US4545106A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine system using infrared telemetering
Assignee: Valenite LLC
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Filing: 1982-09-03
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Granted: 1985-10-08
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Expires: 2002-09-03
Abstract
Abstract Positional information about movable components in a machine system relative to the workpiece is wirelessly transmitted by infrared radiation to a remote receiver. The receiver is operative to convert the infrared signals into electrical signals for controlling operational cycles of the machine system.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard O. Juengel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/003; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/41815; G05B19/41825; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/04; G08C2201/00; G08C2201/50; G08C2201/51; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5124; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/16; Y10T408/17; Y10T408/173; Y10T408/175; Y10T408/21; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/304536; Y10T409/305544; Y10T409/306664; Y10T409/307448; Y10T409/30868; Y10T409/308736
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In an automated machining system having a movable workpiece holder for holding a workpiece during machining of the workpiece, the improvement comprising: transducer means for detecting at least one given relative position between the workpiece and the workpiece holder, operative to generate an electrical signal in response to detection of said given position; transmitter means coupled to the transducer for selectively transmitting an infrared frequency light signal in response to the transducer signal, said transmitter being mounted for movement with the workpiece holder; remote receiver means for converting said infrared signal into an electrical signal; and means for coupling the signal from said receiver means to a device for controlling an operation on the workpiece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an automated machining system having a movable workpiece holder for holding a workpiece during machining of the workpiece, the improvement comprising: transducer means for detecting at least one given relative position between the workpiece and the workpiece holder, operative to generate an electrical signal in response to detection of said given position; transmitter means coupled to the transducer for selectively transmitting an infrared frequency light signal in response to the transducer signal, said transmitter being mounted for movement with the workpiece holder; remote receiver means for converting said infrared signal into an electrical signal; and means for coupling the signal from said receiver means to a device for controlling an operation on the workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said machining system includes a machine tool and wherein said workpiece holder is mounted on a movable table, with said transmitter means being mounted for movement with said workpiece holder on the table and said remote receiver means being remotely mounted at a fixed position spaced from the table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said holder comprises a vise with a pair of automatically controlled opposing jaws for gripping the workpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein said transducer means comprises first and second switch means operative to provide electrical signals indicating the position of the workpiece in the vise and the position of the vise jaws, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said transmitter means further comprises: means for altering the characteristics of the infrared signal as a function of the output of the switches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement of claim 5 wherein said receiver further comprises: means for generating a plurality of different electrical signals depending upon the characteristics of the received infrared signal whereby plural machining operational steps may be controlled thereby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the means in the transmitter is operative to initiate transmission of the infrared signal upon receipt of the electrical signal from the first switch, and wherein said means operates to shift the frequency of the infrared signal in response to an electrical signal from the second switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein said receiver means is operative to generate a first electrical signal in response to reception of transmission of an infrared signal whereby to provide an indication that the workpiece is in position within the vise, and wherein said receiver is adapted to generate another electrical signal in response to the detection of a given frequency of the infrared signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said machining system further includes a robot and an associated controller for transporting the workpiece to and from the vise, with the electrical signals generated by the receiver being used to control robot operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
A machining system comprising: a machining center having a workpiece holder for securing a workpiece during a machining operation; robot means for placing a workpiece into the holder and retrieving the workpiece from the holder after work has been performed on the workpiece; transducer means for detecting at least one given relative position between the workpiece and the holder, operative to generate an electrical signal in response to detection of said given position; transmitter means coupled to the transducer for transmitting an infrared frequency signal as a function of the transducer signal; remote receiver means for converting the infrared signal into an electrical and; means for coupling the electrical signal from the receiver to a device for controlling robot operations on the workpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A machining system comprising: a machining center having a workpiece holder for securing a workpiece during a machining operation; robot means for placing a workpiece into the holder and retrieving the workpiece from the holder after work has been performed on the workpiece; transducer means for detecting at least one given relative position between the workpiece and the holder, operative to generate an electrical signal in response to detection of said given position; transmitter means coupled to the transducer for transmitting an infrared frequency signal as a function of the transducer signal; remote receiver means for converting the infrared signal into an electrical and; means for coupling the electrical signal from the receiver to a device for controlling robot operations on the workpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said tool holder is adapted to be moved to various positions, with said transmitter being mounted adjacent to the holder and movable therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said workpiece holder comprises: a vise with a pair of automatically controlled jaws for selectively gripping the workpiece; wherein said transducer means comprises first switch means for detecting the presence of the workpiece within the vise and second switch means for detecting the position of the vise jaws; and wherein said transmitter means is adapted to alter the characteristics of the infrared signal as function of the first and second switch means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said transmitter means is operative to initiate transmission of infrared signals when the first switch detects that the workpiece is in the vise, with the frequency of the infrared signal being changed in response to detection by the second switch that the vise jaws are closed about the workpiece.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said receiver means comprises means for detecting the presence of a received infrared signal and being further operative to detect the relative frequency of said signal whereby the robot may be informed of the presence of a workpiece within the vise and the position of the vise jaws relative to the workpiece.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 14 which further comprises: a battery for powering said transmitter, with the first switch being operative to selectively connect the battery to components in the transmitter for creating the infrared signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 15 which further comprises: timer means in the receiver, operative to be energized during the presence of a received infrared signal whereby the timer provides an indication of battery usage in the transmitter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of performing work on a workpiece, said method comprising: placing the workpiece on a conveyor and transporting the workpiece to a given station; lifting the workpiece with an automated robot and placing the workpiece in a multi-position workpiece holder; transmitting an infrared signal to a remotely spaced receiver indicating that the workpiece is in place in the tool holder; energizing the tool holder to clamp the workpiece in response to the presence of the infrared signal; transmitting the infrared signal with a selected frequency to indicate that the workpiece holder has clamped the workpiece; moving the workpiece holder to a station for performing work on the workpiece; energizing the tool holder to unclamp the workpiece; altering the frequency characteristics of the infrared signal to indicate that the holder has unclamped the workpiece; and operating the robot to remove the workpiece from the holder in response thereto.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of performing work on a workpiece, said method comprising: placing the workpiece on a conveyor and transporting the workpiece to a given station; lifting the workpiece with an automated robot and placing the workpiece in a multi-position workpiece holder; transmitting an infrared signal to a remotely spaced receiver indicating that the workpiece is in place in the tool holder; energizing the tool holder to clamp the workpiece in response to the presence of the infrared signal; transmitting the infrared signal with a selected frequency to indicate that the workpiece holder has clamped the workpiece; moving the workpiece holder to a station for performing work on the workpiece; energizing the tool holder to unclamp the workpiece; altering the frequency characteristics of the infrared signal to indicate that the holder has unclamped the workpiece; and operating the robot to remove the workpiece from the holder in response thereto.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-07 | 1989-04-08 | 1989-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-07 | 1993-04-08 | 1993-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-07 | 1997-04-08 | 1997-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |