Patents by Inventor Andreas Frank

Andreas Frank 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: 20090290165
    Abstract: An electro-optical high-voltage sensor includes a waveguiding sensing fiber of an electro-optical material. The electrical field of the voltage to be measured is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensing fiber. The sensing fiber carries two orthogonally polarized light waves, with the applied field affecting the birefringence between the waves. Using an electro-optical waveguiding fiber in this configuration allows the voltage between two widely spaced points to be accurately measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brandle
  • Publication number: 20090211421
    Abstract: Temperature or wear indicating device for material-working tools, in particular pipe-working tools, furthermore in particular saw blades, wherein the temperature or wear indicating device has at least one temperature or wear indicator, the temperature or wear indicator being at least partially produced from an indicator material that changes one of its visual properties, in particular its colour, permanently when a predetermined limit temperature is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Lier, Achim Schneider, Andreas Frank, William J. Sullivan, Sailesh Athreya
  • Patent number: 7496617
    Abstract: A method and a device generate a truly random number. The novel method obtains the true random number on the basis of a stochastically distributed duration of an electric charge exchange or charge reversal process. The processes for charge exchange in memory cells, for example the EEPROM or FLASH memory cells, carried out by way of a charge pump are particularly suitable for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Franke, Reinhold Koller
  • Publication number: 20090039866
    Abstract: The current in a conductor is measured by exploiting the Faraday effect in a sensing fiber. The light returning from the sensing fiber is split into at least two parts, at least one of which is analyzed by a first circular analyzer for generating a first signal. A second part may e.g. be analyzed by a second circular analyzer, and a third part may be analyzed by a linear analyzer. By combining the signals obtained in this way, the current induced phase delay in the returning light can be measured efficiently and accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brandle
  • Publication number: 20080270427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a control device and to a corresponding control device. The control device comprises a main memory and a variant memory. A main data record is created in accordance with an identification from a base data record that is specific to said identification and a difference base data record that is likewise specific to said identification. The main data record is then transmitted to a main memory of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS VDO AUTOMOTIVE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Franke, Michael Niemetz, Frank Queisser, Michael Warmuth
  • Publication number: 20070276890
    Abstract: A method and a device generate a truly random number. The novel method obtains the true random number on the basis of a stochastically distributed duration of an electric charge exchange or charge reversal process. The processes for charge exchange in memory cells, for example the EEPROM or FLASH memory cells, carried out by way of a charge pump are particularly suitable for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Andreas Franke, Reinhold Koller
  • Patent number: 7251023
    Abstract: A high-resolution fiber laser sensor for measuring a quantity to be measured M has a pumping light source, a fiber laser and a detection/evaluating unit. The fiber laser has: a birefringent first end reflector, a second end reflector, a laser-amplifying fiber, a sensor fiber and a mode coupling. The laser-amplifying fiber, the sensor fiber and the mode coupling are arranged between the end reflectors. In the fiber laser, light is capable of propagating in two optical states which are orthogonal to one another due to their polarization and/or their transversal space structure. The orthogonal optical states can be coupled to one another by the mode coupling. In the fiber laser, a number of longitudinal modes are capable of oscillating in each of the two optical states. In the sensor fiber a change in the birefringence for the two orthogonal optical states can be achieved by interaction of the quantity to be measured with the sensor fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Karim Haroud, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brändle
  • Patent number: 7185635
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for internal combustion engines includes a high-pressure accumulator acted on with highly pressurized fuel by a high-pressure delivery unit and in turn supplies fuel to fuel injectors. The fuel injection system has a pressure control valve, which is disposed between a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side and actuating a valve element. The pressure control valve is actuated by means of an electrical actuator. An end surface of the pressure control valve delimits the low-pressure region in the high-pressure accumulator and is sealed by means of a seal disposed on the low-pressure side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Esther Frank, legal representative, Simone Christel Frank, legal representative, Verena Andrea Frank, legal representative, Werner Wagner, Kurt Frank, deceased
