Patents by Inventor Hermann Hochgraeber

Hermann Hochgraeber 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: 10067102
    Abstract: A plug unit for connecting capillary tubes includes a plug housing that has an axial borehole, a plug capillary tube that projects through the axial borehole, and a sealing element that surrounds the plug capillary tube. The front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed by an elastic and/or plastic deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening of a bushing unit. A hollow cylindrical pressure piece is provided that surrounds the sealing element in an axial region facing away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube, and the pressure piece has a rearward end side that faces away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube and that can be loaded by the plug housing with an axial pressure force when the plug unit and bushing unit are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Adolf Satzinger, Daniel Buerger, Andreas Unger
  • Patent number: 10031112
    Abstract: A sample injection method for liquid chromatography is performed with an injection valve having a waste port, two sample loop ports, and two high-pressure ports. One high-pressure port can be connected to a pump and the other high-pressure port can be connected to a chromatography column. A sample loop is connected to one of the sample loop ports on one end and to a pump volume of a sample conveying device on the other end. A section of the sample loop can be separated to facilitate receiving a sample fluid in the sample loop. A control unit controls the injection valve and the sample conveying device. The sample injector allows a sample to be loaded into the sample loop and then pressurized to an operating pressure prior to injecting the sample into the chromatography column. The sample loop may also be isolated from the operating pressure for facilitating depressurization of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann Hochgraeber
  • Patent number: 10005006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting a gradient delay volume GDV of a liquid chromatography system for a chromatography run in liquid chromatography, in particular a high-performance liquid chromatography system, in which a desired value GDVtarget of a gradient delay volume of the liquid chromatography system is ascertained or predefined and, if the value GDVtarget deviates from a specific fixed value GDVactual of a liquid chromatography system, this value GDVtarget is set in a range 0??GDV=GDVtarget?GDVactual?Vmax of a volume of a volume adjustment device 5. Furthermore, the invention relates to an automatic sampler for carrying out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Thomas Wachinger
  • Publication number: 20180128789
    Abstract: A method performed in a liquid chromatography system that includes a metering device pushing a sample into a trap column. The metering device sucks in the sample from a sample reservoir, wherein the sucking in the sample from a sample reservoir precedes the step of pushing the sample into the trap column. The liquid chromatography system also includes a trap column and a metering device (100), wherein the system (1000) is adapted to assume a configuration allowing the metering device (100) to push a sample into the trap column (6) and wherein the metering device (100) is adapted to push the sample into the trap column (6) in this configuration, wherein the system (1000) is adapted to assume a configuration allowing the sample to be sucked into the system (1000) by means of the metering device (100). Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the liquid chromatography system (1000) for liquid chromatography, in particular of high pressure liquid chromatography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Christoph HOLLNAGEL, Remco SWART, Hermann HOCHGRAEBER
  • Publication number: 20180128787
    Abstract: A method of introducing a sample into a separation column includes introducing the sample into a trap column, isolating the trap column from ambient atmosphere and pressurizing the trap column to a first pressure while the trap column is isolated from ambient atmosphere, providing a fluid connection between the trap column and the separation column after pressurizing the trap column to the first pressure, supplying the sample from the trap column to the separation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Christoph HOLLNAGEL, Hermann Hochgraeber, Thomas Wachinger
  • Patent number: 9945501
    Abstract: A plug unit and system for connecting capillary tubes, especially for high-performance liquid chromatography, with a plug capillary tube projecting through a hole of a plug housing, which is detachably connectable to a bushing unit. The plug capillary tube front end projects into a capillary tube receptacle in the bushing unit with its end face essentially aligned opposite a front end of a bushing capillary tube or a bushing capillary tube opening of the bushing unit, the end face of which is butted against. The plug housing applies a force, with its end face facing the plug capillary tube end, directly or indirectly on an annular sealing element surrounding the plug capillary tube in the region of the front end of the plug capillary tube such that the front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed through deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Adolf Satzinger
  • Patent number: 9939415
    Abstract: A high-pressure switching valve includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a plurality of ports where each port is connected at one end to a port connection and having at another end a predetermined port opening cross section at a stator end face of the stator. The rotor includes a rotor end face and at least one or a plurality of grooves. The rotor can be configured to have a rotary position with respect to the stator where two predetermined port opening cross sections connect to one of the grooves in a pressure-tight manner. The rotor and the stator can be pressed together in a sealing manner at the rotor end face and the stator end face in regions away from the port opening cross sections and the at least one or a plurality of grooves. The rotor and the stator each include a hard material. The rotor can be configured to wobble or tilt with respect to a rotational axis of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Joachim Wiechers, Adolf Satzinger
