Irm LLC

Saturn Corporation

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

James Kevin Mainquist

Robert Charles Downs

Larry T Nitz

Mark Richard Weselak

Andrew J Meyer

Scott Allan Lesley

David Allen Blenc

Marc Nasoff

Jeremy S Caldwell

Kristina Marie Burow

Daniel G Sipes

Daniel Terence McMullan

Goro Tamai

William Leonard Aldrich, Iii

Rimas S Milunas

Kyle Kenneth Kinsey

Robert B Deady

Christopher M Shaw

Bradley J Backes

Kyle K Kinsey

Joel A Taylor

Jim Chang

Tracey Lynn Myers

John Isbell

Kenneth J Micklash, Ii

The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.

Gripping mechanisms, apparatus and methods

Briefly, the present invention provides a system and method for high throughput processing using sample holders. The system has a plurality of work perimeters, with a rotational robot preferably associated with each work perimeter. At least one transfer station area is provided between adjacent work perimeters to facilitate robotic transfer of sample holders from one work perimeter to another area. Each work perimeter typically includes a plurality of defined station locations, with each station location positioned to be accessible by the robot associated with that area. In addition, each station location is typically configured to receive a device, such as an automated instrument or a holding nest. Device components are arranged at selected station locations according to specific application requirements to provide a flexible, robust, reliable, and accurate high throughput processing system.

High throughput processing system and method of using

This invention provides capacity altering devices that facilitate the processing of samples whose volume exceeds the capacity of external sample processing regions (e.g., sample tubes or wells). The invention also provides holders that can be used with such devices, e.g., to allow centrifugation of the devices and/or to minimize handling of the external processing regions. Methods of processing samples, particularly samples whose volume exceeds the capacity of the external processing regions, and methods of collecting compounds in external processing regions are another feature of the invention.

Capacity altering device, holder, and methods of sample processing

Gripping mechanisms, apparatus, and methods

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of untainted fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are predictable and cell growth rates can be effectively optimized.

Multi-sample fermentor and method of using same

A fermentation apparatus is constructed to produce a known and repeatable amount of unpoisoned fermentation product using multiple fermentation vessels. To facilitate further processing compatible with other product processing steps, the fermentation apparatus has an array of sample vessels arranged in a container frame. The container frame is configured to hold the sample vessels during fermentation and to transport the vessel array to or from another processing station. Corresponding to the number of sample vessels in the sample vessel array, a cannula array is configured such that each cannula may be placed inside a sample vessel. The cannula array is attached to a gas distributor that delivers oxygen and/or one or more other gases from a gas source through the cannula into the sample vessel. Because the fermentation volume for each individual sample vessel is smaller than a bulk fermentation apparatus, the fermentation product yields are more predictable and cell growth rates may be more effectively optimized.

The specimen plate lid is generally a block, with a cover portion and a side portion. An alignment protrusion extends from the side portion and cooperates with an alignment member of the specimen plate to assist in manually or roboticly guiding the lid onto the specimen plate. An underside surface of the cover has a sealing perimeter for receiving a seal constructed from a compliant material, and shaped to cooperate with a complimentary sealing surface on the specimen plate. The lid is weighted so that when the lid is aligned and positioned on the specimen plate, the weight of the lid provides a gravitational force to sufficiently compress the seal against the sealing surface on the specimen plate. Accordingly, the lid is sufficiently sealed to the specimen plate to avoid contamination and impermissible drying.

Specimen plate lid and method of using

An electro-hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission comprises a manual selector valve for operator direction of line pressure fluid to a drive passage when drive is selected or to a reverse passage when reverse is selected. A drive/reverse passage connects the drive passage and the reverse passage. A first check ball is disposed between the drive passage and the drive/reverse passage and a second check ball is disposed between the reverse passage and the drive/reverse passage wherein the check balls operate to pressurize the drive/reverse passage when either drive or reverse is selected. The system further includes six fluid operated selectively engageable friction devices, three friction device actuators each associated with one of the six friction devices, in parallel relation and electronically actuated to direct fluid from the drive passage to the respective friction device, and a two-friction device actuator operative to direct fluid from the drive/reverse passage to one of two friction devices. Three pressure-operated feed protection valves are disposed intermediate of two of the actuators and their two friction devices, which operate to prevent flow to the two downstream friction devices.

