Patents Issued in October 25, 2018
  • Publication number: 20180304422
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a rack bar includes joining axial end portions of first and second bar members to each other, and forming a power transmission section on the second bar member. The first bar member has a toothed portion. When the second bar member is hollow, the method may further include thickening a wall of a portion of the second bar member along the axial direction so as to be coaxial with the first bar member. When the second bar member has a greater diameter than the first bar member, the method may further include cutting an outside diameter of a portion of the second bar member in the axial direction so as to be coaxial with the first bar member. The power transmission section is formed on the portion of the second bar member where the wall has been thickened and/or the outside diameter has been cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: NETUREN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto NOMURA, Takashi YAMAWAKI, Ryosuke SUZUKI, Nobumoto ISHIKI
  • Publication number: 20180304423
    Abstract: A tool exchange assembly and related method configured to swap change tool assemblies with a nutrunner constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a nest. The nest has a lower jaw portion and an upper jaw portion. The lower jaw portion has first and second lower fingers that cooperate to define a lower slot. The upper jaw portion has first and second upper fingers that cooperate to define an upper slot. The nest is configured to receive a change tool assembly. Relative movement of the change tool assembly and the nest urges a sleeve on the change tool assembly to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicants: ThyssenKrupp System Engineering GmbH, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: Ralf-Martin Ebeling
  • Publication number: 20180304424
    Abstract: An upright machining center is characterized in being provided with: x-axis guides for moving and guiding a table in the left-right direction on a bed; a column provided on the bed and provided with an opening that straddles the x-axis guides in the front-back direction so that a moving body, on which the table is provided, can enter therein in the left-right direction; a saddle, which is disposed on the upper part of the column so as to be movable in the front-back direction and for which a first y-axis guide that extends in the front-back direction on the right side of the left-right direction and a left second y-axis guide that is located lower and parallel thereto are provided; and a main shaft head, which is disposed on the left side surface of the saddle and moves in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro SUZUKI, Shinji TERAKAWA, Takuma KAWARASAKI, Kenichiro SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20180304425
    Abstract: Provided is a machining center, in particular a 5-axis milling machine, for machining an elongate workpiece, in particular a turbine blade, including an elongate machine bed extending in a longitudinal direction, a machining device movably retained on the machine bed, two clamping devices, which are retained on the machine bed in such a way that the clamping devices lie opposite each other in the longitudinal direction and which are designed to clamp the free ends of the workpiece and to rotate the clamped workpiece about a workpiece axis of rotation, wherein at least one clamping device can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the machine bed and at least one clamping device has a drive device designed to rotate the clamped workpiece, in particular a stepper motor, and a steady rest, which is retained on the machine bed and positioned between the clamping devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: SUSANNE KAMENZKY
  • Publication number: 20180304426
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a machine tool so as to drill a workpiece based on a machining program, includes a motor control unit configured to, when drilling the workpiece, control an axis feed motor of the machine tool so that the rotary tool of the machine tool is axially moved by intermittently decelerated feed in which the feed rate of the rotary tool is alternately switched between a first feed rate and a second feed rate that is lower than the first feed rate, under the condition in which the relational equations (1) and (5) are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakahama
  • Publication number: 20180304427
    Abstract: Technology for milling selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a numerical control machine is described. The described technology provides methods and apparatuses for milling areas of a part so that more aggressive machining parameters can be used in the toolpath, thereby resulting in reduced machining time and load. The described technology additionally determines directions of the tool axis vector at points along a toolpath in order to achieve a desired part shape while optionally maintaining high material removal rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Evan C. Sherbrooke, Glenn Coleman
  • Publication number: 20180304428
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clamping chuck for clamping pallets furnished with a clamping spigot. The clamping chuck has a locating opening for the clamping spigot and a clamping device for clamping the clamping spigot in the locating opening. A plurality of sensors are arranged on the clamping chuck, by means of which the clamping force actions on the clamping spigot may be determined as well as other values. The clamping chuck is equipped with a transmitter for wireless transmission of parameters detected by means of the one or more sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Hans Hediger
