Magnetic Patents (Class 33/708)
  • Patent number: 11905140
    Abstract: A measuring tape arrangement is used in an elevator system for determining a position of an elevator car along a travel path. The measuring tape arrangement has a one-piece measuring tape arranged along the travel path, wherein varying location information is stored along the measuring tape, by which information a current position of the car relative to the measuring tape can be determined, and a retaining structure arranged at an upper end of the travel path on which structure the measuring tape is fastened by a fastening device at a fixed position relative to the travel path. A receiving device receiving a measuring tape supply is arranged on the retaining structure, wherein a measuring tape piece of the measuring tape supply can arranged along an extension portion when the travel path is extended upwards by one extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Bizzozero, Lukas Christen
  • Patent number: 11788828
    Abstract: A device for measuring rotation of a spherical joint in a steering system, may include an anchor secured within a ball stud of the spherical joint and a rotational tie having a first end and a second end. The first end of the rotational tie may be secured to the anchor to hold the first end parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ball stud. The device may also include a rotation sensor including a sensor target rotationally coupled to the second end of the rotational tie and secured for free rotation to a framework of the spherical joint. The rotation sensor may also include an angle sensor configured and arranged to sense a changing angle of the sensor target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy T. Peterson, Daniel P. Sergison, Edward William Mate, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Andrew J. de Haseth
  • Patent number: 11738389
    Abstract: An alloy represented by the formula (MnxAly)Cz, the alloy being aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and carbon (C), and optionally unavoidable impurities; wherein x=56.0 to 59.0 y=41.0 to 44.0 x+y=100, and z=1.5 to 2.4. The alloy is highly suitable for forming the ? and ? phase in high purity and high microstructural homogeneity. A method for processing an alloy of formula (Mnx?Aly?)Cz?, wherein x?=52.0 to 59.0, y?=41.0 to 48.0, x?+y?=100, and z?=0.1 to 3.0, the process including providing the raw materials of the alloy, melting the raw materials, and forming particles of the alloy by gas atomization of the molten alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: HÖGANÄS AB (PUBL)
    Inventors: Hailiang Fang, Martin Häggblad Sahlberg, Bjorn Skarman
  • Patent number: 11609079
    Abstract: A length measuring device includes a carrier with a scale which extends longitudinally in a measuring direction. A scanning carriage for scanning a measuring graduation of the scale is longitudinally guided in the measuring direction, and, via a coupling, is rigidly coupled to a driver in the measuring direction and transversely thereto coupled to it in a flexible manner. The coupling includes a coupling element arranged between a first coupling point on the scanning carriage and a second coupling point on the driver. At the second coupling point, the coupling element is attached via a solid-body joint that is designed to carry the coupling element so as to be freely rotatable in relation to the driver about an axis of rotation which runs perpendicularly to a plane of the measuring graduation. The coupling element has a lower density than steel and/or a higher modulus of elasticity than steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
    Inventors: Tarek Nutzinger, Hermann Meyer
  • Patent number: 11413989
    Abstract: A method for automatic calibration of a device for actuating at least one element to be actuated in a structure, the actuation device comprising at least one actuator configured to actuate at least one corresponding element to be actuated. The method comprises the steps of: controlling the movement of each actuator to place each element in a predetermined reference position; and for each actuator: controlling the movement of the actuator in a first direction; if the value of a parameter associated with the actuator exceeds a first reference value, controlling the movement of the actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction; if the value of the parameter exceeds a second reference value, recording the position occupied by the actuator as the position of a first mechanical stop of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: PGA ELECTRONIC
    Inventors: Cédric Bouiron, Quentin Pillet
  • Patent number: 11247328
    Abstract: In order to provide an improved method and device to facilitate the teach-in of gripper positions, it is suggested that the positions be automatically detected. The procedure shall include: starting a teach-in process, detecting the position and the direction of movement of the actuating element on its path with a sensor, performing gripping movements from one position to another and stopping the gripper in each of the positions, storing the position of the actuating element when the gripper stops and storing the direction of movement from which this position was approached as the associated direction of movement, stopping the teach-in process when as many different positions with the associated movement directions have been stored as there are gripper positions, assigning of the gripper positions to the three positions from the stored positions and the stored, associated movement directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventor: Thomas Bludau
  • Patent number: 9316606
