Patents by Inventor M. Hoffmann

M. 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).

  • Patent number: 6160182
    Abstract: Acid catalyzed cyclization of Diels-Alder adducts of myrcene is performed in the presence of hydroxyl-containing compounds, giving the resulting mixtures of isomeric acyloctahydronaphthalenes enhanced quantities of isomers that are particularly useful in perfumery because of their woody-amber odors with enhanced amber note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Millennium Specialty Chemicals
    Inventors: Mark B. Erman, Carlos G. Cardenas, Henri M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6139749
    Abstract: A method for separation, identification, and quantification of radioactive species in an environmental fluid, such as surface or ground water, by passing the fluid through a sheet article. The sheet article is an essentially homogenous, fibrous or fibrillated, matrix or membrane that includes (1) ion-specific separators that sorb or react with the targeted radioactive species and (2) scintillators which emit light in response to radioactive emissions from the targeted species. The separators can be macrocyclic ligand-containing particles. The scintillators can be particles, fibers, a coating on the particles, or a coating on the fibrous matrix or membrane. The scintillator can be an organic scintillator or an inorganic crystalline scintillator. In one embodiment both the scintillator and the separator are incorporated into the same particle or fiber. A scintillation counter can be used to detect and quantify the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Garold L. Goken, Kent A. Orlandini, Mitchell D. Erickson, Louis C. Haddad, David C. Seely, Keith M. Hoffmann, Susan K. Dallas
  • Patent number: 5892104
    Abstract: This invention relates to a compound having the formula I: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 1; when n is 1, one of dashed lines a and b is a single bond and the other of dashed lines a and b is a double bond, dashed line c is not present, and dashed line d is a single bond; when n is 0, dashed lines a, b, c and d are single bonds or one of dashed lines a and b is a single bond and the other of dashed lines a and b is a double bond, dashed line c is not present, and dashed line d is a double bond; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are, independently, lower branched or straight chain alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 ; and R.sub.4 is hydrogen, lower branched or straight chain alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl of C.sub.1 -C.sub.5, or C(O)R.sub.5, wherein R.sub.5 is hydrogen or lower branched or straight chain alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 ; wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is less than or equal to eight carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Millenium Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Kane, Henri M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5744239
    Abstract: This invention relates to the addition of antimicrobial agents to pavement marking systems to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on and under the pavement marking when it is affixed to a pavement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gina M. Buccellato, Rochelle R. Robideau, Keith M. Hoffmann, Gregory F. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5647421
    Abstract: A double panel window shade is formed by shade panels wound on inner and outer coaxial rollers. The inner roller includes a shaft secured at each end and journaled in mounting brackets at each end of the inner roller. The outer roller includes end plates journaled on the inner roller shafts. The outer roller defines a slot for receiving and passing the inner shade when said outer shade is fully unrolled from the outer roller. Each shade panel includes a bottom rail. A pull cord is provided for raising and lowering the shades by rotating the rollers. The pull cord is operatively connected to the inner roller by a dual direction spring clutch. The rollers are formed by a pair of roller tubes aligned one inside the other and each having a central axis, the axis of rotation of each tube being the central axis of the inner tube, and the central axis of the outer tube being spaced from its axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Hoffmann, Gerald W. Huntley, Joseph E. Kovach
  • Patent number: 5497282
    Abstract: The disk drive system has rotatably mounted spaced apart magnetic disks, a disk motor for rotating the disks, an actuator hub, a motor for rotating the actuator hub, and a control circuit for controlling the disk motor and the actuator hub motor to permit selective positioning of read/write heads over the disks. The actuator hub has an actuator arm extending radially therefrom. The actuator arm has an open slot located on the perimeter of the actuator arm. A head gimbal assembly for mounting the read/write heads to the actuator arm has a boss located on a proximal end of the head gimbal assembly. The boss registers with the open slot and is sized such that when the boss is swaged while within the open slot an outer surface of the boss expands into an inner surface of the open slot so that the spud and the open slot keep the head gimbal assembly fixedly attached to the actuator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hoffmann, Victor W. C. Shum
  • Patent number: 5392832
