Patents by Inventor Ian William McLean

Ian William McLean 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: 10591289
    Abstract: A method of measuring at least one point on an artefact to be inspected that is located within a positioning apparatus' measurement volume, the method comprising, obtaining at least two images of the artefact obtained from different perspectives and, based on a given nominal location of a predetermined point to be measured within said positioning apparatus' measurement volume, determine the location of said predetermined point in each of the at least two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Calum Conner McLean, Ian William McLean
  • Publication number: 20180156608
    Abstract: A method of measuring at least one point on an artefact to be inspected that is located within a positioning apparatus' measurement volume, the method comprising, obtaining at least two images of the artefact obtained from different perspectives and, based on a given nominal location of a predetermined point to be measured within said positioning apparatus' measurement volume, determine the location of said predetermined point in each of the at least two images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Calum Conner MCLEAN, Ian William MCLEAN
  • Patent number: 8978261
    Abstract: A measurement system has a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head, which in turn is mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The surface sensing device is moved relative to a surface by driving at least one of the coordinate positioning apparatus and probe head in at least one axis to scan the surface. The surface sensing device measures its distance from the surface and the probe head is driven to rotate the surface sensing device about at least one axis in order to control the relative position of the surface sensing device from the surface to within a predetermined range in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey McFarland, Kenneth Cheng Hoe Nai, Nicholas John Weston, Ian William McLean
  • Publication number: 20120072170
    Abstract: A method of operating a vision measurement probe for obtaining and supplying images of an object to be measured. The vision measurement probe is mounted on a continuous articulating head of a coordinate positioning apparatus, and the continuous articulating head having at least one rotational axis. The object and vision measurement probe can be moved relative to each other about the at least one rotational axis and in at least one linear degree of freedom during a measuring operation. The method includes: processing at least one image obtained by the vision measurement probe to obtain feedback data; and controlling the physical relationship between the vision measurement probe and the object based on said feedback data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Alexander David McKendrick, Ian William McLean, Calum Conner McLean, Nicholas John Weston, Timothy Charles Featherstone
  • Publication number: 20110283553
    Abstract: A measurement system has a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head, which in turn is mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The surface sensing device is moved relative to a surface by driving at least one of the coordinate positioning apparatus and probe head in at least one axis to scan the surface. The surface sensing device measures its distance from the surface and the probe head is driven to rotate the surface sensing device about at least one axis in order to control the relative position of the surface sensing device from the surface to within a predetermined range in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey McFarland, Kenneth Cheng Hoe Nai, Nicholas John Weston, Ian William McLean
  • Patent number: 8006398
    Abstract: A measurement system has a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head, which in turn is mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The surface sensing device is moved relative to a surface by driving at least one of the coordinate positioning apparatus and probe head in at least one axis to scan the surface. The surface sensing device measures its distance from the surface and the probe head is driven to rotate the surface sensing device about at least one axis in order to control the relative position of the surface sensing device from the surface to within a predetermined range in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey McFarland, Kenneth Cheng Hoe Nai, Nicholas John Weston, Ian William McLean
  • Patent number: 7908759
    Abstract: A method for measuring a surface profile using a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head in which the probe head is moved along a nominal path relative to the surface profile, an at least approximation of the surface normal of the surface profile, the surface profile is sensed with the surface sensing device and the distance or force of the surface sensing device relative to the surface profile substantially in the direction of the surface normal. The surface normal may be determined by approximating at least one section to a curved profile which can be mathematically parameterised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Ian William McLean, Nicholas John Weston, Martin Simon Rees, Leo Christopher Somerville
  • Patent number: 7783445
    Abstract: A method for planning the trajectory of an apparatus, such as an articulating probe head, mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a CMM. It is determined whether for a given trajectory, the angular velocity or acceleration of the apparatus about a rotational axis of the apparatus will exceed a predetermined threshold. If so, parameters are adjusted so that the angular velocity or acceleration do not exceed the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Ian William McLean, Geoffrey McFarland, David Sven Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090307916
    Abstract: A method for measuring a surface profile using a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head in which the probe head is moved along a nominal path relative to the surface profile, an at least approximation of the surface normal of the surface profile, the surface profile is sensed with the surface sensing device and the distance or force of the surface sensing device relative to the surface profile substantially in the direction of the surface normal. The surface normal may be determined by approximating at least one section to a curved profile which can be mathematically parameterised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Ian William McLean, Nicholas John Weston, Martin Simon Rees, Leo Christopher Somerville
  • Publication number: 20090055118
    Abstract: A method for planning the trajectory of an apparatus, such as an articulating probe head, mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a CMM. It is determined whether for a given trajectory, the angular velocity or acceleration of the apparatus about a rotational axis of the apparatus will exceed a predetermined threshold. If so, parameters are adjusted so that the angular velocity or acceleration do not exceed the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Ian William McLean, Geoffrey McFarland, David Sven Wallace
  • Publication number: 20090025463
    Abstract: A measurement system has a surface sensing device mounted on an articulating probe head, which in turn is mounted on a coordinate positioning apparatus. The surface sensing device is moved relative to a surface by driving at least one of the coordinate positioning apparatus and probe head in at least one axis to scan the surface. The surface sensing device measures its distance from the surface and the probe head is driven to rotate the surface sensing device about at least one axis in order to control the relative position of the surface sensing device from the surface to within a predetermined range in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey McFarland, Kenneth Cheng Hoe Nai, Nicholas John Weston, Ian William McLean