Patents by Inventor Martin Kahr Knudsen

Martin Kahr Knudsen 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: 8308603
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a spindle (5) with a spindle nut (6), where the spindle (5) is driven by an electric motor (2) via a transmission (3,4), comprising a planetary gear (4). The construction is constructed in such a way that the spindle (5) is lead through the transmission (3,4) and is embedded by means of a ball bearing (20) in connection with a rear mounting (10), causing the axial forces to be lead through the transmission (3,4) via the spindle (5) and the ball bearing (20) to the rear mounting (10). This means that the construction is simpler and less voluminous and that the axial forces, moreover, are not transferred to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen, Anders B. Lorenzen
  • Patent number: 8181546
    Abstract: In an actuator, a quick release unit is introduced in a transmission between an activating element and a reversible electric motor for disengaging the activating element (5) from the electric motor and the part of the transmission (6) which is disposed from the motor to the quick release unit. This quick release unit comprises two cylindrical coupling parts (8, 9) provided with axially extending and mutually engaging torque-transferring means (21a, 21b), and where the two coupling parts (8, 9) are mutually axially displaceable and kept in engagement with each other by a spring (25). The two coupling parts may be displaced mutually against the spring (25) by a release mechanism, so that the torque-transferring connection (21a, 21b) between the two coupling parts (8, 9) is interrupted. The quick release unit may be made compact, and especially in connection with a worm wheel (6) with a cylindrical part on the side it may be substantially received in the cylindrical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Phillip Larsen, Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen
  • Patent number: 7980877
    Abstract: An actuator system comprising a housing (2, 19) having at least one socket (6) for the insertion of an electrical plug (7). The housing (2, 19) is provided with an arrangement which is capable of retaining an electrical plug, preferably of the Jack, DIN or Minifit type, inserted into said socket, said arrangement comprising a union nut (8) which may be retained in a position above the opening of the socket (6), and which at the same time surrounds the plug (7), said union nut (8) being rotatable between an inoperative position in which the plug (7) may freely be inserted and removed, and another position which is a locked position, in which the plug (7) cannot be inserted and, if it is already inserted, cannot be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen, Anders B. Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20100311260
    Abstract: An actuator system comprising a housing (2, 19) having at least one socket (6) for the insertion of an electrical plug (7). The housing (2, 19) is provided with an arrangement which is capable of retaining an electrical plug, preferably of the Jack, DIN or Minifit type, inserted into said socket, said arrangement comprising a union nut (8) which may be retained in a position above the opening of the socket (6), and which at the same time surrounds the plug (7), said union nut (8) being rotatable between an inoperative position in which the plug (7) may freely be inserted and removed, and another position which is a locked position, in which the plug (7) cannot be inserted and, if it is already inserted, cannot be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen, Anders B. Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20100282009
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a spindle (5) with a spindle nut (6), where the spindle (5) is driven by an electric motor (2) via a transmission (3,4), comprising a planetary gear (4). The construction is constructed in such a way that the spindle (5) is lead through the transmission (3,4) and is embedded by means of a ball bearing (20) in connection with a rear mounting (10), causing the axial forces to be lead through the transmission (3,4) via the spindle (5) and the ball bearing (20) to the rear mounting (10). This means that the construction is simpler and less voluminous and that the axial forces, moreover, are not transferred to the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen, Anders B. Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20100283421
    Abstract: Linear actuator (1) comprising an electric motor connected to a spindle via a transmission, on said spindle is mounted a spindle nut secured to an activation element (2), said activation element (2) being equipped with a front attachment (3). The actuator (1) is further furnished with a rear attachment (4), which is axially displaceable between defined stops. The rear attachment (4) activates a switch (7) in at least one of the displaceable positions of the rear attachment (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen, Anders B. Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20100282008
    Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a cabinet (1), an electric motor (2), a transmission (4), a gear housing (11), a spindle nut (6), a spindle (5), the actuator being furnished with an opening (20) in the gear housing (11), where a gear wheel power take-off (21) is accessible and may be equipped with optional equipment. The gear wheel power take-off (21) is constructed as a tooth gearing on a planetary wheel holder (16) in a planetary wheel and transfers a movement to the optional equipment, which is proportional to the movement of the spindle nut during its travel on the spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Martin Kahr Knudsen, René Sørensen, Anders B. Lorenzen
  • Publication number: 20100187379
    Abstract: A lifting column for treatment tables, hospital- and care beds with a casing consisting of three telescopic members (11, 12, 13) with a drive unit located in the hollow of the intermediate member (12). The drive unit comprises a body element (22) with chain wheels (25, 33) and one chain (47) provided with driving rods (50, 51) secured to the two other telescopic members (11, 13). The drive unit further comprises a linear actuator (18) with an electric motor (19), which drives a spindle (21) located within the cross section of the body element (22) and a spindle nut (28) secured thereto for longitudinal displacement of the body element (22) with the chain wheels (25, 33), so that the telescopic members (11, 12, 13) are extended or retracted depending on the direction of rotation of the motor. Thus a compact structure is achieved as the guide is constructed as a casing and the actuator is integral with the body element which has one chain only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Tom Toft Kragh, Martin Kahr Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20090120220
    Abstract: Actuator comprising of a quick release unit and a means for determining the position of an activation element. With the quick release unit it is possible to release the activation element from the actuator's electric motor and the transmission or, at least part of it, to make a rapid adjustment to the activation element without the motor and transmission. The means typically used for determining the position of the activation element comprises of a potentiometer, an optical or magnetic encoder indirectly driven by the motor. By connecting the instrument for position determination (33) to the spindle (2) or the part of the transmission between the quick release and the spindle (2), the position of the activation element remains known regardless of whether it is released or connected, or has been released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Rene Sorensen, Martin Kahr Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20090050451
    Abstract: Actuator system comprising at least one actuator, a control unit, a power supply and an operations panel, where the actuator in a transmission between an activation element (4) and a reversible electric motor is inserted a quick release unit (13) for release of the activation element (4) from the electric motor and the part of the transmission between the motor and the quick release. The actuator comprises at least one electrical switch (30), activated with the quick release. The signal from the electrical switch(es) (30) may be used for various purposes, such as triggering a power supply from sleep mode, activating one or more actuators, or activating an external function such as an alarm etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Rene Sorensen, Martin Kahr Knudsen