Patents by Inventor David Hopps

David Hopps 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: 9182223
    Abstract: A device for measuring the rotating angle of two objects rotating in relation to each other around an axis includes a light source and a polarizer, whereby the light source and the polarizer rotate in relation to each other as function of the rotating angle. The device also includes a receiver measuring the luminous intensity reflected by the polarizer, to produce a signal dependent on the rotating angle. The receiver has at least one initial reception element and the light emitted by the light source is either polarized or becomes polarized. A polarizing filter with an initial direction of polarization is positioned in front of the first reception element. At least one element casting a shadow is positioned in front of the receiver and the receiver has at least one quadrant diode. The position and/or shape of the shadow are varied on the receiver over a rotation of 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SICK STEGMANN GMBH
    Inventor: David Hopp
  • Publication number: 20150314915
    Abstract: Tooth protector devices are disclosed for attachment to the top of a bottle to provide protection against injury, including chipping of teeth that can occur during drinking from a glass bottle. One embodiment comprises a concentric sleeve with top lip for insertion over the end of a bottle. Sleeve inner portion is adapted for engaging the bottle outer surface to hold the sleeve in place. The outer and top portions of the sleeve protect the consumer from the top edge of the bottle. When installed, a tooth protector according to the present invention cushions the teeth and mouth from any blunt force or impact that can occur when a bottle is hit or knocked. Also disclosed is a beverage cap with cushioned outer and upper surfaces that remain in place on the beverage bottle after opening the bottle to protect the consumer, and another bottle enclosure without such cushioned surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventor: Krag David Hopps
  • Patent number: 9170093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the relative position of two objects moving relative to each other along an axis or around a rotating axis (D), with a transmitter (12) which emits unpolarized light, and with a polarizer (20), and with at least one receiver (16) which measures the luminosity of the light passing through the polarizer (20) in order to create a position-dependent signal, such that a polarizing filter is positioned in front of the receiver (16), and the receiver (16) and the polarizer (20) move relative to each other as a function of the relative position of the two objects, and such that the polarizer (20) has at least two different polarizing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SICK STEGMANN GMBH
    Inventor: David Hopp
  • Publication number: 20150228199
    Abstract: A test buck, a test buck system and related method are disclosed. The test buck system may comprise a controller and a test buck. The test buck may include a portable bed, a seat module mounted to the bed, and a first OIM disposed on the bed. At least a portion of the first OIM may be selectively moveable in at least four degrees of freedom, up to six degrees of freedom. The controller may be electrically connected to a first Operator Interface Module (OIM). The controller may be configured to selectively move at least a portion of the first OIM in at least four to six degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Bartholomew Smith, Darin Patrick Brodie, David Hopp, David Asher, Robert Lewis, Casey Boyer, Roberto Lanzara, David Schweppe, Vern Alway
  • Patent number: 9103698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission and reception unit for the detection of an angle of rotation comprising a light transmitter (20), a light receiver (22) and a transparent support (24) which is arranged therebetween and which lies areally on the light receiver (22) and covers it, wherein the light transmitter (20) is attached to the support (24) and irradiates in a direction (28) away from the light receiver (20), wherein the light transmitter (2) is arranged centrally above the light receiver (22) such that received light (32) can be incident past the light transmitter (22) on the light receiver (32) and to a rotary encoder comprising such a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Sick Stegmann GmbH
    Inventors: David Hopp, Reinhold Mutschler, Stefan Basler
  • Patent number: 9068862
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved encoding disk for an optical rotation angle sensor or a rotary encoder, an optical rotation sensor or rotary encoder comprising an improved encoding disk, and a method for optically correcting or compensating for an angle measuring error of a rotary encoder, in particular an angle measuring error which is contingent on a displacement or decentralization of the encoding disk. The encoding disk (20) comprises at least one measuring track (22) and at least one compensating track (24), wherein the measuring track (22) is in a first radial region of the encoding disk (20); and the compensating track (24) is centered with regard to the measuring track (22) on a second radial region of the encoding disk (20) so that the center of the measuring track (22) coincides with the center of the compensating track (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: University of Stuttgart
    Inventors: David Hopp, Christof Pruss, Wolfgang Osten
  • Patent number: 9026312
    Abstract: A test buck, a test buck system and related method are disclosed. The test buck system may comprise a controller and a test buck. The test buck may include a portable bed, a seat module mounted to the bed, and a first OIM disposed on the bed. At least a portion of the first OIM may be selectively moveable in at least four degrees of freedom, up to six degrees of freedom. The controller may be electrically connected to a first Operator Interface Module (OIM). The controller may be configured to selectively move at least a portion of the first OIM in at least four to six degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Bartholomew Smith, Darin Patrick Brodie, David Hopp, David Asher, Robert Lewis, Casey Boyer, Roberto Lanzara, David Schweppe, Vern Alway
