Optical Patents (Class 33/707)
  • Patent number: 10907997
    Abstract: An encoder apparatus comprising a scale and a readhead assembly comprising a scale signal receiver. The scale and the scale signal receiver are located within a protective housing which is configured to protect them from contamination located outside the protective housing and comprises a seal through which the scale signal receiver can be connected to a part outside the protective housing. The arrangement of the scale signal receiver inside the protective housing is independent of the scale and protective housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Finlay Jonathan Evans, James Reynolds Henshaw, Stephen Lindsey Tocknell
  • Patent number: 10677614
    Abstract: Provided is an encoder that can sense an abnormality in the attitude of a detector with respect to a scale. An encoder includes a scale and a detector, the scale being provided on one measurement target part with marks arranged on the scale, and the detector being provided on another measurement target part and configured to detect an amount of relative movement with the scale. The scale includes a sensing unit that senses the attitude of the detector with respect to the scale, and thus even in a case where an abnormality in the attitude of the detector with respect to the scale cannot be sensed on the basis of a change in a signal read by a reading unit, the abnormality can nevertheless be sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroatsu Mori
  • Patent number: 10527405
    Abstract: An optical position-measuring device for sensing a position of two relatively movable objects includes a scale connected to one object and having a measuring graduation. A scanning unit is disposed on the other object and has optical elements. An arrangement and design of the optical elements of the scanning unit results in a scanning beam path in which split and subsequently interfered sub-beams propagate mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry and either impinge on and/or are reflected back from the scale in a V-shape. The plane of symmetry is tilted by a defined tilt angle relative to the scale about an axis of rotation that is oriented parallel to a surface of the scale and extends perpendicular to the graduation direction. The sub-beams that are interfered are deflected at the measuring graduation into symmetric diffraction orders. The sub-beams travel identical optical path lengths between splitting and recombination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Karsten Saendig
  • Patent number: 10527399
    Abstract: A scanning unit adapted for scanning a measuring graduation of a scale for purposes of position measurement in a measurement direction includes a housing having a detector configured to generate position-dependent scanning signals. An electrical lead passes out through the housing in the measurement direction. A rotatable member, in which the electrical lead is routed, has a first section extending in the measurement direction and a second section extending in a second direction at an angle relative to the measurement direction. The rotatable member is rotatably mounted on the housing about an axis of rotation extending in the measurement direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Riesemann, Wolfgang Pucher, Stefan Kuehnhauser
  • Patent number: 10352675
    Abstract: A length-measuring device for measuring a relative position of two objects with respect to each other by scanning a measuring graduation of a scale tape includes a hollow section member in which the scale tape is tensioned along a longitudinal direction of the hollow section member. A tensioner device is configured to tension the scale tape. The tensioner device includes a fixed member which is stationary relative to the hollow section member and a tensioner which is held under tension on the fixed member by a spring acting in the longitudinal direction, as well as a holding member to which the scale tape and the tensioner are attached. The tensioner is detachably secured to the holding member and configured such that the tensioner is separable from the holding member and removable from the hollow section member at an end. An adjuster adjusts the tension of the scale tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann Meyer
  • Patent number: 10220714
    Abstract: An actuator module for locking an electrical connection comprises a lock, a drive unit, and a position detection unit. The lock is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position along a direction of movement. The lock has a trigger. The drive unit moves the lock from the unlocked position to the locked position. The position detection unit has an optical sensor detecting the trigger and determining a position of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Heiss, Frank Wittrock, Dirk Weyrauch
  • Patent number: 10060765
    Abstract: An optical position-measuring device for determining the position of a first object relative to a second object movable relative to the first object along a measurement direction includes a scale with a measuring graduation connected to the first object and extending along the measurement direction. A scanner is connected to the second object and includes a fiber-optic array including optical fibers. The fiber-optic array is configured as a fiber-optic plate having an image-input face facing the scale and an image-output face facing the detector array. The fiber-optic array transmits a light pattern into a detection plane of the detector array. An interstitial medium is disposed between the image-output face of the fiber-optic plate and the detector array to ensure that an amount of deflection that the beams exiting the image-output face undergo on a path to the detector array is smaller than in a case without the interstitial medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Christoph Lingk, Ulrich Benner, Johannes Trautner
  • Patent number: 9791254
