Patents by Inventor Robert Hoffmann

Robert 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: 11916583
    Abstract: A supply system for at least one orthopedic technology component, which has at least one electronic and/or electrical device and has a supply connection and/or a radio device for receiving data and/or electrical energy. The supply system also includes a holder for the orthopedic technology component, which has a supply device, and which is compatible with the supply connection and/or the radio device, for supplying the orthopedic technology component with data and/or energy. The invention further relates to a system consisting of a supply system and an orthopedic technology device, and to a method for supplying the system with data and/or energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Pappe, Andreas Weigl-Pollack, Erik Albrecht-Laatsch, Michael Nolte, Robert Hoffmann, Robert Kaitan, Luis Sagmeister, Thomas Pauser, Andreas Schramel
  • Patent number: 11854757
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes at least two stationary contacts in a switching chamber and a movable contact in the switching chamber, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall, wherein each of the stationary contacts projects into the switching chamber through a respective opening in the switching chamber wall, wherein, on an inner side of the switching chamber that faces the movable contact, a continuous surface region occluded from the stationary contacts is located between the openings in the switching chamber wall, wherein the continuous surface region includes a trench, wherein the continuous surface region is arranged between at least two dam-like raised portions extending above the inner side of the switching chamber, and wherein the continuous surface region is arranged symmetrically in relation to the stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Frank Werner, Robert Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11837424
    Abstract: In an embodiment a contact arrangement includes a retaining element with a cylindrical hole having a cylinder axis configured to arrange the retaining element on a shaft and a contact bridge attached to the retaining element, wherein the contact bridge has a top side with at least one contact region and a bottom side opposite the top side, and wherein, via a rotation around the cylinder axis, the contact bridge is transferable to a locked state on the retaining element in a direction along the cylinder axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Robert Minkwitz
  • Patent number: 11742166
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes a first fixed contact element, a second fixed contact element, a movable contact bridge, a movable shaft configured to move the contact bridge, wherein the contact bridge is arranged at an end of the shaft, wherein the shaft is movable to a first position at which the contact bridge contacts the first and second contact elements, and wherein the shaft is movable to a second position at which the contact bridge is arranged at a distance from the first and second contact elements and a setting device configured to set the distance between the contact bridge and the first and second contact elements in the second position, wherein the setting device is arranged at the end of the shaft, and wherein the switching device is configured to switch an electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Jonas Weinhardt
  • Patent number: 11710946
    Abstract: A gas arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment a gas arrester for a data line system includes a discharge electrode, a plurality of individual electrodes configured to connect data lines and a common gas discharge region formed between the individual electrodes and the discharge electrode, wherein the gas arrester is configured to reduce voltage differences between lines or line pairs of the data line system with more than 2 lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventor: Robert Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20230220010
    Abstract: Described herein are antiviral peptides, polynucleotides encoding the peptides, and compositions containing the peptides. Furthermore, described herein are methods for using the peptides, polynucleotides, and compositions for treating or inhibiting a viral infection or one or more symptoms of a viral infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: William Charles WIMLEY, Andrew Robert HOFFMANN, Robert F. GARRY
  • Publication number: 20230197384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device which has two stationary contacts and a movable contact in a switching chamber. The stationary contacts are arranged next to each other along a longitudinal direction, and the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall with opposing transversal lateral wall parts and opposing longitudinal lateral wall parts. Each of the two stationary contacts is arranged at a distance to one of the transversal lateral wall parts, said distance being shorter than the respective distance to the longitudinal lateral wall parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventor: Robert HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20230197388
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes at least two fixed contacts and one movable contact in a switching chamber and at least two auxiliary contacts, two spring contacts and a contact plate in the switching chamber, wherein each of the spring contacts contacts one of the auxiliary contacts with a first contact region and has a second contact region, wherein the contact plate is movable together with the movable contact, and wherein the contact plate is configured to contact the second contact regions of the spring contacts in a first switching state of the switching device and is configured to be arranged at a distance from the second contact regions of the spring contacts in a second switching state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Robert Minkwitz
  • Patent number: 11631991
    Abstract: A method for distributing a limited amount of electrical power from an energy source to a plurality of electrical loads includes sensing and/or encoding the available electrical power of the energy source, monitoring a power balance of the loads by sensing and/or encoding the drawn power in the individual loads, and reducing the drawn power in the loads if the available power is not sufficient for supplying all the loads with the required power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Pappe, Andreas Weigl-Pollack, Erik Albrecht-Laatsch, Michael Nolte, Robert Hoffmann, Robert Kaitan, Marcus Eder, Luis Sagmeister, Thomas Pauser, Andreas Schramel, Daniel Matejcek
  • Patent number: 11557448
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact in a switching chamber containing a gas comprising H2 and one movable contact in the switching chamber, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall and a switching chamber base, and wherein the switching chamber at least partially comprises a polymer material configured to release hydrogen when heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Frank Werner
  • Patent number: 11551898
