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).

  • Publication number: 20210306806
    Abstract: A wireless communication system, including: a plurality of time variant transmission points for communicating with a user device, UE, wherein the UE is in a tracking region, wherein the UE is configured to receive and store a list including identifiers, IDs, of time variant transmission points for the tracking region, and wherein the list includes IDs of time variant transmission points which are available or visible for the UE in the one tracking region at different times or time periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Thi Uyen Ly DANG, Thomas HEYN, Alexander HOFMANN, Leszek RASCHKOWSKI, Tugce ERKILIC CIVELEK, Roya EBRAHIM REZAGAH, Thomas FEHRENBACH, Thomas WIRTH, Cornelius HELLGE, Thomas SCHIERL
  • Patent number: 11123928
    Abstract: Plant (1) comprising at least one apparatus (2-4) for additively manufacturing 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 source, which plant (1) comprises at least one module (5) separably connected or connectable with the apparatus (2-4), wherein the plant (1) comprises at least one tunnel structure (7) through which the at least one module (5) is moveable in a tunnel transport direction (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Viktor Kremer, Andreas Lutz, Dragan Filipovic, Roland Menassa, Danilo Veljkovic, Alexander Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20210270646
    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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: FLORIAN HERRMANN, ALEXANDER HOFMANN, MARCUS WETZEL, FREDERIK NEDER
  • Publication number: 20210270651
    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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: ALEXANDER HOFMANN, ULRICH GAUGLER, MARCUS WETZEL
  • Publication number: 20210270652
    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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: FREDERIK NEDER, MARCUS WETZEL, ALEXANDER HOFMANN, FLORIAN HERRMANN, ANDREAS MADINGER
  • Patent number: 11090763
    Abstract: Build material application device (6) for an apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing three-dimensional components by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4), the build material application device (6) being configured to apply a layer of build material (3) in a build plane (7) of a respective apparatus (1), the build material application (6) device comprising at least one build material application member (10, 11), wherein the at least one build material application member (10, 11) is at least partially additively manufactured by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Winiarski, Jens Stammberger, Frank Pfister, Alexander Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20210250781
    Abstract: A wireless communication system including: at least a first terrestrial or non-terrestrial base station, the first base station configured to generate one or more beams for covering at least a first beam coverage area; wherein the first base station is configured to broadcast at least to the first beam coverage area a list of tracking area IDs including a first tracking area ID belonging to a first tracking region and a second tracking area ID belonging to a second tracking region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Thi Uyen Ly DANG, Thomas HEYN, Alexander HOFMANN, Leszek RASCHKOWSKI, Thomas FEHRENBACH, Stephan JAECKEL
  • Patent number: 11065813
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Christian Diller, Ulrich Albanus, Payam Daneschwar
  • Patent number: 11065812
    Abstract: Powder module device (1) for an apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects by successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a powdered build material (2). The device includes a powder module (3), comprising a powder module base body (6) to receive a powdered build material (2), comprising wall elements; delimiting a build material receiving volume (9) for receiving a powdered build material (2) and an opening (10) for introducing powdered build material (2) into the build material receiving volume (9); a lid (4), comprising a lid base body (11) connected to the powder module base body (6) so as to close the opening (10) of the powder module base body (6) in a closed state of the powder module device (1); and a sealing device (5) configured to seal between the powder module (3) and the lid (4) in the closed state of the powder module device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Stammberger, Christian Diller, Tobias Gagel, Alexander Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20210206177
    Abstract: A marking system (1) for marking a marking object (2) comprises a marking device (13) for attaching a marking (20) on a marking object (2), a detection device (15, 16) for detecting identification information (300) associated with the marking object (2), and a control device (10) for controlling the marking device (13), the control device (10) being designed to authenticate identification information (300) detected by the detection device (15, 16) and to control the marking device (13) on the basis of the authentication. In this way, a marking system for marking a marking object is provided, which makes reliable marking of permitted marking objects possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Kilian Klages, Alexander Hofmann, Peter Isaak, Torben Rheker
  • Patent number: 11014300
    Abstract: Apparatus (1, 23, 27, 30) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (3) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, whereby the apparatus (1, 23, 27, 30) comprises at least one process chamber (4) with at least one chamber separation device (5, 24, 28, 31) separating a process region (6) into a first sub-region (7) and a second sub-region (8) of the process chamber (4), wherein the chamber separation device (5, 24, 28, 31) comprises at least one separation element (9, 29, 31) that is moveable and/or deformable, wherein the separation element (9, 29, 31) is configured to create a passageway (18) between the first and the second sub-region (7, 8) for at least one tool carrier (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski, Jens Stammberger
  • Publication number: 20210123846
    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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL MAYLE, ANDREAS MADINGER, ALEXANDER HOFMANN, MARKUS SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10977593