  • Publication number: 20170284980
    Abstract: A high-pressure switching valve includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a plurality of ports where each port is connected at one end to a port connection and having at another end a predetermined port opening cross section at a stator end face of the stator. The rotor includes a rotor end face and at least one or a plurality of grooves. The rotor can be configured to have a rotary position with respect to the stator where two predetermined port opening cross sections connect to one of the grooves in a pressure-tight manner. The rotor and the stator can be pressed together in a sealing manner at the rotor end face and the stator end face in regions away from the port opening cross sections and the at least one or a plurality of grooves. The rotor and the stator each include a hard material. The rotor can be configured to wobble or tilt with respect to a rotational axis of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER, Joachim WIECHERS, Adolf SATZINGER
  • Patent number: 9778278
    Abstract: A sample-taking unit having a sampling unit and a hold-down device which is movable relative thereto in a parallel manner, said sample-taking unit including a self-holding mechanism which, as a result of a self-locking effect, automatically fixes the hold-down device in a lowered fixing position against an upward movement until the self-locking effect is removed again as a result of the self-holding mechanism being acted upon with a detaching force, preferably as a result of contact between the sampling unit and a clamping element of the self-holding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Robert Springer
  • Publication number: 20170248557
    Abstract: A sample injection method for liquid chromatography is performed with an injection valve having a waste port, two sample loop ports, and two high-pressure ports. One high-pressure port can be connected to a pump and the other high-pressure port can be connected to a chromatography column. A sample loop is connected to one of the sample loop ports on one end and to a pump volume of a sample conveying device on the other end. A section of the sample loop can be separated to facilitate receiving a sample fluid in the sample loop. A control unit controls the injection valve and the sample conveying device. The sample injector allows a sample to be loaded into the sample loop and then pressurized to an operating pressure prior to injecting the sample into the chromatography column. The sample loop may also be isolated from the operating pressure for facilitating depressurization of the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventor: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER
  • Patent number: 9664653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for feeding a sample into an analysis branch of a liquid chromatography system, in particular a high-performance liquid chromatography system. A solvent or a solvent mixture from at least one solvent branch is supplied as volume flow {dot over (A)} into the analysis branch. At least one sample from at least one sample branch is fed as volume flow ? into the analysis branch within a predetermined time interval. The volume flow {dot over (A)} is reduced to an extent during the predetermined time interval, and a volume flow ? resulting from the sum of the volume flows {dot over (A)} and ? remains substantially constant in the analysis branch. The invention further relates to a sampler for carrying out a method of this kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventor: Hermann Hochgraeber
  • Publication number: 20170003255
    Abstract: A plug unit for connecting capillary tubes includes a plug housing that has an axial borehole, a plug capillary tube that projects through the axial borehole, and a sealing element that surrounds the plug capillary tube. The front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed by an elastic and/or plastic deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening of a bushing unit. A hollow cylindrical pressure piece is provided that surrounds the sealing element in an axial region facing away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube, and the pressure piece has a rearward end side that faces away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube and that can be loaded by the plug housing with an axial pressure force when the plug unit and bushing unit are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER, Adolf SATZINGER, Daniel BUERGER, Andreas UNGER
  • Patent number: 9448210
    Abstract: A plug unit for connecting capillary tubes includes a plug housing that has an axial borehole, a plug capillary tube that projects through the axial borehole, and a sealing element that surrounds the plug capillary tube. The front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed by an elastic and/or plastic deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening of a bushing unit. A hollow cylindrical pressure piece is provided that surrounds the sealing element in an axial region facing away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube, and the pressure piece has a rearward end side that faces away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube and that can be loaded by the plug housing with an axial pressure force when the plug unit and bushing unit are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Adolf Satzinger, Daniel Buerger, Andreas Unger
  • Patent number: 9400265
