公开(公告)号：US12115860B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-15

申请号：US17082837

申请日：2020-10-28

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Tracy M. Clark ,  Todd S. Webber ,  Michael Bottasso ,  Robert Mosher ,  Nathan King

IPC: B60L13/03 ,  B60L13/00 ,  B60L13/10 ,  B60L15/00

CPC classification number: B60L13/03 ,  B60L13/003 ,  B60L13/10 ,  B60L15/005 ,  Y02T10/64

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets. In at least one other region, the plurality of coils disposed on only a single side of the magnets of vehicles being propelled in that region exert a propulsive force of substance thereon-regardless of whether the plurality of coils in that region are disposed on a single or multiple (e.g., opposing sides) of those magnets.

公开(公告)号：US20210403762A1

公开(公告)日：2021-12-30

申请号：US17350455

申请日：2021-06-17

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Kyle A. Crum ,  Robert H. Schmidt ,  David A. Vasko ,  Neil R. Bentley ,  Tracy M. Clark ,  Michael D. Cook

IPC: C09J7/20

Abstract: A reversible adhesive apparatus includes a base and an adhesive layer. The base is configured with a series of concave and convex shapes at a top surface of the base according to some embodiments. The base is configured with a raised portion and a surrounding portion at a top surface of the base according to some other embodiments. The adhesive layer is disposed on top of the base. The adhesive layer configured to provide reversible adhesion on a top surface of the adhesive layer.

公开(公告)号：US11787649B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-17

申请号：US17224322

申请日：2021-04-07

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Shankha S. Seal ,  Jadav Das ,  Tracy M. Clark ,  Michaela R. Kaufmann ,  Dayin Xu ,  Xikai Sun ,  John Floresta

IPC: B65G67/12 ,  B60W40/11 ,  B60W40/112 ,  B60W40/114

CPC classification number: B65G67/12 ,  B60W40/11 ,  B60W40/112 ,  B60W40/114 ,  B60W2300/40

Abstract: A system and method of determining orientation of a physical location on a cart or end effector located on the cart in an independent cart system receives a feedback signal from a sensor on the cart. A multi-axis device may generate three or more signals corresponding to X, Y, and Z axes orientations. Processing may be performed on the signals to generate a value of yaw, pitch, or roll of the cart. The feedback or processed signals are transmitted from the mover to a remote device external from the track. The real-time orientation information may be used to implement closed-loop control of an actuator mounted on or external to each cart as the cart travels along the track. Power for the devices on the mover may be provided by a battery mounted on the cart or by a wireless power transfer system.

公开(公告)号：US11718482B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-08

申请号：US17007167

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Yuhong Huang ,  Sean Lu ,  Tracy M. Clark

IPC: B65G43/00 ,  G05B19/33 ,  B65G54/02

CPC classification number: B65G43/00 ,  B65G54/02 ,  G05B19/33 ,  G05B2219/41337

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring disturbance forces experienced by a mover in an independent cart system monitors current generated by a controller and a feedback signal corresponding to operation of the mover in response to the current generated by the controller. The controller stores a value of the current reference and of the feedback signal, sampled in tandem, and determines a disturbance force experienced by the mover as it travels along the track as a function of the stored values of the current reference and of the feedback signal. The controller may store the measured disturbance force experienced by the mover as a function of the location of the mover along the track. For each subsequent time the mover travels along the same length of track, the controller may add a compensation value to the current reference to reduce the disturbance force experienced by the mover.

公开(公告)号：US11413968B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-16

申请号：US16575630

申请日：2019-09-19

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Yuhong Huang ,  Brian M. Perreault ,  Tracy M. Clark

IPC: B60L13/03 ,  B60L15/00 ,  H02K41/025 ,  H02K41/03 ,  B65G54/02 ,  B65G35/06 ,  F16C41/00 ,  F16C29/02

Abstract: A motion control system for an independent cart system provides for a minimum spacing between movers that is less than the width of a coil used to control motion of the movers. Blocks are statically or dynamically defined along the length of each track segment, where the width of a block is less than the width of a coil along the same track segment. Dividing the width of each coil into smaller block widths provides for an improved resolution of control for each mover. The blocks may also establish collision prevention between movers without requiring knowledge of the position of adjacent movers. Each block is assigned to a single mover at a time, but multiple blocks may be assigned to a single mover. A mover is permitted to only move within those blocks assigned to it and cannot have blocks assigned to it that are already assigned to another mover.

