20-40 wt. % SiC, 20-30 wt. % SiO2, 15-25 wt. % MoO3, 2-15 wt. % TiO2, 2-10 wt. % NiO, and 1-5 wt. % MgO. As such, the welding flux forms a soundness weld with high D/W ratio and surface hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL PINGTUNG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Kuang-Hung Tseng
  • Patent number: 9981351
    Abstract: Various welding accessory apparatus are disclosed herein. A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens and a vacuum assembly. The welding lens can be configured to filter at least one of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light to a shade number of at least two. The vacuum assembly can have at least one intake aperture positioned proximate to the welding lens. A welding accessory apparatus can include a welding lens and a flexible curtain. The welding lens can be configured to filter at least one of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light to a shade number of at least two. The flexible curtain can be positioned proximate to the welding lens and can be configured to provide protection from sparks and spatter generated during welding. A welding accessory apparatus can include a shielding strip and a fastening member. The shielding strip can be one of fabric and flexible film. The shielding strip can be configured to provide protection from sparks and spatter generated during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: RSV Welder Repair, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Vanier
  • Patent number: 9981352
    Abstract: The tool is designed to carried out maintenance operations on a bearing assembly comprising a bushing split into at least two shells; the maintenance tool comprises a device arranged to act on and rotate the bushing shells. In particular, the device comprises a slide and a pin; the slide has a hole transversal to its sliding direction and the pin is slidably mounted inside the hole and protrudes from the hole; in a first operating position the pin acts on a shell and in a second operating position the pin does not act on any shell. The method provides to rotate the bushing shells without rotating the supported shaft, and to carry out maintenance operations on a shell at a time while leaving the shaft supported by the other shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Massimo Bargiacchi, Tommaso Breschi, Leonardo Raugei, Michele Bogazzi
  • Patent number: 9981353
    Abstract: A machine tool facility includes the following: machine tools; a first pallet stocker in which a plurality of pallets are arranged in parallel with a predetermined space therebetween; a second pallet stocker in which a plurality of pallets are arranged in parallel with a predetermined space therebetween, and which is disposed in parallel with the first pallet stocker; a conveyance car that conveys a pallet in a direction parallel to the row of the pallets of the first pallet stocker; a first transfer device for transferring the pallet between the first pallet stocker and the conveyance car; and a second transfer device for transferring, by horizontal movement, the pallet between the first pallet stocker and the second pallet stocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9981354
    Abstract: A guide for cutting paving slabs comprises: a guide member (1) for guiding a cutting tool; a clamping means (5, 6); and a locator (3). The clamping means comprises a spindle (5) which passes through an opening in the guide member and connects to the locator. The clamping means is adjustable to adjust the position of the spindle relative to the guide member thereby to adjust the distance between the locator and the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Fitzmaurice, George Hiser
  • Patent number: 9981355
    Abstract: A machine is provided, including at least one cutting tool in the form of cutting head with coolant supplied for machining parts from flat material, wherein the machine also includes a coolant containment and recovery system which includes: a waste removal apparatus, a coolant guard having at least one wall bounding a containment forming area, wherein the coolant guard is fluidly connected to the waste removal apparatus, wherein in use: the coolant guard is located upon a plate to be machined; and the containment forming area becomes a containment area, within which the cutting tool and coolant are both located during the machining process, so that used coolant can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: EIGEN SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Murray Houlton Forlong
  • Patent number: 9981356
    Abstract: A tool accessory used to apply different volumes of a cutting fluid to the tap under CNC control by causing the machine to undergo different pump cycles in which the rotational speed of the tool is increased above the tapping rotated and then quickly returned to the tapping rotation. The tool includes a tapping head, a reservoir filled with cutting fluid, a centrifugal force-reactive pump and at least two discharge nozzles. The pump includes a plurality of biased piston springs that are forced outward and store centripetal force when the tool is rotated at speeds above normal tapping speed. When the rotational speed of the tool is reduced, the piston springs overcome the centrifugal forces and force cutting fluid through the discharge nozzles. The volume of cutting fluid discharged is controlled by adjusting the viscosity of the cutting fluid, the tool's maximum speed, by using different size discharge nozzles, and by using different pump cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jerome D Sailing
  • Patent number: 9981357
