Patents by Inventor Ralf Hoffmann

Ralf 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: 6679488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an armature spring (4) for a relay comprising a fastening section (3), a connected oblong spring section and a lever (7). The lever is located on the side of the longitudinal axis of the spring section opposite to that of the fastening section (3) so that the spring section is subject to torsional stress. Due to the torsional stress of the spring section, an even progression of the spring characteristic curve can be achieved. The stress is very even, so that the spring is very small and simple. In advantageous embodiments, the spring section extends parallel to the armature pivot axis and is formed by a torsion web (6). The lever section can be flexibly deformable. As a result the spring characteristic can be particularly easily and flexibly adjusted. As a result the spring armature can be combined with a magnet system exhibiting opening angles of 10° to 15°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Breitlow-Hertzfeldt, Martin Hanke, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6674353
    Abstract: The magnet system is part of a relay, which displays particularly low-noise switching. Components of the magnet system include a core unit (1), an armature (6) and a not represented coil, whereby the armature (6) is preloaded in an open position. The low-noise switching behavior is achieved in that the armature (6) is designed in such a manner that the armature pole face in the region of its front end (8a) in the closing direction is essentially perpendicular to a connecting line (16) towards the bearing edge (12). In addition, when the armature (6) is attracted, the core pole face (9) extends at least substantially parallel to the armature pole face (8). The arrangement according to the invention requires no additional parts for the purpose of noise reduction, resulting in a particularly simple and compact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG
    Inventors: Martin Hanke, Ralf Hoffmann, Josef Kern, Karsten Pietsch
  • Patent number: 6670121
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the qualitative and quantitative determination of differentially expressed mRNA molecules. Said methods are used especially to determine all possible mRNA molecules present in a cell or a tissue, and to compare them with other cells or tissues, with other conditions (stages of disease or development), or with stages of treatment for these conditions. The method provided for in the invention therefore makes it possible, for example, to establish a comprehensive map of the different mRNA molecules present in a defined mRNA population and subsequently to use the preferably digital information obtained in this way in data base analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Biofrontera Pharmaceuticals GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Hermann Lübbert, Stefan Zwilling
  • Patent number: 6611184
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay having a base and an armature. The base having a first fixed contact support having a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact support having a second fixed contact. The armature having a first end and a second end. A contact bridge mechanically coupled to the first end by a transfer spring and having a first moveable contact and a second moveable contact. The contact bridge positioned between the first fixed contact support and the second fixed contact support such that the first fixed contact is substantially adjacent to the first moveable contact and the second fixed contact is substantially adjacent to the second moveable contact. An armature spring positioned on the second end of the armature for urging the contact bridge toward the first fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6576682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polyurethane foams (PUR foams) which uses reactive amines of the formula where n is 1 to 4, R1 and R2 are —(CH2—CH2—O)xH, —(CH2—CH(CH3)—O)xH, or —((CH2—CH(CH2—CH3)—O)xH, and x is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that, at least one of the indices in the molecule is greater than 0, in combination with metal salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Goldschmidt AG
    Inventors: Oliver Eyrisch, Ralf Hoffmann, Hans-Heinrich Schlöns
  • Publication number: 20030083811
    Abstract: A method for finding a desired location in a digital map whose locations are indicated with reference to a first coordinate system, includes the steps of determining a second coordinate system which is indicated with reference to the first coordinate system; determining coordinate data of the desired location with reference to the second coordinate system; finding the second coordinate system in the digital map; and finding the desired location in the first digital map by entering the coordinate data of the desired location in the second coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Cesim Demir, Ralf Hoffmann, Peter Hoyland, Reiner Knapp
  • Patent number: 6535813
    Abstract: In a method and systems for selecting traffic information services that are receivable by at least one mobile receiver and are relevant for a route previously determined by a navigational device linked to at least one receiver, service information, which identifies the services having traffic messages relevant for the route, is read out from a stored list for the determined route. In the case of a plurality of services, a table is created that includes the read-out service information, which is sorted according to a valuation and is able to be modified as the route is followed. A receiver is set, in each case, to the highest-rated service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Schmidt, Katrin Brinkmann, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6531939
    Abstract: The relay comprises a base body (27), a coil (1), a core arrangement (3), an armature (10) and a contact system. The contact spring (16) is configured as an arc and arranged to be connected with the armature (10) in such a way that it is subjected to uniform, low mechanical loading. As a result a material can be used for the contact spring (16) which presents high electrical conductivity, so that the forward resistance of the relay is reduced. The contact spring (16) and armature (10) are arranged in such a way that a relay with a compact structure can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG
    Inventors: Martin Hanke, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20030030520
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay having a base and an armature. The base having a first fixed contact support having a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact support having a second fixed contact. The armature having a first end and a second end. A contact bridge mechanically coupled to the first end by a transfer spring and having a first moveable contact and a second moveable contact. The contact bridge positioned between the first fixed contact support and the second fixed contact support such that the first fixed contact is substantially adjacent to the first moveable contact and the second fixed contact is substantially adjacent to the second moveable contact. An armature spring positioned on the second end of the armature for urging the contact bridge toward the first fixed contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6489869
