Patents by Inventor Lothar Schneider

Lothar Schneider 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: 20240131942
    Abstract: A positioning unit and a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a stationary charging station and a vehicle using a positioning unit, the positioning unit having a positioning device and a drive unit for driving the positioning device. A charging contact is positionable between a contacting position for transmitting current and a retraction position for interrupting current by the positioning device. The drive unit includes a displacement drive acting on the positioning device and a spring device capable of providing a contact force on the charging surface. The positioning device includes a fixed bearing, an upper segment, and a lower segment, which are linearly movable in the vertical displacement direction. The spring device includes a contact spring coupled with the fixed bearing and the upper segment, which is moveable in relation to the lower segment by means of the displacement drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Lothar SCHNEIDER, Timo STAUBACH, Holger LEIB
  • Patent number: 11479278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ground terminal and to a method for discharging electric currents from a rotor part of a vehicle (such as a rail vehicle or the like, that has an axle) to a stationary stator part of the vehicle. The ground terminal includes a retaining device and a terminal element. The retaining device is connected to the stationary stator part of the vehicle in electrically-conductive manner, the terminal element is disposed on and connected to the retaining in electrically-conductive manner. The terminal element is made mostly of graphite and subjected to a contact force by means of a spring device of the retaining device to realize an electrically-conductive sliding contact between a sliding contact surface of the terminal element provided for realizing the sliding contact and a terminal surface of the rotor part. The terminal element has an arc-shaped cross-section at least in portions thereof, an outer surface of the cross-section forming the sliding contact surface at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SCHUNK TRANSIT SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Lothar Schneider, Annette Schneider
  • Patent number: 11370316
    Abstract: A contact device for a fast charging system for electrically driven vehicles includes a charging contact device disposable on a vehicle floor, the contact device having a contact unit carrier with contact units electrically connectable to a respective charging contact of the charging contact device to form a contact pair, the contact device or the charging contact device including a positioning device, the contact units positionable relative to the charging contacts by the positioning device to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and a stationary charging station, the contact device being disposable on a ground below the vehicle, the contact device having a base frame attachable to the ground, the contact unit carrier being inserted into the base frame, the contact unit carrier being made of a dielectric material, the contact units each having a contact element moveable relative to the contact unit carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Schunk Transit Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Bjoern Weisshar, Thomas Hengstermann, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes
  • Publication number: 20220048545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ground terminal and to a method for discharging electric currents from a rotor part of a vehicle (such as a rail vehicle or the like, that has an axle) to a stationary stator part of the vehicle. The ground terminal includes a retaining device and a terminal element. The retaining device is connected to the stationary stator part of the vehicle in electrically-conductive manner, the terminal element is disposed on and connected to the retaining in electrically-conductive manner. The terminal element is made mostly of graphite and subjected to a contact force by means of a spring device of the retaining device to realize an electrically-conductive sliding contact between a sliding contact surface of the terminal element provided for realizing the sliding contact and a terminal surface of the rotor part. The terminal element has an arc-shaped cross-section at least in portions thereof, an outer surface of the cross-section forming the sliding contact surface at least in sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: Lothar Schneider, Annette Schneider
  • Publication number: 20220009364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact unit (16) for a charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles, trucks, busses or the like, and a charging system, the charging system comprising a charging contact device and a contact device having a contact unit carrier, the contact unit carrier having the contact unit, the contact unit being electrically connectable to a charging contact of the charging contact device to form a contact pair, the contact unit having a contact element (19) made of metal, the contact unit having a connecting lead (20) for connection to the vehicle or the charging station, the contact element having a contact bump (21), the contact bump forming a contact surface (22) for forming an electric contact with the charging contact, the contact element being at least partially formed by a contact piece (23) in the area der contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Bjoern Weisshar, Thomas Hengstermann, Lothar Schneider
  • Publication number: 20210114474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus and to a charging contact unit for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device, wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device, wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the positioning device has a pantograph or a swing arm, by means of which the contact device can be positioned in the vertical direction r
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Patent number: 10946757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the contact device has a contact element support (16) comprising contact elements, wherein the contact elements can ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SCHUNK TRANSIT SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Publication number: 20210070187
    Abstract: A contact device for a fast charging system for electrically driven vehicles includes a charging contact device disposable on a vehicle floor, the contact device having a contact unit carrier with contact units electrically connectable to a respective charging contact of the charging contact device to form a contact pair, the contact device or the charging contact device including a positioning device, the contact units positionable relative to the charging contacts by the positioning device to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and a stationary charging station, the contact device being disposable on a ground below the vehicle, the contact device having a base frame attachable to the ground, the contact unit carrier being inserted into the base frame, the contact unit carrier being made of a dielectric material, the contact units each having a contact element moveable relative to the contact unit carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Bjoern Weisshar, Thomas Hengstermann, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes
  • Patent number: 10906416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the positioning device has a pantograph or a swing arm (19), by means of which the contact device can be positioned in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SCHUNK TRANSIT SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Publication number: 20200189403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the to contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the contact device has a contact element support (16) comprising contact elements, wherein the contact elements can
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Publication number: 20160362011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the positioning device has a pantograph or a swing arm (19), by means of which the contact device can be positioned in
