Progressively Advancing Of Work Assembly Station Or Assembled Portion Of Work Patents (Class 29/429)
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Patent number: 7849601Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle. The method includes assembling a set of body panels to a vehicle body structure by interlocking a body panel mating feature with a body mating feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
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Publication number: 20100286756Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper comprising proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2006Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: C.R. BARD INC.Inventors: Jürgen Dorn, Martin Wuebbeling
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Publication number: 20100263191Abstract: A vehicle body assembly and sequencing system includes the advantages of a batch vehicle body build sequence with the advantages of a random sequence of vehicle body styles transferred to a painting area. The build system includes using automated guided vehicles which transfer and store assembled, un-painted vehicle bodies in a storage area and sequentially transfers selected bodies from the storage area to the painting area achieving a random or variable supply of different vehicle bodies to be painted a certain color.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: Comau, Inc.Inventor: Vellbor Kllibarda
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Patent number: 7779540Abstract: A quadrail ergonomic apparatus includes two or more pathways designed to permit movement in two or more directions mounted to a static object above a surface. One or more carriages designed to move in two or more directions are disposed within the pathways. Each carriage is suspended above the surface from the pathways and capable of maintaining a workload in place and permitting movement of the workload in at least four directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael G. McCaffrey, Robert P. Rojas, Mark F. Zelesky, Gilbert B. Cutler, Gene V. Flenke
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Patent number: 7780825Abstract: A substrate holding and transporting assembly is disclosed. The substrate holding and transporting assembly includes a base plate and a pair of clamps connected to the base plate in a spaced apart orientation, the spaced apart orientation of the pair of clamps enable support of a substrate with at least two independent points. The substrate holding and transporting assembly also includes an electrode assembly connected to the base plate at a location that is substantially between the pair of clamps. The electrode assembly defined to impart an electrical contact to the substrate when present and held by the pair of clamps.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Aleksander Owczarz, Robert Knop, Mike Ravkin, Carl A. Woods
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Patent number: 7640645Abstract: A method for automation of conventional manual operation of setting the work-pieces on the hanger (H) for transporting the work-pieces, which moves such as in the surface treatment equipment (300), so as to provide the labor and power saving effect, to improve the efficiency on the operation, and to further improve the quality of the surface of the work-piece after treatment, comprises the process to separate and align plural work-pieces which are joined and aligned; the process to support the skewer-shaped supporting member (K) supporting plural separated and aligned work-pieces while maintaining the separated and aligned configuration; and the process to hang the skewer-shaped supporting member (K) supporting the work-pieces in the separated and aligned configuration on the hanger (H).Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Nisshinbo Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Mitsutoshi Kurata
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Patent number: 7624848Abstract: A mounting tool arranged at an elevator car raisable and lowerable along guide rails by a hoist in an elevator shaft. The hoist is suspended at a load hook of a shaft ceiling, wherein a support cable is connected with a load eye of a car yoke. The mounting tool includes a pivot support pivotally arranged at an axle of a tool foot supported by the car yoke. A load carrier carrying an elevator drive is provided at a free end of the pivot support. An assembly operative standing on the car yoke operates the hoist and the mounting tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Inventio AGInventor: Daniel Fischer
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Publication number: 20090283633Abstract: A supply device in a passenger cabin, such as an aircraft passenger cabin, includes a first panel or “function panel” having one or more comfort elements, operating elements, visual display elements, and communication elements; and a second panel or an “infill panel”, which includes flexible supply channels. The panels are guided and lined up in a rail system of a PSC channel that is arranged in the direction of flight above a passenger seat row. The function panels are individually positionable in the PSC channel relative to the passenger seat row, wherein the infill panel synchronously follows a linear actuating movement of the function panel, and in this process automatically compensates for the distance dimension S1 between function panels that are positioned so as to be spaced apart from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventor: Uwe Schneider
