Patents by Inventor Ralf Bernhardt

Ralf Bernhardt 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: 11592278
    Abstract: A method is described for determining a relative position of an axis of rotation of a rotary table of a coordinate measuring machine. The rotary table has or forms a reference element that is arranged eccentrically in relation to the axis of rotation. The method includes a measuring step including performing a rotary movement of the rotary table, and producing measuring points that encode a position of the reference element by a sensor of the coordinate measuring machine during the rotary movement. The method includes a determining step including determining the relative position of the axis of rotation of the rotary table based on the measuring points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Puntigam, Niko Maier, Mark Herter, Rainer Sagemüller, Kai Schäffauer, Ralf Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20210010791
    Abstract: A method is described for determining a relative position of an axis of rotation of a rotary table of a coordinate measuring machine. The rotary table has or forms a reference element that is arranged eccentrically in relation to the axis of rotation. The method includes a measuring step including performing a rotary movement of the rotary table, and producing measuring points that encode a position of the reference element by a sensor of the coordinate measuring machine during the rotary movement. The method includes a determining step including determining the relative position of the axis of rotation of the rotary table based on the measuring points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Walter PUNTIGAM, Niko MAIER, Mark HERTER, Rainer SAGEMÜLLER, Kai SCHÄFFAUER, Ralf BERNHARDT
  • Patent number: 10775148
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine comprising a movable part, a drive and drive controller, and a position measuring system for measuring position values of the movable part. Intended values produced by the drive controller are supplied to a computational model (MOD) of a computational device. The intended values respectively predetermine an intended state of the drive. Position deviations (?s) are formed between the measured position values (s) and position estimates of the computational model (MOD). The position estimates are produced by the computational model (MOD) for a predetermined location at the movable part. Acceleration values are measured by an acceleration sensor arranged at a location at the movable part. Acceleration deviations (?a) are formed between the measured acceleration values (a) and acceleration estimates of the computational model (MOD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Udo Gruber, Günter Grupp, Ralf Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 10145664
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine including a workpiece support for mounting a workpiece to be measured; a mechanism for moving a sensor in a first coordinate direction and a second coordinate direction perpendicular thereto. The mechanism includes: a first measurement slide guided in the first coordinate direction along two parallel guides arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece support. The first measurement slide spans the support. The first slide is driven via a first drive, which drives the first slide along a first guide of the guides, and is driven via a second drive, which drives the first slide along the second of the guides; a second measurement slide guided movably in the second coordinate direction along the first measurement slide. The second slide is assigned a position measuring system, via which the position of the second measurement slide relative to the first measurement slide can be determined; a controller, which actuates the first and second drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Grupp, Ralf Bernhardt, Klaus Bendzulla, Gerd Moser
  • Patent number: 10060737
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a rotary table supporting a measurement object, a measuring head including a measuring element and a frame, on which the measuring head is arranged. The frame has first, second and third frame parts moveable relative to the workpiece holder along first, second and third movement axes, respectively. The measuring element is mounted via at least one fluid bearing, such as an air bearing, on one or more of the frame parts. The measuring head is positioned at a defined position along the first, second and third movement axes. Thereafter, the at least one fluid bearing is deactivated and the rotary table rotated around a further axis while the measuring head, using the measuring element, records current measured values. A shape contour of the object is determined on the basis of the measured values recorded while the at least one fluid bearing was selectively deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Bernhardt, Rainer Sagemueller, Dominik Seitz
  • Publication number: 20180106586
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine comprising a movable part, a drive and drive controller, and a position measuring system for measuring position values of the movable part. Intended values produced by the drive controller are supplied to a computational model (MOD) of a computational device. The intended values respectively predetermine an intended state of the drive. Position deviations (?s) are formed between the measured position values (s) and position estimates of the computational model (MOD). The position estimates are produced by the computational model (MOD) for a predetermined location at the movable part. Acceleration values are measured by an acceleration sensor arranged at a location at the movable part. Acceleration deviations (?a) are formed between the measured acceleration values (a) and acceleration estimates of the computational model (MOD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Udo GRUBER, Günter GRUPP, Ralf BERNHARDT
