Patents by Inventor Markus Koepfer

Markus Koepfer 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: 11555485
    Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly comprising at least one bendable slender structure (12) mounted on a stationary body base (11) and carrying on a first surface an installation feature (17) and a plug (16) in its distal portion, the bending of the slender structure (12) being controlled by a shape memory alloy wire (13) through coupling means (15) located in its distal portion on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The invention also concerns a fluidic valve incorporating such an actuator subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH, ALFMEIER PRÄZISION SE
    Inventors: Markus Koepfer, Erich Doerfler
  • Publication number: 20220074394
    Abstract: The present invention is inherent to an actuator subassembly comprising at least one bendable slender structure (12) mounted on a stationary body base (11) and carrying on a first surface an installation feature (17) and a plug (16) in its distal portion, the bending of the slender structure (12) being controlled by a shape memory alloy wire (13) through coupling means (15) located in its distal portion on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The invention also concerns a fluidic valve incorporating such an actuator subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicants: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH, ALFMEIER PRÄZISION SE
    Inventors: Markus KOEPFER, Erich DOERFLER
  • Patent number: 10114272
    Abstract: An autofocus actuator for camera modules and control method thereof, the autofocus actuator incorporating a shape memory alloy wire as actuating element, at least 4 spheres as sliding aids, and including a return elastic element mounted between an autofocus housing and a lens carrier and exerting a force only in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Markus Koepfer, Romaric Peri, Tom Nicolaisen, Alex Chen
  • Patent number: 9933689
    Abstract: A tilt module subassembly comprising a cage essentially made of elastic material and shape memory alloy wires. An optical positioning system for microstructures using the tilt module subassembly is also described. The optical positioning system for microstructures is an optical image stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Koepfer
  • Publication number: 20180052381
    Abstract: A tilt module subassembly comprising a cage essentially made of elastic material and shape memory alloy wires. An optical positioning system for microstructures using the tilt module subassembly is also described. The optical positioning system for microstructures is an optical image stabilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventor: Markus KOEPFER
  • Publication number: 20170299945
    Abstract: An autofocus actuator for camera modules and control method thereof, the autofocus actuator incorporating a shape memory alloy wire as actuating element, at least 4 spheres as sliding aids, and including a return elastic element mounted between an autofocus housing and a lens carrier and exerting a force only in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Yusuke SUZUKI, Markus KOEPFER, Romaric PERI, Tom NICOLAISEN, Alex CHEN
  • Patent number: 7267404
    Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid volume in shape changing elements of vehicle seats has a sliding valve connectable with a fluid pressure source and with shape changing elements for filling the shape changing elements with fluid and discharging fluid from the shape changing elements, the sliding valve having a housing provided with connecting openings for a corresponding one of the shape changing elements and a control slider movable in the housing relative to the connecting openings, the control slider having at least one control opening cooperating with the connecting openings and at least one connecting passage which opens in the control opening and is loadable with fluid from the fluid pressure source, the control slider being formed as an axial slider which is guided on the housing, the axial slider having an axial displaceably sliding head provided with the at least one control opening and the at least one connecting passage and a slider rod rigidly connected with the slider head for axial displacement
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Alfmeier Praezision AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Thaddaeus Buratowski, Markus Koepfer
  • Publication number: 20050067868
    Abstract: A device for controlling a fluid volume in shape changing elements of vehicle seats has a sliding valve connectable with a fluid pressure source and with shape changing elements for filling the shape changing elements with fluid and discharging fluid from the shape changing elements, the sliding valve having a housing provided with connecting openings for a corresponding one of the shape changing elements and a control slider movable in the housing relative to the connecting openings, the control slider having at least one control opening cooperating with the connecting openings and at least one connecting passage which opens in the control opening and is loadable with fluid from the fluid pressure source, the control slider being formed as an axial slider which is guided on the housing, the axial slider having an axial displaceably sliding head provided with the at least one control opening and the at least one connecting passage and a slider rod rigidly connected with the slider head for axial displacement
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Christoph Kern, Thaddaeus Buratowski, Markus Koepfer