Patents by Inventor Alexander Hofmann

Alexander Hofmann 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: 11815050
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for supplying a fuel consumer (1) of a vehicle (20) with a gaseous fuel. The device (10) comprises multiple pressure accumulators(2) for storing and providing pressurised fuel, as well as a discharge device (3), which fluidically connects the multiple pressure accumulators (2) with the fuel consumer (1). In order to advantageously allow for a utilisation of a temperature change occurring during a fuel discharge, preferably a discharge cold temperature released during the discharge of fuel, according to the invention, the discharge device (3) is thermally coupled to a coolant circuit (4) of the vehicle (20). The invention also relates to a vehicle (20) comprising a device (10) of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
    Inventors: Stefan Buhl, Alexander Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20230358843
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of a user device, UE, of a wireless communication network is described. The wireless communication network includes a radio access network, RAN, and a plurality of non-terrestrial network, NTN, components, like an airborne vehicle or a spaceborne vehicle, operating on a bent pipe principle for a transmission between the UE and the RAN. The wherein the apparatus is to receive (1) for bent pipe transmissions between the UE and the RAN via at least two different NTN components respective values indicative of a distance between the UE and the RAN, or (2) one or more Doppler values for each link between the UE and the at least two NTN components. The apparatus is to obtain positions of the at least two NTN components, and determine the position of the UE using the obtained positions of the at least two NTN components and the values or one or more Doppler values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Birendra GHIMIRE, Norbert FRANKE, Alexander HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 11772401
    Abstract: A method for printing an image on a substrate is provided. The method includes: providing image template data; analyzing the image template data by identifying image components; printing the image using the image template data using a printing procedure based on printing parameters with a printer operating using printer configuration parameters; capturing the printed image; providing captured image data of the captured image; analyzing the captured image data. The analyzing including determining the region of interest within the captured image data based on definition parameters, identifying an image component and an image metric for the region of interest, relating the image metric to the image component, relating the identified image component to the identified image component of the region of interest, selecting parameters based on the image metric and/or the image component, and computing an actual correction parameter based on an optimization computing procedure using the image metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Oliver Hofmann, Alexander Erb, Stephanie Mangold
  • Publication number: 20230278327
    Abstract: A device for providing a marking arranged or arrangeable in a circumferentially closed manner around a prolate object includes: a material interface for receiving a printed product output from a printer; a data interface for communicating with the printer for a providing or arranging of the marking as a communication; at least one actuator, using the printed product output from the printer, for arranging the marking on the object in a circumferentially closed manner or to provide the marking for circumferentially closed arrangement according to the communication with the printer via the data interface; and a memory readable by the printer via the data interface, the memory storing operational data of the providing or arranging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Alexander Hofmann, Markus Traenkle, Benjamin Aberle, Markus Kiefer
  • Patent number: 11740170
    Abstract: A method operates a measuring device used to determine a fluid variable. The measuring devices contains a vibration transducer driven to excite a wave in the fluid due to a test excitation signal. The wave is guided along a propagation path back to the vibration transducer or to an additional vibration transducer, thereby exciting the (additional) vibration transducer to vibrate. An output signal relating to this vibration is acquired, and a frequency of that segment of the output signal that lies in an analysis interval is determined. The analysis interval starts once the driving of the vibration transducer to excite the wave has finished, and/or once a maximum of the amplitude of the vibration is reached. The determination of the fluid variable is performed based on the determined frequency. An error message or a notification is output to a user and/or to a device external to the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Diehl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Mayle, Andreas Madinger, Alexander Hofmann, Markus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11731360
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, with a stream generating unit (2) configured to generate a stream of a process gas (3) being capable of being charged with particles (4), in particular non-consolidated particulate build material and/or smoke and/or smoke residues, generated during operation of the apparatus (1) and a filter unit (5) configured to separate particles (4) from the stream of process gas (3), wherein the filter unit (5) comprises a filter chamber (6) with at least one filter element (7) at least partly arranged in the streaming path of the generated stream of process gas (3), wherein particles (4) in the stream of process gas (3) are separated from the process gas (3) by the filter element (7), wherein a particle reception chamber (13, 26, 28) is separably connected or connectable to a particle outlet (11
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Christian Diller, Ulrich Albanus, Payam Daneschwar
  • Publication number: 20230194262
    Abstract: A sensor system. The sensor system includes a rotation rate sensor and a control unit, the rotation rate sensor including a seismic mass and being configured to drive a movement of the seismic mass with the aid of a driving force, the control unit being configured to detect a free fall of the sensor system and to deactivate the driving force in the event of a detection of the free fall. A method for securing a sensor system, in a detection step a free fall of the sensor system being detected by the control unit, and in a securing step the driving force being deactivated by the control unit, is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Tsapkolenko, Hartmut Ruf, Mirko Hofmann, Rolf Scheben