    Abstract: A scale fixating device includes a fixing block unmovably fixating a first end of a scale to an object, and a pulling block fixating a second end of the scale to the object while pulling the second end of the scale to the second end side. The pulling block includes a fixated base fixated to an object, a slide holding the second end of the scale and installed slidably with respect to the fixated base, and a pulling mechanism having a first end engaged to the slide and a second end engaged to the fixated base, the pulling mechanism pulling the slide toward the second end relatively with respect to the fixated base. The scale fixating device either prevents a friction force from changing between the slide and the fixated base or generates an extremely large friction force between the slide and the fixated base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Otsuka, Masaru Ogiwara
  • Patent number: 9417045
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Sugamata
  • Patent number: 9207101
    Abstract: An optical encoder includes a light source fiber holder holding a light source fiber and a collecting lens therein, and a nut. The light source fiber holder includes an end fitting together with a light source base. An outer circumferential surface of the end includes an inclined surface inclining such that a cross-sectional area increases as the surface approaches the light source fiber; and a projection capable of advancing into a groove of the light source base. The optical encoder includes a light source connector and the light source fiber holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Mori, Tatsuya Narumi
  • Patent number: 9132509
    Abstract: A method and a device for engraving a flexible strip, the device including a drive device for moving a flexible strip in a longitudinal direction of the flexible strip; a support device for supporting the strip in a circumferential direction of a cylinder on a surface segment of the cylinder acting as a support surface; a processing head oriented towards the support surface for engraving the strip with at least one tool oriented towards the support surface; and a drive device for moving the processing head, wherein the processing head is pivotable through the drive device about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder. In order to engrave a closed loop with a single processing head it is proposed that the processing head is pivotable through a drive device about a longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: 4JET Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Bergfeld
  • Patent number: 9057630
    Abstract: A method of applying a marking onto a metrological scale. The method comprises locating one or more markings on the scale substrate in a provisional state; checking whether the one or more markings located on the scale substrate are acceptable; and finalising the one or markings which are acceptable so as to transform the one or more markings into a finalised state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: Marcus Ardron, Richard John Hoodless, David Jonathan Walshaw
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140306099
    Abstract: An optical scale, a method for manufacturing an optical scale, and an optical encoder less affected by fluctuations in the amount of detected light and with an improved resolution are provided. The optical scale includes a plurality of wires provided thereon so that the plurality of wires do not intersect each other and each of the tangential directions of the respective wires changes continuously. The optical encoder includes the optical scale, a light source, an optical sensor, and a computing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Oguchi, Kunihiko Sasano, Sumio Sugita
  • Patent number: 8850711
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a length measuring system extending in a measurement direction, the mounting device including a basic body, a steadying device attached to the basic body and a retainer attached to the basic body. A length measuring system that extends in a measurement direction is fixable on the basic body by clamping between the steadying device and the retainer, wherein the basic body and the retainer are embodied for guiding the retainer on the basic body longitudinally in a manner fixed against relative rotation in a direction of the steadying device by an adjusting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Schenk, Tarek Nutzinger
  • 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: 8729458
    Abstract: A detection head includes a plurality of detection array portions that are arranged in a direction along which the head is relatively displaceable. Position signals indicating a position of the detection head are calculated from output signals output from the detection array portions. In order to combine the position signals with one another and determine the position of the detection head with respect to the scale, weighting according to a level of the output signal is performed on the position signal of each of the detection array portions, and the weighted position signals are averaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kato
  • Patent number: 8658965
    Abstract: An encoder which measures displacement of a moving part includes a light-emitting unit; a moving part which moves relative to the light-emitting unit; a first pattern track which includes a plurality of first unit patterns sequentially formed on the moving part, separated from one another and having different widths; a first light-receiving unit which is disposed to correspond to the light-emitting unit and detects first information light received from the light-emitting unit via a first pattern of the first unit patterns; at least one second light-receiving unit which is disposed to correspond to the light-emitting unit and detects second information about light received from the light-emitting unit via at least one second pattern of the first unit patterns; and a displacement calculating unit which calculates a relative displacement of the moving part with respect to a reference position based on the first and second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-ha An, Hyong-su Choi, Tae-young Lee, Dong-ju Seok
