Patents by Inventor Fank Kirchhoff

Fank Kirchhoff 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).

  • Signal Correlation For Missing Step Detection In Conveyors
    Publication number: 20120103756
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting a misaligned or missing step of a conveyor are disclosed. The missing step detector includes various sensors for detecting the drive speed of the conveyor and for detecting the presence of pallets or steps. The sensor output signals are correlated to determine fixed values characteristic of the specific conveyor in question. Using the fixed values as reference, the missing step detector is able to effectively monitor the conveyor for misaligned or missing steps independent of conveyor speed and time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Burkhard Braasch, Ingo Engelhard, Dirk H. Tegtmeier, Peter Herkel, Ralph S. Stripling, Fank Kirchhoff