Patents by Inventor Michael Steffen

Michael Steffen 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: 6960013
    Abstract: An electronic frequency converter is used with a high frequency immersion vibrator in order to compact concrete. The frequency converter comprises a cooling circuit containing a cooling medium; a first heat exchanger which is integrated into said cooling circuit and is used to transmit heat generated in the housing of the frequency converter to the cooling medium; and a second heat exchanger which is integrated into the cooling circuit and is used to outwardly transmit heat absorbed by the cooling medium. The second heat exchanger is received in a vibrator housing of the high frequency immersion vibrator. If the vibrator housing is immersed in concrete, the heat produced in the converter housing can be conducted away to the concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, Christian Glanz, Dirk Sibila, Thomas Müller
  • Publication number: 20050233136
    Abstract: In a composite pane having a film laminate which adhesively connects two rigid panes to one another to form a pane assembly and comprises at least one coloured adhesive film and at least one uncoloured adhesive film which can be fused on during production of the pane assembly, according to the invention, at least one intermediate layer is provided between the two differently coloured fused-on adhesive films and results in a uniform flattening of the mutually facing surfaces of the two adhesive films while being fused on. This results in the finished product being homogeneously coloured when being looked through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Volkmar Offermann, Walter Goerenz, Lugwig Linden, Michael Steffens, Heinz Schilde
  • Publication number: 20050224307
    Abstract: A frequency converter device is integrated inside a cable roller, in such a manner that at least one socket is supplied at special frequency. The socket does not rotate when the cable is wound or unwound on the drum. Furthermore, optimal cooling is created and the frequency converter device is made of at least one frequency converter enabling a special frequency to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6892950
    Abstract: The invention relates to a type plate for machines which serves as a support for written and/or graphical information. The inventive type plate is provided with a storage device which is integrated therein and which is suited for inputting and outputting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventors: Christina Jordan, Frank Meyer-Hessing, Jean Borun, Jürgen Röming, Michael Steffen, Peter Jordan
  • Publication number: 20050076517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic spring percussion mechanism comprising a driving piston moving back and forth in a housing of the percussion mechanism and a percussion piston, wherein a pneumatic spring is configured between the driving piston and the percussion piston. The movement of the driving piston can be transmitted to a percussion piston by means of said pneumatic spring. The driving piston can be driven by an electric linear motor and is connected to an aromatic of the linear motor, forming a single piece therewith. This arrangement makes it possible to eliminate the use of a conventional rotary motor and a crank mechanism to drive the driving piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, Rudolf Berger, Wolfgang Schmid
  • Patent number: 6856642
    Abstract: An optical resonator receives a light beam having a first state of polarization. The resonator comprises a polarization modifying device (40) and a polarization dependent coupling device (30) for coupling light having the first state of polarization into a first path and for coupling light having a state of polarization perpendicular to the first state of polarization into a second path. The polarization dependent coupling device (30) is arranged to receive from a first propagation direction the light beam having the first state of polarization and to couple the light beam from the first propagation direction in the first path to the polarization modifying device (40). The polarization modifying device (40) is arranged for modifying the state of polarization of the light beam before reentering the first path of the polarization dependent coupling device (30) from a second propagation direction in order to couple into the second path a portion of the light beam traveling into the second propagation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wolf Michael Steffens
  • Publication number: 20040251730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ground surface cutting device comprising: a cutting motor for rotationally driving a cutting tool; an advancing device for displacing the cutting tool with an advancing speed relative to the ground surface, and; a rotationally speed measuring device for measuring an actual value for the rotational speed of the cutting tool or of the cutting motor. The actual value is evaluated by a control device and is compared with a predetermined set value. The control device controls the advancing device and changes the advancing speed based on a variation of the actual value from the set value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, Alfred Rettenweber
  • Publication number: 20040244775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel dosage device comprising a fuel chamber (5), a fuel inlet (6) which can be opened and closed and leads to the fuel chamber (5), and at least one fuel outlet (14) leading from the fuel chamber to a suction channel (16) of an internal combustion engine. Part of a wall of the fuel chamber (5) consists of a first element (12) which can be moved according to a pressure difference between a pressure in the fuel chamber (5) and an ambient air pressure, said element being coupled to a closing element (7, 8) for opening and closing the fuel inlet (6). Said fuel dosage device enables a quantity of fuel, which is supplied to the suction channel (16) for a pre-defined operating position of the internal combustion engine, to be automatically regulated according to the ambient air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6794632
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating device which is provided for operating an appliance and which comprises a hand-actuated operating part on which at least one light detector is provided in the gripping area of the hand. The light detector and an evaluating circuit make it possible to detect when a hand is approaching the guide handle or when the hand is gripping the same. The evaluating circuit accordingly activates a control device which optionally places the appliance in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20040146303
    Abstract: In order to control automatic working devices, especially soil compacting devices, a remote control device is provided which comprises a transmitter unit which can be actuated by a user and which is used to transmit control signals in the form of electromagnetic radiation and a receiver unit which is arranged on the working device and which outputs the received control signals in the form of electric control commands to the control unit of a working device. During operation of the working device, the transmitter unit can be connected to an external power source, which is arranged on the working device, by means of a cable for the supply of power thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20040144188
