Patents Issued in April 28, 2020
  • Patent number: 10632582
    Abstract: A machine tool has a clamping device for clamping in workpieces to be machined, a work spindle which is movable relative to the clamping device, a tool magazine wherein tools for machining the workpieces are held available, the tools being selectively clamped into the work spindle, and a spindle gripper to be selectively clamped into the work spindle and being self-holding in its gripping position, said spindle gripper being held available in the tool magazine and being movable between a transfer position to the work spindle and an unloading station in which the spindle gripper releases a work piece remnant received from the clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: STAMA Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Günther, Thomas Boehm, Frank Mueller
  • Patent number: 10632583
    Abstract: A resonant frequency dampened through-coolant machine tool for selective mounting to machining systems for precision vibration free machining and has an elongate tool body. An internal dampening chamber is defined within the machine tool body and contains a resonant frequency dampening mass that is moveable within the dampening chamber. Axial and diametrical tunable dampening devices support the dampening mass in spaced relation with internal walls of the dampening chamber. A tuning piston is moveable within the machine tool body and has a tuning flange that is disposed in contact with one of the axial tunable dampening devices. The tuning piston has a pair of oppositely angulated surfaces that are selectively engaged by angulated drive heads of adjustment screws that are supported by threaded openings of the tool body and are rotated to selectively drive the tuning piston forwardly or rearwardly for precise tuning activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Enrico R. Giannetti
  • Patent number: 10632584
    Abstract: A machining process includes providing a cutting tool having a rake face and a flank face; bringing the cutting tool into contact with a metal alloy work piece to form a chip by penetrating the cutting tool into the workpiece; and introducing a nanofluid into a vicinity of the penetration to remove heat and, in some instances, customize the finished surface. The nanofluid includes a mixture of a cryo-liquid and nanoparticles having a maximum size of approximately 0.1 nanometers to approximately 100 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susanne M. Opalka, Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Krzysztof Barnat, Ray-Sing Lin
  • Patent number: 10632585
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for hybrid tools including fixed-abrasive and loose-abrasive phases. In one example, a hybrid tool for finishing an internal surface of a workpiece includes a metallic rod and magnetic abrasive bonded to one or more defined portions of the metallic rod by an adhesive that dissolves when n contact with a lubricant used to finish the internal surface of the workpiece. In another example, a method for finishing an internal surface of a workpiece includes mounting the workpiece in a chuck of a lathe; positioning a hybrid tool inside an internal cavity of the workpiece using one or more pole-tips; providing an amount of the lubricant to the internal cavity; and rotating the workpiece with the lathe while controlling positioning of the hybrid tool inside the internal cavity using the one or more pole-types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Hitomi Greenslet
  • Patent number: 10632586
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a floor sander comprises a motor having at least two selectable speeds, and a sanding adaptor driven to rotate about a rotational axis by the motor. The sanding adaptor includes a planetary disk that rotates about the rotational axis of the sanding adaptor. In addition, the sanding adaptor includes a plurality of sanding head units, each of which is coupled to the planetary disk for independent rotational movement. Each sanding head unit therefore rotates about its own rotational axis independently of any other sanding head unit or the planetary disk. An isolator is also provided, and is positioned generally between the planetary disk and the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Amano Pioneer Eclipse Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Wright, Derrick L. Hamm
  • Patent number: 10632587
    Abstract: To provide a polishing apparatus capable of polishing bevel portions of varying shape by selecting a suitable polishing recipe, based on a state before polishing. The polishing apparatus 100 comprises: a holding/polishing unit 102 for holding and polishing a workpiece W1; and an identifying unit 104 for identifying data 104a associated with a state of the peripheral portion of the substrate W1 before polishing. The holding/polishing unit 102 comprises: a holder 106 for holding and rotating the substrate W1; and a polisher 108 for polishing the peripheral portion of the substrate W1 by pressing a polishing member against the peripheral portion. A polishing-condition determiner 110 determines a polishing condition, based on data 104a indicating to which type, of a plurality of shape-related types, the shape of a given peripheral portion belongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Nakanishi, Toshifumi Watanabe, Kenji Kodera
