Patents by Inventor Frank Herre

Frank Herre 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: 20090220703
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for an atomiser (1) for the coating of structural components, particularly of vehicle body parts, with the following steps: Application of a spray jet of a coating agent through the atomiser (1); discharge of a first guide air flow (11) for the formation of a spray jet; determination of at least one application parameter (?, ?, T, BC/CC, Qvarnish, n, U,) which reproduces a property (?, ?, T, BC/CC) of the applied coating agent or an operating variable (Qvarnish, n, U) of the atomiser (1) as well as influencing of the first guide air flow (11) as a factor of the application parameter (?, ?, T, BC/CC, Qvarnish, n, U,). Within the framework of the invention, there is the alternative option that fluctuations of the application parameters and, based thereon, variations of the spray jet width are taken into account by means of an adaptation of the path spacing (d) between the adjacent coating agent paths for the purpose of keeping the path overlapping constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Benjamin Wöhr, Hans-Jürgen Nolte, Andreas Fischer, Peter Marquardt, Frank Herre, Marcus Frey
  • Publication number: 20090158998
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coating device, in particular for painting motor vehicle bodies, comprising a sprayer (1) for applying a coating material by means of an application element and an internal colour-changer valve assembly (3), said assembly having several colour inlets (4-7) for selecting coating materials of different colours. The internal colour-changer valve assembly (3) is integrated into the sprayer (1) and is connected by its outlet to the application element (2), in order to feed the selected coating material to the application element (2). The invention also comprises an external colour-changer valve assembly (14) with several colour inlets for selecting coating materials of different colours, said external colour-changer assembly (14) having a separate structure from the sprayer (1) and being connected by its outlet to the application element (2), in order to feed the selected coating material to the application element (2). The invention also relates to a corresponding operating method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Herre
  • Patent number: 7549449
    Abstract: A paint delivery and application system including a color changer, at least two paint canisters and a paint applicator, a first pair of supply lines connected between the color changer and the paint canisters and a second pair of supply lines connecting the paint canisters and the paint applicator, wherein the paint canisters operate in tandem permitting delivery of a first paint to one of the paint canisters while a second paint canister is electrically isolated from the color changer and is delivering paint to the applicator. In one disclosed embodiment, the delivery line from the paint canisters to the applicator includes two pigs and solvent is delivered between the pigs, such that this system is self purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Melcher, Herbert Martin, Michael Baumann, Manfred Michelfelder, Richard M. Ostin, Robert F. Heldt, Joachim Hering, Hans Jurgen Nolte
  • Patent number: 7530768
    Abstract: A powder transfer pump to convey a powder, in particular in a powder coating station. The powder transfer pump comprises a transfer chamber with a transfer chamber wall, an inlet opening into the transfer chamber to supply the powder to the transfer chamber, an outlet opening out of the transfer chamber to convey the powder from the transfer chamber, a negative pressure connection opening into the transfer chamber to generate negative pressure in the transfer chamber in order to suck the powder into the transfer chamber, and a positive pressure connection opening into the transfer chamber to discharge the powder that is present in the transfer chamber through the outlet. The transfer chamber wall is essentially gas-tight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dürr, Hans-Georg Fritz, Frank Herre
  • Publication number: 20090117283
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coating installation, in particular for painting motor vehicle bodies, comprising a transport path (2, 12), along which a plurality of coating objects (1) are transported one after the other through the coating installation, and a plurality of treatment stations (13-17, 18-22, 23-27), in which the coating objects (1) are treated. It is proposed that the transport path (2, 12) branches into a plurality of parallel branches (5-9), in each of which at least one of the treatment stations (13-17, 18-22, 23-27) is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Uwe Siewert, Guenther Weihermueller
  • Patent number: 7465130
