Patents by Inventor Scott Harsila
Scott Harsila 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).
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Patent number: 7965393Abstract: A reference mark configuration for an interferometric miniature grating encoder readhead using fiber optic receiver channels is provided. The readhead includes primary fibers that provide reference mark primary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 0.2 microns. The readhead may include secondary fibers used to generate reference mark secondary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 20 nanometers. Spatial filter masks configured for the secondary fiber optic receiver channels provide two spatially periodic secondary signals arising from interference fringes outside of the receiving area of the primary fiber optic receiver channels. The secondary signals are out of phase with one another and their spatial frequency is higher than that of the primary signals. A signal crossing of the reference mark secondary signals is identified that is spatially adjacent to a signal crossing of the reference mark primary reference signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Avron Zwilling, Joseph Daniel Tobiason, Scott Harsila, Karl Gustav Masreliez
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Patent number: 7723657Abstract: An extended range focus sensor is provided. In various embodiments, the focus sensor may include a relay lens assembly to image a plane between an objective lens and the relay lens arrangement to a plane near an entrance pupil of a focus detector arrangement of the focus sensor. In some embodiments, the objective lens pupil is imaged onto the focus detector entrance pupil. In some embodiments, an illumination beam passes through the relay lens arrangement and is magnified on its way to be output by the objective lens, and the reflected focus detection beam passes back through the objective lens and the relay lens arrangement and is reduced prior to being input to the focus detector arrangement. In some embodiments, the focus detector arrangement may comprising a broad range focus detector combined with a high resolution Shack-Hartmann focus detector, and in others a single extended range Shack-Hartmann focus detector is used.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Eric Herbert Altendorf, Scott Harsila, Matthew David Watson
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Publication number: 20090152440Abstract: An extended range focus sensor is provided. In various embodiments, the focus sensor may include a relay lens assembly to image a plane between an objective lens and the relay lens arrangement to a plane near an entrance pupil of a focus detector arrangement of the focus sensor. In some embodiments, the objective lens pupil is imaged onto the focus detector entrance pupil. In some embodiments, an illumination beam passes through the relay lens arrangement and is magnified on its way to be output by the objective lens, and the reflected focus detection beam passes back through the objective lens and the relay lens arrangement and is reduced prior to being input to the focus detector arrangement. In some embodiments, the focus detector arrangement may comprising a broad range focus detector combined with a high resolution Shack-Hartmann focus detector, and in others a single extended range Shack-Hartmann focus detector is used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Eric Herbert Altendorf, Scott Harsila, Mathew David Watson
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Publication number: 20090135435Abstract: A reference mark configuration for an interferometric miniature grating encoder readhead using fiber optic receiver channels is provided. The readhead includes “primary” fibers that provide reference mark primary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 0.2 microns. The readhead may include “secondary” fibers used to generate reference mark secondary signals processed to generate a reference signal with accuracy of approximately 20 nanometers. Spatial filter masks configured for the secondary fiber optic receiver channels provide two spatially periodic secondary signals arising from interference fringes outside of the receiving area of the primary fiber optic receiver channels. The secondary signals are out of phase with one another and their spatial frequency is higher than that of the primary signals. A signal crossing of the reference mark secondary signals is identified that is spatially adjacent to a signal crossing of the reference mark primary reference signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Avron Zwilling, Joseph Daniel Tobiason, Scott Harsila, Karl Gustav Masreliez
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Patent number: 7508529Abstract: A multi-range non-contact probe is provided which performs approximate range-finding measurement functions in addition to more precise structured light measurement functions. The probe is compatible with a probe control interface which allows advanced measuring capabilities and functions to be used with a probe head system that provides a limited number of wired connections. A laser beam of the probe is directed along a first optical path during a first period for providing structured light measurement functions and is directed along a second optical path for a second time period range finding functions. A single beam modification element having at least first and second portions with different types of optical characteristics is moved to output the laser beam from the first portion along the first optical path and then to output the laser beam from the second portion along the second optical path.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Paul Gladnick, Scott Harsila
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Publication number: 20090027692Abstract: A fiber optic readhead and scale arrangement for measuring displacement provides a reference position indication. The scale includes a scale track comprising a first type of track portion providing first level of zero order reflectance, such as a grating, and a reference mark providing a second level of zero order reflectance, such as a mirror. The reference mark is configured with certain length or boundary spacing dimensions determined based on certain fiber optic receiver channel aperture dimensions in the readhead. In some configurations a fiber optic readhead and track that provides the reference position indication is separate from a fiber optic readhead and track that provides periodic incremental measurement signals. In some configurations an integrated fiber optic readhead and an integrated track structure provide both the reference position indication and the periodic incremental measurement signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Avron Zwilling, Joseph Daniel Tobiason, Scott Harsila, Karl Gustav Masreliez
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Publication number: 20080024753Abstract: A multi-range non-contact probe is provided which performs approximate range-finding measurement functions in addition to more precise structured light measurement functions. The probe is compatible with a probe control interface which allows advanced measuring capabilities and functions to be used with a probe head system that provides a limited number of wired connections. A laser beam of the probe is directed along a first optical path during a first period for providing structured light measurement functions and is directed along a second optical path for a second time period range finding functions. A single beam modification element having at least first and second portions with different types of optical characteristics is moved to output the laser beam from the first portion along the first optical path and then to output the laser beam from the second portion along the second optical path.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Paul Gladnick, Scott Harsila
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Patent number: 7211782Abstract: All-optical output precision measuring gauges that sense the displacement of an internal scale grating are disclosed. Each type of gauge includes a compact, miniature, or ultra-miniature optical readhead that includes a light source for transmitting light to the scale grating, and optical-fiber detector channels for receiving light from the scale grating and outputting optical measuring signals from the gauge. In various embodiments, the optical-fiber detector channels have respective phase grating masks for receiving a periodic light pattern that moves in correspondence to the scale grating, and the channels are arranged in balanced pairs. In various embodiments, the optical readhead is an interferometric-type optical readhead that provides a measuring resolution as fine as 10–50 nanometers or less. In various embodiments, the gauge is provided in an unprecedented miniature size. In various embodiments, the gauge is motorized to provide a precision actuator.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Joseph D. Tobiason, Avron Zwilling, Casey Emtman, Scott Harsila, Mike Goldsworthy, Kim W. Atherton
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Publication number: 20050224705Abstract: All-optical output precision measuring gauges that sense the displacement of an internal scale grating are disclosed. Each type of gauge includes a compact, miniature, or ultra-miniature optical readhead that includes a light source for transmitting light to the scale grating, and optical-fiber detector channels for receiving light from the scale grating and outputting optical measuring signals from the gauge. In various embodiments, the optical-fiber detector channels have respective phase grating masks for receiving a periodic light pattern that moves in correspondence to the scale grating, and the channels are arranged in balanced pairs. In various embodiments, the optical readhead is an interferometric-type optical readhead that provides a measuring resolution as fine as 10-50 nanometers or less. In various embodiments, the gauge is provided in an unprecedented miniature size. In various embodiments, the gauge is motorized to provide a precision actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2004Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: Joseph Tobiason, Avron Zwilling, Casey Emtman, Scott Harsila, Mike Goldsworthy, Kim Atherton