Assisting Assembly Or Disassembly Patents (Class 29/407.1)
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Patent number: 7111388Abstract: An apparatus for press-fitting a bearing cap into a cylinder block includes a frame. A first cylinder is connected to the frame. A guide rod is coupled to an operating rod of the first cylinder to ascend or descend in response to an operation of the first cylinder and configured to be inserted into bolt holes respectively formed in the bearing cap and the cylinder block in response to a descending thereof. A second cylinder is connected to the frame. A pressure detection sensor detects an operating pressure generated by the second cylinder. A press pad is coupled to an operating rod of the second cylinder to ascend or descend in response to an operation of the second cylinder and configured to press the bearing cap so that the bearing cap is press-fitted into the cylinder block.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: O Kwang Kwon
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Patent number: 7111374Abstract: Improved drilling and pinning machines and methods for processing elongate flexible e.g. rubber strips of seal material for forming seals about openings. The machines and methods form precisely positioned holes in the rubber strip, and insert pins in the holes. Opposing ends of the pins are ultimately received in cooperating holes in the opening, mounting the seal strip to the opening. Machines and methods of the invention temporarily fix a strip or portion of the seal material to a rigid component of the machine. While the seal material is fixedly held, first and second holes are formed in general alignment with the length of the strip, or a subsequent hole is formed wherein location of the subsequent hole is based on location of a previously-formed hole. The formed holes and/or inserted pins are automatically inspected. The inspection information is forwarded to, and used by, the machine controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Inventor: John Howard Stewart
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Patent number: 7103957Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an expendable alignment ring is adapted for centering opposing conical surfaces of a transmission torque converter and an engine crankshaft. The ring has an annular body formed of a thermoplastic such as high density polyethelene. The body has first and second ends formed by axially spaced inner and outer coaxial conical surfaces extending between inner and outer peripheries. The ring is installed over a pilot of the torque converter so that the conical ends of the ring align the conical surfaces of the torque converter and the crankshaft during assembly to center the torque converter relative to the crankshaft. Upon assembly of the torque converter to the crankshaft, the alignment ring is slightly compressed and provides the mechanism for precise alignment of the torque converter to the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Carl E. Fonville
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Patent number: 7103953Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an in situ method for assembling and measuring optical characteristics of an optical component. The method generally includes pressing an optical source or lens into an optical housing while simultaneously measuring the optical output of the device. The measured optical output is used to determine and control when the optical source or lens is pressed to an optical position within optical housing. Once the source or lens is pressed into the optical housing, the method includes measuring the optical offset and/or pointing angle of the assembled component in the same apparatus that assembled the component. The measured optical offset and/or pointing angle information is used to determine how to mechanically alter the optical housing to correct or compensate for the optical offset and pointing angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Martin Wisecarver, Charles Hu
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Patent number: 7100257Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a fixture for assembling an optical component. The fixture generally includes a substantially rigid base member having a measurement aperture formed therein, a pair of upstanding frame members, each of the upstanding frame members having a pivotal mount and a vertical slot formed therein, and a support press slidably positioned within the vertical slot. The fixture may further include a component support assembly positioned below the support press, and a pivot arm connected to the support press at a first end, pivotally connected to the pivot mount at a middle portion, and a screw actuator at a second end.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventor: Martin Wisecarver
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Patent number: 7100258Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device (10) for closing wedge simulation to set gap dimensions between a movable flap (5; 5a, 5b) of a vehicle and the surrounding body (1) of the vehicle. The flap (5; 5a, 5b) is initially fitted and held in a roughly adjusted installation position in alignment with the body (1). The flap (5; 5a, 5b) is then finely adjusted such that predeterminable gap dimensions can be met with optimum precision. Finally, the flap (5; 5a, 5b) is movably fixed in the finely adjusted installation position on the body (1). To simplify the closing wedge simulation without losing accuracy for fine adjustment of the flap (5; 5a, 5b), the invention proposes to suction the flap (5; 5a, 5b) against a mechanical stop (15) for fine adjustment using a pneumatic suctioning device (16), wherein the mechanical stop (15) is fixed relative to the surrounding body (1) and is freely pivotable about a substantially vertical axis of rotation (13).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: inos Automationssoftware GmbHInventors: Charalambos Tassakos, Jan-Thomas Metge
