Coating a working wire for a continuous biological sensor
Inventors
Boock, Robert James • Zhang, Huashi • Gu, Wei
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12500012-B2
Publication Date
2025-12-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems for manufacturing a working wire for a continuous biological sensor include an automated measurement system configured to measure, as an in-line process with a dipping station, a plurality of diameters along a length of a working wire. Systems also include a controller in communication with the automated measurement system, wherein the controller is configured to determine a thickness difference, the thickness difference being a difference between a thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria for the plurality of diameters. The systems may include the dipping station, that is configured to hold a coating solution, and may include a robot positioned to move the fixture to the automated measurement system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for manufacturing a working wire for a continuous biological sensor. The system includes an automated measurement system configured to measure, as an in-line process with a dipping station, a plurality of diameters along a length of a working wire, while the dipping station holds a coating solution. The system is directed to determining a thickness difference based on a thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria derived from the plurality of diameters.
The controller determines the thickness difference as the difference between the thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria for the plurality of diameters measured along the working wire. The aggregate criteria is computed from the plurality of diameters, which supports thickness comparison during the in-line dipping process. This arrangement is implemented with an in-line measurement integrated with the dipping station and is configured to process a plurality of diameters along the wire length.
The system is further implemented with a dipping station, a fixture configured to hold a plurality of wires, and a robot positioned to move the fixture to the automated measurement system. The controller is in communication with the automated measurement system to determine the thickness difference using the plurality of diameters. The disclosed refinements include options such as using an optical measurement tool, enabling multi-axis adjustable robotic movement for measurement from different angles, and incorporating environmental sensors and multiple coating solutions having different viscosities.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00012. Across these independent claims, the core coverage centers on in-line automated diameter measurement during dipping, controller determination of thickness difference using a thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria, and in the second independent claim, a robotic/fixture architecture that enables multi-wire handling and movement to a measurement station.
In-line automated diameter measurement at a dipping station
An automated measurement system configured to measure, as an in-line process with a dipping station, a plurality of diameters along a length of a working wire, wherein the dipping station is configured to hold a coating solution.
Controller-determined thickness difference from setpoint and aggregate criteria
A controller in communication with the automated measurement system, wherein the controller is configured to determine a thickness difference, the thickness difference being a difference between a thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria for the plurality of diameters.
Robot-moved fixture for in-line multi-wire diameter measurement
A dipping station configured to hold a coating solution; an automated measurement system configured to measure, as an in-line process with the dipping station, a plurality of diameters along a length of a working wire in a fixture, the fixture configured to hold a plurality of wires; a robot positioned to move the fixture to the automated measurement system; and a controller that is in communication with the automated measurement system, wherein the controller is configured to determine a thickness difference, the thickness difference being a difference between a thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria for the plurality of diameters.
Both independent claims require integrating automated in-line diameter measurement with a dipping station and using a controller to determine a thickness difference between a thickness setpoint and an aggregate criteria derived from the measured plurality of diameters. clm-00012 additionally requires a fixture holding a plurality of wires and a robot positioned to move the fixture to the automated measurement system.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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