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening such as a window or door is in the form of a vertically oriented fabric assembly having front and rear sheer fabrics interconnected by vertically extending vanes. The vanes can be tilted through a series of carriers mounted on a track rail from which the covering is suspended in order to adjust the spacing between the fabrics between open and closed positions and adjust the light transmitting characteristics of the covering. The covering can be extended across the opening by separating the carriers on the track rail and can be contracted by stacking the carriers toward one end of the track rail. A unique design of carrier allows the covering to fold on itself in the contracted state, in the manner of a conventional drape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, James M. Anthony, Brad H. Oberg, Brian M. Hoffmann, Eric N. Williams, Paul G. Swiszcz, Cornelis M. Jansen
  • Patent number: 5287908
    Abstract: A window covering including first and second sheer fabrics interconnected by a plurality of transversely extending vanes is disclosed. The sheer fabrics are connected to circumferentially spaced apart fixing elements on a wind up roll which is mounted with its longitudinal axis extending generally horizontally to one side of a frame of a skylight. Associated with the wind up roll at each end are cord reels and a control pulley at one end of a respective cord reel. Rotation of the wind up roll is effected by operation of a cord wrapped around the control pulley. Wrapped around the cord reels are tension cords which pass around fixed pulleys and are connected to opposite ends of an end rail having in its interior a tension spring to the end of which are attached the ends of the tension cords. Two parallel tracks extending generally perpendicular to the wind up roll is provided for guiding the end rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Hoffmann, Wendell B. Colson, Eric N. Williams
  • Patent number: 5046932
    Abstract: In an epitrochoidal rotary air compressor, a stationary portion includes a stationary single offset power shaft on which is mounted an epitrochoidal rotor in a rotary housing portion. The rotor includes a pinion gear which cooperates with a ring gear in the rotary housing portion to move the rotor within the rotor chamber in the rotary housing portion. A centrifugally driven lubrication system including lubrication channels extending internally of the stationary power shaft is provided for lubricated bearings and gears within the apparatus. An improved compression seal engaging the lateral faces of the rotor has a plurality of buttons biasing a split ring against the lateral faces of the rotor. An air pressure unloader valve is centrifugally operated to release the load from the compressor during startup. A rotary after-cooler in the rotary housing portion removes thermal energy from the compressed air prior to leaving the compressor and an inter-cooler may be provided in a two stage compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Compression Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5000177
    Abstract: An adapter for extending a sensing and stimulation delivery lead in a body stimulation system, such as a cardiac pacer or cardioverter defibrillator, includes a resilient, electrically insulative housing with a longitudinal barrel extended through the majority of the housing length for the insertion of a lead terminal connector. Two spaced apart transverse bores are formed in the housing, open to barrel and to the housing exterior. Two connector assemblies are mounted in the housing and positioned to receive respective pin and ring terminals of the lead when inserted into the barrel. Each connector assembly can be adjusted to secure the lead in the housing, by a tool inserted through one of the transverse bores. Each connector assembly is isolated from the housing exterior by a seal means mounted in the associated bore. Each seal means includes a seal member elastically deformable to admit a tool to the associated connector assembly via a passage through the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Colleen M. Hoffmann, Donald L. Sandford, Susan M. Walgren, David W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4911043
    Abstract: A device and method for milling a trochoidal rotor having a predetermined trochoidal configuration. The trochoidal rotor is used in a trochoidal rotary device in which working chambers are defined between the rotor and a housing. The rotor device has inlet and outlet ports for passing a fluid or gas. The rotor is made by first planetating a rotor blank having a predetermined width and having an edge region about a predetermined axis. The cutting blade is provided which has a predetermined geometry and which is located at a predetermined fixed distance from the axis. The cutting blade is engaged with at least a portion of the edge region of the rotor blank. The cutting blade traverses the edge region of the rotor blank to cut the edge region into a predetermined trochoidal configuration. When the cutting blade is a helical flute, the engagement of the cutting blade with a portion of the edge region results in cutting at a predetermined location within the portion of the edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Compression Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4895222
    Abstract: A constant level oiler is provided which is ventilated in such a manner so as to eliminate the need for a large surge chamber. Such an oiler has an advantage in that the problems associated with the fluid surge resulting when the lubricated machine is shut down are eliminated. Furthermore, since a large surge chamber is unnecessary in the present device, the attendant costs associated therewith are also eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Foxport, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4884661
