Patents by Inventor Martin Zimmermann

Martin Zimmermann 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).

  • Publication number: 20160123779
    Abstract: A cover for a duct sensor includes an outer envelope extending circumferentially around the cover, a seal projecting from the outer envelope and extending circumferentially around the outer envelope, a duct extending through the cover and defining a plurality of walls including side walls, and a front surface connecting to the outer envelope and to the walls of the duct. A guide runner is laterally arranged along a side wall of the duct. An opening in the front surface of the cover provides an entry for a circuit board into the duct, and the guide runner is configured to support a circuit board extending through the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Giuseppe Radatti, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9176331
    Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, which method comprises: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Altheimer, Robert Kaster, Martin Zimmermann, Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Dietmar Uttenweiler, Andrea Welk
  • Patent number: 9057411
    Abstract: In a clutch which is impelled by an actuator into the closed position and which automatically moves into the open position by an opening spring, the movement of the clutch into the open position is monitored and any malfunction is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Ehrlich, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Alexander Schweizer, Martin Zimmermann, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt
  • Publication number: 20150116657
    Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, which method comprises: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Helmut Altheimer, Robert Kaster, Martin Zimmermann, Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Dietmar Uttenweiler, Andrea Welk
  • Patent number: 8888281
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product are provide for optimizing a spectacle lens for a wearer with a selectable quality grade. In particular, a set of individual parameters is determined for the wearer and a desired quality grade is identified. Depending the identified quality grade, the set of individual parameters is adapted and a surface of the spectacle lens is calculated based on the adapted set of individual parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Altheimer, Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Dietmar Uttenweiler, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8862344
    Abstract: A clutch actuator and to a method for the control thereof. The actuator actuates a multi-disk clutch, and to do so has actuator modules. The number of which corresponds to the number of the friction clutches. The modules have separate control units and electric motors, which are controlled by the control units and act on the friction clutches by a disengaging mechanism. In order to counter block the partial drive trains disposed downstream of the friction clutches, particularly automatically closed friction clutches during a malfunction of an actuator module, the actuator modules are connected among each other to a data line, which allows monitoring of the actuator modules and counter-measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Matthias Gramann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Rapp, Wolfgang Hill, Michael Menzel, Wai-Wai Buchet
  • Patent number: 8800708
    Abstract: A device for preventing a vehicle from being started includes a breath gas analyzer (5), which is arranged within the vehicle and is designed to detect the breath alcohol content of an operator. A repeated test can be performed, without compromising the operator, with a control unit (1), which is connected to the breath gas analyzer (5), a motion sensor (4) and an ignition system (3) of the vehicle, to request a breath alcohol test at presettable times tW in such a way that the breath alcohol test is performed with the vehicle stopped. The control unit (1) is also designed to preset, beginning from the time tW, a time interval as a latency period tL within which the vehicle must be stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Stefan Morley, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8756787
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of establishing a press fit of a component with a mounting hole on a shaft. It aims at providing a method that allows exact positioning of the component to be mounted on the shaft as well as a flexible way of use. To this end, the method is so conceived that an inner surface of the mounting hole of the component and/or a circumferential surface of the shaft is/are partially fused so that calotte-shaped projections protruding beyond the inner surface of the mounting hole and/or the circumferential surface of the shaft will form, that the component and/or the shaft is/are subsequently cooled, so that the calotte-shaped projections will solidify, and that the component is then slipped onto the shaft until the mounting hole is positioned in a fastening area of the shaft. In addition, the present invention also relates to components for establishing a press fit of a shaft-hub connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Maxon Motor AG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Arnold Teimel
  • Publication number: 20140049747
    Abstract: Method for optimization of a progressive spectacle lens, which method comprises: defining a starting nominal astigmatism distribution for the spectacle lens; determining a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution and optimizing the spectacle lens on the basis of the transformed nominal astigmatism distribution, wherein the determination of a transformed nominal astigmatism distribution comprises multiplication of the maximum temporal nominal astigmatism of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution by a factor k as a result of which a modified maximum temporal astigmatism is obtained, wherein k is a function of a prescription value, and/or at least of one parameter of the spectacle lens or of the arrangement thereof in front of the eyes, and transformation of the starting nominal astigmatism distribution on the basis of the modified maximum temporal astigmatism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Helmut Altheimer, Robert Kaster, Martin Zimmermann, Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Dietmar Uttenweiler, Andrea Welk
  • Patent number: 8571775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smart actuator for actuating a clutch having a communication interface for connecting to a higher-level control unit, and at least one data line for connecting to the higher-level control unit, where the smart actuator is configured to identify errors in the higher-level control unit and/or an assigned second smart actuator, and where the smart actuator has controlling means that are suitable for converting the controlled system into a safe system state in the case of a recognized error. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding control method and a control system in which the smart actuators and the method are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Martin Rapp
  • Publication number: 20130277134
    Abstract: A device for preventing a vehicle from being started includes a breath gas analyzer (5), which is arranged within the vehicle and is designed to detect the breath alcohol content of an operator. A repeated test can be performed, without compromising the operator, with a control unit (1), which is connected to the breath gas analyzer (5), a motion sensor (4) and an ignition system (3) of the vehicle, to request a breath alcohol test at presettable times tW in such a way that the breath alcohol test is performed with the vehicle stopped. The control unit (1) is also designed to preset, beginning from the time tW, a time interval as a latency period tL within which the vehicle must be stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Stefan MORLEY, Martin ZIMMERMANN
