Patents by Inventor Heiko Gruner

Heiko Gruner 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: 9309587
    Abstract: A plasma spray nozzle is provided. Owing to their high degree of wear, previous plasma spray nozzles were not suitable for the coating of components for which long coating times were necessary. The coating times may be reduced considerably by the triple injection of powder into the inner channel through the plasma spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mario Felkel, Heiko Gruner, Francis Ladru
  • Publication number: 20130334176
    Abstract: A plasma spray nozzle is provided. Owing to their high degree of wear, previous plasma spray nozzles were not suitable for the coating of components for which long coating times were necessary. The coating times may be reduced considerably by the triple injection of powder into the inner channel through the plasma spray nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Mario Felkel, Heiko Gruner, Francis Ladru
  • Patent number: 8528835
    Abstract: A plasma spray nozzle is provided. Owing to their high degree of wear, previous plasma spray nozzles were not suitable for the coating of components for which long coating times were necessary. The coating times may be reduced considerably by the triple injection of powder into the inner channel through the plasma spray nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mario Felkel, Heiko Gruner, Francis-Jurjen Ladru
  • Publication number: 20110101125
    Abstract: A plasma spray nozzle is provided. Owing to their high degree of wear, previous plasma spray nozzles were not suitable for the coating of components for which long coating times were necessary. The coating times may be reduced considerably by the triple injection of powder into the inner channel through the plasma spray nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Mario Felkel, Heiko Gruner, Francis-Jurjen Ladru
  • Publication number: 20100286790
    Abstract: The invention relates to an implant made of biocompatible materials, in particular a prosthesis implanted without cement for traumatology and/or orthopedics, which has a main body with an anchoring region which anchors in bone or tissue, with the anchoring region being provided at least partially with a covering layer, the covering layer being formed from a powder using a thermal spraying method, in particular a plasma spraying method. The powder consists essentially of calcium phosphate and comprises antibacterially effective active constituents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Medicoat AG
    Inventors: Heiko GRUNER, Philipp Gruner, Francis Tourenne
  • Patent number: 5328779
    Abstract: Avoiding the use of porous ceramic bearing structures, the proposal is for a 3-layer electrolyte fuel cell element, one electrode (1) of which is at the same time the bearer plate for the active cell element (12, 2, 3), is integrated via component (4) into the frame structure for a cell battery made up of individual elements, and in which the mechanical closing force between the frame structure and the active cell element is released with the aid of a spring-loaded region (11), in order not to expose the thin electrolyte layer (2) to thermally induced mechanical stresses. The active cell element, a combination of two porous and metallic electrodes (1, 3) with a gastight oxide electrolyte layer (2), are preferably produced by the vacuum plasma spray process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Medicoat AG
    Inventors: Helmut Tannenberger, Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4900639
    Abstract: Leakproof, adhesive, non-lamellar and pore-free antifriction coatings can be produced from essentially oxidation-sensitive dispersion alloys, with at least two metallic alloy components forming a miscibility gap in the solid state, by means of vacuum plasma-spraying with a practically homogeneous material distribution. Precipitation crystallites of alloy components are significantly below 5 .mu.m and fringe-crystal growth is definitely inhibited. By adding hard particles during the coating process further dispersion consolidation can be achieved. Such antifriction coatings improve longevity, corrosion resistance and emergency lubrication of sliding surfaces without reducing their running-in characteristics and their ability to bed in foreign matter. They can be deposited individually on to sliding bearing components or continuously on to supporting strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignees: 501 Glyco-Metall-Werke Daelen, Loos GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Hodes, Ulrich Engel, Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4898785
    Abstract: The Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 protective coating (3) is applied, during the vacuum spray process, as a leakproof coating to a support (1), and has a density of not more than 5.3 g/cm.sup.3, a residual porosity of less than 2%, a Vickers hardness (HV) of over 2000 kp/mmm.sup.2 and an electric strength of at least 5 V/.mu.m of protective thickness; it is particularly suited as a protective coating on supports (3) exposed to corrosion and simultaneously subjected to high mechanical loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Plasmainvent AG
    Inventor: Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4661682
