Patents by Inventor Alexander Graf

Alexander Graf 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: 20200025531
    Abstract: It is proposed to make a threat better visible for a defensive measure. In this context, the threat (2) should be imaged more intensely for the defensive measure. For the purposes of more effective imaging, provision is made for the threat to emit a stronger IR signature and thus be able to stand out sufficiently against the background for the defensive measure. The stronger IR signature is caused by heating a surface of the threat, which is realized by a laser weapons system. The defensive measure can better detect this heating and has an IR seeker head to this end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION GMBH
    Inventors: Markus JUNG, Alexander GRAF
  • Publication number: 20200014179
    Abstract: A switchgear contact device includes at least one first contact element and at least one second contact element which can be slid inside each other in a positive-locking manner, such that they can be connected to each other in an electrically conductive manner in order to create an electrically conductive connection. The at least one first contact element includes a first cup-like contact sleeve and the at least one second contact element includes a contact pin that is surrounded by a hollow cylinder-like enclosure and is centrally arranged therein. A peripheral free area is provided between the contact pin and the enclosure which can be closed on the front side by an annular stop on which a force is exerted and which is arranged such that it is displaceable in the axial direction of the contact pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander Graf
  • Patent number: 10503244
    Abstract: A detector facility for a medical imaging system is described. The detector facility has a plurality of individual detectors and at least one detector controller. The detector facility is embodied such that it can be switched to at least one power-saving mode, in which at least one portion of the components of the individual detectors is deactivated and concurrently at least one portion of the components of the detector controller is not deactivated. A medical imaging system, in particular a computed tomography system, having such a detector facility; and a corresponding method for operating a detector facility of a medical imaging system are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alfons Eismann, Alexander Graf, Michael Grafberger, Stefan Hartmann, Thomas Hilderscheid, Thomas Reichel
  • Patent number: 10444380
    Abstract: A device is for the spatially resolved measurement of photons, in particular x-ray photons. In an embodiment, the device includes a first plurality of photoelectric converters, a second plurality of current measuring apparatuses and a third plurality of voltage conditioners. Each current measuring apparatus is electrically connected to at least one photoelectric converter; each voltage conditioner is electrically connected to at least one current measuring apparatus; and each photoelectric converter is configured to generate a photocurrent from an incident photon. Each voltage conditioner is connectable to a supply bar, configured to provide a supply voltage. The voltage conditioner is configured to down-convert the supply voltage to an operating voltage of a current measuring apparatus. Each current measuring apparatus is configured to measure a photocurrent under operating voltage when this is generated in a photoelectric converter, electrically connected to the respective current measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Graf, Gerald Hauke, Thomas Hilderscheid, Klaus Windsheimer
  • Publication number: 20180123716
    Abstract: A detector apparatus includes at least one x-ray detector, including a network-capable network unit; and a switching unit connected to the network unit of the x-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alfons EISMANN, Thorsten ERGLER, Taras PRYYMAK, Bodo REITZ, Alexander GRAF, Edmund GOETZ, Stefan HARTMANN, Thomas HILDERSCHEID, Shameem Kabir CHAUDHURY, Kurt STADLTHANNER, Michael HOSEMANN
  • Publication number: 20180081070
    Abstract: A device is for the spatially resolved measurement of photons, in particular x-ray photons. In an embodiment, the device includes a first plurality of photoelectric converters, a second plurality of current measuring apparatuses and a third plurality of voltage conditioners. Each current measuring apparatus is electrically connected to at least one photoelectric converter; each voltage conditioner is electrically connected to at least one current measuring apparatus; and each photoelectric converter is configured to generate a photocurrent from an incident photon. Each voltage conditioner is connectable to a supply bar, configured to provide a supply voltage. The voltage conditioner is configured to down-convert the supply voltage to an operating voltage of a current measuring apparatus. Each current measuring apparatus is configured to measure a photocurrent under operating voltage when this is generated in a photoelectric converter, electrically connected to the respective current measuring apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander GRAF, Gerald HAUKE, Thomas HILDERSCHEID, Klaus WINDSHEIMER
  • Publication number: 20180024080
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating an x-ray device, in particular a computed tomograph, including a controller and a number of detector units coupled thereto for signaling purposes. Each of the detectors includes a functional unit and a number of detector elements coupled thereto. In an embodiment of the method, a synchronized clock signal for activating the detector elements is created from a control signal of the controller on the functional unit side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander GRAF, Stefan HARTMANN