  • Publication number: 20180304429
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cutting apparatus having a cutting blade for cutting a workpiece held on a chuck table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Takahiko Tsuno, Saki Miyakawa, Tomoaki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20180304430
    Abstract: A method of symmetrically chamfering a substrate includes repeating, at least a plurality of times, the steps of chamfering an edge of the substrate using a chamfering wheel, measuring an asymmetric chamfering deviation (y) of the edge of the substrate which is chamfered, and controlling a relative position of the chamfering wheel with respect to the substrate by a value of a function f(y) of the variable y. It is possible to constantly symmetrically chamfer the edge of the substrate via active response to a change in the chamfering environment without a hardware-based operation of the related art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: CORNING PRECISION MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MyeongBo HAN
  • Publication number: 20180304431
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and processes for generating a finished or semi-finished lens, such as a spectacle lens, from a lens blank that includes an intermediate functional layer. Some embodiments of the process involve locating the functional layer and positioning the lens blank according to the location of the functional layer. The location of the functional layer can be ascertained by measuring the thickness of one or more layers of the lens blank. The lens blank can be surfaced on one or both sides to form a finished or semi-finished lens. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald A. BERZON, Aref JALLOULI, Hao-Wen CHIU, Gary S. CLARK
  • Publication number: 20180304432
    Abstract: A variable radius sanding block for sanding curved surfaces. The variable radius sanding block includes a base member and a plurality of variably sized radius patches. The base member is sized and proportioned to allow radius patches of varying size to be inserted, such that each of the radius patches will change the curvature of the sanding block upon insertion. The base member also having a folded flexible internal structure and a pair of flexible arms that facilitate insertion of radius patches of varying size. The radius patch includes a pair of grooves that receive the flexible arms of the base member and secure the base member to the radius patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Seyed Babak Rouzbeh, Seyedehshaghayegh Rouzmeh
  • Publication number: 20180304433
    Abstract: A stainless steel pipe may be provided which exhibits excellent corrosion resistance so as not to rust at an early stage even in a waterfront environment affected by sea salt particles. The stainless steel pipe may have a polishing mark on a surface, an oxide film exhibiting color is not present on the surface, and an average number of surface defects including covering by a metal base of 5 ?m or more on the surface is suppressed to 5 or fewer per 0.01 mm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Tomoaki SAIDA, Yoshikazu TAI, Kazunari IMAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180304434
    Abstract: A leak checking method which is capable of detecting a leak of compressed gas supplied to a polishing head without removing the polishing head from a polishing apparatus is disclosed. The leak checking method includes: supplying a compressed gas into a pressure chamber, which is formed by a membrane of a polishing head, with the membrane placed in contact with a stationary surface; measuring a flow rate of the compressed gas during supplying of the compressed gas into the pressure chamber, while regulating a pressure of the compressed gas by use of a pressure regulator; deciding whether or not the flow rate measured when a variation in the pressure of the compressed gas is within an allowable range of variation, is within a reference range; and generating a leak-detection signal when the flow rate is outside of the reference range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru SAKUGAWA, Nobuyuki TAKAHASHI, Toru MARUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180304435
    Abstract: A method of polishing a layer on the substrate at a polishing station includes the actions of monitoring the layer during polishing at the polishing station with an in-situ monitoring system to generate a plurality of measured signals for a plurality of different locations on the layer; generating, for each location of the plurality of different locations, an estimated measure of thickness of the location, the generating including processing the plurality of measured signals through a neural network; and at least one of detecting a polishing endpoint or modifying a polishing parameter based on each estimated measure of thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kun Xu, Hassan G. Iravani, Denis Ivanov, Boguslaw A. Swedek, Shih-Haur Shen, Harry Q. Lee, Benjamin Cherian
  • Publication number: 20180304436
