Patents by Inventor Jan Hoffmann

Jan 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).

  • Patent number: 7197874
    Abstract: In a plunger master brake cylinder (1), the closed end (5) of the main bore (3) is manufactured in one piece with the housing (2). The pistons (6,7) are inserted from the open end (4) of the main bore (3). In order to prevent the pistons (6,7) from slipping out of the main bore (3) prior to assembly in the vehicle, a retaining pin 23 is provided, which has a length greater than the diameter of the pistons (6,7) and than the diameter of the open end (4) of the main bore (3). The pin 23 extends through radial holes (20) in the spring retainer (13) of the compression spring 12 coupled to the outer piston (7). The pin is inserted through a small radial opening 26 in the housing 2 and is limited in its outward movement by a step (25) in the main bore (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Hoffmann, Michael Vetter
  • Publication number: 20070028614
    Abstract: In a plunger master brake cylinder (1), the closed end (5) of the main bore (3) is manufactured in one piece with the housing (2). The pistons (6,7) are inserted from the open end (4) of the main bore (3). In order to prevent the pistons (6,7) from slipping out of the main bore (3) prior to assembly in the vehicle, a retaining pin 23 is provided, which has a length greater than the diameter of the pistons (6,7) and than the diameter of the open end (4) of the main bore (3). The pin 23 extends through radial holes (20) in the spring retainer (13) of the compression spring 12 coupled to the outer piston (7). The pin is inserted through a small radial opening 26 in the housing 2 and is limited in its outward movement by a step (25) in the main bore (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jan Hoffmann, Michael Vetter
  • Patent number: 7150711
    Abstract: Method for controlling an assist pump for fluid delivery systems with pulsatile pressure. If for example a heart assist pump is driven with a constant number of revolutions, it is achieved, that the blood is also delivered through the assist pump, even when the heart chamber is in the decontraction phase. With the present method it is achieved, that an assist pump only acts supportingly in the pressure phase of the main pump, in such a way, that the pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the assist pump is continuously determined and the number of revolutions of the assist pump is controlled in such a way, that the determined pressure difference does not fall below a predetermined value and the rate of flow does not sink below zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Berlin Heart AG
    Inventors: Peter Nüsser, Johannes Müller, Frank Deus, Peter Göttel, Jan Hoffmann, Kurt Graichen, Andreas Arndt, Tobias Merkel
  • Patent number: 6851767
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator for an electro-hydraulic braking system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type comprised of a hydraulic pressure generator or master brake cylinder and a travel simulator, with said master brake cylinder including at least one piston that is operable by an actuating pedal, and wherein a device for detecting a driver's deceleration wish is provided, said device cooperating with said piston and being at least partly arranged in a master brake cylinder housing. To optimize the assembly in terms of packaging, production costs, weight, and function, the present invention discloses that the device for detecting a driver's deceleration wish comprises an annular housing embracing the piston in a radial direction and accommodating signal receiving elements which cooperate with signal transmitting elements mounted on the piston surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Horst Krämer, Holger Kranlich, Jan Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20050019167
    Abstract: Method for controlling an assist pump for fluid delivery systems with pulsatile pressure. If for example a heart assist pump is driven with a constant number of revolutions, it is achieved, that the blood is also delivered through the assist pump, even when the heart chamber is in the decontraction phase. With the present method it is achieved, that an assist pump only acts supportingly in the pressure phase of the main pump, in such a way, that the pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the assist pump is continuously determined and the number of revolutions of the assist pump is controlled in such a way, that the determined pressure difference does not fall below a predetermined value and the rate of flow does not sink below zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Nusser, Johannes Muller, Frank Deus, Peter Gottel, Jan Hoffmann, Kurt Graichen, Andreas Arndt, Tobias Merkel
  • Patent number: 6808238
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating unit for an electrohydraulic braking system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, which is designed as a tandem master cylinder having a first and a second piston biased by each one resetting spring in opposition to the actuating direction. The first pressure chamber of the tandem master cylinder is connected to a hydraulic chamber defined by a simulator element. The simulator element also defines a simulator chamber accommodating a simulator spring and connected to a pressure fluid supply reservoir. A valve device is provided which closes or opens the hydraulic connection between the simulator chamber and the pressure fluid supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Horst Krämer, Jan Hoffmann, Holger Kranlich
  • Patent number: 6805037