  • Patent number: 6999978
    Abstract: During backup of a database's data stored in individual files, it is not permissible for the data in the individual files to be altered, for reasons of consistency. For this reason, the files are blocked to altering access operations after a particular time during a backup operation. According to the invention, the backup operation is carried out in two parts. First, the files are transferred without there being any alteration block. A recording file is used to note files which are altered during transferring. These files are transferred again in a second part. During the second part an alteration block is required. It can be assumed that the number of files needing to be transferred in the second part is much smaller than the number of files needing to be transferred in the first part. For this reason, a significantly shortened alteration block is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengellschaft
    Inventors: Claus-Andreas Frank, Guenther Mohr, Gerhard Sommer, Hok-Tjhoen Tan
  • Publication number: 20060013534
    Abstract: A high-resolution fiber laser sensor for measuring a quantity to be measured M has a pumping light source (2), a fiber laser (1) and a detection/evaluating unit (3). The fiber laser (1) has: a birefringent first end reflector (11), a second end reflector (12), a laser-amplifying fiber (13), a sensor fiber (14) and a means for mode coupling (15). The laser-amplifying fiber (13), the sensor fiber (14) and the means for mode coupling (15) are arranged between the end reflectors (11, 12). In the fiber laser (1), light is capable of propagating in two optical states (x, y; LP?01, LP?11) which are orthogonal to one another due to their polarization and/or their transversal space structure. The orthogonal optical states (x, y; LP?01, LP?11) can be coupled to one another by the means for mode coupling (15). In the fiber laser (1), a number of longitudinal modes (LMxp, LMxp+1 . . . , LMyq, LMyq+1 . . . ; LM01p, LM01p+1 . . . , LM11q, LM11q+1 . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Controls Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Karim Haroud, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brandle
  • Patent number: 6968761
    Abstract: A device for machining the ends of pipes, having a clamping device (6) for clamping the pipe in place, having an outer ring (9) and a shaping insert (11), in which the shaping insert has two half-rings (12, 13), which are releasably and resiliently connected to one another by means of at least one screw (34) and at least one spring (35). The tool is particularly compact, clean, safe and easy to handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Rohrverbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Frank
  • Publication number: 20050186036
    Abstract: Cylindrical milling is used to produce ball raceways on an outer circumferential surface of a joint inner part for a constant-velocity rotary joint. To do this, a cylindrical milling tool with a large number of milling teeth based on the diameter of the tool is used in order to achieve a high advance rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Oliver Doerfel, Andreas Franke
  • Patent number: 6891229
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device so as to provide the device inverted isolation trenches with convex sidewalls. Initially, a plurality of composite isolation posts (50, 51) are formed on a substrate (40) through successive deposition, lithography, and etching steps. The posts comprise a bottom layer (501, 502) of silicon dioxide and an overlying etch-stop layer of silicon nitride (502, 512). An insulating material (60) is then deposited over the isolation posts and areas of the substrate. Isolation structures (70,71) are established by etching the insulating material to form convex sidewall spacers (701,702, 711, 712) at the vertical walls of the isolation posts. Active areas (80) between spacers are filled with semiconductor material. In an embodiment, a strained cap layer (101) may be imposed on the active areas. The strained cap layer has a lattice constant that is different from the lattice constant of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Franke, Jonathan Cobb, John M. Grant, Al T. Koh, Yeong-Jyh T. Lii, Bich-Yen Nguyen, Anna M. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6885182
    Abstract: The electra-optical voltage sensor has an electra-optically active medium and a distance medium between two electrodes, between which the voltage V to be measured is present. The media and the thicknesses d1, d2 of the media are chosen in such a way that the measured voltage signal has no temperature dependence. By way of example, the thicknesses d1, d2 are chosen in such a way that the influence of the temperature dependences of critical electra-optical coefficients and dielectric constants of the media on the voltage signal cancel one another out. The two media are advantageously arranged in the form of a rod, comprising an alternating arrangement of cylindrical elements of the two media, between the electrodes. BGO and fused silica may advantageously be used as media. The sensor is preferably cast in silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Research LTD
