Patents Issued in February 7, 2019
  • Publication number: 20190039209
    Abstract: A device, system, and method is disclosed for cleaning the interior of the tubes in air-cooled heat exchangers. The tubes are cleaned using dry finely divided abrasive entrained in high pressure air blasted through the tube to remove any accumulation in the tube or on the tube walls resulting in a bright metal condition suitable for inspection by the Internal Rotary Inspection System, or application of a corrosion-resistant coating, or a lesser level of cleanliness appropriate for return to service. The device is electromagnetically attached to the outside of a ferromagnetic tube header, or to a ferromagnetic plate secured to the outside of a non-ferromagnetic plug-type header or a plate-type header of any material, to temporarily secure a grit-resistant nozzle assembly and position the nozzle for proper application of the high pressure air and entrained abrasive to facilitate cleaning, avoid tube damage, and provide for operator safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Edward Lawrence Curran, Jason Farrell Kolman
  • Publication number: 20190039210
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part comprises providing a component for cutting and directing a water jet at the component so as to cut the component. The water jet comprises water and abrasive particles having a nucleus made from a first substance and a second substance surrounding the nucleus, the first substance being denser than the second substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Daniel CLARK, Michael J. WALLIS, Robert J. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20190039211
    Abstract: A super-abrasive grinding wheel includes a core and a super-abrasive grain layer provided on a surface of the core, the super-abrasive grain layer including diamond abrasive grains and CBN abrasive grains, the diamond abrasive grains and the CBN abrasive grains being fixed to the core in a single layer by a binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: A.L.M.T. Corp.
    Inventor: Nobuhide Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20190039212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a ceramic moulded body, comprising the following steps: a) producing a green body containing ceramic material, binding agents and an organic pore forming agent; b) heating the green body to a temperature equal to or higher than the sublimation temperature of the pore forming agent; c) burning the green body to form a ceramic moulded body. According to the invention that the organic pore forming agent is selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids and mixtures of dicarboxylic acids, the sublimation temperature being at least 80 k lower than the decomposition temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Siegbert Christiani, Chriffe Omar Belda, Christian Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20190039213
    Abstract: A constant force expansion construct includes a plurality of expandable layers, each expandable layer including: (a) a longitudinal restricting beam; and (b) a plurality of interconnected flexible biasing struts connecting the longitudinal restricting beam of one expandable layer to another longitudinal restricting beam in a next adjacent expandable layer, the biasing struts being biased toward a compressed position and being movable between the compressed position and an expanded position in which a distance between successive longitudinal restricting beams is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Austin M. Merlo, Sean Friedrich Walter McCluskey
  • Publication number: 20190039214
    Abstract: A pair of pliers having two pliers legs that are arranged in a crossing manner, wherein a fixed joint is formed, having a joint pin. The joint pin has a first conical portion that widens towards the outer side, wherein, the pliers leg is assigned a second conical portion which bears on the first conical portion and transitions into a first mouth portion that leads into the outer side of the pliers leg. The joint pin has a second mouth portion which, starting from the outer side of the pliers leg and perpendicularly to a joint axis, overlaps the first mouth portion. The first and second mouth portion, bound a circular clearance between one another, the radial dimension of the clearance corresponding to 0.05 to 0.15 times the radial dimension, measured from the joint axis of the joint pin in the region of the second mouth portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: KNIPEX-Werk C. Gustav Putsch KG
    Inventor: Andreas HEINSOHN
  • Publication number: 20190039215
    Abstract: A zero distance tool for turning a fastener is disclosed. The tool may have a driver configured to receive a torsional input. The tool may also have an adapter rotatably coupled to the driver. The adapter may be configured to engage with a fastener. The tool may have a housing configured to enclose the driver and the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: TYM LABS L.L.C.