  • Publication number: 20170089684
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine including a workpiece support for mounting a workpiece to be measured; a mechanism for moving a sensor in a first coordinate direction and a second coordinate direction perpendicular thereto. The mechanism includes: a first measurement slide guided in the first coordinate direction along two parallel guides arranged on opposite sides of the workpiece support. The first measurement slide spans the support. The first slide is driven via a first drive, which drives the first slide along a first guide of the guides, and is driven via a second drive, which drives the first slide along the second of the guides; a second measurement slide guided movably in the second coordinate direction along the first measurement slide. The second slide is assigned a position measuring system, via which the position of the second measurement slide relative to the first measurement slide can be determined; a controller, which actuates the first and second drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Guenter Grupp, Ralf Bernhardt, Klaus Bendzulla, Gerd Moser
  • Publication number: 20160040987
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine has a rotary table supporting a measurement object, a measuring head including a measuring element and a frame, on which the measuring head is arranged. The frame has first, second and third frame parts moveable relative to the workpiece holder along first, second and third movement axes, respectively. The measuring element is mounted via at least one fluid bearing, such as an air bearing, on one or more of the frame parts. The measuring head is positioned at a defined position along the first, second and third movement axes. Thereafter, the at least one fluid bearing is deactivated and the rotary table rotated around a further axis while the measuring head, using the measuring element, records current measured values. A shape contour of the object is determined on the basis of the measured values recorded while the at least one fluid bearing was selectively deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ralf BERNHARDT, Rainer SAGEMUELLER, Dominik SEITZ
  • Patent number: 9207059
    Abstract: A method for operating a coordinate measuring machine or a machine tool. A movement of a machining part is controlled in such a way that, during the movement of the machine part, a predetermined maximum acceleration and/or a predetermined maximum jerk is not exceeded. The maximum acceleration and/or the maximum jerk is varied depending on the position of the machine part and/or depending on the alignment of the machine part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Henning Schon, Jochen Burger, Guenter Grupp, Otto Ruck, Eugen Aubele, Ralf Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8745886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a measurement process of a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a measurement object, wherein the coordinate measuring machine comprises a controlling device and a feeler head having a feeler pin, and wherein a relative movement between the feeler pin and a surface of the measurement object is controlled by the controlling device. Furthermore, the surface comprises at least one actual section, which corresponds to a measurement object surface, and at least one virtual section. The present invention also relates to a corresponding coordinate measuring machine and computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Ruck, Ralf Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20130036619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a measurement process of a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a measurement object, wherein the coordinate measuring machine comprises a controlling device and a feeler head having a feeler pin, and wherein a relative movement between the feeler pin and a surface of the measurement object is controlled by the controlling device. Furthermore, the surface comprises at least one actual section, which corresponds to a measurement object surface, and at least one virtual section. The present invention also relates to a corresponding coordinate measuring machine and computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Otto RUCK, Ralf BERNHARDT
  • Publication number: 20130041497
    Abstract: A method for operating a coordinate measuring machine or a machine tool. A movement of a machining part is controlled in such a way that, during the movement of the machine part, a predetermined maximum acceleration and/or a predetermined maximum jerk is not exceeded. The maximum acceleration and/or the maximum jerk is varied depending on the position of the machine part and/or depending on the alignment of the machine part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS INDUSTRIELLE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Henning Schon, Jochen Burger, Guenter Grupp, Otto Ruck, Eugen Aubele, Ralf Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 7788820
    Abstract: A probe head having a probe head base and a stylus is provided for contacting a surface point on a workpiece. The stylus is moveable relative to the probe head base and has a defined rest position relative to the probe head base. For the contacting, the probe head is moved relative to the workpiece until the stylus touches the surface point with a defined contacting force. A correction data record representing a hysteresis behavior of the stylus with respect to the rest position is provided, and the contacting force is determined using the correction data record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Eugen Aubele, Guenter Grupp, Ralf Bernhardt, Klaus Bendzulla