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable storage devices, for predictive models for electric power grid maintenance. In some implementations, one or more computers receive data indicating a maintenance action to be performed for a utility system. The one or more computers generate outcome scores for the maintenance action using a model generated from records for maintenance performed by multiple utilities. The one or more computers select one or more maintenance plan elements based on the outcome scores, provide an indication of the selected one or more maintenance plan elements for display, and store a record corresponding to the maintenance action. In some examples, the selected one or more maintenance plan elements can include recommended plan elements to improve the safety and efficiency of the maintenance action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: American Public Power Association Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Michael John Hyland
  • Publication number: 20210053288
    Abstract: A system (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations (21), which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit (2) comprising a rack-like storage device (4) comprising at least one storage room (5) provided for storing at least one powder module (6), especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module (6) between different working stations (21) of the system (1), and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit (3) comprising a receiving device (12) provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit (2) for the purpose of conveying the storage unit (2) between different working stations (21) of the system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Florian Bechmann, Ralf Hetzel, Jens Stammberger, Fabian Zeulner, Alexander Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20210039165
    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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jens Stammberger, Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski
  • Patent number: 10882113
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (3) by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thus successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of construction material (4) that can be solidified by means of an energy beam. The apparatus can include a process chamber (14) comprising a working plane (A) with a first working plane area (A1) and another working plane area (A2), a coating device (6) provided for forming construction material layers to be exposed selectively and to be solidified selectively in the construction plane (E) and comprising a coating element assembly group (8) which is movably supported, at least one coating element, a shielding device (18) provided for shielding the second working plane area (A2), wherein the shielding device (18) can include at least one shielding band (20) guided movably along supporting points (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Stammberger, Alexander Hofmann, Daniel Winiarski
  • Publication number: 20200378844
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for measuring mechanical stress. The device comprises a magnetostrictive body enclosing a remanent magnetization. The magnetostrictive body comprises first and second end surfaces that are arranged opposite to each other. At least one of the first and second end surfaces is configured to receive a mechanical stress. The magnetostrictive body further comprises a first recess formed at the first end surface towards the second end surface and a second recess formed at the second end surface towards the first end surface. In a projection perpendicular to the first end surface, the first recess overlaps the second recess and extends beyond the second recess. Further disclosed are a method of manufacturing such a device and a method of measuring mechanical stress using such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventor: Alexander Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10828834
    Abstract: A system (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising one or more working stations (21), which are provided for performing at least one working process in the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, at least one freely positionable mobile storage unit (2) comprising a rack-like storage device (4) comprising at least one storage room (5) provided for storing at least one powder module (6), especially for the purpose of conveying the powder module (6) between different working stations (21) of the system (1), and at least one driverless, freely movable mobile conveying unit (3) comprising a receiving device (12) provided for receiving at least one mobile storage unit (2) for the purpose of conveying the storage unit (2) between different working stations (21) of the system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Bechmann, Ralf Hetzel, Jens Stammberger, Fabian Zeulner, Alexander Hofmann
  • Patent number: 10821386
    Abstract: An apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thus successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of construction material that can be solidified by means of an energy beam, comprising a filter device provided for filtering process gas arising in the course of performing additive construction processes in a process chamber of the apparatus, wherein the filter device comprises several filter modules with a filter module housing each, wherein every filter module housing comprises a filter body receiving room configured with a defined geometry provided for receiving a defined number of filter bodies configured with a defined geometry, wherein every filter module comprises connection interfaces on the filter module via which it is or can be connected, if required, to defined connection areas of a pipe structure of the apparatus that is or can be flown through by the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Jens Stammberger, Ralf Hetzel
  • Patent number: 10821666
    Abstract: A system for additive production of three-dimensional objects, comprising at least one work station, which is designed to carry out at least one work process as part of the additive production of three-dimensional objects, comprising: at least one, particularly user-side, movable, particularly sliding, transport carriage, which comprises a frame structure, which comprises a receiving device, which comprises a receptacle chamber designed to receive a powder module within the frame structure, wherein the frame structure comprises at least two frame structure sections, wherein a first frame structure section is borne so as to be movable relative to a second frame structure section, particularly in a vertically aligned movement direction, wherein the transport carriage comprises at least one, particularly motorized lifting device, which is designed to generate a lifting force that moves the first frame structure section relative to the second frame structure section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Concept Laser GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hofmann, Jens Stammberger, Patrick Brückner