Patents by Inventor Stephan Thomas
Stephan Thomas 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: 20250328672Abstract: A method and system for providing secure delivery, transport, modification, exchange of digital design and build files that have been bundled into a digital asset within a complex digital supply chain. The system also provides for quality standards when the digital asset is used to manufacture a physical part, and provides for secure feedback to stakeholders for the purpose of digital logistics, data analytics, or liability. The system includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, licensing, modification and delegation policy, generating authorization certificates, authenticating manufacturing devices and provide qualitative and quantitative file consumption data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2025Publication date: October 23, 2025Inventors: Chris ADKINS, Joseph INKENBRANDT, Stephan THOMAS
-
Patent number: 12246981Abstract: A method for homogenizing glass includes the method: providing a cylindrical blank composed of the glass having a cylindrical outer surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the blank between a first end face and a second end face, forming a shear zone in the blank by softening a longitudinal section of the blank and subjecting it to a thermal-mechanical intermixing treatment, and displacing the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. The displacement of the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank is superimposed by a simultaneous oscillating motion of the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. The first end of the blank is rotated at a first rotational speed and the second end of the blank is rotated at a second rotational speed. An oscillating motion of the shear zone is generated by periodically varying the first and/or second rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Jan Vydra, Martin Trommer, Michael Huenermann, Andreas Langner, Walter Lehmann, Stefan Hengster, Klaus Becker
-
Patent number: 12218468Abstract: A plug adapter connects to a solenoid valve already mounted in a motor vehicle. The plug adapter has a plug connector for receiving an electrical control signal from a control unit of the motor vehicle for operating the solenoid valve. The plug adapter includes a solenoid valve connector for detachable coupling of the plug adapter to the plug connector of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve connector and the plug connector are matched to one another in terms of plug form and electrical signal transmission. An electronics component, such as a microcontroller, processes an electrical output signal for operating the solenoid valve when an electrical connection is established between the electronics component and the solenoid valve via the solenoid valve connector when the plug adapter is plugged into the plug connector.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Inventors: Björn Diessl, Stefan Popov, Stephan Thomas
-
Publication number: 20240086561Abstract: A method and system for providing secure delivery, transport, modification, exchange of digital design and build files that have been bundled into a digital asset within a complex digital supply chain. The system also provides for quality standards when the digital asset is used to manufacture a physical part, and provides for secure feedback to stakeholders for the purpose of digital logistics, data analytics, or liability. The system includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, licensing, modification and delegation policy, generating authorization certificates, authenticating manufacturing devices and provide qualitative and quantitative file consumption data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Materialise USA, LLCInventors: Chris ADKINS, Joseph INKENBRANDT, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 11861026Abstract: A method and system for providing secure delivery, transport, modification, exchange of digital design and build files that have been bundled into a digital asset within a complex digital supply chain. The system also provides for quality standards when the digital asset is used to manufacture a physical part, and provides for secure feedback to stakeholders for the purpose of digital logistics, data analytics, or liability. The system includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, licensing, modification and delegation policy, generating authorization certificates, authenticating manufacturing devices and provide qualitative and quantitative file consumption data.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Materialise USA, LLCInventors: Chris Adkins, Joseph Inkenbrandt, Stephan Thomas
-
Publication number: 20230063663Abstract: A method for homogenizing glass includes the method: providing a cylindrical blank composed of the glass having a cylindrical outer surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the blank between a first end face and a second end face, forming a shear zone in the blank by softening a longitudinal section of the blank and subjecting it to a thermal-mechanical intermixing treatment, and displacing the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. The displacement of the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank is superimposed by a simultaneous oscillating motion of the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. The first end of the blank is rotated at a first rotational speed and the second end of the blank is rotated at a second rotational speed. An oscillating motion of the shear zone is generated by periodically varying the first and/or second rotational speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Jan Vydra, Martin Trommer, Michael Huenermann, Andreas Langner, Walter Lehmann, Stefan Hengster, Klaus Becker
-
