Patents by Inventor Andreas Dickhoff

Andreas Dickhoff 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: 20230296188
    Abstract: A piezo valve for influencing a fluid flow, with a strip-shaped piezo bender which is arranged in a fluid channel and which includes a band-shaped carrier layer and a band-shaped actuator layer applied thereto and which is pressed with a first surface by a spring against a front bearing blade and a rear bearing blade and on a second surface facing away from the first surface with a seal which seals a valve seat in a functional position. The valve seat serves as an orifice opening of a fluid channel section is formed, in which the first surface is formed either by the carrier layer or by the actuator layer and the seal in the first functional position optionally on the valve oil seat or releases the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Martin MAICHL, Andreas DICKHOFF
  • Patent number: 10428846
    Abstract: A fluid control device including a valve arrangement, the valve arrangement including an air supply valve, and an air outlet valve, and a control means, wherein the control means is electrically connected to the air supply valve and to the air outlet valve, and further includes a sensor input for processing a sensor signal and is connected to a sensor which is configured for determining a functional state of the fluid consumer, wherein the control means is configured for implementing a valve diagnostic process such that a first control signal for the air supply valve and a second control signal for the air outlet valve are each varied between a lower interval limit and an upper interval limit while maintaining a pre-definable sensor signal level of a sensor signal provided by the sensor, and the control means is configured for recording value pairs for the first and second control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20180298923
    Abstract: A fluid control device including a valve arrangement, the valve arrangement including an air supply valve, and an air outlet valve, and a control means, wherein the control means is electrically connected to the air supply valve and to the air outlet valve, and further includes a sensor input for processing a sensor signal and is connected to a sensor which is configured for determining a functional state of the fluid consumer, wherein the control means is configured for implementing a valve diagnostic process such that a first control signal for the air supply valve and a second control signal for the air outlet valve are each varied between a lower interval limit and an upper interval limit while maintaining a pre-definable sensor signal level of a sensor signal provided by the sensor, and the control means is configured for recording value pairs for the first and second control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Andreas Dickhoff
  • Patent number: 9683672
    Abstract: A fluid valve for influencing a fluid flow, including a valve housing in which an actuator is accommodated which can be moved between a first and a second functional position, further including a fluid passage which extends through some regions of the valve housing and terminates at a valve seat in the valve housing, and further including a sealing means which is motion-coupled to the actuator and designed for temporarily sealing the valve seat as a function of the functional position of the actuator, wherein a plastically deformable adjustment means is assigned to and designed to act on the actuator in order to allow a position of the sealing means to be adjusted in at least one of the functional positions of the actuator, the adjustment means being designed as a positionable abutment for the actuator or for a coupling element arranged between the actuator and the sealing means for the purpose of motion-coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20170108129
    Abstract: A valve assembly including at least one valve control group, which has two valve units. Each valve unit contains a valve tappet, which is arranged in a valve chamber and which passes through an overflow opening framed by a valve seat and has a shut-off segment facing the valve seat. In addition, each valve tappet has a first closure segment and a second closure segment, which each close one of two valve chamber segments in a sealed manner. The diameters of the two closure segments of each valve tappet are equal among each other and also equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the overflow opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jakob Brenner, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Patent number: 9528617
    Abstract: A valve device for influencing a fluid supply of fluid-operated loads, includes a valve module with a valve housing in which valve shafts are formed to accommodate valve cartridges, and further includes valve cartridges located in the valve shafts, wherein each of the valve shafts together with the valve cartridges accommodated therein bounds a pressure chamber connected to an assigned inlet port in a fluidically communicating manner, and wherein each of the valve cartridges includes two electrically selectable valve means which are designed to influence a free flow cross-section between the pressure chamber and an outlet port assigned to the respective valve means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Hannes Wirtl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Patent number: 9441758
