Patents by Inventor Thomas A. SCHNEIDER

Thomas A. 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: 20180073126
    Abstract: A method for depositing film on a substrate (16) through pulsed laser deposition, which includes: generating at least two pulsed laser beams (4, 5, 6) with at least one laser (1), and directing the at least two laser beams (4, 5, 6) to different target spots (9, 10, 11) of a target (12), whereby the target (12) is ablated and at least two plasma plumes (13) are created. The plasma plumes (13) create a flow of target material towards the substrate (16) and the target material is deposited onto the substrate (16) at a deposition area (24). The plasma plumes (13) created by the at least two laser beams (4, 5, 6) are spatially and temporally superimposed, and the target spots (9, 10, 11) are separated from each other at a distance that allows a gas-dynamical interaction of the created plasma plumes (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander Usoskin, Thomas Schneider
  • Publication number: 20170361470
    Abstract: A robotic system includes a main drive unit, a non-actuated extendable arm unit an axial drive unit, an arm guidance member, and a head articulation unit. The unit includes a mounting structure, and an arm storage unit coupled to the mounting structure. The arm unit is coupled to the arm storage unit to be moved axially in a lateral plane from the arm storage unit. The arm unit is flexible and thin in the lateral plane, and rigid and wide in a vertical plane. The unit may be coupled to the arm storage unit to enable axial extension and retraction of the unit. The head articulation unit is coupled to the arm unit to actuate thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Elena OTERO DEL REAL, Wolfgang FISCHER, Edgar Ernesto CARRASCO, Christoph HUERZELER, Andres PERALTA, Dominil LOOSLI, Thomas SCHNEIDER, Thomas MORRIS
  • Patent number: 9840244
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake booster having a plunger rod for connecting a brake pedal lever to a brake master cylinder, a gear motor, which is coupled with the plunger rod, and a control device for driving the gear motor. A pedal force variable representing the pedal force and a plunger rod motion variable representing the motion of the plunger rod are supplied to the control device as input variables. The control device is configured to determine a setpoint return velocity for the plunger rod with the aid of the plunger rod motion variable and an actual return velocity for the plunger rod and the pedal force variable from the setpoint return velocity and to generate an activation signal for the gear motor. This makes it possible to improve the brake release behavior and to reduce high Bernoulli forces at the end stop for the starting position of the brake pedal lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Timo Dobberphul, Thomas Schneider, Joost Kessels, Barbara Neef
  • Patent number: 9842796
    Abstract: An electronic module including a semiconductor unit situated in a plastic housing, an electrically conductive plate system, via which the semiconductor unit may be supplied with electrical power, the electrically conductive plate system being connected in a planar fashion to a heat-generating integrated circuit of the semiconductor unit via a heat coupler; and the electrically conductive plate system being designed in such a way that it dissipates the heat generated by the heat-generating integrated circuit of the semiconductor unit to the plastic housing. A method for manufacturing a corresponding electronic module is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 9768595
    Abstract: A method for producing sub-assemblies such as wiring harnesses/cable ducts includes multiple work steps that are carried out in a common work area. The production process is simplified and sources of error are avoided as far as possible, in that the work steps are displayed optically in the work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Dietrich, Chris Hillebrecht, Michael Leisgang, Thomas Schneider, Erich Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20170245643
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chair which functions by means of a deflection that is mutually synchronous between a backrest (9) and a seat (25) over a range between a respective zero position of back inclination (R0) and of seat inclination (S0) and a respective maximum back inclination (Rmax) and maximum seat inclination (Smax). The mechanism (2) that causes synchronous deflection has a spring unit (6) arranged therein. The base support (50) of a carrier unit (5) is rigidly fastened to the underframe (1), which is intended to be set on the floor. A stationary first axis of rotation (D1) and a stationary second axis of rotation (D2) extend through the base support (50). A back carrier (91) is articulated on the first axis of rotation (D1). A third axis of rotation (D3), which moves around the first axis of rotation (D1) when the mechanism (2) is adjusted, extends through the back carrier (91).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas SCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20170168918
