Scale Reading Position Sensor (e.g., Grid Counting) Patents (Class 33/706)
  • Patent number: 11828589
    Abstract: Devices and methods for quickly and accurately measuring the distance between two carriers of item processing equipment. The devices and methods can include an elongate bar and associated components which may increase the magnitude of lengths that can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Dongliang Yang, Phuc M. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11788880
    Abstract: A device and a method for detecting states of a linear guideway including a sliding block and a slide rail are provided. The device includes a sensor located at a position corresponding to a side surface of the slide rail, and an analysis processer communicated with the sensor. The sensor detects the vibrating of the slide rail to generate a sensing signal. The analysis processer compares the sensing signal with at least one threshold, to determines occurrence of abnormalities. Therefore, the sensitivity for detection may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Lin Lee, Hsien-Yu Chen, Stephanie Chun-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 11719558
    Abstract: A linear encoder for numeric-control machine tools is provided that includes: a substantially rectilinear section-bar, which is adapted to be fixed on the structure of the machine tool; a substantially rectilinear scale strip, which is fixed on the section-bar so as to extend along the section-bar parallel to the section-bar longitudinal axis; a movable slider which is fitted/mounted on the section-bar so as to be able to move along the section-bar parallel to the section-bar longitudinal axis and skimming the scale strip, and which is adapted to be rigidly fixed to the movable piece of the machine tool; an electronic reading apparatus which is at least partially placed aboard the movable slider and is adapted to read the position of the movable slider on the scale strip; and a thermal-stabilization device which is adapted to bring and maintain substantially the whole scale strip stably at a predetermined target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: PARPAS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Vladi Parpajola
  • Patent number: 11565295
    Abstract: A press brake machine for bending metal having an angle measurement system. The angle measurement system having at least one angle measurement device configured to measure the bend characteristics of the workpiece. The angle measurement device including an actuator, a position sensor, and a contact segment. The actuator of the measurement device is configured to abut the contact segment to the workpiece. The position sensor is configured to send data to a press brake controller to adjust the bending of the workpiece depending on the reading of the angle measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ACCURPRESS AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Allen Guernsey, Steve Hilton
  • Patent number: 11406322
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring muscle sarcomere length are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises illuminating a set of muscle fibers with electromagnetic radiation, measuring an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the muscle fibers, the measuring occurring as a function of wavelength, determining wavelengths corresponding to maximums of reflected intensity, and correlating the determined wavelengths with respective muscle sarcomere lengths. In an embodiment, a system comprises an illumination source system for illuminating the set of muscle fibers with electromagnetic radiation, and an analyzer for measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the muscle fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Richard L. Lieber, Stojan Radic, Kevin Young
  • Patent number: 11174897
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor mounting member and a sensor mounting method for easily fixing a sensor of a type among various types to a track rail of a rolling guide device in one operation. The sensor mounting member includes: a sensor holding portion configured to cover the sensor so as to hold the sensor between a top surface of the track rail and the sensor holding portion; and a pair of leg portions, which are formed at both ends of the sensor holding portion, respectively, and are configured to sandwich the track rail from both sides in a width direction of the track rail while being elastically deformed. Further, along with sandwiching of the track rail by the pair of leg portions, the sensor holding portion presses the sensor onto the top surface of the track rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Namiki, Masashi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10839180
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an optical sensor unit comprising markings arranged on a piston rod of a cylinder of an industrial truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hendrik Geilsdorf
  • Patent number: 10648833
    Abstract: A measurement device includes: attachment holes, provided on a scale frame with respect to a measurement direction; rear-face bushings inserted into the attachment holes from a rear face side of the scale frame; and fasteners that fix the scale frame to first measurement target part. Each of the rear-face bushings includes: a cylinder part, which is formed shorter than the length of the attachment holes with respect to a penetration direction and is formed having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the attachment holes; a flange, which is formed at the end of the cylinder part located toward the first measurement target part and which has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the attachment holes; and an elastic member, which is cylindrical in shape and is provided covering the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamaguchi, Tomoyuki Otake
  • Patent number: 10551222
