Patents by Inventor Dennis R. Luer

Dennis R. Luer 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: 20240409323
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Patent number: 12065314
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Publication number: 20230264902
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Patent number: 11667473
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Patent number: 11099295
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system having a transmitter and a receiver, and at least one aperture module configured to modify a nominal field of view (FOV) of the transmitter and/or receiver, such that an overlap between the transmitter and receiver FOVs is controlled. In an illustrative example, the aperture module may be a plate having respective receiver and transmitter apertures. The transmitter and/or receiver apertures may be aligned or slightly offset from respective transmitter and receiver optical axes. The transmitter and/or receiver apertures may have a specific size/shape/position that produces a custom predetermined FOV overlap. At least one registration/alignment pin may extend through the aperture plate, a baffle, and a lens module to control orientation. The photoelectric sensor system may advantageously (1) be more resistant to the “white card effect,” (2) increase maximum sensor range, and (3) control the shape/size/overlap of the FOVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: BANNER ENGINEERING CORP.
    Inventors: Eric K. Lindmark, Dennis R. Luer
  • Publication number: 20210047130
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Publication number: 20200399066
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Patent number: 10850928
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Banner Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Luer, Richard C. Bragg
  • Publication number: 20190285769
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a photoelectric sensor system having a transmitter and a receiver, and at least one aperture module configured to modify a nominal field of view (FOV) of the transmitter and/or receiver, such that an overlap between the transmitter and receiver FOVs is controlled. In an illustrative example, the aperture module may be a plate having respective receiver and transmitter apertures. The transmitter and/or receiver apertures may be aligned or slightly offset from respective transmitter and receiver optical axes. The transmitter and/or receiver apertures may have a specific size/shape/position that produces a custom predetermined FOV overlap. At least one registration/alignment pin may extend through the aperture plate, a baffle, and a lens module to control orientation. The photoelectric sensor system may advantageously (1) be more resistant to the “white card effect,” (2) increase maximum sensor range, and (3) control the shape/size/overlap of the FOVs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Eric K. Lindmark, Dennis R. Luer