Rotary machine with separately controllable stations

US8261631B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Computrol, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William W. Weil · Golden, US
• Scott J. Woolley · Golden, US
• Ian Buckley · Redwood City, US
• James N. McBride · Arvada, US
• Bert E. Johansson · Arvada, US
• Harley S. Crabtree · Arvada, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 19, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 11, 2012
• Expiry date: May 15, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/18296
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A rotary machine may have multiple stations that have a linear motion operated by a cam and a rotational motion operated by individual motors mounted on each station. Each station may perform a motion profile that is proportional to the machine's central axis rotation or, in some cases, independent of the central axis rotation. In some embodiments, each station may rotate to orient a part prior to processing. In one embodiment, the cam driven linear motion may enable a station to lower for loading and unloading, then raise for processing. The rotary machine may have various mechanisms at each station for processing a part. One such embodiment is a rotary machine that may be outfitted with compound dispensing mechanisms at each station.