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Patent number: 7093362Abstract: A method of fabricating a modular fuel injector permits the fabrication of the electrical group subassembly outside a clean room while a fuel group subassembly is fabricated inside a clean room. The fuel injector comprises a valve group subassembly and a coil group subassembly. The valve group subassembly includes a tube assembly having a longitudinal axis that extends between a first end and a second end; a seat that is secured at the second end of the tube assembly and that defines an opening; an armature assembly that is disposed within the tube assembly; a member that biases the armature assembly toward the seat; an adjusting tube that is disposed in the tube assembly and that engages the member for adjusting a biasing force of the member; a filter that is located at least within the tube assembly; and a first attachment portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Michael J. Hornby
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Patent number: 7089653Abstract: A sunroof is automatically and precisely positioned to a mounting position by an apparatus including a floating plate movably mounted to a base member. A secondary lift structure is mounted to the floating plate and a centering cylinder unit is disposed between the secondary lift structure and the floating plate such that the centering cylinder unit aligns the floating plate to the sunroof mounting position on the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Young Chol Kim
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Patent number: 7086132Abstract: Disclosed are a method for assembling a polishing while inspecting for air leakage in the polishing head and an apparatus for performing the same. By the present invention, a polishing head may be tested for air leakage at each assembly step thereof, so that the polishing head may be assembled free of air leakage, thereby reducing testing time of the polishing head, and failure of the polishing head due to air leakage may be prevented. The apparatus includes a housing supporting the polishing head and having coupling lines coupled with ends of tubes provided in the assembled polishing head, or the polishing head being assembled. A pneumatic pressure regulating section selectively supplies positive pressure or vacuum to the tubes through the coupling lines. A sensor section detects the pressure and level of vacuum in the tubes. A determining section determines if there is air leakage in the polishing head.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Bong Choi, Jung-Hwan Sung, Yong-Seok Ro, Doeg-Jung Kim
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Patent number: 7080435Abstract: A recycling facilitating system including an item identification data input unit for inputting item identification data, an item disassembly data memory for storing item disassembly data in correspondence with the item identification data, an item disassembly data retrieval unit for retrieving the item disassembly data, a disassembly diagram constructing unit for constructing the disassembly diagram based on the item disassembly data, and a disassembly diagram output unit for outputting the disassembly diagram; the disassembly diagram constructing unit determines the progress status of an operation step of disassembling the item to be recycled by identifying a component that was removed during the operation step, and, in accordance with the progress status, constructs one of a plurality of disassembly diagrams, which can be constructed from the item disassembly data that was retrieved by the item disassembly data retrieval unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Yamakado, Gu Yu, Toru Miyamoto
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Patent number: 7076860Abstract: An optical component manipulation system has two opposed jaws, which can each be independently positioned relative to each other in a coordinate plane to thereby effect the desired positioning of optical components within the larger system. Z-axis rigidity is provided by air-bearings. Laser heating of the jaws is used for solder, or similar heat driven bonding, processes.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert K. Jenner, Dale C. Flanders, Peter S. Whitney, Jonathan R. Coppeta
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Patent number: 7073239Abstract: Fiducial calibration systems and methods for precisely and accurately manufacturing a part from a workpiece, inspecting or measuring a part, and/or assembling a plurality of manufactured parts including providing a workpiece, wherein the workpiece and the associated processes are subject to environmental and structural variations, and disposing a plurality of datums on a surface of or within the workpiece. The systems and methods also including calibrating the separation distance between each of the plurality of datums to workpiece distance units and disposing the workpiece in a machine, wherein the machine is subject to environmental and structural variations.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Miller Insight, LtdInventor: Jimmie Andrew Miller
