Patents by Inventor Michael A. Hoffmann

Michael A. 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: 7132141
    Abstract: Two-layered or three-layered polymer tubing for use as a pressurized fluid conduit in automobiles can be either walled or have walls continuously or partially corrugated. The tubing has an outer layer of a hard polymer molding material and an inner layer of a soft rubber-like polymer or a polymer mixture. The inner layer can be provided on the innerside with a layer of a thermoplastic adhesion-modified elastomer composition. The a materials are selected for the layers to provide a so-called “hard-soft-combination”. The rubber-like polymer composition has a hardness in the range of 30 Shore A to 60 Shore D, especially of about 30 Shore A to 90 Shore A, the compositions being selected so that they are processable by coextrusion or the so-called conex method and adhere directly to each other non-positively or positively fitted, i. e. without additional bonding agent, without delaminating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ems-Chemie AG
    Inventors: Helmut Thullen, Georg Stoeppelmann, Ralph Kettl, Michael Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20060223709
    Abstract: What is described are pyrazolyloxyphenyl derivatives of the formula (I) and their use as herbicides. In this formula (I), R1, R2 and R3 denote various radicals, and A is a cyclic radical from the group consisting of phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl and pyrazolyl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: Bayer CropScience GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Helmke, Michael Hoffmann, Lothar Willms, Thomas Auler, Heinz Kehne, Martin Hills, Dieter Feucht
  • Publication number: 20060223708
    Abstract: What is described are N-[pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl]carboxamides of the formula (I) and their use as herbicides. In this formula (I), X1 and X2 are hydrogen or methyl, R1 to R4 are various radicals and A is an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Applicant: Bayer CropScience GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Klaus Haaf, Hendrik Helmke, Lothar Willms, Thomas Auler, Martin Hills, Heinz Kehne, Dieter Feucht
  • Publication number: 20060167778
    Abstract: Software technology is used to build and perform object-oriented financial modeling. A software framework creates highly reusable and layered business objects. Business objects organize financial information and save time through ease of use and a simple intuitive interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: Whitebirch Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, J. Cleaveland
  • Patent number: 7071680
    Abstract: A position transducer device is provided for detecting the position of a position transmitter. The position transducer device comprises a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a measuring sensor arranged in the housing and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction. The position transmitter is coupled to the measuring sensor in a non-contacting manner. The outer surface of the housing is designed such that it can be enclosed at least partially by a fixing receiving means for fixing the housing to an application. The housing can be rotated relative to the position transmitter in the fixing receiving means in order to enable adjustment of the distance between the measuring sensor and the position transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kurz, Gerd Eckel, Roland Holder, Hansjuergen Eberle, Roland Springer, Michael Hoffmann, Walter Roth
  • Patent number: 7067774
    Abstract: A heating element for placing on a pipe or nozzle comprises a current-carrying conductor connectable by means of connecting leads to a power supply. Each of the connecting leads has a terminal contact piece which can be engaged with a contact surface of the heating element. The contact piece can be clamped against the heating element by means of a clamping device. The contact piece rests loosely on the contact surface and the clamping force of the clamping device acts in a substantially normal manner to the contact surface and clamps the contact piece against said contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Watlow GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20060121608
    Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin substitutes, and in particular to in vitro cultured skin substitutes that have improved barrier function. In some embodiments, improved barrier function is a result of improved culture conditions, while in other embodiments, improved barrier function results from genetic modification of keratinocytes. Improved culture conditions to improve barrier function include organotypic culture in the presence of linoleic acid and/or linoleic acid at about 75% humidity. Suitable genetic modifications for improving barrier function includes transfection with a DNA construct capable of expressing GKLF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Allen Comer, Lynn Allen-Hoffmann, Michael Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20060122063
    Abstract: A description is given of 4-trifluoromethylpyrazolyl-substituted pyridines and pyrimidines of formula (I) and of their use as herbicides. In this formula (I) R1, R2, R3 and R4 are various radicals, A is an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical, and Z is a nitrogen or carbon atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Bayer CropScience GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Hendrik Helmke, Lothar Willms, Thomas Auler, Hermann Bieringer, Hubert Menne
  • Publication number: 20060090738
    Abstract: In a centrifugal oil separator for blow-by gases of an internal combustion engine comprising a rotating component which has at least one inflow port for the introduction of blow-by gases from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine, at least a first outflow port for the discharge of air and at least a second outflow port for the discharge of oil, and also a driveshaft (12) driving the rotating component for driving the rotating component, the driveshaft of the rotating component is connected via a mechanical coupling to a transmission driven by a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Andreas Ruess
  • Publication number: 20060059417
    Abstract: Software is disclosed that creates a way of controlling alterations to cell contents of a data flow network so they can easily be turned on and off as separate layers. These layers can then be grouped as scenarios. Scenarios allow different layers of formula changes to be easily added and removed from the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: Whitebirch Software, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, J. Cleaveland
  • Patent number: 6998240
    Abstract: A method of screening for selective inhibitors or activators Smad protein function is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the steps of (a) obtaining a phosphorylated Smad protein or protein complex, (b) allowing the phosphorylated Smad protein or complex to interact with a target protein or peptide in the presence of a test compound, and (c) analyzing the binding of the phosphorylated Smad complex or protein and the target protein or peptide, wherein a perturbation of binding indicates that the test compound is an inhibitor or activator of Smad-target protein interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: F. Michael Hoffmann, Allen R. Comer