Patent number: 11485671Abstract: A method for homogenizing glass includes the method: providing a cylindrical blank composed of the glass having a cylindrical outer surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the blank between a first end face and a second end face, forming a shear zone in the blank by softening a longitudinal section of the blank and subjecting it to a thermal-mechanical intermixing treatment, and displacing the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. To enable a radial mixing within the shear zone in addition to the tangential mixing with the lowest possible time and energy input, starting from this method, cylindrical sections of the blank are adjacent to the shear zone on both sides, the first cylindrical section having a first central axis and the second cylindrical section having a second central axis, the first central axis and the second central axis being temporarily non-coaxial with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Jan Vydra, Martin Trommer, Michael Huenermann, Andreas Langner, Walter Lehmann, Stefan Hengster, Klaus Becker
-
Patent number: 11459262Abstract: A known method for homogenizing glass includes the following steps: providing a cylindrical blank composed of the glass, having a cylindrical outer surface which extends between a first end face and a second end face, forming a shear zone in the blank by softening a longitudinal section of the blank and subjecting it to a thermal-mechanical intermixing treatment, and moving the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. To reduce the risk of cracks and fractures during homogenizing, it is proposed that a thermal radiation dissipator is used that at least partially surrounds the shear zone, the lateral dimension of which in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the blank is greater than the shear zone and smaller than the length of the blank, the thermal radiation dissipator being moved synchronously with the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Jan Vydra, Martin Trommer, Michael Huenermann, Andreas Langner, Walter Lehmann, Stefan Hengster, Klaus Becker
-
Publication number: 20210265794Abstract: A plug adapter connects to a solenoid valve already mounted in a motor vehicle. The plug adapter has a plug connector for receiving an electrical control signal from a control unit of the motor vehicle for operating the solenoid valve. The plug adapter includes a solenoid valve connector for detachable coupling of the plug adapter to the plug connector of the solenoid valve. The solenoid valve connector and the plug connector are matched to one another in terms of plug form and electrical signal transmission. An electronics component, such as a microcontroller, processes an electrical output signal for operating the solenoid valve when an electrical connection is established between the electronics component and the solenoid valve via the solenoid valve connector when the plug adapter is plugged into the plug connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2021Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: WOCO Industrietechnik GmbHInventors: Björn Diessl, Stefan Popov, Stephan Thomas
-
Publication number: 20210248260Abstract: A method and system for providing secure delivery, transport, modification, exchange of digital design and build files that have been bundled into a digital asset within a complex digital supply chain. The system also provides for quality standards when the digital asset is used to manufacture a physical part, and provides for secure feedback to stakeholders for the purpose of digital logistics, data analytics, or liability. The system includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, licensing, modification and delegation policy, generating authorization certificates, authenticating manufacturing devices and provide qualitative and quantitative file consumption data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Chris Adkins, Joseph Inkenbrandt, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 11023608Abstract: A method and system for providing secure delivery, transport, modification, exchange of digital design and build files that have been bundled into a digital asset within a complex digital supply chain. The system also provides for quality standards when the digital asset is used to manufacture a physical part, and provides for secure feedback to stakeholders for the purpose of digital logistics, data analytics, or liability. The system includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, licensing, modification and delegation policy, generating authorization certificates, authenticating manufacturing devices and provide qualitative and quantitative file consumption data.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: IDENTIFY3D, INC.Inventors: Chris Adkins, Joseph Inkenbrandt, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 10732519Abstract: A substrate for an EUV mirror which contains a zero crossing temperature profile that departs from the statistical distribution is provided. A method for producing a substrate for an EUV mirror is also provided, in which the zero crossing temperature profile in the substrate is adapted to the operating temperature of the mirror. A lithography method using the substrate is also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Becker, Stephan Thomas
-
Publication number: 20200131069Abstract: A known method for homogenizing glass includes the following steps: providing a cylindrical blank composed of the glass, having a cylindrical outer surface which extends between a first end face and a second end face, forming a shear zone in the blank by softening a longitudinal section of the blank and subjecting it to a thermal-mechanical intermixing treatment, and moving the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. To reduce the risk of cracks and fractures during homogenizing, it is proposed that a thermal radiation dissipator is used that at least partially surrounds the shear zone, the lateral dimension of which in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the blank is greater than the shear zone and smaller than the length of the blank, the thermal radiation dissipator being moved synchronously with the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Jan Vydra, Martin Trommer, Michael Huenermann, Andreas Langner, Walter Lehmann, Stefan Hengster, Klaus Becker
