Patents by Inventor Gerd Hoitz

Gerd Hoitz 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: 9698335
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator device, with at least one piezoelectric transducer which has at least one piezoelectric body and an electrode unit assigned to this piezoelectric body, with overall capacitance and including two electrodes lying opposite one another. At least one of the two electrodes of the electrode unit is divided into several individual sub-electrodes, spaced apart from one another and forming with the electrode lying opposite several sub-electrode pairs defining in each case a partial capacitance of the overall capacitance. A separate current-limiting resistor active during charge flow is connected in series to each sub-electrode pair. A valve, for controlling a fluid, is equipped with such an actuator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gino Palermo, Jens Anderle, Hannes Wirtl, Gerd Hoitz
  • Publication number: 20160118573
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator device, with at least one piezoelectric transducer which has at least one piezoelectric body and an electrode unit assigned to this piezoelectric body, with overall capacitance and including two electrodes lying opposite one another. At least one of the two electrodes of the electrode unit is divided into several individual sub-electrodes, spaced apart from one another and forming with the electrode lying opposite several sub-electrode pairs defining in each case a partial capacitance of the overall capacitance. A separate current-limiting resistor active during charge flow is connected in series to each sub-electrode pair. A valve, for controlling a fluid, is equipped with such an actuator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Gino Palermo, Jens Anderle, Hannes Wirtl, Gerd Hoitz
  • Patent number: 6278126
    Abstract: A transport device for X-ray cassettes, each having a phosphor sheet stimulable by X-rays, is provided in a cassette processing apparatus (100), which is of simple physical construction and allows rapid and reliable processing of X-ray cassettes of different formats in a space-saving and user-friendly fashion. The apparatus has a plurality of transporters (11, 12, 21, 22) which are arranged in a horizontal plane (E) and are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction (T) and also perpendicular thereto. A conveying mechanism (30) which, in the area of the spacings (A1, A2, A3) between the transport means, can be conveyed vertically in and out as far as the plane (E) in such a way that lowering effects a transfer of an X-ray cassette into a cassette receiving device (50), and raising effects a transfer out of the receiving device (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Gerd Hoitz
  • Publication number: 20010006223
    Abstract: A transport device for X-ray cassettes, each having a phosphor sheet stimulable by X-rays, is provided in a cassette processing apparatus (100), which is of simple physical construction and allows rapid and reliable processing of X-ray cassettes of different formats in a space-saving and user-friendly fashion. The apparatus has a plurality of transporters (11, 12, 21, 22) which are arranged in a horizontal plane (E) and are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction (T) and also perpendicular thereto. A conveying mechanism (30) which, in the area of the spacings (A1, A2, A3) between the transport means, can be conveyed vertically in and out as far as the plane (E) in such a way that lowering effects a transfer of an X-ray cassette into a cassette receiving device (50), and raising effects a transfer out of the receiving device (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventor: GERD HOITZ
  • Patent number: 6176364
    Abstract: A device allows easy, rapid, and reliable loading of X-ray cassettes of different formats into a transport receptacle of a processing apparatus for X-ray cassettes in a space-saving and user-friendly fashion. This is achieved, according to the invention, by the fact that a plurality of guide elements for the conveying means configured as a cassette loading device are provided, which are arranged in a stationary fashion between the transport mechanism spaced apart perpendicular to the cassette transport direction. The guide elements can be conveyed by a drive into and out of a horizontal plane formed by the transport mechanism in such a way that during a conveying movement of the transport mechanism, an X-ray cassette is supported on the transport mechanism in a vertical position and is arrested only by the transport receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerd Hoitz, Ulrich Kowatsch, Friedrich Ueffinger
  • Patent number: 5931276
    Abstract: An adjustable chute for X-ray sheet film having different film formats. The chute is further developed in such a way that sheet film received from a cassette loading and unloading station of a daylight cassette loading and unloading device is to be centrically introduced into, and deposited in a light-tight collecting magazine. For this purpose, the chute comprises two guide holders which are arranged in one plane for guiding sheet film from the loading and unloading device into the magazine. The guide holders are pivotable about oppositely and fixedly spaced pivot points for providing an input opening for the sheet film. Setting device arranged adjacent to an output opening of the chute centrically adjusts the guide holders to the film format of the sheet film supplied to the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerd Hoitz, Albert Rieger, Friedrich Ueffinger
  • Patent number: 5660383
    Abstract: A film transport apparatus (3) for sheet film is provided on the rear side of a cassette loading/unloading unit and a processing unit (2) positioned next to the latter. Film transport apparatus (3) comprises a transport table which can be moved back and forth on a horizontal plane and which transports a sheet film ejected through output opening (1b) of said loading/unloading unit into an input opening (2b) of processing unit (2). Transport table (8) is guided in vertical direction in such a manner (14) that its end (17, 20) facing input and output openings (1b; 2b), respectively, can be raised and lowered into the transport plane of said input and output openings (1b; 2b). A guideway (14) controlling the vertical movement of said transport table can be adjusted selectively into different positions of inclination and/or height in order to be able to adapt the transport plane of transport table (8) to vertical height differences between output opening (1b) and input opening (2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Friedrich Ueffinger, Kurt Blank, Gerd Hoitz, Alfred Trumpp, Ernst Neitzel
  • Patent number: 5640643
    Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for emptying and rinsing out photographic chemical containers into a mixing tank and provides a means of completely removing all chemical residues from the containers in a manner which is safe for the operator. The apparatus has an emptying trough for emptying the chemicals into the mixing tank, the emptying trough having a base and a locating plate opposite the base. In the base there are outlets each of which corresponds to a locating hole in the locating plate for the purpose of emptying the chemical containers through their open necks. In each outlet of the apparatus according to the invention is a nozzle incorporating a valve mechanism which can be operated by placing the neck of a chemical container over the nozzle or removing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gerd Hoitz, Ulrich Kowatsch
  • Patent number: 5427877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electrolytic silver recovery system for a photographic processor, the control being effected in response to the surface area of the photosensitive material moved through the processing solutions. The apparatus determines the amount of silver deposited in the fixing bath of the processor from the width, length and density of the photosensitive material and used as an electrical signal for controlling the electrolytic current of the silver recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew Green, Gerhard Ueffinger, Gerd Hoitz
  • Patent number: 5408289
    Abstract: A scanner for photographic processors wherein density and surface area determinations of the photosensitive materials can be exactly and reliably determined within a large density range. Optoelectronic sensor elements are arranged in the scanner which are formed of a transmitted light operated IR transmitter/receiver arrangement and of an IR reflective sensor arrangement located in rows and alternating across the width of the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew Green, Gerhard Uffinger, Gerd Hoitz
  • Patent number: 5320476
    Abstract: The device is arranged in the form of a complete assembly group on two plates (1,2) screwed together by spacer bolts (18). Guide slots (1a,1b,2a,2b) of similar arrangement and design serve for positively guiding a reciprocable carriage (9,10). The carriage (9,10) comprises a guide member (9) with guide rollers (12,13,33,34) which are supported on ball bearings, bars (3,4) being hinged to the guide member which at their other ends are hinged to drivers (5,6). The drivers (5) are secured to toothed belts (7,8) guided and driven by gear wheels (16,30) mounted on the plates. A carrier (10) is mounted on the guide member (9) so as to be shiftable, liftable and tiltable and supports a pivotally mounted suction plate (11,22). The guide slots are arranged in a position inclined towards the cassette (27) to be unloaded while the toothed belts (7,8) are arranged in an angular position opening in this direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Guenter Weber, Gerd Hoitz