    Abstract: A switching valve is described that has a stator which is arranged in a housing and which has multiple connection ports. The switching valve also has a rotatable rotor which is arranged in the housing and which, in predetermined switching positions defined by associated angular positions, interacts with the stator for the fluidic connection or separation of predetermined connection ports. The rotor is rotatably mounted, and acted on with a predefined pressing force in the direction of the stator, by means of a bearing and pressing device arranged in the housing. The bearing and pressing device has a spring device which exerts a load on the rotor or on an element that is capable of performing a wobbling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Wiechers, Hermann Hochgraeber
  • Patent number: 9329157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching valve for liquid chromatography having a stator in which multiple ports are formed. Each port is formed by in each case one duct which is connected at one end to in each case one connection port and which, at the other end, has a predetermined port opening cross section at a stator face surface of the stator. The switching valve includes a rotor which has a rotor face surface which interacts with the stator face surface and in which are formed at least one or more grooves. Depending on the rotational position of the rotor with respect to the stator, in at least one predetermined switching position, the switching valve connects respective predetermined port opening cross sections in a pressure-tight manner. The switching valve further includes a drive device for driving the rotor in rotation, and a device for detecting the rotational position of the rotor, which device generates a signal corresponding to the absolute or relative position of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Hochgraeber, Burkhard Seyferth
  • Patent number: 9297790
    Abstract: A switching valve includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes multiple connection ports. The rotor having predetermined switching positions and interacts with the stator to form a fluidic connection or a fluidic disconnection of predetermined connection ports. The rotor being mounted rotatably via a bearing and pressing device, where the bearing and pressing device is arranged in the housing and loaded with a predefined pressing force in a direction of the stator. The bearing and pressing device includes a spring unit, being supported against a receiving part mounted to rotate about a rotor axis. The receiving part is coupled rotationally conjointly to the rotor and has a drive region which faces away from the stator and is coupled to an output of a drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Wiechers, Hermann Hochgraeber, Robert Springer
  • Publication number: 20160061789
    Abstract: A plug unit for connecting capillary tubes includes a plug housing that has an axial borehole, a plug capillary tube that projects through the axial borehole, and a sealing element that surrounds the plug capillary tube. The front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed by an elastic and/or plastic deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening of a bushing unit. A hollow cylindrical pressure piece is provided that surrounds the sealing element in an axial region facing away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube, and the pressure piece has a rearward end side that faces away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube and that can be loaded by the plug housing with an axial pressure force when the plug unit and bushing unit are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER, Adolph SATZINGER, Daniel BUERGER, Andreas UNGER
  • Publication number: 20160011082
    Abstract: A sample-taking unit having a sampling unit and a hold-down device which is movable relative thereto in a parallel manner, said sample-taking unit including a self-holding mechanism which, as a result of a self-locking effect, automatically fixes the hold-down device in a lowered fixing position against an upward movement until the self-locking effect is removed again as a result of the self-holding mechanism being acted upon with a detaching force, preferably as a result of contact between the sampling unit and a clamping element of the self-holding mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER, Robert SPRINGER
  • Publication number: 20150338000
    Abstract: A plug unit and system for connecting capillary tubes, especially for high-performance liquid chromatography, with a plug capillary tube projecting through a hole of a plug housing, which is detachably connectable to a bushing unit. The plug capillary tube front end projects into a capillary tube receptacle in the bushing unit with its end face essentially aligned opposite a front end of a bushing capillary tube or a bushing capillary tube opening of the bushing unit, the end face of which is butted against. The plug housing applies a force, with its end face facing the plug capillary tube end, directly or indirectly on an annular sealing element surrounding the plug capillary tube in the region of the front end of the plug capillary tube such that the front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed through deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER, Adolf SATZINGER
  • Publication number: 20150308989
    Abstract: A plug unit for connecting capillary tubes includes a plug housing that has an axial borehole, a plug capillary tube that projects through the axial borehole, and a sealing element that surrounds the plug capillary tube. The front end of the plug capillary tube is sealed by an elastic and/or plastic deformation of the sealing element against the capillary tube receptacle opening of a bushing unit. A hollow cylindrical pressure piece is provided that surrounds the sealing element in an axial region facing away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube, and the pressure piece has a rearward end side that faces away from the end surface of the plug capillary tube and that can be loaded by the plug housing with an axial pressure force when the plug unit and bushing unit are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Hermann HOCHGRAEBER, Adolf SATZINGER, Daniel BUERGER, Andreas UNGER