Patents by Inventor Colin H. Wess

Colin H. Wess 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).

  • Surface polishing method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6589102
    Abstract: A lens (L) with an aspheric surface (10) is held by a vacuum lens holder (12). A lap wall (42) is moved towards the lens surface (10) while in a plastic state. A polishing fabric (PF) is positioned between the lens surface (10) and the lap wall (42) before they are moved together. Fluid pressure in a chamber (44) behind the lap wall (42) is used to move the lap wall (42) and the polishing fabric (PF) against the lens surface (10). This causes the lap wall (42) to take a shape corresponding to the shape of the lens surface (10). Then, the lap wall material (42) is caused or allowed to become a solid. When the lap wall (42) is solid, the polishing fabric (PF) is caused to move relative to the lens (L) and the lap (32). The lap wall (42) holds the polishing fabric (PF) against the lens surface (10) while the polishing fabric (PF) moves across the lens surface (10) and polishes it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Larsen Equipment Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin H. Wess, Erik A. Larsen
  • Surface polishing method and apparatus
    Publication number: 20020102925
    Abstract: A lens (L) with an aspheric surface (10) is held by a vacuum lens holder (12). A lap wall (42) is moved towards the lens surface (10) while in a plastic state. A polishing fabric (PF) is positioned between the lens surface (10) and the lap wall (42) before they are moved together. Fluid pressure in a chamber (44) behind the lap wall (42) is used to move the lap wall (42) and the polishing fabric (PF) against the lens surface (10). This causes the lap wall (42) to take a shape corresponding to the shape of the lens surface (10). Then, the lap wall material (42) is caused or allowed to become a solid. When the lap wall (42) is solid, the polishing fabric (PF) is caused to move relative to the lens (L) and the lap (32). The lap wall (42) holds the polishing fabric (PF) against the lens surface (10) while the polishing fabric (PF) moves across the lens surface (10) and polishes it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Colin H. Wess, Erik A. Larsen