Patents by Inventor Gerd Fuhrmann

Gerd Fuhrmann 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: 12103219
    Abstract: A device and method tests preforms that are rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of rotation during their conveyance along a conveyance path. The device and method tests only a statistically relevant number of produced preforms, thus allowing substantial reduction in the constructive complexity required for aligning the preforms prior to being tested. A certain number of preforms that have not been correctly aligned are allowed to continue along the conveyance path without being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: INTRAVIS GESELLSCHAFT FÜR LIEFERUNGEN UND LEISTUNGEN VON BILDGEBENDEN UND BILDVERARBEITENDEN ANLAGEN UND VERFAHREN MBH
    Inventors: Klaus Schönhoff, Michael Rick, Gerd Fuhrmann, Matthias Lenzen
  • Patent number: 12103213
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a geometric feature of consistent molded parts takes into account the different stages of cooling due to different durations of transport of the individual removed molded parts to the inspection system. Both the geometric feature and the temperature of each molded part is measured. The detected geometric features are corrected using a calibration function taking into account the measured temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: INTRAVIS GESELLSCHAFT FÜR LIEFERUNGEN UND LEISTUNGEN VON BILDGEBENDEN UND BILDVERARBEITENDEN ANLAGEN UND VERFAHREN MBH
    Inventors: Gerd Fuhrmann, Klaus Schönhoff
  • Patent number: 11772132
    Abstract: A separating device of an optical testing unit for testing rotationally symmetrical test objects includes two corresponding pocket wheels, each having a plurality of pockets distributed uniformly over a circumference. The pocket wheels rotate synchronously in opposite directions about parallel axes in response to a drive. A continuous conveyor transports the test objects on a transporting plane. Depending on the geometry of the test objects, the distances between the respective pocket wheels and between the pocket wheels and the transporting plane are determined so that the test objects, which are fed via and accumulating section, are moved between the pocket wheels while being guided by two pockets of the two pocket wheels and are released by the two pockets downstream of an engagement section. Once released the test objects are accelerated to a higher transporting speed in an accelerating section of the continuous conveyor and are separated as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: INTRAVIS GESELLSCHAFT FÜR LIEFERUNGEN UND LEISTUNGEN VON BILDGEBENDEN UND BILDVERARBEITENDEN ANLAGEN UND VERFAHREN MBH
    Inventors: Gerd Fuhrmann, Klaus Schönhoff, Michael Rick
  • Patent number: 11541425
    Abstract: Hollow bodies which are closed on one side and which are cylindrical are sorted by a sorting device. The hollow bodies have an end-side opening, a base surface situated opposite the opening and a shell surface extending between the base surface and the opening. The sorting device includes first nozzles arranged on an upper guide for conducting a first fluid flow in the direction of a lateral guide, and second nozzles arranged on a lower guide for conducting a second fluid flow in the direction of an outlet. Since the force of the fluid flow is several times greater if the fluid flow strikes a part of the shell surface of the hollow body through the end-side opening of the hollow body than if the fluid flow strikes the base surface of the hollow body from the outside, sorting of the hollow bodies is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: INTRAVIS GESELLSCHAFT FÜR LIEFERUNGEN UND LEISTUNGEN VON BILDGEBENDEN UND BILDVERARBEITENDEN ANLAGEN UND VERFAHREN MBH
    Inventors: Gerd Fuhrmann, Klaus Schönhoff, Michael Rick, Matthias Lenzen
  • Publication number: 20220281154
    Abstract: A device and method tests preforms that are rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of rotation during their conveyance along a conveyance path. The device and method tests only a statistically relevant number of produced preforms, thus allowing substantial reduction in the constructive complexity required for aligning the preforms prior to being tested. A certain number of preforms that have not been correctly aligned are allowed to continue along the conveyance path without being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Klaus SCHÖNHOFF, Michael RICK, Gerd FUHRMANN, Matthias LENZEN
  • Publication number: 20220001423