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single sensor, preferably of a capacitance type, that detects various conditions of a brake booster and the braking system. In one embodiment, the sensor is integrally formed with a reaction disc in the brake booster. Another embodiment includes forming the sensor within the poppet valve of the brake booster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Hoffmann, Craig R. Belevender, Kevin M. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6775979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuation device for an electrohydraulic brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type which is configured as a tandem master cylinder with a first and a second piston that are respectively biased by a resetting spring in opposition to the actuating direction. The resetting spring associated with the first piston is additionally used as a travel simulator spring which determines the pedal characteristics, and a valve device is provided which closes or opens a hydraulic connection between a pressure chamber accommodating the travel simulator spring and a pressure fluid supply reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Horst Krämer, Jan Hoffmann, Hans-Jörg Feigel
  • Publication number: 20040095017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator for an electro-hydraulic braking system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type comprised of a hydraulic pressure generator or master brake cylinder and a travel simulator, with said master brake cylinder including at least one piston that is operable by an actuating pedal, and wherein a device for detecting a driver's deceleration wish is provided, said device cooperating with said piston and being at least partly arranged in a master brake cylinder housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Horst Kramer, Holger Kranlich, Jan Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20040079222
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single sensor, preferably of a capacitance type, that detects various conditions of a brake booster and the braking system. In one embodiment, the sensor is integrally formed with a reaction disc in the brake booster. Another embodiment includes forming the sensor within the poppet valve of the brake booster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Hoffmann, Craig R. Belevender, Kevin M. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20040061375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrohydraulic brake system for motor vehicles which is controllable in a ‘brake-by-wire’ mode of operation by the vehicle operator as well as irrespective of the vehicle operator, is operated preferably in the brake-by-wire mode of operation, and can be operated in a fallback mode of operation in which only operation by the vehicle operator is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Bernhard Giers, Thomas Gobel, Horst Kramer, Holger Kranlich, Andreas Klein, Holger Wahl, Jan Hoffmann, Andreas Emmerich, Uwe Karl
  • Publication number: 20030187321
    Abstract: Since disruptive forces can be continuously exerted upon a rotor during a pulsatile flow through a pump with a magnetically mounted rotor (permanent magnets and addition control current coils), it is necessary to adjust position i.e. modify axial rotor position very quickily. The control current should only result in small amounts of losses. According to the invention, the current is pulse-width modulated by the control current coils by means of a set value predetermined by a controller which is arranged downstream from at position sensing system. If the set value is high, it is switched to a higher voltage level and the real value of the position sensing system is stored for a defined period of time, respectively beginning with the switching flank of the control current, and the position sensing system is disconnected during said period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Jan Hoffmann, Andreas Arndt, Tobias Merkel
  • Publication number: 20030098611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an operating unit for an electrohydraulic braking system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, which is designed as a tandem master cylinder having a first and a second piston biased by each one resetting spring in opposition to the actuating direction. The first pressure chamber of the tandem master cylinder is connected to a hydraulic chamber defined by a simulator element. The simulator element also defines a simulator chamber accommodating a simulator spring and connected to a pressure fluid supply reservoir. A valve device is provided which closes or opens the hydraulic connection between the simulator chamber and the pressure fluid supply reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Horst Kramer, Jan Hoffmann, Holger Kranlich
  • Patent number: 6509573
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for controlling a radiation device, in particular for heavy ion therapy, are described. The arrangement comprises a chain of circuit modules (11-17), each circuit module (11-17) having a separate communication connection to a preceding circuit module and a separate communication connection to a following circuit module. In the method for controlling the radiation device by means of control modules (11-17) arranged in a chain, each control module (11-17) communicates separately with a preceding control module and separately with a following control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Gesellschaft fuer Schwerionenforschung mbH
    Inventors: Eugen Badura, Holger Brand, Hans-Georg Essel, Thomas Haberer, Jan Hoffmann, Wolfgang Ott, Klaus Poppensieker
  • Patent number: 6454543
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a space-saving and weight-saving motor-and-pump assembly which comprises a drive motor and a pump unit driven by the shaft of the said motor. In order to supply in parallel as many media as possible with an assembly of this type, the present invention suggests the additional integration of at least one second pump unit, driven by the motor shaft of the drive motor, into the motor-and-pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Erhard Beck, Hans-Dieter Reinartz, Helmut Steffes, Peter Drott, Jan Hoffmann