  • 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: 8598509
    Abstract: An optical encoder comprising a set of light sources configured to emit light rays in a serial manner, an encoded scale configured to reflect at least a portion of the emitted light rays, and a photodetector, where the photodetector is configured to detect at least a portion of the reflected light rays and to generate signals based on the detected light rays for each of the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Samuel Batchelder
  • Publication number: 20130305551
    Abstract: A mobile device accessory for measuring a dimension is described. The accessory includes a housing having a mating feature that is adapted to mate with a corresponding mating feature of a mobile device. A measuring tape includes a detectable pattern thereon. The detectable pattern is related to the dimension. The accessory also includes a detector that generates a signal in response to detecting the pattern. A processor generates dimension data in response to receiving the signal. An interface transmits the dimension data to the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ruwan Jayanetti, Subramanian K (Ks), Vipula Liyanaarachchi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130111776
    Abstract: A measuring body device is provided for a position/path measurement system, having at least one fixing band, with a first and a second end, to fix the measuring body device to an application. A measuring body in the form of a band is provided with at least one coding layer associated with the fixing band. At least one connecting mechanism fixes the first and second ends of the fixing band relative to one another. The connecting mechanism is a bridge element, fixed or fixable relative to the ends of the fixing band. At least one path storage device is arranged on the bridge element with a first transverse element, a second transverse element, spaced apart from the first transverse element, and a web element which connects the first and second transverse elements and which is integrally connected thereto. A spacing between the first and second transverse elements is determinably adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: BALLUFF GMBH
    Inventor: BALLUFF GmbH
  • Patent number: 8408476
    Abstract: An optical recognition pattern for length measurement is mounted on an optical contact surface and includes a plurality of optical recognition units, each of which corresponds to a length value. The sequence of the optical recognition units on the optical contact surface is consistent with that of the corresponding length values in such a way that the optical recognition pattern imitating the conventional measuring ruler can be constituted. Besides, the optical recognition pattern can further work with an optical recognition device to constitute a length measurement system that the optical recognition is applied to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Charder Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsu-Sheng Sun, Hung-Chih Lai
  • Patent number: 8399825
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing the angular position of a rotor includes a code disk rotatable with the rotor. A first light guide is rotatable with the rotor. The light guide directs light from a light source through the code disk to a detector. A second light guide has first and second arms directing light from a light source to the detector. A light modulator modulates the light directed from one of the first and second arms to the detector. A method for determining the angular position of the rotor includes providing the code disk with a plurality of individual designation areas located near the outer peripheral edge of the disk. Each designation area has a plurality of digital bits. The detector detects the digital bits from a selected portion of the code disk. The selected portion is functionally related to the angular position of the rotor. A bit center is determined for each bit of the selected portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Garold W. Masoner, Gerard J. Zettler, Jeridiah Welti
  • Patent number: 8288709
    Abstract: An optical encoder device is provided, in which first light transmissive slits are formed in a movable slit plate and second light transmissive slits are formed in a stationary slit plate. The number of the second light transmissive slits is defined as S. The second light transmissive slits are formed in the stationary slit plate such that when one of the second light transmissive slits is optically coincident with one of the first light transmissive slits, the remaining S-1 second light transmissive slits are shifted in position from other first light transmissive slits corresponding to the remaining second light transmissive slits by S-1 phase differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Shoji
  • Patent number: 8234793
    Abstract: An arrangement for a scale, the arrangement including a scale having a measurement graduation that defines a measurement range and a support arranged opposite to the measurement graduation. The arrangement further includes spheres two-dimensionally distributed on the support, wherein the spheres are immovably fixed on the support and to the scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Weidmann, Peter Speckbacher
  • Patent number: 8156658
    Abstract: A linear encoder that includes a scale supporting a measurement graduation and an assembly that includes a support. The scale is fastened on the assembly by a fastener, wherein the fastener has a structure that makes a temperature-dependent linear expansion of the support in relation to the scale possible in case of temperature changes. The linear encoder includes a holder in a position in a measuring direction, wherein the holder fastens the scale to a body to be measured by the linear encoder at a fixed point while bypassing the support. In addition, the assembly is fastened by the support on the body to be measured by the linear encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Kummetz, Tim Boye, Martin Seichter, Dirk Geyermann
