Patents by Inventor Robert Hofmann

Robert Hofmann 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: 11916650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a satellite communications system comprising a satellite with a spatial digital modulator for transmitting an incoming bit stream in multiple beams, wherein the spatial digital modulator is configured to generate transmit symbols by dividing the incoming bit stream into symbols of a symbol alphabet and to allocate each transmit symbol to a specific beam. The invention further relates to a method for transmitting a bit stream by such a satellite communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: NEOSAT GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Knopp, Christian Hofmann, Robert Schwarz, Stephan Winter, Matthias Schraml
  • Patent number: 11056947
    Abstract: In order to increase the operational safety of an actuator (1) including an electric motor (2) and a transmission, preferably a non-self-locking transmission (3), a braking device is provided which allows the controlled, self-actuating displacement, by a retarding brake (5), of an actuating element connected to the actuator (1) via the transmission (3). The actuating element can be held in a fixed position by an additional holding device (6), even if the electric motor (2) fails. The actuator can be used to drive heavy sluice gates, in the event of a power failure, in a controlled free-fall operation at a constant rate of fall, or to hold them in a defined position. The holding device and the retarding brake can be combined in a common housing (11) to form a braking module (12) which can be designed to be used modularly with existing motor actuators and transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Hofmann, Robert Hofmann, Rudolf Bachert
  • Publication number: 20210147204
    Abstract: Telescopic pick-up (100) for picking-up and moving a container (4, 34) in a high-bay warehouse (1), preferably a transshipment facility of a sea port or inland port, with at least one displaceable telescopic arm (120) at which a pick-up (130) for holding the container (4, 34) by way of a support (140) is mounted, wherein the support (140) supports the pick-up (130) to be movable along at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: AMOVA GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Robert HOFMANN
  • Publication number: 20210091632
    Abstract: In order to increase the operational safety of an actuator (1) including an electric motor (2) and a transmission, preferably a non-self-locking transmission (3), a braking device is provided which allows the controlled, self-actuating displacement, by a retarding brake (5), of an actuating element connected to the actuator (1) via the transmission (3). The actuating element can be held in a fixed position by an additional holding device (6), even if the electric motor (2) fails. The actuator can be used to drive heavy sluice gates, in the event of a power failure, in a controlled free-fall operation at a constant rate of fall, or to hold them in a defined position. The holding device and the retarding brake can be combined in a common housing (11) to form a braking module (12) which can be designed to be used modularly with existing motor actuators and transmissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Benjamin Hofmann, Robert Hofmann, Rudolf Bachert
  • Patent number: 10541479
    Abstract: An interconnection includes a cable assembly and a board assembly. The cable assembly includes a cable having an inner conductor. The board assembly comprises an intermediate layer disposed between first and second outer layers, a recess disposed between the first and second outer layers so as to form a cable-receiving space at a first side edge, and a first inner-conductor contact opening extending through at least one of the first and second outer layers and opening into the cable-receiving space. The inner conductor is inserted at the first side edge into the cable-receiving space and is disposed at an offset in a longitudinal direction relative to the first inner-conductor contact opening. The inner conductor is electrically conductively soldered via a first soldered inner-conductor connection to a first inner-conductor connection region of the first and/or second outer layers, at least in a region of the first inner-conductor contact opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: MD ELEKTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Huber, Robert Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20190036245
    Abstract: An interconnection includes a cable assembly and a board assembly. The cable assembly includes a cable having an inner conductor. The board assembly comprises an intermediate layer disposed between first and second outer layers, a recess disposed between the first and second outer layers so as to form a cable-receiving space at a first side edge, and a first inner-conductor contact opening extending through at least one of the first and second outer layers and opening into the cable-receiving space. The inner conductor is inserted at the first side edge into the cable-receiving space and is disposed at an offset in a longitudinal direction relative to the first inner-conductor contact opening. The inner conductor is electrically conductively soldered via a first soldered inner-conductor connection to a first inner-conductor connection region of the first and/or second outer layers, at least in a region of the first inner-conductor contact opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Martin Huber, Robert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9770748
