Patents by Inventor Detlef Gerhard

Detlef Gerhard 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: 10786908
    Abstract: An adapter which allows an object to be pulled into a chamber after being gripped by a gripper module with a drive, said chamber being formed by an outer shell is provided. The outer shell is designed to at least partly cover the object and is sufficiently large so as to shield the object. The adapter can be understood as a gripper base system to which the gripper module is adapted. The drive pulls the entire gripper module including the object into the gripper base system. The adapter provides a safety gripper system with an object housing for a safe human/robot interaction. The outer shell protects persons from sharp-edged objects which are gripped by the gripper module and which could otherwise lead to an injury of the persons located in the working area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Detlef Gerhard
  • Patent number: 10355622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting system, comprising a piezoelectric actuator (5), a support (15), and a hydraulic stroke multiplier (10) having an input and an output side, wherein the input side of the hydraulic stroke multiplier is connected to the piezoelectric actuator (5), and the output side of the hydraulic stroke multiplier is connected to the support (15). In the method for electrically testing an electronic component, the component is placed on the support of such a lifting system and is lifted for positioning relative to a test contact. The vibration damper comprises such a lifting system. The machine assembly has a machine and such a vibration damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Bachmaier, Gerit Ebelsberger, Detlef Gerhard, Andreas Gödecke, Wolfgang Zöls
  • Patent number: 10171009
    Abstract: A device and a method for moving an object in a vertical direction are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of piezo-actuators expanding in directions upon activation and in doing so generating pressure forces on an active side, and a hydraulic transmission device that converts the pressure forces of the piezo-actuators into a vertical pressure force for moving the object opposite the direction of gravity and transmits the pressure force with a transmission ratio. The object is lifted after the vertical pressure force has exceeded an oppositely acting spring force of a spring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Martin Renner
  • Publication number: 20180243926
    Abstract: An adapter which allows an object to be pulled into a chamber after being gripped by a gripper module with a drive, said chamber being formed by an outer shell is provided. The outer shell is designed to at least partly cover the object and is sufficiently large so as to shield the object. The adapter can be understood as a gripper base system to which the gripper module is adapted. The drive pulls the entire gripper module including the object into the gripper base system. The adapter provides a safety gripper system with an object housing for a safe human/robot interaction. The outer shell protects persons from sharp-edged objects which are gripped by the gripper module and which could otherwise lead to an injury of the persons located in the working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventor: DETLEF GERHARD
  • Publication number: 20160241166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting system, comprising a piezoelectric actuator, a support, and a hydraulic stroke multiplier having an input and an output side, wherein with the input side of the hydraulic stroke multiplier said hydraulic stroke multiplier is tied to the piezoelectric actuator, and with the output side of the hydraulic stroke multiplier said hydraulic stroke multiplier is tied to the support. In the method for electrically testing an electronic component, the component is placed on the support of such a lifting system, and is lifted for positioning relative to a test contact. The vibration damper comprises such a lifting system. The machine assembly has a machine and such a vibration damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Georg Bachmaier, Gerit Ebelsberger, Detlef Gerhard, Andreas Gödecke, Wolfgang Zöls
  • Publication number: 20160134203
    Abstract: A device and a method for moving an object in a vertical direction are disclosed. The device includes a plurality of piezo-actuators expanding in directions upon activation and in doing so generating pressure forces on an active side, and a hydraulic transmission device that converts the pressure forces of the piezo-actuators into a vertical pressure force for moving the object opposite the direction of gravity and transmits the pressure force with a transmission ratio. The object is lifted after the vertical pressure force has exceeded an oppositely acting spring force of a spring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Martin Renner
  • Patent number: 9255303
    Abstract: In a method for determining a state variable of an electric arc furnace, especially for determining the level of the foamed slag (15) in a furnace, the energy supplied to the furnace is determined with the aid of at least one electric sensor while solid-borne noise is measured in the form of oscillations on the furnace. The state variable is determined by a transfer function which is determined by evaluating the measured oscillations and evaluating measured data of the electric sensor. The state of the foamed slag level can thus be reliably recognized and be monitored over time. The foamed slag level is decisive for the effectiveness with which energy is fed into the furnace. Furthermore, losses caused by radiation are reduced by covering the arc with the foamed slag. The improved measuring method allows the foamed slag level to be automatically controlled or regulated in a reliable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dieter Fink, Detlef Gerhard, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger, Reinhard Sesselmann
  • Publication number: 20140233040
    Abstract: A focal point generated by a confocal sensor system is moved along a visual axis, orthogonal to the x, y-plane of an x, y, z-coordinate system, to a target z-coordinate of a point to be measured on a surface of an object. A light intensity of light reflected by the surface is dependent on a distance of the focal point along the z-axis to the point to be measured, and is detected and used in determining the actual z-coordinate of the point to be measured by an evaluation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Werner Gergen, Detlef Gerhard, Martin Weber
  • Patent number: 8183581
    Abstract: An LED arrangement (light emitting diode) has a plurality of adjacent radiating LEDs that are nearly identically aligned for forming an extended area light source. The LEDs are attached to a metallic multi-film support having sandwich-like insulating intermediate layers and having at least a step-like structure with at least one step. At least one LED chip is placed on each step on a metal film and the metal layer directly above is formed of a corresponding shortening or recess for mounting an LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschsft
    Inventor: Detlef Gerhard
  • Publication number: 20110062464
    Abstract: An LED arrangement (light emitting diode) has a plurality of adjacent radiating LEDs that are nearly identically aligned for forming an extended area light source. The LEDs are attached to a metallic multi-film support having sandwich-like insulating intermediate layers and having at least a step-like structure with at least one step. At least one LED chip is placed on each step on a metal film and the metal layer directly above is formed of a corresponding shortening or recess for mounting an LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Detlef Gerhard
  • Publication number: 20100315098