Hydraulic control for a 5-speed automatic transmission

A first clutch circuit for an automatic transmission in a hybrid drive vehicle comprises an apply line extending from a manual valve to a clutch, with a check ball disposed in the apply line operable to move out of the apply line upon upstream fluid pressure, and an exhaust line extending from the apply line, downstream of the check ball, to an exhaust valve. A driver-triggered valve actuating means operates to close the exhaust valve when the driver selects drive with a driver shift lever and to open the exhaust valve when the driver shifts out of drive thereby releasing the clutch.

Clutch valving circuit for automatic transmission

A hydraulic control has a valve body assembly in which a plurality of control valves are contained. The valve body has separate structures which are secured together by fasteners. Separator plates are positioned between the structure levels to establish flow passages and sealing elements between fluid passages in the separate structures. The separator plate has two conical valve seats formed therein which cooperate with two pintle valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from a ratio controller within a power transmissions.

Valve assembly in a hydraulic control for a ratio controller in a power

A five-speed parallel-shaft clutch-to-clutch shifting automatic transmission has an hydraulically responsive clutch priority valve effective to exhaust fluid pressure from lower priority clutches upon undesirable simultaneous application two or more clutches. Two clutches associated with numerically nonadjacent gear ratios are supplied fluid pressure from a single solenoid controlled fluid valve vis-a-vis a two mutually exclusive state multiplex valve. The clutch priority valve is interposed between the solenoid controlled fluid valve and the multi-plex valve thereby rendering the two clutch states associated with the single solenoid valve indistinguishable by the clutch priority valve. A fluid pressure control provides for a clutch priority valve override to prevent undesirable exhausting of the desired clutch supplied via the multi-plexed solenoid controlled fluid valve which otherwise may occur upon shifting to one of the two gear ratios corresponding to one of the two clutches supplied by the multi-plexed valve.

Multiplexed hydraulic clutch control

Automotive internal combustion engine air/fuel ratio control accuracy improvement is provided through correction of engine cylinder volumetric efficiency to account for variation in engine intake air temperature away from volumetric efficiency calibration intake air temperature, and to account for heating of the intake air passing through engine intake air passages prior to entry to the engine cylinders. Change in air density and change in airflow dynamics occurring in engine intake air passages are accounted for in the volumetric efficiency correction so that engine control commands more accurately account for actual engine cylinder intake air mass.

Internal combustion engine control

A lubrication system for multi-plate clutch assemblies is controlled to provide increased lube flow. During steady state operation, lube flow is increased periodically for a short time interval. At other times during steady state operation, the lube flow is maintained at a level requiring minimum fluid flow for the system.

Lubrication control with increased lubrication during shift and during

A control valve arrangement for a torque converter and clutch assembly is operable to control the torque converter outlet pressure at one pressure level during clutch engagement and at another pressure level during clutch disengagement.

Control valving for a torque converter and clutch assembly

A mechanical clutch is provided to selectively interconnect a forward or reverse gear member to a transmission shaft. The clutch is operated by a servo piston and fork structure. The servo piston is slidably disposed in a housing and urged in the forward select position by a spring. The housing and servo piston cooperate to define two fluid chambers which are maintained in a separated condition when the forward select position is established. One chamber is in fluid communication with a fluid system that is controlled to provide fluid at two distinct pressure levels, depending upon various vehicle operating parameters. The other chamber is connected with a selectively engageable fluid operated friction clutch which is effective to assist in establishing at least the reverse drive ratio within the transmission. The lowest level of fluid pressure in the one chamber is not sufficient to cause the piston to overcome the spring force and thereby move the clutch to the reverse select position. The second pressure level is, however, sufficient to cause such movement. In the reverse select position, the chambers are fluidly interconnected and the fluid clutch can be engaged by the fluid pressure supplied through the second chamber from the first chamber.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

James Kevin Mainquist