Production system for forming filtration tubes including subsystems and method of using same
US11376527B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/2433
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A production system and method of using the same for forming filtration tubes. The system includes: a six-axis robotic arm that moves tubes between sub-systems. The arm moves an unprocessed tube from an input-output subsystem, to an inspection system, a laser cutting system, and optional post-processing system. The inspection may include a laser and/or camera that scans a surface of a tube to determine abnormalities, defects, and/or quality issues. The laser cutting system cuts pores, holes, or slots into and through a wall of the tube, that passes inspection, to form a filtration tube used to filter solids from fluids. The post-processing system may post-process and/or clean the tube after cutting. If the tube fails inspection, it is moved to a reject bin or tray. The arm moves completed filtration tubes to a finished tube bin or tray.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.