Patents by Inventor Peter Woias

Peter Woias 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: 12075840
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a vaporizer for an inhaler, in particular an electronic cigarette product, comprising the steps of measuring the voltage applied to a heating element; measuring the current flowing through the heating element; determining the resistance of the heating element from the measured voltage and the measured current; controlling the temperature of the heating element by switching off the switching element in a controlled manner so that the current flow through the heating element is interrupted when the determined resistance exceeds or falls below a first critical threshold R_co.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: KÖRBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Sonali Rath, Muhannad Ghanam, Jan Jaklin, Uwe Pelz, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtboeing
  • Patent number: 12029253
    Abstract: A method of controlling vaporization of a vaporizer in an inhaler, wherein the vaporizer is heated by means of electric resistance heating, and wherein an electronic control device controls the current flow through the vaporizer, comprises the following steps: determining an initial point corresponding to the start of a draw by a consumer; taking measured values of the current applied to the vaporizer in time sequence from the initial point; determining a transition point between a range of low vaporization and a range of high vaporization in a time-dependent current measurement series corresponding to the measured values; determining a current value Iv corresponding to the transition point; setting a current interval [I1; I2] depending on the determined current value Iv; and controlling the current flow within the set current interval [I1; I2].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KÖRBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Goldschmidtboeing, Uwe Pelz, Muhannad Ghanam, Peter Woias, Eiko Bäumker, Anjan Bhat Kashekodi, Jan Jaklin
  • Patent number: 11958068
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an electrically operable heating body for an inhaler, wherein a semiconductor material is provided so as to be substantially planar, and a plurality of channels are incorporated into the semiconductor material substantially in the direction of the surface normal of the planar semiconductor material, such that a fluid can pass through the semiconductor material in the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KÖRBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Pelz, Muhannad Ghanam, Jan Jaklin, Peter Woias, Sonali Rath, Frank Goldschmidtboeing
  • Patent number: 11571529
    Abstract: An arrangement for an inhaler comprises at least one electric evaporator for evaporating liquid supplied from the evaporator, and for adding the evaporated liquid to an air flow flowing through the inhaler to form an aerosol, and a flow rate measuring arrangement for measuring the volume and/or mass flow of the air flow flowing through the inhaler. The flow rate measuring arrangement comprises a heating device, a downstream temperature sensor arranged downstream of the heating device for measuring an air outlet temperature and an electronic control device, wherein the electronic control device is adapted to determine the volume and/or mass flow of the air flow flowing through the inhaler on the basis of a temperature difference between the air outlet temperature and an air inlet temperature of the air flow upstream of the heating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KÖRBER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtboeing, Uwe Pelz, Muhannad Ghanam, Jan Jaklin, Sonali Rath
  • Publication number: 20220109097
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a deflectable membrane and a piezoelectric element attached to a part of the deflectable membrane for exerting a mechanical force on the deflectable membrane. The piezoelectric element is operable to perform an expansion and a contraction motion depending on an electric field applied to the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element leaves open a central region of the deflectable membrane and has a peripheral outline that does not coincide with an outline of the deflectable membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg
    Inventors: Ardavan Shabanian, Hans Rainer Stork, Anjan Bhat Kashekodi, David Stork, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtboing
  • Patent number: 11181104
    Abstract: A fluid pump for pumping a fluid from an inlet toward an outlet comprises a pump body, a pump diaphragm, and a valve seat. The pump body has a first opening and a second opening. The pump diaphragm is attached to the pump body and forms a pump chamber between the pump body and the pump diaphragm. The pump chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet by the first opening and to the outlet by the second opening. The valve seat is disposed inside the pump chamber and around the second opening. The valve seat protrudes with an undeformed height from the second opening into the pump chamber in a direction toward the pump diaphragm. The valve seat has an elastic body and a gasket with a sealing surface. The pump diaphragm is deflectable and is adapted to open and close a fluidic pathway of the outlet by moving into and out of contact with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg
    Inventors: Ardavan Shabanian, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtböing
  • Patent number: 11116252
    Abstract: A vaporizer device for an inhaler, in particular for an electronic cigarette product, comprises an electrical vaporizer having one or more heating elements for vaporizing liquid supplied by the vaporizer. The vaporizer device is characterized in that a carrier is formed of a layer system with a polymer film and at least one metal film in contact with the polymer film in a planar manner, the polymer film comprises at least one fluid permeable opening, the metal film comprises at least one fluid permeable second opening communicating with the first opening, and the metal film forms the heating elements, wherein the heating elements are arranged delimiting the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: HAUNI MASCHINENBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Sonali Rath, Muhannad Ghanam, Jan Jaklin, Uwe Pelz, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtböing
  • Publication number: 20190203703