  • Patent number: 10632588
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus which can keep a width of a polishing tool constant when a peripheral portion of a substrate is polished by the polishing tool is disclosed. The polishing apparatus includes a substrate holder 3 configured to hold a substrate W and to rotate the substrate W, and a pressing pad 50 configured to press a polishing tool 23 against a peripheral portion of the substrate W held by the substrate holder 3. The pressing pad 50 includes an elastic member 55 having a pressing surface 55a configured to press the polishing tool 23 against the peripheral portion of the substrate W and a support member 56 configured to support the elastic member 55. The support member 56 has a recess 57 formed in a front surface 56a of the support member 56, the elastic member 55 being capable of entering the recess 57.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Nakanishi, Kenji Kodera, Yasuyuki Miyasawa
  • Patent number: 10632589
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing. A motor is housed in the housing. A platen is driven by the motor. The housing includes a first housing part, a second housing part and a third housing part. The housing defines a battery receptacle portion configured to receive a removable battery pack which powers the motor. Each of the first housing part, the second housing part and the third housing part form part of the battery receptacle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Drake L. Fisher, Brent A. Kuehne, Christian V. Elder
  • Patent number: 10632590
    Abstract: The work processing apparatus of the present invention comprises: a processing section for processing or treating a work; and a liquid chemical supplying section for supplying a liquid chemical to the processing section. The liquid chemical supplying section includes: a plurality of liquid chemical bags for storing the liquid chemical; a bag holding part in which the liquid chemical bags are attached and held; and a liquid feeding part, to which the liquid chemical bags are detachably connected, for feeding the liquid chemical from the liquid chemical bags to the processing section. Each of the liquid chemical bags is produced by overlapping flexible resin sheets with each other and welding their edge parts to form into a bag. Each of the liquid chemical bags has a port part communicating with an outside. A joint with a valve is attached to each of the port parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: FUJIKOSHI MACHINERY CORP., NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Masayuki Tsukada, Kazutaka Shibuya, Takayuki Fuse, Yoshio Nakamura, Shiro Hara
  • Patent number: 10632591
    Abstract: A polishing pad for polishing a surface, material for a polishing pad and a method for manufacturing material for a polishing pad. A polishing pad has a backing layer and a polishing layer made of sheep wool fibres fixed onto a surface of the backing layer, wherein the polishing layer has loops made of sheep wool fibres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KWH MIRKA LTD
    Inventors: Hans Hede, Göran Höglund
  • Patent number: 10632592
    Abstract: A pipe clamp has a base with a fixed jaw and a beam extending from the base. A movable jaw member is slidably mounted on the beam. The movable jaw member includes a movable jaw disposed opposite the fixed jaw. A pivotable handle is mounted to the movable jaw member and a clamping mechanism is connected to the pivotable handle and operated by the pivotable handle to move the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw. A latch secures the pivotable handle in any of a plurality of positions. A tripod stand may be provided for supporting the pipe clamp, the tripod having a multi-compartment storage spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: JPW Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Weber, Thomas Balko, Benjamin Carlson, Joseph Galluzzi, Adam Brown
  • Patent number: 10632593
    Abstract: The device (1) for the locking of pieces on machine tools comprises: —a base body (2, 3, 4) fixable to a machine tool (M); —a gripping assembly (5, 6, 7) for gripping a piece (P) to be machined having a cavity (C) with a cavity axis (A1), the gripping assembly (5, 6, 7) comprising: —a main head (5) having a main axis (A3) and associated with the base body (2, 3, 4) with a lateral play adapted to allow the shift of the main head (5) along a plane of alignment (B) substantially orthogonal to the main axis (A3); —at least two self-centering locking elements (6) associated with the main head (5) in a movable way; and —movement means (7) of the self-centering locking elements (6); —removable locking means (18) adapted to temporarily lock the main head (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hydroblock S.R.L.
