Progressively Advancing Of Work Assembly Station Or Assembled Portion Of Work Patents (Class 29/429)
  • Patent number: 11449021
    Abstract: An approach to positioning one or more robotic arms in an assembly system may be described herein. For example, a system for robotic assembly may include a first robot, a second robot, and a control unit. The control unit may be configured to receive a first target location proximal to a second target location. The locations may indicate where the robots are to position the features. The control unit may be configured to calculate a first calculated location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, measure a first measured location of the first feature of the first subcomponent, determine a first transformation matrix between the first calculated location and the first measured location, reposition the first feature of the first subcomponent to the first target location using the first robot, the repositioning based on the first transformation matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lukas Philip Czinger, Oussama Rawas, Thomas Samuel Bowden, Jr., Roy Smith
  • Patent number: 11339924
    Abstract: A method for producing a high-pressure tank capable of suppressing break of a surface resin layer due to gas pressure as well as degradation in the tank quality. The method includes winding a thermosetting resin-impregnated fiber bundle around a liner so as to form an uncured fiber-reinforced resin layer thereon, first heating in which the uncured fiber-reinforced resin layer is locally heated at a first temperature so as to leach the thermosetting resin out of the uncured fiber-reinforced resin layer to form the surface resin layer, and the surface resin layer is cured to have cracks generated therein, and second heating in which the tank is entirely heated at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, so that the fiber-reinforced resin layer and surface resin layer are entirely cured, so as to obtain the tank with the surface resin layer locally having cracks generated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Ueda
  • Patent number: 11303243
    Abstract: A solar power plant is constructed using a reverse workflow whereby the grid connection that will ultimately feed electricity to the grid is constructed before the array so that one or more transformers and portable charging stations may be deployed onsite to transform grid power so that it can recharge electrically powered heavy equipment including solar pile drivers, truss drivers, and telehandlers as well as electrically powered hand tools such as cordless impact drivers while the plant is constructed. Once complete, the fixed electrical infrastructure and grid connection are used to supply power from the solar power plant to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ojjo, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack West
  • Patent number: 10890290
    Abstract: An additively manufactured auxiliary device has a device body with a lower face, which is integrally connected to a component, and at least one mounting element, which projects from an upper face of the device body, wherein the at least one mounting element is arranged such that a contact face and at least one fastening element of the connection part can be attached to the device body such that the contact face of the connection part rests against the upper face of the device body in a planar manner, and such that each mounting element of the device body adjoins a fastening element of the connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: PREMIUM AEROTEC GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Leidescher
  • Patent number: 10734776
    Abstract: A process provides for manufacturing and formation of a series of metallic end products within a stamping machine. The metallic end products are formed from two subcomponents comprising a first work component and a second work component. The work components are coupled together through a toggle lock procedure formed as part of the process. The two resultant work components which form the end product are simultaneously formed, thereby providing significant advantages with respect to work cycle time to produce the resultant product, relative to the time required when individual work components are sequentially produced through the use of mechanical operations to which a first work component is processed, and then formation of a second work component is processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 10632579
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a nut is in a state of being received by nut receiving means. In this state, a ball-embedding nozzle is fitted into the nut so that a gap between the inner circumference of the nut and the outer circumference of the ball-embedding nozzle is uniformly formed around the entire circumference thereof. Balls are supplied into a screw groove of the nut via a ball supply path in the ball-embedding nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jyunichi Okamoto, Shinji Yoshinaga, Yukihiro Terada
  • Patent number: 10632697
    Abstract: A tire support device includes: a first rim support portion; a second rim support portion which is provided so as to oppose the first rim support portion; a frame which includes a guide which movably guides the second rim support portion in a direction approaching or separating from the first rim support portion; a transport portion which is movably attached along the guide; a drive portion which moves the transport portion along the guide; an engagement mechanism which can engage with the frame at a retreat position at which the second rim support portion is separated from the first rim support portion; and a supported portion which integrally supports the second rim support portion and the transport portion in a movable manner along the guide in a state where engagement with the engagement mechanism is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINERY SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tomoto, Mitsuru Morita, Yoshikatsu Hineno
  • Patent number: 10316532