  • Patent number: 11673310
    Abstract: An injection-molding device for producing a hollow-formed plastic object, at least comprising a mold for the primary shaping of the plastic object, an injection device for at least partially introducing a flowable polymer melt into a cavity within the mold and a fluid injection device for introducing a pressurized fluid and for driving a projectile through the polymer melt introduced into the cavity, the mold comprising a mold wall and a mold core that is arranged at least partially within the mold wall, the projectile being formed at least partially in such a hollow-formed manner that it is arranged on the mold core and is movable along a longitudinal extent of the mold core on the latter. A projectile injection process for producing a hollow-formed plastic object with this injection-molding device and a hollow-formed plastic object produced by this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Gleu, Alexander Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11633791
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a process chamber, a coating device, a shielding device, and a guiding device. The process chamber may include first and second working plane areas. The first working plane area may include a construction plane, and the second working plane area may house at least a part of the guiding device. The coating device may include a coating element assembly group that is, movably supported relative to the construction plane by the guiding device, and at least one coating element configured to form construction material layers in the construction plane. The shielding device may shield the second working plane area from intrusion of construction material or impurities from the first working plane area. The shielding device may include a shielding band, and the shielding band may be coupled for movement with the coating element assembly group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Stammberger, Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski
  • Patent number: 11635317
    Abstract: An ultrasound flow measurement device has a vessel through which a fluid to be measured flows. An ultrasound measurement configuration with an ultrasound transducer is provided for measuring a propagation time of an ultrasound signal containing a plurality of periods along a measurement section that runs partly in a direction of flow. A controller determines a fluid flow on a basis of a propagation time measurement. The controller contains a memory, a first evaluator for determining a period duration of at least one of the periods of an ultrasound signal received after passing through the measurement section, a second evaluator for determining a spread value of a predetermined number of last received ultrasound signals, a comparator for comparing the spread value with a threshold value, and an actioning device for initiating a control action, assigned to the threshold value that has been exceeded, for the ultrasound flow measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Diehl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Frederik Neder, Marcus Wetzel, Alexander Hofmann, Florian Herrmann, Andreas Madinger
  • Publication number: 20230120575
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for supplying a fuel consumer (1) of a vehicle (20) with a gaseous fuel. The device (10) comprises multiple pressure accumulators(2) for storing and providing pressurised fuel, as well as a discharge device (3), which fluidically connects the multiple pressure accumulators (2) with the fuel consumer (1). In order to advantageously allow for a utilisation of a temperature change occurring during a fuel discharge, preferably a discharge cold temperature released during the discharge of fuel, according to the invention, the discharge device (3) is thermally coupled to a coolant circuit (4) of the vehicle (20). The invention also relates to a vehicle (20) comprising a device (10) of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan BUHL, Alexander HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 11623281
    Abstract: Build material application device for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the build material application device comprising: at least one blade-like build material application member; at least one support unit for supporting the blade-like build material application member, wherein the support unit comprises at least two support unit members defining a receiving section for receiving a blade-like build material application member, a first support unit member is moveably supported relative to a second support unit member between a first operating position, in which a holding force is exertable or exerted on a blade-like build material application member received in the receiving section, and a second operating position, in which no holding force is exertable or exerted on a blade-like build material application member received in the receiving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Viktor Dering, Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski
  • Patent number: 11624638
    Abstract: A flow measuring device detecting a fluid volume quantity since a start of a measurement includes a processing device determining a current flow rate parameter at measurement times using measurement data of a sensor, to increase a volume quantity based on a current flow rate parameter when operating in a first operating mode, and to keep the volume quantity constant when operating in a second mode. The processing device stores the current flow rate parameter for each measurement time in a data memory, resulting after several measuring times in storing previous flow rate parameters determined at these measuring times. Upon satisfying a switchover condition, depending on the current flow rate parameter, during operation in the second mode, the processing unit switches over to the first mode, and the volume quantity increases as a function of the current flow rate parameter and a predefined number of previous flow rate parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Diehl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Herrmann, Alexander Hofmann, Marcus Wetzel, Frederik Neder
  • Patent number: 11583971
