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US 2009/0020688 A1Published application
Workpiece sensor
OwnerChristopher Scott Lovchik, Christopher G. Morlier +2inventors
InventorsChristopher Scott Lovchik, Christopher G. Morlier, Jonathan Heeth, Brit Yenne
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a sensor that has an enclosure to house a photodetector and a pair of light sources. The photodetector may be used to detect presence of a workpiece in a machine based on reflected energy from a surface of the workpiece, and the light sources may be adapted on opposing sides of the photodetector to illuminate the workpiece.
Claims18
An apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure to house a photodetector and a pair of light sources, wherein the photodetector is to detect presence of a workpiece in a machine based on reflected energy from a surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is in optical view of the photodetector, wherein the pair of light sources are adapted on opposing sides of the photodetector to illuminate the workpiece.
A sensor assembly comprising:
- a housing to house a photo transistor and a pair of light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the photo transistor is to detect presence of a workpiece in a processor-controlled carving system based on reflected energy from a surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is in optical view of the photo transistor, wherein the pair of LEDs are adapted on opposing sides of the photo transistor to illuminate the workpiece;
- and
- a substrate coupled to the housing, the substrate including circuitry to provide power to the pair of LEDs and to receive a detection signal from the photo transistor, wherein the substrate further includes detection circuitry to process the detection signal and to communicate information regarding detection of the workpiece to a processor of the processor-controlled carving system.
An apparatus comprising:
- a moving assembly to support a tool holder assembly and to enable movement along at least a first axis, the moving assembly including:
- a first pair of rollers coupled on a first and second side of the moving assembly, the first pair of rollers to mate with a corresponding track member to enable movement of the moving assembly along the first axis;
- and
- a sensor assembly coupled to a peripheral portion of the moving assembly, the sensor assembly including an enclosure to house a photodetector and a pair of light sources, wherein the photodetector is to detect presence of a workpiece based on reflected energy from a surface of the workpiece when the workpiece is in optical view of the photodetector, wherein the pair of light sources are adapted on opposing sides of the photodetector to illuminate the workpiece.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.