  • Patent number: 8560285
    Abstract: A fast and efficient method for calculating or producing a spectacle lens design, as well as a method for manufacturing a spectacle lens according to the thus calculated spectacle lens design. Furthermore, a corresponding device is provided for manufacturing a spectacle lens, as well as corresponding computer program products and storage media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Altheimer, Wolfgang Becken, Robert Bichler, Gregor Esser, Martin Zimmermann, Jochen Brosig, Dietmar Uttenweiler
  • Patent number: 8466037
    Abstract: In a method for producing a very thin chip including an integrated circuit, a circuit structure is produced in a defined section of a semiconductor wafer. The defined wafer section is subsequently released from the semiconductor wafer. For this purpose, the wafer section is firstly freed such that it is held only via local web-like connections on the remaining semiconductor wafer, which web-like connections are arranged at a lateral periphery of the wafer section. The web-like connections are subsequently severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Institut fuer Mikroelektronik Stuttgart
    Inventors: Joachim N. Burghartz, Wolfgang Appel, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8463516
    Abstract: A process and device for controlling a motor vehicle with an initialization device (43) for startup and a clutch actuated by means of a clutch actuator set (45) between a drive unit and a gear with a control device (41) by means of which at least one control of the clutch actuator set (45) and an acquisition of measurement data of a sensor (47) takes place for the purpose of determining the position of the clutch, characterized in that to verify the state “clutch open” upon startup, a positioning of the clutch actuator set (45) that has been set and stored before or during shutdown is compared to a positioning that was acquired during a predetermined movement course of the clutch actuator set (45) after startup by means of a distance measurement, which takes place at least in a segment of that movement course, whereby the state “clutch open” is recognized, in particular, when the magnitude of the comparison is within a predetermined tolerance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Schweizer, Frank Stengel, Martin Fuss, Matthias Ehrlich, Behzad Nazari, Jens Martin, Joachim Hirt, Martin Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120310500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a smart actuator for actuating a clutch having a communication interface for connecting to a higher-level control unit, and at least one data line for connecting to the higher-level control unit, where the smart actuator is configured to identify errors in the higher-level control unit and/or an assigned second smart actuator, and where the smart actuator has controlling means that are suitable for converting the controlled system into a safe system state in the case of a recognized error. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding control method and a control system in which the smart actuators and the method are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Martin Rapp
  • Patent number: 8240419
    Abstract: An interlock system (1) for a vehicle is provided with an alcohol tester (4), which is designed to measure the alcohol level of a driver of the vehicle. A control device (2) is coupled with the alcohol tester (4) and is designed to make it possible to start the vehicle or to prevent the vehicle from being started depending on the measured alcohol level. A transceiver module (3) is coupled with the control device (2) and is designed to send data to a remotely located control system in a wireless manner or to receive data from said control system in a wireless manner. The transceiver module (3) is designed, furthermore, to release the control device (2) in response to data received in a wireless manner in order to make it possible to start the vehicle regardless of the operating state of the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Stefan Morley, Michael Reinhart
  • Publication number: 20120203368
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product are provide for optimizing a spectacle lens for a wearer with a selectable quality grade. In particular, a set of individual parameters is determined for the wearer and a desired quality grade is identified. Depending the identified quality grade, the set of individual parameters is adapted and a surface of the spectacle lens is calculated based on the adapted set of individual parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Altheimer, Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Dietmar Uttenweiler, Martin Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8118425
    Abstract: A spectacle lens with an object-sided front face and an eye-sided rear face, wherein at last the rear face comprises a viewing region that contributes to the optical effect of the spectacle lens and a carrier rim region that at least partially surrounds the viewing region and that does not significantly contribute to the optical effect of the spectacle lens. The rear face of the spectacle lens in the carrier rim zone is constructed substantially from a cosmetic viewpoint without consideration of the optical image-forming properties. A method for producing this spectacle lens is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Esser, Helmut Altheimer, Andrea Welk, Martin Zimmermann, Wolfgang Becken, Edda Wehner
  • Publication number: 20120008090
    Abstract: A method and device for calculating design parameters of a design of a progressive spectacle lens on the basis of a predetermined design polygon. The design parameters are calculated by specifying a point within the design polygon, in which the specified point defines the progressive spectacle lens design, and then determining a value of each design parameter at the specified point by an interpolation of at least part of the predetermined values at the corner points and, optionally, of at least part of the predetermined values of the design parameter at the at least one additional point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Atheimer, Wolfgang Becken, Gregor Esser, Dietmar Uttenweiler, Andrea Welk, Jochen Brosig, Christina Butz, Nadine Jung, Katrin Nicke, Ilka Schwarz, Robert Bichler, Martin Zimmermann, Werner Mueller, Hans Stetter
  • Publication number: 20110280699
    Abstract: Tailgates for trucks have a loading platform which can be lifted and lowered and pivoted by a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism has hydraulic cylinders for lifting and lowering and pivoting the loading platform. The hydraulic cylinders require a hydraulic subassembly and comparatively thick hydraulic lines in order to operate. The invention provides a tailgate in which the loading platform is raised, lowered and pivoted by electric linear drives (20). The linear drives (20) are provided in a particular manner with a plurality of rod-like electric motors (25) which together drive a gearwheel (32). The gearwheel (32) can rotate a spindle nut (24) on a threaded spindle (23). The threaded spindle (23) can thus be displaced axially like piston rods of hydraulic cylinders. As a result of the electrically operating linear drives (20), the tailgate according to the invention does not need any hydraulic subassembly or any hydraulic hoses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Thomas Hartel