    Inventor: Davide Zanni
  • Patent number: 10632594
    Abstract: A clamp fastening device is configured to attach a work line to a work machine. The clamp fastening device includes a clamp structure with a line aperture configured to receive the line. The clamp structure is configured to releasably clamp to and retain a segment of the line within the line aperture. The clamp fastening device also includes a mount structure configured to be supported on an area of the work machine. The mount structure is moveably attached to the clamp structure to support movement of the clamp structure relative to the mount structure along at least one direction. The mount structure is configured to support movement of the clamp structure and the segment of the line relative to the area of the work machine along the at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel T. Short
  • Patent number: 10632595
    Abstract: A bearing flatform, a bearing device and a laser cutting apparatus. The bearing flatform comprises a bearing plate and a porous film arranged on a hearing surface of the bearing plate. A plurality of first through holes penetrating through the bearing plate are formed in the bearing plate and configured to be connected with a pumping hole of an air pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qingyang Xu, Sheng Tao
  • Patent number: 10632596
    Abstract: An apparatus for binding to a select surface and a method of use thereof is provided. The apparatus comprises a body, a flexible member, and a recess. The body has a proximal surface configured with a fluid port. The flexible member has a cavity therein and is operatively coupled to the body to form a seal with the body. The flexible member is configured to expand responsive to an expansive pressure within the cavity. The recess is formed by the proximal surface and the flexible member. The fluid port is configured to facilitate generation of a binding pressure within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: James Alan Buckus
  • Patent number: 10632597
    Abstract: A foldable handle includes a connection section and a grip section. A recess is defined in the connection section and a function part is located in the recess. A restriction unit extends through the connection section to pivotably connect the function part to the connection section. The restriction unit is operated to restrict the function part to be co-axial with the handle, or to restrict the function part to be an angle relative to the handle. The function part includes a neck received in the recess so as to make the foldable handle be compact for convenience of storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Yi-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 10632598
    Abstract: A joint-removing tool includes a control unit, a clamp unit and a connector unit. The control unit includes two pivotally connected levers each including a handle and a pivoting section. The handle and the pivoting section of the first lever are located between that of the second lever. The clamp unit includes a shell and two jaws. Each of the jaws includes a first section movably inserted in the shell, a second section in contact with the shell, and a third section located out of the shell. The connector unit includes a wire extending throughout a sheath. The wire includes an end connected to the pivoting section of the first lever and another end connected to the first sections of the jaws. The sheath includes an end connected to the pivoting section of the second lever and another end connected to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Pi-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 10632599
    Abstract: A staple advance device includes a receptacle having a guide pathway formed by a low level surface, a high level surface, a tilted surface located between the low and the high level surfaces, and an inclined surface formed and located beside the low level surface and communicating with the low level surface, a barrel is slidably engaged in the receptacle, a guide plate is attached to the barrel for supporting the fasteners, an actuating lever is pivotally attached to the barrel with a pivot axle and includes a guide pin slidably engaged in the guide pathway of the receptacle, and a guide rod for feeding the fastener into the barrel selectively, a guide device includes a gate for engaging with the tilted surface and for forming an endless guide pathway for the receptacle selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: Romp Coil Nail Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Shun Ping Yao
  • Patent number: 10632600
    Abstract: A gas spring-powered fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and moveable therewith from a retracted position to a driven position to drive a fastener into a workpiece. A fill valve is coupled to the cylinder and operable to selectively fill the cylinder with gas to a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Pomeroy, Zachary Scott, John Schnell, Essam Namouz
  • Patent number: 10632601
    Abstract: A fastener driver comprises a driver blade movable from a retracted position to a driven position and a lifter assembly for moving the driver blade from the driven position toward the retracted position. The fastener driver also includes a first sensor to detect the driver blade in the driven position, a latch which, in a locked position, maintains the lifter assembly in an engaged position, an actuator coupled to the latch for moving the latch between the locked position and a released position, in which the lifter assembly may move away from the driver blade, and a controller electrically connected with the first sensor and the actuator. In response to an absence of a signal from the first sensor after a predetermined time following initiation of a fastener driving operation, the controller triggers the actuator to move the latch from the locked position to the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Edward Pomeroy, Zachary Scott, John Schnell, Essam Namouz
  • Patent number: 10632602