    Abstract: A liquid containment vessel or pool having a wall constructed of thermoplastic polymers. Most pool walls are manufactured from steel or aluminum which are prone to deformation and corrosion. Polymer sheets or banding can be used to replace customary pool walls, offering a tough, strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant and easily installed material that can be manufactured from recycled plastics. When oriented, laminated, woven, corrugated, or layered, the strength of the polymer sheeting or banding increases further, allowing the present invention to be adapted for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Inventor: Bernard J. Kulkaski
  • Patent number: 10295219
    Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes: an air-conditioning case that includes an air passage through which air-conditioned wind flows and that is molded using a die; and an attachment part that is fixed on an outer surface of the air-conditioning case and includes a plate-shaped projection piece, which projects from a case main body part of the attachment part and includes a positioning hole passing through the projection piece. The air-conditioning case includes: a holding piece that projects from the outer surface to be engaged with the projection piece; and a positioning pin that projects from the outer surface to be inserted in the positioning hole. The holding piece includes: a leg part that projects from the outer surface and is capable of being resiliently deformed; and an engagement part that is bent and extends from an end portion of the leg part and that is engaged with a part of the projection piece on its end side of the positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiichirou Kitagishi
  • Patent number: 10280641
    Abstract: A liquid containment vessel or pool having a wall constructed of thermoplastic polymers. Most pool walls are manufactured from steel or aluminum which are prone to deformation and corrosion. Polymer sheets or banding can be used to replace customary pool walls, offering a tough, strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant and easily installed material that can be manufactured from recycled plastics. When oriented, laminated, woven, corrugated, or layered, the strength of the polymer sheeting or banding increases further, allowing the present invention to be adapted for use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Bernard J. Kulkaski
  • Patent number: 10262772
    Abstract: A filler and a multicore cable includes a plurality of core portions, which includes a conductor, and a protective layer that surrounds the core portions, the filler being provided between the core portions and the protective layer of the multicore cable, the filler being characterized by including: frame portions including a first frame portion and a second frame portion, which are rotated by predetermined angles towards both sides about the center portion thereof and then incised; and a support portion provided between the frame portions so as to connect the frame portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: LS CABLE & SYSTEM LTD.
    Inventor: Kyoung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10053235
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for mounting an aircraft engine, which enables to speed up a mounting work by facilitating positioning of an engine with respect to a pylon. The method for mounting an aircraft engine, including: lifting up an engine of an aircraft toward a pylon that is a mounting object; and when the engine reaches a predetermined position, fixing the engine to the pylon, wherein guides that perform horizontal positioning of the engine with respect to the pylon are respectively provided on a front side and a rear side of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Aoki, Kenichiro Yamazaki, Jingo Tateiwa
  • Patent number: 10046442
    Abstract: A vehicle body manufacturing apparatus includes a left side jig configured to be disposed on a left lateral side of a vehicle body, and a right side jig configured to be disposed on a right lateral side of the vehicle body. The left side jig is formed to be divided into a left front jig on a front side and a left rear jig on a rear side, and the right side jig is formed to be divided into a right front jig on a front side and a right rear jig on a rear side. The left side jig and the right side jig performs clamping for positioning and pre-assembling by coming into contact with the vehicle body from the outside of the vehicle body as well as clamping for positioning and pre-assembling by extending into the inside of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Noboru Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9988862
    Abstract: A device, system, and/or method for reducing friction required to rotate a tubular within an elevator during the process of running tubulars in an oil and gas well are provided. An elevator roller insert may be used in conjunction with an elevator, such as a single joint elevator. Such an insert may comprise upper and lower rollers which are positioned on upper and lower roller sets or a combination roller set containing multiple upper and/or lower rollers. The result is the provision of a plurality of rollers which bear the weight of a tubular yet still allow the tubular to rotate rather freely, facilitating the maintenance of proper thread integrity of the connections while making up a stand to a string of tubulars as well as preventing the loss of resources due to galled or crushed threads or a tubing segment or stand falling to the rig floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Cajun Services Unlimited, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Joseph Triche, Heath Lawrence Triche
  • Patent number: 9982811