    Abstract: A controller (1) to reduce integral non-linearity errors of a magnetic rotary encoder (2) comprises a position error determining unit (20) to determine a plurality of time marks (P0, . . . , Pk) specifying a respective time at which a moving device (3) reaches a respective one of predefined positions (?0, . . . , ?k). The position error determining unit (20) calculates a plurality of error correction parameters (B[0], . . . , B[k]) in dependence on the time marks (P0, . . . , Pk). An error compensation unit (10) of the controller determines a respective error compensated position parameter (?start_comp, ?0_comp, . . . , ?n_comp) for each position parameter (?start, ?0, . . . , ?n) received from the encoder (2) in dependence on the respective position parameter (?start, ?0, . . . , ?n) and the respective error correction parameter (B[0], . . . , B[k]).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Stephan Michelitsch
  • Patent number: 10426398
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring muscle sarcomere length are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises illuminating a set of muscle fibers with electromagnetic radiation, measuring an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the muscle fibers, the measuring occurring as a function of wavelength, determining wavelengths corresponding to maximums of reflected intensity, and correlating the determined wavelengths with respective muscle sarcomere lengths. In an embodiment, a system comprises an illumination source system for illuminating the set of muscle fibers with electromagnetic radiation, and an analyzer for measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation as reflected from the muscle fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: REHABILITATION INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
    Inventors: Richard L. Lieber, Stojan Radic, Kevin Young
  • Patent number: 10408261
    Abstract: A linear motion guide unit restrains fluctuations in sliding friction and generation of heat by correcting the postures of rollers having been inclined in a no-load area such that their axes become orthogonal to a guide surface of a carriage to thereby introduce the rollers in proper postures into a load area. A retainer plate of the guide unit has a guide surface for guiding end surfaces of the rollers and has protrusions protruding from the guide surface at its opposite end portions facing crownings of the carriage. The rollers rolling from a turnaround passage to a load-carrying race are pressed by the protrusions toward the guide surface of the carriage so as to be arrayed in such a posture that the axes of the rollers become orthogonal to the guide surface on the inlet side of the crowning of the carriage, whereby the occurrence of roller skew is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON THOMPSON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hayashi, Shoji Nagao, Masahiro Miura
  • Patent number: 10391601
    Abstract: A position measuring device for use on a machine tool includes a scale section that can be scanned by way of a scanner device and serves to detect a position of a first component of the machine tool in relation to a second component of the machine tool, which is movable in relation to the first component, when the scale section is arranged on the first component and the scanner device is arranged on the second component, and at least one holding element as a constituent of an indirect attachment for indirectly attaching the scale section to the first component of the machine tool. A material of the at least one holding element has a thermal expansion coefficient that is less than a thermal expansion coefficient of a material of the first component of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Jung, Roland Koechl
  • Patent number: 10378926
    Abstract: A scale for inductive position measurement along a measurement direction X includes a support channel made of electrically conductive material having two interconnected spaced-apart side walls extending parallel to the measurement direction X and enclosing an interstitial space therebetween. A succession of first graduations made of electrically conductive material are disposed on the support channel, located in the interstitial space opposite and spaced from one of the two side walls and extending parallel to the measurement direction X. A succession of second graduations made of electrically conductive material are disposed on the support channel, located in the interstitial space opposite and spaced from the other one of the two side walls and extending parallel to the measurement direction X. The succession of first graduations and the succession of second graduations form a gap configured to receive a scanner operable to inductively scan the first graduations and the second graduations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Oliver Tiemann, Tarek Nutzinger
  • Patent number: 10369642
    Abstract: A power tool assembly includes a drop arm assembly movable along a drop plane, an actuating device configured to transfer a force to the drop arm assembly to force the drop arm assembly along the drop plane, and a tool control unit assembly configured to control the power tool assembly, the tool control unit assembly including a printed circuit board (PCB) generally defining a PCB plane which is not perpendicular to the drop plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Laliberte, Timothy Szweda
  • Patent number: 10291071
    Abstract: A system and method provide for wireless power and/or data transfer between devices, such as coils. A first device, operatively connected to an energy source, is positioned within a wireless transmission range of a second device, which may be operatively coupled to an unmanned vehicle. Power and/or data is wirelessly transferred to/from the energy source from/to the unmanned vehicle via the first device and the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Viktor S. Bana, Gregory W. Anderson, Wayne P. Liu, John D. Rockway
