Patents by Inventor Peter Schnüll

Peter Schnüll 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: 11860353
    Abstract: Disclosed is a changing device for optical components in a microscope. The changing device includes an optical component having a flat surface. The changing device further includes a carrier for inserting and/or holding the optical component. The changing device further includes a receptacle for holding the carrier in an optical path of the microscope. The carrier has bearing surfaces for the flat surface of the optical component and positioning surfaces located in the same plane, which are not covered by the optical component, when inserting the latter. The receptacle has bearing surfaces for contact with the positioning surfaces and first attachment means for attaching the carrier positioned on the receptacle in order for the positioning surfaces to act upon the bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Stegmann, Peter Schnuell, Michael Fritzsche, Peter Linke
  • Patent number: 11681134
    Abstract: A tube system for a microscope includes two lenses and a glass element. The tube system can have a compact build and chromatic aberrations that lie within a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Renhu Shi, Marco Hanft, Thomas Nobis, Peter Schnuell, Johannes Knoblich
  • Publication number: 20220326500
    Abstract: Changing device for optical components in a microscope, comprising an optical component (12) having a flat surface (13), a carrier (1) for inserting and/or holding the optical component (12), and a receptacle (26) for holding the carrier (1) in an optical path of the microscope, characterized in that the carrier (1) has bearing surfaces (8) for the flat surface (13) of the optical component (1) and positioning surfaces (10) located in the same plane, which are not covered by the optical component (12), when inserting the latter, and the receptacle (26) has bearing surfaces (28) for contact with the positioning surfaces (10), and first attachment means (11) for attaching the carrier (1) positioned on the receptacle (26) in order for the positioning surfaces (10) to act upon the bearing surfaces (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel STEGMANN, Peter SCHNUELL, Michael FRITZSCHE, Peter LINKE
  • Patent number: 11221474
    Abstract: A protective device for protecting microscope components from contact with a liquid comprises at least one objective protection ring for arrangement around an objective, wherein the objective protection ring comprises an annular contact area for contacting the objective; and a stand protector with a drainage channel for draining a liquid. The objective protection ring comprises a lower ring area located below the contact area and protruding further outwards radially than the contact area in order to form a free space in the inward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Fahlbusch, Peter Schnüll, Johannes Knoblich
  • Publication number: 20210382287
    Abstract: Changing device for optical components in a microscope, comprising an optical component (12) having a flat surface (13), a carrier (1) for inserting and/or holding the optical component (12), and a receptacle (26) for holding the carrier (1) in an optical path of the microscope, characterized in that the carrier (1) has bearing surfaces (8) for the flat surface (13) of the optical component (1) and positioning surfaces (10) located in the same plane, which are not covered by the optical component (12), when inserting the latter, and the receptacle (26) has bearing surfaces (28) for contact with the positioning surfaces (10), and first attachment means (11) for attaching the carrier (1) positioned on the receptacle (26) in order for the positioning surfaces (10) to act upon the bearing surfaces (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel STEGMANN, Peter SCHNUELL, Michael FRITZSCHE, Peter LINKE
  • Publication number: 20210341719
    Abstract: A protective device for protecting microscope components from contact with a liquid comprises at least one objective protection ring for arrangement around an objective, wherein the objective protection ring comprises an annular contact area for contacting the objective; and a stand protector with a drainage channel for draining a liquid. The objective protection ring comprises a lower ring area located below the contact area and protruding further outwards radially than the contact area in order to form a free space in the inward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Ingo Fahlbusch, Peter Schnüll, Johannes Knoblich
  • Publication number: 20210033839
    Abstract: A tube system for a microscope includes two lenses and a glass element. The tube system can have a compact build and chromatic aberrations that lie within a specified range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Renhu Shi, Marco Hanft, Thomas Nobis, Peter Schnuell, Johannes Knoblich
  • Publication number: 20210011267
    Abstract: An adapter that can connect to an objective has a receiving area for receiving the objective. The adapter has holding structures which extend essentially in a plane directed transversely to the objective axis of the objective and which are designed to engage corresponding structural elements of an adapter receptacle while the adapter is being inserted into the adapter receptacle, thereby preventing the adapter from already moving in the direction of the objective axis while the adapter is being inserted into the adapter receptacle. A device for holding an adapter, can include an adapter receptacle for receiving the adapter and an adapter and also for moving an optical element into the objective axis. An adjusting device can include the adapter and the adapter receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Fahlbusch, Saskia Pergande, Peter Schnuell, Daniel Stegmann