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for sampling rolled metal strips wound up into a coil (1), in particular in the thickness range of >12 mm, comprising a coil rotator and an apparatus (6) for separating the sample from the metal strip (4), characterized in that the coil rotator has at least two rotatable supports (2, 3), preferably trough rollers arranged in a lower quadrant of the coil (1) lying on the coil rotator, and also an outer guide (5) for the metal strip, the outer guide (5) extending angularly around the coil (1) by more than 180° in a region downstream of the downstream support (3) in an unwinding direction of the metal strip and is provided with means (7) for reducing friction of the metal strip on an inner surface of the outer guide (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SMS LOGISTIKSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9744577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) in conveying equipment for moving metal strips wound to form coils (2), in particular produced from high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel grades, wherein for transport the coils (2) can be lifted and lowered from a resting position on a coil support (3) by means of a vertically adjustable coil lifting device (4), wherein the coil support (3) has two coil support elements (3a, 3b) which are laterally spaced apart from one another and the coil lifting device (4) has two support prongs (4a, 4b), characterized in that at least the coil support elements (3a, 3b) are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the vertical (5) through the center of rotation (2a) of the coil (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SMS LOGISTIKSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20160221057
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for sampling rolled metal strips wound up into a coil (1), in particular in the thickness range of >12 mm, comprising a coil rotator and an apparatus (6) for separating the sample from the metal strip (4), characterized in that the coil rotator has at least two rotatable supports (2, 3), preferably trough rollers arranged in a lower quadrant of the coil (1) lying on the coil rotator, and also an outer guide (5) for the metal strip, the outer guide (5) extending angularly around the coil (1) by more than 180° in a region downstream of the downstream support (3) in an unwinding direction of the metal strip and is provided with means (7) for reducing friction of the metal strip on an inner surface of the outer guide (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventor: Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9346090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for depositing a metal coil (200) on two stationary support points (110-1; 110-2). In order to be able to deposit even metal coils that have high internal residual stress in a stable manner on the two support points, according to the invention, a third support point (140) is pivoted against the outer circumference of the metal coil (200) if needed).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SMS Group GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Cramer, Thomas Holzhauer, Wolfgang Fuchs, Andreas Kastner, Christian Mengel, Heinz-Adolf Mueller, Carsten Heide, Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9289809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for handling a metal strip. The device comprises a coiling device (110) with a coiling mandrel (112) for winding the metal strip to form a coil (200) on the coiling mandrel and a coil stripper car (120) with supports (124) for receiving the coil (200) from the coiling mandrel and removing the coil from the coiling device (110). In order to additionally secure the metal strip in the coiling device during the transfer from the coiling mandrel onto the coil stripper care and during a transport by means of the coil stripper car, a first hold-down arm (130) is provided for exerting a first hold-down force (F1) onto the outer circumference of the coil (200) in order to press the coil onto the supports of the coil stripper car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SMS GROUP GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Cramer, Thomas Holzhauer, Wolfgang Fuchs, Andreas Kastner, Christian Mengel, Heinz-Adolf Mueller, Carsten Heide, Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20150306650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) in conveying equipment for moving metal strips wound to form coils (2), in particular produced from high-strength or ultra-high-strength steel grades, wherein for transport the coils (2) can be lifted and lowered from a resting position on a coil support (3) by means of a vertically adjustable coil lifting device (4), wherein the coil support (3) has two coil support elements (3a, 3b) which are laterally spaced apart from one another and the coil lifting device (4) has two support prongs (4a, 4b), characterised in that at least the coil support elements (3a, 3b) are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the vertical (5) through the centre of rotation (2a) of the coil (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Karl Robert HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 8988319
    Abstract: A display device includes at least one processing device and at least one display element for representing at least two image planes that are able to be combined with each other, and a method is for representing a plurality of combinable image planes for displaying data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Goss, Stefan Lux, Robert Hofmann, Rainer Dehmann, Kyoung Sun Han, André Haedicke, Heino Wengelnik, Lorenz Bohrer, Joerg Lilienthal, Will Specks
  • Patent number: 8900035