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brändle
  • Patent number: 6876188
    Abstract: The voltage sensor for measurement of a voltage V, which is present between two electrodes (3, 4) and generates an electric field E, comprises at least two layers (1a, 2a) made of electro-optically active material and being arranged along a light path (5). Through the layers there passes a light beam, the phase and/or state of polarization of which is influenced on account of the electro-optical effect. The orientation of the electro-optically active layers (1a, 2a) relative to the light path and the electric field E is chosen in such a way, that the influencing of the light (5) in the second layer (2a) counteracts the influencing of the light (5) in the first layer (1a). In this way, it is possible to realize a sensor with a high half wave voltage, so that high voltages V can be measured unambiguously. A plurality of first and second electro-optically active layers are advantageously arranged between the electrodes (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Research LTD
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brändle
  • Patent number: 6850867
    Abstract: Described is a system and a method to monitor measuring and control equipment. The occurrence of a malfunction does not immediately lead to the monitoring system entering a secure state, but rather increases the count of a counter. If the count exceeds a certain value, then the monitoring system enters a secure state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Haas, Andreas Frank, Thomas Meier
  • Patent number: 6827668
    Abstract: The system of the invention for adjusting a transmission ratio in a transmission, which is built into a motor vehicle, includes at least two determining elements with the aid of which values are determined based on different determining modes. These values represent the driving behavior of the driver of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, administrator means are provided with the aid of which the determined values are called up by the determining elements. Then, at least one counter value is changed in counter means in dependence upon the called up values. Finally, the transmission ratio is set at least in dependence upon the outputted values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rasmus Frei, Andreas Frank, Markus Paeulgen, Marko Poljansek
  • Publication number: 20040239307
    Abstract: The electro-optical voltage sensor has an electro-optically active medium and a distance medium between two electrodes, between which the voltage V to be measured is present. The media and the thicknesses d1, d2 of the media are chosen in such a way that the measured voltage signal has no temperature dependence. By way of example, the thicknesses d1, d2 are chosen in such a way that the influence of the temperature dependences of critical electro-optical coefficients and dielectric constants of the media on the voltage signal cancel one another out. The two media are advantageously arranged in the form of a rod, comprising an alternating arrangement of cylindrical elements of the two media, between the electrodes. BGO and fused silica may advantageously be used as media. The sensor is preferably cast in silicone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Klaus Bohnert, Andreas Frank, Hubert Brandle
  • Publication number: 20040217437
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device so as to provide the device inverted isolation trenches with convex sidewalls. Initially, a plurality of composite isolation posts (50, 51) are formed on a substrate (40) through successive deposition, lithography, and etching steps. The posts comprise a bottom layer (501, 502) of silicon dioxide and an overlying etch-stop layer of silicon nitride (502, 512). An insulating material (60) is then deposited over the isolation posts and areas of the substrate. Isolation structures (70,71) are established by etching the insulating material to form convex sidewall spacers (701,702, 711, 712) at the vertical walls of the isolation posts. Active areas (80) between spacers are filled with semiconductor material. In an embodiment, a strained cap layer (101) may be imposed on the active areas. The strained cap layer has a lattice constant that is different from the lattice constant of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Andrea Franke, Jonathan Cobb, John M. Grant, Al T. Koh, Yeong-Jyh T. Lii, Bich-Yen Nguyen, Anna M. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6804564
    Abstract: A system for controlling and/or monitoring a control-unit group having at least two control units, a first control unit and at least one second control unit, the first control unit being designed for performing its control function and for monitoring this control function, as well as for monitoring the control function of the at least one second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Crispin, Wolfgang Haas, Andreas Frank, Thomas Meier