Patents by Inventor Christian Hoepfner

Christian Hoepfner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230160101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing cool-down times within a cool-down chamber are described herein. The method and apparatus include a process chamber, a transfer chamber, a dual-handled transfer robot within the transfer chamber, and a cool-down chamber. The dual-handled transfer robot it utilized to transfer a substrate between the process chamber and the cool-down chamber. The amount of time the substrate is disposed on the dual-handled transfer robot before being moved into the cool-down chamber is multiplied by a correction factor and subtracted from an original cool down time to achieve an adjusted cool down time. The adjusted cool down time is determined separately for each substrate being cooled within the cool-down chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas ACKERMANN, Christian HÖPFNER
  • Publication number: 20190296683
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of an approach to attaching one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules to a roof of a building. More particularly, described herein are embodiments of an approach to attaching glass-glass PV modules using an adhesive. Such an adhesive may be applied to contact points between the roof and a support frame that holds the glass-glass PV module(s) in place and that may be mechanically coupled to the glass-glass PV module(s). Use of the adhesive in this way may be particularly advantageous when the roof is sloped, including when the roof has a steep slope, which may include roofs having a rise-to-run ratio greater than 4:12, greater than 6:12, or greater than 8:12. The adhesive may, in some embodiments, aid in reducing, minimizing, or eliminating the use of mechanical anchor points that may be needed to support the glass-glass PV module(s) on the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Honeker, Christian Hoepfner, Hans C. Henning
  • Patent number: 10381837
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Dirk E. Mahling, Matthew Alan Kromer, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20160036372
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Dirk E. Mahling, Matthew Alan Kromer, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20160036373
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Matthew Alan Kromer, Jacquie Ashmore Chakrabarty, Dirk E. Mahling, James R. Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20160036234
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Oscar Hazel Del Olmo, Matthew Alan Kromer, Christian Hoepfner, Geoffrey Kinsey
  • Publication number: 20160036381
    Abstract: Photovoltaic systems and related techniques are provided. A method for commissioning a photovoltaic (PV) system may include obtaining data describing an arrangement of two or more components of the PV system; performing a test of the PV system, wherein performing the test includes determining whether the PV system complies with at least one PV system criterion based, at least in part, on at least a portion of the data describing the arrangement of the two or more components of the PV system; and in response to determining that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion, activating the PV system and/or notifying a user of the PV system that the PV system complies with the at least one PV system criterion. The method may further include sending information associated with the PV system to a regulatory entity and/or an operator of an electrical grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Kromer, Christian Hoepfner, Dirk E. Mahling, James R. Perkinson
  • Patent number: 8092064
    Abstract: Illumination assemblies, components, and related methods are described. An illumination assembly is provided that comprises a plurality of illumination tiles each having a light emission surface. The plurality of illumination tiles are arranged in a two-dimensional array. The illumination tiles are constructed and arranged so as to provide a substantially contiguous illumination surface comprising the light emission surfaces of the plurality of the illumination tiles. Each illumination tile is illuminated by at least one solid state light-emitting device. A method of local dimming an illumination assembly of a display (e.g., LCD) backlight unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexei A. Erchak, Robert F. Karlicek, David Doyle, Gianni Taraschi, Michael A. Joffe, Christian Hoepfner
  • Patent number: 7692207
    Abstract: Light-emitting devices, and related components, processes, systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei A. Erchak, Paul Panaccione, Robert F. Karlicek, Jr., Michael Lim, Elefterios Lidorikis, Jo A. Venezia, Christian Hoepfner
  • Publication number: 20080290819
    Abstract: Driver circuits for light-emitting devices (e.g., light-emitting diodes), as well as systems and methods associated therewith are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Hoepfner, Michael Gregory Brown, Jeffrey B. Colter
  • Publication number: 20080205080
    Abstract: Illumination assemblies, components, and related methods are described. An illumination assembly is provided that comprises a plurality of illumination tiles each having a light emission surface. The plurality of illumination tiles are arranged in a two-dimensional array. The illumination tiles are constructed and arranged so as to provide a substantially contiguous illumination surface comprising the light emission surfaces of the plurality of the illumination tiles. Each illumination tile is illuminated by at least one solid state light-emitting device. A method of local dimming an illumination assembly of a display (e.g., LCD) backlight unit is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei A. Erchak, Robert F. Karlicek, David Doyle, Gianni Taraschi, Michael A. Joffe, Christian Hoepfner
  • Publication number: 20080205078
    Abstract: Illumination assemblies, components, and related methods are described. A plurality of illumination tiles may be arranged in a two-dimensional array. In one embodiment, an illumination tile comprises at least one solid state light-emitting device and a light guide including an edge constructed and arranged to receive light from the solid state light-emitting device, and a top emission surface constructed and arranged to emit light received by the edge, wherein the solid state light-emitting device is disposed under the top emission surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Karlicek, Christian Hoepfner, David Doyle, Gianni Taraschi, Michael A. Joffe, Alexei A. Erchak
  • Patent number: D576968
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski, John W. Graff, Robert F. Karlicek, Daniel Mendoza, Michael Denninger
  • Patent number: D603352
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski, John W. Graff, Robert F. Karlicek, Daniel Mendoza, Michael Denninger
  • Patent number: D606021
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski, John W. Graff, Robert F. Karlicek, Daniel Mendoza, Michael Denninger
  • Patent number: D617289
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski
  • Patent number: D622663
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski
  • Patent number: D623608
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski, John W. Graff, Robert F. Karlicek, Jr., Daniel Mendoza, Michael Denninger
  • Patent number: D623609
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski
  • Patent number: D624029
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Luminus Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Panaccione, Christian Hoepfner, Georgia Chmielewski, John W. Graff, Robert F. Karlicek, Daniel Mendoza, Michael Denninger