Patents by Inventor Christopher Hermes

Christopher Hermes 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).

  • Patent number: 12151936
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a sensor device or microphone device. The micromechanical component includes a diaphragm with a diaphragm inner side to which an electrode structure is directly or indirectly connected; and a cavity that is formed at least in a volume that is exposed by at least one removed area of at least one sacrificial layer. At least one residual area made of at least one electrically insulating sacrificial layer material of the at least one sacrificial layer is also present at the micromechanical component, and including at least one insulation area made of at least one electrically insulating material that is not the same as the electrically insulating sacrificial layer material. The electrode structure is electrically insulated from the diaphragm, and/or the at least one residual area of the at least one sacrificial layer is delimited from the cavity, using the at least one insulation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Christoph Hermes, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 12067762
    Abstract: A Wildfire Early Detection System uses Aerial Video Clips of surveilled areas—obtained through a Network of Hardware components including UAVs and Tethered Aerostats equipped with a Camera and an AI-enabled Embedded Computer—and an Aerial Training Dataset, digitally combining variations of Smoke-Plume-Clips with variations of Background-Clips in nine different positions in the first frame of said Background-Clips with a relative size to the background calculated by perspective and programmed to follow the background to stay apparently “static” in the same place relative to the background for all the remaining frames of the Clip. A Computer-Vision Algorithm trained with that Aerial Training Dataset is used to recognize early fire Plumes of Smoke in those Aerial Video Clips with use of a Multiplication-free Neural Network for Wildfire detection, an AddNet based Discriminator CNN, a GANs used as both event detectors and smoke-plume scene synthesis and Block-based detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Inventors: Emilio J Pineda, Christopher Hermes
  • Patent number: 11976996
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a capacitive pressure sensor device, including a diaphragm that is stretched with the aid of a frame structure in such a way that a cantilevered area of the diaphragm spans a framed partial surface, and including a reinforcement structure that is formed at the cantilevered area. A first spatial direction oriented in parallel to the framed partial surface is definable in which the cantilevered area has a minimal extension, and a second spatial direction oriented in parallel to the framed partial surface and oriented perpendicularly with respect to the first spatial direction is definable in which the cantilevered area has a greater extension. The reinforcement structure is present at a first distance from the frame structure in the first spatial direction, and at a second distance in the second spatial direction, the second distance being greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Heribert Weber, Peter Schmollngruber, Volkmar Senz
  • Patent number: 11940345
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a capacitive pressure sensor device includes a substrate; a frame structure that frames a partial surface; a membrane that is tensioned by the frame structure such that a self-supporting region of the membrane extends over the framed partial surface and an internal volume with a reference pressure therein is sealed in an airtight fashion, the self-supporting region of the membrane being deformable by a physical pressure on an external side of the self-supporting region that not equal to the reference pressure; a measurement electrode situated on the framed partial surface; and a reference measurement electrode that is situated on the framed partial surface and is electrically insulated from the measurement electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Heribert Weber, Peter Schmollngruber, Volkmar Senz
  • Patent number: 11933689
    Abstract: A sensor device having a first counter electrode extending under an intermediate carrier, and having a first distance between the intermediate carrier and the first counter electrode being modifiable by the pressure on the movable region, and the first counter electrode encompassing, under the intermediate carrier, at least one electrically separated region that is disposed below a spacing element and includes at least a lateral extent of the spacing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich, Volkmar Senz
  • Patent number: 11912565
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor unit, including: a substrate and an edge layer, which is situated on the substrate and laterally frames an inner area above the substrate; at least one diaphragm, which spans the inner area and forms a covered cavity above the substrate; at least one support point, which is situated between the substrate and the diaphragm inside the cavity and attaches the diaphragm to the edge layer and/or to the at least one support point. The support point separates the diaphragm into at least one measuring area that is movable through force action and at least one reference area that is not movable through force action. The substrate and the diaphragm, inside the cavity, include electrodes, which face one another in the measuring area and the reference area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hermes, Kerrin Doessel, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11912563