    Abstract: A polishing assembly for polishing of silicon wafers is provided. The polishing assembly includes a polishing pad, a polishing head assembly, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The polishing head assembly holds a silicon wafer to position the silicon wafer in contact with the polishing pad. The polishing head assembly selectively varies a removal profile of the silicon wafer. The temperature sensor collects thermal data from a portion of the polishing pad. The controller is communicatively coupled to the polishing head assembly and the temperature sensor. The controller receives the thermal data from the temperature sensor and operates the polishing head assembly to selectively vary the removal profile of the silicon wafer based at least in part on the thermal data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Emanuele Corsi, Ezio Bovio
  • Publication number: 20180304437
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon for operating a polishing assembly for polishing of silicon wafers is provided. When executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to receive thermal data of a portion of a polishing pad from a temperature sensor and determine a removal profile of a silicon wafer based at least in part on the thermal data. The computer-executable instructions cause the processor to operate a polishing head assembly to position the silicon wafer in contact with the polishing pad and to selectively vary the removal profile of the silicon wafer based at least in part on the thermal data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Emanuele Corsi, Ezio Bovio
  • Publication number: 20180304438
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chemical mechanical (CMP) polishing pad for polishing, for example, a semiconductor substrate, having one or more endpoint detection windows (windows) which at a thickness of 2 mm would have a UV cut-off at a wavelength of 325 nm or lower which are the product of a reaction mixture of (A) from 30 to 56 wt. % of one or more cycloaliphatic diisocyanates or polyisocyanates with (B) from 43 to 69.9999 a polyol mixture of (i) a polymeric diol having an average molecular weight of from 500 to 1,500, such as a polycarbonate diol for hard windows and a polyether polyol for soft windows and (ii) a triol having an average molecular weight of from 120 to 320 in a weight ratio of (B)(i) polymeric diol to (B)(ii) triol ranging from 1.6:1 to 5.2:1, and a catalyst, preferably a secondary or tertiary amine, all weight percent's based on the total solids weight of the reaction mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Nan-Rong Chiou, Mohammad T. Islam, George C. Jacob
  • Publication number: 20180304439
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chemical mechanical (CMP) polishing pad for polishing, for example, a semiconductor substrate, having one or more endpoint detection windows (windows) which at a thickness of 2 mm would have a UV cut-off at a wavelength of 325 nm or lower which are the product of a reaction mixture of (A) from 30 to 56 wt. % of one or more cycloaliphatic diisocyanates or polyisocyanates with (B) from 43 to 69.9999 a polyol mixture of (i) a polymeric diol having an average molecular weight of from 500 to 1,500, such as a polycarbonate diol for hard windows and a polyether polyol for soft windows and (ii) a triol having an average to molecular weight of from 120 to 320 in a weight ratio of (B)(i) polymeric diol to (B)(ii) triol ranging from 1.6:1 to 5.2:1, and a catalyst, preferably a secondary or tertiary amine or bismuth neodecanoate, all weight percent's based on the total solids weight of the reaction mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Nan-Rong Chiou, Mohammad T. Islam, George C. Jacob
  • Publication number: 20180304440
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a main shaft unit; a polishing head for processing a workpiece; and an unnecessary byproduct leakage preventing unit for preventing leakage of abrasive resulting from processing at or around a part of the workpiece, the part being processed, and wherein the unnecessary byproduct leakage preventing unit includes a cover provided separately from the polishing head, the cover having a structure that is open in three directions and that has walls in another three directions such that a protection space where to hold a part of the workpiece is defined, the cover for receiving the abrasive, and a movement mechanism for moving the cover so as to stay apart from the workpiece while the workpiece is not being processed and so as to have a part of the workpiece held in the protection space while the workpiece is being processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SUGIURA, Shoichi MORIMURA
  • Publication number: 20180304441
    Abstract: A carrier head for a chemical mechanical polisher includes a base, a substrate mounting surface, an annular inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring has a lower surface configured to contact an upper surface of a substrate positioned on the substrate mounting surface, an outer surface, and an inwardly facing surface extending downwardly from the lower surface and is configured to circumferentially surround the edge of the substrate, the inner ring vertically movable relative to the substrate mounting surface. The outer ring has an inner surface circumferentially surrounding the inner ring, an outer surface, and a lower surface to contact the polishing pad, and the outer ring is vertically movable relative to and independently of the substrate mounting surface and the inner ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Hung Chih Chen, Mario David Silvetti, Yin Yuan, Samuel Chu-Chiang Hsu, Huanbo Zhang, Gautam Shashank Dandavate
  • Publication number: 20180304442
    Abstract: A grinding body including a substantially cylindrical outer member for receiving an abrasive material, an inner member for attaching the grinding body to a drive unit, and a connecting structure for mechanical force transmission between the outer member and the inner member. The outer member, the inner member, and/or the connecting structure may be made at least in part of a fiber-plastic composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Frank CICHY, Maximilian BÜTTNER
