Patents by Inventor Michael Sauter

Michael Sauter 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: 11949204
    Abstract: In various embodiments, laser devices feature means, such as fasteners, for attaching a laser package to a cooling plate, which allow motion of the laser package in response to thermal cycles resulting from operation of a beam emitter therewithin. Embodiments of the invention additionally or instead include laser devices featuring segmented barrier layers for electrically isolating the laser package from the cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD
    Inventors: Bryan Lochman, Matthew Sauter, Michael Denninger, Bien Chann, Keita Inoue, John Roethle
  • Patent number: 11684405
    Abstract: An apparatus (14) for supplying a medical instrument (15) for the treatment of biological tissue (11) due to the action of a plasma (28) is disposed, in accordance with the invention, in a special manner for the ignition and the stable development of a plasma (28) on the electrode (27) of the instrument (15). To accomplish this, the apparatus (14) comprises a control device (23) that, during an ignition test, limits—preferably in an instrument-specific manner—the current deliverable to the instrument (15) and/or limits the electrical power to be output to the instrument (15), and/or, in doing so, works with a reduced operating voltage. With this measure, a rapid, stable plasma development with minimal spark play is achieved with a large variety of connectable instruments (15a-15e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Schulz, Michael Sauter
  • Patent number: 11585430
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle that has an internal combustion engine and an automated manual transmission, connected between the engine and a drive output. The transmission includes a shifting element group with a plurality of shifting elements. The transmission further includes an oil pump and an electric machine, both of which are integrated in the transmission and coupled to an input shaft of the transmission. The oil pump delivers a flow of transmission oil for cooling the shifting element group and cooling the electric machine, and the shifting elements of the shifting element group are controlled and shifted by an actuator system that is independent of the oil pump. When the motor vehicle is at rest, the oil pump is driven by the electric machine in order to cool the electric machine while the motor vehicle is at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Markus Eisele, Martin Dietrich, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 11398047
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system to render a virtual reality (VR) scene, and a method and computer program product to determine a follower pose in a VR simulator during a simulation step. In one example, the method includes: (1) computing one or more current candidate poses utilizing input parameters, wherein each of the current candidate poses is a temporal projection of a follower pose along a respective sweep direction towards a leader pose, and wherein an obstruction is located between the follower pose and the leader pose, (2) selecting a target pose from the one or more current candidate poses, (3) refining the target pose utilizing physics-based constraints and the input parameters, wherein the physics-based constraints use a surface of the obstruction, and (4) rendering a new follower pose based on the refined target pose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Nvidia Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon Yeoman, Michael Sauter
  • Patent number: 11390267
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an engine and an electric machine, a transmission, a battery, and an exhaust treatment system having a particulate filter. The battery discharges during a charge-depleting mode of the electrical machine and charges when the electrical machine operates as a generator such that the battery charge state moves between lower and upper limits. If a filter regeneration requirement is detected, the filter is regenerated by raising the temperature of the exhaust gas. When the need for filter regeneration is detected, the battery is discharged to below the lower limit, in the charge-depleting mode of the electrical machine, prior to the regeneration. Subsequently, to regenerate the filter, the engine is operated to raise the exhaust gas temperature by increasing the torque provided by the engine, and the electric machine operates as a generator to charge the battery and/or operate an auxiliary electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Markus Eisele, Martin Dietrich, Michael Walser
  • Patent number: 11124175
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle (X) which has a combustion engine (VM), a transmission (G), an electric machine (EM), as well as a separation clutch (KO) positioned between the combustion engine (VM) and the electric machine (EM). During a purely electric drive operation in which the separation clutch (KO) is disengaged and, when a gear is selected in the transmission (G), and during expectation, reaching, or exceeding a rotational speed difference of the separation clutch (KO) is larger or equal to a limit value, and/or in an expectation, reaching, or exceeding a rotational speed limit of the electric machine (EM), the separation clutch (KO) is engaged. Further, an electronic control unit (ECU) executes the method and a motor vehicle (X) having such an electronic control unit (ECU).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Moritz Riegger, Michael Sauter
  • Patent number: 11022113
