Patents by Inventor Jack C Kitchens

Jack C Kitchens 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).

  • Method for optimizing performance of optical encoders operating in a fluid
    Patent number: 7145129
    Abstract: An unsealed optical encoder does not function properly in a fluid other than air because the optics do not function when interfaced with a medium having an index of refraction significantly higher than air. The collimating lens of an optical encoder has two refracting surfaces, at least one of the refracting surfaces being convex. An orthogonal cap of the present invention is attached over an optical encoder's collimating lens to create a sealed air cavity between the convex refracting surface of the collimating lens and the orthogonal cap. This placement of the orthogonal cap is such that the collimated light leaving the sealed air cavity may enter the surrounding medium at an angle that is normal to the surface of the medium, such as transparent oil, so that the collimated light does not bend even though the light is traveling from air to a much slower medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Ultra-Scan Corporation
    Inventors: John K Schneider, Stephen M Gojevic, Jack C Kitchens
  • Method for optimizing performance of optical encoders operating in a fluid
    Patent number: 6900428
    Abstract: An unsealed optical encoder does not function properly in a fluid other than air because the optics do not function when interfaced with a medium having an index of refraction significantly higher than air. The collimating lens of an optical encoder has two refracting surfaces, at least one of the refracting surfaces being convex. An orthogonal cap of the present invention is attached over an optical encoder's collimating lens to create a sealed air cavity between the convex refracting surface of the collimating lens and the orthogonal cap. This placement of the orthogonal cap is such that the collimated light leaving the sealed air cavity may enter the surrounding medium at an angle that is normal to the surface of the medium, such as transparent oil, so that the collimated light does not bend even though the light is traveling from air to a much slower medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Ultra-Scan Corporation
    Inventors: John K Schneider, Stephen M Gojevic, Jack C Kitchens