The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 19, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2010
Bryan W. Guenther, Tucson, AZ (US);
Bryan W. Guenther, Tucson, AZ (US);
Bruker Nano Inc., Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Abstract
A pair of pneumatic cylinders is used to counterbalance the weight of a large gantry supporting the optical head of an interferometric profiler. The gantry is supported by the cylinders within pairs of linear-bearing rail that provide a large vertical travel. The pressure in the cylinders is adjusted so as to provide an upward force sufficient to oppose the weight of the gantry and prevent its descent, but not so great as to cause it to rise. In essence, the counterbalance pressure is adjusted to equilibrate the weight of the gantry in such a way that a small force applied manually upward or downward will cause the gantry to move easily in either direction, thereby making it possible for an operator to position the optical head rapidly and with minimum effort as required for the initial alignment with a test object.