  • Publication number: 20090172962
    Abstract: A probe head having a probe head base and a stylus is provided for contacting a surface point on a workpiece. The stylus is moveable relative to the probe head base and has a defined rest position relative to the probe head base. For the contacting, the probe head is moved relative to the workpiece until the stylus touches the surface point with a defined contacting force. A correction data record representing a hysteresis behavior of the stylus with respect to the rest position is provided, and the contacting force is determined using the correction data record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Eugen AUBELE, Guenter Grupp, Ralf Bernhardt, Klaus Bendzulla
  • Patent number: 7142999
    Abstract: A method for correcting errors in a coordinate measuring machine having a measuring head which is adapted to move in at least two different spatial directions. Measuring scales and measuring lines are assigned to each spatial direction. The measuring lines of different spatial directions intersect, and correction values are determined along the measuring lines at predetermined values of the scales in order to correct for elastic and/or geometric errors of the scales and/or of the guiding mechanism for moving the measuring head. According to one aspect of the invention, the correction values determined along a measuring line of a first spatial direction are modified such that the modified correction value of this measuring line assumes a predetermined value at the point of intersection with a first measuring line of a second spatial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Grupp, Andreas Fuchs, Walter Jenisch, Ralf Bernhardt, Harald Schmid, Ulrich Staaden
  • Publication number: 20060060573
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for pretreatment of a workpiece to be processed with a laser beam, as well as a device for carrying out the process. It is the task of the invention to develop a process and a device, which with small expenditure of material and expense, and with few process steps, makes possible an improved weld seam formation for joining workpieces. The invention is comprised therein, that for the pretreatment of a workpiece to be treated with a laser beam, in which on at least one surface of the workpiece with application of a thermal effect of at least one laser beam emitted by a laser source, rises such as knurls are formed, for the positionally correct and undistorted formation of the rises the time and spatial sequence of a relative movement between workpiece and laser beam and the output over time of the laser source are coordinated to each other via a control computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Wolfgang Becker, Ralf Bernhardt, Klaus Goth, Mike Paelmer, Claus-Dieter Reiniger, Thomas Stahs, Daniel Zauner
  • Publication number: 20050242067
    Abstract: A method is suggested for welding workpieces, particularly coated workpieces, and a device is suggested for implementing the method. By means of the device, at least at the welding point, alternately a zero gap and an outgassing gap adjustable in its height for the escape of the gases and vapors occurring during the welding operation can be generated, for this purpose at least a first workpiece being moved relative to a second workpiece. The method is characterized in that the relative movement between the workpieces is force-controlled and/or path-controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bernhardt, Klaus Goth
  • Publication number: 20050102118
    Abstract: A method for correcting errors in a coordinate measuring machine having a measuring head which is adapted to move in at least two different spatial directions. Measuring scales and measuring lines are assigned to each spatial direction. The measuring lines of different spatial directions intersect, and correction values are determined along the measuring lines at predetermined values of the scales in order to correct for elastic and/or geometric errors of the scales and/or of the guiding mechanism for moving the measuring head. According to one aspect of the invention, the correction values determined along a measuring line of a first spatial direction are modified such that the modified correction value of this measuring line assumes a predetermined value at the point of intersection with a first measuring line of a second spatial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Guenter Grupp, Andreas Fuchs, Walter Jenisch, Ralf Bernhardt, Harald Schmid, Ulrich Staaden
  • Publication number: 20050011870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for welding metal bodies with a coated surface by means of laser welding, in which the coating of the surface is incorporated in a weld seam formed during the welding. A laser beam is passed over the same weld seam a number of times. In the process, the weld seam is melted a number of times, at least in regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Ralf Bernhardt, Tobias Hiermer
  • Patent number: 6622114
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the weight of a probe of a coordinate measuring machine wherein the probe is connected to a probe head (1) of the machine. The machine includes a control unit and the weight of the probe (3) is preferably statically determined without active control of the movement of the probe. Signals from the probe (3) and/or the probe head (1) are supplied to the control unit (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss Stiftung
    Inventors: Franz Szenger, Günter Grupp, Ralf Bernhardt