    Abstract: A valve device including a valve housing which bounds a valve chamber in which a valve member is accommodated for movement between a blocking position and a release position in order to influence a free flow cross-section for a fluid in a flow path between an inlet passage terminating into the valve chamber and an outlet passage leading from the valve chamber, further including a first absolute pressure sensor for providing a first pressure signal as a function of an operating pressure in the flow path, and further including an evaluation circuit for processing the first pressure signal. It is provided that a second absolute pressure sensor is located outside the flow path, which is designed to provide a second pressure signal as a function of an operating pressure outside the flow path and which is connected to the evaluation circuit for enabling a differential pressure between the first and second pressure signals to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Martin Meier, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150219237
    Abstract: A fluid valve for influencing a fluid flow, including a valve housing in which an actuator is accommodated which can be moved between a first and a second functional position, further including a fluid passage which extends through some regions of the valve housing and terminates at a valve seat in the valve housing, and further including a sealing means which is motion-coupled to the actuator and designed for temporarily sealing the valve seat as a function of the functional position of the actuator, wherein a plastically deformable adjustment means is assigned to and designed to act on the actuator in order to allow a position of the sealing means to be adjusted in at least one of the functional positions of the actuator, the adjustment means being designed as a positionable abutment for the actuator or for a coupling element arranged between the actuator and the sealing means for the purpose of motion-coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Patent number: 8905067
    Abstract: Valve module for influencing a fluid supply of a fluid-operated load, comprising a valve housing with a valve chamber being connected to an inlet port and an outlet port and a pilot chamber being connected to an operating port, comprising a valve member which is movably adjustable between a blocking position and a release position and further comprising an actuator which is motion-coupled to the valve member, wherein a position of the actuator and the valve member can be set as a function of a pressure applied to the pilot chamber, and further comprising a sensor device for detecting a position of the valve member and/or the actuator along a movement axis, and the sensor device comprises an electric coil arrangement which forms a ring around at least one fluid port from the group comprising the operating port, the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Hannes Wirtl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20140182725
    Abstract: A valve device for influencing a fluid supply of fluid-operated loads, includes a valve module with a valve housing in which valve shafts are formed to accommodate valve cartridges, and further includes valve cartridges located in the valve shafts, wherein each of the valve shafts together with the valve cartridges accommodated therein bounds a pressure chamber connected to an assigned inlet port in a fluidically communicating manner, and wherein each of the valve cartridges includes two electrically selectable valve means which are designed to influence a free flow cross-section between the pressure chamber and an outlet port assigned to the respective valve means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Hannes Wirtl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20140183397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve module for influencing a fluid supply of a fluid-operated load, comprising a valve housing (4) which defines a valve chamber (17) with a fluidically communicating connection to an inlet port (18) and an outlet port (19), and further comprising a valve member (5) which is movably accommodated in the valve chamber (17) and which is adjustable along a movement axis (21) between a blocking position and a release position in order to influence a free flow cross-section between the inlet port (18) and the outlet port (19), and further comprising a spring mechanism (20) designed to apply a presettable preloading force to the valve member (5) in order to determine a preferred position of the valve member (5) in the valve chamber (17), characterised in that the spring mechanism (20) is supported, with an end region thereof which is remote from the valve member (5), on a supporting means (45) which can be located, within an adjustment range, in a freely selectable adjustment position re
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Hannes Wirtl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20140174564
    Abstract: Valve module for influencing a fluid supply of a fluid-operated load, comprising a valve housing with a valve chamber being connected to an inlet port and an outlet port and a pilot chamber being connected to an operating port, comprising a valve member which is movably adjustable between a blocking position and a release position and further comprising an actuator which is motion-coupled to the valve member, wherein a position of the actuator and the valve member can be set as a function of a pressure applied to the pilot chamber, and further comprising a sensor device for detecting a position of the valve member and/or the actuator along a movement axis, and the sensor device comprises an electric coil arrangement which forms a ring around at least one fluid port from the group comprising the operating port, the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Hannes Wirtl, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20140158215
