Patents by Inventor Christopher Knaack

Christopher Knaack 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).

  • Patent number: 8237788
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a solid-imaging system (10) are disclosed. A calibration plate (110) having a non-scattering surface (140) with a plurality (150) of light-scattering fiducial marks (156) in a periodic array is disposed in the solid-imaging system. The actinic laser beam (26) is scanned over the fiducial marks, and the scattered light (26S) is detected by a detector (130) residing above the calibration plate. A computer control system (30) is configured to control the steering of the light beam and to process the detector signals (SD) so as to measure actual center positions (xA, yA) of the fiducial marks and perform an interpolation that establishes a calibrated relationship between the angular positions of the mirrors and (x,y) locations at the build plane (23). The calibrated relationship is then used to steer the laser beam in forming a three-dimensional object (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Guthrie Cooper, Christopher Knaack
  • Publication number: 20090060386
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a solid-imaging system (10) are disclosed. A calibration plate (110) having a non-scattering surface (140) with a plurality (150) of light-scattering fiducial marks (156) in a periodic array is disposed in the solid-imaging system. The actinic laser beam (26) is scanned over the fiducial marks, and the scattered light (26S) is detected by a detector (130) residing above the calibration plate. A computer control system (30) is configured to control the steering of the light beam and to process the detector signals (SD) so as to measure actual center positions (xA, yA) of the fiducial marks and perform an interpolation that establishes a calibrated relationship between the angular positions of the mirrors and (x,y) locations at the build plane (23). The calibrated relationship is then used to steer the laser beam in forming a three-dimensional object (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Guthrie Cooper, Christopher Knaack
  • Publication number: 20050137773
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a vehicle braking system, for delivering pressurized air to a brake chamber to achieve a desired braking response, includes an air-pressure controlled relay valve for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber. A solenoid receives a variable control input pressure and delivers the control input pressure to the relay valve as a function of a state of the solenoid. An ECU controls the solenoid according to a control model for delivering the pressurized air to the brake chamber and achieving the desired braking response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Hermann Goebels, Christopher Knaack
  • Publication number: 20050137767
    Abstract: A roll stability control system for a pneumatically operated vehicle brake system is implemented using simpler ABS hardware rather than more complex EBS hardware. For each brake chamber or channel, two 3/2 solenoid controlled valves are used. An ECU is operative to control the solenoids. The ECU is preferably operative to provide a selected delivery pressure to the brake chamber without measurement of delivery pressure to the brake chamber. Supply air is provided at a known pressure to a first solenoid controlled valve that is associated with the brake chamber; the amount of time of energization and de-energization of the first valve that is needed to provide an output therefrom of a given pressure, is calculated; and the first valve is energized and de-energized for the calculated times, thereby to cause a low-pressure test pulse to be provided to the brake chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Hermann Goebels, Richard Beyer, Christopher Knaack, William Amato