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Patent number: 7062831Abstract: A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: LMS-Walt, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Walt, II, Samuel A. Walt
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Patent number: 7062842Abstract: A spring (18) is interposed between the sliding carriage (6) carrying a hammer (13) for driving-in and the actuator rod. The spring is mounted on the head (15) of a push rod, which carries a push contact (16) surrounded by an insulating washer (17). A O pad (20) is housed in the central opening of another insulating washer (19) supported by the spring. These detection means are activated when the spring is compressed in response to the stapling effort required at the moment when a staple comes up against the frame mouldings to be assembled. Application in frame-assembling machines.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Cassese Societe AnonymeInventors: Pierre Cassese, Alain Cassese, Jean Cassese, Philippe Cassese
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Patent number: 7055233Abstract: For assigning a tool to a workpiece conveyed on an assembly line, at least one transmitter is arranged in the area of an assembly line, and a receiver is arranged on the tool. An analyzing unit determines the distance of the tool from each transmitter, based on the transit times of at least one received signal, and an indicating device emits positions information regarding workpieces on the assembly line. An assignment unit assigns a tool or a tool position to a workpiece, based on at least one distance of the tool from the transmitter, and on the workpiece positions. The arrangement of the transmitters and receivers can also be interchanged.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2000Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AGInventors: Josef Hofer, Robert Donharl
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Patent number: 7047614Abstract: A method of producing an aircraft assembly tool for supporting an aircraft component comprising the steps of: determining the predetermined positions and orientations in space at which the component should be supported; designing a fixture frame to provide support at predetermined locations of the frame associated with said predetermined positions; constructing the fixture frame by selecting elongate members having predetermined lengths and connecting the elongate members together with releasable fasteners; constructing a plurality of pick-up devices, each having a receiving element for carrying the component; mounting the pick-up devices to the fixture frame at the predetermined locations; and moving each receiving element about/around the orthogonal axes to align the receiving element with a respective predetermined position and orientation.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: BAE Systems plcInventors: William S Scott, Simon Cheetham, Russell P McKeown, Kevin J Fowler
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Patent number: 7043835Abstract: A method and system for precisely centering a workpiece within a cylindrical bore such that the center of the workpiece is coaxial with the central axis of the bore. An arbor is used within the cylindrical bore to sense and calculate the location of the central axis. The position of the workpiece is also sensed so that it can be aligned with the central axis. A computer system is used to perform the calculations and provide an indication of alignment of the workpiece and the central axis. The position of the central axis and the workpiece are found via a location determining system that may incorporate electromechanical and optical position sensing systems. For instance, a plurality of light transmitters and light receivers may be used to generate and transmit beams of light used in determining positions. The method has particular application to free piston machines, and particularly free piston coolers.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Sunpower, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Wiseman, Floyd Largent, David E. Weeks
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Patent number: 7043814Abstract: An apparatus is provided with position sensors. When the apparatus has moved one tubular into alignment with another tubular a button on a remote control console is pressed to memorize the position. After the next tubular has been gripped by the apparatus a “recall” button is pressed and the apparatus automatically moves the next tubular to the memorized position. This saves vital seconds in joining tubulars and also reduces the likelihood of threads being damaged due to misalignment of the tubulars.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence Hollingsworth, Bernd Reinholdt
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Patent number: 7036210Abstract: A door hinge mounting system includes a first multi-sided rotating member and a second multi-sided rotating member that are provided with at least two mounting surfaces. Each of the mounting surfaces of the first and second multi-sided rotating member is provided with a door hinge mounting unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae Hwan Jung