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Publication number: 20090276993Abstract: An erection method for a solar receiver and support tower provides a climbing assembly on the support tower to raise the solar receiver to its final elevation by progressively jacking and installing support tower sections to erect the tower and support the solar receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: DENNIS S. FEDOCK, THOMAS J. STUDER, JOE C. ROUDEBUSH
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Patent number: 7608801Abstract: A roof panel (31) is pre-set on the left and right side members (4) fixed to an underbody of a car. A roof panel spot welding station (7) includes a pair of frames (34) and two joisted-locating jigs (35, 36) bridging the frames. Each of the joisted-locating jigs is furnished with a clamp mechanism for holding the roof panel. The roof panel is located to the side members by the locating jigs, and spot-welded to the side members.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinobu Inoue, Masaharu Saito, Akiyoshi Hazama, Yasuhiro Hosokawa, Takuma Arai, Isao Kita, Takuji Izutani, Kazuto Ikeda
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Patent number: 7600308Abstract: Drainage elements are made by delivering loose fill elements under gravity from a container into a sleeve of netting that is tied at one end to a pipe, or other endless element, that is passing through the container. The sleeve of netting is supplied from an apertured cage extending below the container. In one embodiment a blower and chute arrangement is used to blow air downwardly into the drainage element being formed to increase the rate of flow of the loose fill elements into the sleeve of netting.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Inventors: Harry Bussey, Jr., Buddy Harry Bussey, III
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Patent number: 7584639Abstract: The aim of the invention is to produce can bodies (24?) comprising a can shell (24) and a closing element (31b, 32, 31a) that is fixed to one face of the can shell (24). Said aim is achieved by producing a tube (11) from a metal strip (1), optionally from directly adjacent sections (112), by means of a shaping step, at least one optional cutting step, and a continuous welding step, sections of said tube (11) being used as closed convex surfaces for cans. The sections are shaped by a shell-shaping device in such a way that can shells (24) are provided into which a closing element (31b, 32, 31a), especially a can bottom (31b), can be inserted. The longitudinal seam (11a, 124) can be produced inexpensively and at great precision essentially as a continuous seam in the welding step by means of simple installations.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Crebocan AGInventor: Werner Boltshauser
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Publication number: 20090165776Abstract: The invention relates to a metal sheet (15) ventilation/smoke exhaust duct section (10) for incorporation into a metal sheet ventilation/smoke exhaust duct, said metal sheets (15) being covered on the outside by a heat insulating material (20) and said duct section (10) including elongated stiffening bar members (30) located on the outside of the duct and attached to said metal sheets (15), the invention being characterised in said bar members (30) being located at a distance from said metal sheets (15), said bar members (30) being attached to said metal sheets (15) at discrete locations along the length of the bar members (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Kurt Munk Pedersen, Kenn Christensen, Lars Elmekilde Hansen
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Publication number: 20090133241Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for maintaining orientation of a manufactured part during a manufacturing process. The invention includes feeding a carrier from at least one supply apparatus. The carrier includes a flexible material and the supply apparatus stores the carrier such that the carrier may be fed from the supply apparatus. The invention includes feeding the carrier into a part forming module used by a manufacturing process to form a manufactured part and forming a plurality of manufactured parts onto the carrier as the carrier is fed into the part forming module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Bart J. Storrs, Michael A. Griffin
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Patent number: 7498541Abstract: Each of a pair of side members (4) is located relative to an underbody (3) using two locators (16). Each locator is lowered by a lifter (15) and placed on a slide base (18). The slide base is movable along a slide guide (17) toward and away from a transfer conveyor (11).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinobu Inoue, Masaharu Saito, Akiyoshi Hazama, Yasuhiro Hosokawa, Takuma Arai, Isao Kita, Takuji Izutani, Kazuto Ikeda
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Publication number: 20080313877Abstract: An assembling machine with a feeder is provided. The feeder feeds receiving components into an assembler, where a moveable coupling mechanism couples attaching components to the receiving components. Transporting mechanisms coupled to a plurality of drive trains deliver the receiving components across the feeder table and to the assembler. The transporting mechanisms alternate between a plurality of speeds so as to deliver the receiving components to the assembler such that the moveable coupling mechanism may operate at a continuous, periodic rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventor: Gordon H. Campbell