    Abstract: A sensor device for an oxygen module mountable on board an aircraft includes an electrical conducting element, a defining device for defining at least one measurement section, assigned to the oxygen module, on the electrical conducting element, and an evaluating unit for determining an electrical resistance present along the at least one measurement section, the evaluating unit further being configured to ascertain, based on the determined electrical resistance, whether the oxygen module is present. An aircraft has at least one oxygen module mounted on board the aircraft and at least one sensor device of the above type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Umlauft, Tobias Ameling, Nino-Ninov Penkov, Andreas Hottenrott
  • Patent number: 9030194
    Abstract: A scanning device for a position encoder is provided that comprises a plurality of sensor elements for generating a plurality of sensor signals. A summation unit is also provided for generating at least a first summation signal and a second summation signal that provide information on the relative alignment of the scanning device and an associated scale. The first summation signal is generated from a first subset of the plurality of sensor signals and the second summation signal is generated from a second subset of the plurality of sensor signals. The plurality of sensor elements are substantially evenly spaced apart from one another N and sensor elements are provided per period of an associated scale, wherein N is an integer value and a multiple of three and four. In this manner, the third harmonic contribution to the summation signals is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: RLS Merilna Tehnika D.O.O., Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: Gregor Dolsak
  • Patent number: 8844152
    Abstract: A method a scale having an inductively scannable graduation, the scale including a sequence of graduation elements disposed in a measuring direction and a layer stack including a succession of metal layers. The succession of metal layers includes a ferromagnetic metal carrier layer and a graduation layer that forms the sequence of graduation elements. The carrier layer is disposed between the graduation layer and a metal substrate, and the metal substrate is dimensioned to definitively determine mechanical properties of the layer stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Frank, Marc Oliver Tiemann, Martin Heumann
  • 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: 8782916
    Abstract: The invention provides a supporting plate structure for a magnet grid ruler, including a plurality of pieces of supporting plates and at least two sections of ruler shells within which magnetic strips are provided, both ends of each section of the ruler shells are fixedly mounted on two pieces of the supporting plates respectively, and the respective pieces of supporting plates are mounted at one side of a machine guide rail pair. A magnet grid reading head is mounted at the other side of the machine guide rail pair, and is moved with respect to magnetic strips. In the invention, the supporting plate structure is designed to be a structure with a plurality of pieces, each has a smaller size, thus the supporting plates do not need to be calibrated exactly, and thus time and work are saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Guangzhou Lokshun CNC Equipment Ltd
    Inventors: Liqing Yan, Qiang Huang, Ziming Gu
  • Patent number: 8739425
    Abstract: A coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a mounting surface, a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface, a first member comprising a sensor for sensing scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide, and an encoder scale member comprising a first set of scale markings which are, in use, sensable by the sensor. At least part of the encoder scale member is retained between the mounting surface and the motion guide such that the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. The motion guide may be a guide rail or a bearing, for example. En encoder scale member for use with such a coordinate positioning apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventor: James Reynolds Henshaw
  • Patent number: 8677645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement element (1, 11, 17, 26) for a length measuring system (40) in the form of a flexible strip comprising a measurement body (4) that can be scanned using a measuring unit (41) of the respective length measuring system (40). The flexible strip consists of a non-magnetic first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) and a magnetizable second layer (3, 14, 20, 29). The first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) is designed as a strip consisting of a metal material, coated at least in part on one side with the second layer (3, 14, 20, 29), said first layer acting as a support layer for the second layer. The second layer (3, 14, 20, 29) comprises several magnetizable regions that form the measurement body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schneeberger Holding AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Goetz
  • Publication number: 20130269198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an encoder readhead. The readhead includes a housing having an opening for capturing an encoder scale including an elongate rod having a substantially circular cross-section, the opening defining an axial direction along which a captured encoder scale can slide back and forth. A scale reader, which may include an array of Hall sensors, is provided for reading a portion of an encoder scale located in the opening. The housing includes an access portion that allows the encoder scale to be inserted into, and/or removed from, the opening by a relative movement between the housing and the encoder scale in a direction other than the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicants: RENISHAW PLC, RLS MERILNA TEHNIKA D.O.O.