  • Patent number: 10189068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press (1) for bending workpieces, comprising an upper tool (2) and a lower tool (3), a tool holder (4), in which the upper tool (2) is inserted, and a tool holder (5), in which the lower tool (3) is inserted, wherein the upper tool (2) and the lower tool (3) can be fixed in various positions within the respective tool holder (4, 5), a control device (13) for controlling the bending press (1), a sensor device (8), which is connected to the control device (13), and a stop (6) for positioning the workpiece within the bending press (1), wherein the stop (6) can be moved in relation to the tools (2, 3) by means of a drive (9) controlled by the control device (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: BYSTRONIC LASER AG
    Inventor: Lars Woidasky
  • Patent number: 10060453
    Abstract: A cylinder-piston unit including: at least one cylinder including a tubular body (2); at least one piston (5) liable with a respective rod (5a), said piston (5) and said rod (5a) being translatable longitudinally in said tubular body (2) of said cylinder, at least one reference codification (C) extending for at least a section (dC) on the surface of said rod (5a), along the longitudinal axis of the same; at least detecting means (7), movable anchorable to said tubular body (2), faced, in use, towards said rod (5a) and suitable to detect said at least one reference codification (C) and to emit at the output at least a corresponding output electrical signal (s7), at least a reference zone (7c) of amplitude (d7c) delimited from said detecting means (7), said at least one reference codification (C) being detectable in correspondence to said at least one detection zone (7c); said at least one reference codification (C) including at least one plurality of adjacent sectors ( . . . , Si?1, Si, Si+1, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: OPTOELETTRONICA ITALIA SRL, GIULIANI SRL
    Inventors: Alfredo Maglione, Nicola Battisti
  • Patent number: 9739587
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a regulator configured to stabilize a power supply voltage from a solar cell and to output the same, a voltage detection circuit configured to detect the power supply voltage from the solar cell or an output voltage from the regulator, a power-on-reset circuit configured to output a reset signal to an external digital circuit by a voltage detection signal output from the voltage detection circuit, a memory main body configured to write and read data by the power supply voltage from the solar cell or the output voltage from the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Kawatoko, Akio Kawai
  • Patent number: 9622713
    Abstract: An imaging system configured to automatically detect a patient's body profile and to position the patient. The imaging system includes a scan support member configured to support a scan object, a processing device; and an identification device electrically connected to the processing device. The scan support member includes a machine identifiable code representing a distance from a position of the machine identifiable code to one end of the scan support member. The identification device is configured to identify the machine identifiable code, to decode the distance represented by the machine identifiable code and to send the distance represented by the machine identifiable code to the processing device. The processing device determines a distance from an interested location of the scan object to a scanning plane of the imaging system according to the distance represented by the machine identifiable code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Huijun Xu
  • Patent number: 9568340
    Abstract: An optical encoder includes a light emitting part for emitting light, a stationary slit part and a rotational slit part which allow part of the light emitted from the light emitting part to pass therethrough, a light receiving part for detecting the light passing through the stationary slit part and the rotational slit part, and a support for supporting the stationary slit part. The stationary slit part includes a patterned portion in which a plurality of slits for allowing light to pass therethrough are formed, a fixed portion fixed to the support, and an elastic structure which is elastically deformable and provided between the patterned portion and the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Miaomiao Wang, Shunichi Odaka, Mitsuyuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9506778
    Abstract: A linear encoder includes a plate-type scale and a head which moves along the longitudinal direction of the scale. The scale has graduations formed on a surface of the scale and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the scale. The head includes a reading part which detects an amount of a relative movement of the head with respect to the scale by reading graduations formed on the scale. The head includes four bearings each having a rotation axis extending along the transverse direction of the scale. Each of the bearings is situated on the head so as to abut against a surface of the scale, to function as a spacer to maintain a distance between the scale and the head. The scale acts as a plate member interposed between the reading part and the graduations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shozaburo Tsuji, Fujio Maeda
  • Patent number: 9406888
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of forming carbon nanotube based semiconductor devices. The method includes creating a guiding structure in a substrate for forming a device; dispersing a plurality of carbon nanotubes inside the guiding structure, the plurality of carbon nanotubes having an orientation determined by the guiding structure; fixating the plurality of carbon nanotubes to the guiding structure; and forming one or more contacts to the device. Structure of the formed carbon nanotube device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Chandrasekhar Narayan, Gregory Allen Northrop, Carl John Radens, Brian Christopher Sapp
  • Patent number: 9316474
    Abstract: In addition to other aspects disclosed, a caliper is configured to measure at least one physical dimension. The caliper has a display configured to present a first representation and a second representation of a measurement provided by the caliper. The format of the first representation is different from the format of the second representation, and the first representation is approximately simultaneously displayed with the second representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: American Radionic Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Stockman
