Patents by Inventor Martin Wackerle

Martin Wackerle 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: 12281724
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing at least one micromechanical device includes: providing a first and a separate second substrate, each having two surfaces spaced parallel to each other with a predetermined thickness; patterning a first trench structure into one of the two surfaces of the first substrate, and a second trench structure into one of the two surfaces of the second substrate; arranging the patterned surfaces of the two substrates with respect to each other such that a substrate stack with an upper and a lower surface is defined and the first and/or second trench structure forms at least one cavity therein; thinning the substrate stack from its upper and/or lower surface; exposing the at least one cavity by patterning a recess into the upper and/or lower surface of the substrate stack, wherein exposing the at least one cavity is performed after arranging the two substrates into the substrate stack. Further embodiments relate to a valve manufactured by means of the method and to a micromechanical pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Henry Leistner, Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Juergen Kruckow
  • Patent number: 11555725
    Abstract: A microstructured fluid flow control device includes a substrate with a piezo-actuated first membrane arranged on a first substrate side, and a fluid channel that extends through the substrate between the first substrate side and an opposite second substrate side. In addition, the microstructured fluid flow control device includes a microvalve that extends through the fluid channel and is configured to close the fluid channel in an unactuated state, and a second membrane arranged on the first substrate side and spaced apart from the membrane and arranged between the fluid channel and the first piezo-actuated membrane. The second membrane is joined to the microvalve and is mechanically biased towards the first membrane so that a biasing force is applied to the microvalve, wherein the biasing force is part of a restoring force that causes the microvalve to close the fluid channel in an unactuated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Wald, Sebastian Kibler, Martin Wackerle, Yuecel Congar
  • Patent number: 11131299
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump having a piezo diaphragm transducer arranged at a pump body of the pump, and to a method for producing a pump, wherein a piezo diaphragm transducer is mounted to a pump body, wherein the method, among other things, has providing a piezoceramic layer. In accordance with the invention, at least one piezo element is diced from the piezoceramic layer so that the at least one piezo element has a regular polygon shape having at least six corners. In addition, the method has forming the piezo diaphragm transducer by mounting the piezo element to a pump diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Yuecel Congar, Klaus Heinrich, Waltraud Hell, Martin Wackerle
  • Patent number: 11022470
    Abstract: The invention relates to a free-jet dosing system for dosing a free fluid jet to be dispensed. The free-jet dosing system includes, inter alia, a pump including an inlet and an outlet and configured to deliver fluid to be dispensed to the outlet. The free-jet dosing system further includes a dosage monitoring device arranged on the outlet side of the pump, the dosage monitoring device having an opening through which at least some of the fluid to be dispensed may pass, and the dosage monitoring device having a flow rate meter configured to determine the flow rate of the fluid which passes through the opening of the dosage monitoring device. In the inventive free-jet dosing system, the opening of the dosage monitoring device is configured as an outlet nozzle for ejecting the free fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Sebastian Kibler
  • Patent number: 10792430
    Abstract: A free-jet dosing system for administering a fluid into or under the skin having a micropump and a nozzle arranged on the outlet side. The micropump has an inlet and an outlet and is configured to transport a fluid from the inlet to the outlet and to generate a blocking pressure of at least 20 bar at the outlet. The nozzle is configured to output the fluid output at the outlet as a free jet at a fluid pressure so that the fluid of the free jet may be injected into the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Christian Wald
  • Patent number: 10550833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as a microdosing system for dosing an amount of fluid to be dispensed, wherein the microdosing system includes a micropump including an inlet and an outlet and configured to suck the fluid to be dispensed through the inlet and to dispense at least part of the fluid from the outlet. Further, the inventive microdosing system includes a first flow sensor arranged on the inlet side or the outlet side having an opening and a flow rate meter, wherein the flow rate meter is configured to determine the flow rate of the fluid passing through this opening. Additionally, the inventive microdosing system includes calibrators and/or fault detectors of the first flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Sebastian Kibler
  • Patent number: 9546651
    Abstract: A pump arrangement includes a microfluidic pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The pump arrangement further includes a safety valve arrangement having first safety valve, the first safety valve being arranged between the pump outlet and an outlet of the pump arrangement and including a first valve seat and a first valve lid. The outlet of the pump arrangement and a first fluid region are formed in a first part of the pump arrangement, wherein the first valve lid is formed in a second integrated part of the pump arrangement, and wherein the first valve seat, the pump outlet and the pump inlet are patterned in a second surface of a third integrated part of the pump arrangement. The first fluid region is adjacent to the first valve lid, wherein a pressure in the first fluid region has a closing effect on the first safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle
  • Patent number: 9410641
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bending transducer having a drive element and a membrane includes providing the membrane and the drive element and applying a production signal to the drive element during a bonding of the drive element to the membrane such that the drive element is pre-stressed after the bonding, wherein the production signal is of a same kind as an operation signal to operate the bending transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Markus Herz, Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle
  • Patent number: 9217426
    Abstract: A pump has an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a pump diaphragm comprising an opening, provided with a passive check valve, through the pump diaphragm, and an actuator configured to move the pump diaphragm between a first position and a second position. The passive check valve is configured such that a movement from the first position in the direction toward the second position has a closing effect, and that a movement from the second position in the direction toward the first position has an opening effect, so that a pumping cycle wherein the pump diaphragm is moved from the first to the second positions, and back, causes a net flow from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.v.