    Inventor: Abraham BARZELAY
  • Publication number: 20190039216
    Abstract: It is supposed that N is defined as an optional natural number equal to or more than 3. A key wrench has a key section 5-2 engageable with a socket 2 of an N-sided polygon, and a proximal section 5-1. The key section 5-2 has N side surfaces that contain a first side surface 50-1, a second side surface 50-2 and an Nth side surface 50-N. The first side surface 50-1 is a tapered surface, and the Nth side surface 50-N is a non-tapered surface. Thus, the key wrench is provided to restrain a transformation of the surface of the socket and a generation of an excessive cam out load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Akira IKADA, Toyohiko KONO, Koya NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20190039217
    Abstract: A slip type torque wrench has a driving head. The driving head includes a fixing seat and a guiding seat therein. The fixing seat is provided with a rolling member. The guiding seat is provided with a press member. The press member is biased by an elastic unit to abut against the rolling member. A peripheral side of the guiding seat is formed with a guiding slope. The driving head has a tightening hole. A tightening member is locked to the tightening hole. One end of the tightening member abuts against the guiding slope and pushes the guiding seat for tightening the fixing seat. Thereby, the rolling member and the press member stably operate to achieve the purpose of stabilizing the output torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Tien-Lung LIN
  • Publication number: 20190039218
    Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus includes a spring anvil assembly and an elastomer. The elastomer is capable of being energized under tension or under compression. A drive mechanism acts on the spring anvil assembly and/or anvil to store potential energy in the spring. The drive mechanism thereafter ceases acting on the spring anvil assembly and/or anvil and the potential energy accumulated in the elastomer is released, causing the spring anvil assembly and/or anvil move and to separate from the drive mechanism for a period of free flight of the spring anvil assembly, the anvil thereafter moving to strike a fastener to drive the fastener into a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher Pedicini
  • Publication number: 20190039219
    Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a magazine configured to receive fasteners, a pusher slidably coupled to the magazine, a nosepiece coupled to the magazine, and a workpiece contact element movable with respect to the nosepiece. The powered fastener driver further includes a lockout member pivotally coupled to the nosepiece, and a magnet exerting a magnetic force on the lockout member to bias the lockout member toward a first position. The pusher moves the lockout member to a second position where the lockout member blocks movement of the workpiece contact element when a predetermined number of fasteners remain in the magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph M. Suarez
  • Publication number: 20190039220
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a combustion-powered fastener-driving tool including multiple combustion chambers and an exhaust gas recirculation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Chinbay Q. Fan, Patrick Talano, James Haberstroh
  • Publication number: 20190039221
    Abstract: A magazine assembly and a stapler including the same are provided. The magazine assembly includes a base and a rail assembly. The base has a first end portion and a second end portion. A direction from the second end portion toward the first end portion is defined as a first direction. The rail assembly is disposed on the base and adapted for a staple unit to slidably abut thereagainst along the first direction. The rail assembly includes a first rail and a second rail which are separate. A first side wall of the first rail has at least one guiding portion extending in the first direction. Each guiding portion is adapted for a head of a T-shaped staple to slidably engage therewith along the first direction. The second rail is adapted for a U-shaped staple unit to abut thereagainst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jing- Li WANG, Py-Yi CHANG
  • Publication number: 20190039222
    Abstract: A magazine assembly and a stapler including the same are provided. The magazine assembly includes a base and a rail assembly. The base has a first end portion and a second end portion. A direction from the second end portion toward the first end portion is defined as a first direction. The rail assembly is disposed on the base and adapted for a staple unit to slidably abut thereagainst along the first direction. The rail assembly includes a first rail and a second rail which are separate. A first side wall of the first rail has at least one guide portion extending in the first direction. Each guide portion is adapted for a head of a T-shaped staple to slidably engage therewithalong the first direction. The second rail is adapted for a U-shaped staple to abut thereagainst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jing- Li WANG, Py-Yi CHANG
  • Publication number: 20190039223
    Abstract: A magazine assembly and a stapler including the same are provided. The magazine assembly includes a base and a rail assembly. The base has a first end portion and a second end portion. A direction from the second end portion toward the first end portion is defined as a first direction. The rail assembly is disposed on the base and adapted for a staple unit to movably abut thereagainst along the first direction. The rail assembly includes a first rail and a second rail which are separate. A first side wall of the first rail has at least one guiding portion extending in the first direction. Each guiding portion is adapted for a head of a T-shaped staple to slidably engage therewith along the first direction. The second rail is adapted for a U-shaped staple to abut thereagainst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jing- Li WANG, Py-Yi CHANG
