Patents by Inventor Brian M. Charles

Brian M. Charles 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).

  • Lap grinding and polishing machine
    Patent number: 7364493
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for grinding or polishing an optic is provided. The apparatus includes a shell adapted to a bending profile, torque actuators attached at an outer edge of the shell and coupled to each other, a tensioning system attached at the outer edge of the shell, and a control system for computing the bending profile and controlling the torque actuators and tensioning system. The torque actuators and tensioning system apply bending moments to the edge of the shell to adapt the shell according to the bending profile provided by the control system. A calibration system further corrects errors in a measured bending profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: David N. Strafford, Brian M. Charles, Timothy S. Lewis, William C. Lebbon, James M. Warner