Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Bristow

Thomas C. Bristow 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: 7283256
    Abstract: A system for non-contact measurement of thickness of a test object. A laser beam is split into two identical directly opposed input beams. A calibration object of known thickness causes beams to be reflected from sides of the test object. Each reflected beam passes through sensing means including a pinhole aperture and a photodiode sensor. Maximum sensor output defines first and second focal points a known distance apart. The calibration object is removed, and the test object is inserted into the path of the input beams, creating focus position intensity curves for the reflected beams. By determining the deviation, at maximum photodiode output, of the positions of the test object reflecting surfaces from the positions of the calibration object surfaces, the test object thickness can be readily and accurately determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Chapman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bristow, Shu W. Wang, John E. Stephan