  • Publication number: 20180304443
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an abrasive member, in particular having the general shape of a disc such as a cutting or grinding disc, comprises arranging a reinforcing insert or reinforcing member into a mold between a layer of curable abrasive resin compound, in particular a layer of curable abrasive granulate, a backing member such that at least a section of the reinforcing insert or reinforcing member is in direct physical contact with the curable abrasive resin compound, the reinforcing insert or reinforcing member is at least partially covered by the backing member and at least a section of the backing member is in direct physical contact with the curable abrasive resin compound; bonding the reinforcing insert or reinforcing member and the backing member by curing the curable abrasive resin compound, wherein the cured abrasive resin compound forms an abrasive layer of the abrasive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ralf Blechschmidt, Harald Ruß, Sebastian Schuster, Markus Schnabel, Lasse Becker
  • Publication number: 20180304444
    Abstract: A polishing brush (1) includes grinding element bundles (22) each including wire-shaped grinding elements (21) formed of an assembly of inorganic filaments impregnated and solidified with resin, and a grinding element holder (23) that holds the grinding element bundles (22). The grinding element holder (23) has an annular grinding element holding groove (28), and an adhesive (29) is filled in the grinding element holding groove (28). Respective base end portions (22a) of the grinding element bundles (22) are inserted in the grinding element holding groove (28) in such a state as to be kept apart from each other and are fixed to the grinding element holder (23) with the adhesive (29). Even when the diameter size or the like of each grinding element bundle (22) is larger than the width of the groove, the grinding element bundles (22) are deformed to conform to the groove, thereby being inserted into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Suguru MATSUSHITA, Norihiko SUMIYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20180304445
    Abstract: A work holding device includes a first jaw piece having an elongated first connection member for connecting the work holding device to a support. The first connection member defines a first passage. A second jaw piece has an elongated second connection member positionable within the first passage. The second connection member defines a second passage in communication with the first passage. A spindle assembly movably couples the second jaw piece to the first jaw piece. The spindle assembly is configured to move the second jaw piece with respect to the first jaw piece to create a clamping pressure when an object is placed between the first jaw piece and the second jaw piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Onello, Charles Weber
  • Publication number: 20180304446
    Abstract: An arrangement for working a tube end includes: an operating cylinder with a piston displaceable along an longitudinal axis; and a tube mounting, a tool holder being provided at an end of the piston facing the tube mounting. The operating cylinder is provided as a tandem cylinder. At least two cylinder stages are offset along the longitudinal axis. The piston includes connected piston segments, each piston segment being allocated to a cylinder stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Martin MAUBACH
  • Publication number: 20180304447
    Abstract: The present invention represents an electromagnet-based pickup & inspection tool/device for locating and the recovery of ferrous and unique to the present invention, nonferrous objects with a, and also unique to the present invention, an attachable gripping device, from confined spaces, such as engine compartments. Additional unique features of the present EMRID invention is the, use of LED illumination for wide area viewing, and a WIFI micro endoscope type of video camera for enhanced search & inspection capabilities, inclusive of, built-in LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Francis Gerard Truglio
  • Publication number: 20180304448
    Abstract: A screw removal apparatus includes a shank and a working head connected to the shank. The working head has a base portion and an abutting portion protruding out from the base portion. The shank and the abutting portion extend from the base portion in opposite directions. The abutting portion has a first end, a second end, and an inner periphery extending between the first and second ends in an arc about an axis. The inner periphery has a plurality of ridges and a plurality of recesses. The plurality of ridges and the plurality of recesses alternatively arranged. The base portion and the abutting portion cooperate to form a retaining space for receiving a screw to be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Publication number: 20180304449
    Abstract: A driver for applying torque to threaded fasteners has a plurality of teeth extending along and projecting outwardly from a longitudinal axis of a body on which the teeth are located. The teeth have a helical twist about the longitudinal axis. Each tooth has an angularly oriented engagement surface which is engageable with similarly angularly oriented surfaces within recesses in the head of a compatible fastener. When the driver engages the recesses torque applied to the driver draws the driver deeper into the recesses as the engagement surfaces react against and slide over the angularly oriented surfaces within the recesses. The torque also causes the fastener to turn and advance or retract depending upon the sense of the torque and the angles of the engagement surfaces and the angles of the surfaces within the recesses. The fastener and its method of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: William Norton
