Patents by Inventor Ralf Starzmann

Ralf Starzmann 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: 20260085768
    Abstract: A valve for a valve system, with a valve housing and a fluid channel formed in the valve housing, extending between an inlet connection and an outlet connection, in which a valve member is linearly movable along a movement axis between a first functional position and a second functional position. The valve member is provided with a permanent magnet and is coupled in motion to a drive associated with the valve housing. A magnetic field sensor for detecting a position of the valve member is arranged in the valve housing for detecting a position of the valve member, in which a shielding plate is arranged on a side surface of the valve housing at the level of the permanent magnet in order to reduce a magnetic flux density provided by the permanent magnet in a space adjacent to the side surface outside the valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Michael LOOS, Ralf STARZMANN, Daniel KERSTEN
  • Patent number: 12404882
    Abstract: A method of installing and a valve arrangement having a valve unit, such a valve unit having a valve section and an input section arranged on the valve section. The valve section contains at least one electrically actuable directional valve, which is assigned an input module of the input section, that is equipped with plug-in connectors for the connection of sensor plugs. The input module can be installed in a use position on a connector carrier of the input section, so that the sensor plugs through the connector carrier are connected to an internal communication structure suitable for the transmission of sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Boris Saric, Eduard Wenske, Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20250271878
    Abstract: A valve assembly for supplying compressed air consumers, with a base plate on which several valve slots are formed, each of which has a fluid interface and a communication interface and with at least one valve unit which is arranged on one of the valve slots and is connected to the fluid interface and the communication interface. The communication interfaces are connected to a controller to provide electrical signals to the communication interfaces and to receive electrical signals from the communication interfaces. The control unit is designed to read a memory module of the respective valve unit and, depending on a result of the read-out process, to block or enable program modules that are stored in a control memory of the control unit and to use released program modules for controlling the respective valve unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Ralf STARZMANN, Hans-Jürgen PLACH, Eduard WENSKE, Andreas MEYER
  • Publication number: 20250207678
    Abstract: A valve arrangement containing a valve assembly, such valve assembly having a valve support, such valve support having valve mounting points which are mounted with electrically actuable directional valves. A plurality of valve support fluid channels are designed in the valve support, which at least in part open out at each valve mounting point and are fluidically connected to each directional valve. A communication channel is also designed in the valve support, in which a communication string having at least one electronic component is arranged, with which the mounted directional valves make electrical contact to enable their electrical control. At least one collecting fluid channel also opens out at a cooling module mounting point of the valve support, on which a cooling module is mounted. The cooling module is penetrated by a cooling channel structure, which provides a fluidic connection between the collecting fluid channel and the communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2024
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Ralf STARZMANN, Peter RÜHLE
  • Publication number: 20240328438
    Abstract: A method of installing and a valve arrangement having a valve unit, such a valve unit having a valve section and an input section arranged on the valve section. The valve section contains at least one electrically actuable directional valve, which is assigned an input module of the input section, that is equipped with plug-in connectors for the connection of sensor plugs. The input module can be installed in a use position on a connector carrier of the input section, so that the sensor plugs through the connector carrier are connected to an internal communication structure suitable for the transmission of sensor signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Boris SARIC, Eduard WENSKE, Ralf STARZMANN
  • Patent number: 9625049
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve unit, which is mounted on a valve support and composed of a valve and a connecting bridge fitted to the valve. The connecting bridge is used for electrically contacting the valve to signal transmission means located in the valve support. It has an L-shape with a first L-leg overlapping the valve and a second L-leg projecting downwards laterally adjacent to the valve. For its location on the valve support, the valve is provided on its underside with a mounting base with a laterally protruding base projection, with which the connecting bridge engages with its second L-leg for stabilisation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Starzmann
  • Patent number: 9586236
    Abstract: A sorting device which is suitable for sorting parts by means of air blasts and which includes at least one sorting unit which includes a valve support fitted with sorting valves. Each sorting valve is capable of optionally connecting a sorting passage ending in a sorting nozzle to a feed passage and of disconnecting it therefrom. In addition, several or all of the sorting passages of the sorting unit are—independently of the sorting valves—connected to a common purge air passage, so that purge air can flow through them without any involvement of the sorting valves, with the result that no impurities enter the sorting passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20150266062
    Abstract: A sorting device which is suitable for sorting parts by means of air blasts and which includes at least one sorting unit which includes a valve support fitted with sorting valves. Each sorting valve is capable of optionally connecting a sorting passage ending in a sorting nozzle to a feed passage and of disconnecting it therefrom. In addition, several or all of the sorting passages of the sorting unit are—independently of the sorting valves—connected to a common purge air passage, so that purge air can flow through them without any involvement of the sorting valves, with the result that no impurities enter the sorting passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20150267834