  • Publication number: 20150097111
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor, in particular used for the detection of an angle of rotation, includes a dimensional scale, a light transmitter, which transmits transmission light in transmission light directions, and a light receiver having a light reception surface, which is arranged in such a way that the light reception surface is substantially located between the dimensional scale and the light receiver. The light receiver receives backwardly reflected transmission light as received light. The light receiver also includes a transmission light directing unit. The light directing unit is configured such that a predefined angle of deflection of the transmission light results with respect to the transmission light directions when the transmission light again exits from the transmission light directing unit. The transmission light directing unit is provided in the light receiver; and the transmission light directing unit is composed of at least one aperture which is incorporated into the light receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: David Hopp, Stefan Basler, Reinhold Mutschler
  • Publication number: 20140353478
    Abstract: An angle of rotation sensor having a rotatable first code disc (2), at least one first image sensor (8) and at least one optics (18), which images an optical code (14) of the code disc (2) onto the first image sensor (8), wherein at least one second rotatable code disc (4) is provided which is either directly or indirectly rotatably connected to the first code disc (2) with a transmission ratio, wherein an optical code (14) of the second code disc (4) is imaged onto the first image sensor (8) by means of a second optics (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SICK Stegmann GmbH
    Inventor: David HOPP
  • Patent number: 8891083
    Abstract: The disclosure conveys a device for measuring the rotating angle of two objects which rotate relative to each other around a rotating axis, with one transmitter, which is assigned to one of the objects and which emits light that is polarized, and with a polarization-sensitive polarizer, such that the transmitter and the polarizer rotate relative to each other, and such that the polarizer has a polarizing area and a non-polarizing area, where the non-polarizing area is positioned eccentric to the rotating axis, and such that the device has a first receptor and a second receptor which measure a portion of the luminosity passing through the polarizer producing signals that are dependent on the rotating angle, and where the first receptor has a first reception area, and the second receptor has a second reception area which is distinct from the first reception area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sick Stegmann GmbH
    Inventors: David Hopp, Michael Speidel
  • Publication number: 20140173920
    Abstract: The invention relates to an angular encoder (10) for monitoring the angular position of a rotating shaft (32), with a modulator (34) which can be positioned on the rotating shaft in order to provide a signal which changes as a function of the angular position of the rotating shaft (32), and with a receiver (22) for the reception of the signal which changes as a function of the angular position of the rotating shaft (32), in which the receiver (22) and the modulator (34) are positioned in such a way as to be thermally insulated from each other, so that the transfer of heat from the modulator (34) to the receiver (22) is impeded, while thermal insulation is achieved at least in part by a thermally insulating separator (35), which is positioned between the modulator (34), on the one hand, and the transmitter (21) and/or the receiver (22), on the other hand. The invention further relates to a drive system (100) with an angular encoder (110) of the type described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SICK STEGMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan BASLER, Reinhold MUTSCHLER, David HOPP
  • Publication number: 20140092396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring the relative position of two objects moving relative to each other along an axis or around a rotating axis (D), with a transmitter (12) which emits unpolarized light, and with a polarizer (20), and with at least one receiver (16) which measures the luminosity of the light passing through the polarizer (20) in order to create a position-dependent signal, such that a polarizing filter is positioned in front of the receiver (16), and the receiver (16) and the polarizer (20) move relative to each other as a function of the relative position of the two objects, and such that the polarizer (20) has at least two different polarizing directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: SICK STEGMANN GmbH
    Inventor: David HOPP
  • Publication number: 20140060216
    Abstract: A test buck, a test buck system and related method are disclosed. The test buck system may comprise a controller and a test buck. The test buck may include a portable bed, a seat module mounted to the bed, and a first OIM disposed on the bed. At least a portion of the first OIM may be selectively moveable in at least four degrees of freedom, up to six degrees of freedom. The controller may be electrically connected to a first Operator Interface Module (OIM). The controller may be configured to selectively move at least a portion of the first OIM in at least four to six degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Bartholomew Smith, Darin Patrick Brodie, David Hopp, David Asher, Robert Lewis, Casey Boyer, Roberto Lanzara, David Schweppe, Vern Alway
  • Publication number: 20140034819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission and reception unit for the detection of a rotary angle, having a light transmitter for the transmission of transmitted light to a dimensional scale and having a light receiver which lies on a support, the light receiver having a front side for the reception of reception light influenced by a dimensional scale disposed opposite the front side and having a rear side which is supported on a support transparent for the transmitted light. In order to provide a new assembly concept for the positioning of the light source and of the receiver and in particular to provide an arrangement which is as symmetrical as possible it is suggested that the transparent support is arranged between the light receiver and the light transmitter and that a light deflection apparatus is provided for the deflection of the transmitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SICK STEGMANN GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold MUTSCHLER, David HOPP