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Publication number: 20080307628Abstract: A tool for producing composite objects, including a first and a second material path, along which a first and second sheet material are stepwise feedable. Along the first and second material paths there are disposed a number of processing stations for processing the first and second sheet materials by shearing, punching, pressing, bending etc. The first and second material paths intersect one another and in the zone of intersection an assembly station is disposed for joining together or assembling component parts from the first and second material paths. A method of producing from sheet material a composite object includes the steps of stepwise feeding a first sheet material in a first feeding direction, the sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps, feeding a second sheet material stepwise in a second feeding direction, the second sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Jano Technical Center ABInventor: Tomi Yrjola
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Patent number: 7386927Abstract: A system and method of fabricating tank car outer jackets are provided that include supporting a plurality of coils of sheet metal on a plurality of coil supports such that the central longitudinal axes of the plurality of coils are generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of a mandrel adjacent the plurality of coils. A plurality of sheets of sheet metal are unwound from the plurality of coils by rotating each of the plurality of coils generally about the respective central longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of coils. As the plurality of sheets of sheet metal are wound onto the mandrel, adjacent sheets of the plurality of sheets of sheet metal are welded together using a plurality of automated welding torches proximate the mandrel. The plurality of automated welding torches may be coupled for communication with a programmable logic controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: Perry M. Maxwell, James A. Minton, Jr.
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Patent number: 7350404Abstract: The probe tip movement control method of the scanning probe microscope is used for a scanning probe microscope provided with a cantilever 21 having a probe tip 20 facing a sample 12. The atomic force occurring between the probe tip and sample is measured when the probe tip scans the surface of the sample. X-, Y-, and Z-fine movement mechanisms 23, 29, and 30 are used to relatively change the positions of the probe tip and sample. It is possible to maintain a high measurement accuracy and enable scan movement of a probe tip on a sample surface by simple control when measuring a part having a gradient in measurement of an uneven shape on a sample surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Kenki Fine Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tooru Kurenuma, Hiroaki Yanagimoto, Hiroshi Kuroda, Yasushi Minomoto, Shigeru Miwa, Ken Murayama, Yukio Kenbou, Yuuichi Kunitomo, Takenori Hiroki, Yoshiyuki Nagano, Takafumi Morimoto
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Publication number: 20080000068Abstract: Vehicle body assembly line apparatus includes a plurality of work pallets (14) having locators (18) with locator members (36) that are adjustable by a grab member (40) on each at a remote location below a vertical rest surface (37) mounted on each locator member. An adjusting station (16) provides either automatic adjustment of the adjustable locators (18) by one or more robots (52) or manual adjustment of the adjustable locators (18). A sensor (58) senses the location of a positioning target (56) on each locator member (36) at a known location from the vertical rest surface (37) and any locator pin (38) mounted thereon and generates a deviation signal when the positioning is not within a design tolerance. A control (60) readjusts the appropriate locator (18) as necessary to the design tolerance range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2006Publication date: January 3, 2008Inventors: Mark A. Savoy, Phillip J. I. Morgan
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Patent number: 7299533Abstract: A method for processing a gear set through a lapping operation that includes: providing a lapping machine tool having a first spindle and a second spindle, the second spindle being rotatable about an axis that is generally perpendicular to a rotational axis of the first spindle, the lapping machine tool having a loading zone for loading the first and second spindles; providing a robot with an end effector; loading a first gear set to a first end of the end effector, the first gear set having a ring gear and a pinion gear; moving the first end of the end effector into the loading zone; and loading the first gear set to the lapping machine tool without removing the end effector from the loading zone such that the ring gear is loaded onto the first spindle and the pinion gear is loaded onto the second spindle. An end effector is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Daniel T Bickersteth, Robert G Greene, Kenneth J Gembel, II
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Patent number: 7296349Abstract: When constructing a steam generator, buckstay modules are joined with tube wall units to form buckstay and tube wall modules while the boiler steel structure is being erected, and they are temporarily placed within the boiler steel structure level by level. Then an external part of the boiler top main grid is constructed whose beams are flush with the tube walls of the buckstay and tube wall modules. Then the boiler wall is mounted by aligning and welding the individual tube wall modules from top to bottom. Simultaneously, the internal components are constructed on the boiler base and hoisted to installation height. Preassembling buckstay and tube wall modules eliminate the need for inserting buckstays or tube walls from above through the boiler top main grid. For this reason, the roof opening can be smaller than usual. The inner boiler top main grid therefore does not require its own main beams, which saves a substantial amount of steel.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignees: ALSTOM Power Boiler GmbH, ALSTOM Power Boiler Service GmbHInventors: Rolf Gartner, Thomas Dressel
