Patents by Inventor Rolf Dickhoff

Rolf Dickhoff 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: 8212431
    Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for the failsafe disconnection of an electrical load has a first and a second terminal for supplying a first and a second signal from a signaling device, such as an emergency-off button. The safety switching apparatus also has a first and a second switching element which together produce a redundant output switching signal for disconnecting the load. The first switching element has a first control circuit to which the first signal is supplied. The second switching element has a second control circuit to which the second signal is supplied. The safety switching apparatus further has circuitry providing a first current path, an alternative second current path and at least one further switching element. The at least one further switching element is designed to select either the first or the second current path, depending on a polarity of the second signal, in order to route the second signal to the second control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsche, Boris Kaufmann, Johannes Hopp, Rolf Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20110208327
    Abstract: A data storage medium has a carrier element configured to carry a memory element. The memory element stores data for configuring or even programming a safety controller. The data storage medium has at least one mounting element which is able to move relative to the carrier elements such that it is able to interact with a holding unit arranged on the safety controller. As a result, the data storage medium can be easily and removably be connected to the safety controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Rolf DICKHOFF, Joachim Rink
  • Publication number: 20110133574
    Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for the failsafe disconnection of an electrical load has a first and a second terminal for supplying a first and a second signal from a signaling device, such as an emergency-off button. The safety switching apparatus also has a first and a second switching element which together produce a redundant output switching signal for disconnecting the load. The first switching element has a first control circuit to which the first signal is supplied. The second switching element has a second control circuit to which the second signal is supplied. The safety switching apparatus further has circuitry providing a first current path, an alternative second current path and at least one further switching element. The at least one further switching element is designed to select either the first or the second current path, depending on a polarity of the second signal, in order to route the second signal to the second control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas NITSCHE, Boris KAUFMANN, Johannes HOPP, Rolf DICKHOFF
  • Patent number: 7948121
    Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for the failsafe disconnection of an electrical load has a first and a second terminal for supplying a first and a second signal from a signaling device, such as an emergency-off button. The safety switching apparatus also has a first and a second switching element which together produce a redundant output switching signal for disconnecting the load. The first switching element has a first control circuit to which the first signal is supplied. The second switching element has a second control circuit to which the second signal is supplied. The safety switching apparatus further has circuitry providing a first current path, an alternative second current path and at least one further switching element. The at least one further switching element is designed to select either the first or the second current path, depending on a polarity of the second signal, in order to route the second signal to the second control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsche, Boris Kaufmann, Johannes Hopp, Rolf Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20090073628
    Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for the failsafe disconnection of an electrical load has a first and a second terminal for supplying a first and a second signal from a signaling device, such as an emergency-off button. The safety switching apparatus also has a first and a second switching element which together produce a redundant output switching signal for disconnecting the load. The first switching element has a first control circuit to which the first signal is supplied. The second switching element has a second control circuit to which the second signal is supplied. The safety switching apparatus further has circuitry providing a first current path, an alternative second current path and at least one further switching element. The at least one further switching element is designed to select either the first or the second current path, depending on a polarity of the second signal, in order to route the second signal to the second control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas NITSCHE, Boris Kaufmann, Johannes Hopp, Rolf Dickhoff
  • Patent number: 6809911
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for safely switching off an electrical load such as an electrically driven machine. The safety switching device has a failsafe disconnection unit and a non-failsafe signaling unit, both of which are supplied with an external control signal. The disconnection unit fail-safely switches off the electrical load as a function of the control signal but with a first delay. The signaling unit produces an external reporting signal as a function of the control signal in a non-delayed and non-failsafe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Dickhoff, Winfried Gräf
  • Patent number: 6777830
    Abstract: A safety lock out switch system for the prevention of an unexpected restart of an electrically powered machine in whose main power circuit it is installed. Therein the power-free status of the power supply output of the system is confirmed visually. The system is configured so it is flexible, thus being able to be used in the most various types or sizes of machines. Technical aspects and safety aspects were taken into account therein so that the installation can be carried out in practically every country in the world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Pilz GmbH & Company, Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: William Edward Anderson, Donald Louis Wires, Jürgen Behrens, Claude Hovine, Gernot Müsseler, Rolf Dickhoff, Winfried Gräf, Udo Ratey
  • Publication number: 20030137788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for safely switching off an electrical load such as an electrically driven machine. The safety switching device has a failsafe disconnection unit and a non-failsafe signaling unit, both of which are supplied with an external control signal. The disconnection unit fail-safely switches off the electrical load as a function of the control signal but with a first delay. The signaling unit produces an external reporting signal as a function of the control signal in a non-delayed and non-failsafe manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Rolf Dickhoff, Winfried Graf
  • Patent number: 6570272
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for connecting and safely disconnecting an electrical load, in particular an electrically driven machine. The safety switching device includes first and second electromechanical switching elements whose operating contacts are arranged in series with one another between a first input terminal and an output terminal of the switching device. Furthermore, the switching device has a second input terminal for receiving a switching signal. The switching signal acts on the switch position of the operating contacts of the two switching elements. According to a preferred embodiment, the first switching element has a lower nominal switching capacity than the second switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Rolf Dickhoff
  • Publication number: 20020130557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety switching device for connecting and safely disconnecting an electrical load, in particular an electrically driven machine. The safety switching device comprises a first and a second electromechanical switching element, whose operating contacts are arranged in series with one another between a first input terminal and an output terminal of the switching device. Furthermore, the switching device has a second input terminal for receiving a switching signal. The switching signal acts on the switch position of the operating contacts of the two switching elements. According to a preferred embodiment, the first switching element has a lower nominal switching capacity than the second switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Rolf Dickhoff
  • Patent number: D632694
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Dickhoff, Joachim Rink