Vibratory movement and manipulation apparatus and method
AssigneeElectro Scientific Industries, Inc.
InventorsDavid A. Bruno, Mark J. Brooks, Quang Nguyen, David M. Brooks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for vibration-generated movement and manipulation, such as transportation, orientation, loading or sorting of materials are provided. At least one electromagnetic coil is disposed to act in a horizontal plane, and another electromagnetic coil may be disposed to act in a vertical plane, imparting two-dimensional vibration to a generally horizontal vibratory surface. Apparatus vibrationally transports parts across a surface while concurrently orienting and sorting them. Reversibility of transport direction is also provided.
Claims20
An apparatus for reversibly transporting parts along a surface comprising:
- an electromagnetic coil oriented in a horizontal plane capable of displacing the surface in a first direction in the horizontal plane;
- a means for displacing the surface in a second direction in the horizontal plane, where the second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction in the horizontal plane;
- an electromagnetic coil oriented in a vertical plane capable of displacing the surface in a first direction in the vertical plane;
- and
- a means for displacing the surface in a second direction in the vertical plane, where the second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction in the vertical plane,
- thereby generating bidirectional part movement along the surface.
A method of reversibly transporting and manipulating parts comprising:
- providing a surface configured to permit part manipulation;
- and
- maneuvering the surface by repeatedly performing the sequence:
- displacing the surface in a first direction in the vertical plane;
- displacing the surface in a first direction in the horizontal plane;
- displacing the surface in a second direction in the vertical plane, where the second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction in the vertical plane;
- and
- displacing the surface in a second direction in the horizontal plane, where the second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction in the horizontal plane,
- thereby generating bidirectional part movement along the surface to facilitate manipulation of the parts in accordance with the surface, configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.