  • Patent number: 9222806
    Abstract: An encoder is configured for detection of rotational movement of a rotatable shaft in relation to a part of a machine, and a method is provided for generating a reference signal by an encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Leine & Linde AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Gustafsson, Lars Peter Johan Kjellqvist
  • Patent number: 9212893
    Abstract: An absolute position-measuring device includes a first subassembly having a measuring standard on which at least one code track is disposed, and a scanning unit with which, by scanning the at least one code track in a measuring direction, position signals are able to be produced, from which an absolute digital position value is able to be generated. The position-measuring device includes a second subassembly having at least one peripheral unit adapted to perform an additional or auxiliary function of the position-measuring device. The first subassembly and the second subassembly are connected to each other by a plurality of electric lines for the transmission of electrical signals. The first subassembly exclusively includes components which are suitable for use in a radiation area of a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Auer, Erwin Bratzdrum
  • Patent number: 9109880
    Abstract: A soft collision grating scale and measuring method thereof comprises a fixed scale, a sliding auxiliary scale slidably disposed relative to the fixed scale, and a moving pin sliding relative to the sliding auxiliary scale. The moving pin and the sliding auxiliary scale move synchronically. A buffering mechanism is disposed on the moving pin. When the moving pin sliding relative to the sliding auxiliary scale cooperates with a buffering force of the buffering mechanism, a collision between the moving pin and stopping faces of an inspected target is automatically offset to attain a soft collision effect, which prevents the moving pin from breaking to keep an normal measurement operation and increases the precision of measurement by the fact that the sliding auxiliary scale does not rebound and an offset distance caused by reversely moving the moving pin relative to the sliding auxiliary scale can be computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GUANGDONG RATIONAL PRECISION INSTRUMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mengliang Wu
  • Patent number: 9052181
    Abstract: A portable digital readout measuring device preferably includes a digital readout device, a guide and at least one mounting base. The guide is slidably retained in the digital readout device. The digital readout device preferably includes a LCD display and a readout magnet. The readout magnet is attached to a backside of the digital readout device. Preferably, a connection cable connects the digital readout device to a slave LCD display. The mounting base preferably includes a retention slot, at least one fastener and a base magnet. The guide is inserted into the slot and retained in the mounting base by tightening the at least one fastener. An alternative mounting base includes a round magnet. In use, the readout magnet is attached to a way of an industrial machine. The guide is slid, until the base magnet contacts a carriage of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: David A. DeLaGarza
  • Patent number: 9032638
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an encoder readhead. The readhead includes a housing having an opening for capturing an encoder scale including an elongate rod having a substantially circular cross-section, the opening defining an axial direction along which a captured encoder scale can slide back and forth. A scale reader, which may include an array of Hall sensors, is provided for reading a portion of an encoder scale located in the opening. The housing includes an access portion that allows the encoder scale to be inserted into, and/or removed from, the opening by a relative movement between the housing and the encoder scale in a direction other than the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignees: RLS MERILNA TEHNIKA D.O.O, RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Matjaz Sivec, Aljaz Ogrin, Peter Kogej
  • Patent number: 9030194
    Abstract: A scanning device for a position encoder is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor elements for generating a plurality of sensor signals. A summation unit is also provided for generating at least a first summation signal and a second summation signal that provide information on the relative alignment of the scanning device and an associated scale. The first summation signal is generated from a first subset of the plurality of sensor signals and the second summation signal is generated from a second subset of the plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensor elements are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another N and sensor elements are provided per period of an associated scale, wherein N is an integer value and a multiple of three and four. In this manner, the third harmonic contribution to the summation signals is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: RLS Merilna Tehnika D.O.O., Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: Gregor Dolsak
  • Patent number: 8997367
    Abstract: A length measuring instrument that includes a hollow profile section extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the hollow profile section includes a slot extending in the longitudinal direction and covered by sealing elements. A scale is disposed inside the hollow profile section, wherein the scale includes a measurement graduation which can be scanned by a scanning unit. An end piece is connected to the hollow profile section, wherein the end piece closes the hollow profile section on an end of the hollow profile section, the end piece including an insertion region with which the hollow profile section plunges into the hollow profile section. The length measuring instrument includes a clamping piece that connects the end piece to the hollow profile section, wherein the clamping piece spans the slot and which on two sides of the slot fixes the hollow profile section to the insertion region of the end piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schmöller, Michael Steber, Yusuke Kitano