    Abstract: A connection assembly for use in an axial piston machine has a feed pump and a main body. The main body is equipped with at least one fluid connection. The feed pump is configured as an internal gear pump or as a vane-type pump. A pump assembly defines a planar sealing surface which bears at least indirectly against the main body. The main body has a second recess in which the pump assembly is received at least in certain portions. A separate cover is provided which covers the second recess and the pump assembly in each case at least in certain portions. The cover bears against the main body. An elastic element is installed under preload between the cover and the receiving part such that a corresponding preload force is supported at least indirectly on the main body via the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Sauter
  • Publication number: 20200380714
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system to render a virtual reality (VR) scene, and a method and computer program product to determine a follower pose in a VR simulator during a simulation step. In one example, the method includes: (1) computing one or more current candidate poses utilizing input parameters, wherein each of the current candidate poses is a temporal projection of a follower pose along a respective sweep direction towards a leader pose, and wherein an obstruction is located between the follower pose and the leader pose, (2) selecting a target pose from the one or more current candidate poses, (3) refining the target pose utilizing physics-based constraints and the input parameters, wherein the physics-based constraints use a surface of the obstruction, and (4) rendering a new follower pose based on the refined target pose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Gordon Yeoman, Michael Sauter
  • Publication number: 20200362958
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle that has an internal combustion engine and an automated manual transmission, connected between the engine and a drive output. The transmission includes a shifting element group with a plurality of shifting elements. The transmission further includes an oil pump and an electric machine, both of which are integrated in the transmission and coupled to an input shaft of the transmission. The oil pump delivers a flow of transmission oil for cooling the shifting element group and cooling the electric machine, and the shifting elements of the shifting element group are controlled and shifted by an actuator system that is independent of the oil pump. When the motor vehicle is at rest, the oil pump is driven by the electric machine in order to cool the electric machine while the motor vehicle is at rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael SAUTER, Markus EISELE, Martin DIETRICH, Franz BITZER
  • Publication number: 20200290595
    Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle (X) which has a combustion engine (VM), a transmission (G), an electric machine (EM), as well as a separation clutch (KO) positioned between the combustion engine (VM) and the electric machine (EM). During a purely electric drive operation in which the separation clutch (KO) is disengaged and, when a gear is selected in the transmission (G), and during expectation, reaching, or exceeding a rotational speed difference of the separation clutch (KO) is larger or equal to a limit value, and/or in an expectation, reaching, or exceeding a rotational speed limit of the electric machine (EM), the separation clutch (KO) is engaged. Further, an electronic control unit (ECU) executes the method and a motor vehicle (X) having such an electronic control unit (ECU).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Moritz RIEGGER, Michael SAUTER
  • Publication number: 20200263619
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having an engine and an electric machine, a transmission, a battery, and an exhaust treatment system having a particulate filter. The battery discharges during a charge-depleting mode of the electrical machine and charges when the electrical machine operates as a generator such that the battery charge state moves between lower and upper limits. If a filter regeneration requirement is detected, the filter is regenerated by raising the temperature of the exhaust gas. When the need for filter regeneration is detected, the battery is discharged to below the lower limit, in the charge-depleting mode of the electrical machine, prior to the regeneration. Subsequently, to regenerate the filter, the engine is operated to raise the exhaust gas temperature by increasing the torque provided by the engine, and the electric machine operates as a generator to charge the battery and/or operate an auxiliary electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Markus Eisele, Martin Dietrich, Michael Walser
  • Publication number: 20190360484
    Abstract: A connection assembly for use in an axial piston machine has a feed pump and a main body. The main body is equipped with at least one fluid connection. The feed pump is configured as an internal gear pump or as a vane-type pump. A pump assembly defines a planar sealing surface which bears at least indirectly against the main body. The main body has a second recess in which the pump assembly is received at least in certain portions. A separate cover is provided which covers the second recess and the pump assembly in each case at least in certain portions. The cover bears against the main body. An elastic element is installed under preload between the cover and the receiving part such that a corresponding preload force is supported at least indirectly on the main body via the sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Sauter
  • Publication number: 20190343572