    Abstract: A separating device of an optical testing unit for testing rotationally symmetrical test objects includes two corresponding pocket wheels, each having a plurality of pockets distributed uniformly over a circumference. The pocket wheels rotate synchronously in opposite directions about parallel axes in response to a drive. A continuous conveyor transports the test objects on a transporting plane. Depending on the geometry of the test objects, the distances between the respective pocket wheels and between the pocket wheels and the transporting plane are determined so that the test objects, which are fed via and accumulating section, are moved between the pocket wheels while being guided by two pockets of the two pocket wheels and are released by the two pockets downstream of an engagement section. Once released the test objects are accelerated to a higher transporting speed in an accelerating section of the continuous conveyor and are separated as a result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Gerd FUHRMANN, Klaus SCHÖNHOFF, Michael RICK
  • Publication number: 20210394416
    Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a geometric feature of consistent molded parts takes into account the different stages of cooling due to different durations of transport of the individual removed molded parts to the inspection system. Both the geometric feature and the temperature of each molded part is measured. The detected geometric features are corrected using a calibration function taking into account the measured temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Gerd FUHRMANN, Klaus SCHÖNHOFF
  • Publication number: 20190366386
    Abstract: Hollow bodies which are closed on one side and which are cylindrical are sorted by a sorting device. The hollow bodies have an end-side opening, a base surface situated opposite the opening and a shell surface extending between the base surface and the opening. The sorting device includes first nozzles arranged on an upper guide for conducting a first fluid flow in the direction of a lateral guide, and second nozzles arranged on a lower guide for conducting a second fluid flow in the direction of an outlet. Since the force of the fluid flow is several times greater if the fluid flow strikes a part of the shell surface of the hollow body through the end-side opening of the hollow body than if the fluid flow strikes the base surface of the hollow body from the outside, sorting of the hollow bodies is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gerd FUHRMANN, Klaus SCHÖNHOFF, Michael RICK, Matthias LENZEN
  • Patent number: 10197530
    Abstract: A method and a device for testing for the presence of micro-holes or microcracks in a bottom surface of test objects includes an upper electrode arranged above a transport level and a lower electrode arranged below the transport level. The magnitude of a test voltage generated by two voltage sources connected in series is controlled at the electrodes so that the test voltage is greater than or equal to the breakdown voltage between the electrodes in air, and smaller than the breakdown voltage through a test object without holes or cracks. The test voltage is controlled temporally and synchronously with the movement of the test objects, so that the test voltage is only applied when one of the test objects is located between the electrodes. A hole or crack is recognized by a breakdown to the discharge path between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: INTRAVIS GESELLSCHAFT FÜR LIEFERUNGEN UND LEISTUNGEN VON BILDGEBENDEN UND BILDVERARBEITENDEN ANLAGEN UND VERFAHREN MBH
    Inventors: Klaus Schönhoff, Holger Zirnig, Olaf Koziessa, Gerd Fuhrmann
  • Publication number: 20180100829
    Abstract: A method and a device for testing for the presence of micro-holes or microcracks in a bottom surface of test objects includes an upper electrode arranged above a transport level and a lower electrode arranged below the transport level. The magnitude of a test voltage generated by two voltage sources connected in series is controlled at the electrodes so that the test voltage is greater than or equal to the breakdown voltage between the electrodes in air, and smaller than the breakdown voltage through a test object without holes or cracks. The test voltage is controlled temporally and synchronously with the movement of the test objects, so that the test voltage is only applied when one of the test objects is located between the electrodes. A hole or crack is recognized by a breakdown to the discharge path between the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus SCHÖNHOFF, Holger ZIRNING, Olaf KOZIESSA, Gerd FUHRMANN
  • Publication number: 20110310243
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and to a device for the quality assurance of an at least partially light-transmitting hollow body, the walls of which are illuminated by a light source, wherein a digital still camera is used to record images of various imaging areas of the walls containing useful data. So that the images of the imaging areas containing the useful data can be recorded with as little interference as possible by means of a digital still camera and thus so that the discriminating power of the quality assurance process can be improved, the unwanted data located a certain distance away from the imaging area on the walls of the hollow body are suppressed by carefully achieved superimposition of partial images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Intravis Gmbh
    Inventors: Gerd Fuhrmann, Klaus Schönhoff