    Abstract: In a plasma spray gun (1) including a cooled electrode (10) and burner nozzle (12) for insertion in pipes and bores of work pieces and for coating the inner surfaces of these work pieces, for the coating of bores with a minimal diameter of 25 mm the electrode (10) is designed rotation-asymmetrically in the area of its head (15), and the diameter of the electrode (10) is smaller than the minimal inner diameter of the burner nozzle (12), while the burner nozzle (12) on the end facing away from the electrode (10) has at least one partial area (17) with an inner diameter which is larger than its minimal inner diameter, and the powder injector (13) has a flat exit cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Plasmainvent AG
    Inventors: Heiko Gruner, Markus Muller
  • Patent number: 4620365
    Abstract: A thin-film strain gauge and a method for producing it are proposed; the strain gauge is advantageously capable of integration into a thin-film circuit. The strain gauge comprises an elastically deformable spring element in combination with at least one elongation-sensitive resistor. The resistor disposition (R1-R4), the low-impedance connections (L11-L42) between the various resistance regions and the associated connection tracks (L5-L8) are applied in a vacuum process, preferably by cathode sputtering. The low-impedance connections (L11-L42) and the connection tracks (L5-L8) are of material which, although different from the material making up the actual resistance region, still has approximately the same temperature coefficient of resistance, so as to preclude errors caused by temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Burger, Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4596718
    Abstract: A vacuum plasma coating apparatus comprises a plasma torch arranged in a low pressure chamber and displaceable along a plurality of axes relative to the part to be coated and a device for moving the part to be coated with a plurality of degrees of freedom simultaneously with the plasma torch. In order to be able to coat a plurality of parts simultaneously with great effectiveness, a device for moving the part to be coated is constructed in such manner that it can contain a plurality of parts simultaneously, the parts being movable simultaneously and/or sequentially through the plasma jet. In each case the part nearest the plasma torch is arranged in the plasma jet in such manner that this extends at least occasionally laterally beyond an outer dimension of this part and all parts to be coated move within a predetermined spray distance range when they are located in the plasma jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Plasmainvent AG
    Inventor: Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4596762
    Abstract: An electronic thin-film circuit having a substrate plate comprising an insulating material and having a resistance film partially covering the substrate plate is proposed. The resistance film forms a first pattern and a second pattern. The first pattern defines tracks and/or connection contacts, while the second pattern defines circuit elements of the electronic thin-film circuit. A metal film which is capable of being soldered and of being reinforced by electroplating is disposed above the resistance film in the vicinity of the first pattern. Inside the first pattern, a soft-solder film is applied to parts of the metal film which is capable of being soldered and of being reinforced by electroplating, in order to form tracks and/or connection contacts which are reinforced with soft solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4522067
    Abstract: A thin-film strain gauge and a method for producing it are proposed; the strain gauge is advantageously capable of integration into a thin-film circuit. The strain gauge comprises an elastically deformable spring element in combination with at least one elongation-sensitive resistor. The resistor disposition (R1-R4), the low-impedance connections (L11-L42) between the various resistance regions and the associated connection tracks (L5-L8) are applied in a vacuum process, preferably by cathode sputtering. The low-impedance connections (L11-L42) and the connection tracks (L5-L8) are of material which, although different from the material making up the actual resistance region, still has approximately the same temperature coefficient of resistance, so as to preclude errors caused by temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Burger, Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4498337
    Abstract: A thin tantalum foil is sufficiently stable mechanically for supporting a bridge of thin film resistors with a glass insulating layer interposed between them and the foil, while a fluid medium flows past the resistors for measurement of its temperature or for thermal measurement of the rate of flow of the mass of the medium. The resistors form a bridge one half of which is heated to maintain a predetermined temperature for measurement of the rate of flow by means of the heating current, while the other half provides a reference for the regulation of the heating current. A slot in the metal foil between the halves of the bridge provides thermal decoupling between the heated and unheated parts of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4464646