  • Publication number: 20180304450
    Abstract: A powder-driven connecting tool for connecting power lines is disclosed, as are assemblies and replacement parts for such a tool. The tool includes a tool head with an anvil, and a power unit with a ram. A breech cap assembly connects to the power unit and includes a sleeve threaded on both ends and a cap threadedly mounted on one end of the sleeve. The sleeve and cap define a breech for a powder charge. An adapter is mounted on an outer end surface of the cap. The adapter is narrower than the cap itself and is adapted to be driven by a power tool in order to tighten and loosen the cap and the sleeve. The adapter may, for example, have the form of a hex nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Andrew John
  • Publication number: 20180304451
    Abstract: A two piece tool with an adapter sleeve is provided that extracts both ¾-inch and 1-inch diameter Moen®-type valve cartridges from the valve body. An extractor shaft incorporates a right-hand male 10-24 threaded shank at the fore end thereof, in addition to a much longer and larger diameter left-hand Acme male thread. The Acme male thread engages a left-hand female Acme thread at the aft end of a tubular extractor body. The aft end of the extractor shaft is equipped with a quarter-inch hexagonal drive that couples to a portable electric drill motor. Clockwise rotation of the extractor shaft while holding and preventing the tubular extractor body from rotating allows the threaded shank to engage the cartridge control shaft, while simultaneously pushing the extractor body toward the valve body. Once the extractor body abuts the valve body, the cartridge is extracted, all in a single step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Brandon Lee Seamons
  • Publication number: 20180304452
    Abstract: A combination sheet metal hammer and duct stretcher device. The device is directed to the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning and particularly to a duct assembly tool for drawing and pinching two pieces of duct work together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Mike Rittenhouse
  • Publication number: 20180304453
    Abstract: A control method for a power tool for rotary tools provides the following: A tool holder is rotated continuously in a forward direction about a working axis by a rotary drive when an operating switch is actuated. The continuous rotation in the forward direction is interrupted by a protective process when a protective device senses blocking of the tool holder. During the protective process, one or more cycles are executed, in which the rotary drive is actuated successively in accordance with an unimpeded rotary movement in a reverse direction and in accordance with an unimpeded rotary movement in the forward direction. The rotary drive is supplied with a first amount of energy for the rotary movement in the reverse direction and with a second amount of energy for the rotary movement in the forward direction. The first amount of energy is smaller than the second amount of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Roland SCHAER, Thomas KINKELDEI, Peter HRICKO, Manuel GUT, Michael WIERER
  • Publication number: 20180304454
    Abstract: An electrical power tool configured such that two battery packs as a power source are attached thereto may include overhanging elements respectively laterally positioned along lateral sides of the battery packs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro KAWAKAMI, Shoichi ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180304455
    Abstract: An anti-shock and ventilated grip strap includes a strap body including a substrate and a cushion layer overlapping the substrate. Each of the substrate and the cushion layer is in a form of a strap. The strap body has a hardness in the range of 40-70 in ASTM D2240 Type C hardness scale. A plurality of elastic members is disposed on and protruding away from the cushion layer. The plurality of elastic members is arranged separately from one another. Each of plurality of elastic members has a hardness greater than that of the strap body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Leo Jaw
  • Publication number: 20180304456
    Abstract: A control unit for a wearable sitting posture assisting device, having at least one operation program, which is designed to control a blocking means of at least one leg unit of the wearable sitting posture assisting device in dependence of a sensor signal representing a sitting angle between an upper support and a lower support of the at least one leg unit, to a wearable sitting posture assisting device with such a control unit and a method for controlling a wearable sitting posture assisting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Keith GUNURA, Olga MOTOVILOVA, Daniel VAFI
  • Publication number: 20180304457
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein for a robotic manipulator that includes a base, a first segment, a first joint operatively coupling the base and the first segment, a second segment, and a second joint operatively coupling the first segment and the second segment. The first joint is configured to rotate the first segment about at least two axes of rotation with respect to the base. The second joint is configured to rotate the second segment about at least one axis of rotation with respect to the first segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Donald Bolden Hutson, Saura Naderi