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Patent number: 7024746Abstract: A method of monitoring the setting operation for a blind fastener comprising the step of measuring, as a function of time, an electronic signal indicative of the load being applied to the fastener during the setting operation and, from which, determining a mandrel entry load and associated mandrel entry time from this measured signal and an associated setting time, subsequently determining the time difference between the mandrel entry time and the setting time and comparing this time difference against a predetermined reference time difference associated with that particular fastener type to determine whether the set fastener complies with predetermined acceptable setting procedures.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Newfrey LLCInventors: Geoffrey Weeks, Darren Hull, Stephen Godwin, Guy Jackson
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Patent number: 7020948Abstract: The stacked core assembly apparatus, which can perform assembly at a high speed while keeping strength of an angle indexing apparatus, comprises a press machine 1, a non-synchronous transmitting apparatus 10 and an angle indexing apparatus 7. The non-synchronous transmitting apparatus 10 transforms a constant revolution of the press machine 1 into a variable revolution. The angle indexing apparatus 7 is connected to the non-synchronous transmitting apparatus 10 via a coupling device 20, and is connected to a rotatably stacking cavity device 51 of a press die 5.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignees: Yamada Dobby Co., Ltd., Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kuniyasu Shirai, Takuya Sato
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Patent number: 7013546Abstract: A stowage cabinet installs within a motor vehicle frame using cabinet and roof cleats. The cabinet cleat mounts to the stowage cabinet before installing the cabinet within the motor vehicle. The cabinet cleat engages a roof cleat that is fastened to the roof. The stowage cabinet is held in place by the cabinet cleat nested within the roof cleat while the stowage cabinet is fastened at other locations to the vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Mark H. Dykema, Sonny S. Galea
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Patent number: 7007361Abstract: A mold fixture 20 for safe and efficient extraction, insertion and storage of mold inserts 26, 28 is provided. The mold fixture 20 includes a lower receiving area 24 for fixedly receiving a lower mold insert 28, an upper receiving area 22 for fixedly receiving an upper mold insert 26. The mold fixture 20 facilitates insertion or extraction of the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 into/from a molding machine 1 in a safe and secure manner. Furthermore, the upper and lower mold inserts 26, 28 can be securely stored within the mold fixture 20 at a storage location.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Mark L. La Forest, Christopher S. Wahlers, Roger L. Klinedinst
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Patent number: 7003860Abstract: A fastener delivery and installation method is provided that comprises an end effector mounted on an automated machine and operable to drill a hole through a workpiece and insert a fastener through the hole, and a fastener feed unit and method operable with the automated machine to deliver the fasteners through the end effector and into the workpiece. Further, a hand-held tool is positioned against a second surface of the workpiece and is aligned with the end effector. Once the hand-held tool is positioned properly, a magnetic field is generated and the workpiece is clamped to enable the end effector to drill a hole through the workpiece and insert a fastener therethrough. Additionally, a detector is located on the hand-held tool for generating guidance information to inform an operator where to move the hand-held tool so as to align the hand-held tool with the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Branko Sarh, Bruce Harman
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Patent number: 6993853Abstract: A device for the directional attachment of a scale element of a linear position measuring system to an installation face of a first body. The device includes a first body, a second body comprising a scanning head, which is movable in a measuring direction in relation to said first body, and a scale element is aligned parallel with respect to the measuring direction and a profiled alignment device is provided on the second body, which works together with a complementary tape profile on the scale element for aligning the scale element.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Reiner Burgschat, Robert Stelzner
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Patent number: 6990728Abstract: Disk drive suspension load beam and flexible circuit components are juxtaposed and properly located relative to each other before welding by a series of areally distributed locator structures that intersect across the common plane between the components in aligning relation.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Magnecomp CorporationInventors: Robert Summers, Amanullah Khan