    Inventors: Matjaz Sivec, Aljaz Ogrin, Peter Kogej
  • Publication number: 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
  • Publication number: 20120266478
    Abstract: A method a scale having an inductively scannable graduation, the scale including a sequence of graduation elements disposed in a measuring direction and a layer stack including a succession of metal layers. The succession of metal layers includes a ferromagnetic metal carrier layer and a graduation layer that forms the sequence of graduation elements. The carrier layer is disposed between the graduation layer and a metal substrate, and the metal substrate is dimensioned to definitively determine mechanical properties of the layer stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander Frank, Marc Oliver Tiemann, Martin Heumann
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110271539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measurement element (1, 11, 17, 26) for a length measuring system (40) in the form of a flexible strip comprising a measurement body (4) that can be scanned using a measuring unit (41) of the respective length measuring system (40). The flexible strip consists of a non-magnetic first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) and a magnetisable second layer (3, 14, 20, 29). The first layer (2, 13, 19, 28) is designed as a strip consisting of a metal material, coated at least in part on one side with the second layer (3, 14, 20, 29), said first layer acting as a support layer for the second layer. The second layer (3, 14, 20, 29) comprises several magnetisable regions that form the measurement body (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Schneeberger Holding AG
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Goetz
  • Publication number: 20110271540
    Abstract: A coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a mounting surface, a motion guide mountable on the mounting surface, a first member comprising a sensor for sensing scale markings, the first member being mountable on the motion guide, and an encoder scale member comprising a first set of scale markings which are, in use, sensable by the sensor. At least part of the encoder scale member is retained between the mounting surface and the motion guide such that the encoder scale member is supported by the mounting surface at least in the vicinity of the first set of scale markings. The motion guide may be a guide rail or a bearing, for example. En encoder scale member for use with such a coordinate positioning apparatus is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: James Reynolds Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20110192045
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus (10) for the absolute value determination of lengths or of angles, said apparatus having at least one reading head (14) and a physical scale (12) is provided, which has at least a partial section (18) with a connection (28) for another partial section (18) in a sequential arrangement. In this respect the partial section (18) includes a control unit (30) for the active determination of the position of the reading head (14) proximal to the partial section (18) as well as a storage element (32) in which an own position information of the partial section (18) within the physical scale (12) can be stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SICK STEGMANN GmbH
    Inventor: Josef SIRAKY
  • Publication number: 20110067256
    Abstract: A position display device providing a digital displacement signal is disclosed. The position display device includes an analogical signal input port electrically connected to a position probe of a magnetic scale, a position display module, a display unit, an analog/digital conversion module, and a digital signal output port. The position display device converts the received analogical displacement signal into a readout visually readable to an operator and displaying the readout through a display unit. The position display device also converts the analogical displacement signal into the digital displacement signal and outputs the digital displacement signal for an external motor controller to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Shie-Li Jan
  • Patent number: 7908762
    Abstract: A device for measuring the relative position of a material measure (10) and a reading head (12) is described, in which the material measure (10) has an incremental scale (14); in which the incremental scale (14) is non-magnetically scanned at a high resolution by a scanner (16) belonging to the reading head (12); in which the material measure (10) has permanent magnets (18), which are positioned at equidistant intervals in the direction of measurement and which establish continuous and adjoining segments (20) within the incremental scale (14); in which the magnetic field created by the permanent magnets (18) following each other in succession is recorded by at least one magnetic sensor (24) belonging to the reading head (12); in which the magnitude of the recorded magnetic field (22) is used to assign the position of the reading head (12) to a step of the incremental scale (14) within the segment (20) defined by these permanent magnets (18); and in which a Wiegand wire device (26, 28) belonging to the reading