    Abstract: A flexible hose liner is provided having a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis from as first end to a second end. First and second sleeves form the cylindrical body by separate continuous ribbons having a plurality of convolutions formed in a helical pattern along the cylindrical body from the first end to the second end. A ring is formed in each revolution about the longitudinal axis of the continuous ribbon of the first and second sleeves. A plurality of rings form the cylindrical body, each ring has a first convolution and an ending convolution such that a mechanical connection is formed between the ending convolution of a preceding ring and the first convolution of a succeeding ring. The mechanical connection of the between the rings of the first sleeve being different from the mechanical connection of the rings of the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hose Master, LLC
    Inventor: Sam J. Foti
  • Patent number: 9956656
    Abstract: This disclosure provides oil filling and labeling apparatuses for atomizers of electronic cigarettes, which include a rack provided with a table board. A material pick-up operation position, an oil filling operation position, an assembling operation position, a labeling operation position and a pressing operation position for silicon rubber sleeve are provided on the table board. The oil filling and labeling apparatuses for the atomizers of the electronic cigarettes further include a material loading mechanism, an oil filling mechanism, a mechanism for mounting oil-sealing ring, a mechanism for mounting end cap, an electric resistance detection mechanism, a first material rotation mechanism, a labeling mechanism, a second material rotation mechanism and a mechanism for pressing silicon rubber sleeve. The atomizer of the electronic cigarette is successively conveyed for processing among such mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: O-NET AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) LIMITED
    Inventors: Haisheng Zou, Zhicheng Li, Feng Chen, Xuebin Yu, Weizhao Tang, Lin Yang, Fei Shen, Qinglin Na
  • Patent number: 9890019
    Abstract: A material transport and installation arrangement comprising a first working platform system in an elevator shaft for reaching a first installation height; and a first material hoisting system for moving elevator components vertically in the elevator shaft is disclosed. The arrangement is characterized in that it comprises a second working platform system in the elevator shaft for reaching a second installation height, the second working platform system comprising a second platform hoist, second platform roping and a vertically moveable second working platform, the second working platform being below the first working platform; and a second material hoisting system for moving elevator components vertically in the elevator shaft, the second material hoisting system comprising a second material hoist, second material roping and a second material holder. Further, a method for parallel transport and installation of elevator components is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Petri Kere, Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9861998
    Abstract: A process and assembly for mass producing a plasticized coated and structurally supporting insert including a first conveyor for advancing a plurality of lay-flat inserts and at least one lift and transfer mechanism for transferring the inserts between the first conveyor and a second overhead conveyor. A dual function robot is positioned aside the first conveyor and has a first numerically controlled gripping portion for engaging and raising a selected one of the lay flat supported inserts. The robot further has a second numerically controlled and articulating arm for spray coating a plasticized material upon the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Oria Collapsibles, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 9751728
    Abstract: A method includes plumbing an elevator shaft, installing a lowermost first section of guide rail elements manually to walls of the shaft, arranging an upwards and downwards in the shaft with a first hoist movable lifting frame, arranging an upwards and downwards in the shaft with a second hoist movable installation platform provided with a guide apparatus, an installation apparatus and an alignment tool, drilling holes and fastening support brackets to the walls of the shaft with the installation apparatus, lifting guide rail elements with a third hoist from the lifting frame and guiding said guide rail elements into position with the guide apparatus, joining consecutive guide rail elements with the installation apparatus, and aligning opposite guide rail elements with the alignment tool and locking the support brackets with the installation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antti Mertala
  • Patent number: 9718656
    Abstract: A jack for lifting segments of a structure includes a pair of masts, a mast base, a mast cap, a hydraulic ram, a bottom bracket and a shuttle. The masts are identical and upright with a plurality of evenly spaced holes. The mast base supports the mast and the mast cap receives the upper ends of the masts and maintains the masts in a parallel, relationship. The hydraulic ram moves between a retracted position and an extended position with a stroke distance which is significantly less than the mast height. The bottom bracket is removably pinned to the masts and receives and supports the lower end of the hydraulic ram. The shuttle receives the upper end of the hydraulic ram. The bottom bracket and shuttle, when not pinned to the masts, can slide vertically up the masts. The shuttle includes features for connecting to a segment of a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BAINTER CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Allen Bainter, Jeffrey Daniel Bonnet, Julius Peter Van de Pas
  • Patent number: 9663256
