Patents by Inventor Michael John Wooldridge
Michael John Wooldridge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230051393Abstract: An apparatus including an inspection apparatus for inspecting an artefact, and a transfer mechanism for moving a pallet on which an artefact is located relative to the inspection apparatus so as to move the pallet to and from an inspection location, and further including at least one pallet lifter which can be actuated between a retracted and an extended configuration, configured such that when a pallet is at the inspection location the at least one pallet lifter can be actuated to its extended configuration so as to engage with and lift the pallet and thereby decouple the pallet from the transfer mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: February 16, 2023Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Stephen Paul HUNTER, Michael John WOOLDRIDGE, Hugo George DERRICK, James Richard Philip HUNTLEY
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Patent number: 11415412Abstract: A measurement probe is described that includes a probe body, a stylus that is deflectable relative to the probe body, and a plurality of sensor elements for generating a sensor signal indicative of stylus deflection. An analyser is provided, optionally as part of a trigger unit, to analyse the sensor signals and issues a trigger signal to indicate the stylus has contacted an object. The analyser is arranged to combine a plurality of the sensor signals to generate a resultant deflection signal for comparison to a deflection threshold and is also arranged to detect oscillatory motion of the stylus by analysing at least one of the sensor signals. The analyser only issues a trigger signal when the resultant deflection signal crosses the deflection threshold and no oscillatory motion of the stylus is detected. The measurement probe may be used on a machine tool or other coordinate positioning apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Jamie John Buckingham, Michael John Wooldridge, Ben Richard Holden, Stephen Peter Ewen
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Publication number: 20200191564Abstract: A measurement probe is described that includes a probe body, a stylus that is deflectable relative to the probe body, and a plurality of sensor elements for generating a sensor signal indicative of stylus deflection. An analyser is provided, optionally as part of a trigger unit, to analyse the sensor signals and issues a trigger signal to indicate the stylus has contacted an object. The analyser is arranged to combine a plurality of the sensor signals to generate a resultant deflection signal for comparison to a deflection threshold and is also arranged to detect oscillatory motion of the stylus by analysing at least one of the sensor signals. The analyser only issues a trigger signal when the resultant deflection signal crosses the deflection threshold and no oscillatory motion of the stylus is detected. The measurement probe may be used on a machine tool or other coordinate positioning apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Jamie John BUCKINGHAM, Michael John WOOLDRIDGE, Ben Richard HOLDEN, Stephen Peter EWEN
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Patent number: 10527411Abstract: An electro-magnetic brake which is switched between an operative braking position and an inoperative position by transient pulses of current. It is held passively in the operative and inoperative positions with little or no current. This prevents the generation of heat, which would affect the accuracy of measurements where the brake is used in dimensional measuring equipment. In one form, permanent and semi-permanent magnets are arranged in parallel, and the magnetic polarity of the arrangement is flipped by transient current pulses in a surrounding coil. A capacitor may provide a reservoir of current to activate the brake in the event of a power supply failure.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Jack Colebrooke, Kevin Cullivan
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Publication number: 20180224272Abstract: An electro-magnetic brake which is switched between an operative braking position and an inoperative position by transient pulses of current. It is held passively in the operative and inoperative positions with little or no current. This prevents the generation of heat, which would affect the accuracy of measurements where the brake is used in dimensional measuring equipment. In one form, permanent and semi-permanent magnets are arranged in parallel, and the magnetic polarity of the arrangement is flipped by transient current pulses in a surrounding coil. A capacitor may provide a reservoir of current to activate the brake in the event of a power supply failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Michael John WOOLDRIDGE, Jack COLEBROOKE, Kevin CULLIVAN
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Patent number: 9157722Abstract: A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Peter Kenneth Hellier, Robert Charles D'Olier Umfreville
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Patent number: 9121683Abstract: A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Peter Kenneth Hellier, Robert Charles D'Olier Umfreville
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Publication number: 20140144033Abstract: A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Renishaw PLCInventors: Michael John WOOLDRIDGE, Peter Kenneth HELLIER, Robert Charles D'Olier UMFREVILLE
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Patent number: 8676533Abstract: A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Peter Kenneth Hellier, Robert Charles D'Olier Umfreville
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Publication number: 20110004437Abstract: A measurement probe, for a co-ordinate positioning apparatus such as a machine tool, is described that includes a stylus holder that is deflectably mounted to a probe housing. One or more sensors are provided for sensing deflection of the stylus holder relative to the probe housing. A processor is included for producing a trigger signal when the deflection sensed by the one or more sensors meets a trigger condition, such as a deflection threshold. The probe also includes an accelerometer for measuring acceleration of the measurement probe. The trigger condition applied by the processor is alterable, during use, in response to the acceleration measured by the accelerometer. In this manner, false triggering can be suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2009Publication date: January 6, 2011Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Michael John Wooldridge, Peter Kenneth Hellier, Robert Charles D'Olier Umfreville
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Patent number: 7689379Abstract: A dimensional measurement probe (10) is mounted in a machine tool (48), which reorientates the probe about at least one axis A. Strain gauges (34) sense when a stylus (20) of the probe contacts a workpiece (50), to produce a trigger signal. False trigger signals may be produced when the probe is reorientated. To overcome this, the reorientation is detected by monitoring changes in the fluctuations of the strain gauge outputs, caused by vibrations of the stylus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Jonathan Paul Fuge, Michael John Wooldridge, Jamie John Buckingham, Peter Kenneth Hellier
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Publication number: 20090099803Abstract: A dimensional measurement probe (10) is mounted in a machine tool (48), which reorientates the probe about at least one axis A. Strain gauges (34) sense when a stylus (20) of the probe contacts a workpiece (50), to produce a trigger signal. False trigger signals may be produced when the probe is reorientated. To overcome this, the reorientation is detected by monitoring changes in the fluctuations of the strain gauge outputs, caused by vibrations of the stylus.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2006Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Jonathan Paul Fuge, Michael John Wooldridge, Jamie John Buckingham, Peter Kenneth Hellier