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US 8,997,816 B2Granted
Tape dispenser
AssigneeFirst Solar, Inc.
InventorsRichard S. Malik, Jr., Thomas Truman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tape dispenser includes a torque controller and a take-up cassette.
Claims23
A tape dispenser comprising:
- a supply spindle configured to receive a supply tape roll comprising an insulating tape and a tape liner;
- a rewind spindle configured to receive the tape liner from the supply tape roll;
- a tape liner path comprising a plurality of rollers positioned between the supply spindle and the rewind spindle and configured to guide the tape liner from the supply spindle to the rewind spindle, the plurality of rollers comprising at least one application roller configured to apply the insulating tape to a conductive surface;
- at least one gripper configured to move, when tape dispensing ceases, and capture the insulating tape against at least one of the rollers to prevent unraveling of the insulating tape;
- a rewind spindle motor connected to the rewind spindle, the rewind spindle motor having a first power input;
- a rewind spindle torque controller comprising a tape liner diameter sensor, the first power input adjustable by the rewind spindle torque controller, and the rewind spindle torque controller being configured to control torque based on a predetermined value;
- a supply spindle motor connected to the supply spindle, the supply spindle motor having a second power input;
- a supply spindle torque controller comprising a supply roll diameter sensor, the second power input adjustable by the supply spindle torque controller;
- and
- a computer configured to adjust a rotational rate of the at least one application roller based at least in part on a target dispensing rate.
7 more elements
A tape dispensing system comprising:
- a body;
- a supply cassette rotatably mounted to the body;
- a take-up cassette rotatably mounted to the body;
- an applicator rotatably mounted to the body for applying an insulating tape comprising a backing layer in a first direction, wherein the insulating tape is routed from the supply cassette to the applicator, wherein the backing layer is routed from the applicator to the take-up cassette, and wherein the applicator is configured to apply the insulating tape separated from the backing layer to a conductive surface in a first direction;
- at least one gripper configured to move, when tape dispensing ceases, and capture the insulating tape against a roller rotatably mounted to the body to prevent unraveling of the insulating tape;
- a take-up cassette motor connected to the take-up cassette, the take-up cassette motor having a first power input;
- a take-up cassette torque controller comprising a backing layer diameter sensor, the first power input adjustable by the take-up cassette torque controller, the take-up cassette torque controller being configured to control torque based on a predetermined value;
- a supply cassette motor connected to the supply cassette, the supply cassette motor having a second power input;
- a supply cassette torque controller comprising a supply roll diameter sensor, the second power input adjustable by the supply cassette torque controller;
- a vision system configured to monitor, in a direction normal to the first direction, a position of the insulating tape applied to the conductive surface;
- and
- a computer configured to adjust a rotational rate of the applicator based at least in part on a target dispensing rate.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.