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve unit, which is mounted on a valve support and composed of a valve and a connecting bridge fitted to the valve. The connecting bridge is used for electrically contacting the valve to signal transmission means located in the valve support. It has an L-shape with a first L-leg overlapping the valve and a second L-leg projecting downwards laterally adjacent to the valve. For its location on the valve support, the valve is provided on its underside with a mounting base with a laterally protruding base projection, with which the connecting bridge engages with its second L-leg for stabilisation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Ralf Starzmann
  • Patent number: 9080679
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve support and electrically actuated valves mounted thereon. A reception passage includes a control circuit board contacted to the valves extends in the valve support. In the interior of the valve support, there further extend several electric conduction rods which are responsible for power supply and which are electrically contacted to the control circuit board via takeoff contact means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Kuhbauch, Ralf Starzmann
  • Patent number: 9062650
    Abstract: The invention concerns a Wells turbine, comprising a hub with a plurality of rotor blades having a drop-shaped profile orienting from a profile nose; the rotor blades are attached to the hub in a rotary fashion by means of a foot part such that the rotor blade angle is variable with respect to the plane of rotation, wherein the associated rotational axis intersects the chord for each profile section in a threading point, which is located in a region between the profile nose and the aerodynamic center of the profile; the adjustment of the blade angle is made passively by the equilibrium occurring during the operation of the wells turbine between the aerodynamic torque, acting on the rotor blades, and the centrifugal torque, wherein the average density of the rotor blade is selected to be less than 2700 kg/m3 and/or the mass distribution within the profile is selected such that the surface centrifugal torque of the rotor blade is reduced relative to a profile made from a solid and/or the surface centrifugal to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Raphael Arlitt, Helmut Bronowski, Jochen Weilepp, Michael Engelhardt, Ralf Starzmann
  • Patent number: 8956114
    Abstract: There is provided a free standing tidal power plant without a dam structure set to take up kinetic energy from a water flow. The tidal power plant includes a propeller-shaped water turbine in horizontal rotor configuration with rotor blades, the rotor blades having bidirectional profiles, wherein the rotor blades are fastened to a revolving unit, which defines a rotational plane, and an electric generator at least indirectly driven by the water turbine. Each rotor blade is associated with a first swivel axis and a second swivel axis, the first axis and the second swivel axis extending substantially along a longitudinal axes of a first coupling element and a second coupling element, respectively. The revolving unit includes a planar guide region having a sliding apparatus, a first guide groove and a second guide groove, the sliding apparatus connected to the rotor blade to transmit rotor blade forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Raphael Arlitt, Ralf Starzmann, Frank Biskup
  • Publication number: 20140150912
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve support and electrically actuated valves mounted thereon. A reception passage includes a control circuit board contacted to the valves extends in the valve support. In the interior of the valve support, there further extend several electric conduction rods which are responsible for power supply and which are electrically contacted to the control circuit board via takeoff contact means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Kuhbauch, Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20110103958
    Abstract: The invention concerns a Wells turbine, comprising a hub with a plurality of rotor blades having a drop-shaped profile orienting from a profile nose; the rotor blades are attached to the hub in a rotary fashion by means of a foot part such that the rotor blade angle is variable with respect to the plane of rotation, wherein the associated rotational axis intersects the chord for each profile section in a threading point, which is located in a region between the profile nose and the aerodynamic center of the profile; the adjustment of the blade angle is made passively by the equilibrium occurring during the operation of the wells turbine between the aerodynamic torque, acting on the rotor blades, and the centrifugal torque, wherein the average density of the rotor blade is selected to be less than 2700 kg/m3 and/or the mass distribution within the profile is selected such that the surface centrifugal torque of the rotor blade is reduced relative to a profile made from a solid and/or the surface centrifugal tor
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Raphael Arlitt, Helmut Bronowski, Jochen Weilepp, Michael Engelhardt, Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20110081251
    Abstract: The invention relates to an immersible power generation plant driven by a water flow, particularly a tidal current, comprising a water turbine in the form of an axial turbine with an associated rotational axis. The water turbine comprises at least one turbine blade that is designed such that the course of the threading line of the profile sections thereof deviates from the radial flow when projected on the rotational plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Frank Biskup, Raphael Arlitt, Ralf Starzmann
  • Publication number: 20100104435
    Abstract: The invention relates to an underwater power plant, comprising a propeller-shaped water turbine in horizontal rotor configuration with a plurality of rotor blades which are fastened to a revolving unit, with each rotor blade being associated with a swivel axis which extends substantially along the respective rotor blade, with the rotor blades being arranged elastically about the swivel axis at least in sections of the longitudinal extension concerning a torsion and/or the fastening of the rotor blades to the revolving unit enabling a rotation of the rotor blades about the swivel axis, and the position of the swivel axis is chosen relative to the profile shape of the rotor blades in such a way that hydrodynamic forces acting during operation on the rotor blade generate a moment which is directed in the feathered pitch position and the centrifugal forces originating during the rotation cause restoring centrifugal moments on the rotor blade against the feathered pitch position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Raphael Arlitt, Ralf Starzmann