    Abstract: A remote manufacturing yard configured to build a cryogenic distillation column for use in an air separation unit (“ASU”) is provided. the remote manufacturing yard can include a fabrication facility comprising an enclosure. The fabrication facility further can also include a vertical plate roller; a lifting device, an assembly table configured to support two or more partial shells simultaneously; a first weld machine configured to weld the two or more partial shells together to form a course while keeping the two or more partial shells stationary; a column section assembly area having a second weld machine disposed therein, a distributor installation area configured to receive at least one column section and install a distributor within the column section to form a distributor column section; and a packing installation area configured to receive the distributor column section and install packing within the distributor column section to form a packed column section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Claude Granger, Yves Hardy, Emmanuelle Bromet, Jean Roy, Herve Ferriere, Sylvain Made
  • Patent number: 9550592
    Abstract: A method for moving a packed column section about a remote manufacturing yard is provided. In one embodiment, the packed column section can include a first course, a second course, packing disposed within the first course and second course, and a plurality of distributors. The method can include the steps of placing the packed column section on top of a movable platform, the movable platform configured to support and distribute the weight of the packed column section; and moving the packed column section from a first point to a second point, the second point being in an open area adapted for stacking a plurality of packed column sections on top of each other to form a column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Claude Granger, Jean Roy, Sylvain Made
  • Patent number: 9546495
    Abstract: A method for constructing a cylindrical tank which has a metallic inner tank and a concrete outer tank includes a step of building up a PC wall in an outer circumferential edge portion of a base plate, a step of assembling an outer tank roof on the base plate other than the outer circumferential edge portion of the base plate, a step of lifting the outer tank roof which is on the base plate using a jack-up unit while the PC wall is being built up and then holding the outer tank roof on the PC wall, and a step of assembling the inner tank independently of the outer tank roof in a space under the outer tank roof which is created due to the lifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shiomi, Noriyuki Katsuyama, Norio Uchiyama, Satoru Nagumo, Masaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9469510
    Abstract: Lumber construction tools that facilitate lifting and manipulating wall sections and discrete structures of the lumber assembly. One of the construction tools discloses a wall lifting appliance or device for raising timber framed wall structures from a horizontal to a vertical position without unduly interfering with placement of sheathing on the framed wall sections. A construction lumber biasing tool is also disclosed that includes a handle portion and a offset portion that cooperate with one another and the lumber members to facilitate deflection or deformation of warped or curved lumber members to achieve the desired orientation of the lumber relative to adjacent members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Wall Ace, LLC
    Inventor: Kristopher Phillip
  • Patent number: 9441389
    Abstract: A method of constructing a cylindrical tank that has an inner tank made of metal and an outer tank made of concrete has a step of building a PC wall (3) by erecting lateral liners (4) sequentially from the bottommost layer to the topmost layer on an outer circumferential edge portion of a base plate, and pouring concrete (5) so as to follow the erecting of the lateral liners (4) with the lateral liners (4) being used as an inner side forming frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shiomi, Satoru Nagumo, Norio Uchiyama, Noriyuki Katsuyama, Masaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9217255
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising a self-jacking scaffold system including extending a jacking screw and jacking screw bracket axially upward, connecting a jacking screw bracket to an overhead tank bracket for a plurality of scaffold sections coupled to a jacking assembly, detaching a plurality of scaffold mounting brackets from a plurality of tank mounting brackets, raising the continuously coupled plurality of scaffold sections, and reattaching the plurality of scaffold mounting brackets to a plurality of tank mounting brackets. Noting the plurality of scaffold sections is continuously coupled proximate a circumference of a shell tank, the continuously coupled scaffold sections and tank mounting brackets provide stiffness to the tank shell to enable it to resist external loads and can be quickly moved and restored as required during tank construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, OM Engineering
    Inventors: Oliver Mork, Marty Tellalian, Don Horacek, Glenn Riley, Andy Edenburn, Al Garza, Joseph Kucic
  • Patent number: 9193212
    Abstract: A marker-making kit for assembling a marking device having a user-determined mixture of marking solution is provided. The kit includes a base unit coupled to a marker positioning mechanism and a press mechanism. A mixing tube holder secures a mixing tube used for collecting a desired amount of one or more marker fluids. A mixed marker solution is combined, including any number of different colors of marker fluid, and used to saturate a marker reservoir. The saturated reservoir may then be transferred to a maker barrel positioned near the press mechanism. By applying an amount of force with a marker compression arm, a completed marker is secured, enclosing the marker reservoir inside a marker barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Crayola, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Henry, David A. Cziraky, Joseph Moll, James Allen
  • Patent number: 9168576