  • Publication number: 20130306845
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission and reception unit for the detection of an angle of rotation comprising a light transmitter (20), a light receiver (22) and a transparent support (24) which is arranged therebetween and which lies areally on the light receiver (22) and covers it, wherein the light transmitter (20) is attached to the support (24) and irradiates in a direction (28) away from the light receiver (20), wherein the light transmitter (2) is arranged centrally above the light receiver (22) such that received light (32) can be incident past the light transmitter (22) on the light receiver (32) and to a rotary encoder comprising such a unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SICK Stegmann GmbH
    Inventors: David Hopp, Reinhold Mutschler, Stefan Basler
  • Publication number: 20130286394
    Abstract: A device for measuring the rotating angle of two objects rotating in relation to each other around an axis includes a light source and a polarizer, whereby the light source and the polarizer rotate in relation to each other as function of the rotating angle. The device also includes a receiver measuring the luminous intensity reflected by the polarizer, to produce a signal dependent on the rotating angle. The receiver has at least one initial reception element and the light emitted by the light source is either polarized or becomes polarized. A polarizing filter with an initial direction of polarization is positioned in front of the first reception element. At least one element casting a shadow is positioned in front of the receiver and the receiver has at least one quadrant diode. The position and/or shape of the shadow are varied on the receiver over a rotation of 360°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: David HOPP
  • Publication number: 20120225166
    Abstract: Tooth protector devices are disclosed for attachment to the top of a bottle to provide protection against injury, including chipping of teeth that can occur during drinking from a glass bottle. One embodiment comprises a concentric sleeve with top lip for insertion over the end of a bottle. Sleeve inner portion is adapted for engaging the bottle outer surface to hold the sleeve in place. The outer and top portions of the sleeve protect the consumer from the top edge of the bottle. When installed, a tooth protector according to the present invention cushions the teeth and mouth from any blunt force or impact that can occur when a bottle is hit or knocked. Also disclosed is a beverage cap with cushioned outer and upper surfaces that remain in place on the beverage bottle after opening the bottle to protect the consumer, and another bottle enclosure without such cushioned surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Krag David Hopps
  • Publication number: 20120168615
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved encoding disk for an optical rotation angle sensor or a rotary encoder, an optical rotation sensor or rotary encoder comprising an improved encoding disk, and a method for optically correcting or compensating for an angle measuring error of a rotary encoder, in particular an angle measuring error which is contingent on a displacement or decentralization of the encoding disk. The encoding disk (20) comprises at least one measuring track (22) and at least one compensating track (24), wherein the measuring track (22) is in a first radial region of the encoding disk (20); and the compensating track (24) is centered with regard to the measuring track (22) on a second radial region of the encoding disk (20) so that the center of the measuring track (22) coincides with the center of the compensating track (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART
    Inventors: David Hopp, Christof Pruss, Wolfgang Osten
  • Patent number: 8177085
    Abstract: A tooth protector device is disclosed for attachment to the top of a glass bottle to provide protection against injury, including chipping of teeth that can occur during drinking from a glass bottle. One embodiment comprises a monolithic structure for insertion into the mouth of a glass bottle and comprises inner, outer and top portions. The inner portion and the outer portion are substantially concentric structures defining an annulus for engaging the mouth of the bottle, and the top portion joins the inner and outer portions and protects the consumer from the top edge of the bottle. The length of the outer portion is selected such that the bottom part of the consumer's mouth is protected from the bottle. When installed, a tooth protector according to the present invention cushions the teeth and mouth from any blunt force or impulse that can occur when a bottle is hit or blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Krag David Hopps
  • Publication number: 20100186755
    Abstract: A tooth protector device is disclosed for attachment to the top of a glass bottle to provide protection against injury, including chipping of teeth that can occur during drinking from a glass bottle. A tooth protector according to the present invention comprises a monolithic structure for insertion into the mouth of a glass bottle and comprises inner, outer and top portions. The inner portion and the outer portion are substantially concentric structures defining an annulus for engaging the mouth of the bottle, and the top portion joins the inner and outer portions and protects the consumer from the top edge of the bottle. The length of the outer portion is selected such that the bottom part of the consumer's mouth is protected from the bottle. When installed, a tooth protector according to the present invention cushions the teeth and mouth from any blunt force or impulse that can occur when a bottle is hit or blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: KRAG DAVID HOPPS