Patents by Inventor Norman J. Tobey

Norman J. Tobey 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).

  • Reference point talbot encoder
    Patent number: 7002137
    Abstract: The disclosed optical encoder includes a scale and a sensor head. The scale includes an optical grating and an optical element. The sensor head includes a light source, a detector array, and an index detector all of which are disposed on a substrate. The scale is disposed opposite the sensor head and is disposed for movement relative to the sensor head. The distance between the scale and the sensor head is selected so that the detector array lies near a talbot imaging plane. The light source emits a diverging beam of light, which is directed towards the scale. Light from the diverging beam of light is diffracted by the grating towards the detector array. Light from the diverging beam of light is diffracted by the optical element towards the index detector. The detector array provides a measurement of the position of the sensor head relative to the scale. The index detector provides a reference measurement of the position of the sensor head relative to the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: GSI Lumonics Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Thorburn, Norman J. Tobey, Melvin J. J. Teare, Douglas A. Klingbeil, Ralph A. Kelliher
  • Reference point talbot encoder
    Publication number: 20030047674
    Abstract: The disclosed optical encoder includes a scale and a sensor head. The scale includes an optical grating and an optical element. The sensor head includes a light source, a detector array, and an index detector all of which are disposed on a substrate. The scale is disposed opposite the sensor head and is disposed for movement relative to the sensor head. The distance between the scale and the sensor head is selected so that the detector array lies near a talbot imaging plane. The light source emits a diverging beam of light, which is directed towards the scale. Light from the diverging beam of light is diffracted by the grating towards the detector array. Light from the diverging beam of light is diffracted by the optical element towards the index detector. The detector array provides a measurement of the position of the sensor head relative to the scale. The index detector provides a reference measurement of the position of the sensor head relative to the scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: MicroE Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Thornburn, Norman J. Tobey, Melvin J.J. Teare, Douglas A. Klingbeil, Ralph A. Kelliher