Patents by Inventor Thomas Elpermann

Thomas Elpermann 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: 9945694
    Abstract: A rotary angle sensor used to determine a relative angular position as compared to a reference position, comprising a housing (1), at least one rotor (3, 4) that is rotatably mounted inside said housing (1), one circuit board (2) containing electrical and/or electronic components as well as one or multiple stators corresponding to the number of used rotors (3, 4). The rotary angle sensor is supposed to be improved in such a manner that a particularly precise alignment of the first rotor (3) in relation to the stator is ensured and that it is inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by a first rotor (3) that is interlocked with the housing (1) without any play while a pre-loaded spring washer (14) is positioned on the latching arms (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Elpermann, Stefan Peters
  • Patent number: 9719783
    Abstract: A level sensor (20) for a motor vehicle that comprises a housing (1), a rotor (2) that is rotatably mounted on the housing (1), a circuit board (3) that is enclosed by the housing (1) and contains at least a single stator as well as a connector (4). The level sensor (20) should be improved in such a way that the rotor (2) is easy to mount on the housing (1) and that there is practically no play so that a relative position of the stator as compared to a rotor structure (9) is largely maintained. Overall, the sensor should also be inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by the circumstance that the housing (1) exhibits a cylinder (6) with a circular cross-section that is mounted on the outside, that the rotor (2) is made of plastic with the exception of the rotor structure (9) and that the rotor (2) is guided within the cylinder (6) and interlocks with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Bartscht, Thomas Elpermann, Eckart Wirries
  • Publication number: 20160146634
    Abstract: A rotary angle sensor used to determine a relative angular position as compared to a reference position, comprising a housing (1), at least one rotor (3, 4) that is rotatably mounted inside said housing (1), one circuit board (2) containing electrical and/or electronic components as well as one or multiple stators corresponding to the number of used rotors (3, 4). The rotary angle sensor is supposed to be improved in such a manner that a particularly precise alignment of the first rotor (3) in relation to the stator is ensured and that it is inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by a first rotor (3) that is interlocked with the housing (1) without any play while a pre-loaded spring washer (14) is positioned on the latching arms (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Elpermann, Stefan Peters
  • Patent number: 9322645
    Abstract: A rotary angle sensor used to determine a relative angular position as compared to a reference position, comprising a housing (1), at least one rotor (3, 4) that is rotatably mounted inside said housing (1), one circuit board (2) containing electrical and/or electronic components as well as one or multiple stators corresponding to the number of used rotors (3, 4). The rotary angle sensor is supposed to be improved in such a manner that allows for an especially precise alignment of a circuit board inside a housing and an easy installation of said board. This is achieved by the circumstance that bearing surfaces (9) for the circuit board (2) are provided in the direct radial vicinity of the stator inside the housing (1) and that clamping structures (11) are radially aligned with the stator in order to position the circuit board (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Thomas Elpermann, Stefan Peters
  • Patent number: 9316497
    Abstract: A level sensor for a motor vehicle includes a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted on the housing, and a printed circuit board enclosed in the housing. The printed circuit board includes at least one stator and is connected to a plug which can be attached to an opening in the housing, and seals the opening thereby. The printed circuit board and electronic components are readily and permanently protected against environmental influences. Housing has a chamber for accommodating the printed circuit board, and the opening is allocated to the chamber. The chamber is closed on all sides, with the exception of the opening. The printed circuit board can be inserted in the chamber in the manner of a drawer and can be positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventors: Manfred Bartscht, Thomas Elpermann, Steffen Hoppe, Eckart Wirries
  • Publication number: 20150185005
    Abstract: A level sensor for a motor vehicle that comprises a housing (1), a rotor (2) that is rotatably mounted on the housing (1), a circuit board (3) that is enclosed by the housing (1) and contains at least a single stator as well as a connector (4). The level sensor should be improved in such a way that the rotor (2) is easy to mount on the housing (1) and that there is practically no play so that a relative position of the stator as compared to a rotor structure (9) is largely maintained. Overall, the sensor should also be inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by the circumstance that the housing (1) exhibits a cylinder (6) with a circular cross-section that is mounted on the outside, that the rotor (2) is made of plastic with the exception of the rotor structure (9) and that the rotor (2) is guided within the cylinder (6) and interlocks with the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Manfred Bartscht, Thomas Elpermann, Eckart Wirries
  • Publication number: 20150168140
    Abstract: A rotary angle sensor used to determine a relative angular position as compared to a reference position, comprising a housing (1), at least one rotor (3, 4) that is rotatably mounted inside said housing (1), one circuit board (2) containing electrical and/or electronic components as well as one or multiple stators corresponding to the number of used rotors (3, 4). The rotary angle sensor is supposed to be improved in such a manner that allows for an especially precise alignment of a circuit board inside a housing and an easy installation of said board. This is achieved by the circumstance that bearing surfaces (9) for the circuit board (2) are provided in the direct radial vicinity of the stator inside the housing (1) and that clamping structures (11) are radially aligned with the stator in order to position the circuit board (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Elpermann, Stefan Peters
  • Publication number: 20150047212
    Abstract: A level sensor for a motor vehicle includes a housing, a rotor rotatably mounted on the housing, and a printed circuit board enclosed in the housing. The printed circuit board includes at least one stator and is connected to a plug which can be attached to an opening in the housing, and seals the opening thereby. The printed circuit board and electronic components are readily and permanently protected against environmental influences. Housing has a chamber for accommodating the printed circuit board , and the opening is allocated to the chamber. The chamber is closed on all sides, with the exception of the opening. The printed circuit board can be inserted in the chamber in the manner of a drawer and can be positioned therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Manfred Bartscht, Thomas Elpermann, Steffen Hoppe, Eckart Wirries