  • Publication number: 20190039224
    Abstract: A power tool including an impact tool, a body and an actuator. The actuator is operable to move the body along an operational axis from an impact position, at which the body is operable to transfer impact energy to a head end of the impact tool, to a retracted position spaced apart from the impact position along the operational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Ian Frederick Webster
  • Publication number: 20190039225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a striking hand-held machine tool having a tool holder for holding a striking tool on a working shaft, an electric motor, and a striking mechanism. In the striking direction, the striking mechanism has an exciter piston, a pneumatic chamber, a striker, an intermediate chamber and a rivet snap following one another. A closed channel connects a first channel opening in the pneumatic chamber and a second channel opening in the intermediate chamber. A non-return valve, which shuts off during an air flow from the first channel opening to the second channel opening and opens during an air flow from the second channel opening to the first channel opening, is arranged in the channel. Arranged on the second channel opening is a shut-off valve, which is forced into a position closing the second channel opening when the rivet snap is in the working position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Markus HARTMANN, Rory BRITZ
  • Publication number: 20190039226
    Abstract: A tool socket contains: a body and an elastic operation assembly accommodated in the body. The body includes an accommodation groove and a fitting orifice. The elastic operation assembly includes a locking seat having multiple apertures. The accommodation groove has a hexagonal wall, six toothed spaces, any two inverted isosceles-trapezoid projections on each of six sides of a hexagonally wall thereof, and an isosceles trapezoid space for separating said any two inverted isosceles-trapezoid projections. The locking seat is formed in a toothed hexagon shape and has six toothed bulges corresponding to the six toothed spaces of the body individually, any two inverted isosceles-trapezoid recesses on each of six sides thereof, and an isosceles trapezoid projection configured to separate said any two inverted isosceles-trapezoid recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsien LIN
  • Publication number: 20190039227
    Abstract: A rectifier circuit for rectifying an AC voltage supplied from a commercial power supply into a DC voltage, a smoothing capacitor for smoothing the output of the rectifier circuit, and an electrically powered tool for supplying the smoothed pulsating DC voltage to a motor by an inverter circuit, wherein when the motor is driven while no load is being applied to a tip tool, the smoothed DC voltage repeatedly generates a maximal value and a minimum value so as to synchronize with the fluctuation in the AC voltage. During no-load rotation, control is performed so that driving is performed at a value that is less than a threshold value D1 for the duty ratio at which the generation of a gear sound starts in any of the speed dial setting values 1-6. It is thereby possible to suppress a gear sound generated by a power transmission mechanism during no-load rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuki TAKEDA, Kyouichi NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190039228
    Abstract: A power tool has a fan guide for straightening the flow of cooling air generated by a fan, wherein the branching passages through are provided for causing a portion of the cooling air drawn into the fan from a ventilation hole to diverge from a flow toward an exhaust port formed on a bearing guide side, and the portion of the cooling air flows toward an inlet and thereby circulates inside a housing. The branching passages through provided to the fan guide are formed so as to be inclined in the same direction as a circumferential direction so that air path resistance during actual operation (in an intermediate-speed region) does not increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira MATSUSHITA, Tomomasa NISHIKAWA, Noriyuki HORIE, Masahiro FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20190039229
    Abstract: A hand-held machine tool having a tool receiver to receive an insert tool having an external profile, the tool receiver featuring an internal receiver provided at least sectionally with an internal profile, and having a tool housing assigned a tool-change magazine having at least one tool chamber for storing the insert tool, the tool chamber being alignable with the tool receiver to allow the insert tool to be transferred from the tool chamber into the internal receiver or from the internal receiver into the tool chamber, a positioning device being provided for the circumferential alignment of the external profile when transferring the insert tool from the tool chamber into the internal receiver of the tool receiver to produce a form-locking connection between the internal profile and the external profile that at least for the most part, is free of rotational play, the positioning device has at least one magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel Boepple, Simon Erbele
  • Publication number: 20190039230
    Abstract: A hand tool comprising two tool halves arranged crossing one another in a joint region, like tongs or scissors, wherein a tool half forms a working region on one side of the joint region and a handle region on the other side, wherein each handle region is arranged in a first or second handle sleeve and the handle sleeve is provided with a functional part projecting in relation to a flat surface extending over a substantial portion of the surface of the handle sleeve. In order to advantageously further improve a hand tool of this type, the functional part is adhered or welded to the first and/or second handle sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: KNIPEX-Werk C. Gustav Putsch KG
