Patents by Inventor Roland Schaefer

Roland Schaefer 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: 20250073837
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for filtering, recapture, and/or recirculation of coolant are disclosed. In some examples, coolant (e.g., coolant fluid) is used to cool and/or clean a machine, such as a material removal machine, for example. In some examples, a recirculation tank may be in fluid communication with an inlet and/or outlet of a cabinet (and/or housing) of the machine. The recirculation tank may include a recapture reservoir having a filtering surface configured to prevent particulates, debris, and/or swarf from being recirculated with the coolant. A vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor and/or vibrating actuator), may be in contact with and/or configured to vibrate (and/or shake, rattle, oscillate, etc.) the filtering surface, recapture reservoir, and/or recirculation tank so as to keep the filter free from obstruction and/or help settle and/or compact filtered particulates in a bottom of the recapture reservoir and/or recirculation tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Tony Emil Strombach, Roland Schaefer, Bryan John Kordus, Timothy Patrick Weber
  • Publication number: 20250033153
    Abstract: Described herein are examples of material removal machines with work tables separated by an air gap. In some examples. the air gap may provide space for a material removal tool of the material removal machine to extend between and substantially below the work tables to effect a deep cut on a workpiece that extends across the air gap. In some examples. a table actuator may be configured to move the work tables in tandem, allowing for the work tables and/or work piece to be moved to the material removal tool, rather than vice versa. Efficient design of the work tables and material removal machine ensures that the air gap between the work tables remains unobstructed all the way to a floor of the material removal machine. and ensures that the space underneath the work tables is sufficient for fluid/debris drainage and operator access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Calvin States Nelson, Timothy Patrick Weber, Ruibin Zhang, Jeffrey Robert Smith, Roland Schaefer
  • Patent number: 12179299
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for filtering, recapture, and/or recirculation of coolant are disclosed. In some examples, coolant (e.g., coolant fluid) is used to cool and/or clean a machine, such as a material removal machine, for example. In some examples, a recirculation tank may be in fluid communication with an inlet and/or outlet of a cabinet (and/or housing) of the machine. The recirculation tank may include a recapture reservoir having a filtering surface configured to prevent particulates, debris, and/or swarf from being recirculated with the coolant. A vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor and/or vibrating actuator), may be in contact with and/or configured to vibrate (and/or shake, rattle, oscillate, etc.) the filtering surface, recapture reservoir, and/or recirculation tank so as to keep the filter free from obstruction and/or help settle and/or compact filtered particulates in a bottom of the recapture reservoir and/or recirculation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Tony Emil Strombach, Roland Schaefer, Bryan John Kordus, Timothy Patrick Weber
  • Publication number: 20240286213
    Abstract: Example electrochemical machining systems and methods for machining a surface of a sample. In particular, the system includes a nozzle configured to dispense a jet of an electrolyte solution towards the surface of the sample. A position or orientation of the nozzle can be controlled to direct the jet of the electrolyte solution from the nozzle towards an area of the surface of the sample (e.g., an area for electrochemical etching or other surface treatment). The electrochemical machining is performed by application of a charge to the nozzle and apply a charge to the sample (e.g., grounding or other charge return path), such that the nozzle and the sample define first and second electrodes of an electrolytic cell, electrically connected by the jet of electrolyte solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Evans Mogire, Matt Callahan, Jill Dreschler, Calvin Nelson, Zach Swedo, Chris Sensmeier, Roland Schaefer, Andrew Nocom, Michael E. Keeble
  • Publication number: 20230091191
    Abstract: In a method for parameterising at least one device (30), at least one environmental value (31) of the device is determined via at least one sensor and/or an automation component. It is checked whether parameters are allocated to the at least one environmental value in a parameter database (32). If parameters are allocated to the at least one environmental value (31) in the parameter database (32), the device (30) is parameterised with parameters from the parameter database (32). If no parameters are allocated to the at least one environmental value (31) in the parameter database (32), the device (30) is parameterised with new parameters. The new parameters are then allocated (54) to the at least one environmental value (31) in the parameter database (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Andrea Hiller-Brod, Albert Dorneich, Roland Schaefer, Stephan Langer, Heiko Mahr, Jochen Streib, Joerg Maier
  • Publication number: 20220349793
