Patents by Inventor Lothar Pfitzner

Lothar Pfitzner 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: 12000554
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle, wherein a first structural component of the lighting apparatus is connected to a second structural component of the lighting apparatus, and the connection between the first and second structural components is formed by a twist-on connection. The second structural component comprises at least two coupling elements that fit over, in particular at the perimeter of, the first structural component in the fully assembled state, at least in part, and the first structural component ends up in this engaged position, in particular on the perimeter thereof, through a rotation in relation to the second structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Stopper, Christian Lange, Fan Lu, Lothar Pfitzner, Daniel Wagner
  • Patent number: 11988352
    Abstract: A light module for a motor vehicle light is obtained, comprising a light source assembly comprising at least one light source unit, at least one first guide section, and at least one first fasting section, and an optics assembly comprising at least one optical element, at least one second guide section, and at least one second fastening section, wherein the light source assembly and the optics assembly can be moved toward one another along the adjustment axis (J) in a first state, in particular an adjustment state, by the first guide sections, and wherein the light source assembly and the optics assembly can be fixed in place in relation to one another with the first and second fastening sections in a second state, in particular in an adjusted final assembly state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Seiffge, Lothar Pfitzner
  • Publication number: 20230243480
    Abstract: A light module for a motor vehicle light is obtained, comprising a light source assembly comprising at least one light source unit, at least one first guide section, and at least one first fasting section, and an optics assembly comprising at least one optical element, at least one second guide section, and at least one second fastening section, wherein the light source assembly and the optics assembly can be moved toward one another along the adjustment axis (J) in a first state, in particular an adjustment state, by the first guide sections, and wherein the light source assembly and the optics assembly can be fixed in place in relation to one another with the first and second fastening sections in a second state, in particular in an adjusted final assembly state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Seiffge, Lothar Pfitzner
  • Publication number: 20230194062
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a motor vehicle, wherein a first structural component of the lighting apparatus is connected to a second structural component of the lighting apparatus, and the connection between the first and second structural components is formed by a twist-on connection. The second structural component comprises at least two coupling elements that fit over, in particular at the perimeter of, the first structural component in the fully assembled state, at least in part, and the first structural component ends up in this engaged position, in particular on the perimeter thereof, through a rotation in relation to the second structural component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Marelli Automotive Lighting Reutlingen (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Stopper, Christian Lange, Fan Lu, Lothar Pfitzner, Daniel Wagner
  • Patent number: 7133140
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for fast, quantitative, non-contact topographic investigation of samples. Apparatus includes a light source, and a collimating concave mirror structured and arranged to produce a parallel beam and to direct the parallel beam to a sample to be investigated. A structured mask is located between the light source and the concave mirror, and an image sensor structured and arranged to receive a beam reflected from the sample and the concave mirror. Relative positions of the mask and the sensor to other elements of the apparatus are chosen to provide an essentially sharp image of the mask on the sensor. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung E.V., Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Institute for Technical Physics and Materials Science
    Inventors: István Endre Lukács, János Makai, Lothar Pfitzner, Ferenc Riesz, Béla Szentpali
  • Patent number: 7003149
    Abstract: A method for monitoring fabrication processes of finely structured surfaces in a semiconductor fabrication includes the steps of providing reference signatures of finely structured surfaces, measuring at least one signature of a test specimen surface, comparing the measured signature with the reference signatures, and classifying the test specimen surface by using the comparison results, wherein the measurement of the reference signatures is carried out by measuring the local distribution and/or intensity distribution of diffraction images on production prototypes having a specified quality. The classification is preferably carried out here with a neural network having a learning capability and/or a fuzzy logic. Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Semiconductor 300 GmbH & Co. KG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E. V.