  • Publication number: 20120023769
    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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Speckbacher, Josef Weidmann, Wolfgang Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 8069580
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining a position and/or a speed includes a scale having marks arranged at spacings from one another, and a scanning head, with the scale and the scanning head being arranged for movement relative to one another along a movement direction. The scanning head is constructed to determine a first spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a first one of the marks, and a second spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a second one of the marks, with the position and/or the speed being determined on the basis of the first spacing and the second spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Roland Finkler
  • Patent number: 8020301
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hydro dynamic bearing device is provided for the finishing treatment of lubricating oil after lubricating the hydro dynamic bearing device, specifically for properly and effectively wiping off the lubricating oil adhering to the outside of the housing and adjusting the oil-level height of the lubricating oil filled in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Kaimi, Kazuto Shimizu, Kimihiko Bitou, Nao Ishiyama, Nobuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110167659
    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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Zlatko Maric, Volker Hoefer
  • Patent number: 7958620
    Abstract: A method of determining the eccentricity of an encoder scale member of a rotary encoder includes taking an encoder scale blank having a geometric center and mounting the encoder scale blank centered about a second center. A scale can then be produced on the encoder scale blank thereby forming an encoder scale member. The scale of the encoder scale member is centered about the second center. Any eccentricity between the geometric center and the second center is measured by, for example, measuring any change in the apparent radius of the encoder scale member. The encoder scale member may then be mounted in a working location wherein it is rotated about a third axis. The eccentricity when mounted in the working location may be matched to that measured during manufacture thereof and/or the eccentricity errors arising from both manufacture and mounting of the encoder scale member may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: James Reynolds Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20110119945
    Abstract: An arrangement for a scale, the arrangement including a scale having a measurement graduation that defines a measurement range and a support arranged opposite to the measurement graduation. The arrangement further includes spheres two-dimensionally distributed on the support, wherein the spheres are immovably fixed on the support and to the scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Josef Weidmann, Peter Speckbacher
  • Publication number: 20110072676
    Abstract: A linear encoder that includes a housing having: an elongated hollow profile section including a first face end and a second face end; a cap disposed on the first face end; and a seal which is disposed in sealing fashion between the hollow profile section and the cap, wherein the seal includes an electrically conductive connecting element. The linear encoder further includes a scale made of electrically nonconductive material, wherein the scale is disposed inside the housing and the scale includes a measuring graduation that is scannable by a scanning unit, which is movable in a measurement direction relative to the housing. The linear encoder includes a shunt made of electrically conductive material, wherein the shunt is mounted on the scale and extends in the measurement direction and wherein the electrically conductive connecting element is configured so as to establish an electrical connection between the shunt and at least one of the hollow profile section and the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Oliver Schenk, Andreas Reith
  • Publication number: 20110067255
    Abstract: A linear encoder that includes a scale supporting a measurement graduation and an assembly that includes a support. The scale is fastened on the assembly by a fastener, wherein the fastener has a structure that makes a temperature-dependent linear expansion of the support in relation to the scale possible in case of temperature changes. The linear encoder includes a holder in a position in a measuring direction, wherein the holder fastens the scale to a body to be measured by the linear encoder at a fixed point while bypassing the support. In addition, the assembly is fastened by the support on the body to be measured by the linear encoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jens Kummetz, Tim Boye, Martin Seichter, Dirk Geyermann
  • Patent number: 7903336
    Abstract: A reflective metrological scale has a metal tape substrate and a scale pattern of elongated side-by-side marks surrounded by reflective surface areas of the substrate. Each mark has a furrowed cross section and may have a depth in the range of 0.5 to 2 microns. The central region of each mark may be rippled and darkened to provide an enhanced optical reflection ratio with respect to surrounding surface areas. A manufacturing method includes the repeated steps of (1) creating a scale mark by irradiating the substrate surface at a mark location with overlapped pulses from a laser, each pulse having an energy density of less than about 1 joule per cm2, and (2) changing the relative position of the laser and the substrate by a displacement amount defining a next mark location on the substrate at which a next mark of the scale is to be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: GSI Group Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Pelsue, Stuart A. Dodson, II, Bradley L. Hunter, Donald V. Smart, Pierre-Yves Mabboux, Jonathan S. Ehrmann