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Patent number: 7269900Abstract: A production organizing method and a method and apparatus for assembling vehicle body are provided. The production line organizing method comprises the steps of classifying all parts for all types of vehicles to be assembled into groups of main part, synchronous subparts, and non-synchronous subparts, and the manhour for the non-synchronous subparts are assigned to the difference in manhours for assembly of main parts and synchronous subparts. In addition, a vehicle body assembly method and a vehicle body assembly line are also provided, which are capable of reducing a length of a main line and increasing the productivity by classifying all of the parts used for all vehicle types into three groups of main parts and two groups of subparts including non-synchronous main parts and subparts, and by assembling and storing the non-synchronous main parts and subparts in the separate section and supplying the sub-assembled non-synchronous subparts to the main line when necessary.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Fumio Moriya, Takehiro Kouno, Kiyoshi Ikumi, Hiroshi Miyashita, Haruji Yoshida, Tatsuaki Son, Kouichi Hosono, Masakazu Kanda, Gengo Kajima, Tomoyoshi Takeuchi, Masanori Yoshida, Jyun Toyoda, Kenji Tatsuda, Yasuo Miyaoka, Michinao Iwami, Ikuo Kanazawa
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Patent number: 7246423Abstract: A system and a method for in-line production of insulated glass units (IGU) for custom windows. The system and method schedule IGU production based on the order in which the cut glass is available, or broken out, from a glass cutting station. Once the IGUs are assembled, they are then sorted into the order in which they are to be further processed, i.e., into the order in which the corresponding windows are to be produced and shipped. Thus, the sorting, or carting, step occurs after the cut glass is contained in sealed IGUs, and the workers who perform the sorting step do not have to directly handle the pieces of cut glass.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Simonton Building Products, Inc.Inventors: Randall Holden, Brian Stewart
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Patent number: 7165303Abstract: A disc cassette delidder and feeder system that includes a frame supporting; a feed-in conveyor with a movable conveyor portion, a delidder assembly attached to a lid elevator, a caddy grip and rotate assembly secured to a caddy elevator, and a re-lid assembly portion of an out-feed conveyor. The feed-in conveyor advances a disc cassette with a caddy portion confining a disc to the delidder assembly, the delidder assembly removes a lid portion of the disc cassette, the caddy grip and rotate assembly secures and rotationally aligns the caddy portion for removal of the disc, the caddy elevator indexes the caddy portion to finally present the disc for removal from the caddy portion, and the re-lid assembly confines the caddy portion while the delidder assembly rejoins the lid portion to the caddy portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Seagate Technology LLCInventors: Michael W. Pfeiffer, Eric D. Johnson
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Patent number: 7162799Abstract: A method for notifying installers 14–22 of the existence, type, and location of a portion 26 of an item within an assembly line 10. The notification allows the installers 14–22 to respectively ensure that the components 40 which are needed to be placed upon the portion 26 are available for use by the installer 14–22 in a timely manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Diane E. Moore, John J. Lubash
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Patent number: 7114235Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and breaking tubular connections at the surface of a well by utilizing a pipe joining system. The pipe joining system includes a movable support frame for supporting and integrating on a rig floor the tools associated with making and breaking the connection between two tubulars. Tools incorporated in the pipe joining system include combinations of a wrenching assembly for gripping the tubulars and applying torque to the connection, a spinner for spinning the joints of the tubulars into connection, a positioning tool for vertically and/or horizontally aligning the tubulars in the system, a cleaning and doping device for cleaning and doping the threads of the tubulars, a stabbing guide for properly aligning the tubulars before joining, a mud bucket for handling mud spillage during the breaking of the tubulars, and a control system that remotely operates the entire automated system.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Manfred Jansch, Holger Wilschinsky
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Patent number: 7111391Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a truss assembly from a truss assembly table work surface are presented having lift out rails movable between a recessed position beneath the work surface and a raised position above the work surface. A support element assembly is movably mounted to each lift out rail and has at least one support surface for supporting a truss assembly when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. The support element assembly is movable between an up position and a down position. In the up position the support surface is flush with the work surface of the truss table, the support element assembly in the up position when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. In the down position the support surface does not interfere with a truss assembly sliding on the slide mechanism of the lift out rail, the support element assembly in the down position when the lift out rail is in the raised position.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Aldine Engineered Products, Inc.Inventors: David L. McAdoo, Kenneth T. George
