Patents by Inventor Daniel Knupfer

Daniel Knupfer 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).

  • Patent number: 11965660
    Abstract: A water circulation system having a feed line, a return line, a string that connects the feed line to the return line is disclosed. A temperature control unit connects the feed line to the return line, a consumer, a valve, at least one temperature sensor and a system control. A method is disclosed which includes the steps of determining a first temperature, a second temperature and a lowering time; detecting the water temperature; controlling the first temperature by controlling the valve; and controlling the second temperature by controlling the valve during the lowering time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: VIEGA TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Roland Obrist, Thomas Knupfer, Daniel Knupfer
  • Patent number: 11802538
    Abstract: An energy transmission system for a fluid line having a generator unit with a power supply unit that can be arranged at a first location of the fluid line and at least one consumer unit having at least one consumer that can be arranged at a second location of the fluid line spaced apart from the first location is disclosed. The generator unit has a pressure surge generator connected to the power supply unit and the pressure surges can be generated and introduced into the fluid located in the fluid line, and the consumer unit has a pressure surge transducer that is connected to the at least one consumer by the pressure surges introduced into the fluid and can be converted into electrical energy that can be supplied to the at least one consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Oblamatik AG
    Inventors: Roland Obrist, Daniel Knupfer, Patric Cathomas, Thomas Knupfer, Philipp Triet
  • Patent number: 11796075
    Abstract: A functional unit for sanitary facilities having a cold water and hot water inflow and one mixed water outlet that has a mixer, a distributor connected by a connection channel and an electronic control to which are connected sensors and electromotive actuators, the mixer and the distributor are designed as cartridges having electromotive actuators and the cartridges are designed as valves that can be flowed through axially, having axial and/or radial inlets and outlets that have disks arranged in the interior radially and on top of one another and each have at least one outlet opening, one of these disks being rotatable on a stator disk, the rotatable disk engages with an axially rotatable sleeve axially arranged in the respective valve and the cavity can be flowed through, and the outer circumference of the sleeve is operatively connected to the respective electromotive actuator, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Daniel Knupfer, Roland Obrist
  • Patent number: 11781298
    Abstract: A fitting, in particular an outlet fitting, for a sanitary installation has a control unit, a sanitary element controllable with the control unit, and at least one imaging sensor. The control unit is adapted to trigger an action of the sanitary element depending on an object recognition based on at least one output signal from the at least one imaging sensor. A fitting arrangement with such a fitting as well as a method for controlling such a fitting are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland Obrist, Daniel Knupfer, Philipp Triet, Patric Cathomas
  • Patent number: 11705705
    Abstract: A mounting sleeve for mounting in a recess in a wall having a first sleeve with a longitudinal axis, wherein a flange is arranged in the region of a first free end of the first sleeve, the flange projects radially outwards beyond the circumference of the sleeve-shaped body as a result that can abut against an outside of the wall, wherein the mounting sleeve has a second sleeve that is arranged displaceably along the longitudinal axis in the first sleeve and the mounting sleeve has a tensioning element which the two sleeves can be brought from a non-tensioned position into a tensioned position, wherein the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve has at least one clamping element which, in the tensioned position, projects radially outwards beyond the circumference of the body of the first sleeve, as a result of tensioning of the mounting sleeve with the wall can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland Obrist, Daniel Knupfer, Thomas Knupfer
  • Patent number: 11703144
    Abstract: A motor-driven axial-flow control valve is disclosed that has a valve body with an inlet and an opposite outlet and a passage located between having a substantially axial alignment relative to the inlet and outlet, and a flow control path arranged in the passage with an operative connection to a motor drive in a switch housing resting on the valve body. The flow control valve is formed by two radially arranged discs lying on one another and each having at least one passage opening where one disc is a stator disc permanently arranged in the valve body, and the other disc lies axially rotatably on the stator disk, and the rotatable disc is in engagement with an axially rotatable sleeve that is arranged axially in the passage and through which flow can pass in the cavity of the rotatable disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Daniel Knupfer, Thomas Knupfer, Roland Obrist
  • Publication number: 20220325690