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion vibrator for compacting concrete, comprising a vibrator housing in which a rotational unbalance mass, an electric motor powering said unbalance mass and part of a power line connected to the electric motor for supplying power to said electric motor are integrated. The internal vibrator also comprises an interrupter interconnected in the power line for interrupting power supply of the electric motor. Due to the fact that the interrupter is configured in an electrically controllable manner, power supply of the electric motor can be precisely controlled by a plurality of signal transmitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6733169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a poker vibrator for compressing concrete. The poker vibrator comprises a vibrating housing that accommodates an unbalanced mass and an electromotor, an insulating plastic tube that links the vibrating housing to a switch cover, an electric cable that links the switch cover to a connector shell and that bears a power plug, and a frequency converter that supplies the current for the electromotor. The poker vibrator is characterized in that the switch is arranged separately from a coupling piece on the tube and not on the electric cable and/or in that at least some of the components of the frequency transformer are arranged in a transformer housing provided between the switch housing and the powerplug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6735066
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device for an electric consumer. A residual-current circuit-breaker is located in an electrical supply line between a mains connection and a switch device of the consumer. Said residual-current circuit-breaker has a detection device for recognizing a residual current and a first interrupter for interrupting the supply of electricity from the mains connection to the switch device in accordance with a switching signal from a detection device. If an electrical energy storage device is provided in the switching device, a second interrupter is provided, this second interrupter being controlled by the residual-current circuit-breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20040061457
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic frequency converter (1) which is used with a high frequency immersion vibrator in order to compact concrete. Said frequency converter comprises a cooling circuit (4) containing a cooling medium; a first heat exchanger (3) which is integrated into said cooling circuit (4) and is used to transmit heat generated in the housing (2) of the frequency converter to the cooling medium; and a second heat exchanger (11) which is integrated into the cooling circuit (4) and is used to outwardly transmit heat absorbed by the cooling medium. The second heat exchanger (11) is received in a vibrator housing (6) of the high frequency immersion vibrator. If the vibrator housing (6) is immersed in concrete (12), the heat produced in the converter housing (2) can be conducted away to the concrete (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, Christian Glanz, Dirk Sibila, Thomas Muller
  • Patent number: 6651608
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven operating device that comprises a guide handle. Two sensor elements are provided on the guide handle and in two handle areas for detecting the hands of an operator. An ignition device of the motor is controlled by means of a security control device in such a way that the speed can only be increased beyond a security speed when the guide handle is held with both hands, whereby said security control device evaluates the sensor signals. The motor speed is limited to the security speed when the two sensor signals are missing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20030198123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a poker vibrator for compressing concrete. The poker vibrator comprises a vibrating housing that accommodates an unbalanced mass and an electromotor, an insulating plastic tube that links the vibrating housing to a switch cover, an electric cable that links the switch cover to a connector shell and that bears a power plug, and a frequency converter that supplies the current for the electromotor. The poker vibrator is characterized in that the switch is arranged separately from a coupling piece on the tube and not on the electric cable and/or in that at least some of the components of the frequency transformer are arranged in a transformer housing provided between the switch housing and the powerplug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6619832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a poker vibrator for compressing concrete. The poker vibrator comprises a vibrating housing that accommodates an unbalanced mass and an electromotor, an insulating plastic tube that links the vibrating housing to a switch cover, an electric cable that links the switch cover to a connector shell and a frequency converter that supplies the current for the electromotor. The poker vibrator is characterized in that at least parts of the components pertaining to the poker vibrator are arranged in the vibrating housing, the insulating plastic tube or the connector shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Patent number: 6544025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a concrete compacting device for compacting plastically deformable concrete in a formwork, comprising at least one vibrating unit which is attached to the formwork and has a vibration-generating unit. The compacting device is characterized in that the vibrating unit comprises an acceleration sensor for generating a signal corresponding to a vibration generated by the vibration-generating unit at the level of the formwork, and a control unit which is impinged upon by said signal and serves to control operating parameters of the vibration-generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Steffen, Christian Glanz
  • Patent number: 6530359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a generating unit driven by a combustion engine. Control of the engine speed is carried out in a known manner via a mechanical control device which controls a throttle valve in the carburetor system of the engine. In case of a failure of the mechanical control device and, consequently, in case of a change in the engine speed outside a predetermined range, an electronic control system takes over to activate a firing element of the engine and control the engine speed, independently from the mechanical control system, in such a way that the engine speed is maintained within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventor: Michael Steffen
  • Publication number: 20030011950
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device for an electric consumer. A residual-current circuit-breaker is located in an electrical supply line between a mains connection and a switch device of the consumer. Said residual-current circuit-breaker has a detection device for recognizing a residual current and a first interrupter for interrupting the supply of electricity from the mains connection to the switch device in accordance with a switching signal from a detection device. If an electrical energy storage device is provided in the switching device, a second interrupter is provided, this second interrupter being controlled by the residual-current circuit-breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Steffen