    Abstract: A micromechanical component, whose diaphragm is supported and has support structures on its inner diaphragm side. Each of the support structures includes a first and second edge element structure, and at least one intermediate element structure positioned between the first and second edge element structures. For each of the support structures, a plane of symmetry is definable, with respect to which at least the first edge element structure of the respective support structure and the second edge element structure of the respective support structure are specularly symmetric. In each of support structures, a first maximum dimension of its first edge element structure perpendicular to its plane of symmetry and a second maximum dimension of its second edge element structure perpendicular to its plane of symmetry are greater than the maximum dimension of its intermediate element structure perpendicular to its plane of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Hans Artmann, Christoph Hermes, Heribert Weber, Jochen Reinmuth, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11851324
    Abstract: A method for sealing entries in a MEMS element. The method includes: providing a functional layer having a functional region; producing a cavity underneath the functional region of the functional layer with the aid of a first entry outside of the functional region of the functional layer; sealing the first entry; producing a second entry to the cavity outside of the functional region of the functional layer; melting sealing material in the region of the second entry; and cooling off the melted sealing material to seal the second entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Heribert Weber, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich, Tobias Joachim Menold, Mawuli Ametowobla
  • Patent number: 11840445
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor including a diaphragm, a base surface area of the diaphragm being delimited with the aid of a peripheral wall structure, and the base surface area including at least two subareas, of which at least one of the subareas is deflectably situated, and the at least two subareas being separated from one another with the aid of at least one separating structure or being delimited by the latter. The separating structure includes at least one fluid through-opening for the passage of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Hermes, Kerrin Doessel, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20230339745
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical sensor. The method includes: applying a first oxide sacrificial layer onto a substrate; removing material of the substrate through openings in the first oxide sacrificial layer; closing the openings in the first oxide sacrificial layer by applying a second oxide sacrificial layer; forming a sensing area on a carrier structure, the sensing area and the carrier structure being formed on the oxide sacrificial layers and the sensing area and/or the carrier structure being connected to the substrate via at least one attachment area, which forms a flexible structure; and at least partially removing the oxide sacrificial layers between the carrier structure and the substrate with the aid of an etching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Christoph Hermes, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11554952
    Abstract: A method for closing openings in a flexible diaphragm of a MEMS element. The method includes: providing at least one opening in the flexible diaphragm, situating sealing material in the area of the at least one opening, melting-on at least the applied sealing material in the area of the at least one opening, and subsequently cooling the melted-on material to close the at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Gehl, Christoph Hermes, Juergen Butz
  • Publication number: 20220396477
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a sensor device or microphone device. The micromechanical component includes a diaphragm with a diaphragm inner side to which an electrode structure is directly or indirectly connected; and a cavity that is formed at least in a volume that is exposed by at least one removed area of at least one sacrificial layer. At least one residual area made of at least one electrically insulating sacrificial layer material of the at least one sacrificial layer is also present at the micromechanical component, and including at least one insulation area made of at least one electrically insulating material that is not the same as the electrically insulating sacrificial layer material. The electrode structure is electrically insulated from the diaphragm, and/or the at least one residual area of the at least one sacrificial layer is delimited from the cavity, using the at least one insulation area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Christoph Hermes, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11418885
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a sensor device or microphone device. The component includes a diaphragm support structure with a diaphragm, a cavity formed in the diaphragm support structure and adjoined by a diaphragm inner side, and a separating trench structured through the surface of the diaphragm support structure and extends to the cavity and completely frames the diaphragm, and that is sealed off media-tight and/or air-tight using at least one separating trench closure material. An etching channel is formed in the diaphragm support structure, separately from the separating trench, and extends from its first etching channel end section to its second etching channel end section. The first etching channel end section opens into the cavity, and the second etching channel end section is sealed off media-tight and/or air-tight using at least one etching channel closure structure formed on an outer partial surface of the surface of the diaphragm support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Andreas Scheurle, Christoph Hermes, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20220090975