    Abstract: An apparatus (14) for supplying a medical instrument (15) for the treatment of biological tissue (11) due to the action of a plasma (28) is disposed, in accordance with the invention, in a special manner for the ignition and the stable development of a plasma (28) on the electrode (27) of the instrument (15). To accomplish this, the apparatus (14) comprises a control device (23) that, during an ignition test, limits—preferably in an instrument-specific manner—the current deliverable to the instrument (15) and/or limits the electrical power to be output to the instrument (15), and/or, in doing so, works with a reduced operating voltage. With this measure, a rapid, stable plasma development with minimal spark play is achieved with a large variety of connectable instruments (15a-15e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Florian Schulz, Michael Sauter
  • Publication number: 20140135659
    Abstract: A measuring device for detecting positional changes of persons in a bed, having a bridge (10), which is arranged in a middle region of the lying surface transversely to the bed and is supported there by at least two supporting regions spaced apart from each other. The bridge (10) supports a mattress lying on the lying surface (1). The measuring device includes a sensor (13, 13a) at at least one of the supporting regions. Through use of the measured values of the sensors (13, 13a) a controller (21) detects the center of gravity position of the weight distribution loading the bridge (10) and activates an alarm if the movement activity of a person lying on the bed is insufficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Compliant Concept AG
    Inventors: Andrin Maggi, Michael Sauter
  • Patent number: 8529400
    Abstract: A method of coupling a combustion engine of a parallel-hybrid drive train via a clutch positioned between the engine and an electric machine with the clutch device initially disengaged, the engine rotational speed approximately at an engine idling rotational speed, and the machine rotational speed larger than the engine idling rotation speed. When a request is made for a drive torque value which is larger than a torque threshold, the engine rotational speed is brought to a rotational speed value above the machine rotational speed and the clutch is slipping engaged once the rotational speed value is reached, while the engine, when the drive train decelerates and a request is made to couple the engine, is brought into deceleration cancellation and the engine rotational speed is brought up to the machine rotational speed while engaging the clutch and dependent on a transfer ability of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Markus Eisele, Michael Sauter
  • Patent number: 8407833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a deformable support element for use in a bed system, and to a bed system comprising the support elements. The bed system is suited in particular for use in the prevention of the development of decubitus by recumbent patients. The support element according to the invention consists of a support plate, flexible edge elements connected at each end to the support plate allowing for a directed movement of the end of the support plate out of an unloaded position, and one or more actuators beneath the support plate for deforming the support plate. The invention is advantageously characterized in that the support plate of the support element can take on a straight shape by the actuation of the actuator or actuators or can be deformed into an undulated shape or into a movement that is directed upward or downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: EMPA Eidg. Materialprufungs—und Forshungsanstalt
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Flavio Campanile
  • Publication number: 20120240335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a deformable support element for use in a bed system, and to a bed system comprising the support elements. The bed system is suited in particular for use in the prevention of the development of decubitus by recumbent patients. The support element according to the invention consists of a support plate, flexible edge elements connected at each end to the support plate allowing for a directed movement of the end of the support plate out of an unloaded position, and one or more actuators beneath the support plate for deforming the support plate. The invention is advantageously characterized in that the support plate of the support element can take on a straight shape by the actuation of the actuator or actuators or can be deformed into an undulated shape or into a movement that is directed upward or downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: EMPA EIDG. MATERIALPRUFUNGS-FORSCHUNGSANSTALT
    Inventors: Michael Sauter, Flavio Campanile
  • Publication number: 20110287889
    Abstract: A method of coupling a combustion engine of a parallel-hybrid drive train via a clutch positioned between the engine and an electric machine with the clutch device initially disengaged, the engine rotational speed approximately at an engine idling rotational speed, and the machine rotational speed larger than the engine idling rotation speed. When a request is made for a drive torque value which is larger than a torque threshold, the engine rotational speed is brought to a rotational speed value above the machine rotational speed and the clutch is slipping engaged once the rotational speed value is reached, while the engine, when the drive train decelerates and a request is made to couple the engine, is brought into deceleration cancellation and the engine rotational speed is brought up to the machine rotational speed while engaging the clutch and dependent on a transfer ability of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Markus Eisele, Michael Sauter