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sick Stegmann GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Siraky
  • Patent number: 7895766
    Abstract: Linear guide unit, having a guide carriage (2) which is arranged such that it can be displaced longitudinally on a guide rail (1), and having a length measurement system, the measuring head (3) of which interacts with a measuring scale (4) which is arranged parallel to the guide rail (1), the measuring scale (4) being arranged in a hollow body which carries the measuring scale (4), is arranged at a spacing from the guide rail (1) and is mounted at its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Rudy, Martin Menges
  • Patent number: 7876109
    Abstract: The sensor according to the invention for detecting the position of a movable magnetic object includes a resistance track and a contact electrode arranged thereon. Moreover the sensor includes a magnetic position transmitter, which is developed in such a way that it can follow the magnetic object, that it can be moved along the contact electrode and through which the contact electrode can be brought into contact with the resistance track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: J.Wagner AG
    Inventors: Godram Mohr, Ignaz Hutter, Thomas Stieger
  • Patent number: 7845092
    Abstract: A linear guide unit is provided having a guide carriage (2) that can be moved in a longitudinal direction on a guide rail (1) and a length measuring system with a measuring head (3) that cooperates with a measuring body (4) arranged parallel to the guide rail (1). The measuring body (4) is located at a distance from the guide rail (1) and arranged within a clearance profile of the linear guide unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dietmar Rudy, Martin Menges, Michael Rebmann
  • Patent number: 7832115
    Abstract: An electronic coordinatometer, including multiple buses, and multiple connecting plates. The bus is formed by multiple rulers connected via the connecting plates, and the rulers have the same length. The coordinatometer is not affected by environment noise or fluctuation of signal level, and is capable of stably operating in harsh environments. Moreover, the coordinatometer is light and no hoisting equipment is required. Production, transportation and installation of the coordinatometer are convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Wuhan Leaddo Measuring & Control Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minghua Zhang, Qinxue Huang, Bo Li, Jinyong Yan, Chunzheng Wang
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100175272
    Abstract: Linear guide unit, having a guide carriage (2) which is arranged such that it can be displaced longitudinally on a guide rail (1), and having a length measurement system, the measuring head (3) of which interacts with a measuring scale (4) which is arranged parallel to the guide rail (1), the measuring scale (4) being arranged in a hollow body which carries the measuring scale (4), is arranged at a spacing from the guide rail (1) and is mounted at its ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Dietmar Rudy, Martin Menges
  • Publication number: 20100162582
    Abstract: A positioning device of a magnetic ruler is used to position the magnetic ruler onto a guideway, so as to prevent the magnetic ruler from being peeled off the guideway as a result of the reduction of the adhesiveness and to maintain the magnetic induction of the magnetic ruler. Moreover, the restriction assembly can also protect the magnetic ruler and keep it from dust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Chih-Mao SHIAO, Ming-Chih Huang
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100050455
    Abstract: A device for measuring the relative position of a material measure (10) and a reading head (12) is described, in which the material measure (10) has an incremental scale (14); in which the incremental scale (14) is non-magnetically scanned at a high resolution by a scanner (16) belonging to the reading head (12); in which the material measure (10) has permanent magnets (18), which are positioned at equidistant intervals in the direction of measurement and which establish continuous and adjoining segments (20) within the incremental scale (14); in which the magnetic field created by the permanent magnets (18) following each other in succession is recorded by at least one magnetic sensor (24) belonging to the reading head (12); in which the magnitude of the recorded magnetic field (22) is used to assign the position of the reading head (12) to a step of the incremental scale (14) within the segment (20) defined by these permanent magnets (18); and in which a Wiegand wire device (26, 28) belonging to the reading
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: SICK STEGMANN GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Siraky
  • Patent number: 7658014