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Patent number: 7065852Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydraulic shock absorber is provided with a piston main body manufacturing step 21 including the process of sintering of the piston main body and the process of forming of the molded sealing are performed, a piston assembly manufacturing step 22 including process of forming of the throttle oil passage on the piston main body manufactured in the piston main body manufacturing step 21 and the assembly of valves onto the piston main body, and a hydraulic shock absorber manufacturing step 23 for manufacturing a hydraulic shock absorber using the piston assembly. In this manner, it is not necessary to provide for an intermediate inventory between each process. Furthermore inventory monitoring processes are simplified in the piston main body manufacturing step and productivity is increased since it is not necessary to monitor the inventory level with respect to a plurality of piston assembly types with different valves or throttle hydraulic passages.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kimio Sudo, Ryuji Uda
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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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Method of manufacturing and laying a plurality of elongate elements to the outside of a core element
Patent number: 7047616Abstract: In a method of manufacturing and laying a plurality of elongate elements into an umbilical comprising a core element, a plurality of conduits of metal and if necessary at least one cable situated outside the core element, which core element is advanced along a feed line and the conduits and the cables are fed onto the outside of the core element and laid in a helix, a first group of single lengths of metal tubes forming the conduits are provided parallel one to another, the single lengths are advanced in the direction of the feed line, a second group of single lengths of metal tubes are provided parallel one to another, the lengths of the second group are advanced in the direction of the feed line and the first ends of the lengths of the second group are welded to the second end of the lengths of the first group, further groups of single lengths of metal tubes are provided and welded to the lengths of the foregoing group respective by, the metal tubes welded together are laid to the outside of the core elemenType: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: NexansInventors: Bjorn Bjerke, Per Aage Kristensen, Lars Tangen -
Patent number: 7032304Abstract: A method for conveying printed circuit boards (PCBs) in a system that includes at least two assembly modules, where each assembly module has multiple conveyors for delivering the PCBs so that while processing some PCBs, other PCBs can bypass particular assembly modules.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Delaware Capital FormationInventor: Koenraad A. Gieskes
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Patent number: 7024759Abstract: Substrates can be transported on a top transporting section to component-fitting locations of a component-fitting apparatus. Conveying sections for substrates which are to be routed past the component-fitting locations are arranged on a number of conveying levels beneath the transporting section.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Barnowski, Mohammed Mehdianpour
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Patent number: 6993817Abstract: The present invention is a method of assembling fence sections using a banding machine to band an assembled fence section together so that the fence section does not fall apart as it is transferred to the site where it will be used. The fence section may be assembled at the beginning of an assembly line. The fence section may then move along the line toward the banding machine. The fence section is then banded and moved through the banding machine to be placed into a box.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventor: John L. Swinger
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Patent number: 6976307Abstract: An accelerated vehicle development process includes establishing a common, standardized interface system whereby different types of vehicle bodies may be attached to a single chassis design. Chassis and bodies are designed, manufactured and validated independently of each other in accordance with the standardized interface system, thereby accelerating the development process. As new bodies are designed to mate with the previously manufactured and validated chassis, the newly designed bodies may be developed more quickly in response to market demand and attached to the previously validated chassis.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Adrian B. Chernoff, Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Mohsen D. Shabana, Robert Louis Vitale
