Patents by Inventor Dirk Hoffmann

Dirk Hoffmann 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: 20230059893
    Abstract: A roller mill, having a grinding table and grinding rollers, wherein the grinding table is rotatable relative to the grinding rollers about a center axis of the grinding table in a grinding table rotation direction, such that the grinding rollers roll on a grinding track of the grinding table about a roller rotation axis. At least one of the grinding rollers is rotated to be set at a set angle in the direction of the grinding table rotation direction, such that the roller rotation axis extends at a radial distance from the center axis of the grinding table. The set angle is between 1 degree and 9 degrees. A method for operating a roller mill, and the use of a roller mill for comminuting particulate bulk material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Johannes ALVE, Saskia HANAUER, Dirk HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 11466613
    Abstract: In certain implementations, a ship propulsion system includes: at least one internal combustion engine with: a combustion chamber for burning a fuel; an intake tract for supplying fresh air to the combustion chamber; and a turbocharger with a compressor in the in-take tract; an electrolysis device for producing hydrogen gas for the internal combustion engine and for producing oxygen gas; an alcohol tank for supplying alcohols to the internal combustion engine; and a water tank, wherein the water tank and the alcohol tank are connected to the combustion chamber or a pressure side of the compressor for the supply of water and alcohol into the intake tract, and wherein the electrolysis device is connected to the pressure side of the compressor for supplying hydrogen gas into the intake tract or connected to the combustion chamber for supplying hydrogen gas into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: FUELSAVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11255258
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of engine units, each having a working space, in which two rotary pistons are arranged so as mesh with each other and thereby divide the working space into an inflow region and an outflow region. Each engine unit has a closable inlet opening to the inflow region and a closable exhaust gas outlet opening. The internal combustion engine further includes a feed-line pipe to the inlet openings and an exhaust gas collection pipe connected to the exhaust gas outlet openings, so that the engine units are connected in parallel with each other. The internal combustion engine further includes exhaust gas lines which connect the engine units with each other in series. In certain cases, a control device operates some of the engine units either as internal combustion engines, or as expansion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: FUELSAVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20210317779
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a plurality of engine units (50A-50C), each having a working space (11), in which two rotary pistons (20, 30) are arranged so as mesh with each other and thereby divide the working space (11) into an inflow region (12) and an outflow region (13). Each engine unit comprises a closable inlet opening (62A-62C) to the inflow region (12) and a closable exhaust gas outlet opening (64A-64C). The internal combustion engine further comprises a feed-line pipe (60) to the inlet openings (62A-62C) and an exhaust gas collection pipe (66) connected to the exhaust gas outlet openings (64A-64C), so that the engine units (50A-50C) are connected in parallel with each other. The internal combustion engine further comprises exhaust gas lines (63A, 63B) which connect the engine units (50A, 50B) with each other in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 11098587
    Abstract: A rotary piston engine comprises a housing (10), which forms an interior space (11), and at least two rotary pistons (20, 30), which are arranged in the interior space (11). Formed on the interior space (11) are an inlet opening (13) and an outlet opening (15) to guide a fluid through the interior space (11). The rotary pistons (20, 30) are thereby driven by fluid flowing through. Each rotary piston (20, 30) has on its outer circumference at least two sealing strips (21, 31). According to the invention each rotary piston (20, 30) comprises at least two cavities (27, 37), in each of which a tube (38B) or an elastic solid rod is arranged. The sealing strips (21, 31) project into the cavities and against the tube (38B) received therein or the elastic solid rod. Through the tube (38B) or the rod, the sealing strips (21, 31) are pushed radially outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FUELSAVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11098660
    Abstract: Various implementations include drive systems and related methods of operation. In one implementation, a drive system includes: a combustion engine, where the combustion engine includes a combustion chamber with injectors for injecting a fossil fuel into the combustion chamber, a supply line for delivering a gas mixture to the combustion chamber, an electrolysis chamber for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and a vacuum pump for sucking the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas from the electrolysis chamber, a gasification tank with volatile organic compounds received therein, and an air compressor for pumping air into the gasification tank, wherein the gas mixture comprises gasified organic compounds from the gasification tank and at least a part of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: FUELSAVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20210246825