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention can be characterized as a method for controlling a multi-axis machine tool that includes obtaining a preliminary rotary actuator command (wherein the rotary actuator command has frequency content exceeding a bandwidth of a rotary actuator), generating a processed rotary actuator command based, at least in part, on the preliminary rotary actuator command, the processed rotary actuator command having frequency content within a bandwidth of the rotary actuator and generating a first linear actuator command and a second linear actuator command based, at least in part, on the processed rotary actuator command. The processed rotary actuator command can be output to the rotary actuator, the first linear actuator command can be output to a first linear actuator and the second linear actuator command can be output to a second linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Guang Lu, Mehmet E. Alpay, Mike Tyler, Qian Xu, Jan Kleinert, Zhibin Lin, James D. Brookhyser, Ho Wai Lo, Kurt M. Eaton
  • Patent number: 9981359
    Abstract: A broken tool detection mechanism applied in a CNC machine includes a base support, a first conductive elastic sheet securely mounted on the base support, and a second conductive elastic sheet. The second conductive elastic sheet is mounted on the base support, at least partially located over the first conductive elastic sheet, and spaced apart from the second conductive elastic sheet by a predetermined distance. The second conductive elastic sheet is pushed towards the first conductive elastic sheet so that the first conductive elastic sheet and the second conductive elastic sheet make electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bang-Bing Yin, Le-Hua Li, Wei Qu, Wei-Min Yang, Xue Qin
  • Patent number: 9981360
    Abstract: In order to provide a handheld abrading machine which has a simple, efficient and as fatigue-free an abrading action as possible and which includes a holding device for holding the abrading machine, a drive motor and a tool head, wherein the holding device includes a substantially tubular bar that has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the drive motor is arranged at the proximal end, wherein the tool head is arranged at the distal end, wherein the abrading machine includes a transmission shaft which connects the drive motor to a tool holder of the tool head for transmitting torque thereto and which runs at least in sections thereof within the tubular bar, it is proposed that a motor shaft rotational axis of the drive motor be oriented transversely, and in particular inclined, relative to a longitudinal axis of the tubular bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Flex-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Roeck, Udo Panzer, Joachim Walker
  • Patent number: 9981361
    Abstract: A dressing apparatus for dressing a urethane foam pad, for use in polishing, by bringing diamond abrasive grains into sliding contact with the urethane foam pad, includes a support for holding the grains. The grains have multiple grit sizes, and include a high-grit diamond abrasive grain with a grit size of #170 or more and a low-grit diamond abrasive grain with a grit size of #140 or less. The grains are held by the support such that height positions of dressing surfaces of the grains are on the same plane. The dressing surfaces come into contact with the urethane foam pad. As a result, a dressing apparatus is capable of sufficiently roughening the surface of the urethane foam pad by one-time dressing without closing holes of the foaming part of the urethane foam pad, enabling short dressing time, long dressing interval, and inhibition of lowering of productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Ueno, Michito Sato, Kaoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 9981362
    Abstract: A method for leaching a PCD table for a cutter element includes (a) positioning a PCD table within a leaching chamber. The method also includes (b) submerging the PCD table in an acid within the leaching chamber. In addition, the method includes (c) sealing the leaching chamber. Further, the method includes (d) increasing the pressure within the leaching chamber to a pressure greater than or equal to 20,000 psi after (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Russell Gilleylen, Guodong Zhan, Sean Donald, Haresh Ghansyam, James R. Streater, Adondria M. Parker
  • Patent number: 9981363
    Abstract: An open wrench includes a head having a handle and a driving portion which has an opening. A first layer, a second layer, a third layer and a fourth layer are formed on each of the top and the bottom of the driving portion. The first layer and the second layer are located along the U-shaped opening of the head. The top face of the second layer is smaller than that of the first layer. The third layer extends from the middle portion of the first layer, and the fourth layers extends from the middle portion of the second layer. The top face of the fourth layer is smaller than that of the third layer. The open wrench is light in weight and strong in structure, and is able to output significant torque to objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jia-Guann Liau
  • Patent number: 9981364
    Abstract: A hand tool impacting device may include, a drive shaft with an aperture, an impaler disk, and a floating pin positioned within the aperture of the drive shaft. A set of circular ramps on the outer edge of the impaler disk may interact with a stationary pin insert to translate the drive shaft and create an impacting motion. A pair of springs placed against either side of the floating pin may allow a specialized tool bit to engage or disengage the impaler disk, thereby allowing selective use of translational impacting motion, or rotational torque. An impact bit for engaging the impaler disk may include, a tool head configured to engage a work piece and a tool shaft configured to be inserted into a hollow drive shaft to engage a floating pin. According to one embodiment, the impact bit includes a number of sleeves to guide the tool head during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Christopher Andrew Mattson, Jake Allred, Jeremy Alsup, Travis Anderson, David Christensen, Jacob Morrise, Jon Ward
