Patents by Inventor Kent W. Kahle

Kent W. Kahle 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: 7609449
    Abstract: A system for producing three light beams on orthogonal, intersecting lines, includes a diode laser source providing a laser beam, and a lens for collimating the beam. A pair of reflective surfaces reflect first and second portions of the collimated beam, producing first and second substantially orthogonal output beams, while permitting a third portion of the collimated beam to pass unreflected as a third output beam. The third output beam is substantially orthogonal to the first and second output beams. The three output beams are projected along beam paths that intersect at a common point. The power levels of the three beams are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kent W. Kahle
  • Patent number: 7493699
    Abstract: A laser transmitter adapted for use in small spaces such as pipes and sewers includes a housing having two exit windows positioned in generally orthogonal planes. The laser transmitter includes a leveling mechanism that is capable of directing a collimated beam through a select one of the two exit windows, in a generally horizontal direction at a specified grade irrespective of whether the laser transmitter is oriented generally horizontally or generally vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Keijun Kishi, Brian Kemp, Kent W. Kahle
  • Patent number: 7100293
    Abstract: An adapter providing increased versatility to a laser alignment tool is disclosed. Accessories of the adapter are disclosed for use with a laser alignment tool which may or may not be self-leveling. The accessories include one or more laser reference diffraction elements, effective to receive an incoming laser reference and produce a laser reference deviated a predetermined angular amount, and various attachment features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kent W. Kahle
  • Patent number: 7039089
    Abstract: A laser transmitter adapted for use in small spaces such as pipes and sewers includes a housing having two exit windows positioned in generally orthogonal planes. The laser transmitter includes a leveling mechanism that is capable of directing a collimated beam through a select one of the two exit windows, in a generally horizontal direction at a specified grade irrespective of whether the laser transmitter is oriented generally horizontally or generally vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Keijun Kishi, Brian Kemp, Kent W. Kahle
  • Patent number: 6693706
    Abstract: A laser reference system orients a reference plane of laser light generated by a transmitter so compensation is made for a rake angle between the first and second axes of the transmitter and an alignment axis and an axis perpendicular thereto. The transmitter includes an optical system arranged to generate a laser beam, the optical system projecting said laser beam radially along a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis, thereby substantially defining a reference plane of laser light, and a positioning arrangement, coupled to said optical system, for adjusting the angular orientation of the optical system with respect to a first transmitter axis and with respect to a second transmitter axis. A detector is arranged to detect reception of the laser beam. The detector includes a generally vertically arranged row of detector elements. The detector further includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the location of said laser beam, as detected by said detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Kent W. Kahle, James T. Zalusky, Francisco R. Green
  • Patent number: 6628373
    Abstract: The transmitter for projecting a beam of laser light includes a source of a beam of laser light, and a projection arrangement for directing the beam of laser light at a selected grade. The transmitter further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of said transmitter, and a temperature correction circuit, including a look-up table, responsive to said temperature sensor, for adjusting said projection arrangement in dependence upon offset grade values that are stored in said look-up table for a plurality of transmitter temperature ranges. These offset grade values are separately determined on an empirical basis for each transmitter, such that temperature induced errors in the direction of the beam of laser light are compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventor: Kent W. Kahle
  • Publication number: 20030128357
    Abstract: A laser reference system orients a reference plane of laser light generated by a transmitter so compensation is made for a rake angle between the first and second axes of the transmitter and an alignment axis and an axis perpendicular thereto. The transmitter includes an optical system arranged to generate a laser beam, the optical system projecting said laser beam radially along a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis, thereby substantially defining a reference plane of laser light, and a positioning arrangement, coupled to said optical system, for adjusting the angular orientation of the optical system with respect to a first transmitter axis and with respect to a second transmitter axis. A detector is arranged to detect reception of the laser beam. The detector includes a generally vertically arranged row of detector elements. The detector further includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the location of said laser beam, as detected by said detector elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Kent W. Kahle, James T. Zalusky, Francisco R. Green
  • Publication number: 20030128352
    Abstract: The transmitter for projecting a beam of laser light includes a source of a beam of laser light, and a projection arrangement for directing the beam of laser light at a selected grade. The transmitter further includes a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of said transmitter, and a temperature correction circuit, including a look-up table, responsive to said temperature sensor, for adjusting said projection arrangement in dependence upon offset grade values that are stored in said look-up table for a plurality of transmitter temperature ranges. These offset grade values are separately determined on an empirical basis for each transmitter, such that temperature induced errors in the direction of the beam of laser light are compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Kent W. Kahle