    Abstract: A method of extending the functionality of an enterprise software suite is disclosed. A request is received from a client system to modify a programming object on a productive system deployed in the cloud environment. A logical unit of programming objects is identified on the productive system, the logical unit including the programming object. Copies of each of the programming objects in the logical unit of programming objects are created in a sandbox of a combined development and test system deployed in the cloud environment, the copies including a copy of the programming object. The copy of the programming object is modified in the sandbox. A result of the modifying of the copy of the programming object in the sandbox is communicated for presentation in a client system without modifying, the programming object on the productive system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Wieczorek, Thomas Schneider, Thomas Bollmeier, Michael Kappert, Bernhard Then, Lu Zhao, Sandro Schiefner
  • Patent number: 9680934
    Abstract: A communication policy server may receive channel availability information indicative of a plurality of communication channels detected by a communication manager of a vehicle, each of the plurality of communication channels configured to provide messages to a target recipient associated with the vehicle. The communication policy server may recommend one of the plurality of detected communication channels as optimal based on factors such as preferences of the target recipient and preferences of the message source, the timing of the messages and the content of the messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yimin Liu, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Thomas Schneider, Alfredo Cateriano
  • Publication number: 20170125326
    Abstract: An electronic module including a semiconductor unit situated in a plastic housing, an electrically conductive plate system, via which the semiconductor unit may be supplied with electrical power, the electrically conductive plate system being connected in a planar fashion to a heat-generating integrated circuit of the semiconductor unit via a heat coupler; and the electrically conductive plate system being designed in such a way that it dissipates the heat generated by the heat-generating integrated circuit of the semiconductor unit to the plastic housing. A method for manufacturing a corresponding electronic module is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 9631097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to weather-resistant pearlescent pigment, comprising a coated or uncoated platelet-shaped substrate which is selected from the group consisting of synthetic mica platelets, glass platelets, SiO2 platelets, Al2O3 platelets, synthetic boehmite platelets, BiOCl platelets and mixtures thereof, a chromophoric coating with at least one highly refractive metal oxide, and a top layer, wherein the top layer comprises the following layer sequence: a) a first layer made of tin oxide and/or tin hydroxide and/or hydrated tin oxide, b) a second cerium-containing layer which comprises cerium oxide and/or cerium hydroxide and/or hydrated cerium oxide, c) an organic-chemical coating applied to the cerium-containing layer which contains oligomeric silanes or consists of them, wherein the oligomeric silanes have one or more amino groups and the oligomeric silanes are chemically bonded with the cerium-containing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ECKART GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Grüner, Günter Kaupp, Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 9615677
    Abstract: A retail fixture includes a platform having a plurality of openings and a cover having at least one slot where the cover is positioned over the platform such that each of the at least one slots of the cover is aligned with an opening of the platform. A set of spaced-apart nubs extends along at least one opening. A bracket extends across the plurality of openings and is mounted to a bottom surface of the platform. The bracket has channels aligned with the openings. Each channel has a first width proximate the bottom surface and a second width distal from the bottom surface wherein the second width is wider than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Q. Trinh, Robert D. Peota, Judd S. Kivi, Timothy J. Martell, Robert P. Stoltz, Thomas A. Schneider, Alex K. Poniatowski, Jennifer A. Theisen, William Y. Stafford, Daniel Adam Breunig, Kevin Huljich
  • Patent number: 9567198
    Abstract: A closing machine for closing containers has closing stations. Each station has a closer tool, a magnetically acting coupling element, a drive space, a product space, a linear drive, and a driver. The magnetically acting coupling element has inner and outer magnet elements. The drive space is formed separately from the product space. The linear guide positively drives the outer magnet element. The driver positively carries along said closer tool in a required height movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Fahldieck, Manfred Hartel, Heinz Hillmann, Thomas Schneider
  • Publication number: 20170021816
    Abstract: An electromechanical brake booster having a plunger rod for connecting a brake pedal lever to a brake master cylinder, a gear motor, which is coupled with the plunger rod, and a control device for driving the gear motor. A pedal force variable representing the pedal force and a plunger rod motion variable representing the motion of the plunger rod are supplied to the control device as input variables. The control device is configured to determine a setpoint return velocity for the plunger rod with the aid of the plunger rod motion variable and an actual return velocity for the plunger rod and the pedal force variable from the setpoint return velocity and to generate an activation signal for the gear motor. This makes it possible to improve the brake release behavior and to reduce high Bernoulli forces at the end stop for the starting position of the brake pedal lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Timo DOBBERPHUL, Thomas SCHNEIDER, Joost KESSELS, Barbara NEEF