  • Patent number: 9981365
    Abstract: A quick-release device for screwdriver bit includes a shank having a polygonal hole longitudinally defined in one end thereof and adapted for partially receiving a bit. At least one slot is longitudinally defined in the shank. An annular groove is defined in an inner periphery of the polygonal hole and communicates with the at least one slot, wherein the annular groove is formed with a tapered section toward the first end of the shank. An expandable limit element is received in the annular groove. A sleeve is movably sleeved on the shank. The sleeve has at least one protrusion inwardly extending therefrom and engaged into the at least one slot and abutting against the limit element when removing the bit form the polygonal hole. A stopper is secured on one end of the shank for preventing the sleeve from removing from the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: YOU LU ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 9981366
    Abstract: A cleanable reversible socket and driver for a hex head fastener having a driver shank with a hex shaped shaft having a tool mounting end and a socket mounting end and a collar therebetween. A cleanable reversible socket is provided having a hex passage therethrough rotationally lockable with the driver shank hex shaped shaft, The socket is removably, nonrotatably mountable onto the driver shank shaft at the socket mounting end up to the collar having two different sized hex socket ends. A magnet on the socket mounting end of the driver shank is to be located at a bottom of one of the two hex socket ends when the socket is mounted on the driver shank to hold the hex head fastener in one of the socket ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Malco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Thomas Todd, Dennis Glenn Geurts, Lucas Daniel Runke
  • Patent number: 9981367
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for aligning fastener holes of two components. An alignment fixture includes two mating fixtures. Each mating fixture includes a reference plate that is aligned to the fastener holes of one of the components. Each mating fixture also includes an alignment device. The alignment devices can be aligned with the respective reference plates such that the alignment between the reference plates and the fastener holes are transferred to the alignment devices. Once aligned, the alignment devices can be temporarily attached to the respective components at locations away from the fastener holes. The reference plates can then be removed. Thereafter, the components can be brought together such that mating features on the alignment devices engage. Engagement of the mating features aligns the two components such that the fastener holes on the components are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Edward Nestleroad, Andrew Michael Huckey, William Shawn Whorton, Craig Charlton, Jake Aspen Wilson
  • Patent number: 9981368
    Abstract: A bushing service tool kit includes a clamping plate, head plate, and a mounting plate for a hydraulic cylinder, as well as a clamping member. An alignment member is mounted on one side of a bushing that is mounted in a bushing mount and that is to be replaced, and the clamping plate is mounted over the alignment member. The head plate is mounted on an opposite side of the bushing, and the clamping member clamps the head plate and clamping plate toward each other to clamp the bushing mount therebetween. The mounting plate, with a hydraulic cylinder mounted thereon, is mounted on the clamping member facing toward the clamping plate, whereby the hydraulic cylinder is aligned with the bushing. The cylinder can then be operated to remove the bushing and install a replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc., Robert Bosch Gmbh
    Inventors: Erol Zeren, Stanley R. Norland
  • Patent number: 9981369
    Abstract: A tensioning device for stretching a threaded bolt by applying tension to the threaded portion of the threaded bolt has a base and a support tube surrounding the threaded bolt and supported on the base. A cylinder housing is arranged as an axial extension on the support tube. A piston is moveably arranged in the cylinder housing and delimits together with an inner wall of the cylinder housing a hydraulic operating chamber. An interchangeable bush is rotatable relative to the piston and can be entrained axially by the piston. The interchangeable bush has an internal thread to establish a screw connection to the threaded portion. A device for path and/or position detection with first and second interacting elements is provided. The first element is fastened to the at least one piston and faces the cylinder housing. The second element is fastened to the cylinder housing and faces the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventors: Frank Hohmann, Jörg Hohmann
  • Patent number: 9981370
    Abstract: A breaking device includes a frame, an impact device having a pressure chamber with a rear pressure chamber and a front pressure chamber. The breaking device further includes a first low pressure port at the rear pressure chamber, a first low pressure channel and a first low pressure accumulator connected to the first low pressure channel. The breaking device further includes a second low pressure port at the rear pressure chamber substantially opposite to the first low pressure port, second low pressure channel and a second low pressure accumulator connected to the second low pressure channel. The first low pressure accumulator and the second low pressure accumulator are arranged at the outer circumference of the frame of the breaking device at different positions in the axial direction of the breaking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING and CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventors: Timo Kela, Timo Muuttonen, Antti Koskimaki