    Abstract: A fluid pump for pumping a fluid from an inlet toward an outlet comprises a pump body, a pump diaphragm, and a valve seat. The pump body has a first opening and a second opening. The pump diaphragm is attached to the pump body and forms a pump chamber between the pump body and the pump diaphragm. The pump chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet by the first opening and to the outlet by the second opening. The valve seat is disposed inside the pump chamber and around the second opening. The valve seat protrudes with an undeformed height from the second opening into the pump chamber in a direction toward the pump diaphragm. The valve seat has an elastic body and a gasket with a sealing surface. The pump diaphragm is deflectable and is adapted to open and close a fluidic pathway of the outlet by moving into and out of contact with the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Ardavan Shabanian, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtböing
  • Patent number: 9444354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage converter circuit for transforming a low voltage applied to its input into a higher output voltage at an output. The voltage converter circuit comprises at least one first to fourth controllable switch of a first type, which are connected to each other in the form of an H-bridge, which is arranged between the input voltage and a reference potential, and a transformer with at least one primary winding arranged in a transversal branch of the H-bridge, and with a secondary winding, at which a transformed voltage can be tapped for generating the output voltage. In parallel to at least one of the controllable switches at least one controllable switch of a second type is arranged, which is conductive without a control potential being applied. The secondary winding of the transformer is furthermore connected with the control inputs of the controllable switches for feeding back the transformed voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg
    Inventor: Peter Woias
  • Patent number: 8958139
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermo-pneumatic actuator having a cavity defined by walls and being hermetically sealed, which is inflated with a working medium that alters the gas pressure thereof when a temperature change occurs. A wall region of the cavity is constructed as a ductile membrane, which can be deflected in at least two working positions located on both sides of a neutral position, in which the membrane is curved in opposite directions to one another. In order to alter the gas pressure in the cavity, and to adjust the membrane from one working position to the other working position, a tempering device is heat-conductively connected to the working medium. In the neutral position, the membrane is compressively loaded such that respectively, it maintains its position in both working positions if no outside force impacts the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Peter Woias, Till Huesgen
  • Publication number: 20140204615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage converter circuit for transforming a low voltage applied to its input into a higher output voltage at an output. The voltage converter circuit comprises at least one first to fourth controllable switch of a first type, which are connected to each other in the form of an H-bridge, which is arranged between the input voltage and a reference potential, and a transformer with at least one primary winding arranged in a transversal branch of the H-bridge, and with a secondary winding, at which a transformed voltage can be tapped for generating the output voltage. In parallel to at least one of the controllable switches at least one controllable switch of a second type is arranged, which is conductive without a control potential being applied. The secondary winding of the transformer is furthermore connected with the control inputs of the controllable switches for feeding back the transformed voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg
    Inventor: Peter Woias
  • Patent number: 8664834
    Abstract: An electromechanical energy converter for generating electric energy from mechanical vibrations has a bending bar clamped to a holder that can be set in vibration and elastically deflected at an end area along a path curve from a neutral position transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bending bar. A deflectable point on the bending bar is connected to the mount via a deflectable bridge part extending along the bending bar for applying to the bending bar a mechanical prestress oriented substantially in the direction of longitudinal extension of the bending bar. The bending bar has a drive connection to at least one electromechanical converter element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electric energy. The bridge part is arranged outside of the bending bar such that when the bending bar is deflected out of the neutral position, the bending bar and the bridge part extend along lines having different courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Christoph Eichhorn, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtboing
  • Publication number: 20130186078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-valve which is formed from two firmly connected substrates and preferably has an actuator element, for example that is diaphragm-driven, for the controlled opening and closing of a first and/or second passage. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a micro-valve and to a micro-pump which uses at least one such micro-valve. Said micro-pump is intended to be used in particular in conjunction with the development of an artificial sphincter. The micro-valve has a first substrate and a second substrate which are non-detachably joined to each other in order to form a controllable fluid flow section, and at least one first passage and at least one second passage. According to the invention, the micro-valve has at least one elastically deformable seal structure which, for example, can be formed by a photostructurable silicone, to seal off the first and/or second passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAT FREIBURG
    Inventors: Thomas Lemke, Peter Woias, Jens Kiöker, Frank Goldschmidtooing
