The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2001
Lawrence R. Gravell, Austin, TX (US);
John C. Pflueger, Austin, TX (US);
Brooks Automation GmbH, Jena, DE;
Abstract
In a device for controlling the drive of mechanisms operating separately from one another, the object is to minimize the operating effort and expense of driving alternatively operating mechanisms. Furthermore, it is ensured by the device that the mechanisms are only allowed to be put into operation if they are in a specific state and that this state is maintained throughout their operation. The device has power transmission capabilities different from one another for adjusting the control system to different states of the mechanisms. Arrangements provided for this purpose operate in different settings, determined by control signals, of which a first setting prevents a power transmission and further settings respectively permit power transmission to one of the mechanisms. The arrangement for power transmission is equipped with a signal-receiving device, with which a reception of the control signals dependent on the state of the mechanisms takes place. The signal-receiving device is connected to a signal generator, which generates the control signals for the power transmission. Such devices may be used for operating transfer devices for transferring objects between two locations, such as are required in semiconductor factories and by manufacturers for equipping such factories.