Patents by Inventor Felix Muller

Felix Muller 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: 20250079909
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100), comprising: —a device (1) for wirelessly transferring energy in the direction of an electrical load (2) by means of inductive coupling, —an electrical load (2), —a placement surface (3), on which the electrical load (2) is to be placed as intended for the operation of the system (100), —a useful surface (4) adjacent to the placement surface (3), —a displacement sensor (5) for determining whether or not the electrical load (2) is displaced beyond a critical amount in the direction of the useful surface (4), and—a control unit (6) coupled to the displacement sensor (5) and designed to limit or to interrupt the transfer of energy in the direction of the electrical load (2) if the electrical load (2) is displaced beyond the critical amount in the direction of the useful surface (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Mathias Bellm, Christian Egenter, Max-Felix Müller, Ulrich Wächter
  • Publication number: 20250065884
    Abstract: A method is for estimating coefficients of friction for a vehicle, in particular utility vehicle, which can be driven by an electric drive. The method includes the steps of: operating, with a torque, a wheel of the vehicle, in particular utility vehicle, that is arranged on an underlying surface; ascertaining the slip of the wheel; applying a temporally predetermined excitation torque to the wheel, wherein the excitation torque is applied to the wheel periodically with a frequency; ascertaining a change in slip depending on the excitation torque, wherein the change in slip is ascertained taking into account the frequency; and ascertaining a coefficient of friction on the basis of the change in slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Felix Müller-Deile, Johannes Heseding, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 12202379
    Abstract: A method is for operating a trailer vehicle having an electric drive and friction brakes. The method includes determining a differential mass between a first mass of a driven axle of the trailer vehicle and a second mass of a non-driven axle of the trailer vehicle, and determining a deceleration torque depending on the differential mass. The method further includes generating at least or exactly the determined deceleration torque with the electric drive when the friction brakes are activated. A trailer brake control unit is for the trailer vehicle. The trailer vehicle includes the trailer brake control unit. A combination includes a towing vehicle and a trailer vehicle having the trailer brake control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: ZF CV Systems Global GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Heseding, Felix Müller-Deile, Alexander Rodenberg, Michael Schomburg
  • Publication number: 20240391325
    Abstract: A method is for operating a commercial vehicle combination including a tractor, which has a first electric machine, a first electric storage device operatively connected to the latter, and a fuel cell system, which is operatively connected to the first electric storage device and is configured to provide electric energy with a generated power, and including a trailer, which has a second electric machine and a second electric storage device operatively connected to the latter. The method includes the following steps: determining operating parameters of the first and/or the second electric machine and/or operating parameters of the first and/or the second electric storage device; and, adapting the generated power of the fuel cell system as a function of one or more or all of the operating parameters determined. A commercial vehicle combination can also use such a method when in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Felix Müller-Deile, Janik Ricke
  • Publication number: 20240336146
    Abstract: A method is for operating a trailer vehicle having an electric drive and friction brakes. The method includes determining a differential mass between a first mass of a driven axle of the trailer vehicle and a second mass of a non-driven axle of the trailer vehicle, and determining a deceleration torque depending on the differential mass. The method further includes generating at least or exactly the determined deceleration torque with the electric drive when the friction brakes are activated. A trailer brake control unit is for the trailer vehicle. The trailer vehicle includes the trailer brake control unit. A combination includes a towing vehicle and a trailer vehicle having the trailer brake control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Johannes Heseding, Felix Müller-Deile, Alexander Rodenberg, Michael Schomburg
  • Publication number: 20240317063
    Abstract: A method for operating a friction brake device for an electrically propelled vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, with an electric drive capable of regenerative braking, the method having the following steps: determining whether braking by the friction brake device is necessary for lining maintenance, causing braking by the friction brake device based on a brake parameter, determining drive information concerning the electric drive, and modifying the brake parameter and a drive parameter depending on the drive information in order to achieve lining maintenance, wherein the drive parameter causes operation of the electric drive depending on the braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Uwe Bensch, Johannes Heseding, Felix Müller-Deile, Torsten Wallbaum, Malte Weber
  • Patent number: 12055705
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive apparatus (20) of a micro-oscillation mirror (16), a control device (28) and a deflector mirror apparatus (14) are described. The drive apparatus (20) has at least two comb drives (22a, 22b) which are arranged on different radial sides of a pivoting axis (18) of the micro-oscillation mirror (16). In the method, at least two actuation signals AS1, AS2) are generated, and the at least two comb drives (22a, 22b) are therefore actuated at least temporarily in such a way that they drive the micro-oscillation mirror (16) in an oscillating fashion. At least one elongation signal (P1, P2), which characterizes the elongation (26) of the micro-oscillation mirror (16) is generated using at least one comb drive (22a, 22b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SCHALTER UND SENSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Schenk, Michael Kleiser, Jürgen Nies, Frank Selbmann, Felix Müller
  • Patent number: 11936289