    Abstract: A valve device including a valve housing which bounds a valve chamber in which a valve member is accommodated for movement between a blocking position and a release position in order to influence a free flow cross-section for a fluid in a flow path between an inlet passage terminating into the valve chamber and an outlet passage leading from the valve chamber, further including a first absolute pressure sensor for providing a first pressure signal as a function of an operating pressure in the flow path, and further including an evaluation circuit for processing the first pressure signal. It is provided that a second absolute pressure sensor is located outside the flow path, which is designed to provide a second pressure signal as a function of an operating pressure outside the flow path and which is connected to the evaluation circuit for enabling a differential pressure between the first and second pressure signals to be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FESTO AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Maichl, Martin Meier, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Patent number: 7227735
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for powering opposing corona chargers for discharging moving receiver sheets. The discharging capacity of the chargers is expanded by adding a high voltage DC offset to a current regulated, AC voltage limited power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Charles Herbert Hasenauer, Soenke Schmidt, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20050111890
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for powering opposing corona chargers for discharging moving receiver sheets. The discharging capacity of the chargers is expanded by adding a high voltage DC offset to a current regulated, AC voltage limited power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Hasenauer, Soenke Schmidt, Andreas Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20040256793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding flat materials along a transport path within a higher-level device for handling flat materials, whereby the device for guiding flat materials has at least one upper guiding surface that is arranged above the transport path and at least one lower guiding surface that is arranged below the transport path and two side walls between which the at least one lower and upper guiding surfaces are rigidly fastened, whereby mounting elements are provided on the side walls, whereby the device can be installed in the higher-level device for handling flat materials by means of these mounting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Dettinger, Andreas Dickhoff, Kai-Michael Gundel
  • Patent number: 6831818
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for provision of a power supply that combines the advantages of current regulation with voltage limitation to enable corona chargers that can be run at higher current regulated set points for lower resistance sheets. The voltage limit will protect against arcing when high resistance media is used. This wider operation window can be provided without the need to track sheet types in the process and shift the operating set points, which would result in much more complicated machine control algorithms. The regulation and limit reference controls retain the ability of changing the operating set points of the power supply, such that it can be adapted to alternate physical configurations of the discharging system and the printing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Dickhoff, Charles H. Hasenauer
  • Patent number: 6735411
    Abstract: In a reproduction apparatus having a rotatable imaging roller upon which an image is formed, and a rotatable transfer roller for transferring an image from the imaging roller to a receiver member, a device for mounting the transfer roller to substantially compensate for changes in engagement between the imaging roller and the transfer roller during image transfer. The mounting device includes a bearing assembly for supporting the transfer roller for rotation. A flexible member is associated with the bearing assembly. The flexible member provides movement of the bearing assembly by urging the bearing assembly in a direction to maintain, at least over a limited distance, the transfer roller in constant force engagement with the imaging roller so as to substantially prevent any change in the angular speed relationship therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Dickhoff, Andrew Peter Kittleson
  • Publication number: 20030235444
    Abstract: In a reproduction apparatus having a rotatable imaging roller upon which an image is formed, and a rotatable transfer roller for transferring an image from the imaging roller to a receiver member, a device for mounting the transfer roller to substantially compensate for changes in engagement between the imaging roller and the transfer roller during image transfer. The mounting device includes a bearing assembly for supporting the transfer roller for rotation. A flexible member is associated with the bearing assembly. The flexible member provides movement of the bearing assembly by urging the bearing assembly in a direction to maintain, at least over a limited distance, the transfer roller in constant force engagement with the imaging roller so as to substantially prevent any change in the angular speed relationship therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Dickhoff, Andrew Peter Kittleson
  • Patent number: 6668154
    Abstract: A device (2, 3) for charging and/or discharging of printing media (7) in printing presses and copiers, with at least one corona wire (5, 5′), as well as a guiding device (1) for printing media (7) with bridging members (11, 12, 13), which bridge the interior of the discharging device and/or charging device (2, 3) in the transport direction (10), whereby the guiding device (1) has, below the bridging members (11, 12, 13) on the side turned toward at least one corona wire (5, 5′), slim guide fingers (18, 18′), which extend into the border areas (14, 14′) of the device (1) parallel to at least one corona wire (5, 5′) and from the side outside the surfaces covered by the printing media suppress the thickest ion flow, which is directed to the printing media (7) for discharging of the printing media (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Nexpress Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Andreas Dickhoff