    Abstract: In certain implementations, a ship propulsion system includes: at least one internal combustion engine with: a combustion chamber for burning a fuel; an intake tract for supplying fresh air to the combustion chamber; and a turbocharger with a compressor in the in-take tract; an electrolysis device for producing hydrogen gas for the internal combustion engine and for producing oxygen gas; an alcohol tank for supplying alcohols to the internal combustion engine; and a water tank, wherein the water tank and the alcohol tank are connected to the combustion chamber or a pressure side of the compressor for the supply of water and alcohol into the intake tract, and wherein the electrolysis device is connected to the pressure side of the compressor for supplying hydrogen gas into the intake tract or connected to the combustion chamber for supplying hydrogen gas into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 11015520
    Abstract: A ship propulsion system comprises at least one internal combustion engine with a combustion chamber for burning a fuel and a turbocharger with a compressor in an intake tract of the internal combustion engine. The ship propulsion system further comprises an electrolysis device, which produces hydrogen and oxygen gas, which are added on a pressure side of the compressor and conducted to the internal combustion engine. Moreover, a water tank and an alcohol tank are connected to a pressure side of the compressor in order to add water and alcohol to the charge air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: FUELSAVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11007533
    Abstract: A material-bed roller mill including two adjacently arranged rollers which are oriented in an axially parallel manner and which rotate in opposite directions and between which a roller gap is formed, a foundation, two roller mountings, in each of which a roller is rotatably mounted, each roller mounting being secured to the foundation in a pivotal manner; and a clamping device. The clamping device is arranged outside of the roller gap and connects the two roller mountings. Each roller mounting has two rockers which are designed as separate components and each of which is arranged at an end of a roller and can be deflected independently of the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: GEBR. PFEIFFER SE
    Inventors: Dirk Hoffmann, Ralf Frankenberger, Karl-Heinz Schütte, Hardy Lessmeister, Lukas Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20210040884
    Abstract: A ship propulsion system comprises at least one internal combustion engine with a combustion chamber for burning a fuel and a turbocharger with a compressor in an intake tract of the internal combustion engine. The ship propulsion system further comprises an electrolysis device, which produces hydrogen and oxygen gas, which are added on a pressure side of the compressor and conducted to the internal combustion engine. Moreover, a water tank and an alcohol tank are connected to a pressure side of the compressor in order to add water and alcohol to the charge air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20200400022
    Abstract: A rotary piston engine comprises a housing (10), which forms an interior space (11), and at least two rotary pistons (20, 30), which are arranged in the interior space (11). Formed on the interior space (11) are an inlet opening (13) and an outlet opening (15) to guide a fluid through the interior space (11). The rotary pistons (20, 30) are thereby driven by fluid flowing through. Each rotary piston (20, 30) has on its outer circumference at least two sealing strips (21, 31). According to the invention each rotary piston (20, 30) comprises at least two cavities (27, 37), in each of which a tube (38B) or an elastic solid rod is arranged. The sealing strips (21, 31) project into the cavities and against the tube (38B) received therein or the elastic solid rod. Through the tube (38B) or the rod, the sealing strips (21, 31) are pushed radially outwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Dirk HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 10697401
    Abstract: Various implementations include propulsion systems and related methods of operation. In one implementation, a system includes: an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has a combustion chamber for burning a fossil fuel, an electrolysis chamber for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, a turbocharger, a supply line connecting a compressor of the turbocharger to the combustion chamber, the supply line designed to convey a gas mixture including at least a part of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas to the combustion chamber, a gasification tank with volatile organic compounds received therein, and an air supply for supplying compressed air into the gasification tank, wherein the gas mixture, which is guided via the supply line to the combustion chamber, also includes gasified organic compounds from the gasification tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FUELSAVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20200080521
    Abstract: Various implementations include propulsion systems and related methods of operation. In one implementation, a system includes: an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has a combustion chamber for burning a fossil fuel, an electrolysis chamber for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, a turbocharger, a supply line connecting a compressor of the turbocharger to the combustion chamber, the supply line designed to convey a gas mixture including at least a part of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas to the combustion chamber, a gasification tank with volatile organic compounds received therein, and an air supply for supplying compressed air into the gasification tank, wherein the gas mixture, which is guided via the supply line to the combustion chamber, also includes gasified organic compounds from the gasification tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10495032