    Inventor: Jan SCHLEIMINGER
  • Publication number: 20190039231
    Abstract: The unit is a thimble with screw or wrench head on top of it, see FIG. 1 for illustration. The Fingertip Ratchet consists of a finger-cap with a ratchet, at the end of which a desired screw head (cross or flat or nut driver or Allen key, etc.) can be placed. The finger ratchet screwdriver gives benefits of tighter space work access, easier control and handle. Ideal for delicate jobs like for watch makers, jewelers, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Vahagn Sargsyan
  • Publication number: 20190039232
    Abstract: Structure for an organised container, particularly for hydraulic connectors and similar, including a prismatic boxed body made up of side walls joined to a bottom and defining an internal space; the internal part of the walls includes supporting elements suitable to hold a plurality of connectors, subdivided by type, in an organised way, such that the organisation of the parts in the container, immediate determination of the type and number of the connectors present, as well as the ease of removal, facilitates supply in the warehouse and work on the construction site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Francesco Anile
  • Publication number: 20190039233
    Abstract: A toolbox includes a casing, at least one drawer, and at least one latch. The casing has a chamber, and a side wall of the casing has at least one side opening communicating with the chamber. The drawer is movably provided in the casing and located in the chamber, and has a recess located at a position corresponding to the side opening of the side wall. The latch is pivotally provided on the side wall of the casing, and has at least one blocking portion. The latch can be operated to pivotally move between a first position and a second position. When the latch is located at the first position, the blocking portion extends into the chamber through the side opening, and enters the recess of the drawer. When the latch is located at the second position, the blocking portion is away from the recess of the drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: WEI-LIANG LIU
  • Publication number: 20190039234
    Abstract: An arm supporting exoskeleton comprises a shoulder base coupled to an arm link mechanism. The arm link mechanism comprises a proximal link and a distal link configured to rotate relative to each other about a rotating joint; at least one arm-coupler adapted to couple a user's arm to the distal link; a tensile force generator coupled to the proximal link and the distal link, and providing a torque to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link; and a protrusion located substantially at the rotating joint. When the distal link extends past a toggle angle, the protrusion constrains the tensile force generator, and the torque provided by the tensile force generator remains substantially small. When the protrusion does not constrain the tensile force generator, the torque tends to flex the distal link relative to the proximal link, thereby reducing human shoulder forces and torques required to raise the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Logan Van Engelhoven, Homayoon Kazerooni
  • Publication number: 20190039235
    Abstract: To provide a rotary axis cable wiring structure and a robot having higher usability at the time of assembly and increased reliability as to whether or not cables are properly disposed. A rotary axis cable wiring structure includes a fixed member and a movable member which are rotatable relatively, a cylindrical hollow pipe member disposed between the fixed member and the movable member so as to be rotatable with respect to the movable member, a plurality of cable bundles passed from one of the fixed member and the movable member to the other through the hollow pipe member, first cable fixing means for fixing the cable bundles to the fixed member, and second cable fixing means for fixing the cable bundles to the movable member. Each of the cable bundles includes a plurality of cables, and a cable bundling member having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the hollow pipe member and bundling the plurality of cables in a state where mutual relative arrangement is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazutaka NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20190039236
    Abstract: A structure for joining two or more robots to work in concert on a task is provided that includes a frame and an interface for joining the frame to the two or more robots. A remote-control device for controlling at least one robot is further provided that includes a smart device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer, that is connected to a pedestal base via a pivot connection. A robotic system is further provided that includes a frame having a plurality of bracket arms extending from a hub, a distal end of each bracket arm having at least one of a plurality of interfaces. The robotic system also includes two or more robots each joined to the frame at at least one of the plurality of interfaces. The robotic system may further include a remote-control device, an attachment device connected to the frame, and/or an additional robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190039237
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus includes a workpiece orientation calculation unit, an arrival prediction unit, a robot orientation calculation unit, and a trajectory data generation unit. The arrival prediction unit obtains a picking prediction position at which a workpiece that is conveyed by a conveyance apparatus may be picked up by a picking apparatus or the like, based on conveyance speed information supplied by the conveyance apparatus or the like and the sensing information supplied by an image acquisition apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Akane NAKASHIMA, Takeshi KOJIMA, Kennosuke HAYASHI, Haruka FUJII
  • Publication number: 20190039238
