Optical Patents (Class 33/707)
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Patent number: 10907997Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Finlay Jonathan Evans, James Reynolds Henshaw, Stephen Lindsey Tocknell
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Patent number: 10677614Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroatsu Mori
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Patent number: 10527405Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBHInventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Karsten Saendig
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Patent number: 10527399Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBHInventors: Bernhard Riesemann, Wolfgang Pucher, Stefan Kuehnhauser
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Patent number: 10352675Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBHInventor: Hermann Meyer
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Patent number: 10220714Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbHInventors: Dominik Heiss, Frank Wittrock, Dirk Weyrauch
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Patent number: 10060765Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Christoph Lingk, Ulrich Benner, Johannes Trautner
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Patent number: 9791254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Takanori Otsuka, Masaru Ogiwara
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Patent number: 9417045Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshihiko Sugamata
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Patent number: 9207101Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroatsu Mori, Tatsuya Narumi
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Patent number: 9132509Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: 4JET Technologies GmbHInventor: Stefan Bergfeld
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Patent number: 9057630Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Marcus Ardron, Richard John Hoodless, David Jonathan Walshaw
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Patent number: 9030194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignees: RLS Merilna Tehnika D.O.O., Renishaw PLCInventor: Gregor Dolsak
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Publication number: 20140306099Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventors: Toshiaki Oguchi, Kunihiko Sasano, Sumio Sugita
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Patent number: 8850711Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Oliver Schenk, Tarek Nutzinger
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Patent number: 8803371Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Baldor Electric CompanyInventors: Glenn S. Trammell, Rui Qiao
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Patent number: 8729458Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: Yoshiaki Kato
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Patent number: 8658965Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min-ha An, Hyong-su Choi, Tae-young Lee, Dong-ju Seok
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Patent number: 8650769Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Peter Speckbacher, Josef Weidmann, Wolfgang Holzapfel
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Patent number: 8598509Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.Inventor: J. Samuel Batchelder
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Publication number: 20130305551Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: SYMBOL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Ruwan Jayanetti, Subramanian K (Ks), Vipula Liyanaarachchi
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Patent number: 8495820Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Zlatko Maric, Volker Hoefer
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Publication number: 20130111776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: BALLUFF GMBHInventor: BALLUFF GmbH
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Patent number: 8408476Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Charder Electronic Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hsu-Sheng Sun, Hung-Chih Lai
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Patent number: 8399825Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: Garold W. Masoner, Gerard J. Zettler, Jeridiah Welti
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Patent number: 8288709Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiro Shoji
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Patent number: 8234793Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Josef Weidmann, Peter Speckbacher
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Patent number: 8156658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Jens Kummetz, Tim Boye, Martin Seichter, Dirk Geyermann
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Publication number: 20120023769Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: February 2, 2012Inventors: Peter Speckbacher, Josef Weidmann, Wolfgang Holzapfel
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Patent number: 8069580Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Roland Finkler
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Patent number: 8020301Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: NTN CorporationInventors: Masayuki Kaimi, Kazuto Shimizu, Kimihiko Bitou, Nao Ishiyama, Nobuyoshi Yamashita
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Publication number: 20110167659Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2009Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Zlatko Maric, Volker Hoefer
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Patent number: 7958620Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventor: James Reynolds Henshaw
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Publication number: 20110119945Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Josef Weidmann, Peter Speckbacher
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Publication number: 20110072676Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Oliver Schenk, Andreas Reith
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Publication number: 20110067255Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Jens Kummetz, Tim Boye, Martin Seichter, Dirk Geyermann
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Patent number: 7903336Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: GSI Group CorporationInventors: Kurt Pelsue, Stuart A. Dodson, II, Bradley L. Hunter, Donald V. Smart, Pierre-Yves Mabboux, Jonathan S. Ehrmann
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Publication number: 20100325909Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: LSI CORPORATIONInventors: Roger A. Fratti, John A. Michejda
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Patent number: 7858922Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Holzapfel, Michael Hermann, Karsten Saendig
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Patent number: 7770304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Johann Oberhauser, Thomas Schuermann
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Patent number: 7765711Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Schneeberger Holding AGInventors: Hans-Martin Schneeberger, Ernst Mischler, Lutz Ramonat
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Patent number: 7726038Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Guenter Reusing
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Patent number: 7714273Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventor: Karsten Saendig
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Publication number: 20100097462Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Daniel H. Carlson, John T. Strand, Daniel S. Wertz, Levent Biyikli, Brian K. Nelson
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Patent number: 7684059Abstract: 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 togType: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Gerald Metz, Christian Spaeth, Holmer Dangschat
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Patent number: 7669346Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: USDigital LLCInventor: David M. Madore
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Patent number: 7644505Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Leica Geosystems AGInventors: Zheng Dong Zeng, Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin, Chin Keong Ng, Keliang Zhou
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Patent number: 7631438Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Mario Bechtold, Stefan Nunninger, Johannes Reinschke
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Patent number: 7624513Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Renishaw PLCInventor: Colin Keith Howley
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Publication number: 20090277033Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: ROLAND FINKLER