  • Publication number: 20050282669
    Abstract: In a belt tensioning arrangement and a belt drive including such a belt tensioning arrangement with a first belt tensioning structure for adjusting the belt tension of a first drive belt and a second belt tensioning structure for adjusting the belt tension of a second drive belt, wherein both drive belts are arranged in essentially parallel operating planes, the first and second belt tensioning structures are supported on a common support structure so as to form an integral belt tensioning arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Arthur Bauer, Michael Hoffmann, Walter Kerschbaum
  • Patent number: 6973775
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for desulfating a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst that contains stored nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides and that forms part of an exhaust gas purification system of a lean-burn engine. The method provides that, to initiate desulfation, the temperature of the catalyst is increased to the point where thermal desorption of the nitrogen oxides stored in the catalyst sets in, and the onset of thermal desorption of the nitrogen oxides is used as the signal to enrich the air/fuel mixture to perform the desulfation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Harald Klein, Klaus-Ingo Prieger, Thomas Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 6974697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to in vitro cultured skin substitutes, and in particular to in vitro cultured skin substitutes that have improved barrier function. In some embodiments, improved barrier function is a result of improved culture conditions, while in other embodiments, improved barrier function results from genetic modification of keratinocytes. Improved culture conditions to improve barrier function include organotypic culture in the presence of linoleic acid and/or linoleic acid at about 75% humidity. Suitable genetic modifications for improving barrier function includes transfection with a DNA construct capable of expressing GKLF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Stratech Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Comer, Lynn Allen-Hoffmann, Michael Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20050211693
    Abstract: A heating element for placing on a pipe or nozzle comprises a current-carrying conductor connectable by means of connecting leads to a power supply. Each of the connecting leads has a terminal contact piece which can be engaged with a contact surface of the heating element. The contact piece can be clamped against the heating element by means of a clamping device. The contact piece rests loosely on the contact surface and the clamping force of the clamping device acts in a substantially normal manner to the contact surface and clamps the contact piece against said contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20050209106
    Abstract: A description is given of 4-(4-trifluoromethylpyrazolyl)pyrimidines of the formula (I) and of their use as herbicides. In this general formula (I), R1, R2, R3 and R4 are various radicals and Y is an aromatic or heteroaromatic radical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Bayer CropScience GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Hendrik Helmke, Lothar Willms, Thomas Auler, Heinz Kehne, Martin Hills, Dieter Feucht
  • Publication number: 20050199011
    Abstract: A for horizontally transferring at least one hollow glass object from a dead plate of each section of an I.S. (Individual Section) glass-forming machine to a conveyor belt which is common to all sections is characterised by a transfer device (30) which is connected via a carrying bar (42) to a guide piece (35) which can be displaced along two guide rods (36) which are disposed in a housing (13) in parallel with each other at a mutually spaced disposition and extending in a horizontal manner. A freely rotatable roller (32) which is disposed on one end of a crank (28) engages in a groove (34) of the guide piece which extends in a perpendicular manner with respect to the two guide rods (36), wherein the crank (28) can rotate about an axis (8) which extends in parallel with the axis of the roller (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Heye International GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Siegfried Schwarzer, Dirk Winkelhake, Hermann Bogert
  • Publication number: 20050193773
    Abstract: Each hollow glass object (7) is pushed by a push-off unit from a dead plate (1) along a curved path (10) onto the conveyor belt (5) in such a way that the curved path (10) is brought tangentially to a contact point (11) in a movement direction (6) of the conveyor belt (5). Subsequent to the contact point (11) each hollow glass object (7) is pushed further by the push-off unit by a further linear path portion (12) in the movement direction (6) of the conveyor belt (5) as far as a release point (13) in which the push-off unit is released from the hollow glass object (7). The push-off unit is then moved back to the starting point (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: Heye International GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Winkelhake, Hermann Bogert, Siegfried Schwarzer, Michael Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6938411
    Abstract: A method for removing nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from the lean exhaust gas of a combustion engine that also contains low concentrations of sulfur oxides. The exhaust gas stream is passed over a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst and a particulate filter, where nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are adsorbed by the storage catalyst under lean exhaust gas conditions and the particulate matter is deposited on the particulate filter. The storage catalyst is in a first cycle is periodically denitrated by enriching the exhaust gas regeneration of the particulate filter. Desulfurization of the nitrogen oxide storage catalyst is carried out in a second cycle by raising the temperature of the lean exhaust gas to a value at which the particulate matter combustion on the particulate filter is initiated and then the storage catalyst can be desulfurized by enriching the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Hoffmann, Harald Klein, Thomas Kreuzer, Adolf Schäfer-Sindlinger
  • Publication number: 20050174108
    Abstract: A position transducer device is provided for detecting the position of a position transmitter. The position transducer device comprises a housing extending in a longitudinal direction and a measuring sensor arranged in the housing and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction. The position transmitter is coupled to the measuring sensor in a non-contacting manner. The outer surface of the housing is designed such that it can be enclosed at least partially by a fixing receiving means for fixing the housing to an application. The housing can be rotated relative to the position transmitter in the fixing receiving means in order to enable adjustment of the distance between the measuring sensor and the position transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Applicant: BALLUFF GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kurz, Gerd Eckel, Roland Holder, Hansjuergen Eberle, Roland Springer, Michael Hoffmann, Walter Roth