Patents by Inventor Michael Towler

Michael Towler 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).

  • Process for laser cutting a workpiece
    Patent number: 7297897
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cutting a workpiece. A laser beam is directed at successive points along a workpiece surface to be cut and a sensor emits a sensing beam directed at the same successive points as the cutting beam. A beam combining device receives both the sensor beam and the cutting beam and causes downstream beam segments to be collinear with each other as they impinge the workpiece surface. The cutting is thereby able to be carried out in a single pass, and is precise, repeatable and independent of cutting depth, angle of cutting, scoring patterns, material inconsistency, material color, and surface grain variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: Antonios Nicholas, Michael Towler
  • Apparatus for laser cutting a workpiece
    Publication number: 20040195215
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cutting a workpiece. A laser beam is directed at successive points along a workpiece surface to be cut and a sensor emits a sensing beam directed at the same successive points as the cutting beam. A beam combining device receives both the sensor beam and the cutting beam and causes downstream beam segments to be collinear with each other as they impinge the workpiece surface. The cutting is thereby able to be carried out in a single pass, and is precise, repeatable and independent of cutting depth, angle of cutting, scoring patterns, material inconsistency, material color, and surface grain variability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Antonios Nicholas, Michael Towler
  • Apparatus for laser cutting a workpiece
    Patent number: 6737607
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cutting a workpiece. A laser beam is directed at successive points along a workpiece surface to be cut and a sensor emits a sensing beam directed at the same successive points as the cutting beam. A beam combining device receives both the sensor beam and the cutting beam and causes downstream beam segments to be collinear with each other as they impinge the workpiece surface. The cutting is thereby able to be carried out in a single pass, and is precise, repeatable and independent of cutting depth, angle of cutting, scoring patterns, material inconsistency, material color, and surface grain variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: TIP Engineering Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonios Nicholas, Michael Towler
  • Apparatus for laser cutting a workpiece
    Publication number: 20030019848
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cutting a workpiece. A laser beam is directed at successive points along a workpiece surface to be cut and a sensor emits a sensing beam directed at the same successive points as the cutting beam. A beam combining device receives both the sensor beam and the cutting beam and causes downstream beam segments to be collinear with each other as they impinge the workpiece surface. The cutting is thereby able to be carried out in a single pass, and is precise, repeatable and independent of cutting depth, angle of cutting, scoring patterns, material inconsistency, material color, and surface grain variability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Antonios Nicholas, Michael Towler
  • Process and apparatus for weakening an automotive trim piece for an airbag deployment opening
    Patent number: 6423933
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming lines of weakness in an automotive trim piece so as to enable formation of an airbag deployment opening in the trim piece. A cutting beam, such as a laser is directed at the trim piece surface to be scored and a sensor emits a sensing beam, and a beam combining device receives both the sensor beam and the laser beam and causes downstream beam segments to be collinear with each other as they impinge the trim piece surface. The scoring is thereby able to be carried out in a single pass, and is precise, repeatable and independent of cutting depth, angle of cutting, scoring patterns, material inconsistency, material color, and surface grain variability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: TIP Engineering Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonios Nicholas, Michael Towler
  • Process and apparatus for weakening an automotive trim piece for an airbag deployment opening
    Publication number: 20010037998
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming lines of weakness in an automotive trim piece so as to enable formation of an airbag deployment opening in the trim piece. A cutting beam, such as a laser is directed at the trim piece surface to be scored and a sensor emits a sensing beam, and a beam combining device receives both the sensor beam and the laser beam and causes downstream beam segments to be collinear with each other as they impinge the trim piece surface. The scoring is thereby able to be carried out in a single pass, and is precise, repeatable and independent of cutting depth, angle of cutting, scoring patterns, material inconsistency, material color, and surface grain variability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Antonios Nicholas, Michael Towler