公开(公告)号：US20210234488A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-29

申请号：US17228944

申请日：2021-04-13

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Xikai Sun ,  Jadav Das ,  Tracy M. Clark ,  Robert H. Schmidt ,  Neil R. Bentley

IPC: H02P25/064 ,  B65G23/23 ,  H02K41/03 ,  H02K11/00 ,  H02K11/04 ,  B65G35/06

Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting power between a track and independent movers in a motion control system includes a pick-up coil provided proximate to the magnets on the movers. The fundamental component of the voltage applied to the drive coils interacts primarily with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets on the movers and not with the pick-up coil. Consequently, the pick-up coil does not interfere with desired operation of the movers but rather, interacts primarily with the harmonic components and has current and voltages induced within the pick-up coil as a result of the harmonic components. The energy captured by the pick-up coil reduces the amplitude of eddy currents on the mover. After harvesting the harmonic content, the pick-up coil may be connected to another circuit on the mover and serve as a supply voltage for the other circuit.

公开(公告)号：US10821837B2

公开(公告)日：2020-11-03

申请号：US16673106

申请日：2019-11-04

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Tracy M. Clark ,  Todd S. Webber ,  Michael Bottasso ,  Robert Mosher ,  Nathan King

IPC: B60L13/03 ,  B60L13/00 ,  B60L13/10 ,  B60L15/00

Abstract: The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets. In at least one other region, the plurality of coils disposed on only a single side of the magnets of vehicles being propelled in that region exert a propulsive force of substance thereon-regardless of whether the plurality of coils in that region are disposed on a single or multiple (e.g., opposing sides) of those magnets.

公开(公告)号：US11898068B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-13

申请号：US17350455

申请日：2021-06-17

Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Kyle A. Crum ,  Robert H. Schmidt ,  David A. Vasko ,  Neil R. Bentley ,  Tracy M. Clark ,  Michael D. Cook

IPC: C09J7/20

CPC classification number: C09J7/20 ,  C09J2301/31

Abstract: A reversible adhesive apparatus includes a base and an adhesive layer. The base is configured with a series of concave and convex shapes at a top surface of the base according to some embodiments. The base is configured with a raised portion and a surrounding portion at a top surface of the base according to some other embodiments. The adhesive layer is disposed on top of the base. The adhesive layer configured to provide reversible adhesion on a top surface of the adhesive layer.

公开(公告)号：US11757342B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-12

申请号：US17476139

申请日：2021-09-15

Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Azeddine Choumach ,  John Pearlman ,  Tracy M. Clark

IPC: H02K41/02 ,  H02K11/20 ,  H02K5/00 ,  H02K7/08

CPC classification number: H02K41/02 ,  H02K5/00 ,  H02K7/08 ,  H02K11/20

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mover of a linear motor system. The mover includes a housing and a material coupled to the housing, the material having one or more protrusions extending towards a track of the linear motor system. The mover also includes a bearing to interface with the track. The bearing includes one or more recesses extending from a first surface of the bearing toward a second surface of the bearing, opposite the first surface. Each of the one or more recesses receives a respective protrusion of the one or more protrusions of the material. The bearing wears away from the second surface over time as the mover travels along the track, exposing the one or more protrusions to the track.

公开(公告)号：US20230079622A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-16

申请号：US17476139

申请日：2021-09-15

Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Azeddine Choumach ,  John Pearlman ,  Tracy M. Clark

IPC: H02K41/02 ,  H02K5/00 ,  H02K7/08 ,  H02K11/20

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mover of a linear motor system. The mover includes a housing and a material coupled to the housing, the material having one or more protrusions extending towards a track of the linear motor system. The mover also includes a bearing to interface with the track. The bearing includes one or more recesses extending from a first surface of the bearing toward a second surface of the bearing, opposite the first surface. Each of the one or more recesses receives a respective protrusion of the one or more protrusions of the material. The bearing wears away from the second surface over time as the mover travels along the track, exposing the one or more protrusions to the track.