  • Publication number: 20170322619
    Abstract: A detector facility for a medical imaging system is described. The detector facility has a plurality of individual detectors and at least one detector controller. The detector facility is embodied such that it can be switched to at least one power-saving mode, in which at least one portion of the components of the individual detectors is deactivated and concurrently at least one portion of the components of the detector controller is not deactivated. A medical imaging system, in particular a computed tomography system, having such a detector facility; and a corresponding method for operating a detector facility of a medical imaging system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alfons EISMANN, Alexander GRAF, Michael GRAFBERGER, Stefan HARTMANN, Thomas HILDERSCHEID, Thomas REICHEL
  • Patent number: 9588231
    Abstract: An X-ray device according to an embodiment of the invention includes an X-ray detector including a number of detector elements, the detector elements being subdivided into at least two subgroups, each of spatially linked detector elements. The X-ray device or the X-ray detector includes a voltage supply unit for providing a fundamental voltage. The X-ray detector includes two voltage transformers, of which each is associated with respectively one of the two subgroups. And each of the voltage transformers is configured for converting the fundamental voltage into a detector operating voltage for the detector elements, which is lower than the fundamental voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Alexander Graf, Sven Günther, Erhard Schlund, Klaus Windsheimer
  • Publication number: 20160174105
    Abstract: In a method for transmitting data from a transmitting station by means of a data transmission channels the data are transmitted in response to an identification signal which represents the information about a free data transmission capacity of the data transmission channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Alexander GRAF
  • Patent number: 9253723
    Abstract: A communication device for a remote switch has a control device designed to supply a preparatory signal for preparing a transmission process and a transmission signal for starting the transmission process. A memory device is designed to save one structural information and a parameter for different transmission protocols. A processing device is designed to supply data to be sent, read the structural information and the parameters from the memory device in response to the preparatory signal and, based on the data to be sent and the structural information, create a send packet, and output the send packet and the parameter in response to the transmission signal. A transmission device is designed to wirelessly emit a transmission signal representing the send packet with a transmission characteristic defined by the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Alexander Graf, Hans-Jürgen Hanft, Thomas Boethe
  • Publication number: 20150354991
    Abstract: A cod arrangement, in particular for a position sensor, has a first coil (1) and a second coil (2) which are electrically connected to one another and disposed substantially coaxially relative to one another. The first coil (1) has a winding density that increases in the longitudinal direction (X) of the coil arrangement, and the second coil (2) has a winding density that decreases in the longitudinal direction (X) of the coil arrangement. In addition, the invention relates to a position sensor having such a coil arrangement and a production method for such a coil arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Alexander GRAF, Florian WEINL, Michael PANTKE
  • Publication number: 20150272517
    Abstract: An imaging device is described. The imaging device includes a central communications unit, at least one individual detector control unit, a plurality of individual detectors and a serial interface between the at least one individual detector control unit and the central communications unit. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an imaging device is described. In the method, a central communications unit is arranged between at least one individual detector control unit and a control and image data transmission unit. In addition, a serial interface is formed between the at least one individual detector control unit and the central communications unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Alex GLEICH, Alexander GRAF, Sven GÜNTHER, Arne HARRIERS, Erhard SCHLUND, Matthias SCHMIDT, Andreas WESTERKOWSKY, Klaus WINDSHEIMER
  • Patent number: 9103919
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmission of register contents of a CT detector with hierarchical hardware structure, wherein the first hierarchy level is formed by a control unit containing a register table for the read-out register contents of FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy and an intermediate register store for register contents to be written. With each new reading, the new register contents for FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy arriving during the respective preceding reading from the central control at the control unit are forwarded to the next hierarchy level. With each new reading, the register contents of all FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy are re-entered into the register table of the control unit. Finally, in the event of a readout command transferred asynchronously from the central control, the register contents are read out exclusively from the register table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIEGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus Geisslinger, Alexander Graf, Edmund Götz, Stefan Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20150198724
