Patents by Inventor Matthias Rank

Matthias Rank 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: 9507093
    Abstract: An optical rotating data transmission device for polarization-maintaining transmission of linearly polarized light includes at least one first collimator for coupling on first light-waveguides, and also a second collimator for coupling on second light-waveguides, the second collimator being supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator about a rotation axis. At least two ?/4 plates for converting linear polarization to circular polarization and vice-versa are provided in between a plate for attaching optical fibers and a micro lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 8265434
    Abstract: In a lens system, such as for use in optical rotary joints, obliquely tilted cavities are inserted in a light path between light-waveguides and lenses to be coupled thereto in order to compensate lateral displacements between the light waveguides and the lenses. The cavities are filled with an optical medium having a predetermined refractive index in order to achieve a parallel displacement of a light-ray path, so that the ray path passes centrally through the lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank
  • Publication number: 20110268383
    Abstract: An optical rotating data transmission device for polarization-maintaining transmission of linearly polarized light includes at least one first collimator for coupling on first light-waveguides, and also a second collimator for coupling on second light-waveguides, the second collimator being supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator about a rotation axis. At least two ?/4 plates for converting linear polarization to circular polarization and vice-versa are provided in between a plate for attaching optical fibers and a micro lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 7965943
    Abstract: An optical rotating data transmission device comprises a first collimator arrangement for coupling-on first light-waveguides, and a second collimator arrangement for coupling-on second light-waveguides, which is supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator arrangement about a rotation axis. A Dove prism is provided between the collimator arrangements as a derotating element. Furthermore, the collimator arrangements pre provided with adapter elements having rotationally symmetrical conical faces. Prism adapter elements are disposed on the end faces of the Dove prism and have prism adapter elements on the sides facing the collimator arrangements. These also have rotationally symmetrical conical faces with a surface configuration that is inverse to that of the adapter elements of the collimator arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Josef Bräu, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 7936954
    Abstract: An optical rotary joint comprises a first collimator arrangement for coupling-on first light-waveguides and a second collimator arrangement for coupling-on second light-waveguides, with the second collimator arrangement being supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator arrangement about a rotation axis. A Dove prism is provided between the collimator arrangements as a derotating element. An intermediate layer is provided on at least one boundary face of an optical constituent part to a surrounding medium, which the intermediate layer comprises a nano-structure having a mean refractive index lying between a refractive index of a material of the optical constituent part and a refractive index of the medium of the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Josef Braeu, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 7885500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting an optical rotating data transmission device having two units that are rotatable with respect to each other about a rotation axis, and that each have a coaxial collimator for coupling light in or out, and relates also to an optical rotating data transmission device that is adjustable by means of the method. For an adjustment, a deviation of a light beam from the rotation axis is determined by means of two detectors at different distances, and from this a positional deviation and also a tilt of the light beam is calculated and suitably compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank, Markus Stark
  • Publication number: 20100266294
    Abstract: An optical rotating data transmission device comprises a first collimator arrangement for coupling-on first light-waveguides, and a second collimator arrangement for coupling-on second light-waveguides, which is supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator arrangement about a rotation axis. A Dove prism is provided between the collimator arrangements as a derotating element. Furthermore, the collimator arrangements pre provided with adapter elements having rotationally symmetrical conical faces. Prism adapter elements are disposed on the end faces of the Dove prism and have prism adapter elements on the sides facing the collimator arrangements. These also have rotationally symmetrical conical faces with a surface configuration that is inverse to that of the adapter elements of the collimator arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Josef Brau, Matthias Rank
  • Publication number: 20090304330
    Abstract: An optical rotary joint comprises a first collimator arrangement for coupling-on first light-waveguides and a second collimator arrangement for coupling-on second light-waveguides, with the second collimator arrangement being supported to be rotatable relative to the first collimator arrangement about a rotation axis. A Dove prism is provided between the collimator arrangements as a derotating element. An intermediate layer is provided on at least one boundary face of an optical constituent part to a surrounding medium, which the intermediate layer comprises a nano-structure having a mean refractive index lying between a refractive index of a material of the optical constituent part and a refractive index of the medium of the surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Josef Braeu, Matthias Rank
  • Publication number: 20090303580
    Abstract: In a lens system, such as for use in optical rotary joints, obliquely tilted cavities are inserted in a light path between light-waveguides and lenses to be coupled thereto in order to compensate lateral displacements between the light waveguides and the lenses. The cavities are filled with an optical medium having a predetermined refractive index in order to achieve a parallel displacement of a light-ray path, so that the ray path passes centrally through the lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 7426324
    Abstract: An optical transmission system in a computer tomograph for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being supported to be rotatable relative to the second unit, comprises: a light guide disposed along a circular or annular track on the first unit; at least one first light coupler connected with the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide; at least one second light coupler disposed on the second unit to be movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide. In order to remove from the light guide surface any contaminating matter that would lead to a high signal attenuation or an interference with transmission, a cleaning unit is provided for removing dirt and dust particles. Furthermore, a sealing of the system is provided by applying, amongst other means, pressurized air or electrostatic filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Thomas Tartler, Hans Thiele, Georg Lohr, Rainer Hutterer, Matthias Rank