  • Patent number: 9981371
    Abstract: A switching method includes starting up a percussion device in acting on a control device arranged to vary the striking stroke of the striking piston between a short striking stroke and a long striking stroke. The percussion device is forced to operate on a short striking stroke for a predetermined period of time from the starting up of the device, and in acting on the control device so as to allow the percussion device to operate on a long striking stroke, after the expiry of the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MONTABERT
    Inventor: Jean-Sylvain Comarmond
  • Patent number: 9981372
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a reciprocating tool includes a first variable volume fluid chamber, a second variable volume fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first variable volume fluid chamber, a plunger configured to modify the volume of the first variable volume fluid chamber by movement generally in a first direction along a plunge axis such that a portion of a fluid moves from one of the first and second variable volume fluid chamber to the other of the first and second variable volume fluid chamber, a counterweight configured such that the movement of the portion of the fluid results in a movement of the counterweight generally in a second direction along the plunge axis, the second direction opposite to the first direction, and a chuck assembly supported by the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Brian K. Haman
  • Patent number: 9981373
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a first room, a second room, an engaging portion, a third room and a first groove in the function end thereof. Multiple ratchet wheels are received in the third room and one of which is rotatably received in the first room. Each ratchet wheel includes a first pivotal portion, a second pivotal portion and a first toothed portion which is defined in a curved and concaved manner in the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel. A pawl is located in the second room and has a second toothed portion which is engaged with the first toothed portion of the ratchet wheel. The distance defined between the deepest point of the first toothed portion to the first pivotal portion or the second pivotal portion is larger than the distance that the ratchet wheel shifts relative to the pawl within the first room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TOP GOAL Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Tsan-Lung Chen, Wen-Hao Yu, Ka-Chung Ho
  • Patent number: 9981374
    Abstract: A jig assembly for marking a cabinet with hole positions that are needed to install hardware. The jig assembly utilizes a reference plate. At least one matrix of holes is formed through the reference plate. The holes are used to make markings at different positions and distances. The holes are preferably identified with scale indicia that provide visual indications as to the positions of each of the holes. Arms are attached to the reference plate with pivot connections. Marking holes are disposed through the arms. The arms can rotate and extend from the reference plate in opposite directions. A top plate is positioned across the top edge of the reference plate. The top plate creates a guide. A side plate is positioned across a side edge of the reference plate. The side plate creates a second guide that intersects the top plate at a perpendicular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Krystian Hinz
  • Patent number: 9981375
    Abstract: Method to move an articulated arm provided with a first end associated with a support and rotatable movement tower and with a second free end and including a plurality of segments pivoted with respect to each other and actuation members configured to make at least one of the segments rotate with respect to one other of the segments or to the support and rotatable movement tower, and where the method allows to manage and control the speed of movement of the articulated arm to determine on each occasion the speed of movement of its free end so that the latter is confined inside a predefined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: CIFA SPA
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Borroni, Paolo Francesco Ragaini, Ulrich Delogu
  • Patent number: 9981376
    Abstract: In an aspect, a robotic system is provided and includes at least two digital servo modules, each of which includes a position-controlled motor and a position sensor for sensing a servo position, a plurality of building block elements that are connectable with the digital servo modules to create position-controlled joints of a robotic figure, at least two wheel modules enabling wheeled movement of the robotic figure and a central controller communicating with and controlling the digital servo modules and the wheel modules. The central controller operatively places a selected group of digital servo modules in a learned motion mode, wherein a corresponding group of position-controlled joints is enabled to be manually manipulated, and wherein each of the selected digital servo module periodically transmits servomotor position to the central controller. The central controller can steer the robotic figure wheel modules based on servo positions of the selected digital servo modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER LTD.