    Abstract: An energy transmission system for a fluid line having a generator unit with a power supply unit that can be arranged at a first location of the fluid line and at least one consumer unit having at least one consumer that can be arranged at a second location of the fluid line spaced apart from the first location is disclosed. The generator unit has a pressure surge generator connected to the power supply unit and the pressure surges can be generated and introduced into the fluid located in the fluid line, and the consumer unit has a pressure surge transducer that is connected to the at least one consumer by the pressure surges introduced into the fluid and can be converted into electrical energy that can be supplied to the at least one consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Oblamatik AG
    Inventors: Roland OBRIST, Daniel KNUPFER, Patric CATHOMAS, Thomas KNUPFER, Philipp TRIET
  • Publication number: 20220107029
    Abstract: A functional unit for sanitary facilities having a cold water and hot water inflow and one mixed water outlet that has a mixer, a distributor connected by a connection channel and an electronic control to which are connected sensors and electromotive actuators, the mixer and the distributor are designed as cartridges having electromotive actuators and the cartridges are designed as valves that can be flowed through axially, having axial and/or radial inlets and outlets that have disks arranged in the interior radially and on top of one another and each have at least one outlet opening, one of these disks being rotatable on a stator disk, the rotatable disk engages with an axially rotatable sleeve axially arranged in the respective valve and the cavity can be flowed through, and the outer circumference of the sleeve is operatively connected to the respective electromotive actuator, is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Daniel KNUPFER, Roland OBRIST
  • Publication number: 20220090364
    Abstract: A fitting connecting piece having a main body with pipe unions for water conduits and a main body area with mating surfaces for a functional unit where each pipe union is connected to one allocated port in a mating surface through channels inside the main body is disclosed. A functional unit can be mounted on the main body area with the mating surfaces and the functional unit having ports arranged in a manner complementary to the mating surfaces, characterized in accordance with the invention in that the pipe unions are mounted movably on, in or on the main body. A corresponding fitting connecting piece for sanitary installations is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Daniel KNUPFER, Roland OBRIST
  • Patent number: 11208789
    Abstract: A water outlet for installation in a recess in a wall having an inner pipe designed as a throughflow pipe, an outer pipe designed as an outflow pipe, where the outer pipe partially surrounds the inner pipe, and a connection unit has a connection plate and a bezel where the inner pipe is arranged on the connection plate, and the bezel is arranged around the outer pipe at a distance from the connection plate, where the outer pipe is displaceable along a longitudinal axis, and a fixing means is provided, by which a previously adjusted relative position between the inner pipe and the outer pipe can be fixed, where the fixing means is arranged between the connection plate and the bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland Obrist, Daniel Knupfer
  • Publication number: 20210355663
    Abstract: A fitting, in particular an outlet fitting, for a sanitary installation having a control unit and a sanitary element controllable with the control unit is disclosed. The fitting has at least one imaging sensor. The control unit is adapted to trigger an action of the sanitary element depending on an object recognition based on at least one output signal from the at least one imaging sensor. A fitting arrangement having a fitting as well as a method for controlling a fitting is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland OBRIST, Daniel Knupfer, Philipp Triet, Patric Cathomas
  • Publication number: 20210270472
    Abstract: A method for operating a water circulation system having at least one valve and at least one temperature sensor; determining a first temperature and a second temperature; determining a period of time; detecting the water temperature using at least one temperature sensor; detecting the opening time during which the at least one valve is at least partially open at least partially opening the at least one valve if the detected water temperature exceeds the value of the first temperature or if the opening time reaches the period of time; and completely closing the at least one valve if the detected water temperature reaches the value of the second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: ROLAND OBRIST, Thomas KNUPFER, Daniel KNUPFER
  • Patent number: 11056867
    Abstract: An installation device for installing flush-mounted fixtures on/in a wall, where the installation device has a wall plug and a retainer that can be screwed therein. The wall plug and the retainer have a sleeve-shaped body, and a relative rotation between the wall plug and the retainer in a first direction of rotation leads to a reduction in the distance between a first free end and a second free end of the wall plug, and that a relative rotation between the wall plug and the retainer in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first, leads to an increase in the distance between the first free end and the second free end of the wall plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland Obrist, Daniel Knupfer