    Abstract: A ship propulsion system is disclosed comprising an internal combustion engine for driving a ship, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises a combustion chamber for combusting fossil fuel, a supply line for delivering a gas mixture to the combustion chamber, an electrolysis chamber for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and a vacuum pump for sucking the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas from the electrolysis chamber. The ship propulsion system furthermore comprises a gasification tank with volatile organic compounds received therein, in particular methanol or ethanol, as well as a supply line for supplying a gas mixture to the combustion chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises gasified organic compounds from the gasification tank and at least a part of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas. Furthermore a corresponding method for operation a ship propulsion system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Fuelsave GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10458238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary piston engine comprising a housing which forms an interior space, two rotary pistons which are arranged in the interior space, an inlet opening for introducing a fluid into the interior space, and an outlet opening for the fluid, which is located in the interior space on a side opposite the inlet opening. Each rotary piston comprises at least two sealing strips and at least two recesses on the outer circumference thereof, wherein the shapes of the recesses and the sealing strips are selected to engage the sealing strips of a respective rotary pistons in the recesses of the respective other rotary piston. In addition, the sealing strips are dimensioned in the radial direction to sealingly contact an inner wall of the housing. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for operating a rotary piston engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Fuelsave GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10323582
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system is disclosed comprising an internal combustion engine for driving a vehicle, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises a combustion chamber with injectors for injecting diesel into the combustion chamber, a supply line for delivering a gas mixture to the combustion chamber, an electrolysis chamber for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and a vacuum pump for sucking the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas from the electrolysis chamber. The vehicle drive system furthermore comprises a gasification tank with volatile organic compounds received therein, in particular methanol or ethanol, as well as a supply line for supplying a gas mixture to the combustion chamber, wherein the gas mixture comprises gasified organic compounds from the gasification tank and at least a part of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas. Furthermore a corresponding method for operation a vehicle drive system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Fuelsave GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20190162124
    Abstract: Various implementations include drive systems and related methods of operation. In one implementation, a drive system includes: a combustion engine, where the combustion engine includes a combustion chamber with injectors for injecting a fossil fuel into the combustion chamber, a supply line for delivering a gas mixture to the combustion chamber, an electrolysis chamber for producing hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and a vacuum pump for sucking the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas from the electrolysis chamber, a gasification tank with volatile organic compounds received therein, and an air compressor for pumping air into the gasification tank, wherein the gas mixture comprises gasified organic compounds from the gasification tank and at least a part of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 10245591
    Abstract: A bearing element suitable for supporting a grinding disk in a roller mill, comprising a plate-like or disk-shaped base element, an annular disk and a spacer element, wherein the annular disk is disposed substantially parallel to the base element and at a distance from the base element, and is connected at its bottom using an annular spacer element with the base element, and the annular disk has means on its upper side for receiving the axial bearing segments, whereby the spacer element is designed as an annular strip extending in the axial direction and has a plurality of spaced-apart arches in the circumferential direction, whose openings point towards the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GEBR. PFEIFFER SE
    Inventors: Dirk Hoffmann, Ralf Frankenberger, Karl-Heinz Schütte
  • Publication number: 20180272355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a material-bed roller mill comprising the following: two adjacently arranged rollers which are oriented in an axially parallel manner in a base state and rotate in opposite directions and between which a roller gap is formed; a foundation; two roller mountings, in each of which a roller is rotatably mounted, each roller mounting being secured to the foundation in a pivotal manner; and a clamping device which acts on the roller gap and which is arranged outside of the roller gap and connects the two roller mountings together. Each roller mounting has two rockers which are designed as separate components and each of which is arranged at an end of a roller and can be deflected independently of the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Dirk HOFFMANN, Ralf FRANKENBERGER, Karl-Heinz SCHÜTTE, Hardy LESSMEISTER, Lukas SCHMITT
  • Publication number: 20180258818
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust-gas energy recovery system, comprising an exhaust-gas line system (111) for conducting exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine and comprising a motor-generator device (101), which can be driven by means of exhaust-gas energy in order to produce electric current. The exhaust-gas line system (111) comprises a first line arm (124) to the motor-generator device (101) for conducting exhaust gases into the motor-generator device (101). The motor-generator device comprises a motor (100), which is arranged in such a way that the motor can be driven by a pressure of exhaust gas flowing through the motor. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for exhaust-gas energy recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: Dirk Hoffmann