    Abstract: Example networked material testing systems include: a database system storing a shared database, the shared database storing a material test procedure and material test result data; a first material test system communicatively coupled to the database system and configured to perform a first type of material test; and a second material test system communicatively coupled to the database system and configured to perform the first type of material test; wherein the database system comprises a computing device configured to execute machine readable instructions which cause the computing device to: transmit a first test program to the first material test system for performance of the first type of material test on a first specimen according to the first test program; store, in the shared database, first test result data received from the first material test system based on execution of the first test program; transmit a second test program to the second material test system for performance of the first type of mat
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Roland Schaefer, Sandra Straub, Matthias Pascher
  • Patent number: 11435270
    Abstract: Hardness testers having a pivoting body and capable of providing power to accessories on the pivoting body are disclosed. An example hardness testing device includes: a rotating carriage configured to: hold at least one of an indenter or an objective and at least one accessory; and rotate to selectively place the at least one indenter or objective or the at least one accessory in an operative position to operate the at least one indenter or objective or the at least one accessory; a carriage mount configured to support the rotating carriage; and an electrical contact block mounted stationary with respect to the carriage mount, the electrical contact block comprising a plurality of electrical contacts configured to make electrical contact with a counterpart electrical contact block of the at least one accessory coupled to the rotating carriage when the at least one accessory is positioned in the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rudolf Mathias Mayer, Markus Mueller, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20220126418
    Abstract: An example grinder/polisher system includes: a specimen holder configured to secure a specimen; a platen; an actuator configured to move at least one of the specimen holder and the platen; a sensor configured to detect objects within a field of view of the sensor; and a controller configured to control movement of the actuator and to stop the actuator in response to detection of an object by the sensor while the actuator is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Roland Schaefer, Andrew Nocom
  • Patent number: 10707920
    Abstract: Sensor apparatus (14) is provided, comprising a receiving device (20) by way of which the sensor apparatus (14) is wirelessly suppliable with electrical energy, a transmission device (44) by way of which data are wirelessly transmittable, a sensitive device (26), at least one data processing device (30) which is signal-operatively coupled to the sensitive device (26) and the transmission device (44) and which processes data of the sensitive device (26) and provides edited data as transmission data to the transmission device (44), and a device (52) for an interruption-tolerant operation of the sensor apparatus (14) with respect to the electrical energy supply, wherein the device (52) for an interruption-tolerant operation is realized by hardware and/or software of the sensor apparatus (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: BALLUFF GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Dorneich, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20200047299
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for filtering, recapture, and/or recirculation of coolant are disclosed. In some examples, coolant (e.g., coolant fluid) is used to cool and/or clean a machine, such as a material removal machine, for example. In some examples, a recirculation tank may be in fluid communication with an inlet and/or outlet of a cabinet (and/or housing) of the machine. The recirculation tank may include a recapture reservoir having a filtering surface configured to prevent particulates, debris, and/or swarf from being recirculated with the coolant. A vibration device (e.g., a vibration motor and/or vibrating actuator), may be in contact with and/or configured to vibrate (and/or shake, rattle, oscillate, etc.) the filtering surface, recapture reservoir, and/or recirculation tank so as to keep the filter free from obstruction and/or help settle and/or compact filtered particulates in a bottom of the recapture reservoir and/or recirculation tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Tony Emil Strombach, Roland Schaefer, Bryan John Kordus, Timothy Patrick Weber
  • Patent number: 10469284
    Abstract: In an arrangement of an electrically communicative voltage supply for controlled operation of at least one electrically operable IO-Link device using an electrical DC voltage provided by a voltage supply unit as well as an IO-Link communication interface which is provided for the controlled operation of the at least one IO-Link device and formed with at least one channel, the IO-Link communication interface which is formed with at least one channel and the voltage supply unit form a structural unit and the IO-Link communication interface includes an IO-link master providing a gateway function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Feinaeugle, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190323931
