Patents by Inventor Thomas Engels

Thomas Engels 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).

  • Publication number: 20140043468
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for measuring a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera for capturing an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, and comprises a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. A clearance is provided in the objective between the first and second lens-element groups. The coordinate measuring machine furthermore has a white light sensor and a partly reflective coupling element that is selectively moveable into the clearance for coupling the white light sensor into the objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20140043602
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for optically inspecting an object, comprising an object carrier for carrying the object, a pattern generating unit for illuminating the object with a measurement pattern, an image capture unit for capturing a number of images of the object, imaging optics for influencing a light beam path between the object and the image capture unit, and a data processing unit for determining at least one property of the object on the basis of the captured images. The apparatus can be set to at least a first operating distance and a second operating distance, and furthermore has a diffusing unit, which can be changed between an active state, in which the diffusing unit influences the light beam path in front of the pattern generating unit and an inactive state, in which the diffusing unit does not influence the light beam path in front of the pattern generating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20140043469
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object, and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera for capturing an image of the measurement object along an imaging beam path. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, a diaphragm and a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening along a longitudinal axis of the objective. At least two lens-element groups are displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus also has an illumination device for illuminating the measurement object along an illumination beam path, and a chromatic assembly that can selectively be introduced into the illumination beam path and/or the imaging beam path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Johannes WINTEROT, Norbert KERWIEN
  • Publication number: 20140043470
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a workpiece support for holding a measurement object and a measuring head which can be displaced relative to the workpiece support. The measuring head carries an optical sensor. An evaluation and control unit is configured to determine spatial coordinates on the measurement object depending on a position of the measuring head relative to the workpiece support and depending on sensor data from the optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a lens assembly and a camera. The lens assembly comprises at least four separate lens-element groups. Three of these separate lens-element groups can be displaced along the optical axis of the lens assembly. A first lens-element group is arranged fixed in the region of the light-entry opening of the lens assembly. The coordinate measuring machine with the above-described lens assembly allows individual variation of magnification, focusing and resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes WINTEROT, Thomas ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20140043610
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for receiving the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera for capturing an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, a diaphragm, and a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. At least two lens-element groups are displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis. An illumination device illuminates the measurement object at a triangulation angle relative to the longitudinal axis, and a sensor device detects radiation from the illumination device that is incident on the sensor device through the objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Peter WESTPHAL
  • Publication number: 20140043474
    Abstract: A measuring device and corresponding method for measuring a measurement object, comprising an illumination device for illuminating the measurement object with an illumination pattern, a pattern generation device with at least one pattern generating element for bringing about a positionally variant intensity distribution of the illumination pattern, and an optical sensor arrangement for detecting the illumination pattern reflected and/or scattered by the measurement object. The measuring device has an optics which is telecentric at least on the measurement object side and is arranged in a beam path from the illumination device to the measurement object. The optical sensor arrangement detects the illumination pattern through at least one part of the telecentric optics. The pattern generating device is designed in such a way that the illumination pattern has a positionally and/or spectrally variant vertex focal length distribution on the measurement object side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter WESTPHAL, Thomas ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20140043464
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a workpiece support for holding a measurement object, and a measuring head displaceable relative to the workpiece support. An evaluation and control unit determines geometric properties on the measurement object depending on the position of the measuring head relative to the workpiece support and on sensor data from an optical sensor carried on the measuring head. The optical sensor includes a camera and a lens assembly having a lens body, which forms a light-entry opening and a light-exit opening with an interface for connecting the camera. The lens assembly comprises a number of lens elements arranged in the lens body. A separate cover glass is arranged in the region of the light-entry opening, and sits in front of the lens elements as a first transparent component. Preferably, the lens elements are corrected depending on optical characteristics of the cover glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Johannes WINTEROT
  • Publication number: 20140041242
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a measurement object, comprising a workpiece support for supporting the measurement object and a measuring head carrying an optical sensor. The measuring head and the workpiece support are movable relative to one another. The optical sensor has an objective and a camera designed to capture an image of the measurement object. The objective has a light entrance opening and a light exit opening, and comprises a multitude of lens-element groups arranged in the objective between the light entrance opening and the light exit opening one behind another along a longitudinal axis of the objective. Furthermore, the apparatus has a reflection element and a calibration arrangement. The reflection element can selectively be introduced into a beam path running from the measurement object through the objective to the camera. The calibration arrangement is coupled into the beam path to the camera by means of the reflection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas ENGEL
  • Patent number: 8627576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coordinate measuring machine having a sensor for measuring an object, and having a housing structure for holding and positioning the sensor, wherein a position change sensor is provided in order to detect a change in position of the sensor and of the housing structure. Further, the invention relates to a method for collision detection of a coordinate measuring machine. Last, the invention relates to a method for correcting data of a sensor, measuring in a contactless fashion, in particular an optical sensor, of a coordinate measuring machine. The method according to the second and the third aspects can be executed on a coordinate measuring machine according to the first aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Publication number: 20120330743