  • Publication number: 20100325909
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape measure having a tape, housing, and an input, has an OLED strip overlaid on top of the tape. The housing contains a programmable controller and a rolled-up portion of the tape. A specified fraction of the length of the linear target is provided to the controller using the input. The tape may be extracted from the housing to generate an exposed portion of the tape corresponding to the total length of a linear target. The controller receives information indicative of the total length of the linear target. The controller controls the OLED strip to show, i.e., light up along the tape, a fractional portion corresponding to the specified fraction of the linear target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger A. Fratti, John A. Michejda
  • Patent number: 7858922
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a scanning unit and a measuring graduation that is displaceable thereto in at least one measuring direction. The measuring graduation includes two incremental-graduation tracks extending in parallel in the measuring direction, between which a reference-marking track having at least one reference marking at a reference position extends. The scanning unit includes a first scanning device for generating the reference-pulse signal and a second scanning device for generating the incremental signals. To generate the incremental signals, a scanning beam acts at least once upon each incremental graduation in an incremental-signal scanning field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Michael Hermann, Karsten Saendig
  • Patent number: 7770304
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code and a scanning unit. The code includes a sequence of code elements arranged one after the other in a measuring direction, at least two successive code elements in each case forming one code word having position information. The scanning unit includes a lighting unit for emitting directed light in the direction of the code for imaging at least the code elements forming code word onto a detector unit, the detector unit having in measuring direction at least two detector elements per code element forming code word, as well as an evaluation unit in which the code word having the instantaneous position information is ascertainable from the detector signals of the detector elements. The scanning unit and the code are arranged in a manner allowing movement relative to each other in measuring direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Oberhauser, Thomas Schuermann
  • Patent number: 7765711
    Abstract: Disclosed is a linear guiding system (1) comprising at least one guide rail (2), at least one guide carriage (3) that is supported on the guide rail and can be moved therealong, and a device (5) for measuring a distance traveled by the guide carriage relative to the guide rail and/or determining a position of the guide carriage relative to the guide rail. The measuring device (5) encompasses a measuring rule (10) and a measuring head (21) that is provided with at least one sensor for scanning the measuring rule (10). The measuring rule extends in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail while being arranged along or on a surface (2.1) of the guide rail (2) facing the support zone (40) of the guide carriage (3). A cavity (25) for accommodating the measuring head is embodied in the guide carriage. Said cavity (25) is configured entirely or partly outside the support zone (40) while the measuring head (21) is disposed entirely or partly in the cavity (25) and entirely or partly outside the support zone (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Schneeberger Holding AG
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Schneeberger, Ernst Mischler, Lutz Ramonat
  • Patent number: 7726038
    Abstract: A guide rail for a linear bearing has a longitudinal axis, a first and second diametrically opposed lateral surface and a top lateral surface, running surfaces provided on the first and/or second lateral surfaces and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, for a guide carriage of the linear bearing, and an incremental dimensional standard for a position measuring device provided on one of the lateral surfaces, wherein an absolute dimensional standard is provided on another lateral surface, which is scanable by the position measuring device together with the incremental dimensional standard in order to determine an absolute position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Reusing
  • Patent number: 7714273
    Abstract: A position-measuring device for generating a reference-pulse signal at at least one reference position includes a scanning unit and also a reflection-measuring graduation displaceable relative thereto in at least one measuring direction. The scanning unit for generating the reference-pulse signal includes a plurality of optical elements, including at least one imaging optics as well as at least two diaphragm structures, which are disposed in a diaphragm plane and have a plurality of diaphragm openings in each case. Furthermore, a light source as well as at least two detector elements are assigned to the scanning unit. The reflection-measuring graduation has a reference marking at the at least one reference position. It includes at least one set of first structure elements, which is arranged in the plane of the reflection-measuring graduation, perpendicular to the measuring direction, periodically at a first transversal periodicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Karsten Saendig
  • Publication number: 20100097462