-
Publication number: 20200131071Abstract: A method for homogenizing glass includes the method: providing a cylindrical blank composed of the glass having a cylindrical outer surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the blank between a first end face and a second end face, forming a shear zone in the blank by softening a longitudinal section of the blank and subjecting it to a thermal-mechanical intermixing treatment, and displacing the shear zone along the longitudinal axis of the blank. To enable a radial mixing within the shear zone in addition to the tangential mixing with the lowest possible time and energy input, starting from this method, cylindrical sections of the blank are adjacent to the shear zone on both sides, the first cylindrical section having a first central axis and the second cylindrical section having a second central axis, the first central axis and the second central axis being temporarily non-coaxial with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Jan Vydra, Martin Trommer, Michael Huenermann, Andreas Langner, Walter Lehmann, Stefan Hengster, Klaus Becker
-
Publication number: 20190087598Abstract: A method and system for providing secure delivery, transport, modification, exchange of digital design and build files that have been bundled into a digital asset within a complex digital supply chain. The system also provides for quality standards when the digital asset is used to manufacture a physical part, and provides for secure feedback to stakeholders for the purpose of digital logistics, data analytics, or liability. The system includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing, licensing, modification and delegation policy, generating authorization certificates, authenticating manufacturing devices and provide qualitative and quantitative file consumption data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Chris Adkins, Joseph lnkenbrandt, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 9796617Abstract: A method for producing titanium-doped synthetic quartz glass includes: (A) providing a liquid SiO2 feedstock material that comprises more than 60% by weight of the polyalkylsiloxane D4; (B) evaporating the liquid SiO2 feedstock material to produce a gaseous SiO2 feedstock vapor; (C) evaporating a liquid TiO2 feedstock material to produce a gaseous TiO2 feedstock vapor; (D) converting the SiO2 feedstock vapor and the TiO2 feedstock vapor into SiO2 particles and TiO2 particles, respectively; (E) depositing the SiO2 particles and the TiO2 particles on a deposition surface while forming a titanium-doped SiO2 soot body; (F) vitrifying the titanium-doped SiO2 soot body while forming the synthetic quartz glass, whereby the TiO2 concentration of the synthetic quartz glass is between 5% by weight and 11% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Heinz Fabian, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 9586850Abstract: The Ti3+ ions present in Ti-doped silica glass cause a brown staining of the glass, causing inspection of the lens to become more difficult. Known methods for reducing Ti3+ ions in favor of Ti4+ ions in Ti-doped silica glass include a sufficiently high proportion of OH-groups and carrying out an oxygen treatment prior to vitrification, which both have disadvantages. In order to provide a cost-efficient production method for Ti-doped silica glass, which at a hydroxyl group content of less than 120 ppm shows an internal transmittance (sample thickness 10 mm) of at least 70% in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 1000 nm, the TiO2—SiO2 soot body is subjected to a conditioning treatment with a nitrogen oxide prior to vitrification. The blank produced in this way from Ti-doped silica glass has the ratio Ti3+/Ti4+?5×10?4.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stefan Ochs, Klaus Becker, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 9540271Abstract: A blank made of titanium-doped silica glass for a mirror substrate for use in EUV lithography is provided. The blank includes a surface portion to be provided with a reflective film and having an optically used area (CA) over which a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) has a two-dimensional inhomogeneity (dCTE) distribution profile averaged over a thickness of the blank. A maximum inhomogeneity (dCTEmax) of less than 5 ppb/K is defined as a difference between a CTE maximum value and a CTE minimum value. The dCTEmax is at least 0.5 ppb/K. The CA forms a non-circular area having a centroid. The dCTE distribution profile is not rotation-symmetrical and is defined over the CA, such that straight profile sections normalized to a unit length and extending through the centroid of the area yield a dCTE family of curves forming a curve band with a bandwidth of less than 0.5×dCTEmax.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus Becker, Stefan Ochs, Stephan Thomas
-
Patent number: 9522840Abstract: A blank of TiO2—SiO2 glass for a mirror substrate for use in EUV lithography has a low need for adaptation to optimize the progression of the coefficient of thermal expansion, and consequently also the progression of the zero crossing temperature Tzc. The TiO2—SiO2 glass has at a mean value of the fictive temperature Tf in the range between 920° C. and 970° C. a dependence expressed as the differential quotient dTzc/dTf of its zero crossing temperature Tzc on the fictive temperature Tf of less than 0.3.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Stephan Thomas, Klaus Becker, Stefan Ochs
-
Publication number: 20160320715Abstract: A substrate for an EUV mirror which contains a zero crossing temperature profile that departs from the statistical distribution is provided. A method for producing a substrate for an EUV mirror is also provided, in which the zero crossing temperature profile in the substrate is adapted to the operating temperature of the mirror. A lithography method using the substrate is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Klaus BECKER, Stephan THOMAS