  • Publication number: 20140338208
    Abstract: Provided is a scale holding device including a scale and an attachment plate holding the scale. The scale holding device includes the attachment plate configured to have a first surface abutting on a first lateral side of the scale and a second surface facing a rear side of the scale, a first adhesive material configured to removably adhere the second surface of the attachment plate and the rear side of the scale to each other, and a second adhesive material configured to adhere the scale and the attachment plate to each other on a second lateral side of the scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Sugamata
  • Patent number: 8875410
    Abstract: A measuring device for a telescopic handling arm, in which the telescopic handling arm includes at least two elements (1, 2) that are mounted to slide relative to each other, includes measuring elements for measuring the extension of the telescopic arm. The device further includes calculation elements (4) for calculating the extension of the movable portion (2) of the telescopic arm using the hydraulic characteristics of a hydraulic telescoping actuator (3), and the device further includes adjuster elements for adjusting the calculated movements via a signal transmitted by at least one element (5, 6) for contactless identification of the position of the movable portion (2) of the telescopic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Manitou BF
    Inventors: René-Luc Robert, Olivier Caget
  • Publication number: 20140290084
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a backlash in a specimen gear is provided. The apparatus includes a test gear mounted on a forward portion of a spindle, the test gear is configured to mesh with the specimen gear and form an electrical circuit upon contact with the specimen gear. An encoder is rotatably connected to the spindle and configured to output a rotation angle of the spindle. An interrupt unit is configured to detect an opening and closing of the electrical circuit and generate one or more interrupt signals based on the opening and the closing of the electrical circuit. A measuring unit is operatively coupled to the encoder and the interrupt unit, the measuring unit is configured to start measurement, and stop measurement of backlash based on the interrupt signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sam S. Revach
  • Publication number: 20140245625
    Abstract: Generally, a linear position monitor including a rotatable member having a toothed periphery configured to directly rotatably engage a longitudinal linear portion of a spiral thread coupled to an elongate member whereby an amount of linear travel of the elongate member directly reversibly rotatably drives the rotatable member operationally coupled to a linear position indicator calibrated to translate rotation of the rotatable member about the rotation axis into an elongate member location value corresponding to a location of the elongate member in the amount of linear travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Waterman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Mikesell, Darryl Ray Pauls
  • Patent number: 8803371
    Abstract: A secondary for a motor, for instance a linear drive motor, has a sheet of highly magnetic permeable material with a plurality of slots extending through the sheet spaced along a length of the sheet. The slots define a plurality of teeth in the sheet and enable the sheet to be conformable to a mounting surface when forming the secondary of the motor. The top surface of the sheet has a plurality of pockets formed adjacent the plurality of slots. The pockets extend parallel to the width and are spaced along the length of the sheet. The pockets form a sensor operatively connected to a control of the motor. The sensor may be an encoder, and/or the sensor may be operatively connected to a control for controlling commutation of the motor, and/or setting positional limits and/or “home(s)” for the motor, providing absolute positional information and/or providing information about the sheet, for instance, the identity of one platen among many.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventors: Glenn S. Trammell, Rui Qiao
  • Patent number: 8800153
    Abstract: In order to be able to compensate different temperature expansion of a magnetic tape, (measuring tape) and a support ring in an angle sensor where the magnetic tape is applied to a circumference of a component and where a scanning head is used, the magnetic tape is fixated at the support ring at the most at one location of the circumference and otherwise supported at the circumference with a tension band, so that the measuring tape can perform a movement relative to the support ring, and/or the tension band due to the expansion in circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Automation Sensorik Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Manfred Steinich, Gunnar Kamp
  • Patent number: 8739425
    Abstract: A coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a mounting surface, a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface, a first member comprising a sensor for sensing scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide, and an encoder scale member comprising a first set of scale markings which are, in use, sensable by the sensor. At least part of the encoder scale member is retained between the mounting surface and the motion guide such that the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. The motion guide may be a guide rail or a bearing, for example. En encoder scale member for use with such a coordinate positioning apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: James Reynolds Henshaw