  • Publication number: 20210199213
    Abstract: A motor-driven axial-flow control valve is disclosed that has a valve body with an inlet and an opposite outlet and a passage located between having a substantially axial alignment relative to the inlet and outlet, and a flow control path arranged in the passage with an operative connection to a motor drive in a switch housing resting on the valve body. The flow control valve is formed by two radially arranged discs lying on one another and each having at least one passage opening where one disc is a stator disc permanently arranged in the valve body, and the other disc lies axially rotatably on the stator disk, and the rotatable disc is in engagement with an axially rotatable sleeve that is arranged axially in the passage and through which flow can pass in the cavity of the rotatable disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: DANIEL KNUPFER, Thomas KNUPFER, Roland OBRIST
  • Publication number: 20210126444
    Abstract: An installation device for installing flush-mounted fixtures on/in a wall, where the installation device has a wall plug and a retainer that can be screwed therein. The wall plug and the retainer have a sleeve-shaped body, and a relative rotation between the wall plug and the retainer in a first direction of rotation leads to a reduction in the distance between a first free end and a second free end of the wall plug, and that a relative rotation between the wall plug and the retainer in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first, leads to an increase in the distance between the first free end and the second free end of the wall plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland OBRIST, Daniel KNUPFER
  • Publication number: 20210124379
    Abstract: A water circulation system having a feed line, a return line, a string that connects the feed line to the return line is disclosed. A temperature control unit connects the feed line to the return line, a consumer, a valve, at least one temperature sensor and a system control. A method is disclosed which includes the steps of determining a first temperature, a second temperature and a lowering time; detecting the water temperature; controlling the first temperature by controlling the valve; and controlling the second temperature by controlling the valve during the lowering time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: ROLAND OBRIST, Thomas KNUPFER, Daniel KNUPFER
  • Publication number: 20200362545
    Abstract: A water outlet for installation in a recess in a wall having an inner pipe designed as a throughflow pipe, an outer pipe designed as an outflow pipe, where the outer pipe partially surrounds the inner pipe, and a connection unit has a connection plate and a bezel where the inner pipe is arranged on the connection plate, and the bezel is arranged around the outer pipe at a distance from the connection plate, where the outer pipe is displaceable along a longitudinal axis, and a fixing means is provided, by which a previously adjusted relative position between the inner pipe and the outer pipe can be fixed, where the fixing means is arranged between the connection plate and the bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland OBRIST, Daniel KNUPFER
  • Publication number: 20200251891
    Abstract: A mounting sleeve for mounting in a recess in a wall having a first sleeve with a longitudinal axis, wherein a flange is arranged in the region of a first free end of the first sleeve, the flange projects radially outwards beyond the circumference of the sleeve-shaped body as a result that can abut against an outside of the wall, wherein the mounting sleeve has a second sleeve that is arranged displaceably along the longitudinal axis in the first sleeve and the mounting sleeve has a tensioning element which the two sleeves can be brought from a non-tensioned position into a tensioned position, wherein the first sleeve and/or the second sleeve has at least one clamping element which, in the tensioned position, projects radially outwards beyond the circumference of the body of the first sleeve, as a result of tensioning of the mounting sleeve with the wall can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Roland OBRIST, Daniel KNUPFER, Thomas KNUPFER
  • Publication number: 20180106023
    Abstract: The operating element (16) of a sanitary fitting has a temperature slide (20) and a flow rate slide (22). These two slides (20, 22) are movable back and forth along a first movement path (40) and a second movement path (42) respectively, in order to set, on the one hand, the temperature of the water and, on the other hand, the flow rate of the water. Sensors (54, 60) detect the location and the position of the temperature slide (20) and of the flow rate slide (22) and deliver corresponding temperature signals and flow rate signals to the electronic controller (56). This controller controls the valve bank (68) in such a way that water with the desired temperature and the set flow rate flows out of the sanitary fitting through the water outlet (28). Square or rectangular designs and a fitting (312) having virtual slide controls (340, 342) are also possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Franke Water Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Brunner, Roland Gloor, Daniel Knupfer, Thomas Knupfer
  • Patent number: D916670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: OBLAMATIK AG
    Inventors: Thomas Knupfer, Daniel Knupfer, Roland Obrist