    Abstract: An X-ray device according to an embodiment of the invention includes an X-ray detector including a number of detector elements, the detector elements being subdivided into at least two subgroups, each of spatially linked detector elements. The X-ray device or the X-ray detector includes a voltage supply unit for providing a fundamental voltage. The X-ray detector includes two voltage transformers, of which each is associated with respectively one of the two subgroups. And each of the voltage transformers is configured for converting the fundamental voltage into a detector operating voltage for the detector elements, which is lower than the fundamental voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander GRAF, Sven GÜNTHER, Erhard SCHLUND, Klaus WINDSHEIMER
  • Patent number: 9080358
    Abstract: A hinge assembly comprising a hinge and an autonomous remote switch unit. The hinge comprises two hinge parts that are connected by an intermediate joint of which a first hinge part is connected to a stationary component, and a second hinge part is coupled via the joint to a pivoting element, especially a door, to pivot relative to the first hinge part, and the autonomous remote switch unit comprises a radio unit and a generator unit having an actuation element that transmits an opening and closing of the hinge to the generator unit such that the generator unit induces an electrical current pulse to supply power to the radio unit. The generator unit induces an electrical current pulse both during transmission of the opening and closing of the hinge by the actuation element, and the radio unit transmits data when power is thereby supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Alexander Graf
  • Publication number: 20150014299
    Abstract: A proximity sensor, in particular for use with a control panel, preferably a stove top, wherein the proximity sensor has at least one antenna, one frequency generator, and one power detector, wherein the at least one antenna is coupled to the frequency generator in order to supply it with power, wherein the power detector is supplied for determining a power level at the at least one antenna, which varies in relation to the radiated power, and wherein the power detector is further provided for emitting a signal relating to the determined power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Markus Toesko, Alexander Graf
  • Publication number: 20140231663
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmission of register contents of a CT detector with hierarchical hardware structure, wherein the first hierarchy level is formed by a control unit containing a register table for the read-out register contents of FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy and an intermediate register store for register contents to be written. With each new reading, the new register contents for FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy arriving during the respective preceding reading from the central control at the control unit are forwarded to the next hierarchy level. With each new reading, the register contents of all FPGAs lying lower down in the hierarchy are re-entered into the register table of the control unit. Finally, in the event of a readout command transferred asynchronously from the central control, the register contents are read out exclusively from the register table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus GEISSLINGER, Alexander GRAF, Edmund GÖTZ, Stefan HARTMANN
  • Publication number: 20140146729
    Abstract: A communication device for a remote switch has a control device designed to supply a preparatory signal for preparing a transmission process and a transmission signal for starting the transmission process. A memory device is designed to save one structural information and a parameter for different transmission protocols. A processing device is designed to supply data to be sent, read the structural information and the parameters from the memory device in response to the preparatory signal and, based on the data to be sent and the structural information, create a send packet, and output the send packet and the parameter in response to the transmission signal. A transmission device is designed to wirelessly emit a transmission signal representing the send packet with a transmission characteristic defined by the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Graf, Hans-Jürgen Hanft, Thomas Boethe
  • Publication number: 20140000062
    Abstract: A hinge assembly comprising a hinge and an autonomous remote switch unit. The hinge comprises two hinge parts that are connected by an intermediate joint of which a first hinge part is connected to a stationary component, and a second hinge part is coupled via the joint to a pivoting element, especially a door, to pivot relative to the first hinge part, and the autonomous remote switch unit comprises a radio unit and a generator unit having an actuation element that transmits an opening and closing of the hinge to the generator unit such that the generator unit induces an electrical current pulse to supply power to the radio unit. The generator unit induces an electrical current pulse both during transmission of the opening and closing of the hinge by the actuation element, and the radio unit transmits data when power is thereby supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshaferen AG
    Inventor: Alexander GRAF