Patents by Inventor Lars Hoffmann

Lars Hoffmann 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: 20180216621
    Abstract: A method of operating a pumping system for an aquatic application based upon performance of multiple water operations is disclosed. The method includes providing a pump and a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller including a variable speed drive that is in communication with the motor. The method also includes: operating the motor in accordance with a first water operation, wherein the first water operation includes a first start time, end time, and water flow rate: operating the motor in accordance with a second water operation, wherein the second water operation includes a second start time, end time, and water flow rate; and altering the first water operation in response to performance of the second water operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Patent number: 9932984
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Elnar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Publication number: 20180023574
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application includes a motor coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is adapted to determine a first motor speed of the motor, determine a reference power consumption using a reference flow rate and a curve of speed versus power consumption for the reference flow rate, and generate a difference value between the reference power consumption and a present power consumption. The controller drives the motor to reach a steady state condition at a second motor speed based on the difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20180003181
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a user interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a power parameter associated with the motor and compares the power parameter to a predetermined threshold value. The controller triggers a safety vacuum release system based on the comparison of the power parameter and the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen
  • Patent number: 9777733
    Abstract: A pumping system for at least one aquatic application comprises a motor coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller may be adapted to determine a first motor speed, determine a present flow rate using curves of speed versus flow rate for discrete power consumptions, generate a difference value between the present flow rate and a reference flow rate, and/or drive the motor at a second motor speed based on the difference value until reaching a steady state condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9726184
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a user interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a power parameter associated with the motor and compares the power parameter to a predetermined threshold value. The controller triggers a safety vacuum release system based on the comparison of the power parameter and the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen
  • Patent number: 9712098
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a variable frequency drive system and a method of controlling a pump driven by a motor with the pump in fluid communication with a fluid system. The drive system and method can provide one or more of the following: a sleep mode, pipe break detection, a line fill mode, an automatic start mode, dry run protection, an electromagnetic interference filter compatible with a ground fault circuit interrupter, two-wire and three-wire and three-phase motor compatibility, a simple start-up process, automatic password protection, a pump out mode, digital input/output terminals, and removable input and output power terminal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC, Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Rasmus Fink, Martin Skov Holm
  • Publication number: 20170198697
    Abstract: A pumping system for a pool or spa application that pumps water. The pumping system comprising a means for moving water through the pool or spa application, a means for driving the means for moving water, and a means for controlling the means for driving. The means for controlling monitors a current flow rate based on an input power to the means for driving, monitors whether the current flow rate is above a priming flow value in order to identify whether the means for moving water has become initially primed, and indicates a priming alarm if the means for moving water has not become initially primed before reaching a maximum priming time allotment, wherein the maximum priming time allotment is a fixed time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, JR., Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20170114788
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure provides for systems and methods for controlling a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system can include a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and can further include an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9605680
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Nils-Ole Harvest, Christopher Yahnker, Walter Woodcock, Jr., Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Alberto Morando, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9562815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for compensation, for example, for temperature compensation of a fiber optic measurement system designed for determining a mechanical quantity. First and second fiber Bragg gratings have a respective Bragg wavelength, wherein the fiber Bragg gratings are irradiated with primary light. After applying a mechanical quantity to the first and second fiber Bragg gratings, the Bragg wavelengths of the fiber Bragg gratings are changed by the mechanical quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Thorbjörn Buck, Lars Hoffmann, Mathias Müller, Rolf Wojtech
  • Patent number: 9556874
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a variable frequency drive system and a method of controlling a pump driven by a motor with the pump in fluid communication with a fluid system. The drive system and method can provide one or more of the following: a sleep mode, pipe break detection, a line fill mode, an automatic start mode, dry run protection, an electromagnetic interference filter compatible with a ground fault circuit interrupter, two-wire and three-wire and three-phase motor compatibility, a simple start-up process, automatic password protection, a pump out mode, digital input/output terminals, and removable input and output power terminal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC, Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Rasmus Fink, Martin Skov Holm
  • Patent number: 9551344
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and further includes an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9404500
    Abstract: A pumping system includes a pump for moving water. In one aspect, this is in connection with performance of an operation. The system includes a variable speed motor operatively connected to drive the pump. A value indicative of flow rate of water is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow rate indicative value toward a constant. A value indicative of flow pressure is determined and the motor is controlled to adjust the flow pressure indicative value toward a constant. A selection is made between flow rate control and flow pressure control. In another aspect, the pump is controlled to perform a first operation, and is operated to perform a second water operation. Control of operation of the pump to perform the first water operation is altered in response to operation of the pump to perform the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Ronald B. Robol, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Nils-Ole Harvest, Everett Cox, Donald Steen, Kevin Murphy, Daniel J. Hruby, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer
  • Patent number: 9383272
    Abstract: A method for the adjustment of an optical measurement system comprises providing an optical measurement system, which comprises, as optical elements, a beam splitter; a first photo sensor, exposed by a first partial beam from the beam splitter; an optical filter; a second photo sensor, arranged downstream of the optical filter, exposed by a second partial beam from the beam splitter. Additionally, the angularity and relative position between multiple optical elements is designed to be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Thorbjörn Buck, Lars Hoffmann, Mathias Müller, Rolf Wojtech
  • Publication number: 20160153456
    Abstract: A pumping system for an aquatic application includes a motor to be coupled to a pump and a controller in communication with the motor, the controller configured to determine a speed of the motor, determine a current performance value of the pumping system, compare the current performance value to a reference performance value, determine an adjustment value based upon the comparison of the reference and current performance values, and adjust a speed of the motor based on the adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Arne Fink Hansen, Florin Lungeanu, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 9284950
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for installing at least one sensor device within a rotor blade of a wind turbine. A first substantially planar light beam is emitted in the interior of the rotor blade. Finally, at least one second substantially planar light beam is emitted in the interior of the rotor blade, wherein the plane of the first planar light beam is oriented at a predetermined angle to the plane of the second planar light beam. Further, the planes of the first and second planar light beams are aligned on the blade flange of the rotor blade. At least one sensor device is subsequently aligned in reference to the planar light beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Thorbjörn Buck, Lars Hoffmann, Mathias Müller, Rolf Wojtech
  • Publication number: 20160061204
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller receives input of a performance value that is determined utilizing information from operation of the motor and compares the performance value to a reference value. The controller also is configured to prime and run the pump when the performance value equals the first reference value and to continue to do so until the performance value equals a second reference value. Alternatively, the controller receives user input of an amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump and is configured to operate the motor at maximum speed until the amount of time elapses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20150300358
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump and a variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes means for determining a first motor speed of the motor, means for determining first and second performance values of the pumping system, and means for comparing the first and second performance values. The pumping system further includes means for determining an adjustment value based upon the comparison, means for determining a second motor speed based upon the adjustment value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the second motor speed. In one example, the pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a flow rate of water moved by the pump. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a filter arrangement. A method of controlling the pumping system for moving the water of the swimming pool is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 9115850
    Abstract: A priority valve assembly includes a fluid supply line, a first fluid discharge line, and a second fluid discharge line, both of which are to be supplied with fluid via the fluid supply line. A priority valve throttles a fluid flow from the fluid supply line into the second fluid discharge line to prioritize the supply of fluid to the first fluid discharge line over the supply of fluid to the second fluid discharge line if a control parameter which is characteristic for an inlet fluid pressure (pE) in the fluid supply line falls below a first predetermined threshold value (p2). The priority valve reduces the throttling of the fluid flow from the fluid supply line into the second fluid discharge line if the control parameter falls below a second predetermined threshold value (p4) which is smaller than the first predetermined threshold value (p2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Lars Hoffmann