Patents by Inventor Dirk Ahrendt

Dirk Ahrendt 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: 11506516
    Abstract: A scanning unit is arranged to scan a scale element that is rotatable about an axis relative to the scanning unit. The scanning unit includes a circuit board, which includes a substrate having a first surface, a second surface arranged opposite the first surface, and a circumferential third surface. A transducer system is arranged on the first surface, and electronic components are mounted on the second surface. The third surface includes a plurality of concave indentations. The scanning unit furthermore includes a metal frame having an uninterrupted first recess, which is radially restricted by an inner side of the metal frame, the inner side having a plurality of inwardly projecting elements. The inwardly projecting elements engage with the concave indentations such that the substrate is fixed in place in the metal frame under mechanical tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Eder, Josef Thaler, Dirk Ahrendt, Alois Brandl, Thomas Jäger
  • Publication number: 20210396552
    Abstract: A scanning unit is arranged to scan a scale element that is rotatable about an axis relative to the scanning unit. The scanning unit includes a circuit board, which includes a substrate having a first surface, a second surface arranged opposite the first surface, and a circumferential third surface. A transducer system is arranged on the first surface, and electronic components are mounted on the second surface. The third surface includes a plurality of concave indentations. The scanning unit furthermore includes a metal frame having an uninterrupted first recess, which is radially restricted by an inner side of the metal frame, the inner side having a plurality of inwardly projecting elements. The inwardly projecting elements engage with the concave indentations such that the substrate is fixed in place in the metal frame under mechanical tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Peter EDER, Josef THALER, Dirk AHRENDT, Alois BRANDL, Thomas JÄGER
  • Patent number: 9046386
    Abstract: A structural unit for a rotary encoder. The structural unit including a graduation carrier fastened to a mount that includes a recess and a positioning element fastened to the graduation carrier by a first material connection. The positioning element is disposed in the recess, and the recess is dimensioned such that the recess positions the positioning element in a radial direction without play. The structural unit further including a second material connection is provided between the graduation carrier and the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Ahrendt
  • Patent number: 8745839
    Abstract: A method for installing a measuring tape on a circumferential surface of a holder. The method including wrapping the circumferential surface of the holder with the measuring tape and bracing the measuring tape such that the measuring tape extends spaced apart from the circumference of the holder. When the measuring tape extends spaced from the circumference of the holder due to the bracing, exerting a tensioning force on the measuring tape so that the measuring tape is held with low friction above the circumference, wherein the tensioning force is distributed at least nearly uniformly over the circumference. The method includes undoing the bracing of the measuring tape beginning at a fixation point at which a portion of the measuring tape is affixed to the circumferential surface. The method also includes applying the measuring tape to the circumferential surface of the holder while maintaining the tensioning force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Pucher, Dirk Ahrendt, Stefan Kühnhauser
  • Publication number: 20120305695
    Abstract: A method for installing a measuring tape on a circumferential surface of a holder. The method including wrapping the circumferential surface of the holder with the measuring tape and bracing the measuring tape such that the measuring tape extends spaced apart from the circumference of the holder. When the measuring tape extends spaced from the circumference of the holder due to the bracing, exerting a tensioning force on the measuring tape so that the measuring tape is held with low friction above the circumference, wherein the tensioning force is distributed at least nearly uniformly over the circumference. The method includes undoing the bracing of the measuring tape beginning at a fixation point at which a portion of the measuring tape is affixed to the circumferential surface. The method also includes applying the measuring tape to the circumferential surface of the holder while maintaining the tensioning force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Wolfgang Pucher, Dirk Ahrendt, Stefan Kühnhauser
  • Publication number: 20120229799
    Abstract: A structural unit for a rotary encoder. The structural unit including a graduation carrier fastened to a mount that includes a recess and a positioning element fastened to the graduation carrier by a first material connection. The positioning element is disposed in the recess, and the recess is dimensioned such that the recess positions the positioning element in a radial direction without play. The structural unit further including a second material connection is provided between the graduation carrier and the mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Dirk Ahrendt