Search

William G Thorburn

from Danvers, MA
Age ~66
Get Report
Also known as:
William A Thorburn, William G Thornburn, Wm G Thorburn, Bill A Thorburn, William G Thoburn, William Thorbum
Phone and address:
20 Winthrop St, Danvers, MA 01923
(978) 777-0108
Connected to:
Barbara A Thorburn, 98Frank Thorburn, 118James M Thorburn, 49John W Thorburn, 61Lachlan Thorburn, 45Mark A Thorburn, 52Robert P Thorbus, 61Travis E Thorburn, 46Lindsey A Thordarson, 38Michelle A Thordarson, 63

William Thorburn Phones & Addresses

  • 20 Winthrop St, Danvers, MA 01923 (978) 777-0108
  • Old Orchard Beach, ME
  • 24 Rachel Ln, Whitinsville, MA 01588 (508) 234-7732
  • Norton, MA
  • 20 Winthrop St, Danvers, MA 01923 (508) 344-4929

Work

Position: Professional Specialty Occupations

Industries

Industrial Automation

Resumes

Resumes

William Thorburn Photo 1

Optical Engineer At Gsi Group

View page
Location:
Greater Boston Area
Industry:
Industrial Automation

Publications

Isbn (Books And Publications)

Uniform of the Scottish Infantry, 1740 to 1900

View page
Author

William Alexander Thorburn

ISBN #

0114904030

French Army Regiments and Uniforms from the Revolution to 1870

View page
Author

William Alexander Thorburn

ISBN #

0853680159

Us Patents

Reference Point Talbot Encoder

View page
US Patent:
7002137, Feb 21, 2006
Filed:
Aug 13, 2002
Appl. No.:
10/217756
Inventors:
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Norman J. Tobey - Bedford MA, US
Melvin J. J. Teare - Ashland MA, US
Douglas A. Klingbeil - Niwot CO, US
Ralph A. Kelliher - Newton MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Lumonics Corporation - Northville MI
International Classification:
G01D 5/34
US Classification:
25023113
Abstract:
The disclosed optical encoder includes a scale and a sensor head. The scale includes an optical grating and an optical element. The sensor head includes a light source, a detector array, and an index detector all of which are disposed on a substrate. The scale is disposed opposite the sensor head and is disposed for movement relative to the sensor head. The distance between the scale and the sensor head is selected so that the detector array lies near a talbot imaging plane. The light source emits a diverging beam of light, which is directed towards the scale. Light from the diverging beam of light is diffracted by the grating towards the detector array. Light from the diverging beam of light is diffracted by the optical element towards the index detector. The detector array provides a measurement of the position of the sensor head relative to the scale. The index detector provides a reference measurement of the position of the sensor head relative to the scale.

Optical Position Encoder Having Alignment Indicators Providing Quantitative Alignment Indications

View page
US Patent:
7067797, Jun 27, 2006
Filed:
Sep 15, 2004
Appl. No.:
10/941640
Inventors:
Donald K. Mitchell - Wayland MA, US
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Andrew Goldman - Waltham MA, US
Keith M. Hinrichs - Natick MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
G01D 5/34
US Classification:
25023113
Abstract:
An optical encoder includes an optical source, a scale, an optical detector and signal processing circuitry. The scale is operative with a light beam from the source to generate an optical pattern such as a line pattern extending in an X direction of relative movement between the scale and the source. The detector generates analog detector output signals indicative of the location of the optical pattern on the detector in an alignment direction orthogonal to the X direction. The detector may include two bi-cell elements spaced apart in the X direction, each element including two cells of complementary shape, such as a sharks-tooth. The signal processing circuitry operates in response to the detector output signals to generate an alignment value indicating a polarity and a magnitude of misalignment between the detector and the scale in the alignment direction. A method of providing information to a user regarding alignment of a detector and an encoder scale employs a graphical alignment indicator displayed on a computer display. The graphical alignment indicator has a bipolar indicator scale and a marker whose location on the scale is based on the alignment values such that the magnitude and polarity of misalignment is indicated.

Encoder Scale Error Compensation Employing Comparison Among Multiple Detectors

View page
US Patent:
7126109, Oct 24, 2006
Filed:
Jun 14, 2004
Appl. No.:
10/867096
Inventors:
Andrew Goldman - Waltham MA, US
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
G01D 5/34
US Classification:
25023114, 25023116, 250237 G, 356614
Abstract:
An encoder calculates position error values and applies compensation values to encoder position measurements in-situ. The encoder includes a scale and a multi-section detector for detecting a spatially periodic pattern, such as an optical interference pattern, produced by the scale. The detector includes spatially separated first and second sections. A signal processor estimates respective phase values from detector sections and calculates a phase difference reflecting a spatial position error in the scale. A compensation value is calculated from the phase difference and included in the estimate of the scale position to compensate for this spatial position error. The compensation values may be calculated and used on the fly, or calculated and saved during an in-situ calibration operation and then utilized during normal operation to compensate uncorrected measurements.

Rotary Position Sensor With Offset Beam Generating Element And Elliptical Detector Array

View page
US Patent:
7183537, Feb 27, 2007
Filed:
Dec 16, 2003
Appl. No.:
10/737199
Inventors:
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
G01D 5/34
US Classification:
25023113
Abstract:
A rotary position sensor employs an offset beam forming optical element such as a tilted mirror or a diffraction grating. The axis of the light beam from a source can be parallel to the rotational axis or tilted at a predetermined angle. One or multiple spots of light from reflected/diffracted beam(s) are located on a generally elliptical path on an array of detectors. A detector that is photosensitive only along the elliptical path may be employed, the detector being divided into multiple regions to enable a processor to identify the azimuthal angle of the spot. When a diffraction grating is employed, return beams corresponding to positive first and negative first diffracted orders are generated, and these are displaced substantially symmetrically with respect to the axis of the source. The use of multiple beams can reduce sensitivity to mis-alignment errors. Some aspect of one or more of the beams, such as optical intensity or radial displacement, can be made unique to enable the processor to identify the angular position modulo 360 degrees.