    Abstract: An operating system for a power feed pump and a power feed pump having a transfer chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the transfer chamber is closed, the inlet of the transfer chamber is opened, and a negative pressure is generated in the transfer chamber to suck a powder in through the inlet to the transfer chamber. The inlet of the transfer chamber is closed, the outlet of the transfer chamber is opened, and the powder in the transfer chamber is delivered through the outlet. The negative pressure in the transfer chamber is built up at least partially before the inlet of the transfer chamber is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Hans-Georg Fritz, Thomas Dürr
  • Publication number: 20080236484
    Abstract: The piston dispenser for the measured supplying of material to the atomizer of a painting robot is arranged in the hand joint of the robot. Various feasible embodiments of the dispensing cylinder of this piston dispenser are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Jurgen Haas, Hans Vetters, Michael Baumann, Thomas Hezel, Bekim Maxharraj, Nedime Maxharraj, Jan Grigoleit, Marcus Frey, Herbert Martin
  • Publication number: 20080047486
    Abstract: Coating zones having guide elevated rails for coating and/or handling robots have walk-in control areas positioned one above the other on the outside of the side walls. In the upper control area, in which control and supply devices for the robots on the elevated guide rails, the side wall slants inward. The load-bearing structures for the elevated guide rails are braced by supporting members extending perpendicular to the line of conveyance of the application objects on or under the floor level or at the ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEM, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Jurgen Haas, Michael Baumann, Bekim Maxharraj, Nedime Maxharraj, Marcus Frey, Hans Vetters, Jan Grigoleit
  • Patent number: 7322793
    Abstract: A turbine, e.g., with a blade arrangement, which receives an air flow in the radial direction and which is located on a carrier surface of the turbine wheel, is used as a drive motor for a rotary atomizer. The drive channel, which contains the turbine blades and which is limited by the carrier surface, is also closed on its other side by a cover element, which is attached to the turbine wheel and which rotates with the wheel for increasing efficiency. For an additional increase in efficiency, the inlet for the drive air of the turbine is configured as an ultrasonic nozzle with a cross section that expands continuously up to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Behr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Frank Herre, Hans J. Nolte, Harry Krumma, Stefano Giuliano, Björn Lind
  • Publication number: 20080011116
    Abstract: A robot wrist for a painting robot has several wrist sections that can be rotated relative to one another, an internal conduit that passes through the wrist sections, a flexible hose carried in the internal conduit and having a hose drive operating on the hose to achieve positive rotation of the hose in the internal conduit corresponding to the rotation of the wrist sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Hezel, Bernd Leiensetter, Frank Herre, Bekim Maxharraj, Nedime Maxharraj
  • Publication number: 20070281100
    Abstract: A coating device for coating parts, in particular body components for automobiles, has at least one piece of application equipment for applying a coating to the components and has a feed device for feeding the components into a suitable coating position relative to the coating equipment. It is proposed that the feed device has at least one handling robot which brings the components into the coating position. Furthermore, a corresponding method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Rainer Laufer
  • Publication number: 20070262170
    Abstract: The invention relates to an atomizer and method of operation for an atomizer having an application element for applying a spray of coating medium on a component to be coated and at least one integrated shroud air nozzle for delivering conditioned shroud air which at least partially surrounds the spray of the coating medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Frank Herre, Andreas Fischer, Peter Marquardt
  • Patent number: 7275702
    Abstract: The main needle valve of an electrostatic atomizer has an opto-electronic sensor device with optical waveguides whose faces are opposite a reflecting element of a component moveable with the valve needle for potential-free switch position interrogations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Nolte, Harry Krumma, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Stefano Giuliano, Seigfied Poppe
  • Publication number: 20070090204
    Abstract: The bell shaped plate of a rotary sprayer is attached to its drive shaft by means of a detachable device. An accidental self-release of the mounting device that would cause the rotating bell shaped plate to be flung off is avoided by measures that prevent at least accidental movements of the bell shaped plate radial to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEM, INC.