  • Patent number: 9405111
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly that can be interposed into the observation beam path of a microscope, comprising a first mount. In the first mount, a stack of optical elements for a polarization optical, differential interference contrast method, is arranged to facilitate a first observation method. The stack comprises, inter alia, a polarizer, polarization-optical shearing elements, and an analyzer. The analyzer is arranged in the stack with regard to its polarization direction in a predetermined orientation relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer. The stack of optical elements in the first mount is arranged such as to be interchangeable. Further, the assembly comprises at least one additional mount for receiving optical elements for at least one additional observation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Schaffer, Peter Schnuell
  • Patent number: 9310599
    Abstract: An X-Y stage for microscopes including a base stage element, an intermediate stage element, and an upper stage element. The upper stage element is mounted to the intermediate stage element and is displaceable along a first axis. The intermediate stage element is mounted to the base stage plate and is displaceable along a second axis. A mechanical stage drive includes an upper stage element drive with an output link coupled to the upper stage element and providing a first drive direction. An intermediate stage drive with an output link is coupled to the intermediate stage and provides a second drive direction. The X-Y stage further includes at least one of a first mechanical switch for reversing the first displacement direction and a mechanical second mechanical switch for reversing the second displacement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelia Bendlin, Peter Schnuell
  • Patent number: 9001419
    Abstract: A device for attaching a first optical microscope component part to a second part includes an annular receptacle attached to the second part and an annual insertion part. The annular insertion part includes outside-conical retaining projections. The receptacle includes a base ring having a retaining collar with an inside cone tapering away from the base ring and in which a lateral opening is formed, through which the insertion part can be inserted in the receptacle such that it is located on a pre-locking position in which the annular openings overlap. The insertion part and the receptacle can be moved by reciprocal rotation from the pre-locking position into a locking position in which the outside-conical retaining projections of the insertion part are seated against the inside cone of the retaining collar and press the insertion part on the base ring, whereby the insertion part is locked to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Fahlbusch, Werner Kleinschmidt, Heinrich Bunger, Peter Schnüll, Wolfgang Hartje, Georg Herbst
  • Patent number: 8982456
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inverted microscope, including a microscope stand having a stand housing. The stand housing has a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls, and an objective turret, a focusing drive, and a rotatable retaining device, which is designed as a reflector turret and which has a plurality of locations for receiving exchangeable optical components. The retaining device protrudes from a side wall of the stand housing so that the optical components can be quickly changed without having to remove the retaining device from the stand housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Leander Dietzsch, Matthias Gonschor, Peter Schnuell
  • Publication number: 20140153088
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly that can be interposed into the observation beam path of a microscope, comprising a first mount. In the first mount, a stack of optical elements for a polarization optical, differential interference contrast method, is arranged to facilitate a first observation method. The stack comprises, inter alia, a polarizer, polarization-optical shearing elements, and an analyzer. The analyzer is arranged in the stack with regard to its polarization direction in a predetermined orientation relative to the polarization direction of the polarizer. The stack of optical elements in the first mount is arranged such as to be interchangeable. Further, the assembly comprises at least one additional mount for receiving optical elements for at least one additional observation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Joerg Schaffer, Peter Schnuell
  • Publication number: 20130208355
    Abstract: An X-Y stage for microscopes comprises a base stage element, an intermediate stage element, and an upper stage element. The upper stage element is mounted to the intermediate stage element and is displaceable along a first axis. The intermediate stage element is mounted to the base stage plate and is displaceable along a second axis. A mechanical stage drive comprises an upper stage element drive with an output link coupled to the upper stage element and providing a first drive direction. An intermediate stage drive with an output link coupled to the intermediate stage and providing a second drive direction. The X-Y stage further comprises at least one of a first mechanical switch for reversing the first displacement direction and a mechanical second mechanical switch for reversing the second displacement direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Cornelia Bendlin, Peter Schnuell