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Patent number: 6899263Abstract: A repair station for a soil auger includes a frame on which the mount the auger at a working height and a motor and gear reduction system to rotate the auger. A slide bar is mounted parallel to the auger and carries a welding guide for supporting a welding gun. The welding guide includes portions engaging the blade, or flight, of the auger to move the welding guide axially of the auger as it rotates. The welding guide also includes a welding gun support shoe with a variable height to position the welding gun so as to lay a bead of metal on the edge of the auger blade. Repeated applications of the welding bead are performed to build up the blade from a worn state to a rebuilt state.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Illinois Department of TransportationInventors: Michael Sean Tappan, Clinton Gene Barnhart, Jerry Lee Iams
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Patent number: 6899377Abstract: An automotive vehicle is provided having a body being assembled by a joining process line from a plurality of workpieces joined into a plurality of subassemblies according to the steps of providing templates arranged in a predetermined alignment to form a process line, with each template being generated from a defined set of standardized task stations which are operative to perform a joining process on a workpiece of the subassemblies, fixturing workpieces in a workpiece presenter provided in the task stations, at least one workpiece presenter including a tooling plate removably connected and precision located on a platform of a workpiece presenter, and sequentially joining the workpieces together to form the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Abid Ghuman, John E. Robertson, James Wayne Lowe, Marsha J. Rosso, Michael W. Pitt
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Patent number: 6763567Abstract: A pallet assembly device is disclosed that is configured to automatically position pallet components together and to automatically secure such components to each other. Furthermore, the pallet assembly device of the invention is preferably fed stacks of pallet components, and thereby eliminates the need for an assembly operator to manually position various pallet components in a jig or carriage. Yet further, the device preferably comprises a plurality of wheels that are positioned to simultaneously engage opposite sides of a pallet component and comprises a drive motor. The drive motor is preferably operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels in a manner allowing the drive motor to rotationally drive and rotationally stop at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to move the component along an assembly path. A method of assembling pallet components using a pallet assembly device is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Fastening Technologies, LLCInventors: Dustin W. Smith, Dale De'Crescenzo
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Patent number: 6725520Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing multi-layer flat products (26). Said flat products preferably comprise a core (1) of solid material, laminated with a number of layers which are processed in a sequence of work steps into the final product.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Inventor: Wolfgang Weiser
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Publication number: 20040055131Abstract: A method of assembling on a common process line a plurality of discrete assemblies is provided including providing a plurality of standardized task stations, determining at least first and second templates, each template being operative to perform an operation on a plurality of workpieces, combining at least the first and second templates in a predetermined alignment to form a process line, presenting a first assembly workpiece to be operated on by the task stations of at least the first template to form a first assembly, and presenting a second assembly workpiece to be operated on by the task stations of at least the first template to form a second assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Abid Ghuman, James Wayne Lowe, Marsha J. Rosso, Kirk E. Sanborn
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Patent number: 6701600Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing or machining a work piece in the form of a cylindrical hollow body, especially a container (an outer wall of a container), a barrel or a cask. According to the inventive method, the work piece is held so that the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented vertically and is then machined, especially formed, edged and provided with beads, a bottom and a lid. The method is characterised in that the work piece is moved at the transfer level and is lowered into a working area of a machining device, especially a shaping machine, for machining. The machining device is arranged underneath the transfer level.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Beierling
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Publication number: 20040040140Abstract: A casing and a lid which are supplied to a casing/lid supply machine are fed to a main assembly line where a light-shielding sheet is mounted on the casing and a film cover supplied from a film cover assembly line is mounted in the casing. Pressers supplied from a presser assembly line are mounted on the lid. The casing and the lid are combined with each other, completing a film case. The film case manufacturing system is capable of efficiently manufacturing highly accurate film cases and is relatively compact in structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiro Esaki, Hideki Matsuzawa, Masami Seko, Nobuo Matsuda, Hiroki Omote, Kazuo Tanabe
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Patent number: 6687997Abstract: 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 method provides for manufacturing a sealed fuel injector unit via a predetermined number of different types of operations. Each type comprises a range of percentages of the predetermined number of operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Siemens Automotive CorporationInventors: Michael P. Dallmeyer, Robert MacFarland, Michael J. Hornby