    Abstract: A switching device is disclosed. In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one stationary contact and a movable contact in a switching chamber configured to contain a gas containing H2, wherein the movable contact is movable by a magnetic armature with a shaft, wherein the shaft projects through an opening in a yoke which is part of a magnetic circuit, and wherein a liner composed of a plastic is arranged in the opening of the yoke, the liner configured to guide the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TDK ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Kheng Yu Chong
  • Publication number: 20220406548
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes at least two stationary contacts in a switching chamber and a movable contact in the switching chamber, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall, wherein each of the stationary contacts projects into the switching chamber through a respective opening in the switching chamber wall, wherein, on an inner side of the switching chamber that faces the movable contact, a continuous surface region occluded from the stationary contacts is located between the openings in the switching chamber wall, wherein the continuous surface region includes a trench, wherein the continuous surface region is arranged between at least two dam-like raised portions extending above the inner side of the switching chamber, and wherein the continuous surface region is arranged symmetrically in relation to the stationary contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Werner, Robert Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11462379
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes at least two stationary contacts and one movable contact in a switching chamber, wherein the switching chamber has a switching chamber wall, wherein each of the stationary contacts projects into the switching chamber through a respective opening in the switching chamber wall, and wherein, on an inner side of the switching chamber that faces the movable contact, a continuous surface region occluded from the stationary contacts is located between the openings in the switching chamber wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TDK ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventors: Frank Werner, Robert Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11456123
    Abstract: A switching device is disclosed. In an embodiment a switching device includes at least one fixed contact and at least one movable contact, wherein at least one of the contacts includes a metal matrix composite material having a metallic matrix material and a filler dispersed within the matrix material, and wherein the contacts are arranged in a switching chamber with a gas and the gas contains H2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TDK ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Frank Werner, Peter Bobert
  • Publication number: 20220293380
    Abstract: In an embodiment a switching device includes two fixed contacts and a rotary contact bridge in a switching chamber in a gas-tight region, wherein the rotary contact bridge is rotatable about an rotation axis, wherein, in a first switching state, the fixed contacts are electrically conductively connected by the rotary contact bridge, wherein, in a second switching state, the rotary contact bridge is rotatable about the rotation axis relative to the first switching state, and the fixed contacts are electrically insulated from one another, and wherein the gas-tight region includes H2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Robert Minkwitz
  • Patent number: 11417483
    Abstract: A power contactor and a method for producing a housing body for a power contactor are disclosed. In an embodiment a power contactor includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, a switch element configured to provide an opened position and a closed position, wherein the switch element, in the closed position, contacts the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact with one another, and wherein the first electrical contact and the second electric contact are insulated from one another when the switch element is in the opened position and at least one temperature sensor integrated into the power contactor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the power contactor in a pre-defined distance from the first electrical contact and/or the second electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: TDK ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventor: Robert Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20220225895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an orthopedic device which supports or replaces a first body part of a wearer and has at least one controllable actuator, wherein the method includes a) determining a chronological profile of at least one parameter, which allows for a conclusion to be made regarding a movement status of the wearer, from measurement values of at least one sensor; b) detecting the movement status from the at least one determined chronological profile; and c) controlling the at least one controllable actuator depending on the identified movement status, wherein at least the chronological profile of at least one parameter of a second body part of the wearer is also used to identify the movement status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: OTTO BOCK HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk SEIFERT, Michael TSCHIEDEL, Robert HOFFMANN
  • Publication number: 20220139655
    Abstract: In an embodiment a contact arrangement includes a retaining element with a cylindrical hole having a cylinder axis configured to arrange the retaining element on a shaft and a contact bridge attached to the retaining element, wherein the contact bridge has a top side with at least one contact region and a bottom side opposite the top side, and wherein, via a rotation around the cylinder axis, the contact bridge is transferable to a locked state on the retaining element in a direction along the cylinder axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Robert Minkwitz
  • Patent number: 11154945
    Abstract: A method for producing a gas-tight metal-ceramic join is disclosed. In an embodiment a method includes providing at least one ceramic main body having a first end face and a second end face, applying a metallization to at least a partial region of the end faces of the main body, applying a nickel layer to the metallized partial region of the end faces, applying a brazing paste to the metallized partial region of the first end face and/or the second end face of the main body, drying the brazing paste, and firing the brazing paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TDK ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventors: Robert Hoffmann, Stefan Obermair
  • Publication number: 20210296863
    Abstract: A gas arrester is disclosed. In an embodiment a gas arrester for a data line system includes a discharge electrode, a plurality of individual electrodes configured to connect data lines and a common gas discharge region formed between the individual electrodes and the discharge electrode, wherein the gas arrester is configured to reduce voltage differences between lines or line pairs of the data line system with more than 2 lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Hoffmann