Patents by Inventor Bernd Zimmermann

Bernd Zimmermann 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: 20070131021
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting the presence of a target analyte. The system comprises a first conductor, a second conductor, and a sensor film. The sensor film is positioned between the first conductor and the second conductor. The sensor film includes a crosslinked siloxane polymer comprising a monomer having a hydrocarbon side group. The sensor film has an absorptive affinity for the target analyte. The electrical capacitance of the sensor system changes upon absorption of the target analyte by the sensor film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Prasad Khadkikar, Praveen Ramamurthy, Bernd Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20070052413
    Abstract: A device for testing a test specimen for surface faults is equipped for delivering a magnetic flux into the specimen and has induction probes measurement sensors. At least two yoke legs have opposed gap-forming ends with oppositely poled exciter coils between which the test specimen can be guided. Outside ends of the yoke legs opposite the gap-forming ends are connected to one another by a magnetic flux conductor so that the magnetic flux runs perpendicular to the lengthwise direction through the test specimen. To adapt to test specimens of different cross section, the yoke legs can be moved and fixed. Testing of test specimens by means of high-energy magnetic alternating fields improved because the high heat losses produced in this process are adequately dissipated. The device is especially well suited to determine the quality of bars, pipes and the like in a hot rolling mill with high-energy alternating magnetic fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Prueftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventor: Bernd Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20060265151
    Abstract: A valve body defines an inlet, an outlet, a valving cavity disposed between the inlet and outlet and a valving surface between the inlet and the outlet. A valve is moveable to a position away from the valving surface for permitting flow from the inlet through the valving cavity to the outlet. The fluid flow rate sensor comprises a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module and communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Michael DuHack, Bernd Zimmermann, Tung-Sheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20060080050
    Abstract: A thermo-anemometer-type fluid flow rate sensor design and a method for its operation that overcome the response time limitations of prior known fluid flow rate sensors is disclosed. The fluid flow rate sensor comprises a probe having a detection module adapted to change condition in response to the presence of the flow of the fluid, a control module that is electrically connected to the probe that monitors the condition of the detection module over time (e.g., a temperature), determines a rate of change of that condition over time, and generates an output that is indicative of the rate of flow of the fluid, and a I/O module connected to the control module to provide a means for communicating the output of the control module to another device or a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Bernd Zimmermann, Tung-Sheng Yang, Lance Bostic
  • Publication number: 20050109103
    Abstract: An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor utilizes a plurality of thermocouple junctions grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple junction of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouple junctions is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouple junctions are connected in series and produce a signal indicative of the level of liquid along the sensor. Alternatively, a single threshold liquid level sensor is provided for use with a hermetic interface to provide a signal to indicate a level of liquid within a container. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with either liquid level sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Bernd Zimmermann, David Reynolds, Richard Gerich
  • Patent number: 6546796
    Abstract: An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor of the present invention utilizes a plurality of thermocouples grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouples is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouples are connected in series and produce a signal directly indicative of the level of the liquid along the sensor. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with the liquid level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Bernd Zimmermann, David W. Reynolds, Richard E. Welch, Hank E. Millet
  • Patent number: 6516141
    Abstract: A heating tank assembly for a hot water dispenser having a tank body, an electric heating element, a magnetic switch, and a movable float. The tank body has a plurality of walls and a main heating chamber for storing and heating water. At least a portion of the electric heating element is located within the main heating chamber of the tank body. The magnetic switch is electrically connected to the heating element and acts as a protective switch to the heating element. The movable float is located within the tank body and has a magnet that closes the magnetic switch when sufficient water is present in the tank. The heating tank assembly may also include at least one thermal cutout device. The thermal cutout device acts as a backup and will shut off the heating element if the heating element reaches a preset maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Paul M. DeSantis, Christian Georgeff, Charles Hirsch, Thomas Anderson, Bernd Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6509368
    Abstract: Use of catechol derivatives of the general formula I wherein R1 to R5 are as defined according to claim 1, as protease inhibitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Gruenenthal GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Seipp, Oswald Zimmer, Wolfgang Strassburger, Johannes Schneider, Stephan Wnendt, Norbert Ulbrich, Heide Hecker-Kia, Bernd Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20020129650
    Abstract: An improved liquid level sensor is disclosed which provides a reliable and simple device for accurately determining the level of a liquid within a vessel. The sensor of the present invention utilizes a plurality of thermocouples grouped in pairs with the pairs being spaced along a line extending generally in the direction in which the liquid level may vary. A first thermocouple of each pair is located in relatively close thermal proximity to an electrically powered heater and the second of each pair of thermocouples is spaced away from the heater. The thermocouples are connected in series and produce a signal directly indicative of the level of the liquid along the sensor. Additionally, a pressure sensing circuit may also be incorporated with the liquid level sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Bernd Zimmermann, David W. Reynolds, Richard E. Welch, Hank E. Millet
  • Patent number: 6332517
    Abstract: For a torque converter lock-up clutch (7) a method is proposed in which an application pressure is adapted. To this end, within a first interval, a pressure change is output after a transition function and the existence of the reaction of the torque converter lock-up clutch is tested after output of the application pressure during an application phase from an electronic gear control (13). In the absence of reaction, additional intervals are then output. The application phase is then terminated when the reaction of the torque converter lock-up clutch occurs. The control/regulating phase for the torque converter lock-up clutch (7) follows after the application phase terminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5429088
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling a positioning device. The positioning device is positioned on the basis of a drive time without position feedback. A base displacement time is provided which is corrected by comparing a desired value to an actual value at pregiven time points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Lang, Bernd Zimmermann