Patents by Inventor Dirk Hofmann
Dirk Hofmann 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).
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Publication number: 20230252381Abstract: A method of selectively providing access to an inventory of pre-pandemic vaccines is disclosed. The method includes identifying at least two Influenza Viruses of Pandemic Potential (IVPP) to provide available vaccines; determining a stockpile requirement for vaccines against selected IVPPs among the at least two IVPPs; obtaining finished vaccines against each of the selected IVPPs; storing an inventory of finished vaccines against each of the selected IVPPs; providing the finished vaccines against at least one of the selected IVPPs in response to an access request; and periodically obtaining further finished vaccines against one or more of the selected IVPPs and adding the further finished vaccines to the inventory of finished vaccines. Additionally disclosed are methods of selecting the inventory of finished vaccines for an adaptive vaccine stockpile.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Allen BOLLANDS, Martina SCIONTI, Dirk HOFMANN, Ethan SETTEMBRE
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Patent number: 8965450Abstract: A method is provided of operation of a user terminal in a network for radio communications comprising a first radio access network and a second radio access network. The user terminal comprising a first radio, a second radio, a first antenna and a second antenna. The first radio comprises two ports for connection to antennas. At least one of the two antennas is switchably connectable to each of the radios.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Dirk Hofmann, Manfred Litzenburger
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Patent number: 8827053Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-amplifying electromechanical partial lining disc brake, having a ramp mechanism as a self-amplification device. According to the invention, a rack for driving a friction brake pad is situated between roller elements of the ramp mechanism, particularly at a geometrical centroid of an imaginary surface defined by the roller elements. As a result a load is distributed to the roller elements in a more uniform fashion and the pressing force of the friction brake pad against a brake disc when the partial lining disc brake is actuated is distributed more uniformly and counteracts irregular pad wear.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chi-Thuan Cao, Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann, Hans Frick
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Patent number: 8504321Abstract: A method is described for determining information about a rotational speed of a compressor, in particular a turbocharger, by providing a measuring signal, in particular a microwave measuring signal, which is directed at a compressor impeller of the compressor, so that the measuring signal is reflected on revolving blades of the compressor impeller, detecting the measuring signal reflected by one or more blades, and determining the information about the rotational speed as a function of the reflected measuring signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Juergen Seidel, Alex Grossmann, Bernhard Opitz, Dirk Hofmann, Jochen Laubender, Uwe Kassner, Dirk Eichel, Klaus Lerchenmueller, Juergen Wendt
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Patent number: 8448757Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical friction brake, for example in the form of a disc brake having an electromechanical actuation device. The electric motor of the actuation device presses a frictional brake lining against a brake disc by means of a reduction gearbox and a ball ramp mechanism. The actuation device is supported by a spring washer that is pretensioned so strongly that when the disc brake is released it acts on a segment with a falling spring characteristic; that is, a spring force exerted by the spring washer on the frictional brake lining increases with increasing tension of the disc brake.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Herbert Vollert, Bertram Foitzik, Willi Nagel, Bernd Goetzelmann, Dirk Hofmann, Nguyet-Minh Cao
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Patent number: 8448755Abstract: The invention relates to a disk brake with an electromechanical actuator which, for example, has a piezo-element, and with a hydraulic self-energizing device. In order to control the self-energizing effect, the invention provides a valve hydraulically between an auxiliary piston of the self-energizing device and a brake piston of the disk brake with which the brake piston can be hydraulically isolated from the auxiliary piston. This means that the self-energizing effect of the disk brake can be switched off. Using a modulated valve control and/or use of a proportional valve, the level of the self-energizing effect can be controlled or regulated. In order to avoid a blockage, the invention additionally provides a blockage protection valve with which the auxiliary piston or the brake piston can be connected to a hydraulic accumulator at ambient pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann
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Patent number: 8439170Abstract: The invention relates to a self-reinforcing electromechanical disc brake having a brake caliper produced by means of shaping, in one piece with a housing for electromechanical parts of an actuating device of the disc brake, with the housing forming a dimensionally stable hollow body. It is possible in this way to produce a bending-resistant and torsionally rigid brake caliper with a low wall thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chi-Thuan Cao, Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann, Hans Frick