    Abstract: A length measuring arrangement for measuring the relative position of two objects, the length measuring arrangement including a housing made of a non-magnetic material and longitudinally extending in a measuring direction. The length measuring arrangement including a scale in the housing, the scale having a measuring graduation, a first guide face and a second guide face which extends perpendicular to the first guide face. A mounting piece attachable to one of the two objects rigidly in the measuring direction and resiliently transversely to the measuring direction. The length measuring arrangement including a scanning carriage that scans the measuring graduation, wherein the scanning carriage is coupled to the mounting piece rigidly in the measuring direction and resiliently transversely to the measuring direction, and the scanning carriage is linearly guided in the measuring direction on the first and second guide faces and is pressed against the first and second guide faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Peterlechner
  • 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: 7626381
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic scale including a pipe, a strip-shaped magnetic member having a one side surface in the direction across the thickness thereof as a contact surface adapted to be closely attached to the inner surface of the pipe and the other side surface opposite to the one side surface as a back surface, the magnetic member being inserted in the pipe so as to extend straight in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, the magnetic member being formed with magnetic marks provided by a plurality of N poles and S poles alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic member, and a retainer member inserted in the pipe to press the back surface of the magnetic member toward the contact surface of the magnetic member, thereby maintaining a closely contact condition of the contact surface to the inner surface of the pipe. Accordingly, the magnetic member can be reliably protected to thereby improve its durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Shibata, Hideo Maejima, Osamu Ochiai, Yuji Nagai
  • Patent number: 7617614
    Abstract: First, an inner tube member is accommodated in an outer tube member. Then, rigid powder, having high rigidity and a hard-to-magnetize characteristic, into the inner tube member. Next, magnetic powder is filled into a recessed portion of the inner tube member. Then, the inner tube member is drawn out of the outer tube member. Then, a composite filler composed of the rigid powder, magnetic powder and outer tube member is subjected to a cold hydrostatic pressure pressing process as pre-processing. Next, the composite filler is heated and solidified into a billet. Then, the billet is subjected to a hot extrusion process so that it is formed into a bar-shaped workpiece. The bar-shaped workpiece is rolled onto a roller, and then the outer tube member is peeled off. Next, the bar-shaped workpiece is subjected to a cutting process so that it is formed into an elongated bar. Then, a magnetic section of the elongated bar is magnetized into a scale structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kojiro Kato, Yoshinori Hayashi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7562747
    Abstract: An elevator installation with at least one car includes at least one device for determining a position of the car and a method of operating such an elevator installation. The position determining device has a code mark pattern and a sensor device. The code mark pattern is arranged along the length of travel of the car and consists of a multiplicity of code marks. The sensor device is mounted on the car and has sensors contactlessly scanning the code marks. The code marks are arranged in a single line and the sensor device comprises at least two sensor groups which are separated from each other perpendicular to the line of the code marks, which makes reading the code marks possible even if there are lateral displacements between the sensor device and the line of the code marks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Enrico Marchesi
  • Publication number: 20090119940
    Abstract: An electronic hand tool type caliper includes a scale track located along a scale member reference edge that forms a sliding bearing with a mating surface of the caliper slide, thereby maintaining proper alignment of the slide jaw. Placing the scale track along the reference edge is advantageous in that the reference edge surface is inherently precisely machined and particles are excluded by the inherently close fit and the wiping action of the sliding bearing. A readhead sensor is mounted within the slide surface that mates to the reference edge to provide the sliding bearing. Thus, a very small readhead sensor may be reliably positioned at an extremely small gap relative to the scale in a protected operating environment, without detrimentally affecting cost, slider friction, or signal strength. High resolution digital signals may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael E. Meichle, Kim W. Atherton
  • Patent number: 7530177
