Norman N Fender

US Patent:

48996025, Feb 13, 1990

Filed:

Mar 24, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/328495

Inventors:

Norman Fender - Hudson MI

Assignee:

Graco Robotics, Inc. - Livonia MI

International Classification:

G01M 1900
G01B 500

US Classification:

738659

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an indicator for monitoring the position of a piston rod of a linear actuator utilized in robotic mechanisms. The indicator includes a precision toothed chain which is pulled by an extending piston rod and drawn in by a coil spring to maintain tension in the chain and a non-slipping relation with a sprocket wheel driven by the chain. A shaft encoder mounted on a shaft of the sprocket wheel delivers digitized quantities representative of the degree of rotation of the shaft and sprocket wheel and of the linear position of an actuating, linearly-movable end of the piston rod.

US Patent:

46797343, Jul 14, 1987

Filed:

Oct 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/792907

Inventors:

Gordon V. Mommsen - Brooklyn Center MN
Norman N. Fender - Monroe MI
Stanley G. Karwoski - St. Paul MN
William C. Scherer - Minneapolis MN
Robert J. Lind - Robbinsdale MN

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B05B 502
B05B 1508

US Classification:

239692

Abstract:

A spray gun is designed for mounting on the end of a robot arm. The construction of the gun is provided such that nearly all of the main components with the exception of the spray head itself are located in a main body to which is mounted a pivotal spray head assembly which may pivot approximately 90. degree. to either side of the normal straight-ahead position. The power supply and power generating units are located in the main body. The electrostatic power supply connection to the spray head enters the spray head shaft on the opposite side from the fluid supply entry. The fluid control valve may be located in the spray head shaft.

US Patent:

45615926, Dec 31, 1985

Filed:

Mar 22, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/592080

Inventors:

Norman N. Fender - Monroe MI
Mark S. Davis - Schaumburg IL

Assignee:

Graco Robotics, Inc. - Livonia MI

International Classification:

B05B 1508

US Classification:

239587

Abstract:

Apparatus for attachment to an automated robot or other similar type of automatic machinery, for controlling paint spraying nozzles to provide additional degrees of freedom of spray direction and film coating, including a rack and pinion gearing housing attachable to the robot, one or more air cylinders mechanically linked to the rack and pinion gearing, a shaft rotatably coupled to the pinion gear and fixedly attached to one or more spray nozzles. Air activation of the air cylinders causes the pinion gearing mechanism to pivotally rotate about the shaft axis, rotatably positioning the spray nozzles in various preselected angular positions.

US Patent:

53640357, Nov 15, 1994

Filed:

Dec 20, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/170538

Inventors:

Yamin Ma - Roseville MN
Lawrence J. Lunzer - St. Louis Park MN
Norman N. Fender - Farmington Hills MI

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Golden Valley MN

International Classification:

B05B 5025

US Classification:

239690

Abstract:

A liquid pumping system for transporting conductive liquids to an electrostatic spraying device while maintaining electrical isolation between the spraying device and the liquid source; the system includes sequentially-arranged metering valves and pumps to sequentially transport predetermined and isolated quantities of liquid.

US Patent:

D382130, May 29, 1990

Filed:

Oct 6, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/106706

Inventors:

Gary L. Jones - Madison Heights MI
Robert J. Todd - Milford Township, Oakland County MI
Norman N. Fender - Hudson MI
Dale A. Wood - Canton MI
Alexander Bally - Carnegie PA

Assignee:

Graco Inc. - Minneapolis MN

US Classification:

D15199

US Patent:

47840102, Nov 15, 1988

Filed:

Apr 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/043278

Inventors:

Dale A. Wood - Canton MI
Robert J. Todd - Milford Township, Wayne County MI
Norman N. Fender - Hudson MI

Assignee:

Graco Robotics Inc. - Livonia MI

International Classification:

G05G 1100
B25J 912

US Classification:

74479

Abstract:

An electric robot having a base unit which is rotatable about a vertical first axis is provided with a horizontal second axis to which is pivotally mounted a vertical arm. At the other end of the vertical arm, a horizontal arm is mounted which has at the end thereof a wrist for carrying a tool such as a spray gun. Motors for operation of the wrist are placed coaxially with the second axis and are placed inside the shafts for the horizontal and vertical arms. The counterbalancing mechanisms have an axis of motion which is parallel to the second axis, pulleys being used to change the direction of the tensioning cables from tangential to the second axis to parallel to the second axis.

US Patent:

46733760, Jun 16, 1987

Filed:

Jul 16, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/886120

Inventors:

Norman N. Fender - Hudson MI

Assignee:

Graco Robotics, Inc. - Livonia MI

International Classification:

F16D 318

US Classification:

464158

Abstract:

A universal coupler for flexibly joining together two members along an axis, wherein one member has a projecting neck having an enlarged curved polyhedron head, wherein each of the faces of the polyhedron have a radius of curvature measured in a plane parallel to the axis, and wherein the second member has a threaded end and an internal polyhedron receptor opening, the polyhedron opening being complementary to the head, and wherein the threaded end incorporates a plurality of slots running parallel to the axis, and a threaded locknut for fitting over the threaded end and for capturing the polyhedron head within the polyhedron receptor opening.

US Patent:

46448977, Feb 24, 1987

Filed:

Oct 1, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/782430

Inventors:

Norman N. Fender - Monroe MI

Assignee:

Graco Robotics, Inc. - Livonia MI

International Classification:

B05B 1512

US Classification:

118323

Abstract:

A self-contained work center for automatic spray finishing of parts, having an elevated platform with a turntable mounted thereon which is rotatable about a vertical axis, a robot manipulator fixedly mounted relative to the vertical axis, wherein the turntable ends are rotatable through a circular path, at least part of which includes a partially protected booth for collecting paint residue and overspray. The robot manipulator has a movable arm and spray applicator capable of movement over a limited range so as to provide a predetermined envelope of possible work areas for spray finishing, and a portion of the turntable end path and at least a portion of the spray booth are included with this envelope. The apparatus includes an access position to the turntable for mounting and removing parts associated with the spray finishing operation. A service enclosure is located beneath the elevated platform for housing electrical and hydraulic components for cooperatively operating the robot manipulator and turntable.