Patents by Inventor Steffen ZEHNLE

Steffen ZEHNLE 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: 20210372907
    Abstract: A method for verifying a density and/or viscosity measuring device in a measuring station of a process installation during ongoing operation, in which a medium flows through a main channel of the process installation, comprising steps: providing a side channel, which is connected as a bypass of the main channel, wherein the side channel is fluidically connected to the main channel via two regions of the main channel with mutually differing diameters; providing a MEMS-based master or control density measuring device in the side channel such that the MEMS-based master or control density measuring device is flowed through by the medium; performing at least one verification measurement with the MEMS-based master or control density measuring device; and verifying the density and/or viscosity measuring device based on the at least one verification measurement performed by the MEMS-based master or control density measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Steffen Zehnle, Christof Huber, Josua Ritter
  • Patent number: 11141728
    Abstract: A fluidic module for switching liquid from a liquid retaining area into which liquid can be introduced into downstream fluidic structures includes at least two fluid paths fluidically connecting the liquid retaining area to the downstream fluidic structures. One of the two fluid paths includes a siphon channel. The downstream fluidic structures are not vented or only vented via a vent delay resistor, such that when the liquid is introduced into the liquid retaining area, an enclosed gas volume results in the downstream fluidic structures. By adjusting the ratio of a centrifugal pressure effected by a rotation of the fluidic module and a pneumatic pressure prevailing in the gas volume, the liquid can be retained in the liquid retaining area or can be transferred into the downstream fluidic structures via the siphon channel wherein venting takes place via the other one of the fluid paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Ingmar Schwarz, Nils Paust, Steffen Zehnle, Mark Keller, Tobias Hutzenlaub, Frank Schwemmer
  • Patent number: 10882039
    Abstract: A fluidic module includes first and second measuring chambers, first and second fluid inlet channels connected to the first and second measuring chambers, respectively, and first and second fluid outlet channels connected to the first and second measuring chambers, respectively. Upon rotation of the fluidic module about a center of rotation, liquids are centrifugally driven into the first and second measuring chambers via the first and second fluid inlet channels, respectively, so that compressible media previously present within the first and second measuring chambers are compressed by the liquids driven into the first and second measuring chambers, respectively. Upon a reduction of the rotational frequency and upon an expansion, resulting therefrom, of the compressible media, the liquids present within the first and second measuring chambers are driven out of same via the first and second fluid outlet channels, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft fuer angewandte Forschung e.V., Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg
    Inventors: Frank Schwemmer, Steffen Zehnle, Nils Paust, Pierre Dominique Kosse, Daniel Mark
  • Patent number: 10563656
    Abstract: A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HAHN-SCHICKARD-GESELLSCHAFT FÜR ANGEWANDTE FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Nils Paust, Steffen Zehnle, Felix Von Stetten
  • Publication number: 20190388886
    Abstract: A fluidic module for switching liquid from a liquid retaining area into which liquid can be introduced into downstream fluidic structures includes at least two fluid paths fluidically connecting the liquid retaining area to the downstream fluidic structures. One of the two fluid paths includes a siphon channel. The downstream fluidic structures are not vented or only vented via a vent delay resistor, such that when the liquid is introduced into the liquid retaining area, an enclosed gas volume results in the downstream fluidic structures. By adjusting the ratio of a centrifugal pressure effected by a rotation of the fluidic module and a pneumatic pressure prevailing in the gas volume, the liquid can be retained in the liquid retaining area or can be transferred into the downstream fluidic structures via the siphon channel wherein venting takes place via the other one of the fluid paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Ingmar Schwarz, Nils Paust, Steffen Zehnle, Mark Keller, Tobias Hutzenlaub, Frank Schwemmer
  • Patent number: 10350598
    Abstract: A fluidic module rotatable about a center of rotation includes a first compression chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a second compression chamber having a fluid inlet, a first fluid channel connected to the first chamber via the fluid inlet of the first chamber, and a second fluid channel connecting the fluid outlet of the first chamber to the fluid inlet of the second chamber. Due to rotation of the fluidic module a liquid may be centrifugally driven into the first chamber and the second fluid channel through the first fluid channel, and thereby a compressible medium may be entrapped and compressed within the second chamber. By lowering the rotary frequency and due to the resultant expansion of the compressible medium, liquid may be driven out of the second fluid channel into the first chamber, out of the first chamber into and through an outlet channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: HAHN-SCHICKARD-GESELLSCHAFT FUER ANGEWANDTE FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Schwemmer, Steffen Zehnle, Nils Paust, Daniel Mark
  • Publication number: 20180291912
    Abstract: A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Nils PAUST, Steffen ZEHNLE, Felix VON STETTEN
  • Patent number: 10001125
    Abstract: A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: HAHN-SCHICKARD-GESELLSCHAFT FÜR ANGEWANDTE FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Nils Paust, Steffen Zehnle, Felix Von Stetten
  • Publication number: 20170216837
    Abstract: A fluidic module rotatable about a center of rotation includes a first compression chamber having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a second compression chamber having a fluid inlet, a first fluid channel connected to the first chamber via the fluid inlet of the first chamber, and a second fluid channel connecting the fluid outlet of the first chamber to the fluid inlet of the second chamber. Due to rotation of the fluidic module a liquid may be centrifugally driven into the first chamber and the second fluid channel through the first fluid channel, and thereby a compressible medium may be entrapped and compressed within the second chamber. By lowering the rotary frequency and due to the resultant expansion of the compressible medium, liquid may be driven out of the second fluid channel into the first chamber, out of the first chamber into and through an outlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Frank SCHWEMMER, Steffen ZEHNLE, Nils PAUST, Daniel MARK
  • Publication number: 20160214104
    Abstract: A fluidic module includes first and second measuring chambers, first and second fluid inlet channels connected to the first and second measuring chambers, respectively, and first and second fluid outlet channels connected to the first and second measuring chambers, respectively. Upon rotation of the fluidic module about a center of rotation, liquids are centrifugally driven into the first and second measuring chambers via the first and second fluid inlet channels, respectively, so that compressible media previously present within the first and second measuring chambers are compressed by the liquids driven into the first and second measuring chambers, respectively. Upon a reduction of the rotational frequency and upon an expansion, resulting therefrom, of the compressible media, the liquids present within the first and second measuring chambers are driven out of same via the first and second fluid outlet channels, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Frank SCHWEMMER, Steffen ZEHNLE, Nils PAUST, Pierre Dominique KOSSE, Daniel MARK
  • Publication number: 20140356129
    Abstract: A fluidics module rotatable about a rotational center includes first and second chambers and a compression chamber. First and second fluid channels are provided between the first and second chambers and the compression chamber, respectively. The flow resistance of the second fluid channel is smaller, for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the second chamber, than a flow resistance of the first fluid channel for a flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the first chamber. Upon rotation at a high rotational frequency, liquid is initially introduced from the first chamber into the compression chamber via the first fluid channel, so that a compressible medium is compressed within the compression chamber. Subsequently, the rotational frequency is reduced, so that the compressible medium within the compression chamber will expand and so that, thereby, liquid is driven into the second chamber via the second fluid channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Nils PAUST, Steffen ZEHNLE, Felix VON STETTEN