Patents by Inventor Homer L. Eaton
Homer L. Eaton 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: 8453339Abstract: A coordinate measuring robotic device includes a housing movably supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm carrying a probe. The movement of the housing, carriage, and probe can be driven by motors in the housing transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly. Tools such as a laser beam emitter can be located on the arm and supplied with laser light by a plurality of mirrors positioned on the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20130081294Abstract: A coordinate measuring robotic device includes a housing movably supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm carrying a probe. The movement of the housing, carriage, and probe can be drive by motors in the housing transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly. Tools such as a laser beam emitter can be located on the arm and supplied with laser light by a plurality of mirrors positioned on the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Patent number: 8336220Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Hexagon Metrology ABInventors: Homer L Eaton, Paul A Ferrari
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Patent number: 8250772Abstract: A coordinate measuring device comprises a housing movably supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm. A turret at each end of the arm houses a rotating body connected to a probe. The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable controlling the transversal movement of the arm has its opposite ends attached to the opposite extremity of the arm, and is run respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar. The rotation of the probes and that of the base are coordinated to keep the probes at a constant angle in relation to the measured surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Patent number: 8191274Abstract: A coordinate measuring device (10) comprises a housing (12) rotatively supported on a base (11) and mounting a vertical pillar (13) along which rides a carriage (14) engaged by a horizontally translating arm (15). A turret (18, 19) at each end of the aim houses a rotating body (20, 21) connected to a probe (22, 23). The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors (27, 28, 29, 30) in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable (43) controlling the transversal movement of the arm has its opposite ends attached to the opposite extremity (16, 17) of the arm, and is run respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20110302797Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: Hexagon Metrology ABInventors: Homer L. Eaton, Paul A. Ferrari
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Patent number: 8015721Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Hexagon Metrology ABInventors: Homer L Eaton, Paul A Ferrari
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Publication number: 20110167657Abstract: A coordinate measuring device comprises a housing movably supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm. A turret at each end of the arm houses a rotating body connected to a probe. The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable controlling the transversal movement of the arm has its opposite ends attached to the opposite extremity of the arm, and is run respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar. The rotation of the probes and that of the base are coordinated to keep the probes at a constant angle in relation to the measured surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20110047808Abstract: A coordinate measuring device (10) comprises a housing (12) rotatively supported on a base (11) and mounting a vertical pillar (13) along which rides a carriage (14) engaged by a horizontally translating aim (15). A turret (18, 19) at each end of the aim houses a rotating body (20, 21) connected to a probe (22, 23). The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors (27, 28, 29, 30) in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable (43) controlling the transversal movement of the arm has its opposite ends attached to the opposite extremity (16, 17) of the arm, and is run respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20100257746Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: HEXAGON METROLOGY, ABInventors: Homer L. Eaton, Paul A. Ferrari
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Patent number: 7743524Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Hexagon Metrology ABInventors: Homer L. Eaton, Paul A. Ferrari
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Patent number: 7587834Abstract: A coordinate measuring device comprises a housing rotatively supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm. A turret at each end of the arm houses a rotating body connected to a probe. The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable controlling the transversal movement of the arm as its opposite ends attach to the opposite extremity of the arm, and is ran respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar. The rotation of the probes and that of the base are coordinated to keep the probes at a constant angle in relation to the measured surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20090199421Abstract: A coordinate measuring device comprises a housing rotatively supported on a base and mounting a vertical pillar along which rides a carriage engaged by a horizontally translating arm. A turret at each end of the arm houses a rotating body connected to a probe. The rotation of the base, the vertical movement of the carriage, the horizontal movement of the arm and the rotation of the probes are driven by motors in the housing. The rotation of the motors are transmitted by a cable and pulley assembly to the arm and carriage. The cable controlling the transversal movement of the arm as its opposite ends attach to the opposite extremity of the arm, and is ran respectively up and down the portion of the pillar above and below the carriage in order to maintain constant lengths and tension of the cables as the carriage moves up and down the pillar. The rotation of the probes and that of the base are coordinated to keep the probes at a constant angle in relation to the measured surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20080127501Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Homer L. Eaton, Paul A. Ferrari
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Patent number: 7003892Abstract: In a method for identifying work pieces based on spatial coordinates. Each of a set of parts to be processed using a multi-axis, articulated spatial measurement arm, are marked with three points defining a distinctive triangle. In a data base, the side lengths of each distinctive triangle is referenced to the part it identifies and to related processing parameters. Before processing a part, the probe of the measurement arm is successively positioned on each of the marked points. Data processing equipment associated with the arm retrieves from the data base the identification of the part and the related parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Hexagon Metrology ABInventors: Homer L. Eaton, Douglas P. Schueneman
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Patent number: 6817108Abstract: In a spatial coordinate measurement system using an articulated arm and associated electronic data processor, the workpiece having locations to be measured is held by a carrier rotatively supported about an axis. An angular encoder feeds into the processor the relative orientation of the carrier about the axis. The processor virtually translates the origin or point of reference of the arm as a function of the orientation of the carrier so that the carrier and workpiece can be rotated to place the location to be measured in close proximity to the sensing probe of the arm without affecting the relative coordinate measurement. The extent of movement of the arm around the workpiece that would be necessary if the piece remained stationary throughout measurements of all locations, is substantially reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20040210553Abstract: In a method for identifying work pieces based on spatial coordinates. Each of a set of parts to be processed using a multi-axis, articulated spatial measurement arm, are marked with three points defining a distinctive triangle. In a data base, the side lengths of each distinctive triangle is referenced to the part it identifies and to related processing parameters. Before processing a part, the probe of the measurement arm is successively positioned on each of the marked points. Data processing equipment associated with the arm retrieves from the data base the identification of the part and the related parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Homer L. Eaton, Douglas P. Schueneman
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Publication number: 20040148791Abstract: In a spatial coordinate measurement system using an articulated arm and associated electronic data processor, the workpiece having locations to be measured is held by a carrier rotatively supported about an axis. An angular encoder feeds into the processor the relative orientation of the carrier about the axis. The processor virtually translates the origin or point of reference of the arm as a function of the orientation of the carrier so that the carrier and workpiece can be rotated to place the location to be measured in close proximity to the sensing probe of the arm without affecting the relative coordinate measurement. The extent of movement of the arm around the workpiece that would be necessary if the piece remained stationary throughout measurements of all locations, is substantially reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Patent number: 6598306Abstract: An assemblage of reference points arranged in a distorted pattern of rows and columns over a planar surface is used to precisely establish the coordinates of a particular situs on said surface by determining the location between said situs in relation to three of said reference points. The array is particularly useful in ascertaining the reference location of a swiveling coordinate measuring arm or other such spatial measuring device. A three-dimensional reference point array can be constructed from a similarly distributed matrix of reference points arranged in orthogonally-oriented layers of rows and columns. Positioning the probe of the measuring device over three closely located reference points is sufficient to automatically load the exact coordinates of the measuring device location into an associated data processing system.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
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Publication number: 20030066202Abstract: An assemblage of reference points arranged in a distorted pattern of rows and columns over a planar surface is used to precisely establish the coordinates of a particular situs on said surface by determining the location between said situs in relation to three of said reference points. The array is particularly useful in ascertaining the reference location of a swiveling coordinate measuring arm or other such spatial measuring device. A three-dimensional reference point array can be constructed from a similarly distributed matrix of reference points arranged in orthogonally-oriented layers of rows and columns. Positioning the probe of the measuring device over three closely located reference points is sufficient to automatically load the exact coordinates of the measuring device location into an associated data processing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2001Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventor: Homer L. Eaton