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a fastener-driving tool that includes a battery-charged supercapacitor as a power source. The fastener-driving tool includes first and second spaced-apart, conductive rails and a partially conductive piston slidably mounted on the rails. The rails and the piston are electrically connected to one another. The supercapacitor is electrically connected to the first rail. When the supercapacitor discharges electrical current, the electrical current flows from the supercapacitor, into the first rail, through the piston into the second rail, and from the second rail. The electrical current induces magnetic fields in the rails and the piston, and the combination of the electrical current and the magnetic fields induce a Lorentz force that acts on the piston to move the piston toward a nosepiece to drive a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chinbay Q. Fan, Patrick Talano
  • Patent number: 10632603
    Abstract: An anvil piece of a stapler is provided, including a main body, a crimp groove unit recessed on the main body and including at least one crimp groove, and an export unit. Each said crimp groove is for receiving a leg of a staple and has a blocking face which extends along a guiding path, and each said blocking face is for blocking the leg and making the leg bend along the guiding path; the export unit is recessed on the main body and communicates with the crimp groove unit on an extraction direction, the extraction direction is transverse to the guiding path and away from the crimp groove unit, the export unit includes at least exporting groove, each said exporting groove has an exporting face, and each said exporting face is for the leg which is bent to abuttingly slide therealong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: APEX MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Hu
  • Patent number: 10632604
    Abstract: A fastener magazine of a fastening device may include a track defining an elongated channel with a dispensing end at which fasteners are dispensed from the magazine. A runner positioned in the track may include a release member that projects outward from an outer surface of the runner. A pusher may be positioned in the track and coupled to the runner such that the pusher exerts a force in a direction toward the dispensing end of the track on the fasteners when the runner is in a closed position. A retention member that is attached to a side wall of the track can engage the pusher through an aperture in the track to prevent the pusher from contacting the fasteners until the runner has reached a desired position in the track. The release member can contact the retention member to disengage the retention member from the pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Perron, Jonathan W. Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 10632605
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a work tool having an electric motor, a power transmission means that receives motive power from the electric motor and transmits the motive power to a tip tool, a gear housing for accommodating at least a portion of the power transmission means, weights swingably supported on the gear housing, and coil springs that function as an urging means for urging the weights such that the weights are located at an initial neutral position, wherein the weights and the coil springs are provided respectively on the two sides of the gear housing so as to put the power transmission means therebetween, and a rotational support axle is provided that functions as a connecting means for connecting the weights provided on both sides of the gear housing so as to connect the weights such that the weights swing integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KOKI HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daijiro Tanabe, Goya Fujimoto, Ryusuke Kobayashi, Kuniaki Kanbe, Shinichirou Satou
  • Patent number: 10632606
    Abstract: A socket holder is provided, including: a seat, a sleeve member and a restricting mechanism. The sleeve member is movably assembled with the seat. The restricting mechanism includes at least one first restricting portion and at least one second restricting portion which is movable relative to and engaged with the at least one first restricting portion. When the seat and the sleeve member move relative to each other in an axial direction, the second restricting portion unidirectionally moves along a cycling path relative to the first restricting portion, and the at least one second restricting portion is restricted in a releasing position or a locking position. A socket rack including at least one of the socket holder described above is further provided and further includes: a sliding rail on which the at least one socket holder is slidably disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DEXING PRECISION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chen-Hui Wang
  • Patent number: 10632607
    Abstract: A tool carrying assembly includes at least one main assembly frame; a base, constructed and arranged to support said main frame; and at least one structure configured for storing a tool on said assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Jorge Aguilar
  • Patent number: 10632608
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to assist in hanging a picture frame on a wall. The apparatus comprises a marking member which is configured to pass through an aperture of a spring-loaded outer head of an enclosure when the outer head is pressed into the enclosure. The housing has an attachment member which is removably attachable thereto having an adhesive pad for attachment onto the area where the hook of the picture frame is disposed. After the attachment member is attached to the picture frame, the enclosure is attached to the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Lee R. Peeples, III
  • Patent number: 10632609
    Abstract: A linkage mechanism includes a chest assembly of a robot; a servo arranged within the chest assembly and comprising an output shaft; a first linkage member including a first end and a second opposite end, the first end being connected to the output shaft; a forearm assembly rotatably connected to the second end of the first linkage member; and a second linkage member. Opposite ends of the second linkage member are rotatably connected to the chest assembly and the forearm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Xiaopeng Wu, Lefeng Liu
  • Patent number: 10632610
