Patents by Inventor Christian Muller

Christian Muller 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: 20150184901
    Abstract: A one-piece part based on magnetocaloric material comprising an alloy comprising iron and silicon and a lanthanide, comprises a base in a first plane defined by a first and second direction and N unitary blades secured to the base; the blades having a first and second dimension in the first and second direction, respectively, and a third dimension in a third direction at right angles to the first and second dimensions; an ith blade being separated from an (i+1)th blade by an ith distance; the ratio between the second dimension and first dimension being at least 10; the ratio between the third dimension and first dimension being at least 6; the first dimension being the same order of magnitude as the distance separating an ith blade from an (i+1)th blade. The magnetocaloric material can be rare-earth alloy or a composite material based on polymer binder and rare-earth alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Peter Vikner, Alexandra Dubrez
  • Publication number: 20150184900
    Abstract: A one-piece part based on a magnetocaloric material not comprising an alloy comprising iron and silicon and a lanthanide is provided. The part comprises a base in a first plane defined by a first and second direction and a set of N unitary blades secured to the base; the blades having a first dimension in the first direction, a second dimension in the second direction and a third dimension in a third direction at right angles to the first and second dimensions; an ith blade being separated from an (i+1)th blade by an ith distance; the ratio between the second dimension and first dimension being at least 10; the ratio between the third dimension and first dimension being at least 6; the first dimension being the same order of magnitude as the distance separating an ith blade from an (i+1)th blade. A thermal generator comprising one-piece parts is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS
    Inventor: Christian Muller
  • Patent number: 8978391
    Abstract: A method for generating a thermal flow from a thermal module comprising at least two magnetocaloric elements connected, two-by-two, through which a heat transfer fluid flows and is exposed to a magnetic field. The circulation exposes alternating elements of the magnetocaloric elements to an opposite variation in the magnetic field, and causes the transfer fluid to circulate simultaneously and in opposite directions in such a manner that the fluid flowing out of one of the magnetocaloric elements, at the end of a heating phase, is circulated, during the following phase, in the following magnetocaloric elements exposed to heating, while the fluid flowing out of one of the magnetocaloric elements, at the end of a cooling phase, is circulated in the following element exposed to cooling, and conversely. The heat transfer fluid is stored an intermediate receiving area. This invention also relates to a thermal generator implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications SAS
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Jean-Claude Heitzler
  • Publication number: 20150061802
    Abstract: A magnetic field generator (1) comprising first (2) and second (3) identical magnetizing structures mounted opposite and parallel to one another, head-to-tail, and defining at least two air gaps (42, 43). Each magnetizing structure (2) comprises first (4) and second (5) diametrically opposite structurally identical magnetizing assemblies which are arranged on either end of a ferromagnetic central part (6). Each magnetizing assembly (4, 5) comprises a polygonal, uniformly magnetized central magnet (7, 14) and laterally surrounded by a uniformly magnetized magnetic belt (13, 20). The magnetic flux, generated by the generator (1), forms a single loop concentrated through the air gaps (42, 43).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: COOLTECH APPLICATIONS, S.A.S.
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Magali Chaussin
  • Publication number: 20150054429
    Abstract: An electromotive drive for furniture, includes a power supply device, a manual control, and a control device. The power supply device has an disconnecting unit that can be controlled by means of a control line, the electrical control signal of said control line being able to be modified by a switching contact of the manual control such that, when the manual control has not been actuated, the power supply device can be switched into the “disconnection” operating state, said disconnecting unit being connected to a signal feedback arrangement of a control circuit of the power supply device and being integrated in a path of said signal feedback arrangement, or said disconnecting unit being set in, or placed on, an input path or an output path of the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Armin Hille, Christian Müller
  • Patent number: 8958588
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a hearing aid part, a detection device for finding the hearing aid part when lost, and a hearing aid system comprising a hearing aid part and a detection device. The hearing aid part comprises, a control unit and an antenna circuit that are part of a wireless unit for wireless transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic signals. The antenna circuit comprises a capacitance and an inductance that together define a resonance frequency of the antenna circuit. The hearing aid part further comprises a dissipative resistance and a switch. The dissipative resistance and the switch are arranged to allow selective coupling or decoupling of the dissipative resistance to or from, respectively, the antenna circuit to thus allow controlling of the dissipative properties of the antenna circuit by the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bernafon AG
    Inventor: Christian Müller
  • Publication number: 20150022474
    Abstract: A method of operating an optoelectronic proximity sensor including a radiation-emitting component, a radiation-detecting component and a control unit includes: operating the radiation-emitting component with a pulsed current, wherein the pulsed current of the radiation-emitting component has an on time and an off time during a measurement period, and causing the control unit to evaluate a detector signal of the radiation-detecting component during the on time and ending the on time if the detector signal exceeds a threshold value, wherein the ratio of the on time to the measurement period is less than 1/10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Sossenheimer, Christian Müller