    Abstract: An electrical component having a functional unit which is secured to a header and which generates or is sensitive to sound, and having terminal elements which are mechanically secured to the header and electrically and acoustically coupled to the functional unit and which project through holes in the header onto the side of the header remote from the functional unit and which have a modulus of elasticity of EA>50 MPa, in which the terminal elements are partially encased in a viskoelastic material having a modulus of elasticity of EW<10 MPa. By encasing the terminal elements in a viskoelastic material, effective sound-damping can be produced. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventors: Juergen Breitlow-Hertzfeldt, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20020128371
    Abstract: The invention provides a molded composition having improved noise damping properties, made of a blend of a soft thermoplastic polyether elastomer and a hard polyester resin reinforced with a fibrous or particulate filler, the molded composition having an inhomogeneous structure comprising a surface part which is rich in elastomer and depleted in the polyester resin and the reinforcing filler compared to its inner part, obtained by monocomponent injection molding of a blend of the soft and the hard polyester resin wherein only the polyester resin contains the reinforcing particulate filler. The molded composition has a flex modulus Fm in the range 0.5 to 10 GPa, and maintains a sufficient minimum tan delta damping factor t_ over a temperature range of −50° C. to 170° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Ernst Poppe, Hans-Jurgen Huber, Ralf Hoffmann, Angelo Polese
  • Patent number: 6411895
    Abstract: A navigation method is set forth for calculating a travel route of a vehicle from a starting or an actual vehicle location to an operator-defined destination and for guiding a vehicle operator during operation of the vehicle over and along the calculated travel route, in which at least one possible parking location at the operator-defined destination is designated and the at least one possible parking location is included in the calculating of the travel route as a location to which the vehicle is guided when the operator conducts the vehicle over the travel route. After input of the operator-defined destination into a navigation unit of the vehicle by the operator, the location to which the vehicle is guided over the travel route is determined by the navigation system advantageously automatically taking account of the available parking locations at the input destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Lau, Heinrich Schmidt, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6403664
    Abstract: The invention relates to the combined use of metal salts of ricinoleic acid with reactive amines in the preparation of polyurethane foams (PUR foams) and of their solutions in aqueous or organic solvents in the preparation of polyurethane foams in combination with reactive amines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Goldschmidt AG
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Hans-Heinrich Schlöns
  • Publication number: 20020025989
    Abstract: The invention relates to the combined use of metal salts of ricinoleic acid with reactive amines in the preparation of polyurethane foams (PUR foams) and of their solutions in aqueous or organic solvents in the preparation of polyurethane foams in combination with reactive amines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Hans-Heinrich Schlons
  • Publication number: 20020014936
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical component having a functional unit which is secured to a header and which generates or is sensitive to sound, and having terminal elements which are mechanically secured to the header and electrically and acoustically coupled to the functional unit and which project through holes in the header onto the side of the header remote from the functional unit and which have a modulus of elasticity of EA>50 MPa, in which the terminal elements are partially encased in a viskoelastic material having a modulus of elasticity of EW<10 MPa. By encasing the terminal elements in a viskoelastic material, effective sound-damping can be produced. Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Juergen Breitlow-Hertzfeldt, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20020008600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an armature spring (4) for a relay comprising a fastening section (3), a connected oblong spring section and a lever (7). The lever is located on the side of the longitudinal axis of the spring section opposite to that of the fastening section (3) so that the spring section is subject to torsional stress. Due to the torsional stress of the spring section, an even progression of the spring characteristic curve can be achieved. The stress is very even, so that the spring is very small and simple. In advantageous embodiments, the spring section extends parallel to the armature pivot axis and is formed by a torsion web (6). The lever section can be flexibly deformable. As a result the spring characteristic can be particularly easily and flexibly adjusted. As a result the spring armature can be combined with a magnet system exhibiting opening angles of 10° to 15°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Juergen Breitlow-Hertzfeldt, Martin Hanke, Ralf Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6194475
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of metal salts of ricinoleic acid or solutions thereof in water or in organic solvents in producing polyurethane foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Goldschmidt AG
    Inventors: Tammo Boinowitz, Georg Burkhart, Ralf Hoffmann, Felix Müller, Hans-Heinrich Schlöns, Andreas Weier, Volker Zellmer, Rainer Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6111487
    Abstract: The relay has, one after the other on an elongate, narrow base body, a magnetic system and a contact arrangement having at least one fixed contact carrier and at least one movable contact spring. The contact carriers are in this case each embedded by a middle section into the plastic of a base body in such a way that their connecting lugs lie in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the relay, while their contact-making end sections, which emerge on the upper side of the base body, lie in planes which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the plane of the connecting lugs. This enables dimensionally accurate embedding of the contact carriers with good insulation with respect to the magnetic system and with easy processing from a sheet-metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Angelo Polese
  • Patent number: 6082120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process, a control unit, and a device for continuously deep freezing foams, e.g., edible foams, in particular ice cream and whipped cream, to the storage temperature, without using deep freezing tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: Ralf Hoffmann, Erich Windhab, Carl Hoyer, Friedrich H. F. Rogge
  • Patent number: RE36390
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for the cooling of edible foams, where a cooling or freezing system for pre-freezing of the foam is directly outlet-connected to an aeration system, a motor driven extruder device designed as combined deep freezing and transport device is outlet-connected to the cooling and freezing system, in which the pre-frozen foam can be cooled down to storage temperature, and the aeration device, the cooling or freezing system and the extruder device are connected together by means of pipes. The device of the present invention is characterized in that the extruder device has at least one double screw system with two screws positioned parallel to each other with their rotational axes. The lands of the screws of the double screw system scrape against the inner cylinder mantle surface of the housing surrounding it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Ulrich Fels, deceased, by Elisabeth Fels, legal representative, Erich Windhab, Ralf Hoffmann, Peter von Holdt, Lutz Hahn