Patents by Inventor Walter Dominicus

Walter Dominicus 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: 7594339
    Abstract: A sensor module for a probe of a tactile coordinate measuring machine has a stationary module base which defines a first measurement plane. The sensor module has a support, which is moveable relative to the module base, for holding a stylus. At least one deformable connecting element movably interconnects the support and the module base. The connecting element has at least a first and a second deformable material layer which, perpendicular to the first measurement plane, are arranged offset with respect to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor module is made from two single-layer module parts arranged above and attached to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Seitz, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus, Wolfgang Strauss
  • Publication number: 20080172897
    Abstract: A sensor module for a probe of a tactile coordinate measuring machine has a stationary module base which defines a first measurement plane. The sensor module has a support, which is moveable relative to the module base, for holding a stylus. At least one deformable connecting element movably interconnects the support and the module base. The connecting element has at least a first and a second deformable material layer which, perpendicular to the first measurement plane, are arranged offset with respect to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor module is made from two single-layer module parts arranged above and attached to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Karl Seitz, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus, Wolfgang Strauss
  • Patent number: 7337551
    Abstract: A probe head for a coordinate measuring machine has a replaceable, miniaturized probe system with a stylus. The stylus is rigid and forms a structural unit together with a membrane-type sensor system that is deformed in a predetermined way when a force acts on the stylus. The structural unit is permanently fixed to a probe holder and can be handled together with the probe holder when the stylus is being replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus, Wolfgang Strauss, Karl Seitz
  • Patent number: 7316075
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for the metrological determination of a measurement coordinate on a test object comprises a table for mounting the test object. A first and a second bearing support are arranged on the table. A first and a second carriage, each moveable in a longitudinal direction, are mounted on the bearing supports. According to one aspect of the invention, the carriages are each mounted on the bearing supports via at least three, preferably four separate bearing points, with the bearing points defining a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Seitz, Wolfgang Strauss, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus
  • Patent number: 7296364
    Abstract: A sensor module for a probe head of a tactile coordinate measuring machine has a frame forming a stationary module base, thereby defining a first measurement plane. A moving part is connected to the frame via webs. Each web has a thick-material web portion arranged between two thin-material web portions, if seen in a cross section perpendicularly to the first measurement plane. The thick-material web portion has a material thickness greater than the corresponding material thickness of the thin-material web portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Calr Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Seitz, Wolfgang Strauss, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus
  • Publication number: 20070180722
    Abstract: A sensor module for a probe head of a tactile coordinate measuring machine has a frame forming a stationary module base, thereby defining a first measurement plane. A moving part is connected to the frame via webs. Each web has a thick-material web portion arranged between two thin-material web portions, if seen in a cross section perpendicularly to the first measurement plane. The thick-material web portion has a material thickness greater than the corresponding material thickness of the thin-material web portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Karl Seitz, Wolfgang Strauss, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus
  • Publication number: 20070089313
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring machine for the metrological determination of a measurement coordinate on a test object comprises a table for mounting the test object. A first and a second bearing support are arranged on the table. A first and a second carriage, each moveable in a longitudinal direction, are mounted on the bearing supports. According to one aspect of the invention, the carriages are each mounted on the bearing supports via at least three, preferably four separate bearing points, with the bearing points defining a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: Karl Seitz, Wolfgang Strauss, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus
  • Publication number: 20060010702
    Abstract: A probe head for a coordinate measuring machine has a replaceable, miniaturized probe system with a stylus. The stylus is rigid and forms a structural unit together with a membrane-type sensor system that is deformed in a predetermined way when a force acts on the stylus. The structural unit is permanently fixed to a probe holder and can be handled together with the probe holder when the stylus is being replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus, Wolfgang Strauss, Karl Seitz
  • Patent number: 5909938
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a collision protective arrangement for a measuring arm of a coordinate measuring apparatus for measuring a workpiece. The measuring arm has a surface facing toward the workpiece. The collision protective arrangement includes a part for covering and protecting the surface; and, a circuit switchable between a first electrical state wherein no contact is present between the part and the workpiece and a second electrical state indicative of a collision between the workpiece and the part. The surface of the measuring arm and the part conjointly define an interface and the circuit includes a plurality of resiliently-biased contact pins and contacts mounted at the interface to coact to switch the circuit into the second electrical state when the collision takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung
    Inventors: Kurt Brenner, Karl Seitz, Peter Ahnelt, Roland Roth, Walter Dominicus