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system is equipped with a DC charging connection, a rechargeable battery, a first DC-DC converter and an electrical drive. The first DC-DC converter has a first side. This is connected to a connecting point via a first switch. The first DC-DC converter has a second side to which the electrical drive is connected. The second side is connected to the rechargeable battery via a second switch and via a connecting point or is connected to the rechargeable battery directly. The vehicle electrical system has a second DC-DC converter. This is connected to one side of the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Götzenberger, Felix Müller
  • Publication number: 20220393573
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system is equipped with a DC charging connection, a rechargeable battery, a first DC-DC converter and an electrical drive. The first DC-DC converter has a first side. This is connected to a connecting point via a first switch. The first DC-DC converter has a second side to which the electrical drive is connected. The second side is connected to the rechargeable battery via a second switch and via a connecting point or is connected to the rechargeable battery directly. The vehicle electrical system has a second DC-DC converter. This is connected to one side of the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Götzenberger, Felix Müller
  • Publication number: 20220171025
    Abstract: A light signal redirection device (26) for an optical measurement system for capturing objects in a monitoring region, an optical measurement system, and a method for operating a light signal redirection device (26) are described. The light signal redirection device (26) comprises at least one redirection body (32) having at least one redirection region (34) for redirecting light signals (22). Furthermore, the light signal redirection device (26) comprises at least one drive device (36) with which the at least one redirection body (32) can be driven in such a way that the at least one redirection region (34) can be moved relative to respective propagation axes (23) of light signals (22) which are incident on the at least one redirection region (34). At least one redirection region (34) is at least partially curved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ho-Hoai-Duc Nguyen, Thomas Schuler, Jürgen Nies, Jan Simon, Felix Müller
  • Publication number: 20220099804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a receiving device (26) for an optical measurement apparatus (12) for capturing objects (18) in a monitoring region (16), to a light signal redirection device (40), to an optical measurement apparatus (12) and to a method for operating a receiving device (26). The receiving device (26) comprises at least one light signal redirection device (40) for redirecting light signals (32) from the monitoring region (16) to at least one receiver (36) of the receiving device (26) and at least one receiver (36) for receiving and for converting the light signals (22) into electric signals. The at least one light signal redirection device (40) has at least one redirection region (42b), which can act on the light signals (22) so as to change their direction. Furthermore, the receiving device (26) comprises at least one drive device (50) with which the at least one redirection region (42b) can be set. At least one redirection region (42b) has at least one diffractive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schuler, Ho Hoai Duc Nguyen, Petr Hovorka, Felix Müller, Werner Hartmann, Spandan Shroff
  • Publication number: 20220082662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission device (24) for an optical measurement apparatus (12) for capturing objects (18) in a monitoring region (16), to a light signal redirection device (34), to an optical measurement apparatus (12) and to a method for operating a transmission device (24). The transmission device (24) comprises at least one transmitter light source (30) for sending light signals (20) and at least one light signal redirection device (34) for redirecting the light signals (20) into at least one monitoring region (16) of the measurement apparatus (12). The at least one light signal redirection device (34) has at least one redirection region (42a), which can act on the light signals (20) in dependence on an incidence of the light signals (20) so as to change their direction. Furthermore, the transmission device (24) comprises at least one drive device (50) with which an incidence of the light signals (20) on the at least one redirection region (42a) can be set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Ho-Hoai-Duc Nguyen, Thomas Schuler, Petr Hovorka, Felix Müller, Werner Hartmann, Spandan Shroff
  • Publication number: 20210382298
    Abstract: A method for controlling a drive apparatus (20) of a micro-oscillation mirror (16), a control device (28) and a deflector mirror apparatus (14) are described. The drive apparatus (20) has at least two comb drives (22a, 22b) which are arranged on different radial sides of a pivoting axis (18) of the micro-oscillation mirror (16). In the method, at least two actuation signals AS1, AS2) are generated, and the at least two comb drives (22a, 22b) are therefore actuated at least temporarily in such a way that they drive the micro-oscillation mirror (16) in an oscillating fashion. At least one elongation signal (P1, P2), which characterizes the elongation (26) of the micro-oscillation mirror (16) is generated using at least one comb drive (22a, 22b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Schenk, Michael Kleiser, Jürgen Nies, Frank Selbmann, Felix Müller
  • Patent number: 10630159
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling rotor includes permanent magnets arranged at equal angular spacings about its axis of rotation, wherein they respectively face radially inwardly and radially outwardly with their pole faces, of which a respective one bears against a backiron body of ferromagnetic material. The backiron body is a cylindrical ring with smooth peripheral surfaces. Provided for the permanent magnets is a holding device comprising a not or only weakly magnetizable injection-moldable material in the form of a rotary-symmetrical body having recesses for receiving the permanent magnets. The diameters of the holding means and the backiron body are such that they can be fitted together coaxially such that the backiron body at least partially covers the recesses in a radial direction. Thus, formed between it and the holding means is an even number of insertion compartments into which permanent magnets may be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: VALEO THERMAL COMMERICAL VEHICLES GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Boltz, Alfred Landmann, Felix Muller-Spanka
  • Patent number: 10382384
