Patents by Inventor Martin Thomas

Martin Thomas 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: 12571813
    Abstract: An automated method of washing a fluidic system 210 of an IVD analyzer 200 from a previous fluid is disclosed, the fluidic system 210 comprising at least one fluidic path 211, 213, 215.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Thomas
  • Publication number: 20250382134
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling an automated warehouse or order fulfillment facility. The system includes a sequencing tower, which functions as a buffer for inbound items and shipping containers, and various pick/decant workstations which are connected between the sequencing tower and an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The sequencing tower is adapted for receiving, storing, and releasing newly erected shipping containers and inbound vendor cases. The pick/decant workstations function as a hub between the sequencing tower and the ASRS, where operators at the pick/decant workstations pick order items to shipping containers to fulfil orders or pick inbound/vendor items to inventory containers to be stored in the ASRS. The system and methods synchronize the sequencing tower and ASRS to release items to arrive at the workstations simultaneously to optimize efficiency and throughput of the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Philip J. Puite, Martin Thomas, Jack Tuinstra, Fredrick D. Herlacher, Jeff Gibson
  • Patent number: 12404107
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling an automated warehouse or order fulfillment facility. The system includes a sequencing tower, which functions as a buffer for inbound items and shipping containers, and various pick/decant workstations which are connected between the sequencing tower and an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The sequencing tower is adapted for receiving, storing, and releasing newly erected shipping containers and inbound vendor cases. The pick/decant workstations function as a hub between the sequencing tower and the ASRS, where operators at the pick/decant workstations pick order items to shipping containers to fulfil orders or pick inbound/vendor items to inventory containers to be stored in the ASRS. The system and methods synchronize the sequencing tower and ASRS to release items to arrive at the workstations simultaneously to optimize efficiency and throughput of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Philip J. Puite, Martin Thomas, Jack Tuinstra, Fredrick D. Herlacher, Jeff Gibson
  • Publication number: 20240201217
    Abstract: An automated method of washing a fluidic system 210 of an IVD analyzer 200 from a previous fluid is disclosed, the fluidic system 210 comprising at least one fluidic path 211, 213, 215.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventor: Martin Thomas
  • Publication number: 20240069319
    Abstract: There is provided a microscope focus control system comprising an illumination source (70) and a polarisation-sensitive detector (66) positioned to receive a reflected beam (40) from an interface (54) having a reference refractive index and configured to detect polarisation components of the reflected beam (40). An elongate aperture (72) is disposed proximal the illumination source (70) to generate a rectangular beam (74) to impinge on the interface (54) and a second aperture (106) is located at a position corresponding to an unfocused region of the reflected beam (40) from the interface (54) so as to direct unfocused reflected light onto the polarisation-sensitive detector (66). Changes in polarisation components of the reflected beam are used to measure of change in position of the interface (54) relative to the objective (50). The reflected beam (40) is generated by Fresnel reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Martin THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20230309870
    Abstract: An automated method of calibrating a sensor located in a flow-through sensor path and requiring at least one oxygenated calibration fluid for calibration comprises transporting a predefined amount of deoxygenated calibration fluid from a fluid supply into a fluidic line between a fluid-selection valve and the sensor path, transporting ambient air into the fluidic line before and after transporting the calibration fluid forming an isolated plug of calibration fluid between zones of ambient air, oscillating the calibration fluid plug back and forth within a predefined length of the fluidic line causing reciprocating fluid film tailing along the inner walls of the fluidic line, and facilitating oxygenation of the calibration fluid via oxygen uptake by the fluid film from the ambient air in the fluidic line, and transporting the oxygenated calibration fluid into the sensor path at a position where the sensor is located and calibrating the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Thomas
  • Patent number: 11553062
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for transferring data, in which a peripheral device and a central device are wirelessly connected in accordance with the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard and a data packet is transferred within a transfer window of a Bluetooth Low Energy data channel between the peripheral device and the central device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Martin Thomas
  • Patent number: 11454132