    Abstract: A tower (C) production method is developed with the present invention, comprising a first production stage including the steps of unrolling and bringing into a planar state a sheet metal (B) wound around a coil (A); bending the planar sheet metal (B) at the lateral direction at varying bending radii (d); and winding the bent sheet metal (B?) into a conical coil (A?), as well as a final production stage yielding the tower and including the steps of feeding the sheet metal (B?) unwound from the conical coil (A?) to at least one winding machine (8), and bending and winding the bent sheet metal (B?) in the winding machine around a central bending axis (T) parallel to one surface (B1) thereof so that a defined initial winding radius and the angle between a longer edge (B3) thereof and the axis (T) are kept constant and the longer edge (B3) of the sheet metal is joined over itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Uztek Endustri Tesisleri Insaat Imalat Ve Montaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi
    Inventor: Cevdet Unan
  • Patent number: 9032608
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing at least one mechanical-electrical energy conversion system including multiple individual parts, and a mechanical-electrical energy conversion, multiple different individual parts are positioned in an assembly device and joined in joining areas assigned to the individual parts in the assembly device, the individual parts including at least one piezoelectric element, one support structure and one seismic mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Laermer, Thorsten Pannek, Ralf Reichenbach, Marian Keck
  • Patent number: 9032605
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for manufacturing metal parts, where input material is received from several material sources, multiple metal parts are produced at the same time, and the multiple metal parts may be provided to a downstream operation for subsequent processing. According to an exemplary embodiment, unwinding apparatuses unwind metal coils and provide three separate metal strips to coil-fed metal forming press. The coil-fed metal forming press then creates three separate blanks or metal parts at the same time. Next, a part transfer apparatus retrieves the three metal parts from an output side of coil-fed metal forming press, and presents them to part assembly apparatus, which may include a laser welder or other piece of equipment. Once the metal parts are properly positioned, part assembly apparatus can create a metal part assembly from the three individual blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Shiloh Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Keys, Gary L. Gembala
  • Patent number: 9022376
    Abstract: A reconfigurable clamping system is disclosed. An example clamping system for securing a workpiece comprises a retention assembly and an inflatable bladder. The retention assembly comprises a plurality of links, each pair of adjacent links having a pivotal connection to enable the retention assembly to be configured to the general shape of a workpiece, and each pair of adjacent links having a locking mechanism to selectively lock an angular relationship between the pair. The inflatable bladder is coupled between the retention assembly and the workpiece and is to apply a clamping force to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mike P. Matlack, Kurt A. Burton, John A. Baumann
  • Publication number: 20150107113
    Abstract: In a method for assembling a component on a motor-vehicle body structure, a device is set with a manipulator into a condition of connection with a component placed in a pick-up position, according to a predetermined mutual positioning; the component is gripped with the device to connect the component thereto; the device connected to the component is carried with the manipulator to a motor-vehicle body structure that is located in a position, on a conveying line, upstream of a centre for welding or fixing the component on the body structure; the component is constrained with the device to the body structure according to a mutual positioning whereby the component comes to occupy the proper position of assembly; the device is supported with the body structure; and with the device supported by the body structure, the body structure is conveyed with the conveying line to the centre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Nunzio Magnano, Francesco Di Mino
  • Patent number: 9009940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing operations on a workpiece. A first frame in a frame system may be held on the workpiece by applying a vacuum to the first frame. A second frame in the frame system may be detached from the workpiece by applying a pressure to the second frame. The second frame may be moved to a location on the workpiece. The second frame may be attached to the workpiece by applying the vacuum to the second frame. An operation may be performed on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, David Hassan Amirehteshami
  • Patent number: 9003646
    Abstract: Disclosed is a roller hemming system for panels of a vehicle that may include: a marriage jig adapted to load thereon a part having an outer panel and an inner panel joined together; a clamping pad releasably mounted at a front end of an arm of a first handling robot, and adapted to clamp the part loaded on the marriage jig by a plurality of clamping means; a plurality of transfer rails adapted to intersect with each other at a center; a plurality of hemming dies, each being disposed on a predetermined transfer rail, being adapted to reciprocate on the transfer rail between the center and an initial position, and being adapted to receive thereon the part clamped by the clamping pad; and a plurality of hemming robots being disposed corresponding to each hemming die and provided with a hemming roller unit adapted to hem an edge of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ki Soon Kim
  • Patent number: 8914963
    Abstract: A mounting station for automatically assembling a razor that includes a shaving cartridge and a razor handle. The mounting station includes providing a razor handle and a shaving cartridge, automatically connecting a first rearwardly protruding connector of the shaving cartridge to the free end of the first handle connector of the razor handle, and then automatically connecting the second rearwardly protruding connector of the shaving cartridge to the free end of the second handle connector of the razor handle to form a razor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: BIC-Violex S.A.