    Inventors: Martin Wackerle, Juergen Kruckow, Martin Richter, Klaus Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8746130
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a pump chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A passive silicon check valve is provided at the inlet opening, and a passive silicon check valve is provided at the outlet opening. The diaphragm pump further includes a metallic pump diaphragm that adjoins the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Martin Wackerle, Martin Richter
  • Publication number: 20130068325
    Abstract: A valve, including a valve opening and a valve plate arranged to seal the valve opening in a closed state by means of compressing a sealing structure is provided, wherein the sealing structure includes an uncompressed dimension in a compression direction of less than 100 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Herz, Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle
  • Publication number: 20130055889
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bending transducer having a drive element and a membrane includes providing the membrane and the drive element and applying a production signal to the drive element during a bonding of the drive element to the membrane such that the drive element is pre-stressed after the bonding, wherein the production signal is of a same kind as an operation signal to operate the bending transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Herz, Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle
  • Publication number: 20110280755
    Abstract: A pump has an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a pump diaphragm comprising an opening, provided with a passive check valve, through the pump diaphragm, and an actuator configured to move the pump diaphragm between a first position and a second position. The passive check valve is configured such that a movement from the first position in the direction toward the second position has a closing effect, and that a movement from the second position in the direction toward the first position has an opening effect, so that a pumping cycle wherein the pump diaphragm is moved from the first to the second positions, and back, causes a net flow from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Frunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventors: Martin Wackerle, Juergen Kruckow, Martin Richter, Klaus Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20110061526
    Abstract: A diaphragm pump includes a pump chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. A passive silicon check valve is provided at the inlet opening, and a passive silicon check valve is provided at the outlet opening. The diaphragm pump further includes a metallic pump diaphragm that adjoins the pump chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Wackerle, Martin Richter
  • Patent number: 7104768
    Abstract: A Peristaltic micropump includes a first membrane region with a first piezo-actor for actuating the first membrane region, a second membrane region with a second piezo-actor for actuating a second membrane region, and a third membrane region with a third piezo-actor for actuating the third membrane region. A pump body forms, together with the first membrane region, a first valve whose passage opening is open in the non-actuated state of the first membrane region and whose passage opening may be closed by actuating the first membrane region. The pump body forms, together with the second membrane region, a pumping chamber whose volume may be decreased by actuating the second membrane region. The pump body forms, together with the third membrane region, a second valve whose passage opening is open in the non-actuated state of the third membrane region and whose passage opening may be closed by actuating the third membrane region. The first and the second valve are fluidically connected to the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Yücel Congar, Julia Nissen
  • Publication number: 20050196304
    Abstract: A pipetting means includes a micropump comprising a pump chamber with a first opening and a second opening. Furthermore, the micropump includes means for changing the volume of the pump chamber. A first active valve is provided to perform opening and closing the first opening. Furthermore, a second active valve is used to perform opening and closing the second opening. Furthermore, the pipetting means comprises a pipette tip connected to the first or second opening via a pipette channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Hans-Jurgen Bigus, Ralph Debusmann
  • Publication number: 20050123420
    Abstract: A Peristaltic micropump includes a first membrane region with a first piezo-actor for actuating the first membrane region, a second membrane region with a second piezo-actor for actuating a second membrane region, and a third membrane region with a third piezo-actor for actuating the third membrane region. A pump body forms, together with the first membrane region, a first valve whose passage opening is open in the non-actuated state of the first membrane region and whose passage opening may be closed by actuating the first membrane region. The pump body forms, together with the second membrane region, a pumping chamber whose volume may be decreased by actuating the second membrane region. The pump body forms, together with the third membrane region, a second valve whose passage opening is open in the non-actuated state of the third membrane region and whose passage opening may be closed by actuating the third membrane region. The first and the second valve are fluidically connected to the pumping chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Martin Wackerle, Yucel Congar, Julia Nissen
  • Patent number: 4863207
    Abstract: A disc wheel, particularly for rail vehicles, with a composite metal/plastic structure. In order to make possible simple manufacture with at the same time adequate force transmission, a structure between the hub and the tread comprises a plastic structure comprising two half shells of the same design which are subdivided in sector fashion by spoke-like reinforcement ribs. The reinforcement ribs each have a longitudinal slot into which rib plates are inserted which connect the two half shells to each other. Advantageously, plastic foam is inserted into the cavities of the half shells. All joints between the plastic structure and the hub or the tread are cemented joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventors: Peter-Martin Wackerle, Josef Grober, Franz Sperber
  • Patent number: 4412784
    Abstract: The present rotor blade is constructed as a so-called monocoque or shell type blade for use in large fans and windmill rotors. For this purpose the blade is made of fiber reinforced synthetic material with a differnt orientation of the fibers in different sections of the blade. The transition between the blade proper and the connecting end of the blade is formed by a blade root section which has a connecting end of circular or elliptical cross-section and a wing facing end corresponding in cross-section to the blade cross-section. The blade root section has three zones. In the main leading edge zone including the leading edge and adjacent sides of the blade root section the reinforcing fibers extend in parallel to one another. The fibers also extend unidirectionally in a rear zone forming the trailing edge of the blade root section and in this trailing edge zone the fibers also extend in parallel to one another but at an angle relative to the fibers in the leading edge zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventors: Peter-Martin Wackerle, Michael Hahn