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Patent number: 6990714Abstract: A modular submersible repairing system includes a working unit having a tool module capable of repairing structures in a reactor. A scanning/pitching module is capable of being selectively connected to or disconnected from the tool module, and is provided with a scanning/pitching shaft for scanning or pitching the tool module. A submersible fan module is capable of being selectively connected to or disconnected from the scanning/pitching module. A first buoyant module keeps an orientation of the tool module. A base unit includes a manipulator module internally provided with an actuator driving mechanism. An adsorbing module is capable of being detachably mounted on the manipulator module and a wall. A second buoyant module keeps the orientation of the manipulator module. The scanning/pitching module and the manipulator module are provided with a submersible connecting device capable of being operated in water for engagement and disengagement.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Katsuhiko Sato, Motohiko Kimura, Hiroaki Igakura, Yutaka Togasawa, Takuya Uehara, Yasuhiro Yuguchi, Seiki Soramoto, Kenji Kurihara, Yuuji Yasuda, Katsuhiko Naruse
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Patent number: 6988302Abstract: A system for verifying the quality of a pressing operation of a press-fit part onto a receiving portion of a receiving assembly. The system is applicable to the installation of a bearing cup onto a shaft, or a valve seat into a cylinder head. A probe measures a predetermined dimension of the press-fit part to establish a first measurement value. In the case of a valve seat installed a receiving pocket of a cylinder head, a measuring probe is inserted into the receiving pocket of the cylinder head to measure its depth. The depth is recorded as a second measurement value. The valve seat is then pressed into the pocket, and the residual depth is measured to determine the distance between the outermost surface of the pressed in valve seat and the outer surface of the receiving pocket. A computation compares the depth of the pocket against the thickness of the valve seat to determine a difference which is then compared to the residual depth.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Veri-Tek International CorporationInventors: James C. Juranitch, Robert D. Olschefski
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Patent number: 6979288Abstract: A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Laurance N. Hazlehurst, Bobby C. Philpott, Jr., James N. Buttrick, Darrell D. Jones, Kostadinos D. Papanikolaou, David P. Banks, Terrence J. Rowe, Ronald Outous, Charles H. Glaisyer, Harry E. Townsend, Mark Boberg, Paul Elfes Nelson, John R. Porter
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Patent number: 6971175Abstract: A vehicle body assembly line (10) and method for assembling vehicle bodies utilizes electromagnetic gauging apparatus (44) to generate production gauge data of an assembly of formed sheet metal components, and an electrical controller (38) compares the production gauge data to design gauge data to detect any production deviation and is electrically connected to the assembly line to adjust the assembly of the formed sheet metal body components to correct any production deviation detected.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Utica Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Savoy, Thomas J. Carter
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Patent number: 6966106Abstract: The invention is a transporting apparatus for holding lengths of tubulars and transporting tubulars to a drill floor of a drill rig, wherein the transport container for tubulars has a bottom side, a two sides connected to the bottom side, and two ends connected to the bottom side and the sides, wherein there is at least two tubular supports for supporting a plurality of tubulars secured to the two sides adapted to support a row of tubulars and to act as a guide to allow the tubulars to be inserted upward or downward into the container, each support is made of at least two parallel upright members for slidingly receiving an end of a tubular and preventing horizontal movement of the tubulars perpendicular to the side and at least one connector is located on one end and a second connector is located on the other end.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
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Patent number: 6959485Abstract: The bump ball crimping apparatus of the present invention is characterized in comprising an alignment plate 31 for aligning bump balls; a crimping table 32 on which the wafer to which bump balls are to be crimped is mounted; a crimping plate 42 that crimps the bump balls onto the bonding pads of the wafer; a Y-axis moving mechanism 35 that can move the alignment plate 31 in the Y direction and can fasten it at a predetermined position; an X-axis moving mechanism that can move the alignment plate 31 in the X direction and can fasten it at a predetermined position; and a second Y-axis moving mechanism 37 that can move the crimping table 32 in the Y direction and can fasten it at a predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: UMC JapanInventor: Yukihiro Isa
