Patents by Inventor Edward Benjamin Egglestone
Edward Benjamin Egglestone 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).
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Patent number: 11229983Abstract: A method assesses the beam profile of a light beam of a non-contact tool setting apparatus, the apparatus including a transmitter for emitting the light beam and a receiver for receiving the light beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The apparatus is mounted to a machine tool having a spindle that is moveable relative to the non-contact tool setting apparatus. The method includes loading an object having an edge into the spindle of the machine tool and using the machine tool to move the spindle relative to the apparatus so that the edge of the object passes through the light beam. The beam profile of the light beam is then determined using the beam intensity signal generated at a plurality of positions during the step (ii) of moving the edge of the object through the light beam.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Alan James Holloway, Benjamin Jason Merrifield, Edward Benjamin Egglestone
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Patent number: 11224954Abstract: A non-contact tool setting apparatus, suitable for use with machine tools and the like, is described in which a transmitter emits light that is received by a receiver. An analysis unit is provided for analysing the light received by the receiver and generating a trigger signal therefrom. The receiver includes an imaging sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD sensor, having a plurality of pixels. The analysis unit generates the trigger signal by analysing the light intensity measured by a first subset of the plurality of pixels. This analysis may involve, for example, determining a resultant received light intensity or performing edge detection. The non-contact tool setting apparatus can thus emulate the operation of a laser based non-contact tool setting apparatus whilst also permitting imaging of cutting tools.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Edward Benjamin Egglestone, Andrew Paul Gribble
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Patent number: 11110563Abstract: A method for tool measurement using a non-contact tool setting apparatus mounted to a machine tool, which includes a transmitter for emitting a light beam having a beam width and a receiver for receiving the light beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The method is for measuring a tool having a nominal tool diameter less than the beam width so fully inserting the tool feature into the light beam would only partially occlude the beam. The method includes moving the tool through the beam thereby causing a change in the intensity signal and generating a trigger signal when the intensity signal crosses a trigger threshold. The tool size is derived using the trigger signal generated. Also, a step of applying a tool length correction that accounts for the nominal tool diameter of the tool being less than the beam width.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Benjamin Jason Merrifield, Edward Benjamin Egglestone, Alan James Holloway
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Publication number: 20200238468Abstract: A method for tool measurement using a non-contact tool setting apparatus mounted to a machine tool, which includes a transmitter for emitting a light beam having a beam width and a receiver for receiving the light beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The method is for measuring a tool having a nominal tool diameter less than the beam width so fully inserting the tool feature into the light beam would only partially occlude the beam. The method includes moving the tool through the beam thereby causing a change in the intensity signal and generating a trigger signal when the intensity signal crosses a trigger threshold. The tool size is derived using the trigger signal generated. Also, a step of applying a tool length correction that accounts for the nominal tool diameter of the tool being less than the beam width.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Benjamin Jason MERRIFIELD, Edward Benjamin EGGLESTONE, Alan James HOLLOWAY
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Publication number: 20200198081Abstract: A method assesses the beam profile of a light beam of a non-contact tool setting apparatus, the apparatus including a transmitter for emitting the light beam and a receiver for receiving the light beam. The receiver generates a beam intensity signal describing the intensity of received light. The apparatus is mounted to a machine tool having a spindle that is moveable relative to the non-contact tool setting apparatus. The method includes loading an object having an edge into the spindle of the machine tool and using the machine tool to move the spindle relative to the apparatus so that the edge of the object passes through the light beam. The beam profile of the light beam is then determined using the beam intensity signal generated at a plurality of positions during the step (ii) of moving the edge of the object through the light beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Alan James HOLLOWAY, Benjamin Jason MERRIFIELD, Edward Benjamin EGGLESTONE
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Publication number: 20200180095Abstract: A non-contact tool setting apparatus, suitable for use with machine tools and the like, is described in which a transmitter emits light that is received by a receiver. An analysis unit is provided for analysing the light received by the receiver and generating a trigger signal therefrom. The receiver includes an imaging sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD sensor, having a plurality of pixels. The analysis unit generates the trigger signal by analysing the light intensity measured by a first subset of the plurality of pixels. This analysis may involve, for example, determining a resultant received light intensity or performing edge detection. The non-contact tool setting apparatus can thus emulate the operation of a laser based non-contact tool setting apparatus whilst also permitting imaging of cutting tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Edward Benjamin EGGLESTONE, Andrew Paul GRIBBLE
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Tool setting or analysis device with backup or repeated trigger signal for detecting a rotating tool
Patent number: 9040899Abstract: A tool setting or tool analysis device for a machine tool includes a light source for producing a light beam. A light receiver receives the light beam and produces a signal indicative of the amount of light received. This is analyzed by a main analysis circuit to generate a trigger signal to a machine controller when the beam is at least partially occluded. To provide fail-safe operation should the main circuit not recognize the tool, a back-up trigger signal is produced after a delay by a delay circuit. In one preferred form, the back-up trigger signal may oscillate, providing repeated edges which can ensure fail-safe operation even if the machine controller suffers from a blind window and therefore misses the initial trigger signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Edward Benjamin Egglestone, Derek Marshall, Benjamin Jason Merrifield -
Publication number: 20130320200Abstract: A tool setting or tool analysis device for a machine tool includes a light source for producing a light beam. A light receiver receives the light beam and produces a signal indicative of the amount of light received. This is analysed by a main analysis circuit to generate a trigger signal to a machine controller when the beam is at least partially occluded. To provide fail-safe operation should the main circuit not recognise the tool, a back-up trigger signal is produced after a delay by a delay circuit. In one preferred form, the back-up trigger signal may oscillate, providing repeated edges which can ensure fail-safe operation even if the machine controller suffers from a blind window and therefore misses the initial trigger signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Edward Benjamin EGGLESTONE, Derek MARSHALL, Benjamin Jason MERRIFIELD
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Patent number: 8530823Abstract: A tool setting or tool analysis device for a machine tool comprises a light source for producing a light beam. A light receiver receives the light beam and produces a signal indicative of the amount of light received. This is analyzed by a main analysis circuit to generate a trigger signal to a machine controller when the beam is at least partially occluded. To provide fail-safe operation should the main circuit not recognize the tool, a back-up trigger signal is produced after a delay by a delay circuit. In one preferred form, the back-up trigger signal may oscillate, providing repeated edges which can ensure fail-safe operation even if the machine controller suffers from a blind window and therefore misses the initial trigger signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventors: Edward Benjamin Egglestone, Derek Marshall, Benjamin Jason Merrifield
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Publication number: 20100051783Abstract: A tool setting or tool analysis device for a machine tool comprises a light source for producing a light beam. A light receiver receives the light beam and produces a signal indicative of the amount of light received. This is analyzed by a main analysis circuit to generate a trigger signal to a machine controller when the beam is at least partially occluded. To provide fail-safe operation should the main circuit not recognize the tool, a back-up trigger signal is produced after a delay by a delay circuit. In one preferred form, the back-up trigger signal may oscillate, providing repeated edges which can ensure fail-safe operation even if the machine controller suffers from a blind window and therefore misses the initial trigger signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Edward Benjamin Egglestone, Derek Marshall, Benjamin Jason Merrifield