    Abstract: A method for providing a service transaction for a mobile device of a user at a point of sale (POS) of a supplier, wherein the method comprises the steps of sending (S2) by said mobile device an individual supplier code (SC) read (S1) by said mobile device from a supplier tag located at the point of sale (POS) of said supplier to a server of a service provider; returning (S5) a service valid message (SVM) by said server of said service provider to the mobile device if the supplier code (SC) belongs to a registered supplier of the respective service; and performing (S6) a service transaction of the respective service at the point of sale (POS) of the registered supplier in response to the service valid message (SVM) received by the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Felix Schul, Felix Gillen, Frank Schleimer, Thomas Engel, Marc Eisleben
  • Publication number: 20120246953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coordinate measuring machine having a sensor for measuring an object, and having a housing structure for holding and positioning the sensor, wherein a position change sensor is provided in order to detect a change in position of the sensor and of the housing structure. Further, the invention relates to a method for collision detection of a coordinate measuring machine. Last, the invention relates to a method for correcting data of a sensor, measuring in a contactless fashion, in particular an optical sensor, of a coordinate measuring machine. The method according to the second and the third aspects can be executed on a coordinate measuring machine according to the first aspect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas ENGEL
  • Patent number: 8174979
    Abstract: According to the invention, in order to control the access of traffic streams (VS) to the communications network (KN), an available capacity (VK), placed at the disposal of an access node (ZK) for transferring traffic streams (VS) to said communications network (KN), is determined from an access node (ZK) of the communications network (KN), taking into account the total transfer capacity (G) of the communications network (KN). The available capacity (VS) is notably redetermined whenever the routing information (RI) of the access node (ZK) is modified. An access control of this type guarantees the quality of service required in a connectionless communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Charzinski, Thomas Engel, Christian Prehofer, Rainer Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 8141261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeler pin for a coordinate measuring machine. The feeler pin comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a fastening sleeve for fastening the feeler pin in a feeler pin holder, and an identification device for identifying the feeler pin. A feeler object is provided at the first end of the shaft, wherein the identification device can be read out via a first contact and a second contact. Further, it is provided that the second end of the shaft and the fastening sleeve are connected by a plastic section, wherein the first contact is provided by the fastening sleeve, and the second contact is provided by a rotationally symmetrical contact device which is electrically insulated from the fastening sleeve by the plastic section. Further, the present invention relates to a feeler head for holding the at least one feeler pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Carl Zeiss 3D Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Engel, Frank Richter
  • Publication number: 20110301255
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermally expandable and curable material containing: a) at least one epoxide prepolymer; b) at least one heat-activated curing agent for the prepolymer; c) at least one foaming agent; and d) at least one thermoplastic, non-reactive polyurethane selected from among polyurethanes containing a polyester chain. Also disclosed are the use of such a material for stiffening or reinforcing components as well as an extruded or injection-molded article made of such a material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Emilie BARRIAU, Olaf LAMMERSCHOP, Thomas ENGELS, Sven WUCHERPFENNIG, Petra PADURSCHEL, Mario MARCOLINI, Martin RENKEL
  • Patent number: 8056890
    Abstract: A portable cutting mat for improving safety when using a power circular saw for cutting wood sheeting. The mat has a top surface, bottom surface, top edge, bottom edge, left edge, and right edge. The mat also contains holes through the top and bottom surfaces in a predetermined grid pattern. Disposed and secured within the mat holes are replaceable support pegs of a predetermined height. A wood sheet is to be laid on top of replaceable support pegs so that the top, bottom, left, and right edges along with row markings are visible around the perimeter of the wood sheet. The row markings are contrasting colors of alternate rows of the replaceable support pegs and/or alternate row markings directly printed on the mat to differentiate between rows of the replaceable support pegs. Cutting channels are the open areas between the rows of the replaceable support pegs, and the top surface of mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: William Thomas Engel
  • Publication number: 20110257285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermally expandable and curable material containing: a) at least one epoxide prepolymer; b) at least one heat-activated curing agent for the prepolymer; c) at least one foaming agent; d) at least one thermoplastic polyurethane or isocyanate; e) at least one block copolymer. Said thermally expandable and curable material can be used for stiffening or reinforcing components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Henkel AG & Co., KGaA
    Inventors: Emilie Barriau, Olaf Lammerschop, Thomas Engels, Xaver Muenz
  • Publication number: 20110146092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a feeler pin for a coordinate measuring machine. The feeler pin comprises a shaft having a first end and a second end, a fastening sleeve for fastening the feeler pin in a feeler pin holder, and an identification device for identifying the feeler pin. A feeler object is provided at the first end of the shaft, wherein the identification device can be read out via a first contact and a second contact. Further, it is provided that the second end of the shaft and the fastening sleeve are connected by a plastic section, wherein the first contact is provided by the fastening sleeve, and the second contact is provided by a rotationally symmetrical contact device which is electrically insulated from the fastening sleeve by the plastic section. Further, the present invention relates to a feeler head for holding the at least one feeler pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas ENGEL, Frank Richter
  • Publication number: 20110116372
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a method, network control unit and a communication network for optimising the traffic in a communication network that is configured from network components, these entities permitting a degradation of service quality caused by the non-availability of network components to be at least temporarily averted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: NOKIA SIEMENS NETWORKS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Charzinski, Thomas Engel, Claus Gruber, Thomas Schwabe
  • Patent number: D685275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Matuschek, Christian Siegel, Tobias Woletz, Walter Jenisch, Kurt Brenner, Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: D686927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Matuschek, Christian Siegel, Tobias Woletz, Walter Jenisch, Kurt Brenner, Thomas Engel