  • Patent number: 8739424
    Abstract: In a structure for protecting scale graduations, in which a graduation unit formed on a scale base is protected by a scale cover arranged on the top surface side of the graduation unit, a space between the scale base and the scale cover along the entire lateral periphery of the graduation unit is sealed using an adhesive agent mixed with a powder material such as a glass powder for blocking penetration of graduations-deteriorating components, to form a periphery adhesive layer. The scale cover may be supported on the scale base by a height regulating unit provided along the periphery of the graduation unit, so that variations in encoder output due to unevenness in thickness of the adhesive agent for joining the scale cover with the graduation unit can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kawada
  • Publication number: 20140115911
    Abstract: A position measuring system includes a first portion and a second portion, which can be moved relative to the first portion. The first portion has a material measure having a multiplicity of markings that are each able to assume two different values. A number m of directly successive markings codes a respective explicit absolute position along the material measure, and a number m?1 of directly successive markings does not code an explicit absolute position. The second portion has a scanning device having a number k of individual sensors for scanning a number n of directly successive markings. The scanning device is functionally connected to an evaluation device in order to ascertain the position of the second portion relative to the first portion. The condition n>m is satisfied, and the evaluation device is configured to recognize a scanning error in the scanning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Knopf
  • Publication number: 20140115910
    Abstract: A rotary encoder includes a rotatable conductor and first and second signal contacts. The rotatable conductor includes a first contact finger that slides on a track which is at least a part of a circle having a center point as a center thereof; and second contact finger that slides on the track and is located at an angular position different from an angular position of the first contact finger. The first signal contact is disposed on the track, and is configured to output a signal according to an angular position of the rotatable conductor about the center point. The second signal contact is disposed on the first track, and is configured to output a signal according to the angular position of the rotatable conductor about the center point. The second signal contact is electrically independent of the first signal contact. This rotary encoder includes a small number of tracks, and accordingly has a small size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki HISAMUNE, Kenji KATAOKA
  • Patent number: 8650769
    Abstract: An assembly including a substrate and a scale held on the substrate, wherein the scale has a measuring graduation, and the scale is held on the substrate by pneumatic suction. The scale is braced on the substrate via two-dimensionally distributed, spaced-apart supports, which are disposed facing a measurement area defined by the measuring graduation and wherein adjacent ones of the supports are spaced apart from one another at a mutual period that is less than a thickness of the scale. In addition, the supports have a structure such that a connection by optical contact bonding between the supports and the scale and/or between the supports and the substrate is prevented at least in the measurement area. A space between the scale and the substrate is sealed off from surroundings by a sealing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Speckbacher, Josef Weidmann, Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 8640348
    Abstract: A system for sensing the position of a movable bar is provided. The system includes a rotatable body positioned for rotation about an axis. The rotatable body is mechanically coupled with the movable bar such that the rotatable body rotates about the axis as the movable bar moves. A sensor is mechanically coupled with the rotatable body such that the sensor senses the rotation of the rotatable body as the movable bar moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Tezak, James E. Brown, Robert C. Signaigo
  • Patent number: 8584370
    Abstract: An absolute value transducer (1) for determining an absolute position (P) of a body (6), with a measured material element (5), as well as a process for determining the absolute position (P) of two bodies (3, 4, 6) in relation to one another. In order to be able to use the absolute value transducer (1) in as flexible a manner as possible and to detect mounting errors of the measured material element (5), provisions are made according to the present invention for a code (K) of the measured material element (5) to have a discontinuity (9) in its course and for the code (K) to be scanned outside the discontinuity for determining the absolute position (P) within the discontinuity (9), and for the scanned absolute values (W) to be combined with an offset value (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baumer Huebner GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Hiller, Axel Loharens, Roland Kirchberger, Michael Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130269198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an encoder readhead. The readhead includes a housing having an opening for capturing an encoder scale including an elongate rod having a substantially circular cross-section, the opening defining an axial direction along which a captured encoder scale can slide back and forth. A scale reader, which may include an array of Hall sensors, is provided for reading a portion of an encoder scale located in the opening. The housing includes an access portion that allows the encoder scale to be inserted into, and/or removed from, the opening by a relative movement between the housing and the encoder scale in a direction other than the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: RENISHAW PLC, RLS MERILNA TEHNIKA D.O.O.