    Abstract: A turbocharger contains a turbine housing having an accommodating region for a turbine rotor disk of the turbocharger, which accommodating region is arranged centrally with respect to a turbine housing axis, and a turbine spiral channel, which tapers helically toward the accommodating region. A wastegate valve, having a spindle arm and a valve plate arranged on the spindle arm, or a variable exhaust-gas guiding device, having bearing disks and guide vanes, is arranged in the turbine housing. At least one of the: turbine housing, spindle arm and valve plate, or bearing disks and guide vanes, has a steel material for high-temperature applications. The material composition of which contains, in addition to iron, Fe, at least the following alloying constituents in amounts within the specified limits in weight percent: carbon: 0.4-0.5%; silicon: 1.25-1.75%; manganese: 3.0-12.0%; chromium: 19.5-20.5%; nickel: 5.0-6.0%; niobium: 1.00-1.5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Hiller, Martin Thomas, Achim Koch
  • Publication number: 20220106121
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for controlling an automated warehouse or order fulfillment facility. The system includes a sequencing tower, which functions as a buffer for inbound items and shipping containers, and various pick/decant workstations which are connected between the sequencing tower and an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The sequencing tower is adapted for receiving, storing, and releasing newly erected shipping containers and inbound vendor cases. The pick/decant workstations function as a hub between the sequencing tower and the ASRS, where operators at the pick/decant workstations pick order items to shipping containers to fulfil orders or pick inbound/vendor items to inventory containers to be stored in the ASRS. The system and methods synchronize the sequencing tower and ASRS to release items to arrive at the workstations simultaneously to optimize efficiency and throughput of the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Philip J. Puite, Martin Thomas, Jack Tuinstra, Fredrick D. Herlacher, Jeff Gibson
  • Patent number: 11251448
    Abstract: A method for determining a sealing tightness of a fuel cell stack includes providing of fuel into a cathode space, sealed off gas-tight against further components of a cathode subsystem, formed at least partly by the fuel cell stack, and detecting of a value which is indicative of a pressure change in the cathode space, where a cathode test pressure in the cathode space is higher than a pressure outside the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Formanski, Norbert Frisch, Martin Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210388738
    Abstract: A turbocharger contains a turbine housing having an accommodating region for a turbine rotor disk of the turbocharger, which accommodating region is arranged centrally with respect to a turbine housing axis, and a turbine spiral channel, which tapers helically toward the accommodating region. A wastegate valve, having a spindle arm and a valve plate arranged on the spindle arm, or a variable exhaust-gas guiding device, having bearing disks and guide vanes, is arranged in the turbine housing. At least one of the: turbine housing, spindle arm and valve plate, or bearing disks and guide vanes, has a steel material for high-temperature applications. The material composition of which contains, in addition to iron, Fe, at least the following alloying constituents in amounts within the specified limits in weight percent: carbon: 0.4-0.5%; silicon: 1.25-1.75%; manganese: 3.0-12.0%; chromium: 19.5-20.5%; nickel: 5.0-6.0%; niobium: 1.00-1.5%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: MARC HILLER, MARTIN THOMAS, ACHIM KOCH
  • Patent number: 11169014
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring a volume of sample is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first chamber for accommodating the sample; at least one second chamber connectable to the first chamber; a first gas path including a first valve connected to the first chamber and on the other end connected to a gas entry path; a second gas path including a second valve, connected to the second chamber and on the other end connected to the gas entry path; a pressure sensor; a third gas path including a third valve, the third gas path connected to the first chamber and on the other end connected, via the third valve, to the pressure sensor; a fourth gas path including a fourth valve, the fourth path being connected to the second chamber and on the other end connected, via the fourth valve, to the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Anton Paar QuantaTec, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique Gadea Ramos, Martin Thomas, Stefan Thaler
  • Patent number: 11111819
    Abstract: Bearing bushings which are exposed to highly elevated temperatures during operation, corresponding high-temperature-resistant bearing bushings and exhaust-gas turbochargers having at least one such bearing bushing, include an iron material having a material composition which, apart from iron, has at least carbon, silicon, manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten alloy constituents in certain amounts. This material composition ensures sufficient temperature resistance and self-lubricating properties with simultaneously good machining properties and a moderate price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: CPT Group GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Thomas, Guenter Muench, Alexander Waas
  • Publication number: 20210243274
