Patents by Inventor Thomas Birchinger

Thomas Birchinger 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: 7533472
    Abstract: A cable length sensor, in particular, a bowden cable displacement sensor, comprising a cable drum, a measuring cable wound on the cable drum and a return device at least lightly pre-tensioned in the start position, wherein the measuring cable may be withdrawn by rotating the cable drum against the force of the return device and by withdrawing the measuring cable the return device may be further tensioned. The return device is arranged in a housing, and coupling means for releasably coupling the return device to the rotating movement of the cable drum are provided so as to permit ready removal and replacement of the return device. Also, the housing may be provided with a sensor element operated from outside the housing for determining the current position of the return device, in particular the at least lightly tensioned starting position of the return device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Birchinger, Jaroslav Hruby
  • Publication number: 20080141548
    Abstract: A cable length sensor, in particular, a bowden cable displacement sensor, comprising a cable drum, a measuring cable wound on the cable drum and a return device at least lightly pre-tensioned in the start position, wherein the measuring cable may be withdrawn by rotating the cable drum against the force of the return device and by withdrawing the measuring cable the return device may be further tensioned. The return device is arranged in a housing, and coupling means for releasably coupling the return device to the rotating movement of the cable drum are provided so as to permit ready removal and replacement of the return device. Also, the housing may be provided with a sensor element operated from outside the housing for determining the current position of the return device, in particular the at least lightly tensioned starting position of the return device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: THOMAS BIRCHINGER, JAROSLAV HRUBY