    Inventors: Christopher John Hardouin, Romeo Andres Garza, Felipe Jose Garza
  • Patent number: 9981377
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing flexible robotic actuators are disclosed. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a soft robot capable of providing a radial deflection motions; a soft tentacle actuator capable of providing a variety of motions and providing transportation means for various types of materials; and a hybrid robotic system that retains desirable characteristics of both soft robots and hard robots. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter also include methods for operating the disclosed robotic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Stephen A. Morin, Robert F. Shepherd, Adam Stokes, Filip Ilievski, Ramses V. Martinez, Jamie L. Branch, Carina R. Fish, Lihua Jin, Rui M. D. Nunes, Zhigang Suo, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 9981378
    Abstract: A handheld robot operation unit comprises a basic safety control device, a mobile terminal device, and a holder configured to mount the mobile terminal device on the basic safety control device. The holder comprises at least one adapter device configured to mechanically connect the mobile terminal device to the basic safety control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Yevgen Kogan, Martin Riedel
  • Patent number: 9981379
    Abstract: An example robotic gripping device includes two opposable gripping fingers and at least one actuator configured to move the two opposable gripping fingers towards and away from each other within a plane of motion. The robotic gripping device further includes a gripper base coupled to the two opposable gripping fingers, where the gripper base comprises an attachment interface. The robotic gripping device further includes a detachable elongated support member that mates with the attachment interface of the gripper base, such that when the elongated support member is attached to the attachment interface of the gripper base, the elongated support member extends parallel to the plane of motion of the two opposable gripping fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: David Youmans, Marc Strauss
  • Patent number: 9981380
    Abstract: A teaching apparatus for a robot which moves a work object so that the work object is aligned at a predetermined position and attitude, includes a display section that displays a screen for setting the predetermined position and attitude, an operation section that allows the screen to be operated, and a computation section that computes the predetermined position and attitude, in which the screen includes a first screen for operating the robot so as to move the work object into an imaging range of an imaging device, and a second screen for moving the work object so that the work object is aligned at a target position and attitude, and in which the computation section computes the predetermined position and attitude by using a captured image obtained by the imaging device imaging the work object, and the target position and attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Setsuda, Alan Rupert
  • Patent number: 9981381
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable media are provided for generating phase synchronized trajectories for actuators of a robot to enable the actuators of the robot to transition from a current motion state to a target motion state. Phase synchronized trajectories produce motion of a reference point of the robot in a one-dimensional straight line in a multi-dimensional space. For example, phase synchronized trajectories of a plurality of actuators that control the movement of an end effector may cause a reference point of the end effector to move in a straight line in Cartesian space. In some implementations, phase synchronized trajectories may be generated and utilized even when those phase synchronized trajectories are less time-optimal than one or more other non-phase synchronized trajectories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Umashankar Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 9981382
    Abstract: An example system includes a robotic device having a robotic manipulator and a support stand. The support stand may receive an object placed thereon in a given orientation and maintain the given orientation. The robotic manipulator may pick up an object in a first orientation with respect to the robotic manipulator and determine a target pose for the object. Based on the determined target pose, a control system may determine to reorient the object with respect to the robotic manipulator using the support stand. The robotic manipulator may place the object on the support stand in a particular orientation and pick up the object, disposed on the support stand in the particular orientation, in a second orientation with respect to the robotic manipulator. While the object is held in the second orientation with respect to the robotic manipulator, the robotic device may move the object to the target pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Marc Strauss, David Youmans
  • Patent number: 9981383
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable media are provided for real-time generation of trajectories for actuators of a robot, where the trajectories are generated to lessen the chance of collision with one or more objects in the environment of the robot. In some implementations, a real-time trajectory generator is used to generate trajectories for actuators of a robot based on a current motion state of the actuators, a target motion state of the actuators, and kinematic motion constraints of the actuators. The acceleration constraints and/or other kinematic constraints that are used by the real-time trajectory generator to generate trajectories at a given time are determined so as to lessen the chance of collision with one or more obstacles in the environment of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Umashankar Nagarajan
  • Patent number: 9981384
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical arm and a pickup device. The mechanical arm includes a mechanical arm body and a pressure sensing system. The pressure sensing system is fixedly connected with the mechanical arm body, for sensing whether the mechanical arm body is to be collided with a picked-up object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Bin Chang, Lizhu Yu, Lei Xiang
  • Patent number: 9981385