    Abstract: A cast slab having a pair of wide, substantially planar, and opposite side faces and a pair of narrow opposite edge faces, is ground by first orienting the slab with the side and edge faces vertical. Then grinding tools are pressed oppositely and horizontally against opposite wide faces, with the grinders throwing the chips downward. The tools and slab are relatively vertically displaced for the grinding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Logistiksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Robert Hofmann, Guenter Schiller, Andreas Leukel
  • Patent number: 8820227
    Abstract: A strapping machine for securing at least one strap around a package has a binding head engageable against the package, a cincher, and a welder for connecting ends of the tightened strap. The welder has at least one upper advanceable welding electrode in an electrode housing and a counter electrode temporarily interacting therewith. A slide plate movable toward the package, forms the counter electrode, engages underneath overlapping ends of the strapping and directly on the package, and has a projecting tongue spaced from the welding electrode and a plate end part connected to a positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Logistiksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Reimann, Andreas Pieper, Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8674820
    Abstract: A display device for a vehicle for the display of information relating to the operation of the vehicle includes a display, at least one round instrument which is readable to a viewer in the area of the display, and a control device which controls the reading on the display and of the round instrument. The display device can be controlled by the control device such that the display device has a first display mode in which the at least one round instrument is displayed to the viewer and the display has a display area within the round instrument and a display area outside the round instrument, and the display device has a second display mode in which the at least one round instrument is not displayed to the viewer, the information which can be displayed by the round instrument is represented by a digital reading of the display, and the information displayed by the display in the first display mode within the round instrument is displayed in another display area of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Robert Hofmann, Gustav Hofmann, Sun Kyoung Han, Mathias Kuhn, Marc Amann, Rainer Dehmann
  • Patent number: 8657651
    Abstract: An apparatus for grinding a continuously cast slab having a longitudinal axis and a rectangular cross-sectional shape with two opposite wide faces and two opposite narrow faces apparatus has a frame, two transversely spaced grinders carried on the frame, and a holder having two transversely spaced grippers engageable with the opposite faces of the slab in a vertical position with the wide faces of the slab vertical for grinding of the wide faces of the slab by the grinders and in a horizontal position offset by 90° to the vertical position with the wide faces of the slab horizontal for grinding of the narrow faces of the slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SMS Logistiksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8555476
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for depositing a metal coil (200) on two support points (110-1; 110-2). In order to avoid risks, in particular instability, while depositing metal coils having high residual stress, according to the invention the risk of an unstable position of equilibrium is checked, if a change in the relative position of the two support points (110-1; 110-2) with respect to one another is foreseeable, it is carried out such that the metal coil (200) comes to rest on both support points at least approximately in a stable position of equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Cramer, Thomas Holzhauer, Wolfgang Fuchs, Andreas Kastner, Christian Mengel, Heinz-Adolf Mueller, Carsten Heide, Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20130256439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for handling a metal strip. The device comprises a coiling device (110) with a coiling mandrel (112) for winding the metal strip to form a coil (200) on the coiling mandrel and a coil stripper car (120) with supports (124) for receiving the coil (200) from the coiling mandrel and removing the coil from the coiling device (110). In order to additionally secure the metal strip in the coiling device during the transfer from the coiling mandrel onto the coil stripper care and during a transport by means of the coil stripper car, a first hold-down arm (130) is provided for exerting a first hold-down force (F1) onto the outer circumference of the coil (200) in order to press the coil onto the supports of the coil stripper car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SMS SIEMAG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ulrich Cramer, Thomas Holzhauer, Wolfgang Fuchs, Andreas Kastner, Christian Mengel, Heinz-Adolf Mueller, Carsten Heide, Karl Robert Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20130075517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for depositing a metal coil (200) on two support points (110-1; 110-2). In order to avoid risks, in particular instability, while depositing metal coils having high residual stress, according to the invention the risk of an unstable position of equilibrium is checked, if a change in the relative position of the two support points (110-1; 110-2) with respect to one another is foreseeable, it is carried out such that the metal coil (200) comes to rest on both support points at least approximately in a stable position of equilibrium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Ulrich Cramer, Thomas Holzhauer, Wolfgang Fuchs, Andreas Kastner, Christian Mengel, Heinz-Adolf Mueller, Carsten Heide, Karl Robert Hofmann