    Abstract: A machine (10) for machining workpieces with optical quality has at least one workpiece spindle (12), which rotatably drives a workpiece (L) to be machines about a workpiece axis of rotation (C). A swivel head (14) located opposite the workpiece spindle, is pivotable about a pivot axis (B), and bears at least two tool spindles (16, 18), each of which rotatably driving at least one machining tool (T1, T2, T3) about a tool axis of rotation (D, D?). The workpiece spindle and the swivel head (14) are adjustable relative to one another along three mutually perpendicular linear axes (X, Y, Z). One axis (Y) extends parallel to the pivot axis (B). Another axis (Z) extends parallel to the axis (C) of workpiece rotation. At least one tool spindle is attached to the swivel head with its tool axis of rotation (D?) extending parallel to the pivot axis (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim Diehl, Alexander Hofmann, Steffen Moos
  • Patent number: 11571857
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective consolidation of layers of a build material, comprising a build material removal device (3) with at least one build material removal unit (4) adapted to remove non-consolidated build material (5) surrounding an additively built object (2), wherein the build material removal device (3) comprises a build material removal chamber (6) delimiting a build material removal volume (7), wherein the build material removal chamber (6) is arranged or arrangeable above the object (2), wherein the object (2) is successively moveable into the build material removal chamber (6), wherein the at least one build material removal unit (4) is adapted to remove non-consolidated build material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski
  • Patent number: 11566929
    Abstract: A measuring device has at least one ultrasonic transducer and an evaluator for evaluating a measurement signal provided by the at least one ultrasonic transducer. The evaluator is set up to determine a first comparison signal, by comparing the measurement signal with a first switching threshold, and a second comparison signal, by comparing the measurement signal with a second switching threshold which is different from the first switching threshold, and to determine a signal amplitude of the measurement signal depending on the first and second comparison signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Diehl Metering GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Ulrich Gaugler, Marcus Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20230015628
    Abstract: A printing system includes: a printer for outputting a printed product; and a device for providing a marking arranged or arrangeable in a closed circumferential manner around a prolate object. The device includes a mechanical interface and the printer includes a mechanical interface, which are positively and/or by force-locking connected in a mounted state and which release the positive and/or force-locked connection by a planar motion, a partial rotation, and/or a current change to a released state. The device further includes: a material interface for receiving printed material output by the printer in the mounted state of the device, and at least one actuator for arranging the marking on the prolate object in a circumferentially closed manner by the printed product output by the printer or for providing the marking for circumferentially closed arrangement in the mounted state of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Alexander Hofmann, Benjamin Pradel, Juergen Gretscher, Michael Peter
  • Publication number: 20230019550
    Abstract: A device (100) for providing a tube arranged or arrangeable in a circumferentially closed manner around a prolate object (102), preferably around a conductor, as a marking (101) of the object (102) is described. The device (100) comprises a printer (200) for outputting a printed tube (214) in longitudinal direction (210) or a material interface (156) for receiving a printed tube (214) output from a printer (200) in longitudinal direction (210). Further, the device (100) comprises a cutting unit (120) configured to cut through the printed tube (214) at a cutting position of the tube (214) in a transverse direction (121) transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction (210) of the tube. At least at the intersection, an upper half of the tube and a lower half of the tube, terminally or insidely, abut on each other or are connected to each other. Further, the device (100) comprises an opening unit (122) for opening the upper and lower halves of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Alexander Hofmann, Jonas Korsmeier, Markus Traenkle, Juergen Gretscher, Benjamin Aberle, Dan King
  • Publication number: 20230007907
    Abstract: A device for providing a marking arranged or arrangeable in a circumferentially closed manner around a prolate object includes: a material interface for receiving a printed product output from a printer; a print signal interface for acquiring a control signal related to the printed product output; at least one sensor for acquiring a control signal related to providing of the marking; and at least one actuator for arranging the marking on the object in a circumferentially closed manner or to provide the marking for circumferentially closed arrangement depending on the control signal related to the printed product output and the control signal related to the providing of the marking using the printed product output by the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Alexander Hofmann, Markus Traenkle, Juergen Gretscher, Benjamin Aberle
  • Publication number: 20230001708
    Abstract: A printer for outputting a printed product includes: a print head for printing on a print medium moving in a longitudinal direction, the print medium including a plurality of separate or separable labels detachably arranged on a carrier along the longitudinal direction; and a material interface for outputting the print medium printed by the printer as a printed product, the material interface including a dispensing edge and a support, which deflect the carrier over the dispensing edge and the support downstream of the print head in the longitudinal direction. The dispensing edge is arranged relative to the support in a first position to induce a detaching deflection of the carrier for detaching the respective label. The dispensing edge and the support are arranged in a second position relative to each other to induce an entraining deflection for entraining the respective label on the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Alexander Hofmann, Michael Peter, Albrecht Schierholz