    Abstract: A top cover for oilers having an aperture centrally located about a disc-shaped body through which a lubricating fluid may be dispensed into the reservoir of the oiler is provided. Such a cover has an advantage in that a larger filling aperture is thus attained thereby providing for more efficient filling of the oiler reservoir and is further attained at no cost as a by-product of other necessary machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4827983
    Abstract: A swivel mount for the outlet conduit of a pressure vessel is disclosed that can be rotated to a desired position to provide access to a component attached to the mount without interrupting the flow of material from the pressure vessel to the mount and the component. The mount includes a hollow stem that is surrounded by and is in rotational sealing engagement with a sleeve. A sealed chamber is formed between the sleeve and the stem that receives material from the outlet conduit of the pressure vessel through a laterl aperture in the stem. The sleeve itself has at least one outlet conduit that is joined to the chamber and can direct material from the chamber to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Compression Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4728270
    Abstract: A rotary device and method for replacing apex seals is provided. The rotary device comprises a housing having a peripheral wall surface and two inner side walls that define a chamber. A rotor is located within the chamber and rotates therein. The peripheral wall surface of the housing includes a plurality of slots having disposed therein an insert, a wave spring, and an apex seal. The apex seal extends radially outward from the slot and is spring biased by the wave spring that is sandwiched between the insert and apex seal. The side walls of the housing include spring biased button seals. The button seals are urged against a portion of the apex seal. A side wall of the housing includes a rotatable nut for relieving the spring pressure on the button seal and an aperture covered by a removable cap for accessing the insert member so that it can be removed. A method of replacing the apex seals is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Trochoid Power Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4643316
    Abstract: A sort tray characterized by two sorting sections hinged together along a common wall. The sorting sections, which are substantially mirror images of each other, can be folded together to allow compact storage of the sort tray. Sliding gates are provided at the mouths of the sorting sections to permit the contents of one of the sorting sections to be poured out without pouring out the contents of the other section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4551083
    Abstract: A timing gear assembly for a trochoidal rotary device comprises a dual set of like timing gear systems provided on opposite lateral sides of the rotor to prevent rotor wobble. The pair of timing gear systems are in balance and equally loaded in support of the rotor at all times during rotor movement; and the opposed timing gear systems are circumferentially offset relative to one another, either by virtue of relative circumferential displacement of the pinion gears or ring gears or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Trochoid Power Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4382755
    Abstract: An improved rotary device having means facilitating an increased power shaft diameter. This means includes a pair of gear elements which are not related to the eccentricity of the device or to each other in the conventional manner known in the prior art. To compensate for these discrepancies in such relationships, additional gear rotational means is needed to control the rotation and revolution of the altered gear structure to compensate for the failure to maintain the heretofore required relationships with the eccentricity and with each other. One embodiment of the invention utilizes a plurality of movement control discs to accomplish this gear compensating motion, while a second embodiment utilizes a plurality of compensating gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Trochoid Power Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4297090
    Abstract: A rotary expansion power unit, such as a steam engine, which has a planetating rotor in a housing having an epitrochoidal cavity. In known engines, hot expansion fluid is directed through a hollow interior in the rotor and surrounds the rotor journal bearing. This leads to excessive expansion of the rotor and requires an excessive flow of cooling oil to the bearing. The invention isolates the expansion fluid from the interior of the rotor by having a valve disc fastened to the rotor crankshaft with a first seal means between the valve disc and housing end wall and a second seal means between the valve disc and rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Trochoid Power Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph M. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4258948
    Abstract: A tool is disclosed for lifting and carrying a bundle of shakes or shingles by hooking onto the band of material that holds the bundle together. The tool includes a handle and at least two hooks attached to the handle for engaging the band of the bundle. The handle is designed to prevent the skinning of a roofer's knuckles or the pinching of his fingers by providing adequate separation between a grip portion of the handle and a portion of the handle that supports the hooks. The hooks include offsets which help align the tool with the center of gravity of the bundle and may be provided with gaffs to ease their insertion under the band. In certain embodiments of this invention the handle is modified to provide a sharp cutting edge for puncturing, chopping or slicing through the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas M. Hoffmann