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Patent number: 6954980Abstract: A panel-securing system for various vehicle types is provided, in which various clamps and fingers for different panel shapes may be selected for operation by a single cylinder, the amount of space utilized to install the system is minimized, and parts used in the system are simplified. The panel-securing system for use in a production line for various vehicle types comprises a controller having stored therein panel information for various vehicle types, the controller generating and outputting a locator-selection control signal and a panel-securing control signal corresponding to panel information of the correct vehicle type; a first actuator for selecting a locator corresponding to the locator-selection control signal output by the controller; a second actuator for driving a locator corresponding to the panel-securing control signal output by the controller; and a panel-securing assembly including a plurality of locators, which correspond to panels of the various vehicle types.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Ji-Myeon Song
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Patent number: 6941631Abstract: A process for aligning an optical component by plastic deformation comprises finding a desired position of an optical axis of the optical component relative to a rest position of the optical axis of the optical component. Then, a deformation force is exerted, which is greater than a yield force of the optical component to thereby plastically deform the optical component in a direction of the desired position. The alignment process addresses mechanical compliance in the alignment system and/or optical system during the plastic deformation of optical components of the optical system. This mechanical compliance arises from the fact that there is typically flexing in the alignment system between the encoders and the part of the alignment system that actually engages the optical component.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert K. Jenner
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Patent number: 6941860Abstract: A method and a briquetting press for briquetting metal chips, wherein stable briquettes/pressed component are produced. The actual length (Lact) of the pressed component is obtained by applying pressure (Pmax/Preq) using at least one pressing ram (1, 2) and measuring the length with a measuring device (5, 6). The measured value is compared to a desired nominal value (Lnom) and a difference value (?) is subsequently determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Metso Lindemann GmbHInventors: August Van Der Beek, Michael Schaaf, Walter Fischer, Harald Pechtel
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Patent number: 6931706Abstract: A jig assembly for preparing a disk drive for mounting in a computer comprises a bay arranged to receive a disk drive and a pair of side rails to be fixed to opposite edges of the disk drive. Each side rail has captive screws in register with a respective screw-threaded hole in the edge of the disk drive. Two powered screwdrivers on each side of the bay are in register with the screws and are mounted for movement towards and away from the respective side rail. When the disk drive and rails are loaded into the bay, pneumatic cylinders C1 automatically advance the screwdrivers towards the side rail to engage and rotate the screws to screw the side rails tight against the edge of the disk drive, and then retract the screwdrivers.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Michael McTague, Fergal Duffy
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Patent number: 6928712Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a driveshaft, and the driveshaft itself. The driveshaft (1) includes a first attachable part (2) with a first longitudinal axis (A1), a second attachable part (3) with a second longitudinal axis (A2) as well as a tube element (4) with a curvature which is production-caused. For joining purposes, the tube element (4) is held so as to intersect a reference axis (R) in two points of its center line (M). The first attachable part (2) with its first longitudinal axis (A1) and the second attachable part (3) with its second longitudinal axis (A2) are aligned on the reference axis (R). Thereafter, the attachable parts (2, 3) are welded to the tube ends of the tube element (4), with the radial gaps between the tube element (4) and the attachable parts (2, 3) being closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbHInventor: Herbert Cermak
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Patent number: 6928717Abstract: A receptacle includes a base and a cylindrical or annular sidewall attached to the base and extending above the base to an open upper end. The sidewall and base define an interior of the receptacle to receive items. The sidewall includes one or more rigid plates spaced along the circumference of the sidewall, and one or more cutouts removed from at least one of the plates to define an ornamental feature in the sidewall. Each cutout is formed by cutting and defined by a cut edge extending along the periphery of the cutout. The cutouts can be torch-cut under automatic control.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: DuMor, Inc.Inventor: Howard M. Dill