  • Publication number: 20120113497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermo-pneumatic actuator having a cavity defined by walls and being hermetically sealed, which is inflated with a working medium that alters the gas pressure thereof when a temperature change occurs. A wall region of the cavity is constructed as a ductile membrane, which can be deflected in at least two working positions located on both sides of a neutral position, in which the membrane is curved in opposite directions to one another. In order to alter the gas pressure in the cavity, and to adjust the membrane from one working position to the other working position, a tempering device is heat-conductively connected to the working medium. In the neutral position, the membrane is compressively loaded such that respectively, it maintains its position in both working positions if no outside force impacts the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAT FREIBURG
    Inventors: Peter Woias, Till Huesgen
  • Publication number: 20110304239
    Abstract: An electromechanical energy converter for generating electric energy from mechanical vibrations has a bending bar, which is clamped at a fastening point to a holder that can be set in vibration and which can be elastically deflected at a free end area at a distance from the fastening point along a path curve from a neutral position transversely to the longitudinal extension of the bending bar relative to the fastening point. A deflectable point on the bending bar is connected to the mount via a deflectable bridge part extending along the bending bar for applying to the bending bar a mechanical prestress oriented substantially in the direction of longitudinal extension of the bending bar. A servo mechanism serves to set the prestress transferred from the bridge part to the bending bar. The bending bar has a drive connection to at least one electromechanical converter element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electric energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg
    Inventors: Christoph Eichhorm, Peter Woias, Frank Goldschmidtboing
  • Patent number: 6910377
    Abstract: A liquid reservoir with level measurement includes a base body (10) and a channel (12) implemented in the base body and comprising an inlet (14) and an outlet (16), the dimensions of the cross-section of the channel being selected such that a liquid (18) which may be filled into the channel forms a liquid meniscus (20) which demarcates a section (12b) of the channel which is filled with liquid from an unfilled section (12a) of the channel in which no liquid is present, the position of the meniscus in relation to the channel being substantially independent of the orientation of the liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir further includes detection means (32, 22, 24) for detecting the position of the liquid meniscus and/or the channel so as to obtain, from the position of the liquid meniscus, the level and/or a change in the level of the liquid reservoir. The inventive liquid reservoir is suitable as a low-priced drug reservoir particularly in connection with a capacitive level detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Martin Richter, Peter Woias
  • Patent number: 6490034
    Abstract: A micromechanical transmission measuring cell serves to determine an optical absorption of a sample fluid or as a reactor for carrying out an optically detectable chemical reaction. The micromechanical transmission measuring cell comprises a receptacle (12) used for holding the sample fluid, a light passage opening (30) for introducing the light into the receptacle (12), and a reflector (26) directing the light relative to the receptacle (12) in such a way that most of said light (24) passes through said receptacle (12) without multiple reflections on a wall of said receptacle (12), and that the optical absorption of the sample fluid is detectable on the basis of the light passing through said receptacle without multiple reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Peter Woias, Bernd Hillerich
  • Patent number: 6395638
    Abstract: A method of producing a pump body having an inlet opening provided with an inlet valve (106) and an outlet opening provided with an outlet valve (108), said method comprising as a first step the step of structuring a respective first main surface of a first and of a second semiconductor disc (200) for defining a valve flap structure (202) of the inlet valve and a valve seat structure (204) of the outlet valve in the first disc and a valve flap structure of the outlet valve and a valve seat structure of the inlet valve in the second disc. Following this, a valve flap well structure (206; 216) and a valve opening well structure (208; 218) are formed in a predetermined relationship with the valve flap structures and the valve seat structures in a respective second main surface of the first and of the second semiconductor disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Reinhard Linnemann, Martin Richter, Stefan Kluge, Peter Woias
  • Patent number: 6263741
    Abstract: A micromechanically produced flow-restriction device has a first passage opening formed in a first main surface of a substrate. A channel is formed in a second main surface of the substrate and one end thereof is in fluid communication with the first passage opening. A second passage opening is in fluid communication with a second end of the channel. The first passage opening, the channel and the second passage opening define a flow path. A membrane is formed in the substrate and is in fluid communication with the first passage opening. A membrane electrode is formed at least on the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventor: Peter Woias
  • Patent number: 6261066
    Abstract: A micromembrane pump comprises a pump membrane which is adapted to be moved to a first and a second position with the aid of a drive means and a pump body connected to the pump membrane so as to define a pump chamber between these two components, the pump body being defined by two semiconductor plates having each formed therein a valve seat and a valve flap which are formed integrally with the respective semiconductor plate, the two semiconductor plates being connected in such a way that a respective passive non-return valve is defined by a valve seat of one semiconductor plate and by a valve flap of the other semiconductor plate, one of the passive non-return valves being arranged in an inlet opening penetrating both semiconductor plates, whereas the other of the non-return valves is arranged in an outlet opening penetrating both semiconductor plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Reinhard Linnemann, Martin Richter, Stefan Kluge, Peter Woias