Patent ID: 8953298
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A workpiece transfer system, comprising: a blade, wherein the blade comprises one or more electrodes associated with a dielectric workpiece retaining surface; a plurality of joints, each of the plurality of joints comprising a bearing, a primary transformer coil, and a secondary transformer coil, wherein the bearing of each joint rotatably couples the primary transformer coil to the secondary transformer coil of the respective joint, and wherein power provided to one of the primary transformer coil and secondary transformer coil of each joint produces mutual inductance between the primary transformer coil and secondary transformer coil of the respective joint, therein providing contactless power across each joint, wherein the primary transformer coil of each joint is ring-shaped and defines an outer coil having a hole therethrough, and wherein the secondary transformer coil of each joint is rod-shaped and defines an inner coil configured to rotate within the outer coil, and wherein the bearing resides between the outer coil and the inner coil of each joint; and a first pair of arms respectively rotatably coupled to the blade via a first pair of the plurality of joints, wherein the primary transformer coil of each of the first pair of the plurality of joints is operably coupled to the respective first pair of arms, and wherein the secondary transformer coil of each of the first pair of the plurality of joints is operably coupled to the blade and is electrically connected to the one or more electrodes.