    Inventors: Norbert Benesch, Claus Schneider, Lothar Pfitzner
  • Patent number: 7000454
    Abstract: A particle measurement configuration measures the particle concentration in a liquid or gaseous medium by way of a particle measuring instrument. In order to avoid erroneous measurements or damage to the particle measuring instrument, a measuring cell is provided which measures temperature or pressure or pH of the medium. A system controller shuts off a valve if threshold values are exceeded and it prevents the particle measuring instrument from being operated outside a predefined specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Claus Schneider, Ralph Trunk, Lothar Pfitzner, Heinz Schmid
  • Patent number: 6928892
    Abstract: A configuration for measuring the concentration of contaminating particles at high time resolution in the mini environments of loading and unloading chambers of processing appliances in semiconductor fabrication includes a probe, a movement unit for the probe, a particle detector, vacuum pump and a control unit. Reaching critical layer thicknesses of disk carriers or boats in ovens, and maladjustments of handling systems for wafers, masks, flat panel displays and other disc-like objects can be detected in terms of the cause and quantified immediately. The movement unit moves the probe to a desired position in the loading and unloading chamber as a reaction to the positioning of the handling system. A method of operating the configuration is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignees: Infineon Technologies AG, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Olaf Storbeck, Ralph Trunk, Lothar Pfitzner, Claus Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040263864
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for fast, quantitative, non-contact topographic investigation of samples. Apparatus includes a light source, and a collimating concave mirror structured and arranged to produce a parallel beam and to direct the parallel beam to a sample to be investigated. A structured mask is located between the light source and the concave mirror, and an image sensor structured and arranged to receive a beam reflected from the sample and the concave mirror. Relative positions of the mask and the sensor to other elements of the apparatus are chosen to provide an essentially sharp image of the mask on the sensor. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicants: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Institute for Technizal Physics and Material Science
    Inventors: Istvan Endre Lukacs, Janos Makai, Lothar Pfitzner, Ferenc Riesz, Bela Szentpali
  • Patent number: 6784445
    Abstract: The apparatus allows monitoring layer depositions in a process chamber. The apparatus has a light source, a sensor element, and at least one light detector. The sensor element is suitably configured in order to influence the intensity of the light beam measured by the detector by the thickness of the layer growing on the sensor element. The novel monitoring method for measuring the transmitted light intensity utilizes the apparatus. The sensor element has a continuous opening through which the intensity of the light is observed as a function of the opening grown over by the thickness of the growing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: raunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foederung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Ziegler, Reinhold Waller, Lothar Pfitzner, Claus Schneider, Heiner Ryssel, Volker Tegeder
  • Patent number: 6724475
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring angle-dependent diffraction effects includes a coherent radiation source, a device for deflecting the coherent radiation in different directions, a spherical or aspherical mirror or mirror segments configured to correspond to a spherical or aspherical mirror, and a detector unit for measuring the intensity of the radiation diffracted at a specimen. The radiation deflected in different directions is reflected by the mirror configuration in such a way that the coherent beam is deflected onto the specimen with different angles of incidence in a temporally successively sequential manner. For this purpose, the angle of incidence of the measuring beam is altered continuously or in small steps. The intensities of the direct reflection (zero-order diffraction) and also of the higher orders of diffraction that may occur are measured. This evaluation allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the form and material of the periodic structures examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Norbert Benesch, Claus Schneider, Lothar Pfitzner
  • Patent number: 6622101
    Abstract: Method for monitoring a quality of a plurality of particularly different technical product types which are produced in a quasi-parallel manufacturing process, the manufacturing method including several sequentially arranged manufacturing stations, and whereby a course of a state variable for at least one of the manufacturing stations is determined point-by-point and displayed, the method including determining as a first type number a number of product types to be monitored, determining technical product parameter which is affected in the at least one manufacturing station, allocating a measuring arrangement to the manufacturing station for measuring the technical product parameter for at least one of the monitored product types, taking a random sample of a product type whose physical state is modified in the manufacturing station, the random sample being taken the first type number of product types, determining measured values for the determined technical product parameter of the random sample, calculating an
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V., X-Fab Semiconductor Foundries AG.