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Patent number: 6922881Abstract: The present invention is a system and method to install and remove continuous track drive units on vehicles, wherein the system contains two forcing discs connected hydraulically which mimic the shape of the vehicle end idlers. A hydraulically actuated telescopic separator is positioned between the forcing discs, such that the discs may be separated or brought together. The forcing discs are aligned with the vehicle idlers to allow the continuous track unit to be easily slipped onto the vehicle idlers from the forcing discs. Conversely, when removing continuous track drive units, the forcing discs are again aligned with the vehicle end idlers, and the track is slipped off the vehicle idlers and onto the forcing discs.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Inventor: Mark LaFevers
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Patent number: 6918167Abstract: A method of aligning and duplicating alignment includes welding a washer over a larger opening in a hinge once in an aligned position relative to a vehicle door. The door is mounted into an alignment fixture and the hinges are installed over threaded studs extending from the door. The washer is placed onto the threaded stud and tightened against the hinge, covering the larger opening in the hinge. The larger opening in the hinge allows movement of the hinge relative to the door for alignment. The washer defines an opening with a smaller opening sized to provide relatively little clearance for the threaded stud, and thereby maintain alignment between the door and hinge. The washer is permanently attached by a welding operation to allow duplication of door hinge alignment during reassembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Arc Kinetics LLCInventor: Russell Vernon Hughes
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Patent number: 6912762Abstract: An automated de-banding machine which can perform by scanning the surface of the pallet to determine the number and position of bands to be removed. The machine also is capable of analyzing to determine the overlay bands from underlay bands. The overlay bands are removed first and typically fed individually to a chopper which chops the bands into pieces for recycling. The band information may be recorded and used to facilitate handling of a similar type of pallet in future operations to eliminate any stoppage for determination of retooling or adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: R. A. Pearson CompanyInventors: Richard R. Lile, Daniel V. Brown
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Patent number: 6910254Abstract: Positions of attachment of door-side hinge arms (2) of doors (Df, Dr) are previously determined. At a temporary door-fixing step (b, c) before coating, positions of hinge positioning and retaining means (30fa, 30fb; 30ra, 30rb) of a door hinge-assembling jig (J) set at a predetermined position on an automobile body (B) are adjusted, while taking account of the correction of the ill-fitting such as an inclination of the door due to its own weight or the like to be generated when the door (Df, Dr) will be attached to the automobile body (B) at a final door-attaching step (g) after the coating, and body-side hinge arms (1) of door hinges (Hfa, Hfb; Hra, Hrb) retained on the hinge positioning and retaining means (30fa, 30fb; 30ra, 30rb) are attached to the automobile body (B). Thus, the final attachment of the doors can be conducted properly without correction of any ill-fitting of the door after equipping.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Aoki, Kunio Yamasaki, Yasuyoshi Hashimoto
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Patent number: 6904656Abstract: An apparatus (10) for and a method of transporting sliders to the slider insertion area (27) of a slider insertion device (18). A first sensor (30) on a sender track (20) detects a lack of sliders (21) in the sender track. A signal is sent from the first sensor (30) to a controller (24) to actuate a vibratory bowl (14) of sliders (21), and a first solenoid operated plunger (34) thereby releasing the sliders (21) to the sender track (20). Air connections (38) pneumatically push the sliders (21) along the sender track (20) to a second solenoid-operated plunger (44). When a second sensor (46) detects a lack of sliders in the loading rack (26), the second sensor (46) signals the controller (24) to actuate a second solenoid-operated plunger (44) and a solenoid-operated pneumatic valve (48). The second solenoid-operated plunger (44) opens a passage and the pneumatic valve (48) opens to provide an air blast, thereby launching the sliders (21) into the feed tube (22) and onto the slider insertion area (27).Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Michael McMahon, Stanley Piotrowski
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Patent number: 6892444Abstract: An optical component manipulation system has two opposed jaws, which can each be independently positioned relative to each other in a coordinate plane to thereby effect the desired positioning of optical components within the larger system. Z-axis rigidity is provided by air-bearings. Laser heating of the jaws is used for solder, or similar heat driven bonding, processes.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert K. Jenner, Dale C. Flanders, Peter S. Whitney, Jonathan R. Coppeta
