Motorola Corporation

Michael F Shaw

Anthony J Suppelsa

Thomas J Swirbel

Anthony B Suppelsa

Dale R Adams

Richard W Jones

A computer controlled assembly line (10) contains multiple work cells (40) for assembling a printed circuit board (PCB). Each work cell contains a conveyor (30) that can independently adjust its width, and the work cells are arranged to process the printed circuit board within the cell. The work cells are arranged so that they can pass the printed circuit board from the conveyor in one work cell to the conveyor in the next cell. The conveyors have two parallel rails (35, 36) situated so that the distance between the rails can be automatically adjusted to accommodate printed circuit boards of varying widths on the same assembly line at the same time. Each work cell independently adjusts the width of its conveyor (i.e. the distance between the rails) to accommodate the incoming printed circuit board. When the PCB is cleared out of the first cell, a second PCB waiting to enter the first cell is scanned (20), and the conveyor width of the first cell is re-adjusted to accommodate the different size of the first PCB. The entire assembly line is controlled by a central controller, such as a computer.

Method for automatic conveyor width adjustment

A liquid crystal display assembly (10) can function in either a transparent or reflective mode. The assembly consists of a reflective-type liquid crystal display cell (12) placed in front of an electrochromic panel (14). When a display driver (16) activates the electrochromic panel, it absorbs light. When the driver energizes segments (15) of the reflective-type liquid crystal display cell, they become reflective, providing a visual image to an observer. When the electrochromic panel is not activated by the driver, it is transparent or translucent, allowing the observer to see completely through the liquid crystal display assembly.

Transparent or reflective liquid crystal display assembly with

A hazardous gas detection system is integrated into a wireless communication device such as a two-way radio. The radio has housing (102) with an opening (104) for receiving external air. A bellows-like device (114) has a first side (116) which is attached to an audio speaker diaphragm (112) by a rigid interconnect element (126). A fixed second side (118) of the bellows has first and second ports, 120 and 122. Vibrations from the speaker diaphragm are transferred to the bellows, causing the bellows to expand and contract. During bellows expansion, air is sucked into a first port (120) of the bellows. As the bellows contracts, the air is forced out through a second port (122) of the bellows and directed toward a gas sensor (132) mounted on an internal surface (106) of the radio housing. A warning mechanism in communication with the gas sensor provides forewarning of dangerously high gas concentration levels.

Gas detection system for a portable communication

A stencil printing apparatus (100) is provided for printing a solder paste (108), through apertures (104) in a stencil (102), onto metallized portions of a printed circuit substrate (106). The printing apparatus contains a laser surface profiling device (114) which is used to produce 2- and 3-dimensional profiles of a portion of the surface of solder paste adjacent to a squeegee (110). Data is processed and sent to a controller (118) which is coupled to a solder paste dispenser (112). The controller automatically signals the dispenser (112) to dispense additional solder paste at deficient locations as needed.

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Sunrise, FL, United States of America

Michael F Shaw