  • Patent number: 8937269
    Abstract: A heat generator comprising at least one thermal module comprising a magnetocaloric element crossed by a heat transfer fluid and two hot and cold chambers arranged on each side of the magnetocaloric element and containing a displacement device for directing the heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element. A magnetic arrangement creates a magnetic field variation in each magnetocaloric element. A device for driving the displacement device, according to reciprocating movement in the concerned chamber, to displace the heat transfer fluid in synchronization with the magnetic field variation. The drive device contains a closed fluid circuit which connects the hot and cold chambers in which a working fluid is driven by a suction and discharge device. At least one switching interface is synchronized with the magnetic arrangement for alternately connecting each hot and cold chamber to suction and discharge sides of the suction and discharge device and inversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe par Actions Simplifee
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Jean-Claude Heitzler
  • Patent number: 8904806
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the temperature gradient of a magneto-calorific thermal generator comprising magneto-calorific elements subjected to a magnetic field variation. At least one of a pre-heating and pre-cooling of the magneto-calorific elements (60) is carried out to modify the initial temperature before and/or during the magnetic field variation before reaching the maximum and/or minimum field value. The method and apparatus may be employed in heating, tempering, air conditioning, refrigeration and other industrial or domestic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe Par Actions Simplifiee
    Inventors: Nicolas Cramet, Jean-Louis Dupin, Jean-Claude Heitzler, Christian Muller
  • Publication number: 20140353134
    Abstract: A switch for controlling a control circuit or an operating current of electric-motors in linear gear drives includes: a switch casing, having at least an upper part including keys, and a lower part for forming a receiving space; a circuit board incorporated in the receiving space with micro-switches including a switch casing and a spring-biased push-rod therein; wherein, when the keys are actuated by a user, the push rod actuates the micro-switch to control a control circuit or operating current, and wherein the switch contains at least one locking element, transferable between a locking position, which locks the keys, and a release position, which releases the keys. To prevent damage to a switch from pressure forces during actuation, the locking device is formed such that the pressure applied to the key is transferred onto the switch casing and/or the circuit board plate over as wide an area as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: DEWERTOKIN GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Müller
  • Patent number: 8881537
    Abstract: A heat generator (1) comprises at least one thermal module (1?) which contains at least two adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2), and a common distribution chamber (3), associated with a heat transfer fluid circulation device (4), fluidly connects the adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) with one another. Two end chambers (5, 6) are associated with a circulation means (7) and fluidly connected each with the two magnetocaloric elements (2) located at the hot end (9) and a cold (11) end of the thermal module (1). A magnetic arrangement of the heat generator (1) subjects each of the magnetocaloric element (2) to a variable magnetic field. The circulation mechanism (4), associated with the common distribution chamber (3), moves the heat transfer fluid simultaneously through the two adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) in different circulation directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe par actions simplifiee
    Inventors: Christian Muller, Jean-Claude Heitzler
  • Publication number: 20140328443
    Abstract: A synchronous data transmission system for transmission of data between two communication partners, of which one serves as a transmitter and one as a receiver, comprising a clock signal producer which produces a transmission clock signal with a transmission clock signal rate from the transmitter to the receiver, which during the occurrence of one of the events equals an event specific transmission clock signal rate associated with the arising event and during an event free period of time equals a fundamental clock rate different of all event specific transmission clock signal rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Mathieu Weibel, Martin Link, Christian Muller
  • Publication number: 20140325996
    Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) which comprises at least one magnetocaloric unit (21) provided with at least one magnetocaloric material (3) in thermal contact with a heat transfer fluid (F) and at least one magnetic unit (41) capable of subjecting the magnetocaloric material (3) to a variable magnetic field. This generator (1) is characterized in that each unit (21, 41) has a modular configuration and comprises at least one fitting form (E1, E2, E3) which facilitates assembly with another unit (41, 21), along a same median axis (M), which is provided with a complementary fitting form (E1, E2, E3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Christian Muller
  • Publication number: 20140321682
