Patents by Inventor Rolf Kaufmann

Rolf Kaufmann 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: 20240027237
    Abstract: A housing for a measuring instrument comprising a housing part, a cover connectable to the housing part in a detachable manner and by means of which a housing opening of the housing part is closable, and a sealing element. The housing part has a central axis, which coincides congruently with a central axis of the cover when closed. The cover has at least one sealing surface on which the sealing element comes to rest at least when the housing part is completely closed. The housing part has at least one sealing surface on which the sealing element rests when the housing part is closed with the cover. A surface line of the sealing surface of the housing part and/or a surface line of the sealing surface of the cover are/is rotated with respect to the central axis, at least when the housing part is completely closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph HILBERT, Rolf KAUFMANN
  • Patent number: 9562838
    Abstract: A steel measuring element is provided. The steel measuring element is made of an austenitic chromium-nickel steel with a low carbon and nitrogen content for measuring pressure, with an edge zone being provided with increased hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: WIKA ALEXANDER WIEGAND SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Bloecher, Rolf Kaufmann, Armin Hawlik
  • Patent number: 9209327
    Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann, Rolf Kaufmann, Thierry Oggier
  • Publication number: 20150253230
    Abstract: A steel measuring element is provided. The steel measuring element is made of an austenitic chromium-nickel steel with a low carbon and nitrogen content for measuring pressure, with an edge zone being provided with increased hardness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Rolf Bloecher, Rolf Kaufmann, Armin Hawlik
  • Patent number: 9086493
    Abstract: A device for the sensitive detection of X-rays comprises a structured scintillator screen optically coupled to a semiconductor image sensor. The scintillator screen comprises individual columnar elements covered with material showing high optical reflection. Each columnar element represents a pixel, and light flashes created by an X-ray photon in a scintillating event exit through a short surface of the columnar element for detection with a semiconductor image sensor. The semiconductor image sensor comprises a multitude of photosensor elements, and one or more of these photosensor elements receives light from a scintillator screen pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA-RECHERCHE ET DEVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Peter Seitz
  • Publication number: 20140203389
    Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann, Rolf Kaufmann, Thierry Oggier
  • Patent number: 8237126
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an X-ray imaging device comprising an X-ray absorber that comprises a plurality of semiconductor layers. The plurality of semiconductor layers comprise a substrate having a backside; and at least one absorption layer adapted to absorb at least one X-ray photon impinging on the at least one absorption layer that is adapted to correspondingly generate in response to the at least one impinging X-ray photon at least one electron-hole pair; and a readout unit, wherein the readout unit is operatively coupled to the X-ray absorber such to enable readout of the at least one electron-hole pair. Additional and alternative embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Mictrotechnique SA, Epispeed
    Inventors: Hans Von Känel, Rolf Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 8106472
    Abstract: The pixel for use in an image sensor comprises a low-doped semiconductor substrate (A). On the substrate (A), an arrangement of a plurality of floating areas, e.g., floating gates (FG2-FG6), is provided. Neighboring floating gates are electrically isolated from each other yet capacitively coupled to each other. By applying a voltage (V2?V1) to two contact areas (FG1, FG7), a lateral steplike electric field is generated. Photogenerated charge carriers move along the electric-field lines to the point of highest potential energy, where a floating diffusion (D) accumulate the photocharges. The charges accumulated in the various pixels are sequentially read out with a suitable circuit known from image-sensor literature, such as a source follower or a charge amplifier with row and column select mechanisms. The pixel of offers at the same time a large sensing area, a high photocharge-detection sensitivity and a high response speed, without any static current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Michael Lehmann, Peter Seitz
  • Publication number: 20110101241
    Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MESA IMAGING AG
    Inventors: Kaspar Cottier, Rolf Kaufmann, Rino E. Kunz, Thierry Oggier, Guy Voirin, Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7924973
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an interferometer device and method. In embodiments, the device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source emitting radiation having a first mean wavelength ?LE; a phase grating having a first aspect ratio; an absorption grating having a second aspect ratio; and a detector. The electromagnetic radiation source, the phase grating, the absorption grating and the detector are radiatively coupled with each other. The absorption grating is positioned between the detector and the phase grating; the electromagnetic radiation source is positioned in front of the source grating; and wherein the phase grating is designed such to cause a phase shift that is smaller than ? on the emitted radiation. Additional and alternative embodiments are specified and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Csem Centre Suisse D'Electronique Et De Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Christian Kottler, Rolf Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 7897928
    Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Thierry Oggier, Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20100193666