  • Publication number: 20180304458
    Abstract: A kinematic model arithmetic portion calculates a coordinate value (ze1 (?e)) as distance information indicating the distance between a member that serves as a reference surface for the curve shape of a curvable portion and a member in the curvable portion that is closest to the reference surface. A switch determination unit determines based on the coordinate value whether to drive a wire for driving the curvable portion by a drive displacement calculated for the wire along with the coordinate value by the kinematic model arithmetic portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20180304459
    Abstract: Utilities (e.g., systems, apparatuses, methods) that reduce robotic assembly contention in media element storage libraries by rotating (e.g., flipping, swinging, etc.) a robot arm of a first robotic assembly mounted over a first of first and second spaced storage arrays in a storage library into a first position between the first storage array and a central reference plane disposed between and parallel to the first and second storage arrays to allow a robot arm of a second robotic assembly to slide or otherwise move past the robot arm of the first robotic assembly (e.g., in a direction along or parallel to an x-axis parallel to the first and second storage arrays), even when the robot arms of the first and second robotic assemblies are disposed at the same height (e.g., along a z-axis that is perpendicular to the x-axis) within the storage library.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Timothy Craig Ostwald
  • Publication number: 20180304460
    Abstract: A manually taught robot which may include a main controller, at least one joint comprising two arms and a drive mechanism with a servo motor, a driver, and an encoder. The main controller is electrically connected to the drivers and an output of each encoders. Additionally, a method for manually teaching a robot may include the steps of the robot entering into a torque mode and moving according to a desired track, the main controller storing output values from the encoders, the servo motor resetting into a positional or speed mode controlled by the driver controls and the operational output values of each encoder changing at the end of each operation period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Zhongwei LIN
  • Publication number: 20180304461
    Abstract: Robots, users, or a central controller may leverage Geo analytics and/or augmented reality to search for, discover, access and use robots. The robots may perform tasks to provide selective services on-demand within medicine, agriculture, military, entertainment, manufacturing, personal, or public safety, among other things.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Venson Shaw
  • Publication number: 20180304462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunctional robot system and method. The multifunctional robot system comprises an independently movable supply station and a plurality of robot units. The supply station comprises a power supply system and a supply station moving device; each robot unit is provided with a robot driving device, an operation execution device and a robot moving device; the supply station is connected with each robot unit respectively through a connecting cable. The multifunctional robot system is provided with the independent supply station, and the execution device of the robot is separated from the driving device thereof and a supply device; the supply station continuously provides raw materials and energy for the robot, the weight and size of the robot side are reduced, and working efficiency is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Xin LI
  • Publication number: 20180304463
    Abstract: A domestic robotic system includes a robot and data storage operable to store data defining a boundary of a working area, the robot includes a payload actuable to perform work on a portion of the working area adjacent the robot, at least one processor, a first positioning system, one or more sensors operable to sense directly the boundary of the working area and a current distance of the robot thereto, a second positioning system, which uses data from the sensors. The processor is programmed to operate in (i) an area coverage mode, wherein the processor, using the first positioning system and the stored data defining the boundary of the working area, navigates the robot around the working area, with the payload active, and (ii) a boundary proximity mode, wherein the processor, using the second positioning system, navigates the robot around the working area, in proximity to the boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Karni Wolowelsky, Shai Abramson
  • Publication number: 20180304464
    Abstract: A robot system including a robot, a control unit, a sensor to detect a magnitude of force applied to the robot, a determination unit configured to determine, based on the magnitude of the detected force, whether there is application of an external force different from a load acting on the robot during a task performed by the robot, and a storage unit to store the magnitude of force detected by the sensor when the control unit executes at least one operation command when there is no application of the external force, in association with the operation command, where the determination unit determines, when the operation command is executed by the control unit, presence or absence of the external force based on the magnitude of force stored in the storage unit in association with the operation command and the magnitude of force detected by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro NAITOU