    Abstract: A portable hearing assistance device comprises an input unit, an output unit, a forward path between the input unit and the output unit, and an energy source for energizing components of the hearing assistance device. The hearing assistance device further comprises a control unit to control activation (or deactivation) of a low-power mode of operation of the hearing assistance device. When the low-power mode is activated—the draw of current from said energy source is reduced compared to a normal mode of operation of the device, the activation (or deactivation) being influenced by a combination of at least two different control input signals to the control unit, each control input signal being a signal selected from 1) signals relating to current physical environment, 2) signals relating to current acoustic environment, 3) signals relating to current wearer state, and 4) signals relating to current state or operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicants: Bernafon AG, Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Andreas KOFOD-HANSEN, Svend Oscar PETERSEN, Gabriel ALDAZ, Gunnar GUDNASON, Michael Syskind PEDERSEN, Dennis PRESUTTI, Björn LEGLER, Poul Hilding ANDERSSON, Christian MÜLLER, Jesko LAMM, Monika Bertges REBER
  • Patent number: 8869541
    Abstract: A heat generator (1) having at least one thermal module (10) that has N adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) arranged in a circle around a central axis (A) and is subjected to a varying magnetic field caused by magnetic devices (3). The magnetocaloric elements (2) are associated with N pistons (40) subjected to a reciprocating translation movement by an actuating cam (70) to circulate the heat transfer fluid, contained in the thermal module (10), in two opposite directions, at the same time, so that a first fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a hot exchange chamber (5), through the magnetocaloric elements (2) and is subjected to a heating cycle, and a second fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a cold exchange chamber (6), through the magnetocaloric elements (2), and is subjected to a cooling cycle, and inversely. The exchange chambers (5, 6) are coupled with external circuits that use calories and frigories for heating, air-conditioning, tempering systems, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe par actions simplifiee
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Heitzler, Christian Muller
  • Publication number: 20140290275
    Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator having an assembly of at least two magnetocaloric modules with a heat transfer fluid flowing through them. The cold ends of the modules are in fluidic communication via a cold transfer circuit and the hot ends are in fluidic communication via a hot transfer circuit. The cold transfer circuit is arranged so that the fluid exiting the cold end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the cold end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the cold end. The hot transfer circuit modifies the temperature of the fluid so that the fluid exiting the hot end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the hot end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the hot end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Christian Muller
  • Patent number: 8820093
    Abstract: The magnetocaloric heat generator (1) comprises at least two magnetocaloric elements (2, 12) arranged in succession and making up at least two consecutive thermal stages crossed by separate heat transfer fluids and comprising each two opposite ends (3 and 4, 13 and 14), a magnetic arrangement intended for subjecting each magnetocaloric element (2, 12) to a variable magnetic field, alternately creating a heating cycle and a cooling cycle in each magnetocaloric element (2, 12), a mechanism (8) for circulating the heat transfer fluids through the magnetocaloric elements alternately towards one end and towards the opposite end and vice versa, in synchronization with the variation of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Sociétépar actions simplifée
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Heitzler, Christian Muller
  • Publication number: 20140227065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for multiaxial transport of workpieces through successive machining stations of a machine tool, in particular of a multistage forming press, wherein the drive device comprises two gripper rails, wherein the two gripper rails are transversely displaceable independently of each other by a first transverse drive assigned to the first gripper rail and a second transverse drive assigned to the second gripper rail for the execution of a closing movement. The gripper rails are here vertically displaceable independently of each other for the execution of a lifting movement, and/or the gripper rails are longitudinally displaceable independently of each other for the execution of a transport movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Müller, Anton Lendler
  • Patent number: 8770230
    Abstract: A tubular component with an end section has a profile, wherein the profile comprises a plurality of holding elements axially offset in longitudinal direction of the end section. The holding elements comprise at least one first azimuthal contour region and at least one second azimuthal contour region, wherein the outer contour of a holding element in the first contour region at least in sections is lowered or raised relative to the second contour region and wherein the first contour regions of at least two holding elements are offset relative to each other in azimuthal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Viega GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nadine Steinhanses, Christian Müller, Kai-Michael Meissner
  • Patent number: 8769966
    Abstract: A thermal generator (100) with at least one thermal module (110) comprising at least two magnetocaloric elements (111, 112). The thermal generator is characterized in that it comprises at least two magnetic assemblies (131, 132) in which one magnetic assembly (131, 132) subjects at least one magnetocaloric element (111, 112) of the thermal module (110) to alternate magnetic phases. The thermal generator is further characterized in that it comprises a thermally insulating body insulating the magnetic assemblies (131, 132) from each other and forming thermally insulated cells (141, 142) comprising one magnetic assembly (131, 132) and its corresponding magnetocaloric elements (111, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cooltech Applications Societe par Actions Simplifiee
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Heitzler, Christian Muller