Brian Doherty

US Patent:

6686823, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Apr 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/134804

Inventors:

Floyd D. Arntz - Newton MA
Ian S. Roth - Bedford MA
Marcel P. J. Gaudreau - Lexington MA
Brian J. Doherty - Weston MA

Assignee:

PRI Automation, Inc. - Billerica MA

International Classification:

H01F 3820

US Classification:

336174, 336173, 336175, 336229, 336 92

Abstract:

A coaxial inductive power transfer and distribution apparatus includes a stationary primary conductor and a mobile secondary coil magnetically coupled together to provide for inductive power transfer therebetween. A return conductor that is stationary is mechanically coupled to the primary conductor and ensures the position stability of the primary conductor with respect to the moveable secondary coil. The return conductor also includes an air gap in which a support member for the mobile secondary coil is disposed within. The mobile secondary winding includes a high permeability toroidal core that is coaxially disposed about, and spaced apart from, the primary conductor. A multi-turn coil is radially disposed about the high permeability toroidal core. The support member for the mobile secondary winding extends through the air gap in the return conductor to the exterior of the return conductor, where it may be coupled to an electric vehicle.

US Patent:

7165927, Jan 23, 2007

Filed:

Mar 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/393526

Inventors:

Brian J. Doherty - Weston MA, US
Thomas R. Mariano - Londonderry NH, US
Robert P. Sullivan - Wilmington MA, US

Assignee:

Brooks Automation, Inc. - Chelmsford MA

International Classification:

H01L 21/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

41433102

Abstract:

An Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) that allows an overhead hoist transport vehicle to load/ unload parts directly to/from storage units included in the system. The AMHS includes an overhead hoist transport subsystem and a vertical carousel stocker having a plurality of storage bins. The subsystem includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle traveling along a suspended track defining a predetermined route. The route passes over the stocker, which allows the vehicle to access parts directly from one of the storage bins. The selected bin is positioned at the top of the stocker underneath the track. Next, the vehicle is moved along the track to a position above the selected bin. The hoist is then lowered parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stocker toward the selected bin. Finally, the hoist is operated to pick parts directly from the bin, or to place parts in the bin.

US Patent:

7771153, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Jan 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/652707

Inventors:

Brian J. Doherty - Weston MA, US
Thomas R. Mariano - Londonderry NH, US
Robert P. Sullivan - Wilmington MA, US

Assignee:

Murata Machinery Ltd. - Kyoto

International Classification:

H01L 21/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

41433102

Abstract:

An Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) that allows an overhead hoist transport vehicle to load and unload Work-In-Process (WIP) parts directly to/from WIP storage units included in the system. The AMHS includes an overhead hoist transport subsystem and a vertical carousel stocker having a plurality of storage bins. The subsystem includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle traveling along a suspended track defining a predetermined route running adjacent to the stocker, allowing the vehicle to access a WIP part directly from a storage bin. At least one storage bin includes a movable shelf operative to move laterally from a first position along the carousel path to a second position near the vehicle. The storage unit is partially open to allow the movable shelf to move to the second position, allowing the hoist to access a material unit directly from the shelf for subsequent transport along the track.

US Patent:

8197172, Jun 12, 2012

Filed:

Mar 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/724194

Inventors:

Brian J. Doherty - Weston MA, US
Thomas R. Mariano - Londonderry NH, US
Robert P. Sullivan - Wilmington MA, US

Assignee:

Murata Machinery, Ltd. - Kyoto

International Classification:

H01L 21/00
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

41433102

Abstract:

A highly efficient Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) that allows an overhead hoist transport vehicle to load and unload Work-In-Process (WIP) parts directly to/from one or more WIP storage units included in the system. The AMHS includes an overhead hoist transport subsystem and at least one vertical carousel stocker having a plurality of storage bins. The overhead hoist transport subsystem includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle traveling along a suspended track defining a predetermined route, which runs adjacent to the carousel stocker, thereby allowing the overhead hoist transport vehicle to access a WIP part directly from one of the storage bins. At least one of the storage bins includes a movable shelf operative to move laterally from a first position along the carousel path to a second position near the overhead hoist transport vehicle. The storage unit is at least partially open to allow the movable shelf to move to the second position, thereby allowing the overhead hoist to access a material unit directly from the movable shelf for subsequent transport along the track between various locations within a product manufacturing facility.