Absolute Encoder Employing Concatenated, Multi-Bit, Interpolated Sub-Encoders

View page
US Patent:
7253395, Aug 7, 2007
Filed:
Nov 17, 2004
Appl. No.:
10/990769
Inventors:
Alva E. Hare - Marlborough MA, US
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Keith M. Hinrichs - Natick MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
H03M 1/48
US Classification:
25023113, 341116
Abstract:
An absolute encoder employs multiple sub-encoders of different resolutions and a linking algorithm for combining the sub-encoder outputs to form an accurate, high-resolution position estimate. The sub-encoders can utilize edge modulation of a main grating track, sloped patterns of successively higher periods, and other types of scale patterns. The sub-encoders can also use a variety of detector types suitable for the patterns being used. In one linking approach, pairs of tracks are linked together successively by applying a phase shift to the coarser track and then combining it with the finer track such that the transitions of the coarse track estimates become aligned with those of the finer track, whereupon the values can be combined to form a linked position estimate. In another approach, beat tracks are calculated from physical tracks of similar period, and the beat tracks are used as the coarser tracks in the linking process.

Precision Material-Handling Robot Employing High-Resolution, Compact Absolute Encoder

View page
US Patent:
7321113, Jan 22, 2008
Filed:
May 25, 2005
Appl. No.:
11/137675
Inventors:
Alva E. Hare - Marlborough MA, US
Keith M. Hinrichs - Natick MA, US
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
H03M 1/48
US Classification:
25023113, 341116
Abstract:
An absolute encoder employs multiple sub-encoders of different resolutions and a linking algorithm for combining the sub-encoder outputs to form an accurate, high-resolution position estimate. The sub-encoders can utilize edge modulation of a main grating track, sloped patterns of successively higher periods, and other types of scale patterns. The sub-encoders can also use a variety of detector types suitable for the patterns being used. In one linking approach, pairs of tracks are linked together successively by applying a phase shift to the coarser track and then combining it with the finer track such that the transitions of the coarse track estimates become aligned with those of the finer track, whereupon the values can be combined to form a linked position estimate. In another approach, beat tracks are calculated from physical tracks of similar period, and the beat tracks are used as the coarser tracks in the linking process. A wafer-handling robot employs the absolute encoder for controlling rotation of multiple joints.

Optical Encoder Having Slanted Optical Detector Elements For Harmonic Suppression

View page
US Patent:
7324212, Jan 29, 2008
Filed:
Feb 28, 2007
Appl. No.:
11/712068
Inventors:
Donald K. Mitchell - Wayland MA, US
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
G01B 11/02
G01B 9/02
G01D 5/36
US Classification:
356499, 356521, 250237 G
Abstract:
An optical encoder includes a source of a light beam, an optical grating that generates a spatial pattern of interference fringes, and an optical detector which includes generally elongated detector elements that sample the interference fringe pattern at spatially separated locations along the direction of motion of the grating. Each detector element has one or more segments slanted along the direction of motion of the grating by an integer multiple of the period of an undesirable harmonic component of the fringe pattern, thereby spatially integrating the harmonic component and suppressing its contribution to an output of the detector. One specific detector type includes parallel elongated rectangular elements in a rectangular array that is rotated slightly about a Z axis; another type includes detector elements arranged to form a non-rectangular parallelogram. Another type of detector includes detector elements that each have multiple elongated rectangular segments which may be arranged into two non-parallel sets. The two sets can be further arranged in an alternating fashion so as to impart a zig-zag or chevron shape to each detector element.

Scale Assembly For Optical Encoder Having Affixed Optical Reference Markers

View page
US Patent:
7343693, Mar 18, 2008
Filed:
Nov 9, 2006
Appl. No.:
11/598257
Inventors:
Donald K. Mitchell - Wayland MA, US
Donald L. Grimes - Milford MA, US
William G. Thorburn - Whitinsville MA, US
Keith M. Hinrichs - Natick MA, US
Andrew Goldman - Stow MA, US
Joel M. Petersen - Valley Village CA, US
Christopher C. Rich - Rancho Palos Verdes CA, US
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation - Billerica MA
International Classification:
G01B 11/02
US Classification:
33707
Abstract:
A flexible optical marker is applied to an optical scale substrate to make an optical scale assembly for an optical position encoder. The marker may be a limit marker, index marker, or other type of marker. The marker substrate may be a plastic film such as polyester, singulated from a “recombine” roll created by a web process. The marker has a microstructured pattern on one surface that is covered with a reflective metal coating. The marker also has an adhesive layer and is affixed to the optical scale substrate by a process of aligning the marker to an edge of the scale and then applying pressure to the upper surface of the marker. The marker may be applied with a handle portion that is separated from the marker after the marker is affixed. The marker may be especially useful with a flexible scale substrate such as a metal tape substrate. By affixing the marker to the scale substrate as a separate step of making an encoder scale, various benefits such as reduced inventory, cost, and lead time may be achieved.
Control profile
William G Thorburn from Danvers, MA, age ~66 Get Report