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Patent number: 6886251Abstract: A method of making steel beams in accordance with the present invention comprises sending web fabrication information to a web cutting station indicative of web sizes needed to make webs for steel beams and indicative of a web discharge sequence in which the webs are to be discharged from the cutting station. Steel plate is cut at the cutting station to form webs having the indicated web sizes. A series of the webs are transported from the cutting station to a beam station according to the web discharge sequence. Flange fabrication information is sent to a flange station indicative of flange sizes needed to make flanges for the beams and a flange discharge sequence in which the flanges are to be discharged from the flange station corresponding to the web discharge sequence. Steel stock is cut so as to form flanges having the indicated flange sizes. The flanges are transported to the beam station according to the flange discharge sequence so as to match the flanges with an associated one of the webs.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: VP Buildings, Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Andrews
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Patent number: 6886231Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel includes rims being supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the type and/or size of the rim and the location and alignment of an aperture for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp either the valve stem or the rim, move the valve stem or the rim to a mounting station, position the valve stem or the rim with respect to the other such that the aperture in the rim is in coaxial alignment with the valve stem, and insert the valve stem through the aperture in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Burke E. Porter Machinery CompanyInventors: Lawrence Lawson, Karl D. Sachs
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Patent number: 6880236Abstract: A device for installing muntin bars into a frame of a window including a device for accurately positioning the muntin bars within the frame and also for providing an accurate junction between the bars and the frame. The device includes a mounting frame that is inclined with respect to the vertical plane, tie-bars movably supported by the mounting frame for fixing and machining spacer frames of different sizes together with respective muntin bars and an apparatus for arranging and fixing muntin bars within the spacer frame. A method is proposed by which a terminal plug is fixed within one end of a muntin bar. The plug is fixed by screws, clamps of similar type fasteners that are positioned in a program controlled manner using a screwing apparatus or a shooting device that is movably supported relative to the spacer frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: R & R Sondermashinen GmbHInventor: Harald Apfelthaler
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Patent number: 6877202Abstract: A method of manufacturing a threaded joint for oil well pipe having a pin part with a male thread, a box part with a female thread, metal seal parts provided on the pin part and the box part, respectively, and torque shoulder parts provided at the tip of the pin part and at the portion of the box part coming in contact with the tip of the pin part, respectively, comprising the step of providing a design procedure for determining the dimensions of each part, whereby an highly strong threaded joint showing an excellent leak resistance to internal and external pressures can be designed and manufactured.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Vallourec Mannesmann Oil & Gas FranceInventor: Jun Maeda
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Patent number: 6877201Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and holding a golf club for installation of a golf club grip comprises a shaft cradle, a shaft clamp and a positioning device. The positioning device comprises a platen that is moveable toward and away from the axis of the golf club shaft when the golf club shaft is positioned in the apparatus. Mounted to the platen are a fixed stop and an opposing moveable ram. The fixed stop has a stop surface that is adapted to engage the face of the club so that as the opposing moveable ram presses the golf club head against the fixed stop, the face will assume an orientation flush against the surface of the fixed stop, thus aligning the club face with the stop surface. The entire platen assembly is moveable toward and away from the axis of the golf club shaft so as to accommodate golf clubs having different offsets.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Karsten Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: Frank Gunshinan, Kendall Horstman
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Patent number: 6877203Abstract: A method for regulating a device used for fixing aircraft airframe pieces in connection with assembly of airframe parts, where the device consists of a rig comprising a matrix of rails that can slide in such a way that a number of fixing elements attached to the rails can be positioned freely along three co-ordinates x, y, z in space within a given volume, where a manipulator grasps a fixing element after which the fixing element is moved by the manipulator to the given co-ordinate, and where the rails on which a fixing element is arranged is locked in relation to the rig by an automatic locking function initiated by the manipulator, thereby fixing the fixing element's position in space and the setting procedure is repeated for a predetermined number of fixing elements on the rig.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Saab ABInventors: Magnus Engström, Mats Karlsson, Roland Kvist