  • Publication number: 20180304465
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to mobile correctional facility robots and systems and methods for coordinating mobile correctional facility robots to perform various tasks in a correctional facility. The mobile correctional facility robots can be used to perform many of the tasks traditionally assigned to correctional facility guards to help reduce the number of guards needed in any given correctional facility. When cooperation is employed among multiple mobile correctional facility robots to execute tasks, a central controller can be used to coordinate the efforts of the multiple robots to improve the performance of the overall system of robots as compared to the performance of the robots when working in uncoordinated effort to execute the tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen HODGE
  • Publication number: 20180304466
    Abstract: A calibration system that calibrates robots installed in a process includes: a reference measuring element; a flange measuring element attached to a flange provided at an arm tip of each robot; a fixed measuring device configured to measure the flange measuring element of each robot and the reference measuring element; and a controller configured to control the robots, calculate a position and attitude relation between the flange measuring element of each robot and the reference measuring element based on a measured result measured by the fixed measuring device, and calculate an error between a design installation position and attitude of each robot and an actual installation position and attitude of the robot by using the measured position and attitude relation and position and attitude data of the flange measuring element in a robot coordinate system at the time when the robot has been measured by the fixed measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Tamadic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyasu Machino, Kazuki Yokouchi, Masato Inagaki, Shinya Hirano
  • Publication number: 20180304467
    Abstract: A control device that controls driving of a robot, the control device includes a processor that is configured to execute computer-executable instructions so as to control a robot, wherein the processor is configured to: display a posture setting guide for guiding information input for obtaining a posture offset of a tool provided on the robot, on a display; and control the driving of the robot based on the posture offset of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kenji MATSUURA, Meguru YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20180304468
    Abstract: Example implementations may relate methods and systems for detecting, recognizing, and localizing pallets. For instance, a computing system may receive sensor data representing aspects of an environment, and identify a set of edge points in the sensor data. The computing system may further determine a set of line segments from the set of edge points where each line segment may fit to a subset of the set of edge points. Additionally, the computing system may also filter the set of line segments to exclude line segments that have a length outside a height range and a width range associated with dimensions of a pallet template, and identify, from the filtered set of line segments, a subset of line segments that align with the pallet template. Based on the identified subset of line segments, the computing system may determine a pose of a pallet in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Dirk Holz
  • Publication number: 20180304469
    Abstract: There is provided a robot system that maintains productivity with high safety and with high operation efficiency. A robot system includes an arm operation control unit configured to control an operation of an arm and a moving subject detection unit configured to detect whether a moving subject is present in an operation direction region of the arm. When the moving subject detection unit has detected the moving subject, the arm operation control unit operates the arm at an operation speed that is different from an operation speed of the arm when no moving subject has been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki HIGUCHI, Yoshiharu TANI, Tetsuya AKAGI
  • Publication number: 20180304470
    Abstract: If an interaction target includes a child and an adult, if a remaining power amount is less than or equal to a first threshold, and if an interaction amount is greater than or equal to a second threshold, a robot requests the adult to move the robot to a charger. If the target includes the child and the adult, if the remaining power amount is less than or equal to the first threshold, and if the interaction amount is less than the second threshold, the robot requests the child to move the robot to the charger. If the target includes only the child, if the remaining power amount is greater than the first threshold, and if the interaction amount is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the robot stops interacting with the child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: KENTO OGAWA
  • Publication number: 20180304471
    Abstract: A robot device includes a receiver and a sender. The receiver receives a character in a virtual space. The sender sends authorization to operate the robot device to an apparatus in return for the received character.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kengo TOKUCHI