    Inventors: Matjaz Sivec, Aljaz Ogrin, Peter Kogej
  • Publication number: 20130227852
    Abstract: A length measuring instrument including a hollow profile section extending in a longitudinal direction and an end piece fixed on the hollow profile section for closure of the hollow profile section on an end of the hollow profile section. A scale is disposed inside the hollow profile section, wherein the scale includes a measurement graduation which can be scanned by a scanning unit that is movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the hollow profile section. The length measuring instrument includes a sealing element on the end piece for sealing off the hollow profile section, wherein the sealing element has a cross-section that is at least extensively equivalent to an inside diameter of the hollow profile section. In addition, the sealing element rests sealingly so that a circumferential surface of the sealing element is on an inner face of the hollow profile section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schmöller, Michael Steber
  • Publication number: 20130227853
    Abstract: A length measuring instrument that includes a hollow profile section extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the hollow profile section includes a slot extending in the longitudinal direction and covered by sealing elements. A scale is disposed inside the hollow profile section, wherein the scale includes a measurement graduation which can be scanned by a scanning unit. An end piece is connected to the hollow profile section, wherein the end piece closes the hollow profile section on an end of the hollow profile section, the end piece including an insertion region with which the hollow profile section plunges into the hollow profile section. The length measuring instrument includes a clamping piece that connects the end piece to the hollow profile section, wherein the clamping piece spans the slot and which on two sides of the slot fixes the hollow profile section to the insertion region of the end piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schmöller, Michael Steber, Yusuke Kitano
  • Patent number: 8505210
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating an absolute encoder apparatus comprising a scale having features defining absolute position information in at least one measuring dimension, and a readhead configured to read the features. The method comprises: obtaining at least one representation of at least some of the features defining absolute position information; analyzing the at least one representation to determine at least one parameter indicative of the quality of the representation; and providing an output indicative of the relative setup of the scale and readhead based at least in part on the at least one parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Gribble, Iain Robert Gordon-Ingram
  • Publication number: 20130192079
    Abstract: The tension element position sensor includes three housing elements, wherein the two outer housing elements are configured pot shaped with a base towards a center housing component, wherein one element is the spring motor and the other is the rotation angle sensor. Thus the rotation angle sensor includes two Hall sensors, wherein an encoder magnet rotates as a function of the rotation of the winding drum opposite to the faces of the Hall sensors on the face side of one respective gear of two gears meshing with one another. Herein the arrangement of the gears and circuit boards in the receiver of this lateral housing component is of particular importance. Also the spring motor can be completely preassembled and stored in a closed manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ASM AUTOMATION SENSORIK MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: ASM Automation Sensorik Messtechnik GmbH
  • Patent number: 8495820
    Abstract: An angle-measuring device including a first component group and a second component group, the component groups being disposed in a manner allowing rotation relative to each other by a bearing. The first component group includes a housing having a connecting device, as well as a scanning unit. The second component group includes a shaft to which a code disk is attached, and a flow channel having a directional component parallel to the axis. The angle-measuring device is configured such that a negative pressure is able to be applied to the connecting device, so that a fluid surrounding the angle-measuring device with a pressure flows through the angle-measuring device to remove contaminants by suction. At the applied negative pressure, a first mass flow of the fluid which flows through the flow channel is greater than a second mass flow which flows through the bearing gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Zlatko Maric, Volker Hoefer
  • Patent number: 8448347
    Abstract: A length measuring device for measuring a relative position of two objects, the length measuring device including a scale in a housing and a scanning unit displaceable in a measuring direction X relative to the scale and the housing, wherein the scanning unit is disposed inside the housing and including a heat-generating electrical component. The length measuring device further including a thermal conduction path designed for transferring heat generated at the heat-generating electrical component to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Affa, Johannes Haunreiter