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Patent number: 8408367Abstract: The invention relates to a drum brake having an electromechanical actuating device. The invention proposes to convert a rotating drive movement of the actuating device by use of a gearwheel and two toothed racks. The toothed racks mesh with the gearwheel on opposite sides thereof and are driven in opposite directions by the gearwheel into translational movements for pressing attached brake shoes against a brake drum. The toothed racks are configured in such a way that the two toothed racks have a common line of action, with resulting symmetrical actuating forces. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lines of action of the toothed racks run tangentially with respect to the gearwheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Dirk Hofmann, Willi Nagel, Oliver Kriese
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Patent number: 8185288Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle having a sensor device for providing a first and second sensor signal, a first and a second brake control device, which are directly connected to the sensor device and to provide a corresponding control signal for the first and/or second sensor signal, and a first and a second signal line for transmitting the control signal, the first signal line directly connecting the first brake control device to a first and second wheel actuator device and the second signal line directly connecting the second brake control device to a third and fourth wheel actuator device, the four wheel actuator devices exerting a braking torque corresponding to the control signal on the associated wheel, and the first wheel actuator device being directly connected to the second brake control device and/or the sensor device. A method for operating a brake system for a vehicle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Stefan Strengert, Peter Blessing, Dirk Hofmann, Werner Harter
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Patent number: 8177294Abstract: A vehicle roof with a roof opening disposed within a fixed roof outer skin of a vehicle and a cover (10) to optionally close and at least partially open the roof opening. To at least partially open the roof opening, the cover can be both tilted out from a closed position at its rear edge and displaced in the driving direction to the rear. The cover has at least one locking lug (12a, 12b) in the region of its leading edge (14) that engages, from below in a closed position of the cover, into a support element that is stiff in a direction perpendicular to the roof outer skin. Additionally, the cover is formed at its rear edge such that engagement from below under the lateral and rear areas of the roof opening does not occur in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Webasto AGInventors: Alexander Bergmiller, Wolfgang Seifert, Gerhard Skorianz, Dirk Hofmann, Norbert Elbs
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Patent number: 8118149Abstract: The invention relates to a selective freewheeling mechanism for developing an electromechanical vehicle brake (service brake) into a parking brake. The freewheeling mechanism according to the invention has an outer ring and a locking element cage which are configured as an electric motor with a rotor and a stator. The rotor and stator can be swiveled in relation to each other when a coil is supplied with current. Due to a symmetric design, the freewheeling mechanism is advantageously insensitive to acceleration forces.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chi-Thuan Cao, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann
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Publication number: 20120041666Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine having a plurality of fuel injectors, each for injecting fuel into one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, comprising the following steps: activating the fuel injectors in order to supply a first target total fuel quantity using a first injection strategy, ascertaining a first actual total fuel quantity injected during the activation using the first injection strategy, activating the fuel injectors in order to supply a second target total fuel quantity using a second injection strategy, wherein at least one of said fuel injectors being activated differently from said first injection strategy during said second injection strategy, ascertaining a second actual total fuel quantity injected during the activation using the second injection strategy, and determining an operating behavior of at least one of the fuel injectors as a function of the first actual total fuel quantity and the second actual total fuel quantity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2009Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Helerson Kemmer, Dirk Hofmann, Jens Wagner, Walter Maeurer
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Patent number: 8091690Abstract: The invention relates to a self-reinforcing, in particular electromechanical disk brake having a wedge mechanism as the self-boosting device, for example. The invention proposes that the actuating device be attached to a separate holder, which does not have forces or torques of the wedge mechanism applied thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Herbert Vollert, Dietmar Baumann, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Willi Nagel, Dirk Hofmann