    Abstract: A robot assembling system comprises a first assembling workstation, a second assembling workstation, and a robot. The first assembling workstation is configured to assemble a contact of a connector assembly and a light guide pipe of the connector assembly to form a contact subassembly. The second assembling workstation is configured to assemble the contact subassembly and a cage to form the connector assembly. The robot is configured to transmit the cage, the light guide pipe, the contact, or the contact subassembly between the first assembling workstation and the second assembling workstation and configured to assist an assembling operation at the first assembling workstation and the second assembling workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiyong Dai, Lvhai Hu, Yingcong Deng, Lei Zhou, Yun Liu, Fengchun Xie
  • Publication number: 20190039239
    Abstract: A method for establishing sensorimotor programs includes specifying a concept relationship that relates a first concept to a second concept and establishes the second concept as higher-order than the first concept; training a first sensorimotor program to accomplish the first concept using a set of primitive actions; and training a second sensorimotor program to accomplish the second concept using the first sensorimotor program and the set of primitive actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: David Scott Phoenix
  • Publication number: 20190039240
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, the invention provides an end effector for use with a programmable motion device. The end effector includes a pair of mutually opposing surfaces, at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces being movable with respect to an end effector support structure for supporting the at least one of the pair of mutually opposing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas WAGNER, Kevin AHEARN, John Richard AMEND, JR., Benjamin COHEN, Michael DAWSON-HAGGERTY, William Hartman FORT, Christopher GEYER, Jennifer Eileen KING, Thomas KOLETSCHKA, Michael Cap KOVAL, Kyle MARONEY, Matthew T. MASON, William Chu-Hyon MCMAHAN, Gene Temple PRICE, Joseph ROMANO, Daniel SMITH, Siddhartha SRINIVASA, Prasanna VELAGAPUDI, Thomas ALLEN
  • Publication number: 20190039241
    Abstract: A force transmission system as part of a surgical system which may be configured to be a minimally invasive and/or computer assisted surgical system. Operation of the system may be controlled by transmission of a force from a first section to a second section of the system. The first section and the second section may be separated by a partition or a barrier. The first section may be a non-sterile section and the second section may be a sterile section of the surgical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, Michael J. Slate, Prashant Bhat, Dirk A. van der Merwe, David D.B. Cannan, Keith D. Violette
  • Publication number: 20190039242
    Abstract: Provided is an interference determination method with which whether or not a robot interferes with a surrounding object on a motion path can be computed. At least one intermediate position is set on a motion path of movement from the first position to the second position, a plurality of robot approximated bodies that are each constituted by combining at least two robot approximated bodies at a plurality of postures corresponding to each position are generated, a second combined approximated body constituted by combining at least two first combined approximated bodies is generated with respect to at least one focused part, and the second combined approximated body interferes with a surrounding object approximated body is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Haruka FUJII, Akane NAKASHIMA, Takeshi KOJIMA, Kennosuke HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20190039243
    Abstract: A simulation device for a robot system includes: an input unit that allows input of the constitution of a virtual robot; a storage unit that stores the constitutions and elements of virtual-robot candidates and settings of virtual-robot-controller candidates in association with each other; a difference extracting unit that reads the constitution of one of the virtual-robot candidates that most closely approximates the input virtual robot and extracts the difference; a virtual-robot generating unit that reads the setting of the associated virtual-robot-controller candidate and the settings of the virtual-robot-controller candidates associated with the elements of the virtual-robot candidates included in the extracted difference and that adds or deletes the setting for each of the elements to generate new candidates and a new virtual robot and virtual robot controller; and a candidate updating unit that stores the constitutions of the new virtual-robot candidates and the settings of the generated virtual-robot-
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Toshiya TAKEDA
  • Publication number: 20190039244
    Abstract: An average value of differences between command current values acquired at a plurality of timings when the motor is controlled at a rotation speed within a preset fixed range in a preset period and an average value of the command current values in the period is acquired, and the average value of the differences is accumulated in an order of the acquisition. When a difference between an accumulated value of the average values of the differences up to an N?1th time and an accumulated value of the average values of the differences up to an Nth time becomes greater than or equal to a preset value, and then become less than the preset value, and then again becomes greater than or equal to the preset value, a notification of an abnormality sign in the robot arm is transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shun SATO
  • Publication number: 20190039245