US Patent:

20070092359, Apr 26, 2007

Filed:

Oct 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/580697

Inventors:

Richard Pickreign - Harvard MA, US
Jeffrey Tawyer - Danvers MA, US
Brian Doherty - Weston MA, US

International Classification:

B65G 1/00

US Classification:

414281000

Abstract:

An improved automated material handling system that allows an overhead hoist supported by a suspended track to access Work-In-Process (WIP) parts from storage locations beside the track. The automated material handling system includes an overhead hoist transport vehicle for transporting an overhead hoist on a suspended track, and one or more storage bins for storing WIP parts located beside the track. Each storage bin is either a movable shelf or a fixed shelf. To access a WIP part from a selected shelf, the overhead hoist transport vehicle moves along the suspended track to a position at the side of the shelf. Next, the movable shelf moves to a position underneath the overhead hoist. Alternatively, overhead hoist moves to a position above the fixed shelf. The overhead hoist is then operated to pick a desired WIP part directly from the shelf, or to place one or more WIP parts directly to the shelf. Once the WIP part is held by the overhead hoist, the overhead hoist transport vehicle moves the WIP part to a workstation or processing machine on the product manufacturing floor.

US Patent:

20070107917, May 17, 2007

Filed:

Feb 16, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/355550

Inventors:

Brian Doherty - Weston MA, US
Michael Osborne - Clinton MA, US
William Reynolds - Marlborough MA, US
Hans Hug - Weston MA, US
Nathan Desmeule - Bellingham MA, US

International Classification:

A01B 49/02

US Classification:

172192000

Abstract:

A multifunctional robot tool includes a pair of driven fingers configured as a gripper and a blade depending from each finger. The blades are configured as a digging spade when closed together by the fingers. A knife is associated with at least one blade for cutting wire.

US Patent:

20120288348, Nov 15, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/492341

Inventors:

Brian J. Doherty - Weston MA, US
Thomas R. Mariano - Londonderry NH, US
Robert P. Sullivan - Wilmington MA, US

International Classification:

H01L 21/677
B25J 11/00
B66C 19/00

US Classification:

41422207

Abstract:

An overhead hoist transport vehicle comprising: an overhead hoist; a translating stage; and a gripper coupled to the translating stage, the gripper being configured to grip a material unit; wherein the overhead hoist is configured to transport the material unit to one of a load port and a storage location by performing operations comprising: the overhead hoist being configured to vertically move the gripper to the load port and the storage location; and the translating stage being configured to horizontally move the overhead hoist to the load port and the storage location; and wherein the load port is beneath an overhead rail; and wherein at least a portion of the storage location is disposed lateral to the overhead rail.

US Patent:

46626573, May 5, 1987

Filed:

Aug 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/771367

Inventors:

Andrew C. Harvey - Waltham MA
Brian J. Doherty - Marblehead MA

Assignee:

Foster-Miller, Inc. - Waltham MA

International Classification:

F16L 3900

US Classification:

285 96

Abstract:

A fluid swivel system of the type suitable for use with a single point mooring system and the like includes mandrel structure that defines a through flow path from a coupling to a port in an outer cylindrical interface surface, a port in the outer interface surface. Generally toroidal structure surrounds and is mounted for rotation relative to the mandrel structure, the toroid structure having an inner cylindrical interface surface in juxtaposed relation to the interface surface of the mandrel structure. The mandrel and toroid structures cooperate to define a through flow passage between the mandrel coupling and a toroid port in the external surface of the swivel and further cooperate to define an annular seal chamber between the juxtaposed interface surfaces on either side of the through passage. Metal seal ring structure is disposed in each seal chamber, each seal ring structure having first and second sealing surfaces for engaging corresponding seal chamber defining surfaces of the mandrel and toroid structures respectively, and each sealing surface has relatively hard and soft portions. Bearing structure between the mandrel and toroid structures is located so that each seal chamber is between the adjacent bearing structure and the through passage.