    Abstract: A method for providing an expanded name service for an industrial automation system, wherein name-address assignments between device names and communication network addresses are registered in a name service system to provide an expanded name service for an industrial automation system, where device names registered in the name service system have a hierarchical structure represented by a tree structure, where assignments between device names and plant identification codes are additionally registered in the name service system, where the plant identification codes are registered within the same tree structure as the device names, and where end nodes that are respectively assigned to the plant identification codes in the tree structure comprise either a reference to end nodes which are respectively assigned to the device names or intermediate nodes for plant identification codes comprise a reference to intermediate nodes that are respectively assigned to plant units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Höme, Felix Müller, Thomas Talanis, Harald Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9978224
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include an alarm system and method of using an alarm system to reliably provide an alarm to a user at a desired time or at the occurrence of some desired action. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods include a media output device that can receive information about an alarm event and then automatically provide an alarm prompt at the time when the alarm event is to occur. In one configuration, a media output device is configured to communicate and synchronize with a portable electronic device, so that a reliable and coordinated delivery of an alarm prompt can be obtained by these devices. Some aspects of the invention may include an apparatus, method and/or computing device software application configured to more easily setup and reliably deliver the alarm signal information to the user using one or more media output devices that are used in combination with an input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LOGITECH EUROPE, S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier Caine, Felix Müller, Raymond C. Salas, Eric Andre Tissot-Dupont, Rory Dooley, Stephen Dusse, Patrick Nicolet, Yezhou Wang, Kevin McLintock
  • Patent number: 9737134
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a flexible handle. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head; and a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and connected to the head, the handle comprising: a main body integrally formed of a rigid material, the main body comprising a rigid gripping section terminating in a bulbous body, a rigid neck section terminating in a basin, and a flexible strut having a first end connected to the bulbous body and a second end connected to a floor of the basin; a resilient material encasing the flexible strut; and the flexible strut and the resilient material forming a hinge about which the rigid neck section pivots relative to the rigid gripping section upon a force being applied to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Moskovich, Thomas Mintel, Andreas Wechsler, Douglas Hohlbein, Jan Felix Muller, Alan Sorrentino, Al Sprosta
  • Publication number: 20170201168
    Abstract: A magnetic coupling rotor includes permanent magnets arranged at equal angular spacings about its axis of rotation, wherein they respectively face radially inwardly and radially outwardly with their pole faces, of which a respective one bears against a backiron body of ferromagnetic material. The backiron body is a cylindrical ring with smooth peripheral surfaces. Provided for the permanent magnets is a holding device comprising a not or only weakly magnetizable injection-moldable material in the form of a rotary-symmetrical body having recesses for receiving the permanent magnets. The diameters of the holding means and the backiron body are such that they can be fitted together coaxially such that the backiron body at least partially covers the recesses in a radial direction. Thus, formed between it and the holding means is an even number of insertion compartments into which permanent magnets may be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Spheros GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert BOLTZ, Alfred LANDMANN, Felix MULLER-SPANKA
  • Publication number: 20170024976
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include an alarm system and method of using an alarm system to reliably provide an alarm to a user at a desired time or at the occurrence of some desired action. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods include a media output device that can receive information about an alarm event and then automatically provide an alarm prompt at the time when the alarm event is to occur. In one configuration, a media output device is configured to communicate and synchronize with a portable electronic device, so that a reliable and coordinated delivery of an alarm prompt can be obtained by these devices. Some aspects of the invention may include an apparatus, method and/or computing device software application configured to more easily setup and reliably deliver the alarm signal information to the user using one or more media output devices that are used in combination with an input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Xavier CAINE, Felix MÜLLER, Raymond C. SALAS, Eric Andre TISSOT-DUPONT, Rory DOOLEY, Stephen DUSSE, Patrick NICOLET, Yezhou WANG, Kevin MCLINTOCK
  • Patent number: 9479633
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally include an alarm system and method of using an alarm system to reliably provide an alarm to a user at a desired time or at the occurrence of some desired action. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods include a media output device that can receive information about an alarm event and then automatically provide an alarm prompt at the time when the alarm event is to occur. In one configuration, a media output device is configured to communicate and synchronize with a portable electronic device, so that a reliable and coordinated delivery of an alarm prompt can be obtained by these devices. Some aspects of the invention may include an apparatus, method and/or computing device software application configured to more easily setup and reliably deliver the alarm signal information to the user using one or more media output devices that are used in combination with an input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LOGITECH EUROPE S.A.
    Inventors: Xavier Caine, Felix Müller, Raymond C. Salas, Eric Andre Tissot-Dupont, Rory Dooley, Stephen Dusse, Patrick Nicolet, Yezhou Wang, Kevin McLintock