    Abstract: An automated assembly apparatus includes an assembly robot, which has a plurality of hands of different heights and an XY-axis moving unit movable in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of operation base units which have operation bases and Z-axis moving unit capable of moving the operation bases in a vertical direction. The automated assembly apparatus further includes a control unit which raises in advance, before the assembly robot reaches above the operation bases, the operation bases by the Z-axis moving unit to positions where the operation bases do not interfere with the plurality of hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Yuki Hashimoto, Kensuke Uehara
  • Publication number: 20190039246
    Abstract: A calibration system includes a mark for a robot including a first member and second members to that are connected to each other so as to allow relative movement via a joint shaft driven by a motor and also including a rotation-angle sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to a rotation angle of the motor, the mark being fixed to one of the second members; a camera that is disposed outside the robot and that acquires images of the mark; and a difference detection unit that detects the difference between signals output from the rotation-angle sensor at the timings of acquisition of the individual images acquired by the camera when the positions of the mark in the images are caused to substantially match each other before and after reinstallation or replacement of a part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Kyouhei KOKUBO
  • Publication number: 20190039247
    Abstract: An article transfer device includes a robot configured to perform a workpiece picking operation; an image capturing device that captures an image of a workpiece on a conveyor; and a control unit, configured to execute, a workpiece identification process performing workpiece detection in the captured images; a workpiece information storage process storing workpiece information about a position and an angle of each detected workpiece in a storage device; and an identical workpiece determination process comparing the workpiece information of each of the detected workpieces in a newly captured image with the workpiece information of each of the detected workpieces in previously captured images, to determine whether the detected workpieces that are identical to the detected workpieces in the previously captured images exist in the newly captured image, to store in the storage device only the workpiece information of one of the images regarding the detected workpieces determined to be identical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Taiki KATAGIRI, Masafumi OOBA, Kentaro KOGA
  • Publication number: 20190039248
    Abstract: A method and a system for manufacturing a mold for creation of complex objects by controlling and moving two end effectors of a robotic system is provided. The two end effectors have a flexible cutting element attached to, and extending between, the two end effectors. The method includes the steps of: defining at least one surface representing the inner surface of the mold; dividing the surface into a number of segments represented by planar curves on the surface; for each planar curve, calculating at least one elastic curve representing the planar curve; for each calculated elastic curve, calculating a set of data corresponding to placement and direction of the two end effectors for configuring the flexible cutting element to a shape corresponding to the calculated elastic curve; and sequentially positioning the end effectors according to each set of data. The flexible cutting element thereby cuts the mold from a block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jens GRAVESEN, David BRANDER, Jakob Andreas BÆRENTZEN, Steen MARKVORSEN, Toke Bjerge NØRBJERG, Kasper Hornbak STEENSTRUP
  • Publication number: 20190039249
    Abstract: A multi-axis robot having a kinematic chain with a tool member and at least one additional member, the tool member supporting a first tool. The associated robot control mechanism comprises a kinematic control mechanism designed to receive the movement path of the first tool using a parameterizable tool center point and to control members of the kinetic chain in such a way that the tool center point follows the movement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Stephan Schwab, Mirjam Salomon
  • Publication number: 20190039250
    Abstract: A robot system and a robot controller, by which a teaching operation, etc., of a robot can be intuitively carried out by a simple operation. The robot has a sensor arranged on a surface of a movable part or the robot, and the sensor is configured to detect a three-dimensional position of an article, when the article contacts or is close to the sensor. When the article reaches a reference position, a mode change section switches a motion mode of the robot to a following mode. In the following mode, based on the direction of movement of the article from the reference position, the direction of motion of the robot is determined. Then, a motion control section controls the motion of each axis of the robot so that a portion where the article contacts moves in a direction generally the same as the direction of movement of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Hidesato TAKAOKI
  • Publication number: 20190039251
    Abstract: A two-part, selectively dockable robotic system having counterbalanced stabilization during performance of an operation on an underwater target structure is provided. The robotic system includes a first underwater robotic vehicle that is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure. A second underwater robotic vehicle is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the underwater target structure and selectively dock with the first underwater robotic vehicle. The first and second robotic vehicles include complimentary docking mechanisms that permit the vehicles to selectively couple to each other with the underwater target structure disposed at least partially therebetween. One robot includes a tool that can act upon the target structure and the other robot includes a stabilization module that can act upon the target structure in an opposite manner in order to counterbalance the force of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ali Outa, Fadl Abdellatif, Sahejad Patel