    Inventors: Richard Oechsner, Thomas Tschaftary, Poitr Strzyzewski, Lothar Pfitzner, Claus Schneider, Peter Hennig
  • Publication number: 20030047012
    Abstract: A configuration for measuring the concentration of contaminating particles at high time resolution in the mini environments of loading and unloading chambers of processing appliances in semiconductor fabrication includes a probe, a movement unit for the probe, a particle detector, vacuum pump and a control unit. Reaching critical layer thicknesses of disk carriers or boats in ovens, and maladjustments of handling systems for wafers, masks, flat panel displays and other disc-like objects can be detected in terms of the cause and quantified immediately. The movement unit moves the probe to a desired position in the loading and unloading chamber as a reaction to the positioning of the handling system. A method of operating the configuration is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Olaf Storbeck, Ralph Trunk, Lothar Pfitzner, Claus Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030041969
    Abstract: A particle measurement configuration measures the particle concentration in a liquid or gaseous medium by way of a particle measuring instrument. In order to avoid erroneous measurements or damage to the particle measuring instrument, a measuring cell is provided which measures temperature or pressure or pH of the medium. A system controller shuts off a valve if threshold values are exceeded and it prevents the particle measuring instrument from being operated outside a predefined specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Claus Schneider, Ralph Trunk, Lothar Pfitzner, Heinz Schmid
  • Publication number: 20020101585
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring angle-dependent diffraction effects includes a coherent radiation source, a device for deflecting the coherent radiation in different directions, a spherical or aspherical mirror or mirror segments configured to correspond to a spherical or aspherical mirror, and a detector unit for measuring the intensity of the radiation diffracted at a specimen. The radiation deflected in different directions is reflected by the mirror configuration in such a way that the coherent beam is deflected onto the specimen with different angles of incidence in a temporally successively sequential manner. For this purpose, the angle of incidence of the measuring beam is altered continuously or in small steps. The intensities of the direct reflection (zero-order diffraction) and also of the higher orders of diffraction that may occur are measured. This evaluation allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the form and material of the periodic structures examined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Norbert Benesch, Claus Schneider, Lothar Pfitzner
  • Publication number: 20020089677
    Abstract: The apparatus allows monitoring layer depositions in a process chamber. The apparatus has a light source, a sensor element, and at least one light detector. The sensor element is suitably configured in order to influence the intensity of the light beam measured by the detector by the thickness of the layer growing on the sensor element. The novel monitoring method for measuring the transmitted light intensity utilizes the apparatus. The sensor element has a continuous opening through which the intensity of the light is observed as a function of the opening grown over by the thickness of the growing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Jurgen Ziegler, Reinhold Waller, Lothar Pfitzner, Claus Schneider, Heiner Ryssel, Volker Tegeder
  • Publication number: 20020051564
    Abstract: A method for monitoring fabrication processes of finely structured surfaces in a semiconductor fabrication includes the steps of providing reference signatures of finely structured surfaces, measuring at least one signature of a test specimen surface, comparing the measured signature with the reference signatures, and classifying the test specimen surface by using the comparison results, wherein the measurement of the reference signatures is carried out by measuring the local distribution and/or intensity distribution of diffraction images on production prototypes having a specified quality. The classification is preferably carried out here with a neural network having a learning capability and/or a fuzzy logic. Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Norbert Benesch, Claus Schneider, Lothar Pfitzner
  • Patent number: 6089548
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for converting a liquid flow into a gas flow, a liquid flow is introduced into an evaporation volume, the liquid flow is dispersed so as to enlarge the surface of the liquid, the dispersion being not caused by a change of pressure and taking place without admixture of a medium, and the evaporated liquid flow is conducted out of the evaporation volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventors: Lothar Pfitzner, Heiner Ryssel, Piotr Strzyzewski, Georg Roeder