    Abstract: To form a temperature sensor, for example suitable in an automotive vehicle, to determine ambient temperatures, or to provide a temperature compensated thin-film circuit, for example for incorporation with an oscillator circuit, two stable thin-film layers are applied to a non-conductive substrate, the layers being capable of being etched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Burger, Heinz Friedrich, Heiko Gruner, Karl-Otto Linn, Erich Zabler
  • Patent number: 4418329
    Abstract: To provide for rapid temperature response to changes in temperature of an air flow past the sensing end portion of a resistance sensing track (13) on a ceramic substrate (12), the resistance sensing track is applied in a meander of a predetermined length, which is spaced from contact terminal points (14) to the meander by at least the longitudinal extent (19) of the meander; two covering layers (20, 21) are provided, one (20) being thin and covering the meander and adjacent connecting tracks (15, 16), and the other (21) being thick and sturdy and retaining the plate (12) in position in a housing (1, 2), overlapping the first covering (20), but being spaced therefrom by at least half the longitudinal extent (19) of the meander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Gruner
  • Patent number: 4368453
    Abstract: A meander-shaped layer of nickel is deposited by evaporation on a ceramic wafer over an intermediate layer of tantalum serving to improve adhesion, and covered by a protective coating of silicon or epoxy resin is used as a temperature sensor in the intake pipe of a supercharged internal combustion engine. The low mass of the sensor element thus provided enables the resistance of the nickel path to follow rapidly, by its variation, the variations of temperature of the intake air. The sensor has a casing made up of two parts, the lower one of which has two connection prongs molded into it, the ends of which are flattened into tabs that are soldered to contact areas of the ceramic wafer. The upper casing portion has a cavity for the ceramic wafer, the lower part of which is filled with a potting compound to protect the solder joints. The width of the nickel paths that provide the temperature sensitive resistance is about 50 .mu.m and the thickness is from 0.2 to 1 .mu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Herden, Hans-Martin Hochenberger, Hans Neu, Hans-Joachim Seidel, Werner Pfander, Heiko Gruner, Erich Zabler, Claus-Dietrich Pilch, Karl-Otto Linn
  • Patent number: 4358748
    Abstract: To improve the adhesion of a nickel layer to a valve metal layer in a thin film electronic circuit, a boundary layer is created between the valve metal and the nickel layer. The boundary layer is created by oxidizing the valve metal surface and applying the nickel layer by cathode sputtering with sufficiently high energy to cause nickel-ion migration into the valve metal oxide layer. The so-formed boundary layer improves the mechanical adhesion of the nickel layer to the valve metal layer and also prevents penetration of solder to the valve metal layer since the boundary layer acts as a diffusion barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Gruner, Georg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 4345465
    Abstract: A carrier strip of polyimide resin sheet material carries on one face an etched pattern of metallization comprising temperature-independent resistors formed of an underlying metallization layer of tantalum base, temperature-dependent resistors in which the effect of the upper layer of metallization, of a nickel base, is predominant, and conductive paths provided by broader strips of the nickel base material. A cover layer of the same heat-resistant resin sheet material is sealed and bonded to the carrier strip wherever a metallization layer does not intervene, taking care to leave open certain contact areas for the attachment of connecting leads. A holder structure holds the strips at each end and provides clear space for attaching connecting leads as well. The holder structure is designed to allow the flow of medium to pass in good thermo contact with the portion of the device enclosing the resistance elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Gruner, Heinz Friedrich
  • Patent number: 4283944
    Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for measuring the mass of a fluid medium such as the mass of air induced by internal combustion engines which has at least one temperature-dependent measuring resistor film disposed in the flow of the medium, whose temperature and/or resistance is regulated in accordance with the mass of the medium and wherein the manipulated variable is a measure for the mass of the medium. The temperature-dependent measuring resistor film is disposed on a carrier separated therefrom by an insulating film and a temperature-dependent heating resistor film. The temperature of the heating resistor film is regulated to approximately the same temperature as the temperature-dependent measuring resistor film so that a heat flow between the temperature-dependent measuring resistor and the carrier is prevented. As a result, the response speed of the apparatus to changes in the flow rate of the medium is substantially improved as is the precision of measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Gruner, Dieter Handtmann