    Abstract: An electronic hand tool type caliper includes a scale track located along a scale member reference edge that forms a sliding bearing with a mating surface of the caliper slide, thereby maintaining proper alignment of the slide jaw. Placing the scale track along the reference edge is advantageous in that the reference edge surface is inherently precisely machined and particles are excluded by the inherently close fit and the wiping action of the sliding bearing. A readhead sensor is mounted within the slide surface that mates to the reference edge to provide the sliding bearing. Thus, a very small readhead sensor may be reliably positioned at an extremely small gap relative to the scale in a protected operating environment, without detrimentally affecting cost, slider friction, or signal strength. High resolution digital signals may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Meichle, Kim W. Atherton
  • Publication number: 20090019716
    Abstract: A length measuring arrangement for measuring the relative position of two objects, the length measuring arrangement including a housing made of a non-magnetic material and longitudinally extending in a measuring direction. The length measuring arrangement including a scale in the housing, the scale having a measuring graduation, a first guide face and a second guide face which extends perpendicular to the first guide face. A mounting piece attachable to one of the two objects rigidly in the measuring direction and resiliently transversely to the measuring direction. The length measuring arrangement including a scanning carriage that scans the measuring graduation, wherein the scanning carriage is coupled to the mounting piece rigidly in the measuring direction and resiliently transversely to the measuring direction, and the scanning carriage is linearly guided in the measuring direction on the first and second guide faces and is pressed against the first and second guide faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Andreas Peterlechner
  • Patent number: 7415776
    Abstract: A magnetic scale is disclosed wherein a magnetic member is protected with certainty to effectively enhance the durability. The magnetic scale includes a magnetic member provided between outside and inside pipe members and has magnetic graduations magnetized alternately with the N and S poles along the extending direction thereof. When the magnetic member and the inside pipe member are assembled in the outside pipe member, the inside pipe member contacts partly with an inner face of the outside pipe member and partly with a back face of the magnetic member in such a manner as to cover the overall back face. The outer face of the inside pipe member presses the back face of the magnetic member over the overall length so that the close contact face of the magnetic member is closely contacted with the inner face of the outside pipe member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Ochiai, Yuji Nagai, Masayuki Shibata, Hideo Maejima
  • Patent number: 7353618
    Abstract: A magnetic scale includes a pipe and a polarizable magnetic member closely attached to the inner surface of the pipe so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The magnetic member is formed with magnetic marks provided by a plurality of N poles and S poles alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic member. Accordingly, the magnetic member can be reliably protected to thereby improve its durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Shibata, Osamu Ochiai, Yuji Nagai, Hideo Maejima
  • Patent number: 7325327
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the angular or linear displacement of an object. That displacement is transmitted to a movable conductive member, which, in response thereto, is moved to a position at which it electrically contacts one of a plurality of fixed contacts, thereby to complete an electrical circuit that includes a memory location in a read-only memory that contains digital data representing the amount of displacement that correlates to the fixed contact associated with that memory location. That digital data is transferred to an output device for display or additional data processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: David C. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7290344
    Abstract: A monolithic body having angle scaling is rotatable about an axis to measure the rotational position of a machine part. The body has a first annular region which has a flange-type configuration for connection to the machine part, and a second annular region on which the angle scaling is arranged, as well as a crosspiece region. The crosspiece region is arranged between the first annular region and the second annular region. The crosspiece region has a geometrical extension in the direction of the axis which is at least three times smaller than the greatest geometrical extension of the second annular region in the direction of the axis (Z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Brandl, Juergen Hertenberger
  • Patent number: 7284338