  • Publication number: 20130027768
    Abstract: A device for attaching a first optical microscope component part to a second part includes an annular receptacle attached to the second part and an annual insertion part. The annular insertion part includes outside-conical retaining projections. The receptacle includes a base ring having a retaining collar with an inside cone tapering away from the base ring and in which a lateral opening is formed, through which the insertion part can be inserted in the receptacle such that it is located on a pre-locking position in which the annular openings overlap. The insertion part and the receptacle can be moved by reciprocal rotation from the pre-locking position into a locking position in which the outside-conical retaining projections of the insertion part are seated against the inside cone of the retaining collar and press the insertion part on the base ring, whereby the insertion part is locked to the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Ingo Fahlbusch, Werner Kleinschmidt, Heinrich Bunger, Peter Schnüll, Wolfgang Hartje, Georg Herbst
  • Publication number: 20130003171
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inverted microscope, including a microscope stand having a stand housing. The stand housing has a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls, and an objective turret, a focusing drive, and a rotatable retaining device, which is designed as a reflector turret and which has a plurality of locations for receiving exchangeable optical components. The retaining device protrudes from a side wall of the stand housing so that the optical components can be quickly changed without having to remove the retaining device from the stand housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
    Inventors: Leander Dietzsch, Matthias Gonschor, Peter Schnuell
  • Patent number: 8194312
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optics changer for arranging an optical element in a target position in a changer chamber of an optical device accessible from the outside via a insertion channel, including a base frame and the optical element that is pivotally fastened to the base frame via a swivel mechanism, wherein the swivel mechanism effects a pivoting movement of the optical element when the optics changer is inserted through the insertion channel in the changer chamber starting at a predetermined insertion depth such that after inserting, the optical element is placed and pivoted in the target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Mitzkus, Peter Schnuell, Frank Bauer, Uwe Wolf, Hubert Wahl
  • Patent number: 8111456
    Abstract: A stage drive for moving a microscope stage designed as a mechanical stage including a first drive element linked to a first output element, and a second drive element, which is linked to a second output element. Through first and second transmission elements, the first output element is linked to a first stage element and the second output element is linked to a second stage element of the mechanical stage supported by the first stage element. The stage elements are supported so as to be displaceable relative to a fixed base element in orthogonal directions X, Y in a plane extending normal to the optical axis of the microscope beam path. The at least one stage drive includes at least one drive element and at least one output element and is arranged in the base element so as to be displaceable in X direction and/or Y direction within an adjustment range and lockable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microimaging GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schnuell, Christian Boeker
  • Publication number: 20110069379
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lens or lens attachment component, which is designed to be mounted in a microscope and to which an electronic memory module (15) is fixed. Said component comprises two contact fields (16, 17; 18, 19) that are electrically connected to connections of the memory module (15), said fields permitting the memory module (15) to be electrically contacted and supplied with energy once the component is mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus Becker, Hakon Mikkelsen, Peter Schnuell, Alexander Scheps, Matthias Kramer
  • Publication number: 20100309573
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optics changer for arranging an optical element in a target position in a changer chamber g of an optical device accessible from the outside via a insertion channel, comprising a base frame and the optical element that is pivotally fastened to the base frame via a swivel mechanism, wherein the swivel mechanism effects a pivoting movement of the optical element when the optics changer is inserted through the insertion channel in the changer chamber starting at o a predetermined insertion depth such that after inserting, the optical element is placed and pivoted in the target position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMBH
    Inventors: Reiner Mitzkus, Peter Schnuell, Frank Bauer, Uwe Wolf, Hubert Wahl