Patents by Inventor Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer

Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer 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: 20160363737
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Publication number: 20140285911
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Patent number: 8699141
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Knowles Electronics, LLC, Optotune AG
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Patent number: 7995789
    Abstract: A transducer comprising a pair of spaced magnets at least partially forming a tunnel having a central axis. A coil having a first and a second side wall and an upper and a lower wall at least partially forms the tunnel. A reed having a central portion extends through the tunnel. The reed has a stationary end, a deflection end, and a tip portion which lies at least partially between the magnets, wherein the reed is mounted for deflection towards or away from the respective magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Paris Tsangaris, Thomas E. Longwell, Thomas E. Miller, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel M. Warren
  • Publication number: 20100232161
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first membrane, a second membrane and at least one electromagnetically displaceable component. The first membrane includes an optically active area. The first membrane and the second membrane are coupled by a filler material disposed in a reservoir. At least one electromagnetically displaceable component is coupled to the filler material via the second membrane, such that a displacement of the at least one electromagnetically displaceable component is operative to cause a deformation of the optically active area of the first membrane by movement of the filler material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Manuel Aschwanden, David Niederer, Thomas Schmidhausler, Christoph Romer, Thomas Kern, Shu-Heng Yang, Charles King, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel Warren
  • Patent number: 7236609
    Abstract: A transducer comprising a pair of spaced magnets at least partially forming a tunnel having a central axis. A coil having a first and a second side wall and an upper and a lower wall at least partially forms the tunnel. A reed having a central portion extends through the tunnel. The reed has a stationary end, a deflection end, and a tip portion which lies at least partially between the magnets, wherein the reed is mounted for deflection towards or away from the respective magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC.
    Inventors: Paris Tsangaris, Thomas E. Longwell, Thomas E. Miller, Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Daniel M. Warren
  • Patent number: 6041131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing aid receiver (10) having a coil (12) with a tunnel (14) therethrough, a magnetic structure (16) having a central magnetic gap (18), an armature (20), and a fluid (30, 32) with a viscosity greater than air to provide shock protection to the receiver (10). The tunnel (14) and the magnetic gap (18) collectively form an armature aperture (28). The armature (20) extends through the armature aperture (28). The fluid (30, 32) lies within the armature aperture (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Ray Kirchhoefer, Thomas Edward Miller, Paris Tsangaris