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Patent number: 8020675Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical disk brake which has a switchable freewheel in order to be configured as a parking brake. The switchable freewheel includes a clamping roller freewheel having rollers for locking a motor shaft of an electric motor of the brake. A locating bearing of the motor shaft of an electric motor, and the freewheel are accommodated on a cover of a housing of the electric motor, and all the electric connections of the disc brake are routed via the cover. The number of components used can be reduced considerably by the integrated design. Moreover, the positional tolerances of the freewheel in relation to the motor shaft can be reduced with the aid of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chi-Thuan Cao, Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann, Hans Frick
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Patent number: 8002088Abstract: A self-boosting electromechanical friction brake for a motor vehicle in which, with an electromechanical actuator, a friction brake lining can be pressed against a brake disk, and the friction brake lining is braced in the brake caliper via a wedge mechanism, which effects a self boosting. A friction brake lining which is pressed by the actuator has with a lower coefficient of friction, and in particular with less relative fluctuation in the coefficient of friction, than another friction brake lining positioned fixedly in the brake caliper. An operation-dictated fluctuation in the coefficient of friction and thus a change in the self boosting is reduced, and as a result the disk brake, with a low coefficient of friction, can be actuated with less actuation force and less actuation energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann, Herbert Vollert, Willi Nagel, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Bernd Goetzelmann
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Patent number: 7937941Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine in which fresh air, under ambient pressure, is compressed with the aid of a compressor, in particular an exhaust gas turbocharger, and supplied to a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine via a throttle device, the rotational speed of the compressor being ascertained with the aid of a sensor, in particular a pressure sensor, the rotational speed of the compressor being used for determining the ambient pressure or a boost pressure applied downstream from the compressor and upstream from the throttle device.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Michael Nau, Gunter Winkler, Dirk Hofmann
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Patent number: 7922264Abstract: The invention proposes equipping a hydraulic vehicle brake system with a pedal travel modulator that has an electromechanically driven piston-cylinder unit. The piston-cylinder unit upon brake actuation “furnishes” additional brake fluid and thereby boosts a pedal travel of the vehicle brake system.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Dietmar Baumann, Dirk Hofmann
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Publication number: 20100332180Abstract: A method is described for determining information about a rotational speed of a compressor, in particular a turbocharger, by providing a measuring signal, in particular a microwave measuring signal, which is directed at a compressor impeller of the compressor, so that the measuring signal is reflected on revolving blades of the compressor impeller, detecting the measuring signal reflected by one or more blades, and determining the information about the rotational speed as a function of the reflected measuring signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Juergen SEIDEL, Alex Grossmann, Bernhard Opitz, Dirk Hofmann, Jochen Laubender, Uwe Kassner, Dirk Eichel, Klaus Lerchenmueller, Juergen Wendt
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Publication number: 20100258386Abstract: The invention relates to a self-reinforcing, in particular electromechanical disk brake having a wedge mechanism as the self-boosting device, for example. The invention proposes that the actuating device be attached to a separate holder, which does not have forces or torques of the wedge mechanism applied thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Dietmar Baumann, Andreas Henke, Bertram Foitzik, Willi Nagel, Dirk Hofmann
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Publication number: 20100243387Abstract: The invention relates to an electromechanical friction brake, for example in the form of a disc brake having an electromechanical actuation device. The electric motor of the actuation device presses a frictional brake lining against a brake disc by means of a reduction gearbox and a ball ramp mechanism. The actuation device is supported by a spring washer that is pretensioned so strongly that when the disc brake is released it acts on a segment with a falling spring characteristic; that is, a spring force exerted by the spring washer on the frictional brake lining increases with increasing tension of the disc brake.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Herbert Vollert, Chi-Thuan Cao, Nguyet-Minh Cao, Bertram Foitzik, Willi Nagel, Bernd Goetzelmann, Dirk Hofmann