  • Publication number: 20190039252
    Abstract: An end effector is provided that includes a vacuum source and a plurality of gripping surfaces with each gripping surface including a plurality of vacuum zones having a non-smooth portion for distributing a vacuum, and a plurality of openings defined over the non-smooth portion for distributing the vacuum on the gripping surface using the vacuum source. The plurality of gripping surfaces is generally arranged in a polygonal shape. The plurality of vacuum zones are generally configured to grip cut-outs having a plurality of shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Anja Lena Nieratschker, Sultan Shair, Martin Petersen, Stefaan Guido Van Nieuwenhove
  • Publication number: 20190039253
    Abstract: A robot arm and a transfer robot are disclosed. In one embodiment, a robot arm includes an arm body and a plurality of adjustment units. The arm body has a first carrying surface and defines a length direction along which a length of the arm body is in and a width direction along which a width of the arm body is in. The adjustment units is disposed on at least one side of the arm body in the width direction. Each adjustment unit includes: a connection member fixed to the arm body, and an adjustment member movably connected to the connection member and having a second carrying surface that is parallel to the first carrying surface. The adjustment member is movable relative to the connection member in the width direction so that the second carrying surface is adjustable in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Kaiqiang Li, Yang Yu, Jinwei Zhu, Yi Ouyang, Wujie Nan, Wensong Wang, Penggen Ding
  • Publication number: 20190039254
    Abstract: A robot with an impact buffering member on the surface of a robot arm for alleviating the impact when the arm contacts an object; and a contact detection unit for detecting a contact between the robot arm and object. The unit has a soft porous member on the front surface side of the impact buffering member and softer than the member; a housing member including the soft porous member and formed of a flexible material; a fluid discharge pipe for discharging a fluid inside the housing member when the object makes contact so the volume of the housing member decreases; and a volume change detection portion for detecting a change in volume of the housing member by utilizing the discharged fluid. It is possible to secure sufficient safety in a cooperative work between a person and a robot or the like, even when the person contacts the robot arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masayuki KAMON, Soichi TAMADA
  • Publication number: 20190039255
    Abstract: A safety cutting device includes a slidable insert that moves longitudinally within a cavity of a housing. The slidable insert has a cutting blade attached and moves within the housing from a safe position in which the blade is covered to an exposed position for cutting. The safety device has a release button with a first lock configured to lock the insert in the exposed position upon moving before actuation of the release button, and a second lock that maintains the insert in the exposed position after actuation of the release button but before the button is release. A biasing member automatically retracts the blade when the release button is actuated and released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Branden D. Rosenhan, Benjamin Grover, Timothy R. Nieman, Andrew S. Hansen, Micah Frerck, Alex Drew
  • Publication number: 20190039256
    Abstract: A machine and a method to carry out workings on a sheet of a sufficiently rigid material is suitable to make containers. The machine includes a transverse working head guided by a first transverse guide member, one or more longitudinal working heads, each selectively positionable in a desired transverse position, guided by at least a second transverse guide member parallel to the first transverse guide member; and positioning mechanism configured to cooperate with each longitudinal working head in order to selectively position it in the desired transverse position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: PANOTEC S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe CAPOIA
  • Publication number: 20190039257
    Abstract: A rotary die-cutter for cutting a piece of material or scrap out of a printing material such as paper, includes a die-cutting cylinder and an associated impression cylinder. The die-cutting cylinder is connected to a vacuum source. A die-cutting tool which is disposed on the die-cutting cylinder includes at least one die-cutting knife having a closed form and a suction opening within the closed form. A cylinder cover is disposed on the impression cylinder. At least one raised or recessed first guide element is disposed within the closed form for guiding suction air and/or at least one recessed or raised second guide element is disposed in the cylinder cover for guiding air. The scrap to be removed from the printing material can therefore be transported with the die-cutting cylinder and ejected from the die-cutting tool or knife in a trouble-free way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: ROLF KUENDGEN, ROLF GRITTMANN, PHILIPP DOLEY, BENJAMIN KRETH, REINHOLD HILLER
  • Publication number: 20190039258
    Abstract: A saw machine system includes a modular saw machine and a plurality of saw machine implements, wherein the modular saw machine is selectively coupled to the saw machine implements to transform one type of saw machine to another saw machine. By selectively coupling the modular saw machine to the saw machine implement, the saw machine system becomes one of a portable hand-held saw machine, a fixed cutting-head saw machine, and a cutting-head guide-by-rail saw machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Sawmaster Diamond Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Chao-Ying LEE