  • Publication number: 20170025686
    Abstract: A method for depassivation of a lithium-thionyl battery includes applying at least one current test load (LAST) (101) to an electrode of the battery (10), wherein at least one of a shape, a magnitude or points in time of the application of the at least one current test load (LAST) occurs dependent on a measurement of a response signal (u(t), du(t) on the battery (10), and energy of the at least one current test load (LAST) is drawn from the battery (10), comparing the response signal (u(t), du(t) of the battery (10) arising from application of the at least one current test load (LAST) to at least one predefined criterion (103), and establishing an operating state (12) or issuing an error message depending on satisfaction of the at least one predefined criterion (103).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Rene Klewer, Ansgar Schmidt, Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 9540986
    Abstract: A control valve for a lubricant nozzle for cooling a piston of an internal combustion engine includes at least one passage opening through which lubricant can flow, a control part which is movable in a respective movement direction and which, as a function of its position, forms an opening cross section with the passage opening for at least partially opening up or for closing off the passage opening, and an actuation part which moves the control part as a function of a pressure of the lubricant between at least one first position in the presence of a first pressure, a second position in the presence of a second pressure and a third position in the presence of a third pressure of the lubricant. The second pressure is higher than the first pressure and lower than the third pressure, wherein the opening cross section formed in the second position is larger than the opening cross sections in the first position and in the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Thomas Schneider
  • Publication number: 20160371790
    Abstract: A system stores financial accounting data in a Base ledger, together with overlying extension ledger(s). An engine receives both generic financial data, and financial data utilized for specific purposes. Utilizing a mapping table the engine stores in an underlying Base ledger, the generic financial data (e.g., a fixed asset acquisition). The engine stores in overlying extension ledgers, specific financial data (e.g., a linear asset depreciation and/or an declining balance method of asset depreciation) derived from that generic data. This reduces memory footprint by persisting the generic data in one location only. The stored data may be read utilizing dataviews combining data from Base and extension ledgers. A recursive algorithm may evaluate chain(s) of ledgers. Embodiments may be particularly suited to store in the Base ledger generic financial data common to multiple accounting principles (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Georg Dopf, Michael Conrad, Stefan Gauger, Joachim Kenntner, Joachim Liebler, Ruediger Raubeck, Andreas Reccius, Thomas Schachner, Thomas Schneider, Radim Sykora
  • Publication number: 20160354777
    Abstract: Devices, systems and apparatuses for the discretization and manipulation of sample volumes are provided. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Daniel T. CHIU, Thomas SCHNEIDER, Jason E. KREUTZ
  • Patent number: 9425717
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) and a method for supplying an electric drive (101) with electric current. For this purpose, three DC/DC converters (102, 103, 104) are provided for coupling at least two connectable electric energy sources (105, 106) to the electric drive (101). The DC/DC converters (102, 103, 104) can be coupled in such a way that direct coupling of each individual one of the at least two electric energy sources (105, 106) to the electric drive (101) is formed via an individual one of the three DC/DC converters (102, 103, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schneider, Patrick Koenig
  • Patent number: 9395535
    Abstract: System and methods for producing a plurality of Sinc shaped pulses in the time domain include a light source for providing an input light signal having an input frequency, and at least one spectrum shaper for producing the plurality of Sinc shaped pulses from the input light signal. The spectrum shaper may include an amplitude modulator, at least one radio-frequency generator and a bias voltage generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Thomas Schneider, Camille-Sophie Brés, Luc Thévenaz, Marcelo Alfonso Soto Hernandez, Mohammad Mehdi Alem Karladani, Mohammad Amin Shoaie, Armand Vedadi-Comte
  • Patent number: 9265701
    Abstract: A silver-colored pigment is provided having a nonmetallic platelet-shaped substrate and at least one ilmenite-containing coating, wherein the nonmetallic platelet-shaped substrate is a nonmetallic platelet-shaped synthetic substrate and the amount of iron compounds, calculated as elemental iron, in the pigment is less than 5.0 % by weight, based on the total weight of the pigment. Processes for preparing the pigment also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ECKART GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Grüner, Thomas Schneider, Günter Kaupp, Christian Rummer, Dirk Schumacher