  • Publication number: 20070268805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting an optical rotating data transmission device having two units that are rotatable with respect to each other about a rotation axis, and that each have a coaxial collimator for coupling light in or out, and relates also to an optical rotating data transmission device that is adjustable by means of the method. For an adjustment, a deviation of a light beam from the rotation axis is determined by means of two detectors at different distances, and from this a positional deviation and also a tilt of the light beam is calculated and suitably compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Popp, Matthias Rank, Markus Stark
  • Patent number: 7248761
    Abstract: A device for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, in which the first unit is supported to be rotatable or movable linearly relative to the second unit, comprises a light guide extending along a given track on the first unit, a first light coupler for coupling light into and out of the light guide, and a second light coupler disposed on the second unit and movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into and out of the light guide. A coupling slide is provided for supporting the second light coupler, and is mechanically loosely connected to the second unit via a take-up unit so that the coupling slide is moved along the given track together with the second unit by a movement of the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Guenther Schoppel, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 7149382
    Abstract: A device for transmitting modulated optical signals between units comprises a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being supported to be rotatable with respect to the second unit, a light guide along a circular track on the first unit, a first and a second light coupler for coupling light signals into or out of the light guide, the second light coupler being disposed on the second unit and movable with respect to the light guide. For an achievement of a high transmission bandwidth, a controllable absorber is provided in the light guide to prevent a propagation of light along a plurality of paths between the two units. In a method for operating the device, the absorber is controlled so that modulated light signals from the first and the second directions have a same amplitude at a point at which the modulated light signals have the same phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Matthias Rank, Maren Isert
  • Publication number: 20060193555
    Abstract: A device for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, in which the first unit is supported to be rotatable or movable linearly relative to the second unit, comprises a light guide extending along a given track on the first unit, a first light coupler for coupling light into and out of the light guide, and a second light coupler disposed on the second unit and movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into and out of the light guide. A coupling slide is provided for supporting the second light coupler, and is mechanically loosely connected to the second unit via a take-up unit so that the coupling slide is moved along the given track together with the second unit by a movement of the second unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Guenther Schoppel, Matthias Rank
  • Publication number: 20060127098
    Abstract: A device for transmitting modulated optical signals between units comprises a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being supported to be rotatable with respect to the second unit, a light guide along a circular track on the first unit, a first and a second light coupler for coupling light signals into or out of the light guide, the second light coupler being disposed on the second unit and movable with respect to the light guide. For an achievement of a high transmission bandwidth, a controllable absorber is provided in the light guide to prevent a propagation of light along a plurality of paths between the two units. In a method for operating the device, the absorber is controlled so that modulated light signals from the first and the second directions have a same amplitude at a point at which the modulated light signals have the same phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Matthias Rank, Maren Isert
  • Publication number: 20060067615
    Abstract: An optical transmission system in a computer tomograph for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, the first unit being supported to be rotatable relative to the second unit, comprises: a light guide disposed along a circular or annular track on the first unit; at least one first light coupler connected with the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide; at least one second light coupler disposed on the second unit to be movable relative to the light guide for coupling light into or out of the light guide. In order to remove from the light guide surface any contaminating matter that would lead to a high signal attenuation or an interference with transmission, a cleaning unit is provided for removing dirt and dust particles. Furthermore, a sealing of the system is provided by applying, amongst other means, pressurized air or electrostatic filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Harry Schilling, Thomas Tartler, Hans Thiele, Georg Lohr, Rainer Hutterer, Matthias Rank
  • Patent number: 7010191
    Abstract: In a device of the invention for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, the first unit is supported to be rotatable relative to the second unit. The device comprises a light guide along a circular track on the first unit, a first light coupler for coupling light into or out of the light guide, and a second light coupler for coupling light into or out of the light guide and disposed on the second unit and movable relative to the means for guiding light. For an achievement of a high quality of transmission, a regulating means for the position of the coupling elements relative to the light guide, or a hydrodynamic bearing means is provided. An optical light-guiding fiber of the invention for conveying optical signals from an optical transmitter to an optical receiver has a light exit face and means for deflecting light emerging from the fiber in a direction that deviates from a longitudinal axis of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Poisel, Markus Stark, Harry Schilling, Matthias Rank, Günther Schoppel
  • Publication number: 20050063709
    Abstract: In a device of the invention for transmitting modulated optical signals between a first unit and a second unit, the first unit is supported to be rotatable relative to the second unit. The device comprises a light guide along a circular track on the first unit, a first light coupler for coupling light into or out of the light guide, and a second light coupler for coupling light into or out of the light guide and disposed on the second unit and movable relative to the means for guiding light. For an achievement of a high quality of transmission, a regulating means for the position of the coupling elements relative to the light guide, or a hydrodynamic bearing means is provided. An optical light-guiding fiber of the invention for conveying optical signals from an optical transmitter to an optical receiver has a light exit face and means for deflecting light emerging from the fiber in a direction that deviates from a longitudinal axis of the fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Hans Poisel, Markus Stark, Harry Schilling, Matthias Rank, Gunther Schoppel