Patents by Inventor Christoph Menzel

Christoph Menzel 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: 20230050914
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reservoir and a printhead. The printhead includes a support structure including a deformable portion defining at least a top surface of a pumping chamber, a flow path extending from the reservoir to the pumping chamber to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the pumping chamber, and an actuator disposed on the deformable portion of the support structure. A trench is defined in a top surface of the actuator. Application of a voltage to the actuator causes the actuator to deform along the trench, thereby causing deformation of the deformable portion of the support structure to eject a drop of fluid from the pumping chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Shinya Sugimoto, Mats G. Ottoson, Wayne Liu
  • Publication number: 20230044181
    Abstract: A beam splitter arrangement for an optoelectronic sensor, an optoelectronic sensor having such a beam splitter arrangement, and a method of beam splitting in an optoelectronic sensor are provided, wherein the beam splitter arrangement has at least one input for coupling first transmitted light beams having first transmitted light pulses into the beam splitter arrangement. At least one beam splitter splits the first transmitted light beams into a plurality of second transmitted light beams having second transmitted light pulses. The beam splitter arrangement further has a plurality of outputs for decoupling the second transmitted light beams from the beam splitter arrangement, with the number of outputs being greater than the number of inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Boris BALDISCHWEILER, Christoph MENZEL
  • Publication number: 20230036902
    Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of fluid ejectors. Each fluid ejector includes a pumping chamber, and an actuator configured to cause fluid to be ejected from the pumping chamber. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a feed channel fluidically connected to each pumping chamber; and at least one compliant structure formed in a surface of the feed channel. The at least one compliant structure has a lower compliance than the surface of the feed channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Kevin von Essen, Steven H. Barss, Mats G. Ottosson, Darren T. Imai
  • Patent number: 11570555
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Moore, Smruti Mirchandani, Christoph Menzel
  • Patent number: 11498334
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reservoir and a printhead. The printhead includes a support structure including a deformable portion defining at least a top surface of a pumping chamber, a flow path extending from the reservoir to the pumping chamber to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the pumping chamber, and an actuator disposed on the deformable portion of the support structure. A trench is defined in a top surface of the actuator. Application of a voltage to the actuator causes the actuator to deform along the trench, thereby causing deformation of the deformable portion of the support structure to eject a drop of fluid from the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Shinya Sugimoto, Mats G. Ottoson, Wayne Liu
  • Patent number: 11498330
    Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of fluid ejectors. Each fluid ejector includes a pumping chamber, and an actuator configured to cause fluid to be ejected from the pumping chamber. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a feed channel fluidically connected to each pumping chamber; and at least one compliant structure formed in a surface of the feed channel. The at least one compliant structure has a lower compliance than the surface of the feed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Kevin von Essen, Steven H. Barss, Mats G. Ottosson, Darren T. Imai
  • Publication number: 20220342071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an FMCW-LiDAR distance measurement apparatus in which a light source, in particular a laser, generates a frequency modulated transmission light beam as a transmission signal having a predetermined frequency deviation and transmits said frequency modulated transmission light beam into a measurement zone; a light receiver receives light reflected by objects in the measurement zone as a reception signal; a mixer mixes at least a portion of the transmission signal with the reception signal and with an oscillator frequency to generate a mixed signal; and the oscillator frequency is adapted to a desired measurement zone to achieve a high measurement accuracy in the desired measurement zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Frank BLĂ–HBAUM, Christoph MENZEL
  • Publication number: 20220305879
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a motor car includes an electronic display for displaying information and an air distribution chamber disposed on a back of the electronic display where air from the air distribution chamber is flowable through an air outlet and into an internal space of the motor car. An air calming chamber is disposed on a back of the air distribution chamber. The air calming chamber is at least partially separated fluidically from the air distribution chamber and is connected fluidically to the air distribution chamber via at least one through hole where via the at least one through hole the air distribution chamber is suppliable with air to be supplied to the internal space from the air calming chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Oliver MOOS, Christoph MENZEL, Rahul GANUGA, Valentin MAIER, Joachim CURRLE
  • Publication number: 20220227202
    Abstract: A central console unit for a vehicle includes a first partial unit that is fixedly connectable to the vehicle and a second partial unit shiftably connected in relation to the first partial unit to the first partial unit. The first partial unit has a first air guiding arrangement that is connectable to an air-conditioning device of the vehicle. The second partial unit has a second air guiding arrangement which is shiftably connected to the first air guiding arrangement at least in sections along the first air guiding arrangement. The second partial unit forms a central console for the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Valentin MAIER, Christoph MENZEL, Bernd PLOCHER, Benno STAMP
  • Publication number: 20220212585
    Abstract: A table device for an interior of a vehicle includes a table element that is positionable from a non-use position into a use position. The table element, secured to a pivot arm in the non-use position, forms a trim element of a center console of the vehicle. The pivot arm is secured to a frame element and the frame element is guided by a guide element through a predefined movement path. The frame element is liftable by a first drive unit through the predefined movement path such that the table element pivots out in part, through a predefined angle, from a housing formed by the center console. The table element is liftable by a second drive unit into the use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Valentin MAIER, Christoph MENZEL, Bernd PLOCHER, Benno STAMP