    Abstract: A storage, retrieval and processing system for processing objects is disclosed. The storage, retrieval and processing system includes a plurality of storage bins, a plurality of destination bins, and a processing programmable motion device. The plurality of storage bins provides storage of a plurality of objects, where the plurality of storage bins are in communication with a gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving selected bins to a bin processing location. The plurality of destination bins are in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system for moving a selected destination bin to the processing location. The processing programmable motion device is at the processing location and is in communication with the gantry retrieval conveyance system. The processing programmable motion device includes an end effector for grasping and moving a selected object out of a selected storage bin and depositing the selected object in the selected destination bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    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
  • Patent number: 10632611
    Abstract: The machine tool includes a tool post linearly movable along a direction parallel to an X axis and a direction parallel to a Z axis, a workpiece spindle which retains a workpiece in a condition rotatable about an axis parallel to the Z axis, and an in-machine robot which is installed in a machining chamber and has joints. The joints of the in-machine robot include a base joint rotatable about an axis parallel to the Z axis, and three parallel joints rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the base joint, the parallel joints being located on a distal end side of the base joint and successively arranged from the base joint. The axis of rotation of the base joint is displaced from that of the workpiece spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: OKUMA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shoichi Morimura
  • Patent number: 10632612
    Abstract: An assembly for a robot includes a servo comprising an output gear, a servo housing connected to the servo, a rotary support connected to the servo and the servo housing, the rotary support being configured to rotate as driven by the servo; and a stopper assembly arranged at the servo housing and the rotary support. The stopper assembly is used to limit the rotary support to be rotatable in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Wenquan Shu, Feng Hu
  • Patent number: 10632613
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate generally to robotic arm assemblies. The robotic arm assembly may include an arm segment and an end-effector assembly. The arm segment may include an elongated body, a first motor, and a second motor. The end-effector assembly may be securable to the arm segment. The end-effector assembly may include an instrument assembly, a first gear assembly, and a second gear assembly. The instrument assembly may include an instrument and an instrument gear. The first gear assembly may include a first primary gear and a protrusion portion. The protrusion portion may be configurable to drive the instrument assembly. The second gear assembly may include a second primary gear configurable to drive the instrument gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bio-Medical Engineering (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Chung Kwong Yeung, Jianwei Zhang, Tsun Ping Jimmy To, Wai Lik Alik Chan
  • Patent number: 10632614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motion-controlling method of a robot and the robot thereof. A main control circuit continuously transmits a controlling instruction to a cache circuit. The controlling instruction may include the controlling information of a specific servo. A driving circuit is configured to obtain and analyze the controlling instruction from the cache circuit, so as to obtain the controlling information of the specific servo. The driving circuit transmits the controlling information to the specific servo to control the specific servo. As such, coherence of the robot may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Gaobo Huang, Jinbiao Zhang, Guoke Luo
  • Patent number: 10632615
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a servo driving method, device, and robot thereof. The method includes: obtaining a current voltage of a power supply of the motor, if a control instruction for driving the servo is detected; obtaining a duty ratio of a PWM signal generated according to the control instruction and the current voltage, if the current voltage is not equal to a preset voltage; calculating a target duty ratio based on a ratio between the preset voltage and the current voltage and the duty ratio; and outputting a target PWM signal according to the target duty ratio. Which controls the motor to drive the servo through the obtained target PWM signal, and realizes that the rotation speed of the motor will not become unstable due to the change of the output voltage of the power supply during the operation of the motor, thereby avoiding the instability of the servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Dong Liu, Zhenmin Mo, Zhongliang Wang
  • Patent number: 10632616
    Abstract: Example implementations may relate a robot part including a processor, at least one sensor, and an interface providing wireless connectivity. The processor may determine that the robot part is removablly connected to a particular robotic system and may responsively obtain identification information to identify the particular robotic system. While the robot part is removablly connected to the particular robotic system, the processor may (i) transmit, to an external computing system, sensor data that the processor received from the at least one sensor and (ii) receive, from the external computing system, environment information (e.g., representing characteristics of an environment in which the particular robotic system is operating) based on interpretation of the sensor data. And based on the identification information and the environment information, the processor may generate a command that causes the particular robotic system to carry out a task in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Dymanics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Aaron Saunders, Michael Patrick Murphy
  • Patent number: 10632617