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Patent number: 6651306Abstract: A truss manufacturing apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving upper and lower chords thru a series of assembly stations of the apparatus. A board is inserted between the chords at one station and secured in place forming a trimmable end of a truss. One or more web boards can be inserted between the chords at a second station and secured in place by connector nail plates forming a opening in the truss for ductwork or the like. Metal web members are secured to opposite side edges of the truss at a third station to form a web between the chords. The chords are positioned in a generally vertical plane with one above the other in the apparatus and the board, web boards and web members are moved into position from one or both sides of the chords.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: MiTek Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. LePoire, Douglas S. Hanneken, Randall S. Mabery, Louis A. Fanty, Jr., Du Kim
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Publication number: 20030213116Abstract: A pallet assembly device is disclosed that is configured to automatically position pallet components together and to automatically secure such components to each other. Furthermore, the pallet assembly device of the invention is preferably fed stacks of pallet components, and thereby eliminates the need for an assembly operator to manually position various pallet components in a jig or carriage. Yet further, the device preferably comprises a plurality of wheels that are positioned to simultaneously engage opposite sides of a pallet component and comprises a drive motor. The drive motor is preferably operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of wheels in a manner allowing the drive motor to rotationally drive and rotationally stop at least one of the plurality of wheels so as to move the component along an assembly path. A method of assembling pallet components using a pallet assembly device is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Dustin W. Smith, Dale De'Crescenzo
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Publication number: 20030212380Abstract: A passive shield system for a syringe including a body, shield, spring and ring which provide an interlock of the shield in the retracted position prior to receipt of the syringe for bulk transportation and processing and wherein the user selects the timing of the release of the shield to its extended position following injection, but which assures shielding of the syringe needle following release of the syringe plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventor: Laurent Barrelle
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Patent number: 6637100Abstract: A method for mounting an external heat dissipater to a light emitting diode is disclosed. The heat dissipater is comprised of at least one heat dissipation board. A long metal strip is conveyed through a working platform and is punched to form a number of heat dissipation boards connected thereto by connection sections. Light emitting diodes are positioned on the heat dissipation boards and the heat dissipation boards are cut and separated from the metal strip to form finished products of light emitting diodes to which a heat dissipater comprised of the heat dissipation board is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Para Light Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ming-Te Lin, Ming-Yao Lin
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Patent number: 6612010Abstract: A method and a device for interconnecting two mutually coaxial and axially movable pipes (2 and 22 respectively), where one pipe (2) has a locking portion (16), and the other pipe (22) has a control body (30) and a locking part (26), which upon axial movement of the control body (30) is arranged to be moved between a first position, wherein the locking part (26) is not engaged with the locking portion (16), and a second position, wherein the locking part (26) is engaged with the locking portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Kongsberg Offshore ASInventors: Knut Håvard Bekkevold, Finn G. Haugen
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Publication number: 20030159266Abstract: A method of fabricating a photosensitive drum includes fabricating a rotary drum and a cylindrical photosensitive belt that closely contacts a circumferential surface of the rotary drum in an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus. The photosensitive belt is in contact with the circumferential surface of the rotary drum using shrinkage and expansion of the rotary drum according to a temperature change of the rotary drum. Thus, it is easy to fabricate the photosensitive drum. Also, since an inexpensive photosensitive belt is used, a fabricating cost of the photosensitive drum can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Soo Lee
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Publication number: 20030131464Abstract: A production line (1) is constituted of a sliding path (10) as a moving path provided along nine working step positions from a first step position (P1) to a ninth step position (P9), nine skids (20) as support-receipt plates slidably mounted on the sliding path (10) every predetermined interval so as to correspond to the step positions (P1) to (P9), and driving mechanisms (30), that is, (31A), (30B) and (30C) as moving and driving mechanisms for moving and driving the skids (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chikara Yagaki, Akira Inoue