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining longitudinal position of an elongated web are described. Sensors are used to detect one or more substantially continuous fiducial marks disposed longitudinally on the web. The sensors generate signals associated with the fiducial marks. A position detector receives the signals and determines a longitudinal position of the web using the sensor signals. The fiducial marks may be periodic fiducial marks, such as sine and/or cosine marks on the web and/or may be piecewise continuous marks. The coarse longitudinal position of the web can be determined based on periodically recurring features of the fiducial marks. The fine longitudinal position can be determined based on continuous portions of the fiducial marks between the periodically recurring features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel H. Carlson, John T. Strand, Daniel S. Wertz, Levent Biyikli, Brian K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7684059
    Abstract: A device for determining the position of an object that is movable along at least one displacement direction, the or each displacement direction having assigned to it one length measuring device for measuring the position of the object along the respective spatial direction, includes: at least one scale extending along a displacement direction of the object to be measured as a first component of the respective length measuring device; a scanning head for scanning the scale as a second component of the respective length measuring device such that a change in the position of the scale with respect to the scanning head along the associated displacement direction of the object to be measured is measurable, one of the two components of the respective length measuring device being moved together with the object to be measured along the respective displacement direction when the latter is moved; and a device for determining the distance of the component of the respective length measuring device, which is movable tog
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Metz, Christian Spaeth, Holmer Dangschat
  • Patent number: 7669346
    Abstract: An annular having a central bore includes a conical surface concentric with the bore such that the conical surface has a peak, an inner trough and an outer lip and the inner trough is adjacent to the central bore. A retention groove located under the outer lip has an outside diameter that is less than the lip outside diameter. A tapered reflective face extends outward from the retention groove. When a code wheel disc having an inside diameter that is smaller than said lip outside diameter is pressed onto the conical surface, the difference in size of the lip outside diameter and the disc inside diameter promotes a deflection of the disc which forces it to conform to the tapered reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: USDigital LLC
    Inventor: David M. Madore
  • Patent number: 7644505
    Abstract: The levelling rod (1) for a level determining apparatus (2) has position indications therealong along expressed by barcode symbols (11, 12). At least some of said barcode symbols are color barcode symbols, the color serving to encode said position indications. The barcode symbols can be organised in first and second blocks (12, 11) of barcode symbols, each providing a position indication, wherein the length (Ls) occupied along the rod (1) by a first block (12) is smaller than the length (Lb) occupied along the rod by a second block (11), the first blocks thereby providing a finer position indication than the second blocks. The first blocks (12) of barcode symbols can be formed of monochrome and color bar code symbols, e.g. just one color barcode symbol and at least one monochrome barcode symbol, while the second blocks (11) can be formed purely of color barcode symbols. The invention also relates to a level determining apparatus specifically adapted for the above rod, and to a method of using that rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Zheng Dong Zeng, Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin, Chin Keong Ng, Keliang Zhou
  • Patent number: 7631438
    Abstract: A reversing linear drive which comprises a field coil and a magnetic armature that is excited by the magnetic field of the field coil to perform a linear, axially oscillating movement. In order to detect the armature position, the drive is provided with a stripe pattern element with an alternating arrangement of transparent and opaque stripes or of light-reflecting stripes and non-light-reflecting stripes which extends at least across the entire axial armature stroke, and with a light barrier with elements that emit and receive light in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Mario Bechtold, Stefan Nunninger, Johannes Reinschke
  • Patent number: 7624513
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a scale measurement apparatus. A scale has scale markings arranged to form an incremental pattern and at least one scale mark. A readhead has an incremental detector means which produces an output signal and a scale mark detector means for producing a signal having a zero crossing. The readhead is moved relative to the scale. The output from the incremental detector is used to determine a predetermined phase in the output signal and the value of the signal from the scale mark detector corresponding to the predetermined phase in the output signal from the incremental detector on either side of the zero crossing is determined. These values are used to define the width of the scale mark pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: Colin Keith Howley
  • Publication number: 20090277033
    Abstract: A measuring device for determining a position and/or a speed includes a scale having marks arranged at spacings from one another, and a scanning head, with the scale and the scanning head being arranged for movement relative to one another along a movement direction. The scanning head is constructed to determine a first spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a first one of the marks, and a second spacing of the scanning head in the movement direction relative to a second one of the marks, with the position and/or the speed being determined on the basis of the first spacing and the second spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: ROLAND FINKLER