    Abstract: A position measuring system for determining the position of a first structural component and a second structural component. The position measuring system includes a first support for receiving a first position measuring device, which is set up and provided for being fastened to the first structural component and a second support for receiving a second position measuring device, which is set up and provided for being fastened to the second structural component. The position measuring system further includes a first connector that fastens the first support to the first structural component and a second connector that fastens the second support to the second structural component, wherein the second connector includes a nut, with which a screw can be brought into engagement, wherein the nut is inserted into a recess of the second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hager, Karl Fiedler, Johann Tauber
  • Publication number: 20070220772
    Abstract: First, an inner tube member is accommodated in an outer tube member. Then, rigid powder, having high rigidity and a hard-to-magnetize characteristic, into the inner tube member. Next, magnetic powder is filled into a recessed portion of the inner tube member. Then, the inner tube member is drawn out of the outer tube member. Then, a composite filler composed of the rigid powder, magnetic powder and outer tube member is subjected to a cold hydrostatic pressure pressing process as pre-processing. Next, the composite filler is heated and solidified into a billet. Then, the billet is subjected to a hot extrusion process so that it is formed into a bar-shaped workpiece. The bar-shaped workpiece is rolled onto a roller, and then the outer tube member is peeled off. Next, the bar-shaped workpiece is subjected to a cutting process so that it is formed into an elongated bar. Then, a magnetic section of the elongated bar is magnetized into a scale structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kojiro Kato, Yoshinori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7263781
    Abstract: A position-measuring device for fluidic cylinder-and-piston arrangements having at least one Hall sensor, preferably arranged in the area of the cylinder wall, especially in a cylinder wall, and a magnetic region, arranged in the piston. At least one Hall sensor array has at least two Hall sensors spaced one from the other in the direction of movement of the piston. One coil is provided whose magnetic field permits the switching points of the Hall sensors to be adjusted in response to the coil current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: IMI Norgren-Herion Fluidtronic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Sielemann
  • Patent number: 7253611
    Abstract: This invention relates to a magnetic displacement measurement device, which comprises a ruler body and a vernier, wherein a magnetic main ruler is fixed on the ruler body, and a secondary ruler is fixed on the vernier; the secondary ruler comprises a magnetic sensor and a measurement circuit thereon; said magnetic sensor is composed of magnetoresistances; said measurement circuit comprises at least two measurement bridges composed of magnetoresistances; the movement distance of the vernier is displayed on the display screen of the device after being detected by the magnetic sensor and being processed by the measurement circuit. The magnetic displacement measurement device provided by the invention not only can normally work in the wet and oil polluted environment, but also has the advantages of simple structure, convenient manufacture, low price, low power consumption and high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Beijing Aerospace Feng Guang Electronic Technical Corp. Ltd.
    Inventors: Liyao Ma, Yinghua Chen, Yingchun Jiang, Jie Zhang
  • Patent number: 7200515
    Abstract: A rotation angle sensor includes a first and a second detection gears rotatable with a steering shaft, a first detector configured to detect a rotation angle of the first detection gear, a second detector configured to detect a rotation angle of the second detection gear, a processor configured to calculate a rotation angle of the steering shaft based on the rotation angles detected by the first and second detectors and a discriminator configured to discriminate whether the rotational angle of the steering shaft, calculated by the processor, falls in an abnormal value, wherein a least common multiple between a cycle of the first detector and a cycle of the second detector is greater than a steering angle measurement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sakabe, Emi Takuma, Atsushi Ueno
  • Patent number: 7185444
    Abstract: A modular scanning unit for a position measuring system and including a support having a recess with a guide surface and a holder adjustably supported upon the support, wherein the holder has a light source and a beam-shaping device aligned with the light source. A scanning plate aligned with the light source and the beam-shaping device. The holder is guided upon the guide surface, displaceable in a first direction and rotatable in all directions, and the holder rests against the guide surface at at least one point, and that, following adjustment, the holder is fixed in place at the at least one point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Falkinger, Horst Gschossmann, Sebastian Tondorf