    Abstract: In a method for determining a state variable of an electric arc furnace, especially for determining the level of the foamed slag (15) in a furnace, the energy supplied to the furnace is determined with the aid of at least one electric sensor while solid-borne noise is measured in the form of oscillations on the furnace. The state variable is determined by a transfer function which is determined by evaluating the measured oscillations and evaluating measured data of the electric sensor. The state of the foamed slag level can thus be reliably recognized and be monitored over time. The foamed slag level is decisive for the effectiveness with which energy is fed into the furnace. Furthermore, losses caused by radiation are reduced by covering the arc with the foamed slag. The improved measuring method allows the foamed slag level to be automatically controlled or regulated in a reliable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Dieter Fink, Detlef Gerhard, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger, Reinhard Sesselmann
  • Publication number: 20080285615
    Abstract: In a method for determining a state variable of an electric arc furnace, especially for determining the level of the foamed slag (15) in a furnace, the energy supplied to the furnace is determined with the aid of at least one electric sensor while solid-borne noise is measured in the form of oscillations on the furnace. The state variable is determined by a transfer function which is determined by evaluating the measured oscillations and evaluating measured data of the electric sensor. The state of the foamed slag level can thus be reliably recognized and be monitored over time. The foamed slag level is decisive for the effectiveness with which energy is fed into the furnace. Furthermore, losses caused by radiation are reduced by covering the arc with the foamed slag. The improved measuring method allows the foamed slag level to be automatically controlled or regulated in a reliable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Dieter Fink, Detlef Gerhard, Thomas Matschullat, Detlef Rieger, Reinhard Sesselmann
  • Patent number: 7434856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper for handling frames (2) that are covered with a film (3) that is intended for the transport of wafers (6). The gripper comprises at least two flat fingers (10) that carry flattened finger tips (8). This construction allows to insert the gripper between two frames (2) that are mounted in a cassette (9) without complication. The fingers (10) support in subsections both the frame (2) and the film (3). The film is attached to the frame due to the suction effect exerted by vacuum openings (5) configured on the frame, thereby fixating the film on the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: ICOS Vision Systems N.V.
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Johannes Lechner, Martin Renner
  • Patent number: 7427731
    Abstract: An illumination unit comprising a high-power light source (1), a first optical element (12) for focusing the light emitted from the high-power light source (1), a photometric head (8) for illuminating an object (3) in a predefinable manner, an optical waveguide (2) for transmitting the emitted and focused light to the photometric head (8), a displacement unit (6) for varying the axial distance between the high-power light source (1) with the first optical element (12) and the inlet of the optical waveguide, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the focal point is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional surface of the optical waveguide (2) on the light inlet side, and the intensity of the light coupled into the optical waveguide (2) can be varied by axial displacement of the high-power light source (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: ICOS Vision Systems N.V.
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Martin Renner
  • Patent number: 7361921
    Abstract: The orientation of the surface of an object to be examined is changed by adjusting the distance thereof to an optical measuring system in a plane-parallel manner in relation to a focusing plane of the optical measuring system, enabling high speeds of examination to be obtained during examination of the extended surfaces of the object. A distance-measurement system which is mounted in an auxiliary manner with regard to the measuring head enables fluctuations in the topography inside the surface of the object to be compensated in such a way that a currently received point or area can be optically sharpened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Icos Vision Systems NV
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Johannes Lechner
  • Publication number: 20070273891
    Abstract: An illumination unit comprising a high-power light source (1), a first optical element (12) for focusing the light emitted from the high-power light source (1), a photometric head (8) for illuminating an object (3) in a predefinable manner, an optical waveguide (2) for transmitting the emitted and focused light to the photometric head (8), a displacement unit (6) for varying the axial distance between the high-power light source (1) with the first optical element (12) and the inlet of the optical waveguide, wherein the cross-sectional surface of the focal point is at least twice as large as the cross-sectional surface of the optical waveguide (2) on the light inlet side, and the intensity of the light coupled into the optical waveguide (2) can be varied by axial displacement of the high-power light source (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Martin Renner
  • Publication number: 20060249965
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper for handling frames (2) that are covered with a film (3) that is intended for the transport of wafers (6). The gripper comprises at least two flat fingers (10) that carry flattened finger tips (8). This construction allows to insert the gripper between two frames (2) that are mounted in a cassette (9) without complication. The fingers (10) support in subsections both the frame (2) and the film (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Johannes Lechner, Martin Renner
  • Patent number: 6970238
    Abstract: An inspection system optically examines the surfaces of objects to detect surface errors. The system scans image strips and, consequently, a given surface rapidly and with sufficient resolution using a linescan camera and an upstream microscope by aligning the captured lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: ICOS Vision Systems NV
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Johannes Lechner
  • Publication number: 20050072944
    Abstract: The orientation of the surface of an object to be examined is changed by adjusting the distance thereof to an optical measuring system in a plane-parallel manner in relation to a focusing plane of the optical measuring system, enabling high speeds of examination to be obtained during examination of the extended surfaces of the object. A distance-measurement system which is mounted in an auxiliary manner with regard to the measuring head enables fluctuations in the topography inside the surface of the object to be compensated in such a way that a currently received point or area can be optically sharpened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Johannes Lechner
  • Publication number: 20040233403
    Abstract: An optical scanning system for a substrate disk has an image recording device and an exposure device. The image recording device scans an object line in an area of recording on the substrate disk. The exposure device comprises a light source and an optical system, whereby the optical system is adapted to direct the light emitted by the light source as a linear exposure area onto the position of the object line and evenly distributed across the entire length of the object line to be recorded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Detlef Gerhard, Johannes Lechner, Detlef Rieger