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for operating robotic actors in a human/robotic environment. A safety controller that is configured to communicate with one or more robotic actors can receive actor information about at least a location of one or more actors. The safety controller can receive robot information comprising at least a location of a particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors. The safety controller can determine a command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor of the one or more robotic actors by applying one or more safety criteria to the actor information and the robot information. The safety controller can generate an output including the command for controlling operation of the particular robotic actor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Melissa H. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9981386
    Abstract: A manipulator-device controlling method including: a step of receiving manipulation signals for manipulators; a step of calculating a target position of a joint on the basis of the manipulation signals; steps of calculating a maximum distance between the manipulators when the joint is assumed to be placed at the target position; a step of comparing the maximum distance with a predetermined threshold; a step of moving the joint to the target position in the case in which the maximum distance is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold; and a step of stopping the movement of the joint in the case in which the maximum distance is greater than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Komuro, Masatoshi Iida
  • Patent number: 9981387
    Abstract: Provided is a robot control system and a method thereof. The robot control system includes: a mobile robot comprising at least one camera; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to transmit, to the mobile robot, a signal for adjusting a resolution of a next image to be transmitted from the at least one camera to the controller, based on a data transmission rate of a current image captured by the at least one camera and output to the controller, and wherein the mobile robot is configured to adjust the resolution of the next image, based on the signal for adjusting the resolution of the next image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehyuk Ju, Jihyuk Song
  • Patent number: 9981388
    Abstract: A gripper is described as including two lateral flanks that are directly or indirectly connected to each other at one end, generating a space between them containing an actuator whose lateral boundaries have at least one opening accessible from the outside. At least one reinforcement rib is allocated to at least one of the lateral flanks. A method for manufacturing the gripper is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Röhm GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Schweigert
  • Patent number: 9981389
    Abstract: Manipulators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be utilized to implement statically stable robots capable of both dexterous manipulation and versatile mobility. Manipulators in accordance with one embodiment of the invention include: an azimuth actuator; three elbow joints that each include two actuators that are offset to allow greater than 360 degree rotation of each joint; a first connecting structure that connects the azimuth actuator and a first of the three elbow joints; a second connecting structure that connects the first elbow joint and a second of the three elbow joints; a third connecting structure that connects the second elbow joint to a third of the three elbow joints; and an end-effector interface connected to the third of the three elbow joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brett A. Kennedy, Matthew A. Frost, John M. Leichty, Michael J. Hagman, James W. Borders, Jamie S. Piacentine, Charles F. Bergh, Allen R. Sirota, Kalind C. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9981390
    Abstract: Examples described here include a device that has a housing defining a cavity, and a force sensor. The device also includes a first hydraulic actuator positioned in the cavity, and a second hydraulic actuator positioned in the cavity. The first and second hydraulic actuators move between respectively relaxing modes and thrusting modes along respective longitudinal axes. The longitudinal axis of the first hydraulic actuator is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second hydraulic actuator. The device also includes a first actuated member coupled to the first hydraulic actuator, and a second actuated member coupled to the second hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Strauss, Michael Patrick Murphy
  • Patent number: 9981391
    Abstract: A modular tooling receiver includes a housing having a wall and a port, and an engaging member movably disposed in the port. A lock actuator is moveable between a first position and a second position. The release lever is connected to the housing and is engageable with the lock actuator for causing movement of the lock actuator from the first position toward the second position. An anti-release mechanism is connected to the release lever and is movable between an engaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism engages the housing to restrain movement of the release lever to prevent movement of the lock actuator from the first position to the second position, and a disengaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism disengages the housing to allow movement of the release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: James R. Kalb, Michael Thomas Charlton
  • Patent number: 9981392
    Abstract: An arm unit having an improved configuration to simply change stiffness according to varying situations and a robot having the same are provided. The robot includes an arm unit, and a drive unit to drive the arm unit. The arm unit includes a plurality of links to come into rolling contact with one another via at least two regions thereof, and a plurality of wires penetrating the plurality of links to connect the links to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yong Jae Kim, Sang bae Kim, Shan bao Cheng, Karl Iagnemma
  • Patent number: 9981393
    Abstract: A remote attaching and detaching device which includes a camera module to substitute a worker's vision in such an environment where the worker's direct access to the in-cell is extremely limited or impossible. In a remote attaching and detaching device including a camera module for monitoring operating environment of a slave arm of a remote robot working in hazardous environment, the remote attaching and detaching device includes a fixing module fixed to a proximity of a gripper provided on the slave arm, and the camera module is attachable to and detachable from the fixing module, and provides visual in-cell information or situation about surroundings of the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, KOREA HYDRO AND NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiho Kim, Jong Kwang Lee, Seung-Nam Yu, Byung Suk Park, Il-Je Cho, Hansoo Lee