    Abstract: Hardness testers having a pivoting body and capable of providing power to accessories on the pivoting body are disclosed. An example hardness testing device includes: a rotating carriage configured to: hold at least one of an indenter or an objective and at least one accessory; and rotate to selectively place the at least one indenter or objective or the at least one accessory in an operative position to operate the at least one indenter or objective or the at least one accessory; a carriage mount configured to support the rotating carriage; and an electrical contact block mounted stationary with respect to the carriage mount, the electrical contact block comprising a plurality of electrical contacts configured to make electrical contact with a counterpart electrical contact block of the at least one accessory coupled to the rotating carriage when the at least one accessory is positioned in the operative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Rudolf Mathias Mayer, Markus Mueller, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190140700
    Abstract: Sensor apparatus (14) is provided, comprising a receiving device (20) by way of which the sensor apparatus (14) is wirelessly suppliable with electrical energy, a transmission device (44) by way of which data are wirelessly transmittable, a sensitive device (26), at least one data processing device (30) which is signal-operatively coupled to the sensitive device (26) and the transmission device (44) and which processes data of the sensitive device (26) and provides edited data as transmission data to the transmission device (44), and a device (52) for an interruption-tolerant operation of the sensor apparatus (14) with respect to the electrical energy supply, wherein the device (52) for an interruption-tolerant operation is realized by hardware and/or software of the sensor apparatus (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Albert Dorneich, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190074993
    Abstract: In an arrangement of an electrically communicative voltage supply for controlled operation of at least one electrically operable IO-Link device using an electrical DC voltage provided by a voltage supply unit as well as an IO-Link communication interface which is provided for the controlled operation of the at least one IO-Link device and formed with at least one channel, the IO-Link communication interface which is formed with at least one channel and the voltage supply unit form a structural unit and the IO-Link communication interface includes an IO-link master providing a gateway function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Balluff GmbH
    Inventors: Albert FEINAEUGLE, Roland SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 10030213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thickening concentrate for continuously producing a liquid cationic formulation of domestic cleaners or fabric softeners and to a method for continuously producing a liquid cationic formulation of domestic cleaners or fabric softeners, in which method a thickening concentrate according to the invention is used. The invention further relates to a formulation that can be obtained in accordance with the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Thomas Holderbaum, Roland Schaefer, Rainer Diedrich
  • Patent number: 9604607
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20160362635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thickening concentrate for continuously producing a liquid cationic formulation of domestic cleaners or fabric softeners and to a method for continuously producing a liquid cationic formulation of domestic cleaners or fabric softeners, in which method a thickening concentrate according to the invention is used. The invention further relates to a formulation that can be obtained in accordance with the method according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Thomas Holderbaum, Roland Schaefer, Rainer Diedrich
  • Publication number: 20160046266
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Hassen HAMMOUD, Jianbo LU, Gilberto BURGIO, Todd N. CLARK, Otto HOFMANN, Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Shweta M. FARMER, Jason SHOMSKY, Roland SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 9205815
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle braking system includes commanding vehicle brakes to provide braking torque based on a driver braking request in response to a detected collision and an anticipated application of a driver-actuated brake pedal after the collision. The method additionally includes activating the vehicle brakes in the absence of application of the brake pedal in response to a subsequent application and release of the brake pedal while a motion sensor reading exceeds a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20150006053
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle braking system includes commanding vehicle brakes to provide braking torque based on a driver braking request in response to a detected collision and an anticipated application of a driver-actuated brake pedal after the collision. The method additionally includes activating the vehicle brakes in the absence of application of the brake pedal in response to a subsequent application and release of the brake pedal while a motion sensor reading exceeds a predefined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Hassen HAMMOUD, Jianbo LU, Gilberto BURGIO, Todd N. CLARK, Otto HOFMANN, Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Shweta M. FARMER, Jason SHOMSKY, Roland SCHAEFER