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:
Jan. 08, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2010
Thomas H. Di Stefano, Monte Sereno, CA (US);
Peter T. Di Stefano, San Jose, CA (US);
Thomas H. Di Stefano, Monte Sereno, CA (US);
Peter T. Di Stefano, San Jose, CA (US);
Centipede Systems, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for aligning a first workpiece to a second work piece that includes: (a) placing the first workpiece on an alignment apparatus including: (i) two or more fluid chambers disposed in fixed relation to each other, the chambers having a movable wall and one or more apertures for admitting or releasing fluid; (ii) fluid channels coupled to the one or more apertures that enable fluid to flow between at least two of the fluid chambers; and (iii) one or more valves disposed to enable or to stop the flow of fluid through one or more of the one or more fluid channels; (b) pumping incompressible fluid into the fluid chambers; (c) opening the one or more valves; (d) bringing the first and second workpieces into contact; (e) waiting a predetermined time for fluid flow in the fluid channels; (f) determining whether the first and second workpieces are aligned; (g) if they are aligned, shutting the valves; and (h) if they are not aligned, moving the second workpiece a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, and returning to waiting.