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: SCHUNG BAHN-UND INDUSTRIETECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Publication number: 20160185239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the contact device has a contact element support (16) comprising contact elements, wherein the contact elements can ma
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Publication number: 20160167532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting device (101) for mounting a contact apparatus, to a contact apparatus mountable on the mounting device and to a method for mounting a contact apparatus on a mounting device of a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit (100), wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (114), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a positioning device (113), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit and to the vehicle in the vertical and horizontal direction and can be brought from a contact position (115) on the charging contact unit into a mounting position (117) on the mounting
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach
  • Publication number: 20160159232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact apparatus (11) and to a charging contact unit (12) for a rapid-charging system for electrically driven vehicles, in particular electric buses or the like, and to a method for forming an electrically conductive connection between a vehicle and a stationary charging station, wherein the contact apparatus serves to form an electrically conductive connection between the vehicle and the stationary charging station comprising a charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus can be arranged on a vehicle, wherein the contact apparatus comprises a contact device (14), wherein the contact device can make contact with the charging contact unit, wherein the contact apparatus or the charging contact unit comprises a positioning device (15), wherein the contact device can be positioned relative to the charging contact unit by means of the positioning device, wherein the positioning device has a pantograph or a swing arm (19), by means of which the contact device can be positioned in
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: WILFRIED WEIGEL, Lothar Schneider, Matthias Domes, Viktor Thielmann, Timo Staubach, Sven Klausner
  • Patent number: 9261058
    Abstract: A damping device for reducing pressure oscillations in a combustion system includes at least a portion provided with a first, outer wall, a second, inner wall, an intermediate plate interposed between the first wall and the second wall. This intermediate plate forms a spacer grid to define at least one chamber between said first wall and said second wall, first passages connecting each of said at least one chamber to the inner of the combustion system, and second passages connecting each of said at least one chamber to the outer of the combustion system. The second passages open at the same side of said chambers as the first passages, the second passages have a portion extending parallel to the inner wall. This parallel portion of said second passages is equipped with heat transfer enhancing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Michael Maurer, Andreas Huber, Lothar Schneider, Urs Benz, Diane Lauffer
  • Publication number: 20140053559
    Abstract: A damping device for reducing pressure oscillations in a combustion system includes at least a portion provided with a first, outer wall, a second, inner wall, an intermediate plate interposed between the first wall and the second wall. This intermediate plate forms a spacer grid to define at least one chamber between said first wall and said second wall, first passages connecting each of said at least one chamber to the inner of the combustion system, and second passages connecting each of said at least one chamber to the outer of the combustion system. The second passages open at the same side of said chambers as the first passages, the second passages have a portion extending parallel to the inner wall. This parallel portion of said second passages is equipped with heat transfer enhancing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Michael MAURER, Andreas Huber, Lothar Schneider, Urs Benz, Diane Lauffer
  • Patent number: 8516823
    Abstract: In order to provide an annular combustion chamber (3) which can be heated without thermal distortion, expands without distortion, and is reliably closed, and for repairs can be opened and permanently closed again and can be reconditioned, the inner and/or outer shell (8, 7) of an annular combustion chamber (3) is produced from a rotationally symmetrical sheet metal. For assembly, the shells are cut open along a split line (16), and the lower half of the inner and of the outer shell (8, 7) is introduced into the lower casing half of a gas turbine. After the insertion of the rotor, the two upper shell halves can likewise be inserted and be connected to the lower halves by welding. In order to improve the service life of the split line weld seam (21), film cooling of the weld seam is routed by an indentation. This may be implemented, for example, by welded-in split line elements (15) which are also suitable for retrofitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Remigi Tschuor, Lothar Schneider, Alen Markovic, Harmut Hähnle
  • Patent number: 8262873
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anode assembly for electroplating comprising (a) an anode body comprising soluble anode material and (b) a shielding covering at least part of the anode body and comprising a self-passivating metal electrically connected to the anode body and allowing electrolyte transport therethrough. The shielding comprises at least one layer of self-passivating metal having no openings larger than 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, in width or the shielding comprises at least two layers of self-passivating metal wherein the openings of at least one layer are at least partially covered by the metal of another layer. The invention also relates to a shielded anode basket, a method for electroplating and the use of the anode assembly and the shielded anode basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Metakem Gesellschaft fur Schichtchemie der Metalle mbH, M. P. C. Micropulse Plating Concepts
    Inventors: Jörg Wurm, Stephane Menard, Lothar Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100206735
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anode assembly for electroplating comprising (a) an anode body comprising soluble anode material and (b) a shielding covering at least part of the anode body and comprising a self-passivating metal electrically connected to the anode body and allowing electrolyte transport therethrough. The shielding comprises at least one layer of self-passivating metal having no openings larger than 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, in width or the shielding comprises at least two layers of self-passivating metal wherein the openings of at least one layer are at least partially covered by the metal of another layer. The invention also relates to a shielded anode basket, a method for electroplating and the use of the anode assembly and the shielded anode basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicants: Metakerm Gesellschaft fur Schichtchemie der Mettalle mbH, M.P.C. Micorpulse Plating Concepts
    Inventors: Jörg Wurm, Stephane Menard, Lothar Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100205973
    Abstract: In order to provide an annular combustion chamber (3) which can be heated without thermal distortion, expands without distortion, and is reliably closed, and for repairs can be opened and permanently closed again and can be reconditioned, the inner and/or outer shell (8, 7) of an annular combustion chamber (3) is produced from a rotationally symmetrical sheet metal. For assembly, the shells are cut open along a split line (16), and the lower half of the inner and of the outer shell (8, 7) is introduced into the lower casing half of a gas turbine. After the insertion of the rotor, the two upper shell halves can likewise be inserted and be connected to the lower halves by welding. In order to improve the service life of the split line weld seam (21), film cooling of the weld seam is routed by an indentation. This may be implemented, for example, by welded-in split line elements (15) which are also suitable for retrofitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Remigi Tschuor, Lothar Schneider, Alen Markovic, Hartmut Hähnle