    Inventors: Vasileios Ntavos, Georgios Koulourias
  • Publication number: 20140338177
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling panels and locking elements comprises a feeding conveyor for substantially continuously supplying a panel, a processing assembly including a magazine for receiving the continuously supplied panels, the processing assembly being provided with an indexing system for taking the panels from the magazine in a substantially discontinuous manner to a plurality of processing stations, including a machining station for making a recess into a panel, an inserting station for inserting a locking element into a recess of a panel, and a discharge station for discharging the assembled panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Spanolux N.V.-Div. Balterio
    Inventors: Bruno Paul Louis Vermeulen, Jan Eddy De Rick
  • Publication number: 20140331473
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for installation of a frame assembly to a body may include a tooling assembly configured to support a frame assembly, the tooling assembly being positioned with respect to a body, wherein the frame assembly is positioned with respect to the body at a plurality of predetermined engineering locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Patent number: 8881872
    Abstract: In a method in the use of a construction-time elevator, at least two lifts are performed. In each of the lifts, the supporting platform is lifted higher in the elevator hoistway with the hoisting device supported by the support structure so as to extend the operating range of the elevator car to reach higher in the elevator hoistway. A second support structure and a second hoisting device, which are above the support structure, are used between the lifts of the supporting platform, for moving the working platform in the elevator hoistway under construction between the second support structure and the support structure, and for lifting the support structure upwards in the elevator hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peacock, Jussi Perälä, Matti Eskelinen, Zhizhong Yan
  • Patent number: 8844109
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing motor vehicles at a manufacturing location (S), from which ready-assembled motor vehicles are built in a planned number and order of output. First modules (MA) are delivered in a specific assembly stage discontinuously from a first production shop (PA) to the manufacturing location (S) and are fed continuously into a manufacturing line (F) in which the modules (MA) are manufactured into motor vehicles (A). Second modules (MB) be fed in a specific assembly stage from a second production shop (PB) into the joint manufacturing line (F) at a sequencing station (5) alternately with the modules (MA). Thus, vehicles of first and second model series can be manufactured on one and the same manufacturing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing.h.c.F.Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Meyer, Ralf Schuster, Lutz Muller, Pascal Kauffelin
  • Patent number: 8832918
    Abstract: A device that includes a frame having a first part and a second part and a plurality of first suction devices connected to the first part of the frame, the first suction devices positioned so as to contact a glass plane. Also included in the device is a plurality of second suction devices connected to the second part of the frame, the second suction devices positioned so as to contact a body having an opening to receive the glass plane. A plurality of positioning components that position the frame with respect to the opening in the body, the positioning components connected to the first part of the frame and a plurality of shimming elements that move down between the glass plane and the opening and shift the glass plane forward, the shimming elements connected to the first part of the frame are as included in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Raza Ali
  • Patent number: 8826509
    Abstract: A system for forming composite material parts comprises a charge station, a tool station, a forming station, a cooling station, a pick and place apparatus, and a transfer unit. The charge station may receive a first charge. The tool station may receive a first tool. The forming station may form a second charge against a second tool. The cooling station may cool a third charge and a third tool. The pick and place apparatus may retrieve the first charge from the charge station and the first tool from the tool station and transport both the first charge and the first tool to the forming station. The transfer unit may transport the second charge and the second tool from the forming station to the cooling station while at the same time transporting the third charge and the third tool from the cooling station to the tool station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaise F. Bergmann, Michael C. Dowling
  • Patent number: 8813337
    Abstract: An insulating glass unit (IGU) assembly line capable of interleaving double and triple pane IGUs in accordance with an IGU production schedule. Visual indicators or prompts instruct operators at the assembly line in configuring a sequence of IGUs. Triple pane IGUs are assembled with minimal contamination of a center glass lite. A non-contact Bernoulli pad is used to lift a glass lite off from a horizontal or vertical support that conveys it from a glass washer to an assembly station. Each of multiple pads has a capacity to lift approximately seven to ten pounds. Use of multiple pads per glass sheet or lite allows lites having dimensions up to 70 by 100 inches (assuming glass thickness of one quarter inch) to be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Briese, John Grismer, Timothy B. McGlinchy
  • Patent number: 8800725