    Abstract: The pixel for use in an image sensor comprises a low-doped semiconductor substrate (A). On the substrate (A), an arrangement of a plurality of floating areas, e.g., floating gates (FG2-FG6), is provided. Neighboring floating gates are electrically isolated from each other yet capacitively coupled to each other. By applying a voltage (V2?V1) to two contact areas (FG1, FG7), a lateral steplike electric field is generated. Photogenerated charge carriers move along the electric-field lines to the point of highest potential energy, where a floating diffusion (D) accumulate the photocharges. The charges accumulated in the various pixels are sequentially read out with a suitable circuit known from image-sensor literature, such as a source follower or a charge amplifier with row and column select mechanisms. The pixel of offers at the same time a large sensing area, a high photocharge-detection sensitivity and a high response speed, without any static current consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: MESA IMAGING AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Michael Lehmann, Peter Seitz
  • Patent number: 7701028
    Abstract: The pixel for use in an image sensor comprises a low-doped semiconductor substrate (A). On the substrate (A), an arrangement of a plurality of floating areas e.g., floating gates (FG2-FG6), is provided. Neighboring floating gates are electrically isolated from each other yet capacitively coupled to each other. By applying a voltage (V2-V1) to two contact areas (FG1, FG7), a lateral steplike electric field is generated. Photogenerated charge carriers move along the electric-field lines to the point of highest potential energy, where a floating diffusion (D) accumulate the photocharges. The charges accumulated in the various pixels are sequentially read out with a suitable circuit known from image-sensor literature, such as a source follower or a charge amplifier with row and column select mechanisms. The pixel of offers at the same time a large sensing area, a high photocharge-detection sensitivity and a high response speed without any static current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Michael Lehmann, Peter Seitz
  • Patent number: 7547889
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a photon detection device that is adapted to detect at least one packet of photons. The photon detection device may include a photon-sensitive element having an output, an amplifier; and a non-linear feedback (NLF) element. The photon-sensitive element generates charges upon the engagement of at least one photon packet therewith. An increase from a first number of charges in the photon-sensitive element to a second number of charges, results in a corresponding increase of a first reset time required to reset the first number of charges to a respective second reset time required to reset the second number of charges in the photon-sensitive element, whereby the reset time is non-linear to with respect to an increase in the charges. Additional and alternative embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse D'Electronique Et De Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Michael Lehmann, Rolf Kaufmann, Max Erick Busse-Grawitz
  • Publication number: 20090128830
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an interferometer device and method. In embodiments, the device comprises an electromagnetic radiation source emitting radiation having a first mean wavelength ?LE; a phase grating having a first aspect ratio; an absorption grating having a second aspect ratio; and a detector. The electromagnetic radiation source, the phase grating, the absorption grating and the detector are radiatively coupled with each other. The absorption grating is positioned between the detector and the phase grating; the electromagnetic radiation source is positioned in front of the source grating; and wherein the phase grating is designed such to cause a phase shift that is smaller than ? on the emitted radiation. Additional and alternative embodiments are specified and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Christian KOTTLER, Rolf KAUFMANN
  • Publication number: 20090045346
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an X-ray imaging device comprising an X-ray absorber that comprises a plurality of semiconductor layers. The plurality of semiconductor layers comprise a substrate having a backside; and at least one absorption layer adapted to absorb at least one X-ray photon impinging on the at least one absorption layer that is adapted to correspondingly generate in response to the at least one impinging X-ray photon at least one electron-hole pair; and a readout unit, wherein the readout unit is operatively coupled to the X-ray absorber such to enable readout of the at least one electron-hole pair. Additional and alternative embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Hans Von Kanel, Rolf Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20090014658
    Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kaspar Cottier, Rolf Kaufmann, Rino E. Kunz, Thierry Oggier, Guy Voirin, Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20080224054
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a photon detection device that is adapted to detect at least one packet of photons. The photon detection device may include a photon-sensitive element having an output, an amplifier; and a non-linear feedback (NLF) element. The photon-sensitive element generates charges upon the engagement of at least one photon packet therewith. An increase from a first number of charges in the photon-sensitive element to a second number of charges, results in a corresponding increase of a first reset time required to reset the first number of charges to a respective second reset time required to reset the second number of charges in the photon-sensitive element, whereby the reset time is non-linear to with respect to an increase in the charges. Additional and alternative embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA
    Inventors: Michael Lehmann, Rolf Kaufmann, Max Erick Busse-Grawitz
  • Publication number: 20070187724
    Abstract: The pixel for use in an image sensor comprises a low-doped semiconductor substrate (A). On the substrate (A), an arrangement of a plurality of floating areas e.g., floating gates (FG2-FG6), is provided. Neighboring floating gates are electrically isolated from each other yet capacitively coupled to each other. By applying a voltage (V2-V1) to two contact areas (FG1, FG7), a lateral steplike electric field is generated. Photogenerated charge carriers move along the electric-field lines to the point of highest potential energy, where a floating diffusion (D) accumulate the photocharges. The charges accumulated in the various pixels are sequentially read out with a suitable circuit known from image-sensor literature, such as a source follower or a charge amplifier with row and column select mechanisms. The pixel of offers at the same time a large sensing area, a high photocharge-detection sensitivity and a high response speed without any static current consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Michael Lehmann, Peter Seitz