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US 11,890,750 B2Granted
Systems and methods for maize embryo plating and replating
AssigneePioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
InventorsRoss Megargel, Christopher Reppe, Jacob Patrick Suther, Jeffrey Dale Wille
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for singulating, orienting, and delivering oriented objects (e.g., embryos) to a desired location (e.g., a plate containing a selected medium).
Claims29
An object orientation apparatus comprising:
- first and second nozzle assemblies, wherein each of the first and second nozzle assemblies comprises a respective vacuum nozzle and a respective actuation subassembly, each of the vacuum nozzles having a respective longitudinal axis and distal ends, wherein each vacuum nozzle is configured to apply suction to retain an object against the distal end of the vacuum nozzle, and wherein within each nozzle assembly, the vacuum nozzle is rotatable by the actuation subassembly,
- wherein the vacuum nozzles of the first and second nozzle assemblies are selectively rotatable to an object-transfer position in which the longitudinal axis of the first vacuum nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second vacuum nozzle and the distal end of the first vacuum nozzle is positioned proximate the distal end of the second vacuum nozzle.
A method of positioning an object in a desired orientation comprising:
- providing first and second nozzle assemblies, wherein each of the first and second nozzle assemblies comprises a respective vacuum nozzle and a respective actuation subassembly, each of the vacuum nozzles having a respective longitudinal axis and distal ends, wherein each vacuum nozzle is configured to apply suction to retain an object against the distal end of the vacuum nozzle, and wherein within each nozzle assembly, the vacuum nozzle is rotatable by the actuation subassembly, wherein the vacuum nozzles of the first and second nozzle assemblies are selectively rotatable to an object-transfer position in which the longitudinal axis of the first vacuum nozzle is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the second vacuum nozzle and the distal end of the first vacuum nozzle is positioned proximate the distal end of the second vacuum nozzle;
- selectively activating at least one actuator of the actuation subassembly of the first nozzle assembly to position the first nozzle assembly in the object release/retrieval position;
- activating a vacuum source to apply suction through the vacuum nozzle of the first nozzle assembly to retain an object against the distal end of the vacuum nozzle of the first nozzle assembly;
- producing an image of the object using the camera;
- and
- determining an orientation of the object using the controller.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.