    Abstract: Elevator liner apparatuses are pre-fabricated corresponding to an amount of multiple floors of a building being constructed. Each elevator liner apparatus includes a liner frame sized to accommodate an elevator cab and elevator rails within the liner frame. Rail mounting brackets are mounted to interior walls of the liner frame. The rail mounting brackets have elevator rail sections affixed thereto and have mounting bracket studs mounting the rail mounting brackets to the liner frame and extending beyond exterior walls of the liner frame. Anchor spikes are mounted to the liner frame and extend beyond the exterior of the liner frame such that plywood forms configured to form concrete elevator shaft walls are coupleable to the anchor spikes. Concrete is pourable between the plywood forms and the exterior of the liner frame. The concrete when dried affixes the mounting bracket studs and the anchor spikes in the dried concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Dominick J. Alois
  • Patent number: 8769807
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly comprising a single-cell workstation including a plurality of sub-stations. The plurality of sub-stations includes a weight application sub-station, and an audit balancing sub-station. The apparatus also includes a tire/wheel transporting device positioned within reach of all of the plurality of sub-stations. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Android Industries LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Lawson, Robert Reece, Ramsey Richard Niazy
  • Patent number: 8763230
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method for a machine tool having a human-machine interface and a program with predetermined manufacturing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chin-Chu Sun, Cheng-Yu Chen, Wan-Kun Chang, Yung-Ming Kao, Shih-Chang Liang
  • Patent number: 8720032
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for installing the hoisting roping of an elevator, in which method the hoisting roping of the elevator is lifted upwards into the elevator hoistway by means of a hoisting device. The hoisting roping is lifted upwards into the elevator hoistway in steps such that at least one rope of the roping is lifted by pulling it to the height and the aforementioned at least one rope is fixed to the elevator hoistway or to another fixed structure of the building, at least one of the ropes of the roping that is at the height and was lifted in phase is detached, at least one rope detached in phase is lifted by pulling it to the next height and the aforementioned at least one rope is fixed to the elevator hoistway or to another fixed structure of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Gert Van der Meijden, Jos Van den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 8713780
    Abstract: An apparatus for welding motor vehicle body component subassemblies at a weld station. First and second pallets are arranged for reciprocal movement between a load/unload station and the weld station and the pallets are alternately moved from a load/unload station to the weld station while the other pallet is moved from the weld station to a load/unload station. Each pallet has a plurality of substations for receipt of component subassemblies and, while each pallet is at the load/unload station, the component subassembly at each substation is moved to the next successive substation and a further component is added to the moved component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Comau, Inc.
    Inventor: Velibor Kilibarda
  • Patent number: 8695190
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing operations on a workpiece is provided. A first frame in a frame system may be held on the workpiece by applying a vacuum to the first frame. A second frame in the frame system may be detached from the workpiece by applying a pressure to the second frame. The second frame may be moved to a location on the workpiece. The second frame may be attached to the workpiece by applying the vacuum to the second frame. An operation may be performed on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, David Hassan Amirehteshami
  • Patent number: 8667678
    Abstract: An assembly device for assembling and disassembling a rotor of a turbomachine with rotor disks that are clamped together by at least one tie rod is provided. The assembly device includes a turning block that is secured to a base and a securing device that secures the rotor against tilting. The rotor is arranged in a transversal manner in relation to a horizontal plane of the base and pivotably mounted on the turning block. The securing device is fixed to the base by several supports and the turning block is arranged inside the surface of the base that is clamped by the supports. Large forces and torque coming from the rotor that is arranged in a perpendicular manner are guided from the securing device to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Floter, Armin Hülfenhaus, Claus Vögelin
  • Patent number: 8667689
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for supplying essentially hollow bodies with equipment wherein the hollow bodies each have a transverse dimension and a longitudinal dimension being larger than the transverse dimension. The bodies have at least one opening for accessing their interior from outside along their longitudinal dimension. The hollow bodies are arranged essentially side-by-side along the longitudinal dimension and they are moved along their transverse dimension in a clocked fashion. An arrangement comprises a plurality of conveyor means for moving hollow bodies, wherein the conveyor means are arranged such that the hollow bodies are arranged side-by-side along their longitudinal dimension and moved along their transverse dimension in a clocked fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Frankenberger, Eike Klemkow, Horst Zapp, Gerhard Muller, Holger Frauen