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Harry Krumma, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Marcus Frey, Rainer Melcher, Eberhard Streisel, Bernhard Seiz, Peter Marquardt
  • Publication number: 20070082143
    Abstract: A coating means supply device, in particular for a paint facility, having a coating means meter that meters coating means to be applied to application equipment. The coating means supply device includes a coating means reservoir for holding the coating means and for supplying the coating means meter with the coating means. During application of coating material to equipment, the coating means reservoir is at ground potential and is located upstream from the coating means meter, which is at high-voltage potential. The reservoir is connected via an insulating path to the coating means meter. The coating means meter is at ground potential when the coating means reservoir supplies coating means to the coating means meter. Before the coating means meter is returned to a high-voltage potential for continued application of coating material, the insulating path is emptied to again insulate the coating means meter from the coating means reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Applicant: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Frank Herre, Herbert Martin, Rainer Melcher, Manfred Michelfelder, Bernhard Seiz, Richard Ostin, Robert Heldt
  • Publication number: 20070042123
    Abstract: An application robot, specifically a painting robot, for coating workpieces with a coating medium and an appropriate operating method. The painting robot has multiple movable axes and a spatially positionable end effector. Multiple application devices are attached to the end effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: DURR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Einar Endregaard, Frank Herre
  • Patent number: 7131601
    Abstract: A rotational atomizer turbine of the present invention is designed to drive a bell-shaped disk in a rotational atomizer for a coating unit. The rotational atomizer turbine includes a housing, a rotatable turbine wheel with several turbine blades connected to a shaft and rotatably disposed in the housing. A plurality of nozzles are defined in the housing and are positioned relative the turbine wheel to drive fluid, i.e. gas onto the turbine blades. An intermediate chamber formed in the housing is fluidly communicated with and connected to the nozzles to hold gas therein. The intermediate chamber has a first inlet to supply gas. At least a second inlet is defined in the intermediate chamber for delivering gas into the intermediate chamber thereby increasing amount of gas therein to multiply a rotational speed of the rotatable turbine wheel as increased amount of gas is introduced to the turbine blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans J. Nolte, Harry Krumma, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Stefano Giuliano, Bjorn Lind
  • Publication number: 20060219816
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer component, such as for a steering air ring or bell cup for a rotary atomizer with at least one steering air jet for delivering steering air (or controlled air) and a rotary bearing shaft where, in axial direction between the bell cup and the steering air jet, a circumferential annular gap is located. A shaft cover in form of a bushing covers the bearing shaft, when mounted, at least partially in the annular gap area between the bell cup and the steering air jet. In addition, the annular gap space between the front surface of the bearing unit and the internal surface facing it axially or any other front element of the atomizer is sealed in a radial way internally against the externally accessible area of the shaft. The sealing element provided for this purpose is located along the internal circumference of the air-steering rings or front element and able to be attached to the front surface of the bearing unit in a way that it is elastically deformable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: Durr Systems
    Inventors: Frank Herre, Bernhard Seiz, Michael Baumann, Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Peter Marquardt
  • Publication number: 20060208102
    Abstract: An atomizer assembly (10) drives an atomizing bell (108) to apply paint onto a part (14). The atomizer assembly (10) includes a core (24) having at least one paint line (26) extending therethrough, a turbine device (40) circumscribing an axis (A) and disposed in the core (24), and a turbine unit (62) surrounding the pain line (26) and having a shaft (104) rotatable relative the turbine device (40) with several turbine blades (130) connected to the shaft (104). A plurality of nozzles (64, 66, 68) are defined in the turbine device (40) and are positioned relative a turbine wheel (106) connected to the shaft (104) to drive fluid, i.e. gas onto the turbine blades (130). An annular wall (94) extends outwardly from one of the terminal ends of the turbine device (40) to define a seat (96) for engaging the core (24) to maintain a fixed gap between the paint line (26) and the shaft (104) and to eliminate contact therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Hans Nolte, Harry Krumma, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Stefano Giuliano, Bjorn Lind
  • Publication number: 20060207500
    Abstract: A coating plant having a multi-axis application robot to apply a coating means to an application object, where the application robot is installed hanging at least partially into a paint booth. A method for coating an object in a coating plant is also taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventor: Frank Herre