    Abstract: A sensor device. The sensor device includes: a substrate; an electrical insulation layer on the substrate; an edge structure disposed on the electrical insulation layer and that delimits an internal region above the substrate; a membrane anchored on the edge structure and at least partly spanning the internal region, the membrane encompassing in the internal region a region movable by a pressure; a first intermediate carrier that extends in the movable region below the membrane and is electrically and mechanically connected to the membrane by contact points, and encompasses at least one spacing element that extends from the intermediate carrier toward the substrate; and a first counter electrode on the electrical insulation layer, the first counter electrode extending under the intermediate carrier, and a first distance between the intermediate carrier and the first counter electrode being modifiable by the pressure on the movable region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich, Volkmar Senz
  • Publication number: 20220041428
    Abstract: A MEMS sensor including a diaphragm, a base surface area of the diaphragm being delimited with the aid of a peripheral wall structure, and the base surface area including at least two subareas, of which at least one of the subareas is deflectably situated, and the at least two subareas being separated from one another with the aid of at least one separating structure or being delimited by the latter. The separating structure includes at least one fluid through-opening for the passage of fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Christoph Hermes, Kerrin Doessel, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20220002147
    Abstract: A method for sealing entries in a MEMS element. The method includes: providing a functional layer having a functional region; producing a cavity underneath the functional region of the functional layer with the aid of a first entry outside of the functional region of the functional layer; sealing the first entry; producing a second entry to the cavity outside of the functional region of the functional layer; melting sealing material in the region of the second entry; and cooling off the melted sealing material to seal the second entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Heribert Weber, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich, Tobias Joachim Menold, Mawuli Ametowobla
  • Publication number: 20220003621
    Abstract: A micromechanical component for a capacitive pressure sensor device, including a diaphragm that is stretched with the aid of a frame structure in such a way that a cantilevered area of the diaphragm spans a framed partial surface, and including a reinforcement structure that is formed at the cantilevered area. A first spatial direction oriented in parallel to the framed partial surface is definable in which the cantilevered area has a minimal extension, and a second spatial direction oriented in parallel to the framed partial surface and oriented perpendicularly with respect to the first spatial direction is definable in which the cantilevered area has a greater extension. The reinforcement structure is present at a first distance from the frame structure in the first spatial direction, and at a second distance in the second spatial direction, the second distance being greater than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Friedrich, Christoph Hermes, Hans Artmann, Heribert Weber, Peter Schmollngruber, Volkmar Senz
  • Publication number: 20210395074
    Abstract: A micromechanical component, whose diaphragm is supported and has support structures on its inner diaphragm side. Each of the support structures includes a first and second edge element structure, and at least one intermediate element structure positioned between the first and second edge element structures. For each of the support structures, a plane of symmetry is definable, with respect to which at least the first edge element structure of the respective support structure and the second edge element structure of the respective support structure are specularly symmetric. In each of support structures, a first maximum dimension of its first edge element structure perpendicular to its plane of symmetry and a second maximum dimension of its second edge element structure perpendicular to its plane of symmetry are greater than the maximum dimension of its intermediate element structure perpendicular to its plane of symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Hans Artmann, Christoph Hermes, Heribert Weber, Jochen Reinmuth, Peter Schmollngruber, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20210354981
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor unit, including: a substrate and an edge layer, which is situated on the substrate and laterally frames an inner area above the substrate; at least one diaphragm, which spans the inner area and forms a covered cavity above the substrate; at least one support point, which is situated between the substrate and the diaphragm inside the cavity and attaches the diaphragm to the edge layer and/or to the at least one support point. The support point separates the diaphragm into at least one measuring area that is movable through force action and at least one reference area that is not movable through force action. The substrate and the diaphragm, inside the cavity, include electrodes, which face one another in the measuring area and the reference area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph Hermes, Kerrin Doessel, Thomas Friedrich
  • Publication number: 20210229983
    Abstract: A method for closing openings in a flexible diaphragm of a MEMS element. The method includes: providing at least one opening in the flexible diaphragm, situating sealing material in the area of the at least one opening, melting-on at least the applied sealing material in the area of the at least one opening, and subsequently cooling the melted-on material to close the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard Gehl, Christoph Hermes, Juergen BUTZ