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for transferring data, in which a peripheral device and a central device are wirelessly connected in accordance with the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard and a data packet is transferred within a transfer window of a Bluetooth Low Energy data channel between the peripheral device and the central device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventor: Martin THOMAS
  • Patent number: 11065824
    Abstract: The invention relates in general terms to a device for production of a packaging precursor, wherein the packaging precursor consists to an extent of at least 80% by weight, based on the packaging precursor (1000), of a sheetlike composite, wherein the sheetlike composite includes: i. a composite plastic layer, ii. a composite carrier layer, iii. a first composite edge region, iv. a second composite edge region, wherein the device includes, as device constituents in a flow direction: a) a flat transport unit designed to transport the flat sheetlike composite, wherein the transport unit includes a transport surface designed to bear the composite; downstream of that b) a first heating unit designed to heat the first composite edge region, where the first heating unit includes energy release segments; downstream of that c) a contacting unit designed to bond the first composite edge region to the second composite edge region; wherein the first heating unit is designed to release energy in the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SIG TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Alef, Martin Thomas, Richard Leufen
  • Publication number: 20210156725
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring a volume of sample is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first chamber for accommodating the sample; at least one second chamber connectable to the first chamber; a first gas path including a first valve connected to the first chamber and on the other end connected to a gas entry path; a second gas path including a second valve, connected to the second chamber and on the other end connected to the gas entry path; a pressure sensor; a third gas path including a third valve, the third gas path connected to the first chamber and on the other end connected, via the third valve, to the pressure sensor; a fourth gas path including a fourth valve, the fourth path being connected to the second chamber and on the other end connected, via the fourth valve, to the pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Enrique Gadea Ramos, Martin Thomas, Stefan Thaler
  • Publication number: 20190334186
    Abstract: A method for determining a sealing tightness of a fuel cell stack includes providing of fuel into a cathode space, sealed off gas-tight against further components of a cathode subsystem, formed at least partly by the fuel cell stack, and detecting of a value which is indicative of a pressure change in the cathode space, where a cathode test pressure in the cathode space is higher than a pressure outside the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Volker FORMANSKI, Norbert FRISCH, Martin THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20190318667
    Abstract: An electronic baggage tag (1), for attachment to a baggage item (30) having a handle, comprises a housing (3) for a display screen (2) and a fastening (4, 6) for removably securing the housing (3) to the handle (20) such that the display screen (2) remains visible during handling of the baggage item (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Lewis FREEMAN, Jeremy GARDNER, Andrew ACTON, Peter COOKE, Martin THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20190218935
    Abstract: Bearing bushings which are exposed to highly elevated temperatures during operation, corresponding high-temperature-resistant bearing bushings and exhaust-gas turbochargers having at least one such bearing bushing, include an iron material having a material composition which, apart from iron, has at least carbon, silicon, manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten alloy constituents in certain amounts. This material composition ensures sufficient temperature resistance and self-lubricating properties with simultaneously good machining properties and a moderate price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: MARTIN THOMAS, GUENTER MUENCH, ALEXANDER WAAS
  • Publication number: 20190193341
    Abstract: The invention relates in general terms to a device for production of a packaging precursor, wherein the packaging precursor consists to an extent of at least 80% by weight, based on the packaging precursor (1000), of a sheetlike composite, wherein the sheetlike composite includes: i. a composite plastic layer, ii. a composite carrier layer, iii. a first composite edge region, iv. a second composite edge region, wherein the device includes, as device constituents in a flow direction: a) a flat transport unit designed to transport the flat sheetlike composite, wherein the transport unit includes a transport surface designed to bear the composite; downstream of that b) a first heating unit designed to heat the first composite edge region, where the first heating unit includes energy release segments; downstream of that c) a contacting unit designed to bond the first composite edge region to the second composite edge region; wherein the first heating unit is designed to release energy in the flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Ulrich Alef, Martin Thomas, Richard Leufen