    Abstract: An attachment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a hand portion and a control unit. The hand portion includes a restriction portion that restricts a movement of a flat cable in a width direction and a holding portion that holds at least one of both surfaces of the flat cable. The control unit causes the flat cable to be held by a first holding force while restricting the movement in the width direction at a first position on the flat cable, causes the hand portion to move to a second position on the flat cable while maintaining the first holding force, and causes the flat cable to be held at the second position by a second holding force to attach the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeyama, Takayuki Furubo, Hirokuni Beppu
  • Patent number: 10632618
    Abstract: A system includes a neural network system implemented by one or more computers. The neural network system is configured to receive an observation characterizing a current state of a real-world environment being interacted with by a robotic agent to perform a robotic task and to process the observation to generate a policy output that defines an action to be performed by the robotic agent in response to the observation. The neural network system includes: (i) a sequence of deep neural networks (DNNs), in which the sequence of DNNs includes a simulation-trained DNN that has been trained on interactions of a simulated version of the robotic agent with a simulated version of the real-world environment to perform a simulated version of the robotic task, and (ii) a first robot-trained DNN that is configured to receive the observation and to process the observation to generate the policy output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DeepMind Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Razvan Pascanu, Raia Thais Hadsell, Mel Vecerik, Thomas Rothoerl, Andrei-Alexandru Rusu, Nicolas Manfred Otto Heess
  • Patent number: 10632620
    Abstract: A motion control method for a robot is disclosed. The robot includes a determining module, a merging module, and a controlling module. The determining module determines whether at least two motion tasks executed in an adjacent sequence satisfy a merging condition. The merging module merges the at least two motion tasks to a new motion task, when the merging condition is satisfied. The controlling module controls the robot to perform the new motion task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Jiawen Hu, Gaobo Huang
  • Patent number: 10632621
    Abstract: A robotic grommet installer includes a robotic arm and an installation unit. The installation unit includes a rotary grommet holder rotatively coupled to the robotic arm and an installer coupled to the robotic arm. The rotary grommet holder includes a plurality of grommet chambers spaced circumferentially about a rotational axis of the rotary grommet holder. Each grommet chamber of the plurality of grommet chambers is configured to hold a plurality of grommets. The installer is configured to retrieve a grommet from the rotary grommet holder, wherein the rotary grommet holder is configured to rotate to align the installer with an available grommet positioned within one of the plurality of grommet chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Erik C. Sobel, Calder Phillips-Grafflin, Aimee Goncalves, Guy Danner, Ira Spool, Jonathan Kalow, Nicholas Brennan, Seth Newburg, Joseph Fenton
  • Patent number: 10632622
    Abstract: An error compensation device includes at least one photographing module, a comparison module and a compensation module compensation module. The photographing module establish a space coordinate system relative to the object and comprises a first photographer and a second photographer which respectively photograph a first non-deformed laser speckle image on a first surface and a second non-deformed laser speckle image on a second surface, the first surface differs from the second surface by an azimuth. The comparison module respectively compares the first non-deformed laser speckle image before and after the displacement with the second non-deformed laser speckle image to calculate a displacement value between the two surfaces. The compensation module controls the movement of the object according to the displacement value. The error compensation utilizes the displacement of the non-deformed laser speckle image to obtain the absolute error of the object and compensate the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yi-Yuh Hwang, Wei-Guo Chang, Li-Chung Liu
  • Patent number: 10632623
    Abstract: A robot apparatus and a method for expressing emotions thereof, the method including determining motor movement information to drive a motor according to the emotional state to be expressed by the electronic device, determining the display position of the image object on the display according to the movement information of the motor, controlling an operation to drive the at least one motor according to the movement information of the motor, and changing the position of the image object displayed on the display in response to the movement of the electronic device driven by the at least one motor based on the determined display position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jaekyu Shim
  • Patent number: 10632624
    Abstract: An example robotic tool holder includes an actuator that is disposed within a housing and configured to hold a tool. The housing and the actuator are in contact via dowels to limit movement of the actuator toward a distal end of the housing. Ones of the dowels that are in contact are in line contact and the ones of the dowels that are in contact are in a triangular geometry. The pressure plate is in line contact with the actuator within the housing around a circumference of the pressure plate. The springs are in contact with the pressure plate to bias the actuator toward a proximal end of the housing via the pressure plate. The springs are in contact with the mounting plate opposite the pressure plate. The sensor switch detects a shock force on the actuator and outputs a signal in response to the shock force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Nauman Basit
  • Patent number: 10632625