  • Publication number: 20220124442
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Michael M. MOORE, Smruti MIRCHANDANI, Christoph MENZEL
  • Patent number: 11223913
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NANOEAR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: Michael M. Moore, Smruti Mirchandani, Christoph Menzel
  • Publication number: 20210245508
    Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a nozzle layer, a body, an actuator and a membrane. The body includes a pumping chamber, a return channel, and a first passage fluidically connecting the pumping chamber to an entrance of the nozzle. A second passage fluidically connects the entrance of the nozzle to the return channel. The actuator is configured to cause fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber such that actuation of the actuator causes fluid to be ejected from the nozzle. The membrane is formed across and partially blocks at least one of the first passage, the second passage or the entrance of the nozzle. The membrane has at least one hole therethrough such that in operation of the fluid ejector fluid flows through the at least one hole in the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Darren Imai
  • Publication number: 20210187949
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reservoir and a printhead. The printhead includes a support structure including a deformable portion defining at least a top surface of a pumping chamber, a flow path extending from the reservoir to the pumping chamber to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the pumping chamber, and an actuator disposed on the deformable portion of the support structure. A trench is defined in a top surface of the actuator. Application of a voltage to the actuator causes the actuator to deform along the trench, thereby causing deformation of the deformable portion of the support structure to eject a drop of fluid from the pumping chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Shinya Sugimoto, Mats G. Ottoson, Wayne Liu
  • Publication number: 20210154994
    Abstract: A fluid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of fluid ejectors. Each fluid ejector includes a pumping chamber, and an actuator configured to cause fluid to be ejected from the pumping chamber. The fluid ejection apparatus includes a feed channel fluidically connected to each pumping chamber; and at least one compliant structure formed in a surface of the feed channel. The at least one compliant structure has a lower compliance than the surface of the feed channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Kevin von Essen, Steven H. Barss, Mats G. Ottosson, Darren T. Imai
  • Patent number: 11001059
    Abstract: A fluid ejector includes a nozzle layer, a body, an actuator and a membrane. The body includes a pumping chamber, a return channel, and a first passage fluidically connecting the pumping chamber to an entrance of the nozzle. A second passage fluidically connects the entrance of the nozzle to the return channel. The actuator is configured to cause fluid to flow out of the pumping chamber such that actuation of the actuator causes fluid to be ejected from the nozzle. The membrane is formed across and partially blocks at least one of the first passage, the second passage or the entrance of the nozzle. The membrane has at least one hole therethrough such that in operation of the fluid ejector fluid flows through the at least one hole in the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Darren T. Imai
  • Publication number: 20210072388
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for detecting objects in a monitored zone that has a light receiver having a reception optics arranged in front of it for generating a received signal from received light that impinges the sensor in a direction of incidence of light from the monitored zone, wherein the reception optics comprises a flat light guide plate having a first main surface and a lateral edge bounding the first main surface at a side; wherein the first main surface of the light guide plate is arranged transversely to the direction of incidence of light and has a diffractive structure to deflect the incident received light to the lateral edge; and wherein a control and evaluation unit is provided to evaluate the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph MENZEL, Siegfried RINGWALD
  • Patent number: 10940688
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a reservoir and a printhead. The printhead includes a support structure including a deformable portion defining at least a top surface of a pumping chamber, a flow path extending from the reservoir to the pumping chamber to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the pumping chamber, and an actuator disposed on the deformable portion of the support structure. A trench is defined in a top surface of the actuator. Application of a voltage to the actuator causes the actuator to deform along the trench, thereby causing deformation of the deformable portion of the support structure to eject a drop of fluid from the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Menzel, Shinya Sugimoto, Mats G. Ottoson, Wayne Liu
  • Publication number: 20210051421
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compact hearing aids, components thereof, and support systems therefor, as well as methods of insertion and removal thereof. The compact hearing aids generally include a sensor, such as a microphone, an actuation mass, an energy source for providing power to the compact hearing aid, a processor, and an actuator enclosed in a housing that is designed to be inserted through the tympanic membrane during a minimally-invasive outpatient procedure. In operation, the microphone receives sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A processor then modifies the electrical signals and provides the electrical signals to the actuator. The actuator converts the electrical signals into mechanical motion, which actuates the actuation mass to modulate the velocity or the position of the tympanic membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Michael M. MOORE, Smruti MIRCHANDANI, Christoph MENZEL
  • Patent number: 10921183
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor is provided for detecting objects in a monitored zone that has a light receiver having a reception optics arranged in front of it for generating a received signal from received light that is incident on the sensor in a direction of incidence of light from the monitored zone, wherein the reception optics comprises a flat light guide plate having a first main surface and a lateral edge bounding the first main surface at a side; and wherein the first main surface of the light guide plate is arranged transversely to the direction of incidence of light and deflects the incident received light to the lateral edge. The light guide plate here has a diffractive structure for deflection to the lateral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Ringwald, Christoph Menzel