    Abstract: Robotic grippers have been employed to grasp and manipulate target objects. One task posing relatively unique problems is the handling of meat products, which can be difficult to grasp with a conventional gripper due to the surface texture and malleability of the meat, among other factors. This is particularly problematic when the meat product includes a bone, which has different properties from the relatively malleable meat surrounding it. Exemplary embodiments described herein provide robotic grippers having one or more fingers and a layered plate. The layered structure defines grooves sized and configured to lead in and capture the bone structure of the meat product. The grooves provide a backstop for the meat as well as preventing rotation or translation of the bone structure, thus allowing a firm grasp to be secured on the meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Soft Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Curhan, Craig Demello, Thomas Womersley
  • Patent number: 10632626
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a biologically-inspired robotic device comprising: a first member; a second member pivotably connected to the first member; one or more actuators; and a coupler/decoupler mechanism (CDC) selectively coupling or decoupling of the one or more actuators to the second member, such that, when the one or more actuators are coupled to the second member, the one or more actuators act to pivot the second member relative to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Marko B. Popovic, Matthew Paul Bowers, Thane Robert Hunt, Lynn Robert Koesterman, Michael Pickett, Richard Matthew Rafferty, Saivimal Sridar, Seiichiro Ueda, Varun Visnudas Verlencar, Amaid Zia, Ananth Jonnavittula
  • Patent number: 10632627
    Abstract: A servo assembly includes a first speed reducer, a first motor, a first connecting member, a first control circuit board, a second speed reducer, a second motor, a second connecting member and a second control circuit board. The first control circuit board is electrically coupled to the first motor, and the second control circuit board is electrically coupled to the second motor. The output component of the first speed reducer and the first connecting member are coaxial and arranged along a first direction, and the output component of the second speed reducer and the second connecting member are coaxial and arranged along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The output shaft of the first motor is connected to the input component of the first speed reducer, and the output shaft of the second motor is connected to the input component of the second speed reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP
    Inventors: Youjun Xiong, Youpeng Li, Jing Shi, Hongyu Ding
  • Patent number: 10632628
    Abstract: A robot includes one or more joints. At least the one joint includes: a first joint member and a second joint member disposed so as to be relatively rotatable around a predetermined axis; a reducer that relatively rotatably supports the first and second joint members around the axis on one side in a direction of the axis of the first joint member; and a bearing that supports the first and second joint members relatively rotatably around the axis and relatively movable in a direction along the axis on another side in the direction of the axis of the first joint member, the first and second joint members include respective flange surfaces perpendicular to the axis and facing each other in the direction of the axis, and each of the flange surfaces includes a screw hole or a through hole for closely adhering the flange surfaces by fastening of a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Hasuo
  • Patent number: 10632629
    Abstract: A cable guide device for guiding at least one supply cable along a robot arm includes a supply cable and a spring system configured to automatically return the supply cable from an extracted state into a retracted state. The device, has a front end section in the direction of extraction of the supply cable, and a rear end section in the direction of extraction of the supply cable. The device further includes a spring system seat permanently connected to the supply cable and on which the rear end section of the spring system is mounted, an abutment seat on which the front end section of the spring system is mounted, a fastening device configured to fasten the cable guide device to a link of the robot arm, and an adjustment device carrying the abutment seat and configured to mount the abutment seat for movement with respect to the fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: KUKA Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Melina Nasradini, Vladimir Kurmyshkin, Stefan Karlinger, Jürgen Heitz, Frank Rohé
  • Patent number: 10632630
    Abstract: A robot joint and a robot using the robot joint is provided. The robot joint includes a first part and a second part configured to be rotatable with each other around a joint axis. A flexible printed circuit board is further included with a first fixing point and a second fixing point respectively fastened to the first part and the second part. The flexible printed circuit board is spiral-shaped prior to bending. With the relative rotation of the first part and the second part, the flexible printed circuit board is bent at various bending portions. This makes the robot joint more compact with a larger rotation range and a long lifetime in a cost effective way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Kaiyuan Cao, Xiaodong Cao, Yun Ha, Zhu Zhu, Jiajie Sha
  • Patent number: 10632631
    Abstract: A robotic system is disclosed that includes an articulated arm with an end effector. The robotic system is for use in a robotic environment requiring interaction with persons in the robotic environment, and includes a plurality of lights that are illuminated responsive to known near-future movements of the articulated arm to convey the known near-future movements of the articulated arm to the persons in the robot environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Thomas Koletschka, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10632632
    Abstract: A folding knife having a blade pivoted from a closed position to an open locked position with a combined self-activating sliding release and locking arm. The sliding locking arm is mounted within the knife handle on dual fixed guide and pivot pins within respective arm openings being spring urged there against. Arm projections are engaged by the blade shank during operation moving the locking arm back and up then releasing to slide forward locking the blade in open use position until manual arm engagement by the user against the spring for release and transitional closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventor: Andrew Demko